18: Panel update, Spiritual Power +5

The surrounding ice-blue light points, as if attracted, slowly began to gather towards him.

This process was not fast, and even a bit tedious.

But he could clearly feel that as the Spiritual Qi was absorbed, his Mental Energy was slowly recovering, and even subtly increasing.

The trace of spiritual power within his body was also slowly growing stronger.

“Is this Cultivation?”

Mo Yan understood in his heart: “Guiding Qi into the body, accumulating little by little.”

This was a good start.

As long as he persevered and combined it with Cultivation Techniques he might obtain later, his strength would steadily improve.

Inside the upgraded Ice Crystal Cabin, he felt his perception of Spiritual Qi was sharper, and guiding it was also smoother.

Mo Yan was immersed in this wonderful state, forgetting the passage of time.

It wasn't until the next morning that he slowly opened his eyes.

A night of Meditation, not only did he not feel tired, but he felt refreshed, and his Mental Energy was even fuller than last night.

The spiritual power within his body had also grown a bit.

“The effect is good.” Mo Yan stood up and stretched his limbs, his joints emitting soft crackling sounds.

Gun Gun was still sleeping soundly at his feet, his little belly rising and falling.

Mo Yan carefully got out of bed without disturbing it.

He walked outside and took a deep breath of the crisp air unique to the Icefield’s morning, feeling invigorated.

He immediately opened his Lord’s panel.

Lord: Mo Yan

Talent: SSS-Rank Resource Collector

Rank: Lv3 (Qi Refining Third Level)

Spiritual Power: 5 / 500

Skills: Spiritual Energy Induction (Beginner), Meditation (Beginner)

Territory Rank: Lv2 (200m × 200m) - Cultivation System

Prosperity: 127 / 200

Population: 38 / 50

Wealth: Gold 2660

Hero: Gun Gun (Lv1 Qi Refining Stage Layer 1)

Buildings: Ice Crystal Cabin Lv2, Barracks Lv2, Simple Wooden Wall Lv1, Tavern Lv1...

Resources: food 4140, wood 4220, stone 4330,

iron ore 4380, dried meat 1180, Origin Stone 2...

The Lord interface was completely new, with added Cultivation System, Heroes, and Skill bar.

Spiritual Energy Induction and Meditation had also successfully reached beginner level after a night of Cultivation.

The most important thing was that Spiritual Power increased by 5 points!

It was because he absorbed Spiritual Qi last night, and then it increased.

It seems that once this progress bar reaches 500 points, he should be able to Breakthrough to the next level.

The Rank will also upgrade synchronously, which needs to be slowly researched later.

In terms of resources, basic resources increased significantly overnight due to the 3rd level automatic production effect of his talent.

However, there were only a pitiful 2 Origin Stones left!

The Butchering Platform consumed 1 Origin Stone daily to maintain operation.

This meant that if he didn't replenish them quickly, the Butchering Platform would cease operation tomorrow!

Not to mention the total of 35 Origin Stones required to build the Yu Shan Workshop and Natural Hot Spring.

And there was also the consumption to maintain the Hot Spring’s operation.

The Origin Stone deficit was huge!

Mo Yan closed the panel and looked at the new building in the center of the territory, which was already completed and emitting a faint glow.

It was an ancient-style building with upturned eaves and painted beams, and an antique plaque hung at the entrance.

On it were written the words “Tavern” in flowing calligraphy.

Mo Yan pushed open the carved wooden door and walked in.

The interior of the Tavern was decorated in a simple and elegant style, with several rosewood tables and chairs in the hall on the first floor, several landscape paintings hanging on the walls, and a bar counter carved with Dragon patterns in the corner.

The bar counter was empty, with only a virtual interface emitting a soft glow suspended in mid-air.

Tavern

Rank: 1

Recruitable Talents Today: 3 / 3

Refresh Count: 0 / 1 (Automatically refreshes daily at 12 PM, or manually refreshes by consuming 100 gold coins)

Mo Yan looked at the information of the three recruitable talents.

[Slot 1]

Name: Wang Wu

Profession: Hunter (Beginner)

Skills: Basic Archery (Beginner), Trap Making (Beginner), Wilderness Survival (Beginner)

Evaluation: A young hunter with limited experience, capable of basic hunting and reconnaissance needs.

