A Dilapidated Courtyard and Three Foolish Farmers [Seeking Favorites and Recommendations]

After Zong Shen completed his third background selection.

The light screen refreshed once again.

[What did you become after your youth?]

[Squire]

(Strength+1, Agility+1, Riding+1, Weapon Master+1, Power Strike+1, Leadership+1, One-Handed+30, Two-Handed+30, Polearm+30, Archery+10, Crossbow+10, Throwing+10, Starting Gold+20, Tattered Leather Vest, Worn Leather Boots, Rusted Sword, Hunting Crossbow, Bolts, Old Sumpter Horse, Smoked Fish)

[Bard]

(Charisma+2, Weapon Master+1, Persuasion+1, Leadership+1, Pathfinding+1, One-Handed+25, Crossbow+10, Starting Gold+80, Sturdy Tunic, Worn Light Leather Boots, Rusted Sword, Hunting Crossbow, Bolts, Old Sumpter Horse, Smoked Fish)

[Merchant]

(Intelligence+1, Charisma+1, Riding+1, Trade+1, Pathfinding+1, Inventory Management+1, Starting Gold+90, Leather Gloves, Leather Jacket, Worn Leather Boots, Fur Cap, Wooden Stick, Hunting Crossbow, Bolts, Sumpter Horse, Pack Horse, Linen, Pottery, Wool x2, Smoked Fish)

[Apprentice]

(Intelligence+2, Weapon Master+1, Surgery+1, Wound Treatment+1, Persuasion+1, One-Handed+20, Crossbow+20, Starting Gold+80, Sturdy Linen Tunic, Woolen Hose, Rusted Sword, Hunting Crossbow, Bolts, Old Sumpter Horse, Smoked Fish, Random Book)

[Blacksmith]

(Strength+1, Intelligence+1, Weapon Master+1, Engineering+1, Tactics+1, Trade+1, One-Handed+15, Starting Gold+100, Worn Leather Boots, Vest, Tunic, Sword, Hunting Crossbow, Bolts, Tools, Sumpter Horse, Smoked Fish)

[Poacher]

(Strength+1, Agility+1, Power Throw+1, Tracking+1, Spotting+1, Athletics+1, Polearm+10, Archery+35, Starting Gold+10, Chipped Axe, Rawhide Coat, Fur Boots, Hunting Bow, Barbed Arrows, Heavy Pack Horse, Dried Meat x2, Furs x2)

Seeing these options, Zong Shen decided to go with a Strength-based build for his start, as he already had a plan in mind, and would see how things developed from there.

Therefore, he decisively chose the [Squire] option.

Possessing the Strategy System, he could perceive the hidden items and attributes behind every choice.

These choices were actually quite balanced; it was just that each one focused on different attributes.

For instance, the Merchant increased Intelligence and Charisma.

The Bard was focused entirely on Charisma.

According to Zong Shen's thinking, it was best not to be too flashy at the start; specializing in one path was the most reliable, especially Strength, which was bound to involve combat and would certainly be a great help for early survival.

Zong Shen made his choice based on this line of reasoning.

After this round of selection was completed, the light screen changed once again.

[The reason you became a lord?]

(Hold on, this is the final choice.)

[Personal Vendetta]

(Strength+2, Power Strike+1)

[Lost a Lover]

(Intelligence+2, Ironflesh+1)

[A Passion for Adventure]

(Agility+2, Guide+1)

[Driven Out by Your Family]

(Strength+1, Intelligence+1, Weapon Master+1)

[A Desire for Power and Wealth]

(Agility+1, Intelligence+1, Plunder+1)

There wasn't much to deliberate on for this option; since he was going for a strength-based build, Zong Shen chose [Personal Vendetta].

Once this choice was made, the entire light screen suddenly began to shatter into square particles, much like a mosaic.

The area around Zong Shen was pitch black, so dark he couldn't even see his own hand.

