He could clearly feel a force, like a clear spring, continuously pouring into his body.
This was the soul power dissipated after the death of a Demonized Beast!
Absorbing and refining soul power could make one stronger.
But only Awakeners could absorb soul power! This was the key for Awakeners to continue evolving and leave ordinary people far behind.
However, Tang Yu was aware of his situation; his aptitude was extremely poor. Not to mention absorbing soul power, even the device that assisted in Awakening couldn't help him Awaken.
At this moment, he clearly felt a force flowing into his body, then gathering in a certain part of his body.
What else could this be but soul power?
Tang Yu decided to consult the system.
"Ding-dong! The Lord's aptitude is indeed extremely low, classified as E-level. However, after binding with the system, the Lord gains the ability to absorb and refine soul power without needing to Awaken."
"Moreover, Puppets are territory units that cannot absorb soul power themselves. As long as the Lord is within the range of dissipating soul power, this portion of soul power will naturally be absorbed by the Lord."
"Additionally, the higher the territory's level, the faster the Lord can absorb and refine soul power."
Tang Yu had also heard that if an Awakener killed a Demonized Beast from too far away, they couldn't absorb the soul power.
Someone once thought about using powerful hot weapons to kill Demonized Beasts. However, not only was the cost too high, but the soul power was almost impossible to absorb. Over time, many Awakeners were unwilling to use these things unless absolutely necessary.
Tang Yu sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and let his mind immerse. He had a fleeting sensation of being in a pitch-black, enclosed space, with only the central spot having a glowing orb emitting a faint light.
This was the essence of soul power!
In an instant, Tang Yu understood. This mass of soul power was composed of countless small light particles, gathered together to form a light cluster, radiating a surging origin power.
It was the first time he directly felt soul power, and also the first time he was preparing to refine it.
Tang Yu was not confused; it felt like an innate instinct. His consciousness controlled the rotation and compression of the soul power.
Some light particles separated from the light cluster, flew to the edge of this dark space, and dissolved slowly, merging into his limbs and torso, into his internal organs. In an instant, his body seemed to become stronger.
Tang Yu seized this feeling and continued refining this mass of soul power. As the process became increasingly proficient, the refining process also became faster. The soul power light cluster gradually shrank, turning into small light particles that got absorbed into every cell in his body.
After a long while, Tang Yu opened his eyes. At this moment, he felt mentally refreshed, his eyes were bright and energetic, and his body had become robust and powerful. By slightly clenching his fist, he could feel the surging power passing from the interior of his body to his palm. Even the scars on his arm were slowly healing.
Tang Yu was surprised; no wonder people said the first refining of soul power had the best effect. It truly was exceedingly effective. Faced with that Demonized Steel Rat again, he felt confident he could handle it easily.
...
With the crisis averted, Tang Yu finally had time to take a good look at the newly constructed Lord's Castle.
From the outside, the Lord's Castle wasn't big, only somewhat larger than the previous villa, just a micro-castle at best. The outer walls were silver-white, with deep blue, spired roofs, like a picture from a dream.
The castle had two floors. The first floor was a complete hall, and the second floor was the Lord's rest area, with a bedroom, study, and bathroom, all fully equipped. As for the furniture chosen, he couldn't tell the brand but could sense they were of superior quality.
Tang Yu soaked his entire body in the pool. This bath was larger than his previous bedroom. The misty water in the pool was fragrant, and soaking in it was so comfortable it nearly made him murmur softly.
After the apocalypse, he spent most of his time exposed to the elements, and when he had shelter, it was in makeshift wooden huts or old tents. Now, things had taken a turn for the better.
The hundred Source Crystals spent on this were indeed worth it!
Especially with the two diligent Puppets and the Crystal Ball floating in mid-air, the hundred Source Crystals were much more worthwhile!
Tang Yu summoned the Crystal Ball. The basketball-sized Crystal Ball floated before him.
The Crystal Ball was similar to radar. It could monitor and alert within the territory's range.
The territory was currently at its most basic state, with a small range, but it included the east and most of the west villa areas. However, any movement in this area would be displayed on the Crystal Ball.
From the Crystal Ball, Tang Yu saw several red dots indicating the Demonized Beasts still lurking in the east area. Thinking of how he had walked without being discovered by the Demonized Beasts, he was relieved. Just one mistake earlier, and he would have been torn apart by the Demonized Beasts.
Of course, it wasn't just this Crystal Ball. When Tang Yu opened the system panel, he also saw a territory map where those red dots were visible. However, the Crystal Ball displayed the picture more detailedly, even incorporating the terrain within the territory range.
