Chapter 3: The Reputation System and Advanced Enhancement Serum

“System, can you tell me what the Reputation System is? And how can I upgrade to Level Two?” Du Chengfeng noticed a tag for the Reputation System next to the System Base. However, the interface for this system was still gray, unlike the blue display of the System Base. He tried to click it with his mind, but it wouldn’t open. Clearly, gray meant it was locked; only when it turned blue could it be accessed. With no other options, he had to consult the system once more.

The system pondered for a moment before explaining, “Host, you may think of reputation as fame and prestige, the power of admiration. The greater your fame and prestige, the more people who worship and thank you, the more reputation points you’ll gain. To build a mighty empire, you need not only strength, but also the support of the people. The higher your prestige and fame, the easier it is to win their hearts. When the people are stable, the nation is stable; this is what it means to be the one whom all look up to.”

“At the same time, reputation points can unlock the system shop and exchange for various technological and production materials there. If your fame is great and your prestige high, it will greatly help you recruit talents in the future! As for upgrading to Level Two, you only need to win a major war.”

“Alright, now I understand. The stability and development of a nation indeed depend heavily on the support of its people. To govern a powerful country, it's impossible to rely on one person alone—you need more talents. In modern society, what countries lack most is not money, but talent: professionals in all fields.” Du Chengfeng found himself agreeing with the system’s explanation.

It seems this Imperial System is pushing me not only to build up strength, but also to become famous and gain reputation points. And prestige—how could a commoner like me have any prestige? Isn’t this forcing me onto the path of an official or a noble? That goes against my initial intention to develop quietly. Sigh! Du Chengfeng sighed inwardly.

The system had explained the use of reputation points, but hadn’t given any hints as to how to acquire them. He would have to figure it out himself.

Well, although it’s a bit demanding, it’s not unacceptable. In any era, strength is king, and fame is indeed a form of strength.

“Right, I think I haven’t claimed my newbie gift pack yet.” Du Chengfeng slapped his forehead, suddenly recalling that when the system was activated, it prompted that a newbie gift pack would be given. He had gotten so absorbed in researching the System Base, he’d forgotten all about it. He wondered what surprises the system’s gift pack might hold. He was full of anticipation.

“System, where is my newbie gift pack?” Du Chengfeng asked impatiently.

“Host, just open the system warehouse and you’ll see it.” The system’s electronic voice returned to its usual monotone, devoid of emotion.

Du Chengfeng instinctively opened the system warehouse, and sure enough, there was a newbie gift pack displayed. Excited, he quickly clicked to open it. An electronic prompt sounded: “Congratulations, host, you have received an Imperial System Primary Gift Pack. The gift pack includes: one vial of Advanced Enhancement Serum, one tungsten steel dagger, one MP5 submachine gun (unlimited bullets, host only), one set of bulletproof vest, one thousand kilograms of high-yield hybrid rice seeds, one hundred kilograms of sweet potato seeds.”

Wow! This newbie gift pack from the system was simply too powerful, too generous—Du Chengfeng was utterly stunned. It was as if he’d been handed a pillow just when he needed to sleep; everything he’d wished for had arrived. He was so excited he could barely speak coherently.

As a special forces soldier, he was intimately familiar with the MP5, tungsten steel dagger, and bulletproof vest. In an era where hot weapons had not yet appeared, these items were absolutely unbeatable. He imagined the equipment for the cloned soldiers wouldn’t be any less impressive, and he began to look forward to their appearance.

When he’d woken up that morning, he was still thinking about how to train his body to regain his strength, and now the system had gifted him the Advanced Enhancement Serum. It was truly a timely boon!

Although he didn’t know how the Advanced Enhancement Serum compared to the biological enhancement drugs secretly developed by New Century America and other Western powers, Du Chengfeng believed that anything provided by the system was bound to be incredibly powerful. Just judging by the MP5 and bulletproof vest was proof enough.

He noticed a description below: Advanced Enhancement Serum, capable of comprehensively enhancing the physical body, endurance, agility, speed, and brain function of a normal person, up to a maximum effect of 100 times.

Reading the system’s introduction, Du Chengfeng couldn’t help but marvel at the serum’s extraordinary effects. It was as if it had been tailor-made for him. He had previously worried that his physical condition would limit his skills, but with the serum, all problems were solved. He needed to take it as soon as possible.

However, before taking the serum, he decided to construct the available units. Du Chengfeng glanced at the System Base interface and found that he could currently build only power plants, barracks, and ore refineries; the rest were still locked. Regardless, he gave the command: “System, start building a barracks, three power plants, and two ore refineries. The barracks should continuously produce cloned soldiers until I order otherwise.” With the abundance of ore nearby, Du Chengfeng wasn’t worried about funding for the System Base.

“Understood. Construction time is four hours. Please be patient, host,” the system replied.

After assigning the construction tasks, Du Chengfeng willed the Advanced Enhancement Serum from the warehouse into his hand. He uncapped it and drank it down in one gulp, unable to restrain his eagerness to experience its effects.

As soon as the Advanced Enhancement Serum entered his body, it transformed into a warm current spreading throughout him. It was incredibly comfortable, like basking in the morning sun. Yet this bliss lasted only three seconds before his entire body was wracked with excruciating pain, as if being torn apart, cut by knives, the agony spreading to the marrow. Even with his formidable willpower and endurance honed as a special forces king in his previous life, the pain was so intense he passed out.

He had no idea how much time had passed before he finally regained consciousness. Upon waking, Du Chengfeng immediately noticed that his hearing, vision, and all other senses were vastly improved. His mind was exceptionally clear, and his memory terrifyingly acute. He could remember every skill and piece of knowledge from his past life as vividly as if they were etched into his brain.

Most importantly, his body was now extraordinarily strong; his muscles were solid, his skin smoother. Although he hadn’t tested his strength, he had an intuition that his power and abilities were at least ten times greater than at his peak in his previous life.

The effect was overwhelming. Du Chengfeng looked at his fists, eager to test his strength in the cave, but hesitated, afraid of losing control and collapsing the cavern. He decided against it; even without testing, he knew he was now worlds apart from his former self. They were simply incomparable.

With the enhancement serum and the weapons in his possession, Du Chengfeng was confident he could survive in this era without trouble. The only thing left was to develop his strength.

“System, are the barracks and ore refineries finished?” Du Chengfeng asked.

“Yes, construction is complete. The barracks are already producing cloned soldiers, and the mining vehicles have begun operations underground,” the system replied.

Good, Du Chengfeng nodded in satisfaction. “How much base funding can the mining vehicles convert per day?” Although he wasn’t worried about construction funds at present, it was best to have a clear understanding.

“Two ore refineries can convert one hundred thousand base funds per day,” the system replied.

“That’s enough for now. System, until I give further orders, have the cloned soldiers produced by the barracks remain stationed around the base for security,” Du Chengfeng commanded.

“Understood.”

“By the way, system, can the system warehouse store items from the outside world?” Du Chengfeng suddenly wondered.

“Of course. The system warehouse can store anything from the outside, except living things. It’s controlled by mental command. Theoretically, there is no limit to the warehouse’s size,” the system explained.

Powerful, incomparably powerful. Du Chengfeng marveled again. This was the legendary storage space, and even more incredible than ordinary ones.

In such a short time, the system’s strength had become almost routine to Du Chengfeng. Yet the warehouse feature was genuinely practical.

Now, it was time to leave the cave. Du Chengfeng stretched lazily and stepped out, satisfied. He still thought about the Reputation System, pondering how to unlock it. There were also the one thousand kilograms of high-yield rice seeds and sweet potato seeds from the gift pack that needed to be put to good use.