However, he did not feel any panic.

This was because a golden strategy caption appeared before his eyes.

(Don't panic, your life as a lord is about to begin.)

He had figured it out by now.

This strategy system responded entirely to his thoughts; as long as he felt a doubt in his heart, the strategy prompt would appear.

Likewise, with a mere thought, he could make the strategy caption disappear.

Sure enough, a few seconds after the strategy appeared, a beam of light descended from the sky, illuminating Zong Shen.

Then, the surrounding scene changed abruptly.

The darkness gradually gave way to light.

The blur gradually sharpened into clarity.

In a momentary daze, Zong Shen found himself in an entirely new place.

Beneath his feet was a patch of soft, green grass.

The air was incredibly fresh.

Not far away, the chirping of small birds could be heard.

Zong Shen swept his gaze around.

Behind him stood a dilapidated house, its roof riddled with holes.

Surrounding it was a small courtyard enclosed by equally ruined grey brick walls.

The walls were uneven and jagged, with broken bricks and stones scattered everywhere.

The entire courtyard covered an area of about two hundred square meters.

Besides that, there was a large wooden chest by his feet, just as tattered and worn as the rest.

Just as Zong Shen was observing his surroundings.

The rotten wooden door of the house was pushed open.

Three short, stout figures came tumbling and scrambling out.

Their hairstyles were a mess, looking exactly like bird nests; they wore tattered hemp clothes and worn-out straw sandals, looking even more wretched than beggars!

A sour, musty stench clung to their bodies.

These three people knelt directly before Zong Shen, grabbed his thighs, and began to wail with snot and tears streaming down their faces.

"My Lord, we have finally been waiting for you!"

"Yes, yes, we haven't had a full meal in three days, we've only been eating some wild berries."

"Ah, dear Lord, your beauty could captivate a goddess, your talent could unify the continent, and your might could subdue an epic dragon..."

The three of them chattered all at once, making Zong Shen's head spin.

"Stop, stop, stop! Shut up!"

Zong Shen let out a roar, then struggled to pull his legs free from their grasp.

"Who are you people?"

The question had just been asked.

Before the three of them could answer.

The light screen appeared once again.

Different information appeared above each person's head.

[Farmer: Er Gou (Name can be changed)]

[Aptitude: Dull]

(Aptitude can be gradually improved through learning and mastering labor skills; the higher the aptitude, the higher the labor efficiency.)

[Level: lv1]

(Experience points can be gained through combat and learning to level up. Upon reaching level ten, one can advance once, which requires the consumption of certain supplies.)

[Attributes: (Click to expand)]

(Each level will increase base attributes by 1 point.)

[Satiety: 59]

[Loyalty: 70]

[Farmer: Gou Dan]

[Aptitude: Dull]

[Level: lv1]

[Attributes: (Click to expand)]

[Satiety: 59]

[Loyalty: 70]

[Farmer: Tie Zhu]

[Aptitude: Ordinary]

[Level: lv1]

[Attributes: (Click to expand)]

[Hunger: 59]

[Loyalty: 70]

The names and profiles of the three people were clearly visible, hanging above their heads just like game NPCs.

Zong Shen looked at the three goofy-looking farmers in front of him, feeling somewhat speechless...

At this moment, the Strategy System's suggestion also appeared.

(Three little idiots; as long as they are well-fed, they will be loyal to you. They can perform some simple labor, which will gradually improve their aptitude. I suggest you form them into a squad. That Tie Zhu with ordinary aptitude is currently a prime candidate to be the squad leader!)

Emmmm...

Zong Shen felt awkward.

Starting with a dilapidated little courtyard and three silly farmers, this is it...

This is what you call a lord!

This is more like the leader of a destitute beggar gang!

However, now was not the time to dwell on that.

"Sigh, let's inventory the starting supplies first."

Zong Shen sighed, turned around, and walked toward the large wooden chest.