The morning sun broke through the clouds, casting golden light over the mountain stronghold. It warmed the stone paths and towers, bringing a sense of peace to the war-forged fortress. But beneath the calm surface, a powerful engine of cultivation and purpose continued to turn.
The training fields buzzed with energy. Recruits sprinted in formation, steel clashed in sparring pits, and the occasional ripple of Qi burst into the air as breakthroughs occurred. The once-quiet mountains were now alive with ambition.
Lin Qian's Request
In the early light, Lin Qian stood outside the main hall of the fortress, her robes neat and posture respectful. Though she was still new to the family, her importance was already rising fast.
When Xuan Long stepped out, she bowed immediately.
"Master, if I may speak," she said softly.
He glanced at her and nodded. "Speak."
"To continue refining pills efficiently, I need more than basic tools. I require rare herbs, purified elements, flame-controlled cauldrons... a proper alchemist's setup."
Xuan Long let out a soft chuckle, crossing his arms.
"Of course. We've looted two sects and a bandit empire—there should be more than enough."
He raised his voice.
"Mu Chen."
In a flash, Mu Chen appeared, dropping to one knee.
"Master."
"Take Lin Qian to the Lu Family vault. Let her claim what she needs."
Mu Chen stood and bowed to Lin Qian. "Come with me."
A Vault of Treasures
Lin Qian followed Mu Chen into the deeper levels of the mountain. When they opened the sealed gate to the old Lu Family storage chamber, her eyes widened in disbelief.
Inside was a treasure trove. Shelves stacked to the ceiling overflowed with jade cases, shimmering bottles, metal-bound books, glowing herbs, and powders suspended in preservation spells.
"By the heavens... this is a Grand Sect-level vault," Lin Qian whispered.
She stepped in like a pilgrim entering a sacred shrine. Her hands brushed across ingredients she hadn't seen in ten years—Fiendroot, Azure Spirit Mushrooms, Earth Flame Crystals.
"With this... I can make more than Qi Recovery pills. Foundation Breakthrough Elixirs, Bloodline Stimulants, Poison Antidotes—this could turn an army into legends."
She bowed deeply to Mu Chen. "Thank you. I will repay this tenfold."
Then she hurried off, already sketching recipes in her mind.
The Pill Laboratory
Two days later, the mountain fortress smelled of herbs and alchemical fire.
Xuan Long entered the freshly carved-out lab—once a weapon storage room, now transformed into Lin Qian's personal workshop. Several cauldrons glowed red, and five disciples kneeled around tables, grinding and mixing ingredients under her sharp instructions.
She turned and bowed as Xuan Long approached.
"Master. Production has started. I've made fifteen Foundation-boosting pills, six healing potions, and nine endurance elixirs so far."
He observed the lab, nodding slowly.
"This place has promise. But you cannot do it alone."
He gestured.
"Choose ten disciples. Create a Medical Division. Train them to be worthy of you."
Lin Qian's eyes lit up. "Yes, Master! I will build a team that supports this family for generations."
Rising Energy in the Fortress
With Lin Qian's pills distributed, a wave of breakthroughs surged.
Two of Mu Chen's disciples reached Foundation Realm Level 4. Three scouts advanced to Level 3.
The battle-ready energy was thick in the air.
Hei Mo watched from a shadowed balcony, whispering to himself, "This... this is no longer a fortress. This is a kingdom in the making."
Even the demi-humans, once shy and withdrawn, now wore armor and moved with confidence.
A Moment of Warmth
That night, after a long day of overseeing operations, Xuan Long returned to his private quarters.
Inside, he found Xue'er sitting quietly on the bed.
She was dressed in a soft white robe, her black hair tied with a pink ribbon. Her plush rabbit toy sat in her lap.
But her fingers twisted nervously, and her head was bowed.
Xuan Long approached and knelt in front of her.
"Xue'er," he said gently. "What's wrong?"
She hesitated.
Then whispered, "There are... too many people. They all look scary."
His heart clenched. He sat beside her, lifting her onto his lap.
"I know," he said, brushing her hair. "They wear armor. They train like warriors. But they are your family too."
She looked up with wide, unsure eyes.
"They are?"
"Yes. They would never harm you. And if any ever did—" his voice turned to steel, "—I would erase them from existence."
She blinked, then slowly smiled.
"Okay... Brother."
He held her gently. The fire crackled in the corner. Outside, cultivators trained and patrolled.
But here in this room—
There was only peace.
Seeds of a Future
The next day, Xuan Long issued his next decree:
"In five days, we begin expansion. Send scouts to neighboring mountains. Recruit or absorb rogue groups. Anyone who resists—subdue them."
The family was ready.
The Medical Division, Scout Corps, Combat Division, and Logistics Hall now worked in perfect synchronization.
And at the heart of it all—
Xue'er played with her doll on the stone steps, a flower crown on her head, watched from the shadows by over a hundred protectors.
Xuan Long watched it all, arms folded.
This was no longer just revenge.
This... was the beginning of an empire.