Chapter 41: The Mouse's Agility and the Bear's Strength

You have slain the leader‑level unit of the evil faction in this Dungeon: Mountain God – Bear Demon. This kill will spread to the evil forces of the Dungeon after one natural day, and you will gain the evil faction's enmity.

The Mountain God – Bear Demon's power has been seized by Cloud Energy, and some soldiers will receive physical attribute enhancements.

You have obtained 500 Universal Experience, 500 Zongwang Disaster Coin, Wild God Treasure Box (Green).

You have obtained a Red Soul!

Zongwang Prompt: You have slain the Mountain God – Bear Demon, gaining a portion of the Mountain God's authority. Please make a choice.

【1, Inherit authority, obtain Mountain God stature】

【2, Decompose authority, share the power with all contributors, gain a portion of the power】

【3, Renounce authority, obtain a special item】

A strange option has been added, and Mu Yi looks at the Zongwang Prompt with some surprise.

The "Practical Record of Training Soldiers" mentions that through war or hunting one can seize the enemy's Qi, strengthening soldiers, so the most effective way to train troops is to win battles.

However, the "Practical Record of Training Soldiers" never mentions anything about divine authority.

Mu Yi thinks for a moment and agrees; during the Ming era they worshiped the proper gods, and Qi Jiguang never had the chance to raze mountains or temples, so he likely lacks such experience.

After all, the era when military strategists most actively razed mountains and temples was during the Shang–Zhou, Spring and Autumn, and Great Han periods; after the Tang and Song, the divine system had become institutionalized. Even if there were relevant incidents in the late Yuan to early Ming, by Qi Jiguang's time there was no longer any soil for Wild Gods to grow, so naturally no related experience.

After a brief contemplation, Mu Yi chose the second option, decomposing the authority to strengthen his subordinates; his personal strength is not unrivaled, and his formations and troops are his greatest reliance now.

Zongwang Prompt: Authority decomposed, your troops gain a defense bonus, current bonus ratio: 5%.

(The defense bonus can apply on top of armor.)

The subtle bonus ratio, at least Mu Yi feels, would not have much effect in reality, but judging by the Bear Demon's appearance, it won't yield many rewards.

"Boss Mu, should we carry the corpse away as well?" Li Tian asks Mu Yi. From his look, it seems there is no serious injury.

After the battle, although many of Mu Yi's men were wounded, the injuries appear minor, which makes Mu Yi feel a flood of emotions.

Without formations, not even killing the Bear Demon; hardly any could escape.

"Later, find a place to rest first, have the former hunter extract the bear's heart and gallbladder, strip the bear's hide, and eat the bear meat on the spot!" Mu Yi hesitates briefly, then orders directly.

Earlier he obtained some herbs from the town apothecary; these hearts and such will be useful, and his stock of Blood‑circulating Soup is depleted, perhaps it's time for a round of military‑skill alchemy.

Maybe this time he can produce something different; after all, compared with ordinary ox heart, both the great mouse's mouse heart and the bear demon's bear heart are high‑grade materials.

As Mu Yi and his group slay the Bear Demon, the malicious gazes that had been watching from the shadows instantly diminish by more than half.

Most of them are roughly equal to the Bear Demon; the Bear Demon was cut down so cleanly, and if they went up they'd also be delivering heads.

In the crude temporary camp, Mu Yi takes the herbs from his backpack and prepares to forge a batch of potions.

He finishes simmering the herbs according to the procedure, then carefully places the mouse heart into the cauldron and puts the lid on.

The next moment, Mu Yi feels his senses "extended"; he seems to truly perceive and touch all the ingredients inside the pot.

Under his perception, everything begins to fuse; this time his awareness is clearer, and he even sees a vivid mouse phantom forming inside the cauldron.

Zongwang Prompt: You are attempting a military‑skill crafting, performing a will check…

Will check succeeded, determining military‑skill crafting level…

Based on your military‑skill level, you can make a military‑skill crafting roll with the current materials (standard formula).

Rolling now!

【Wealth Luck】 participating in the roll…

Military‑skill crafting a great success! You have obtained a new medicinal dish: Blood‑circulating Soup (Gold Quality).

Blood‑circulating Soup (Gold Quality):

Effect:

After consumption, the eater must make a will check.

If the check succeeds, they gain the "Qi‑nourishing, Blood‑nourishing" and "Mouse's Agility" statuses.

Mouse's Agility: Agility attribute +1 (capped at 18).

If the check fails, the drinker has a chance to suffer indigestion.

After a moment of silence, Mu Yi lifts the lid.

"Golden Legend!" a voice like an illusion rings out, and a golden light erupts from the cauldron.

Although the potion remains murky after the golden light fades, the surrounding soldiers stare at Mu Yi with more reverent eyes.

They have already witnessed so many miracles from Mu Yi that they have come to believe, in their hearts, that Mu Yi is a divine reincarnation sent by heaven to save them.

Mu Yi gazes thoughtfully at the potion in the cauldron, realizing he has gained a new insight into the Blood‑circulating Soup.

The process is highly idealistic, yet it also bears a hint of science; the herbs are used to activate the power contained within the heart, a power that has both tangible and idealistic significance.

Ultimately, the power they can unleash is inseparable from the environment, materials, and even the degree of belief.

Seizing the moment, Mu Yi has the potion divided and begins forging again.

Zongwang Prompt: You are attempting a military‑skill crafting, performing a will check…

Will check succeeded, determining military‑skill crafting level…

Based on your military‑skill level, you can make a military‑skill crafting roll with the current materials (standard formula).

Rolling now!

Military‑skill crafting succeeded! You have obtained a new medicinal dish: Blood‑circulating Soup (Gold Quality).

Blood‑circulating Soup (Gold Quality):

Effect:

After consumption, the eater must make a will check.

If the check succeeds, they gain the "Qi‑nourishing, Blood‑nourishing" and "Bear's Strength" statuses.

Bear's Strength: Strength attribute +1 (capped at 20).

If the check fails, the drinker has a chance to suffer indigestion.

Indeed!

Mu Yi realized; this time without the participation of Wealth Luck, it was just ordinary crafting, yet he still successfully crafted a gold-quality potion.

Moreover, the notes stating "limited to under 18" and "limited to under 20" made him even more confident in his judgment.

As long as he subjectively judged the materials to be better, the success rate of crafting would be higher, and it would also come with special effects.