My SSS-Rank Skill and System is too OP in Modern Cultivation world

Chapter 164: Juice for Crows and Cringe for Kent

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Disk Integration plan:

Build a cradle under Silver Muse keel.

Design conductor rods to the coin port.

Test lift curve, maybe 30 % efficiency gain.

Royal Archive Token plan:

Research history of 33-rune arrays.

Seek documents on "Sun-Disk lineage."

He Clan Deterrence plan:

Finish fence ward full circle.

Hide bacteria tank in deeper vault; maybe subterranean.

Draft letter to Jade: report encounter, request official watch patrol sooner.

Louis Gratitude:

Prepare carrot snack hamper + thunder wine sample for courier account.

Write a polite thank-you note (no romantic hints).

Money Supply plan:

Sell remaining wine if urgent.

Begin design of micro-brew line, pumpkin-thunder ale.

Kent rubbed temples. So much. Yet excitement bubbled; puzzle pieces fell into place where disk, coin, chat group ideas for better SP farming.

Nima poked head in: "Old man says dinner. Fish congee!"

"Coming." He tucked the list into a drawer, locked it. One step at a time.

Dusk turned sky lilac. Family ate around low table, Xian Yu's congee, Nima's pickled radish, Kent's steamed buns. Aunty Zhou served soup. Conversation stayed light. No one mentioned of sabres or illusions; peace over rice felt sacred.

After dishes, Kent walked lone patrol along fence, testing spark poles. Rain-washed soil smelled rich. In bacteria shed, tank status steady; SP counter already at almost half million, still growing. He smiled, closed shed.

Moon rose, round and bright. He stood on porch, coin in one hand, disk in the other. Faint glow lines on each pulsed in matched rhythm, waiting to unite.

Behind him Nima's laughter drifted from the living room, Auri chasing string. Xian Yu Aunty Zhou's deep chuckle followed. Inside these walls, things were safe.

Kent set coin and disk inside a warded chest, locked it. He whispered to moon, "Tomorrow we test together."

Then he stretched sore shoulders, headed to bed.

System dimmed, SP bank siphoning quietly to special bacteria reserve as ordered. In the Immortal Assembly chat group, far beyond mortal reach, lines of chat still scrolled, new debates on world tree seed. Kent would peek on the chat group later. Tonight, rest.

He lay down, rain-washed breeze wafting through cracked window, and let calm flow over him like warm tea.

Tomorrow would bring engines, research, maybe more sabres but his helping connection, like the carrots outside, already ran deep.

The morning haze lifted as soft sunbeams reached the damp fields. Kent breathed in fresh carrot-scented air, feeling lighter than he had in days. Today was for family, birds, and a bit of harmless fun before work dragged him back into danger.

The pale morning light stretched lazily across the ceiling as Kent opened his eyes. Auri was already awake, perched atop the window ledge, tail curled forward like a red comma. His amber eyes glowed faintly in the gloom, watching the yard as though guarding the whole house. Outside, dew sparkled over the carrot and other vegetable rows, the fence wards hummed faintly, and the world… for now everything seemed still and alright.

Kent pushed the blanket off and sat up with a soft grunt. His back was sore, not from work but from bending over diagrams and scribbling lists long past midnight. Still, a good kind of soreness. The kind that came from progress.

He washed, dressed, and stepped into the main hall. Nima was already there, chasing Auri with a feather duster, both of them cackling. The scene warmed Kent's chest. Despite the dangers that had crept to their doorstep yesterday, today was still normal enough to start with a mess of breakfast noise.

He took a deep breath and stretched. "Alright, today we feed the troops."

He turned to Auri, who stood proudly on the porch rail, tail flames flickering. He escaped from Nima. Both now tired and resting.

"Auri," Kent said, serious now, "bring me all your crows. Every last one of your underlings. We're upgrading the squad."

Auri tilted his head. CHIRP! "Yes, all of them," Kent confirmed. "I've prepared a special treat."

Auri let out a sharp caw! and launched into the air, tracing a blazing loop above the carrot fields. He spun once, then flared his wings wide, releasing a resonant call that echoed through the skies like a phoenix battle-cry.

Minutes later, the trees began to rustle. Crows started to gather in groups.

