Drake sat cross-legged on the jade bed, the room still faintly chilled from Aokiji's earlier entrance. The admiral lounged against the wall, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded like he might nap any second.
"Those pills," Drake said, pulling out the three Basic Qi Recovery Pills from his storage ring—simple white orbs glowing with faint spiritual energy. "System said they're for recovery. Let's see if they unclog this mess."
He popped the first one. Warmth spread from his stomach, qi trickling into clogged meridians like water through cracked pipes. Some pathways cleared—sharp pain, then relief. The second and third followed. His dantian pulsed stronger, faint qi circulating.
[Ding! Meridian restoration progress: 40%. Lifespan extended: +2 years (now 2 years + 2 months remaining). Qi density increased. Minor body tempering achieved.]
Drake exhaled. Better. Not fixed, but breathing room.
[Store function unlocked but currently locked. Requires System Level 2 to access. Current points: 1000 (insufficient for upgrades).]
"Figures," Drake muttered. "Tease me with a shop I can't use."
Aokiji tilted his head. "...Sounds like the world's toying with you. Troublesome. You gonna sit here forever?"
Drake stood, cracking his knuckles. "No. This body's weak. Forest outside the clan has beasts—demonic wolves, spirit tigers, low-level trash. Good for points. And cores to refine later."
Aokiji pushed off the wall slowly. "...Hunting, huh? Lazy way to get strong. But if it keeps the kid's grudge from eating you alive... fine. Lead on."
They slipped out a side gate of the Heavenly Sky Clan's outer peak. No one noticed—the crippled young master rarely left his courtyard, and Aokiji's presence was masked by the system's subtle veil.
The outer forest loomed: dense ancient trees, mist-shrouded paths, faint roars. Generic xianxia wilderness—perfect for low-level grinding.
Not far in, growls echoed. A pack of Ironback Demonic Wolves—grey fur spiked with metallic sheen, eyes glowing red, Qi Gathering early-stage each. About a dozen, led by a larger alpha at Qi Gathering late.
They circled, sensing easy prey.
Drake smirked. "Your turn, big guy."
Aokiji yawned. "...Troublesome pack. Fine."
He raised one hand. Air temperature plummeted. Frost spread in a wave.
Ice Age.
A casual gesture. The entire clearing froze solid in an instant—wolves mid-leap turned to ice statues, expressions locked in shock. Cracks formed, then shattered into glittering dust.
[Ding! Killed 12 Ironback Demonic Wolves (Qi Gathering). +1200 points. +12 Beast Cores (low-grade).]
[Total points: 2200.]
[System experience gained. Level up! System now Level 2.]
[Store unlocked! Basic items available (Qi Pills, weapons, manuals, etc.). Status window activated.]
A new panel appeared:
[Host: Drake (Lin Drake body)]
Cultivation: Body Refinement Peak (Meridians 40% restored)
Lifespan: ~2 years 2 months
Summon Points: 2200
Summons: Aokiji (Rank S) - Current equivalent: Early Golden Core
Passive Bonus Unlocked: Summon Strength Share - Host gains 1% of each summon's full power (permanently scalable). Current bonus from Aokiji: +1% Logia-level durability, ice affinity, enhanced physique.]
Drake felt it—a subtle chill in his veins, muscles hardening slightly, skin tougher. Not much yet, but stacking.
"Nice," he said. "One percent of an admiral? I'll take it."
Aokiji glanced over. "...You just got a little colder. Interesting. Don't freeze yourself by accident."
They kept moving. No stealth—beasts sensed them and attacked anyway. Spirit boars charging with earth qi. Venomous shadow snakes. Low-grade demonic birds diving.
Each encounter ended the same: Aokiji's lazy flick of frost. Instant freeze. Shatter. Points ticking up.
Drake didn't just watch. He tested his body—punched frozen corpses to shatter them, felt the new toughness. Killed a few stragglers himself with basic qi-infused strikes. Each kill added minor points.
Two weeks blurred by.
They camped in hidden grottos, Aokiji freezing streams for water, Drake cultivating with beast cores and points-converted qi. The admiral's power crept up—system feedback showed him edging toward mid-Golden Core. His ice felt denser, colder.
Drake changed too. Muscles denser, broader shoulders, scars from old training faded under tougher skin. Body Refinement fully peaked, then breakthrough—qi surged, meridians cleared the last 60% in one painful rush.
[Ding! Breakthrough: Early Foundation Establishment! Meridians fully restored. Lifespan +100 years. Physique enhanced (1% Aokiji bonus compounded).]
He stood taller, qi flowing freely. Flight on sword? Not yet—but he could hover briefly.
Word spread in nearby mortal towns bordering the forest.
At a roadside tea house, travelers whispered:
"Ya hear? Some ice cultivator's been clearing the outer woods."
"Beasts terrorized merchants for years—wolf packs, boars, snakes. Now? Frozen statues everywhere. One traveler saw a tall man in a white coat wave his hand—whole pack gone."
"Must be a rogue expert. Or Heavenly Sky Clan disciple training secretly."
"Whatever it is... safer roads now. Bless that ice ghost."
Drake overheard from a distance, hidden in trees. He smirked.
Aokiji, lounging on an ice chair he'd casually made, raised an eyebrow. "...Fame already? Troublesome. People talk too much."
Drake sat beside him. "Let them. Fear's useful. Respect comes later."
He checked the panel.
Points: 18,500 accumulated from constant hunts.
Enough.
[Ding! Points sufficient for another Rank S Summon Coupon (costs 15,000). Purchase? Y/N]
Drake's eyes gleamed grey steel.
Another summon. Another monster on his side.
He'd avenged the original body's death in small ways—those branch family rivals would come later, properly. For now, power first.
"System," he said quietly. "Buy it."
[Purchase confirmed. Rank S Summon Coupon obtained.]
Aokiji glanced over, sensing the shift. "...Another one? You're building an army, kid."
Drake stood, staring into the misty forest depths.
"Not an army. A force no one in this world can ignore."
He clenched his fist, qi humming, ice faintly frosting his knuckles from the bonus.
"Next summon... let's see what heaven sends me this time."
[To be continued...]