The day after the Baron's ignominious defeat, Oakhaven was a village transformed. The palpable fear that had once clung to its every corner was replaced by an air of defiant freedom and bustling activity. Rylan, now the undisputed power, wasted no time.
His first order of business was practical. He dispatched a small group of the most loyal and capable villagers, led by Lyra, to the Baron's Keep. Their mission: to observe the Baron's actions, confirm his abdication, and, most importantly, to secure any resources or information that could be useful. Lyra's sharp mind and growing spiritual senses made her the ideal choice for this delicate task.
"Report back to me every day," Rylan instructed her, his voice firm. "Do not engage, simply observe and gather. If you encounter any of the Baron's remaining cultivators, avoid confrontation. If you must, use your smoke concoctions to escape. Your safety, and the information, are paramount."
"Understood, Master Rylan," Lyra replied, her eyes gleaming with a new sense of purpose, a blend of her innate independence and her fierce loyalty to him. She moved with Elara, who was to act as her bodyguard, her Qi Gathering energy making her surprisingly swift and alert. Lena, meanwhile, remained in Oakhaven, tending to the injured and organizing the village's resources with her newly enhanced medicinal practices.
With Lyra and Elara gone, Rylan focused on the core of his power. Each night, his dual cultivation with Lena became even more crucial. Her Minor Healing Affinity was incredibly potent, not only accelerating his spiritual recovery but actively purifying and consolidating his Qi Condensation (Late-Stage) realm. He felt the subtle difference; his spiritual energy wasn't just stronger, it was cleaner, more responsive to his will. The "Medicinal Practices" knowledge he gained from her was also proving useful, giving him insights into the interaction of spiritual energy with biological forms.
During the day, Rylan began the process of formally integrating the Baron's former lands into his nascent dominion. He gathered the village elders, not just from Oakhaven, but from a few smaller, nearby hamlets that had also suffered under the Baron's rule. He assured them of their freedom, promising fair governance and protection, not harsh taxes. In return, he demanded their loyalty and cooperation.
"Your old Baron is no longer your master," Rylan announced to them, his voice resonating with an undeniable authority. "I am. But I am not a tyrant. You will live in peace, you will work your lands, and you will contribute to the prosperity of our shared future. In return, I offer you security, protection, and a chance to truly thrive."
He spoke with confidence, backing his words with the subtle, yet powerful, display of his Qi Condensation (Late-Stage) spiritual energy. The elders, cautious but hopeful, quickly swore fealty. They had seen what he could do to the Baron's forces; they knew he was a power beyond anything they had ever encountered.
[Ding! Influence Gained: Baron's Former Lands (Minor Dominion)][Reward: Minor Spiritual Energy Resource +0.1 (Passive Income), Minor Diplomatic Comprehension +0.1 (Absorbed).]
The System continued to adapt, now recognizing his territorial control. The "Spiritual Energy Resource" was fascinating – a passive, albeit small, trickle of spiritual energy drawn from his dominion itself, feeding into his cultivation. The "Diplomatic Comprehension" was also a welcome skill, subtly guiding his interactions and understanding of local politics.
Within a week, Lyra and Elara returned from the Baron's Keep. Lyra's face was grim.
"Master Rylan," she reported, bowing respectfully. "The Baron did indeed abdicate, though not gracefully. He fled, leaving his keep largely abandoned, taking only his most valuable personal effects. However..." she paused, her expression hardening. "He sent a message. To the Jade Empire. He invoked a decree, claiming his lands were attacked by a rogue cultivator, and requesting intervention. He specifically mentioned you."
Rylan's eyes narrowed. The Jade Empire. He had expected this. The Baron was a fool, but not entirely useless. He had provided the perfect catalyst.
"Did you find anything else of value?" Rylan asked, his mind already formulating his next moves.
"Yes, Master," Lyra replied, opening her satchel. "We found several old maps of the region, including the Baron's own, detailing not just his lands, but the routes to nearby towns, and even a few rumored spiritual ore mines in the mountains. More importantly, we found this." She pulled out a small, intricately carved wooden box.
Rylan took the box. He felt a faint, ancient spiritual aura emanating from it. As he opened it, inside lay a single, shimmering, perfectly smooth Jade Coin. It pulsed with a concentrated spiritual energy, far beyond anything he had encountered in Oakhaven.
[Ding! Ancient Jade Coin (Artifact) Detected!][Note: Contains concentrated spiritual essence. Can be absorbed for significant cultivation boost, or used as a rare currency/trade item in higher cultivation circles.]
Rylan's smirk returned, cold and confident. The Baron's folly was indeed his gain. The Jade Empire was now aware of him. Good. He would ensure they knew his name. But first, he had a coin to absorb, and a nascent dominion to secure. The Lustful Emperor was building his empire, one decisive step at a time.
End of chapter 22