In the dimly lit training hall, torches flickered against the stone walls, casting long shadows over the two figures standing in the center. Drake Blackthorn, now fully embracing his identity as a ruler and cultivator, crossed his arms with a smirk. Opposite him, Alex stood with a mix of excitement and disbelief on his face.
"You're serious?" Alex asked, his voice tinged with hesitation. "You're really giving me a cultivation technique?"
Drake chuckled. "Of course, I am. You've been with me since the beginning, Alex. I need people I can trust at my side—strong warriors who will shape the world alongside me." He reached into the void, summoning an ancient jade scroll from his system inventory. The air around it buzzed with a mysterious energy, as if the very heavens trembled at its presence.
Alex gulped. "What is this technique?"
Drake's grin widened. "The Primordial Chaos Refinement Technique. One of the most fearsome and domineering cultivation arts in existence. With this, you will refine your body and soul in the flames of chaos itself, surpassing the limits of ordinary mortals. Few techniques rival its sheer destructive potential."
Alex hesitated for a moment before his fingers brushed against the jade scroll. The moment he touched it, a surge of knowledge and power rushed into his mind, his body trembling as if an ancient force had awakened within him.
Drake watched with satisfaction as Alex clenched his fists, his aura beginning to shift. "Feel it, Alex. Let it flow through you."
Alex's breathing was heavy as he processed the influx of knowledge. "This… this is insane. I can already feel my body changing—like a new path has opened before me."
Drake nodded approvingly. "That's just the beginning. You're not just some follower, Alex. From now on, you will hold the title of Heavenly Demon General in my army."
Alex's eyes widened. "Heavenly Demon General…? You mean—"
"You will lead my forces, conquer in my name, and stand by my side as we reshape this world," Drake said, his voice filled with absolute conviction. "With this technique, you will grow into a being feared by all, a nightmare to my enemies, and a legend to those who follow us."
Alex clenched his fist, a fierce light burning in his eyes. "If you're putting that much trust in me, then I won't let you down, Drake."
Drake smirked. "Good. Then prepare yourself. The path of cultivation is not easy—it's filled with pain, battles, and sacrifices. But in the end, you will become something more than human."
A powerful wind swirled through the training hall as Alex took a deep breath, fully accepting his fate. The first of many who would rise under Drake's banner, the Heavenly Demon General had been born.
[...]
"Father, may I have a moment?" Drake asked as he stepped into the study, where Viscount Alaric Blackthorn was reviewing ledgers by the gentle glow of the fireplace.
Viscount Blackthorn looked up with a warm smile. "Of course, Drake. What's on your mind?"
Drake took a steadying breath. "I need a plot of land near the mansion."
The viscount raised an eyebrow. "A plot of land? And what exactly do you plan to do with it, son?"
Drake met his father's gaze with sincere determination. "I'm planning to experiment with something new—something that could really help our family. I need a good amount of space to set up an array for my experiments and to store some rare herbs I've been researching. Just trust me, Father. This venture could be the key to turning our fortunes around."
Viscount Blackthorn leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "Herbs and experiments, you say? Tell me more, Drake."
Drake hesitated for only a moment before continuing, "I've been studying innovative techniques to refine raw materials into valuable resources. These herbs, which grow both in our world and in another realm I've been exploring, have great potential. With the right process, I can transform them into products that will fetch a good price. It's a new business venture that could bring us profit and restore the honor of the Blackthorn name."
The viscount regarded his son with a mix of pride and cautious optimism. "I see. And you truly believe this plan will work?"
Drake nodded firmly. "Yes, Father. I know it sounds ambitious, but I've done my research. I need a sizable piece of land close to the mansion where I can safely set up my equipment. This isn't a mere gamble—it's an investment in our future."
Viscount Blackthorn rifled through his records for a moment. "There is a patch of land near the eastern wall that's been left unused—overgrown and in need of care. It might be just what you need."
Drake's face lit up. "That's perfect. With that space, I can clear it, install the necessary setup, and begin my work immediately. I promise you, Father, that this venture will help our family rise again."
The viscount smiled, his tone gentle yet resolute. "Alright, Drake. I trust you. Use that land wisely and do not take unnecessary risks. Prove that your ambitions can bring honor to our name."
Drake bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you, Father. I won't let you down."
With that, Drake left the study, his mind already racing with plans for the new plot—a fresh start that he was determined would mark the beginning of a better future for the Blackthorn legacy.
Drake stood on a plot of land just outside the Blackthorn manor's walls, a space his father had long ago designated as "unused." Once overgrown with weeds and forgotten, it was now a carefully prepared site. A complex array of shimmering stones had been meticulously placed, forming a circle that hummed with latent power. This was no mere mana stone array; it was the "Qi Condensation Array."
Drake had spent the past month in a relentless grind, completing quests, training with Alex, and exploring the territory. He'd amassed just enough points to purchase the array, a strategic investment that would transform the Blackthorn territory's fortunes.
This plot of land, previously considered useless, was now the perfect location for the array. It was secluded enough to prevent unwanted attention, yet close enough to the manor for easy access. Drake had cleared the land himself, ensuring the array would function optimally.
He activated the array, and a surge of energy flowed through him. He felt a connection to the intricate network of crystals and runes, a sense of command over the latent power within. The array began to glow, its light pulsating in rhythm with the flow of Qi. A small, crystalline ball formed in the center, growing and shimmering with an ethereal, almost divine light.
Drake watched as the Spirit Stone took shape. Unlike the common mana stone, this was a highly refined energy source, worth a hundred medium-grade mana stones or a single high-grade mana stone. It was a testament to the power of Qi cultivation, a resource that would grant him a significant advantage.
With the Qi Condensation Array operational, Drake's resource limitations had been drastically reduced. He could now generate Spirit Stones at his own pace, a steady supply to fuel his cultivation, power future projects, and enhance the territory's defenses.
He surveyed the land, a predatory grin spreading across his face. This was just the beginning. The unused land, once a symbol of neglect, would now be the foundation of his ambitions. He had taken a significant step towards his goal of becoming the strongest cultivator in the world. He had the potential to transform the Blackthorn territory, to build an empire, and to leave his mark on history. The Spirit Stones would be the fuel for that rise.