Helping each other with countless me.

Chapter 555 My Neighbors Store Grain, I Store Guns; My Neighbors Are My Granary!
Amidst the intense stench of blood, Li Zhongren felt the surging torrent of power within his body.

Fifty elite lives were transformed into the purest nourishment.

[Note: From a war perspective, the host automatically acquires these skills, and all of these skills can be exchanged for skill points, from which you can choose from four categories: Strength, Constitution, Agility, and Spirit.]

"Exchange! Exchange all for attribute points!"

Li Zhongren issued the command in his mind without hesitation.

LV3的技能，每一个都价值6点属性（1+2+3），四个LV3技能，共计24点属性点！

How to allocate?

He quickly weighed the options:
Agility (8 points): Possesses a system-wide time-slowing skill; reaction speed is sufficient to compensate for the lack of basic agility. Enough for now.

Spirit (3 points): Magic? That's for later. In the early stages of starting a business, having a strong fist and surviving long enough are the only real advantages. No points added.

Constitution (5 points): Constitution is crucial for survival! Super regeneration, poison resistance, endurance... these are the keys to survival in chaotic times! You must increase it!

Strength (9 points): This is fundamental! Absolute strength brings absolute crushing power! Armor penetration, charge, intimidation... the increase in strength brings the most direct surge in combat power! Maximize this!
With a thought, attribute points were allocated:

Strength: 9 + 30 + 21 = 60 points!
Constitution: 5 + 20 + 3 = 28 points!
Agility: 8 points

Spirit: 3 points

"boom!"

An invisible wave of energy suddenly spread out from Li Zhongren, stirring up the withered leaves and dust on the ground.

His tattered leather armor was instantly stretched taut and on the verge of bursting by his bulging muscles, and the exposed skin had a metallic bronze sheen. The muscle lines were as if they had been cleaved by a knife and axe, full of explosive power.

60 points of power!
This transcends the boundaries of the mundane!
He felt as if he could split mountains and shatter rocks with the slightest movement, as if an ancient beast was sleeping within him!
At the same time, the "super-fast regeneration" ability brought about by breaking through 20 points in physical fitness is also instantly activated.

Beneath the bloodstains on his body, the various injuries and diseases left over from battles and his past life were healing, scabbing, and falling off at a visible speed, revealing new skin.

A powerful life force flowed through my body, as if I possessed inexhaustible energy!

[Strength surpasses 60 points, three qualitative leaps fused! Passive ability gained: Steel Body!]

[Physical constitution breaks through 20 points, a qualitative change! Gain passive ability: Super Regeneration!]

man of Steel!

Li Zhongren flicked his finger lightly on the steel arm armor he had picked up.

"clang!"

With a deep, resounding thud, a clear dent appeared on the arm guard!

His fingers were completely unharmed!

He felt as if his skin, muscles, bones, and internal organs were all forged from a hard-fire alloy, possessing incredible defensive capabilities.

A direct confrontation with tank shells?

Perhaps he's still a bit short on skill, but ordinary swords, bows, and crossbows, even the so-called heavy crossbows from the city walls, probably wouldn't be able to cut through his oily skin!

As his power transformed, an invisible and more majestic aura spread out.

His farmers had witnessed their leader descend like a demon god, personally annihilating all enemies. Now, they felt the terrifying aura emanating from his body, as unshakeable as a mountain, and the miraculous healing of his wounds that was visible to the naked eye…

Fanaticism! Faith!
A sense of surrender, originating from the depths of the soul, swept over everyone!

[The loyalty of my subordinates has reached a critical point!]

Loyalty: 100! Locked in! Never to betray!

[Unlock the "Path to Promotion": Your units can gain experience points through combat, increasing their base attributes (Strength, Constitution, Agility).]

The attribute cap is 20 points (one qualitative change).

The host can consume their own experience points or special items to increase the upper limit of a designated unit.

Loyalty locked!

Never betray!

Li Zhongren raised his eyebrows, his heart filled with joy.

This means he now has his first absolutely reliable team!

Moreover, they can grow!
Although the maximum attribute points for an ordinary farmer is 20, that's enough to transform them from cannon fodder into true elite soldiers! You see, every 20 attribute points represents a transformation, which means that in this world, if you want to achieve extraordinary things, the minimum requirement is to accumulate one of your attribute points to break through to 20.

