Thorne gleefully checked his system panel.
Host: Thorne
Identity: Lake of Spiritual Power
Level: Lv1
Energy: 2,000,000
Skills:
Spring Breeze Turns to Rain Lv10 (Upgradable to Stormy Tempest)
Water Binding Lv10 (Upgradable to Water Shackles)
Water Arrow Lv10 (Upgradable to Ice Arrow)
Water Dragon Soars Lv10 (Upgradable to Water Dragon Roar)
Ice Prison Lv10 (Upgradable to Ice Chains)
Blessing (Usable twice monthly)
Awakening (Usable twice monthly)
"Finally reached the Spiritual Lake stage. Time to upgrade all my skills," Thorne decided.
"System, upgrade all skills to their highest current level."
Spending over 500,000 energy points, he completed the upgrades. The enhanced skills surged in power—Thorne felt they'd reached Legendary Tier.
But that wasn't the highlight. Now, he could create his first tributary, breaking free from this desert confinement.
With a tributary, he could divert enemy attention from his lake, enhancing its safety.
He'd long chosen its destination: the underground world, spotted when it was first discovered—a hidden realm with vast potential. He could quietly build his forces there, surfacing them when the time was right.
Per the system, each tributary gained an elemental power. What should this underground dark river wield?
"Earth element, perhaps? McGee's Earth Spirit Clan and the Rock Monsters use it," he mused.
But it didn't fit his vision. The Earth Spirit Clan was a temporary crutch—his goal was unique, mighty rivers. An earth river felt mundane, clashing with water.
"A dark element river, then—flowing beneath this continent, the River Styx of this divine and demonic land!"
In his past life, the River Styx was a mythical underworld river. Here, Thorne would make it real.
In the underground world, McGee's conquests had secured a stretch of riverbank. Thorne left the existing dark river untouched for now.
"System, create a tributary: River Styx, Dark Element River."
"Drip, tributary created successfully. Length: 1,000 meters. Extension requires energy points."
Thorne guided the flow alongside the original dark river, forming a dark element river.
Spanning 1,000 meters, it matched McGee's conquered territory.
Its inky black waters exuded darkness brazenly, unlike the lake's restraint, as if begging to be noticed.
Having warned McGee beforehand, the Earth Spirit Clan and their vassals watched this miracle from the rocks.
A river materialized in the underground world. Few knew its source—a humble hole above—linked to the lake they longed for.
Thorne checked the system. A new "Tributary" section appeared:
Tributary: River Styx
Length: 1,000 meters
Attribute: Dark Element (Suitable only for dark creatures)
Skill: Submersion (Creatures submerged in the River Styx become skeleton warriors, obeying the host)
"What a perverse skill! Used well, I could amass a war machine army, utterly loyal," Thorne marveled.
As underground conquests grew, he'd need more warriors. The realm's races, often unruly, resisted subjugation, forcing annihilation. This skill turned foes into allies, sparing his own.
McGee and his kin knelt by the calm river, awestruck, sensing a lurking beast beneath, ready to devour.
"McGee, toss a few captives from past battles into the river," Thorne's voice echoed in his mind.
Unsure but obedient, McGee ordered two massive beasts brought forth.
He rarely kept prisoners—too troublesome, requiring food. Only large beasts, potential rations, were spared. Now, they proved useful.
Per Thorne's command, McGee threw them in. Barely a splash, and they sank.
Moments later, two skeletons emerged.
Thorne sensed he could command them effortlessly.
"Jump back in," he ordered.
The skeletons complied, leaping in, seeming at ease underwater.
"Drip, congratulations, host, for gaining two skeleton warriors. Rewarded 500 energy points."
Thorne summoned them out. They stood quietly, devoid of prior ferocity.
McGee and the others gaped, convinced of Thorne's divine miracle, deepening their faith.
Gazing at this modest river, Thorne's ambition swelled.