The world's quirks amuse Zhou Yan—an inflatable doll sale, a mere blip. He shifts to the Mystery Store's second item and chuckles—a building.
[Item: Barracks]
[Quality: E]
[Introduction: Constructs a barracks upon use.]
[Price: 200,000 spirit coins]
"Perfect timing!" he exclaims. His first barracks morphed into Bronze Sparrow Terrace—potent but stingy with summons. Manpower lags; this new one sparks hope. Will it yield soldiers, not rarities? He smirks at his own pickiness—dismissing Bronze Sparrow Terrace feels absurd. At 200,000 spirit coins, it's a steal.
[Territory Prompt: "Consumed 200,000 spirit coins. Purchased Barracks."]
He'll build later—onto the third: a diamond-tier gear piece, 50 million spirit coins. "Forever broke," he mutters, skipping it. Fourth, a solid find:
[Item: True Spirit Ring]
[Quality: Gold]
[Durability: 200/200]
[Attribute 1: Strength +10, Agility +10, Physique +10]
[Attribute 2: Spirit Blessing (Doubles or triples weapon damage via spiritual surge; varies by attack; 24-hour cooldown)]
[Requirement: Level 5]
[Introduction: Forged from true spirit ore—robust power.]
[Price: 300,000 spirit coins]
A bargain. He snaps it up, dons it—stats jump by 10 each.
[Territory Prompt: "Consumed 300,000 spirit coins. Purchased True Spirit Ring."]
The fifth item stops him cold. "A hero summoning card!" Eyes gleaming, he dives in:
[Item: Hero Summoning Card]
[Quality: D]
[Introduction: Summons a random hero in any barracks.]
[Price: 1,000 soul coins]
Quality matters little—Bronze Sparrow Terrace elevates all. His soul coins, swelled by Diao Chan's chest haul, top thousands. "Gotta hoard 18,000 next time," he resolves. "No coins for gems is a crime." He buys it.
[Territory Prompt: "Consumed 1,000 soul coins. Purchased Hero Summoning Card."]
Four of five snagged—poverty bars the last. He races to Bronze Sparrow Terrace, card in hand, and activates it at the altar.
[Territory Prompt: "Use Hero Summoning Card? Summons a random hero."]
"Yep!"
The card flares, light piercing the altar. A blue glow coalesces into a figure.
[Bronze Sparrow Terrace Prompt: "Congratulations: Gained hero Zhen Mi."]
[Bronze Sparrow Terrace Prompt: "Hero Zhen Mi evolved. Quality enhanced. Evolution complete."]
"Zhen Mi—Luoshen Fairy!" Zhou Yan beams. Second beauty of the Three Kingdoms, her low-tier card blooms under his colorful space. Grace incarnate, she stands—lithe as a bird, fluid as a dragon, radiant as autumn chrysanthemums, vibrant as spring pines. Her beauty veils like clouds over the moon, dances like snow in the wind—sunrise brilliance from afar, lotus bloom up close.
[Hero: Zhen Mi]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 18]
[Race: Human]
[Owner: Zhou Yan]
[Quality: RRR]
[Loyalty: 100]
[Level: 0]
[Upgrade Requirement: 100 soul coins]
[Charm: 45 (Base 4.5)]
[Luck: 30 (Base 3)]
[Strength: 3 (Base 0.3)]
[Physique: 5 (Base 0.5)]
[Agility: 6 (Base 0.6)]
[Spirit: 30 (Base 3)]
[Talent: Luoxian Body (Magic Attack +100%, Magic Recovery +100%)]
[Skill: Luoshen Verse (Induces mental chaos, hallucinations, and infighting among foes)]
[Special Attribute 1: Luoshen (Spirit +100%)]
[Special Attribute 2: Water/Ice Magic Affinity +100%]
[Introduction: Mysterious evolution boosts base stats tenfold. Three Kingdoms' second beauty, Luoshen Fairy.]
Her stats dazzle—30 luck, sky-high! "A queen's fortune," he muses, recalling her Three Kingdoms reign—outshining Diao Chan's lot. A mage build shines: spirit-driven, water-ice prowess, Luoshen Verse a devastating crowd control. "How potent's that skill?" he wonders, eager to test it.
Her beauty—soft, enchanting—contrasts Diao Chan's lunar allure. Two days with the latter steadies his heart; he regains composure. "This servant greets her lord," Zhen Mi says, gliding forward with a bow—elegance in every curve.
"No need for formalities," Zhou Yan replies, waving it off. "Be yourself here. Know Diao Chan?"
"Diao Chan?" she echoes. "No."
Their pasts blur—only identity and lordship register. A mercy, he thinks—no tragic echoes. "I'll introduce you," he offers, leading her on. Unlike Diao Chan's reserve, Zhen Mi meets his gaze with a bold smile, peppering him with questions about this world. He answers patiently as they reach the Spiritual Bamboo House.