In other words, given enough time, he will have an army composed entirely of extraordinary individuals who will never betray him!

Combined with his war-view micro-management skills, what a terrifying army this would be!

"Clean up the battlefield! Strip away all intact armor and weapons! Leave nothing behind!"

Li Zhongren's voice was like the clanging of metal, carrying an unquestionable authority.

This time, it wasn't mind control anymore, but a direct command.

Farmers with 100% loyalty are incredibly efficient, their eyes filled with a thirst for power and absolute obedience to their leader.

Soon, fifty sets of elite full plate armor, along with various weapons and arrows, were all collected.

Li Zhongren selected the 50 strongest men and ordered them to immediately put on this equipment.

The remaining farmers then reassembled the remaining equipment, picking and choosing among them, which was somewhat acceptable.

So when this group of former farmers donned their fine, blood-stained armor, picked up their gleaming weapons, and lined up before Li Zhongren, a chilling aura arose spontaneously.

Although their movements are still a bit clumsy, their eyes are sharp and their demeanor is calm. They have been transformed into an elite squad that inspires awe!

Li Zhongren's gaze finally fell on the prison van in the center of the open space, and on the woman huddled in the corner, her purple eyes filled with shock, confusion, and a hint of...unbelievable familiarity.

He strode over, each step causing the ground to tremble slightly.

He approached the prison van, ignoring the complex emotions in Karenina's eyes, and stretched out his large, steel-like hand to grasp the rough wooden bars of the van.

"Creak... Boom!"

The sturdy hardwood prison cart was torn open like paper by his 60-point strength!
Karenina recoiled in fright, the heavy shackles rattling loudly.

She looked at the man in front of her, covered in blood and exuding an aura like a prehistoric beast. His silhouette... vaguely resembled Wild Grass Brother from her memory, yet it was terrifyingly unfamiliar.

Li Zhongren leaned down, his gaze calmly falling on the specially made anti-magic shackles on her wrists and ankles.

He extended two fingers and pinched the connection of the wrist shackles.

"Wild...Wild Grass Bro?"

Karenina's voice trembled with a hint of hope.

Li Zhongren paused, then looked up at her.

In those deep eyes, there was no excitement of a long-awaited reunion, only a calm like a deep pool, with a touch of just the right amount of bewilderment.

"You...know me?"

"I am Karenina!"

Tears welled in the girl's eyes. Even though so much time had passed, she would never forget that face—it belonged to her best friend and brother from childhood.
"Feel sorry."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhongren pondered for a moment before speaking.

"I suffered a severe brain injury, and I can't remember many things." He frankly stated the "facts," confirming that his memories of his predecessor were indeed hazy; he was Li Zhongren.

Upon hearing this, Karenina fell silent.

She gazed quietly at the man before her.

Her features were still the same familiar. She was certain that this was her Wild Grass Brother, there was no mistake, because even the location of his birthmark hadn't changed.

However, this man was so unfamiliar.

Especially as a witch, her senses are actually much sharper than those of ordinary people.

For a moment, she could even sense that the person in front of her had absolutely no resemblance to the person in her memory, except for this body.

Yes
Suddenly, Karenina sighed, the light in her eyes dimmed instantly, and a huge sense of loss overwhelmed her.

If a person forgets the past, does it mean that their soul has actually disappeared, and a completely new soul has been born in this body?
While she was distracted, Li Zhongren suddenly exerted force with his fingers!

"Crack!"

The specially made metal shackles that were powerful enough to imprison the witch's black flames shattered like fragile biscuits under his terrifying finger strength!

Karenina felt a lightness on her wrist as the cold shackles that had suppressed her power for so long disappeared!
The familiar burning sensation began to slowly reawaken within her.

Li Zhongren used the same method and easily crushed her shackles.

Freed from the restraints of the anti-motorcycle handcuffs, Karenina took a deep breath.

As a witch, losing magic feels like a fish out of water.

Although you won't die, you'll actually be in a lot of pain.

Right now, this exhilarating breathing feels like the cool sensation of autumn arriving after a long period of stagnation.

"Come out first."

Li Zhongren reached out and helped the still somewhat weak Karenina out of the car. Looking at the frail girl, Li Zhongren waved his hand, and soon his men brought over a hot bowl of bread soup with meat.

