The night air was thick with the scent of blood and iron as Zhang Wei stumbled back toward the Loyalty Fortress. His legs felt like lead, each step echoing with the weight of the head he carried—the bandit leader's lifeless face frozen in eternal horror.
Moonlight filtered through the fortress gates, revealing Lin Tian seated on a stone dais, a faint smile curling on his lips. His golden eyes glowed like twin embers, and the air seemed to hum with power.
Li Xue stood at his side, her sword resting lightly against her shoulder, her gaze locked on Zhang Wei with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
"Master…" Zhang Wei fell to his knees, his breath ragged, his body trembling with exhaustion. He unwrapped the head and placed it at Lin Tian's feet. "The bandit leader is dead."
A hush fell over the fortress. Even the wind seemed to pause in reverence.
Lin Tian's eyes narrowed, assessing Zhang Wei's bruised and bloodied form. "You have done well," he said, his voice a low, rumbling purr.
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[Mission Complete]
Reward: Loyalty +10%, Divine Credits x200.
Current Loyalty: 30%.
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A golden glow flared around Zhang Wei's chest as the Loyalty Mark pulsed and brightened. He felt a jolt of energy—an intoxicating warmth that flooded his veins. His limbs felt lighter, his mind sharper.
"Thank you… Master," Zhang Wei whispered, tears mingling with sweat and dirt on his face.
Lin Tian rose from the dais, descending slowly until he stood before Zhang Wei. He reached out and placed a hand on Zhang Wei's head. The brand on his chest burned brighter, etching itself deeper into his soul.
"You have proven yourself," Lin Tian said, his voice filled with cold approval. "From this day forward, you are no longer a stray dog. You are a blade of my empire—a servant forged in loyalty."
Zhang Wei's heart swelled with relief and pride. "I… I will never betray you, Master."
Li Xue stepped forward, her eyes hard. "He was weak before," she said. "But now, he is worthy of you."
Lin Tian's smile widened, though it did not reach his eyes. "Indeed." He turned back to Zhang Wei. "Rise, Zhang Wei."
Zhang Wei struggled to his feet, swaying slightly, but his gaze was steady.
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[Divine Fortune System Interface]
— New Feature Unlocked: Loyalty Reinforcement Ritual
• Effect: Accelerates loyalty growth by 25% for selected followers.
• Cost: 500 Divine Credits.
— Cultivation Enhancement Tier I
• Effect: Increases cultivation speed by 25%.
• Cost: 2,500 Divine Credits.
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Lin Tian's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "System, purchase Cultivation Enhancement Tier I."
A surge of power coursed through him—like a river of molten gold flowing through his meridians. His aura expanded, a rolling tide of spiritual pressure that made the very stones of the fortress tremble.
Li Xue and Zhang Wei both staggered under the weight of his power, their eyes wide with awe and fear.
Zhang Wei's Loyalty Mark burned brighter still, linking him irrevocably to Lin Tian's will.
"Master…" he gasped, his voice ragged. "Your power… it's… overwhelming."
Lin Tian's eyes glowed like twin suns. "Good," he said. "You must understand your place, Zhang Wei. Loyalty is not a transaction. It is the chain that binds your soul to mine. You are free to live well under my rule—but you will never break this chain."
Zhang Wei trembled, his eyes glistening with tears. "I… I understand, Master. I will never break it."
Li Xue watched with cold satisfaction. "He is yours now, Master."
Lin Tian's gaze swept the fortress, the fires of conquest burning in his eyes. "The bandits will learn that no one defies me. And soon, all the clans will understand the price of disloyalty."
A hush fell as the fortress seemed to expand in the night, the walls glowing faintly with the System's golden energy.
Lin Tian's voice rang out, clear and commanding: "Li Xue. Zhang Wei. At dawn, we march to conquer the next stronghold. Gather your strength. Prepare yourselves."
Zhang Wei's voice rose in trembling obedience. "Yes, Master!"
Li Xue's blade glinted in the moonlight. "We will not fail you."
Lin Tian's smile was cold, ruthless, and full of promise. "Good," he said. "Let the world tremble before the Divine Fortune System."
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[System Notification: New Mission Available]
— Objective: Subjugate the Riverwind Stronghold.
— Reward: Loyalty Expansion Slot x2, Divine Credits x500, Artifact Fragment x1.
— Failure: Loyalty -10% for all followers.
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The night wind carried the scent of conquest as Lin Tian's empire grew one loyalty brand at a time—each one a chain forged in blood, bound by a promise that could never be broken.
---
End of Chapter 6