c2 - Are Women a Burden on the Escape from Famine? Give Them to Me

**Chapter 2: Drinking Blood** “Ding, checking host consciousness is clear, and targeting system bind for Lu Xiaoxiao.” “Ding, host targeting system Lu Xiaoxiao requests donation of 300ml blood, completion rewarded, authority to select reward option granted.” “Reward Option 1: 300ml of blood. Reward Option 2: 0.1 Card of Vital Essence. Reward Option 3: 0.2 Card of Vital Essence and 0.2ml of blood.” Following the mechanical prompts, Lu Wei felt a sense of awakening as the fog clouding his mind began to clear. "System?" This familiar sound was like an old friend greeting him from afar; the system in his consciousness had awoken. A miracle, perhaps an improbable one, that he managed to encounter during such trying times. He couldn't help thinking back to a scene from "Journey to the West" involving the pig deity, Zhu Bajie. With the voice fading away, the once-invisible system interface appeared before him. **[Host]: Lu Wei** **[Age]: 18** **[Root and Bone]: 51 **[Comprehension]: 55 **[Constitution]: 2.6/5 **[Vital Essence]: 2.7/5 **[Spirit]: 4/11 **[Martial Skills]: None** **[Techniques]: None** **[Talents]: None** **[Equipment]: None** **[Cultivation Level]: None** **[Elemental Attribute]: None** **[System Level]: Level 1 (1/5)** *Note: Upon advancing to Level 2, obtain a chance to unlock elemental attributes.* *Upon Level 1 binding, hosts are given one target.* *System parameters assign a dual response system for task completion rewards.* *Host targeting adjustments based on deviation. Immediate alignment necessary for host-specific deviations.* *Gifted items upon binding target can only be rewarded once, effective solely through system recognition.* *Reward items received can be gifted to another bound target for further reward.* *Current Binding Target: Lu Xiaoxiao* Overwhelmed by the system's apparent emergence, Lu Wei felt his blood surge with excitement, his heart beating rapidly. Though weakened and frail, as if witnessing a dawn breaking through, he immediately immersed in planning. He dared not display vulnerability, especially in such hostile surroundings. Even as he selected this sequestered spot, far from populated areas to hide, he knew a moment of inattention could lead to unimaginable danger for his sister. Rationality is only retained through an empty stomach until it collapses, leading to a fate worse than death for him and disaster for his sister. Faced with no alternative, discovering such a system, he had to remain conscious to either strategize the best possible way to safeguard their lives. Yes, rewards. Lu Wei directed his focus to the reward options available, ready to make a calculated choice. Option 1 offered 300ml of blood. He dismissed it without hesitation. Though 300ml of blood could suffice for a day's meal for him and his sister, it wouldn't last beyond that single hope-filled meal. Option 2 offered 0.1 Card of Vital Essence. Though unclear on the effects of Vital Essence, its existence within his system already marked it as significant. Seeing it translated into strength, its accumulation leading to feeding an empty belly seemed plausible enough. Balancing needs, Lu Wei decisively chose option 3. Not only did it offer an increase in Vital Essence, but this slight boost would help replenish his vitality, while the remaining blood provided the means to satiate his hunger. “I choose option 3.” “Ding, congratulations to the host for obtaining 0.2 Card of Vital Essence and additional 0.2ml of blood, Vital Essence enhanced, blood stored within the system space, accessible at will.” With the system's response concluded, Lu Wei felt a surge of warmth throughout his body, his heart pounding vigorously as if the throttle was pressed to maximum. The frail feeling dissipated, replaced instantly with vigor. As the saying goes: blood is pivotal, nourishing each organ, feeding vitality into one's being. Driven by Vital Essence, his once-starved constitution underwent a magical outburst of energy. While a simple analogy makes blood the engine fueling life, biologically, blood comprises a complex web feeding diverse bodily needs. Martial arts forge strength through circulation and enrichment of Vital Essence, rebuilding blood and refining it into strength. A formidable Vital Essence turns the body into a furnace, melting it to steel-like fortitude. However, Lu Wei had yet to reach that path. But even so, armed with the beneficial effects of 0.2 Card of Vital Essence supplementation, his Vital Essence slightly surpassed ordinary standards temporarily. Thus empowered, Lu Wei, in this survival wilderness, embraced a physical form on the brink of extraordinary. With blood and food in balance, he attempted to restore his physique and vitality to optimal levels. Hungry no more, as blood took the place of hunger, Lu Wei could focus on his sister’s protection and his life’s defense. Rested and restored, Lu Wei hastily analyzed the system further. Suddenly, he caught the sound of subtle footsteps crunching on snow, amplified by the quiet. Startling him, Lu Wei swiftly grabbed his hatchet, cautiously peering from beneath the protective cover of the earth, while listening keenly to discern the approaching entity.