The chains binding Lan Xinran rattled as she attempted to lift herself. Her arms shook, her knees buckled, and she nearly collapsed again before Li Feng stepped closer.
She flinched.
Not because she feared him—but because she feared being useless.
Her eyes, dim and bloodshot, locked onto his.
"You killed them… all of them…"
Li Feng crouched down, inspecting the chains. They were marked with dark suppressing runes—designed to erase a cultivator's strength.
"Stand," he ordered.
"I… can't," she whispered.
His hand shot out and grabbed the chains. With a single pull, the metal snapped like rotted wood. Lan Xinran gasped as her arms fell free, trembling uncontrollably.
"You saved me?" she whispered.
Li Feng smirked. "No. I recruited you."
The system pulsed inside his mind.
(Follower Acquisition Requirement: Pending)
To finalize recruitment:
Show overwhelming dominance, or earn willing loyalty.
Failure will result in follower rejection.
Li Feng stood before her, expression unreadable.
"Lan Xinran, you want revenge against the Black Crow Sect?"
Her jaw tightened. Hatred twisted her broken face.
"They destroyed my sect. Killed my master. Paraded me as a trophy. Yes… I want revenge."
"Good," Li Feng said. "Then serve me."
Her breathing halted.
"You… want me to kneel?"
Li Feng tilted his head.
"I want your loyalty. Kneel, and I give you strength. Refuse, and you can crawl away and die on your own."
Lan Xinran stared at him, unable to decide. Her pride battled her desperation.
Finally she whispered,
"I don't kneel to tyrants…"
Li Feng turned away.
"Then die without purpose."
She felt his aura as he walked away—heavy, monstrous, a demon wearing human skin.
Her heart pounded.
"I… won't die."
Li Feng kept walking.
"I said I won't die!" she screamed, voice breaking.
She forced herself upright and fell to her knees, her head bowed.
"Take me… Villain Emperor. Let me fight for your empire. Let me kill those who wronged me."
The system chimed triumphantly.
(Follower Successfully Acquired)
Lan Xinran – First Blade of the Villain Empire
Initial Loyalty: 53%
Potential Growth: Extreme
Bond Strength: Unstable but rising
Follower Bonus Activated: Host receives +10% Cultivation Efficiency.
Li Feng turned back and extended his hand.
"Good. Now stand. You belong to my empire, not the dirt."
Lan Xinran took his hand, pulling herself up. Her legs barely held, but her eyes burned brighter.
She was no longer a captive.
She was his blade.
Li Feng looked at the horizon where sunlight pierced the clouds.
"Xinran."
"Yes?"
"We're leaving. Hei Ya Men won't be stupid enough to ignore that massacre. Reinforcements will arrive soon."
Fear flickered in her eyes. "They'll come with elites. You're still injured… we can't fight them."
Li Feng grinned.
"That's why we won't fight."
The system flared again.
(New Skill Unlocked: Shadowstep Escape)
Allows the host to slip through blind spots and vanish from pursuit for 60 seconds.
Cooldown: 24 hours.
Lan Xinran's eyes widened. "You… already gained another ability?"
"The system rewards me for acting like a villain," he replied. "And I intend to give it plenty of reasons."
He lifted her onto his back without hesitation. She stiffened, surprised at the sudden warmth of his grip.
"Don't let go."
She didn't.
Their surroundings blurred. In the distance, shrill whistles pierced the air Hei Ya Men elites arriving.
Li Feng whispered,
"We're done here."
And in a flash, he vanished into the shadows.
Far above the battlefield, hidden clouds parted.
A young man watched silently from the skies clad in white robes, a glowing sword hovering behind him.
His eyes narrowed.
"So… the villain has finally appeared."
He turned and disappeared into the heavens.
The world had shifted.
Heroes were rising.
But so was the Villain Emperor.
And unlike them, Li Feng had no intention of playing fair.