After duplicating the ten divine pills, Xuan Long sat silently in thought, his fingers gently tapping the throne's armrest.
"Hei Mo is a loyal follower, but he's still a demonic cultivator. Such a precious heavenly pill might be too volatile in his hands," he muttered to himself. His gaze shifted with determination. "I'll distribute these to Mu Chen, Lin Qian, Yue Li, the two demi-humans, and Huan Liang. That will leave four pills. I'll keep them in reserve—for future allies or emergencies."
Moments later, he summoned his Shadow Army generals.
"Go to the Zhou family residence," Xuan Long commanded. "Ransack everything. Kill every Zhou cultivator left. Free all slaves. Take every last treasure."
"Yes, Master!" they knelt as one, their dark armor shimmering with intent.
As they departed, Xuan Long murmured with a chuckle, "If only I could find more of these heavenly pills... this empire would never fall."
He then made his way to the main hall, where Huan Liang, the Sect Leader of Hua Sect, awaited him.
"Senior Xuan," she bowed politely.
"I'm pleased you came to support us when the Zhou family attacked," he said with a rare smile. "Not only that, your sect's sales performance has been phenomenal."
He raised his hand and with a flick of his fingers, summoned a large spatial ring. "As a token of gratitude, I gift Hua Sect one hundred thousand Qi Refining Pills."
The disciples gasped in astonishment.
"T-Thank you, Senior Xuan!" came a chorus of voices. Their eyes sparkled with reverence and disbelief.
Huan Liang hesitated, her brow furrowed. "Senior... this is a grand gesture. Are you sure? Won't this result in losses for you?"
Xuan Long laughed. "Loss? I have no Qi Refining disciples in my Shadow Army. And if I ever need more pills, Lin Qian and her team can brew 1,000 of them per day."
The entire hall fell into stunned silence.
"Hua Sect must be cautious," Xuan Long continued. "With such rapid market dominance, your rivals will not sit idly. I suggest building a high-tier teleportation array linking to this mountain."
Gasps echoed again.
"High-tier arrays require ten high-grade spirit stones per transport," one elder murmured.
Xuan Long waved it off. "No need to worry. The cost will be mine to bear. For Hua Sect, teleportation will be free."
Huan Liang bowed deeply. "Senior... thank you for thinking of us."
Xuan Long added, "You are only at Core Formation Level 1. Stay here for a month. Cultivate in our Spiritual River Room. With my resources and guidance, you'll reach Core Formation Level 5 easily."
Huan Liang hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I am grateful. But, may I ask one thing, Senior Xuan? Why are you helping us so much?"
Xuan Long's tone turned serious. "Because you're good people. You've helped me by selling my products loyally. But I do have one request in return."
His voice echoed through the chamber.
"Swear an oath—Hua Sect will never betray Shadow Mountain or the Shadow Army."
Shock spread through the sect disciples and elders.
An oath?
A few moments passed before Huan Liang stepped forward, clenched her fist, and said solemnly, "I, Huan Liang, on behalf of Hua Sect, swear upon my spiritual foundation—we shall never betray the Shadow Army."
One by one, the disciples followed, placing their hands to their hearts and repeating the oath.
Xuan Long smiled inwardly. *Now they are mine. Truly. No betrayal is possible. And in return—I shall protect them like my own.*
Later that day, the Hua Sect disciples returned to their base to resume duties, while Huan Liang stayed behind and entered seclusion in the Spiritual Room beside the glowing river. Xuan Long personally handed her three high-quality Core Formation Pills.
---
At dusk, the Shadow Army returned.
"Master," reported a commander, kneeling. "Mission complete. The Zhou residence has been purged. We collected over 100,000 high-grade spirit stones, countless high-grade pills and weapons... and rescued 250 slaves. Many are demi-humans."
Xuan Long strode out to the courtyard where the former slaves now gathered.
"If any of you wish to join the Shadow Army, step to the left. If not, step to the right."
Every single one moved to the left.
Xuan Long's eyes narrowed with satisfaction. He called upon Lin Qian to distribute Child Insect Seals.
"I trust no one completely," he whispered. "You will all take this oath of loyalty in blood."
One by one, the insects burrowed under the skin, marking the former slaves as loyal to Xuan Long.
He turned and raised his hand. "You will be trained. Some will learn demonic arts. Others, poison arts, medicine, formation, or mental techniques. All of you will be part of my army."
The new recruits cheered, eyes burning with hope and belonging.
From the former 200, the Shadow Army had now grown to over 500 strong. And Shadow Mountain was no longer a hidden faction—it was a rising power with unfathomable potential.
Xuan Long looked to the night sky, his expression calm yet cold.