Tang Yu immediately got up, grabbed his equipment, and set off with Puppet No. 1 to clear the surrounding Demonized Beasts, leaving Puppet No. 2 to guard the castle.
"The last one, No. 1, stand by."
In front of him was a Demonized Rotten Wolf, with green eyes and a decaying body. Its strength aside, its appearance was enough to evoke fear.
But not for Tang Yu because no matter how strong or weak the Demonized Beasts he encountered during the day, none could withstand a shot from Puppet No. 1. He had cast aside his former fear of the Demonized Beasts.
After refining enough soul power, all Tang Yu had in the face of the Demonized Beasts was a fighting spirit!
The Demonized Rotten Wolf leaped high, its mouth wide open, a rancid wind blowing in his face.
Tang Yu, holding a short knife, concentrated and calmly acted. As the Demonized Rotten Wolf lunged closest to him, he pushed off with his right foot, dodging and plunging the short knife through the wolf's insides.
He turned and continued to swing the knife.
Swish swish swish!
After several stabs, the wounded Demonized Rotten Wolf, already unable to move, finally fell dead.
Another rush of soul power was absorbed into his body.
"Huff, huff~"
Tang Yu panted slightly. The entire fight only lasted a minute, but it was exhausting, physically and mentally.
Yet he felt a great sense of accomplishment.
For a normal Awakener, there would be a qualitative improvement in physical fitness at the moment of Awakening. He had not experienced this process, but through absorbing and refining soul power, his physical fitness had increased. Killing this Demonized Rotten Wolf represented his possession of ordinary Awakeners' standards.
Perhaps even higher.
Tang Yu looked at the short knife in his hand, now with a curled blade, and slightly frowned. The knife was too small, cumbersome against the Demonized Beasts. With tougher Demonized Beasts, carving through their hide with a blade this sharp would be difficult.
He needed a more convenient weapon.
The sky was already dim: the howls of Demonized Beasts rose and fell from the distant mountains and forests.
The outermost area was beyond the Crystal Ball's detection range. Tang Yu decided not to continue clearing it; after a whole day, he was exhausted. If not for his improved physical condition, he would have collapsed on the bed long ago.
Tang Yu returned to the City Lord Hall with his spoils of war. Puppet No. 2 stood loyally by the door.
The spoils were plentiful, especially since this time he searched without restraint, uncovering many items hidden by Awakeners.
For example, a Desert Eagle.
The Desert Eagle was a well-known gun, with significant power but not practical. Firstly, it was too heavy; secondly, its recoil was too strong. It was likely the private collection of some wealthy individual before the apocalypse.
Now it was different, with Tang Yu having an Awakened constitution. The recoil that made it uncomfortable for ordinary people to use before the apocalypse wasn't much of an issue for him now. Instead, the Desert Eagle's firepower was perfect for dealing with Demonized Beasts.
He also found plenty of food, especially the rare tobacco and alcohol in the apocalypse, but more food had been destroyed in battles. Watching this made Tang Yu genuinely heartbroken, prompting him to immediately stuff a handful of snacks into his mouth.
These snacks, once insignificant, were now items only the elite could afford in the apocalypse. Tang Yu suddenly felt a need to thank the Demonized Beasts. Without this Demon Tide, where would he have acquired a hundred units of Source Crystals to build such a Lord's Castle, and get whatever he wanted from the Sanctuary?
...
That night, the stars were dazzling.
Tang Yu always felt the air after the apocalypse was much better than before, such that even the stars, rarely seen previously, were now visible.
He suddenly thought of his parents far away, wondering if they were safe. At the initial stage of the apocalypse, when phones could still barely communicate, Tang Yu had called his parents, who were over a thousand kilometers away, and learned their location was relatively safe. It was said the military intended to establish a Sanctuary there.
In retrospect, Tang Yu was a bit worried. He wasn't sure if the Sanctuary had been smoothly established or whether everything was alright.
Originally, he was just an ordinary survivor struggling to survive, with no way to traverse the perilous wild over a thousand kilometers. At most, he could only silently pray for his parents' safety.
Now, things were different. With the system, Tang Yu felt hopeful. Perhaps not now, but as long as he developed the territory and enhanced his strength, he believed that one day in the future, he would definitely be able to cross the kilometer-long distance to that distant city.
That day was undoubtedly not far.
Tang Yu lay in bed. That night, he slept peacefully. With Puppets No. 1 and No. 2 guarding him, he didn't have to worry about hearing cries of agony upon waking, or constantly keeping his nerves tightly wound, ready for the next escape.