"Let's eat something first."

"Thank you."

Karenina's eyes were full of tears.

It wasn't out of gratitude.

It was not out of emotion, but out of feeling.

She knew that the weeds in front of her might not be the same weeds she remembered, but the gentleness seemed unchanged. As mentioned before, as a witch, especially one who could now control a great deal of magic, her perception was far beyond that of ordinary people. She could feel that the man's concern for her was genuine, without a trace of evil intentions, and was so gentle and kind.

Li Zhongren waved his hand again, and the soldiers went about their respective tasks: setting up camp, gathering timber, food, and so on.
Li Zhongren sat opposite Karenina.

"Tell me about it, girl."

"Why did they arrest you? Two groups of people, all for a village girl like you? And what about those strange chains?"

"You...you don't know?"

"do not know."

"I am a witch."

Karenina took another deep breath, eating to replenish her lost strength while recounting her ordeal. At the same time, she kept glancing at Li Zhongren, as if trying to see something familiar in his face.

Unfortunately, there is nothing.

She was now certain that the other person had completely forgotten the past.
So, is the Wild Grass Brother in front of me still the Wild Grass Brother I know?
For a fleeting moment, a thought involuntarily popped into Karenina's mind.

"Probably not."

"They don't look like a human being at all."

"Witch."

Li Zhongren nodded slightly. This was consistent with the reconnaissance from a wartime perspective. The girl in front of him was from an elite unit, and the red markings even indicated that she had the means to harm or even kill him.

After all, the flames they control can even melt ores.

Of course, being able to do something and being able to do it are two different things. I'm not stupid; I won't just stand there and let her burn me.

What are your plans for the future?

"what?"

Karenina was stunned.

"That means there isn't one. Follow me."

Li Zhongren's tone left no room for doubt; there was no explanation or comfort, as if he were simply stating a given fact.

Karenina stared blankly at her freed hands and feet, then looked up at the familiar yet unfamiliar man.

He saved her and freed her from her shackles, but he had no memory of her.

He was terrifyingly powerful, yet so gentle.

Where should she go?

In this vast world, where can she find refuge?

If found by either the Third Prince or the Fifth Princess, it will be a return to hell.

As for using her own flames to kill enemies, don't be ridiculous. She has never received formal witch training. Legend has it that there is a deserted island in the sea inhabited by various witches who can unleash their powers to the fullest extent, but that is definitely not her.
Perhaps, a single volley of anti-magic metal bullets could take his life...
A faint wisp of black flame flickered uncontrollably from her fingertips, then quickly went out. She looked at the wisp of black smoke, and finally, resignedly lowered her head.

At least... this person isn't treating her as a tool yet?
Moreover, staying by his side seemed much safer than fleeing alone.

“I…I’ll go with you.”

Her voice was barely audible, carrying a deep weariness and a hint of resignation.

"Don't worry, I won't deny that I admire your abilities, but I can assure you that we are partners, superiors and subordinates, but never slaves and slave owners. All your efforts will be rewarded accordingly."

The night was dark.

Karenina was fast asleep in her warm sleeping bag, curled up like a poor little animal.

Li Zhongren lay not far from her.

Resting on the earth, facing the sky.

What should we do next?

Go back and collect your reward?

What will that old fox Chekhov think when he sees that they not only returned alive, but also annihilated fifty elite soldiers, captured important figures, and seized so much fine equipment?
He would be overjoyed to keep his promise and reward them with money, women, and land.
Do not!
He will only feel threatened!
A centurion who can lead a hundred farmers to annihilate fifty elite troops without taking any damage.
A person with such terrifying battlefield control?

Someone who still holds important witches in his hands?

Chekhov would never allow such a person to return to his territory alive, much less allow him to grow up!
What awaits them is only a castle trap, a volley of crossbow bolts, or a cup of poison!
"Those whose merits overshadow their ruler are doomed to die."

Li Zhongren sneered inwardly. Besides, was he, Li Zhongren, someone who would willingly be subservient to others?
He needs resources, territory, and power!
The castle, warehouses, provisions, and war supplies that Chekhov currently controls—these are the "rewards" that Li Zhongren truly needs!
To become an outlaw?

No, it's starting from scratch!
My neighbor hoards grain, I hoard guns; my neighbor is my granary!
(End of this chapter)