[Ding!]
Skill Upgrade – Singular Replication (Level 3):
You can now duplicate non-living items up to 10 times.
Xuan Long opened his eyes. The mountain breeze brushed past his face, but his heart was calm like still water.
"Ten times… that means ten times the pills, weapons, and cultivation resources. I've truly become unstoppable in this lower realm."
The battlefield still reeked of blood and death. Though the Tiger Demonic Clan had been annihilated, the price was not light. Some Shadow Army members lay on the ground, missing limbs or bearing gruesome injuries. Others stood tall but breathless, their blood dripping onto the cold soil.
Hei Mo stood with her demonic puppets—now five at Nascent Soul Realm Level 3, refined from the fallen demonic elders. Her red cloak fluttered as she checked on her troops, distributing the newly forged Blood Pills made from enemy corpses.
Mu Chen was wrapping his blade in poison cloth. "We held the line… but just barely," he muttered.
That's when Xuan Long descended from the sky like a god returning from the heavens.
His gaze swept across the army.
Some soldiers kneeled immediately. Others stood tall, ashamed of their wounds. But none looked afraid. They had seen hell—and survived.
Xuan Long walked among them, extending his hand. Green life essence energy flowed from his palm, and wherever it touched, flesh re-grew, wounds sealed, pain vanished.
"Raise your arm," he ordered one soldier whose hand was severed.
The man obeyed with a grimace.
The energy swirled—and within moments, his hand was back.
"T-Thank you, my lord..." he stammered, eyes wide with disbelief.
Xuan Long moved one by one, healing them silently.
Finally, he arrived at Yue Li. She had been trying to hide a deep gash on her side.
"You really thought I wouldn't notice?" he said softly.
Yue Li looked away but didn't resist as he placed his hand on her waist. Warm energy spread through her body.
"I'm fine now… But… thank you—for avenging my people," she whispered.
Xuan Long looked her in the eyes. "Evil dies. Justice lives."
"Brother!!"
Two voices interrupted the silence as Xiou Xue and Yue Mei rushed out from the inner hall.
They jumped into Xuan Long's arms and hugged him tightly.
"Those scary people tried to hurt us again!" Yue Mei said, her little fox ears drooping.
"I was so scared you'd leave us…" Xiou Xue murmured, burying her face in his chest.
Xuan Long patted both their heads. "They won't return. I promise."
Mu Chen and Hei Mo exchanged glances.
"…He was a demon a moment ago," Hei Mo whispered, "and now he's a gentle dad?"
Mu Chen chuckled. "He switches faster than a shape-shifter."
Even the injured soldiers laughed. The brutal general who ripped enemies apart had become a fluffy pillow for two fox girls.
That night, the Shadow Sect held a quiet feast in the Moon Garden. Lanterns floated in the pond, laughter echoed among the walls, and wine flowed like water.
Xiou Xue and Yue Mei sat on Xuan Long's lap, competing over who could feed him the juiciest fruit.
Yue Li joined with a soft smile and a cup of wine. "To the fall of the Tiger Demonic Clan."
Hei Mo raised her cup. "To Shadow Sect's rise."
[Next Morning – Hua Sect Main Hall]
Sect Leader Huan Lian sat on a jade throne, tapping her finger on the armrest. Her robes were simple, but her presence dignified.
An elder entered. "Leader, the mountain sect we delayed trade with… we just confirmed. They crushed the Tiger Demonic Clan entirely."
Huan Lian's eyes narrowed. "They were attacked… and they still destroyed an entire demonic sect?"
"Yes. We believe they possess strength beyond ordinary comprehension. If we don't move fast, other sects may try to ally with them first."
Huan Lian stood. "Prepare gifts. I will go myself."
Later that day, the gates of the Shadow Sect opened. Two demi-human guards greeted the Hua Sect's elite entourage.
Huan Lian's heart skipped. "They're both… Core Formation level?" she muttered.
Her own strength was just at Core Formation Level 1, a result of hard years after her father's passing. But these guards looked younger and stronger.
They entered the inner courtyard, passing elegant black structures, glowing spirit trees, and puppet towers.
In the throne hall, they found Xuan Long seated casually on his throne—two sleeping girls curled up in his lap, drooling softly.
Huan Lian blinked. "He's… not what I expected."
She bowed. "Senior, I am Huan Lian, leader of the Hua Sect. We come with a proposal for trade."
Xuan Long glanced at her and teased, "Such a young and beautiful sect leader. A rare sight."
She blushed slightly but kept her composure. "We'd like to buy pills."
"We don't sell," Xuan Long replied.
"What?"
"We trade. You'll give me 50% spiritual herbs and 50% spirit stones. In exchange, I'll give you pills."
She paused. "But the market is competitive. Many sects may oppose us if we sell pills openly."
Xuan Long smirked. "Then we'll offer a 25% discount on all pills."
The elders behind her gasped.
"Senior, that would cause loss!" Huan Lian exclaimed.
Xuan Long leaned forward. "Let me worry about the loss. I have my ways."
She hesitated… then finally nodded. "Then we accept."
"Good. Lin Qian," he called. "Bring me 1,000 Qi Refining Pills."
Lin Qian returned with the batch.
Xuan Long gently waved his hand in secret.
[Singular Replication: x10]
In a blink, the pile multiplied—now 10,000 Qi Refining Pills.
Xuan Long smiled calmly. "Sell them in the city for 75 lower grade spiritual stones each. You'll shake the market."
[City Market – That Evening]
The Hua Sect opened their humble stall.
Other merchants sneered. "They're back again? Don't worry—we'll kill their momentum."
"We've lowered our price to 9 spirit stones per pill," said one greedy elder.
But then…
"10 Qi Refining Pills for 75 spirit stones?!"
Customers crowded the booth.
By evening, the entire stock of 10,000 pills was sold out.
Back in their sect, Hua disciples reported, "We earned 75,000 spirit stones, and the quality of pills was unmatched."
Huan Lian personally returned 25,000 stones and a cart full of rare herbs to Xuan Long's mountain.
In the treasury hall, Lin Qian stared at the herbs and stones. "T-This much...!"
Xuan Long chuckled. Then, in secret, he duplicated it all again.
[Replication x10]
Now there were 250,000 spirit stones and herbs enough to fill a warehouse.
Lin Qian's eyes sparkled. "With this… we can make 1,000 Foundation Pills and 20,000 Qi Pills! Our sect… is unstoppable!"
Xuan Long stood at the peak of the mountain that night, looking down at the glowing sect below.
"From today, we don't wait for opportunity… we create it.
The Lower Realm… will kneel before the Shadow Sect."