System Update

Fang Yan was clutching the Random Martial Skill Fragment in his hand and was just about to inspect it when the system's notification chime in his mind made him freeze.

[Ding! You killed a Profound Connection Realm alien commander and defeated an enemy across a minor realm. Reward: Experience Points, 10 High-grade Spirit Stones, and 1 Random Martial Skill Fragment.]

[Ding! You killed 1 Qi Transformation Realm alien. Reward: 1,000 Experience Points and 5 Low-grade Spirit Stones.]

[Ding! You killed 1 Qi Transformation Realm alien. Reward: 1,000 Experience Points and 5 Low-grade Spirit Stones.]

After a string of notification chimes, Fang Yan's brows furrowed.

Experience Points? Confusion filled his heart. Why isn't it qi and blood anymore? System, what's going on?

He tried calling out to the system in his mind, but received no response. The system panel, however, clearly displayed:

- Host: Fang Yan

- Realm: Martial King Second Layer (0/ Experience Points)

- Cultivation Technique: Basic Internal Cultivation (Proficiency: max)

- Martial Skills:

- Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger (Proficiency: 1,000/)

- Five Finger Fist Heart Sword (Proficiency: 1,500/)

- Basic Spear Technique (Proficiency: 5,000/)

- Current Experience Points:

Looking at the numbers on the panel, Fang Yan gradually understood. The system seemed to have undergone an update, replacing the original qi-and-blood rewards with Experience Points. These Experience Points could not only be used to break through realms, but also to raise martial-skill proficiency.

He looked at the proficiency requirements behind the martial skills—tens of thousands at the least—then glanced at the full hundred million Experience Points required to break through to the second layer of Martial King. He could not help sucking in a cold breath.

Good heavens, the demand for Experience Points was far too huge. Fang Yan gave a bitter laugh. Killing a Profound Connection Realm commander only rewarded him with one million, leaving him still far from breaking through.

However, he quickly grew excited again. Raising proficiency meant that the power of his martial skills could become even stronger. That was far more strategic than simply increasing his qi and blood.

He looked at the Random Martial Skill Fragment in his hand, a new plan taking shape in his mind.

Fang Yan no longer dwelled on the system's changes. His gaze fell on the Random Martial Skill Fragment in his hand. The fragment was dark gold, with several blurry patterns engraved upon it, and gave off faint fluctuations of energy.

He focused his mind and injected a thread of true qi into the fragment. In an instant, the fragment transformed into a streak of golden light and surged into his mind.

[Ding! Obtained Martial Skill Fragment: Prairie Fire Spear Technique (Incomplete). Would you like to spend Experience Points to raise it to Beginner level?]

Prairie Fire Spear Technique? Fang Yan's heart stirred. This was an extremely famous spear technique, renowned for its ferocity and explosive power. He had never expected to obtain it here.

He chose to raise it without the slightest hesitation.

[Ding! Spent Experience Points. Prairie Fire Spear Technique raised to Beginner level (Proficiency: 0/1,000).]

As the Experience Points were deducted, a massive stream of information surged into Fang Yan's mind. At the same time, his understanding of spear techniques deepened by several degrees. He instinctively picked up his spear and casually thrust it several times. Spear shadows flashed, carrying a scorching aura, and its power was considerably greater than that of Basic Spear Technique.

What a spear technique! Zhao Hu happened to walk over and could not help praising him when he saw Fang Yan's technique. Commander, has your spear technique improved again?

Fang Yan smiled and lowered his spear. It was just a few new techniques I comprehended. How did the battlefield cleanup go?

Reporting to the commander, it is complete. We killed one Profound Connection Realm alien commander, twenty Qi Transformation Realm aliens, and ten Bone Refining Realm aliens. We seized a number of weapons, including bone blades and bone hammers, as well as some alien Inner Cores, Zhao Hu reported.

Fang Yan nodded. Very good. Give me all the seized Inner Cores and distribute the other things among the brothers. Let us find somewhere to set up camp first and rest for the night. We will continue scouting tomorrow.

Before long, the Vanguard Camp had set up camp in an open area outside the canyon. Fang Yan returned to his tent and took out the alien Inner Cores. These Inner Cores contained pure energy. Although they were not as pure as Spirit Stones, they were better than nothing.

He sat down cross-legged, circulated his Cultivation Technique, and began absorbing the energy within the Inner Cores. At the same time, he opened the system panel and looked at his remaining Experience Points, pondering how to allocate them.

Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger and Five Finger Fist Heart Sword are both my signature martial skills. I must raise them. I will first increase each by 5,000 proficiency and see how it goes.

[Ding! Spent Experience Points. Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger proficiency raised to 6,000/.]

[Ding! Spent Experience Points. Five Finger Fist Heart Sword proficiency raised to 6,500/.]

As the Experience Points were consumed, the power of the two martial skills quietly increased within his body. The finger force of Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger became more condensed, while the Sword Qi of Five Finger Fist Heart Sword grew even sharper.

Fang Yan sensed the changes within his body and nodded in satisfaction. He did not continue raising them, instead keeping the remaining Experience Points in reserve for emergencies. Breaking through to Martial King Second Layer required a hundred million Experience Points. This amount was not even enough to fill the gap between his teeth.

Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps came from outside the tent.

Commander! Commander! Something terrible has happened! A soldier's voice was filled with panic.

Fang Yan abruptly opened his eyes and stood up. What is it? Why are you so flustered?

The soldier rushed into the tent, his face pale. Commander, we discovered the traces of a huge number of aliens. There are at least a thousand of them, and their leader appears to be very powerful!

Fang Yan's heart sank. A thousand aliens? Take me there!

He followed the soldier to a high point in the camp and looked in the direction the soldier indicated. On the distant horizon, a vast, black mass of aliens was advancing toward them. Dust billowed into the air, and their momentum was ferocious.

Fang Yan's gaze sharpened. He could sense several auras within that alien force that had reached the Profound Connection Realm. There was even one aura stronger than that of the previous alien commander, faintly approaching the mid-stage of the Profound Connection Realm.

It seemed that a great battle was unavoidable. Fang Yan drew a deep breath and spoke in a low voice. Give my order: the entire army is to stand ready! Zhao Hu, lead a squad to hold the left wing. Li Gang, lead a squad to hold the right wing. The rest of you, follow me and meet the enemy head-on!

All the generals accepted the order in unison and swiftly sprang into action.

Although the soldiers of the Vanguard Camp had seen the aliens' overwhelming numbers, under Fang Yan's leadership they were not the slightest bit afraid. They quickly formed up, weapons in hand, and stood ready for battle.

Fang Yan held his spear and stood at the very front of the formation. As he watched the alien army draw closer and closer, there was not the slightest trace of fear in his eyes. Instead, they were filled with fighting spirit.

System, it seems I will have to rely on you again. He silently repeated the words in his mind.

A battle concerning the life and death of the Vanguard Camp was about to erupt.