Recruitment Cost: 200 Gold Coins

[Slot 2]

Name: Li Gang

Profession: Blacksmith (Beginner)

Skills: Basic Forging (Beginner), Weapon Repair (Beginner)

Evaluation: A blacksmith with ordinary skills, capable of basic weapon forging and repair work.

Recruitment Cost: 250 Gold Coins

[Slot 3]

Name: Aunt Zhao

Profession: Chef (Beginner)

Skills: Basic Cooking (Beginner)

Evaluation: An ordinary chef good at home-cooked meals, able to fill stomachs.

Recruitment Cost: 150 Gold Coins

Mo Yan’s sharp gaze swept across the list, finally settling on the name Li Gang, his heart stirring slightly.

Blacksmith! He finally arrived!

This was the professional talent he currently needed most urgently!

The Soldiers’ spears needed sharpening, and their shields needed reinforcement.

The captured Materials could be used to forge better equipment, and even his own rare Frost Sword needed professional upkeep and maintenance.

With a blacksmith, the overall combat power of the territory could truly be elevated to a new Rank!

The Weapon Workshop could finally operate!

He looked at his gold coin balance, 2660.

Recruiting these three would cost 600 gold coins, which was a small sum for him.

“The territory is currently lacking all kinds of talents!” Mo Yan no longer hesitated, “Recruit them all!”

He first selected Li Gang.

[Confirm spending 250 gold coins to recruit Blacksmith Li Gang?]

“Confirm!”

The gold coins were deducted, and the talent information in Slot 2 lit up.

As the light faded, a man of short stature but broad shoulders and bulging muscles appeared in the Tavern.

He was wearing a rough cloth short jacket stained with oil and soot, and his exposed arms were solidly muscled.

He held a heavy iron hammer tightly in his hand, and his face wore an honest expression.

“Lord!” Li Gang saw Mo Yan and quickly put down his iron hammer, bowing somewhat clumsily.

“Good! You came at just the right time!” Mo Yan stepped forward and patted Blacksmith Li’s sturdy shoulder.

“Master Li, the territory is in dire need of a blacksmith like you!”

“We just acquired a large batch of Icefield Wolf bones and teeth, as well as some Ore Materials, all piled up in the Warehouse.”

Mo Yan’s tone was filled with anticipation: “See if you can quickly forge them into weapons and equipment to enhance the Soldiers’ combat power.

We have a tough battle to fight tonight, time is of the essence.”

“From now on, the weapon forging and repair of the territory will all depend on you!”

Feeling the Lord’s enthusiasm, Blacksmith Li’s dark face showed an excited expression, and he nodded vigorously.

“Lord, please rest assured, I may not have other skills, but this strength and blacksmithing craft are passable!”

“I guarantee to do the job beautifully for you, I’ll go to the Warehouse to take a look right now!”

Mo Yan nodded in satisfaction; Li Gang’s attitude made him feel very assured.

He then looked at the hunter Wang Wu in Slot 1.

[Confirm spending 200 gold coins to recruit Hunter Wang Wu?]

“Confirm!”

As the light flashed and faded, a nimble young man appeared, carrying a wooden bow on his back and a quiver at his waist.

His skin was dark, his gaze sharp, and he habitually scanned his surroundings.

He exuded a sense of vigilance and shrewdness honed in the mountains and forests.

“Lord!” Wang Wu saw Mo Yan, and without any superfluous words, he knelt on one knee directly, his movements swift and decisive.

“Rise.” Mo Yan gestured, “Wang Wu, from now on, the reconnaissance and hunting work around the territory will be entrusted to you.”

“Yes! Lord! Wang Wu will not fail!” Wang Wu stood up, his voice steady and strong.

Finally, it was Chef Aunt Zhao in Slot 3.

[Confirm spending 150 gold coins to recruit Chef Aunt Zhao?]

“Confirm!”

A middle-aged woman appeared, looking about forty years old, dressed simply and neatly, with a kind face.

“Greetings, Lord.” Aunt Zhao slightly curtsied.

“Aunt Zhao, no need for formalities.” Mo Yan said gently, “For now, I’ll trouble you to be responsible for the daily food of everyone in the territory, try your best to ensure everyone can eat their fill and eat well.”

He paused, then added: “Perhaps there will be more important cooking tasks for you in the future.”

He thought of the Yu Shan Workshop blueprint, which required a special chef, perhaps this Aunt Zhao could be useful in the future.

Aunt Zhao respectfully replied: “Yes, Lord, I will do my best to ensure everyone gets a warm meal.”