From rooftops. From branches. From shadows and nests and telephone wires. First in dozens, then hundreds. One by one, then in waves. The air turned black with flapping wings as they descended in organized rows. They lined the fences, perched on the garden wall, the porch rail, the tool shed, the mailbox, and even the scarecrow. They were everywhere.

Nima came running out of the house with a slice of toast still in her mouth and froze mid-step. "Big bro, what the hell is this?!"

Kent smirked. "Auri's army. Two hundred and sixteen strong."

"Auri told me last week he only had six!" Nima complained. "He lied to me. Auri got more underling than me. Whatever mines are stronger. Raka alone can beat everyone."

"We will level up the crows," Kent said simply.

Nima stared as more crows fluttered down, each one behaving like soldiers arriving for roll call. "Is… is he starting a kingdom?"

"I don't know," Kent said. "But they're loyal. And hungry."

He walked back into the kitchen and grabbed a tray of glowing vials he'd prepared of them, a blend of ten Physique Enhancement Fruits, juiced and chilled, mixed with a tiny drop of thunder-pumpkin wine.

Back outside, Kent raised the tray.

Auri fluttered down beside him, tail glowing. Behind the Auri, over two hundred crows gathered across the rooftop, porch railing, fence posts, and nearby trees. It was a sea of glossy black feathers and beady eyes, all of them staring eagerly at the tray. Some balanced on wind chimes. One perched on the scarecrow's head like a feathered crown.

Kent blinked. "Nima."

"What?"

"Tell all of Auri's crow underlings to come down. One vial each, but make them behave."

Nima clapped twice and bellowed, "You all listen to your big boss!(Nima). Move it, feather army!"

The crows cawed in unison like a demonic choir. Auri hopped onto the table and gave a single whistle. Instantly, the swarm descended in a perfectly organized pattern, forming lines across the yard like students at a military ration center.

"I will teach you lessons, auri," Nima added with a smug grin, "It's two hundred and sixteen. Auri's been busy recruiting."

Kent stared at the feathered army. "You gave birth to a black-winged cult bird."

Auri flared his tail flames, entirely unbothered.

One by one, each crow dipped its beak into the infused juice. Some flapped wildly as the power hit their bones; others puffed up like overinflated balloons before settling into more robust forms. Kent could visibly see wing muscle grow, talons harden, and eyes gleam with intelligent focus.

System messages began to flood his vision:

[SP Gain: +3,240 (Joy: Crows)

Crow Underlings Upgraded: Basic ? Robust Stage (Multiple)

Auri's Commander Affinity: +6%

Crow Battalion Established: Level-F (216 Members)

Title Gained: Birdfather, First to raise over 200 minor beastkin under a single commander.]

Kent nearly dropped the tray reading the system information.

When the last vial was empty, Kent couldn't resist a bit of show-off. He snatched his old black cloak from the house, draped it over himself, and stepped onto the yard with dramatic slowness. He tilted his head so his hair shadowed one eye, then raised two fingers in a mock ninja sign.

Four crows instantly fluttered around him, circling like dark guardians. A handful of loose feathers whirled into the air. Shadows rippled across his cloak.

Kent spoke in the deepest voice he could manage. "From today… I walk the path of solitude… just me and my crows."

Nima snorted. "You sound like you swallowed a flute. So cringe, Big Bro! Stop acting like Itachi."

Auri landed on Kent's shoulder and imitated a squeaky cough, mocking his gravelly tone. The crows broke formation; one perched on Kent's head and cawed in laughter.

Kent cleared his throat, cheeks heating. "It's called atmosphere."

Nima spun her soul scythe. "More like atmos-fear of second-hand embarrassment. Stop acting like that edgy anime guy… you are not Itachi."

Kent tried to maintain dignity. He flicked his cloak aside, feathers stirring. "I merely—"

"Foolish crow-keeper," Nima interrupted, bowing dramatically. "Your cringe is unmatched."

Auri squeaked something that sounded suspiciously like "cringe confirmed," earning a chorus of amused caws. Even Xian Yu, strolling by with a basket of fresh radish, paused long enough to chuckle. "Young kids…"

Kent sighed, dropped the pose, and rubbed the back of his neck. "Fine, I'm cringe. But the fans loved it."

One crow, a big one with a bent tail feather flapped onto his arm and nuzzled his wrist. Kent scratched its head, pride returning. "See? Appreciation."

Nima rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "You're lucky they can't talk. Otherwise, you would get roasted by the crows."