This time I chose Paladin.

Chapter 208 Rewards, Rest, and Thanks
The early summer breeze wasn't too hot, but it got a bit sweltering after the sun came out. Nie Weiyang rested for a day near Xunshan, watching 20,000 to 30,000 people disperse in all directions to clear Xunshan and the surrounding area, gradually expanding outwards.

This was their duty: to wipe out the enemies throughout the Central Plains, preparing for subsequent mining, farming, trade, resource allocation, and construction.

Does this count as the 'next stage'?

Maybe not.

So far, Nie Weiyang, Zhongzhou, and even all of humanity have only been weaving a web, each of them weaving a vast survival web in their own territory. For individuals, life probably doesn't have any stages; it's just a matter of closing your eyes and opening them again to start repairing each other with the garbage days, just like on Earth.

The loot from [Transcendental Forms] is quite interesting. In addition to general resources, it also gives a set of Returning Cultist appearance, a set of spell artifacts usable by spellcasters, a spellbook that can be used to enchant directly using the souls of intelligent beings, a palm-sized miniature Transcendental Forms statue, and several other interesting items.

Most importantly, it contains a [Guardian Force Badge].

It was a small badge, about the size of a palm. Any leader of a faction who met the requirements could use it to establish a garrison. This was the first garrison badge to appear in the Central Plains region so far.

It appeared in the loot of the Sky-Crossing Demon, which is somewhat like a hint.

Nie Weiyang immediately handed it over to a reliable person to send back to the old city. As for the other items... the appearance of the Returning Cultist was his, the magical artifacts were to be returned to the old city, and the spellbook was thrown directly into his backpack to prevent anyone with ulterior motives from stealing them and then killing innocent people.

The "Crossing the Void and Myriad Forms" statue is both a token and a piece of furniture. Its effect is to make individuals with religious beliefs within a certain radius more devout. Before he could even ask He Kang, He Kang waved his hand dismissively, indicating that he didn't want it.

—There are already enough cultists infiltrating the city. Bringing this thing back is like saying life in the city isn't exciting enough.

Finally, Nie Weiyang took a look at the props.

[A feigned sorrow]
It is said that it came from a life of luxury, a life of happiness and joy. But excessive material satisfaction cannot fill the emptiness in its heart. When it first shed false tears for the suffering, the astonishment it received filled it with satisfaction. When it did so for the ninety-ninth time, its radiant wealth vanished, and it plunged into a life of disaster.
-
A magical golden mask, from the stars, seemingly some kind of creation.
• Wearing it consumes mental energy, but it can disguise one's identity and appearance.

Note: This is not helpful for self-understanding.

This is the mask of the Sun God. Nie Weiyang was truly unaware that it actually possessed a noble, independent storyline.

[Spiral Dream] -
It was imbued with a strange spell: [Leave your tears here today]. --
Leave your tears for today.
Cooldown time: 24 hours
Storage usage times: 2
• After a 15-second cast time, apply a [Sleep] effect to a target that is essentially stationary. If the target is in a [Sleep] state, create a sorrowful dream for them, causing them to lose their will to fight, or grant them a -15% effect on all attributes for 15 minutes.

This prop looks like a kaleidoscope... no, it is a kaleidoscope.

Its usage has very strict limitations, but it's perfect for freezing snow—what if the target isn't still? Don't worry. It'll freeze and stay still!
[Wake Up] -
It always cries after waking from a dream.
• This can be used to awaken the specified target from the illusion.

• Using it requires mental energy.
-
But we had to open our eyes. But we had to open our eyes. But we had to open our eyes...

This item looks like a broken arrow. The way to use it is to stab the target, preferably until it bleeds.

After discussion, the Weeping Falsehood was assigned to Nie Weiyang, the Spiral Dream was purchased by Han Jiangxue, further enhancing her control. Awakening was taken away by the people of Gushi. Other personal resources from the rewards were automatically distributed to everyone's inventory as always, while public resources also belonged to Gushi.

After that came a long rest. Nie Weiyang slept several times before he had the energy to check his personal panel. Then he discovered that he had leveled up again.

A single "Transcending the Void" skill raised his level from 37 to 39, and he is about to reach level 40.

"And you?" he asked. "I'm 30," Yi Jian replied.

“Me too,” Han Jiangxue said.

Afterwards, lunch was prepared, and Han Jiangxue left to get her food. She had recently been trying to exercise, wanting to move around more and correct her posture. Yi Jian, meanwhile, was lost in thought for a long time before suddenly speaking, "Brother Nie, you..."

Why must we save He Kang?
Admittedly, there are reasons such as "He Kang deserves to be saved" and "Nie Weiyang is just that kind of person," but ultimately...

“He has to go back to celebrate his son’s birthday.” In response to Yi Jian’s question, Nie Weiyang replied, “I don’t know what that feels like, but I roughly understand that if he dies, his son will probably be in great pain.”

"..." Yi Jian opened his mouth, recalling Nie Weiyang's family background and realizing something.

Finally, he whispered, "...You can't save everyone."

"I never intended to save everyone," Nie Weiyang said with a smile.

After Yi Jian left, Han Jiangxue came in carrying three lunch boxes.

"Why did he run away?" Han Jiangxue said, sitting cross-legged on the tent carpet and handing a lunchbox to Nie Weiyang: "Have something to eat?"

Nie Weiyang shook his head slightly. He had drunk his fill of blood earlier, and was actually a little bloated right now...

Han Jiangxue readily took back the lunchbox: "Then I'll have two portions. How are you feeling now?"

"Fully recovered." Nie Weiyang smiled again.

Han Jiangxue pondered, "The Night Heron's regenerative abilities are so powerful..."

Nie Weiyang: “?”

Nie Weiyang: "...Actually, I am..."

"I understand!" Han Jiangxue clenched her fist and punched her other hand. "No wonder we've never seen any other Night Heron bloodlines. Are you extremely skilled at disguise, and can you even use the abilities of other bloodlines after disguising yourselves?!"

Nie Weiyang: "…………"

Nie Weiyang opened his mouth.

Although he knew that Han Jiangxue had deliberately interrupted him to prevent the information from being exposed... at this point, he couldn't bring himself to say that he was actually a vampire...!
Han Jiangxue grabbed two boxed meals by herself and left. Soon after, the bell in front of the tent was rung.

"Please come in," Nie Weiyang said, staring at the imitation Netherworld crystal with star-stone properties.

However, he knew it was He Kang who had arrived, so he put away the crystal. As soon as he looked up, before he could say anything, he saw He Kang, dressed in casual clothes, kneel down with a thud!

(End of this chapter)