The forest had never felt so silent. Even the wind, which usually danced freely between the ancient trees, had stilled. It was as though the forest itself waited, breath held in anticipation of a shift—a monumental change that could reshape everything.
Jun Mo Xie stood atop a moss-covered rock, his dark robes fluttering slightly as a breeze finally dared to move. Below him, 1,000 elite soldiers stood in perfect formation, their expressions tense but proud. Each of them had undergone brutal training in the wilderness, learning to live, fight, and even meditate amidst spiritual beasts and unseen dangers. Now, they were no longer mere soldiers. They were warriors molded by pain, discipline, and purpose.
Their bodies bore the marks of countless hours of training—bruises, cuts, sweat-soaked robes—but their eyes gleamed with unshakable resolve. The faint glow of spiritual energy pulsed subtly from some of them, a testament to recent breakthroughs.
His voice cut through the hush like a blade:
"From today onward, you are the core of the new Jun Family army. You are not merely soldiers. You are fangs in the dark."
He gestured to Liu Tai, a tall, broad-shouldered soldier who had once been a common stable boy.
"You will be the first to receive my latest pill. One hour. If you haven't broken through your bottleneck, report it."
Gasps of awe spread like wildfire through the ranks. The pill promised ten years of cultivation in a moment. Such a treasure could change the destiny of clans. It had taken Jun three sleepless nights to perfect the formula, combining spiritual roots from the forest with techniques he remembered from his previous life.
---
Meanwhile, back in the imperial capital, the Yi Family held an emergency council deep within their ancestral hall. The scent of sandalwood filled the air, though it did little to mask the tension.
"Jun Mo Xie," their patriarch growled, slamming a jade scroll against the table. "He's stolen our weapons, built an army of strays, and now rumors swirl of a spirit beast at his side."
Another elder responded cautiously: "The Emperor remains silent. It's as if he protects him. Or... is testing him."
The patriarch's eyes narrowed. "Send one of our shadow elders to infiltrate his ranks. Either return with his head—or his secrets."
An old woman in dark robes stepped forward silently and bowed.
"As you command."
---
Back in the forest, Jun sat inside a modest cave lit by dim torches. A wooden board before him held maps and diagrams sketched in charcoal and blood-ink. His closest friend, Zhang Shi, entered with a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Think I can get one of those miracle pills too? This time, I want to earn my strength."
Jun tossed him a small vial.
"Rest. We start phase two in two weeks. But first, we need to prepare the land. I'll need your help arranging our supply lines."
At that moment, Liu Lin appeared like a ghost, silent and ethereal. Her robes fluttered around her as if touched by wind only she could feel. She sat beside him, her presence calm but focused.
"These aren't defense plans," she said after studying the maps. "They're war plans."
He gave her a half-smile. "The war is coming. I'd rather choose where it starts."
She didn't disagree.
---
The next day, the camp buzzed with purpose. New training regimens were posted on large scrolls near each barracks. Sparring duels became more intense. Even the cooks were feeding the army spiritual-infused grains to strengthen their recovery.
Jun convened a meeting with his grandfather and uncle beside the training grounds. Flames from a controlled bonfire lit their weathered faces, casting flickering shadows that danced like ancestral spirits.
"This level of coordination... I haven't seen it since the Emperor's elite squads," his grandfather muttered.
Jun replied, eyes firm: "We're building a wall between us and the chaos ahead."
His uncle, recovering rapidly, asked, "What's your next move?"
Jun pointed toward the dark silhouette of a distant peak. "Black Thunder Hill. Rumors say there's a spiritual ore vein beneath it. If it's true, it will be our foundation."
The elders fell silent. Such a resource would make the Jun Family a power on par with high nobility. The thought was intoxicating—but also dangerous.
---
That evening, Lin Ar handed Jun an ancient scroll.
"Found this in a deserted shrine. It's about drawing celestial energy through ritual formations."
He absorbed its contents in moments. "This will double our cultivation efficiency. Well done."
Soon, the princess—the third heroine—sat beside him, offering a golden bracelet with embedded runes.
"A gift from my father. He sends his thanks for saving me."
Jun took it gently. "Did you tell him the truth?"
She nodded. "I told him you saved me more than once. That I trust you more than anyone."
Their hands lingered together, a silent promise hanging between them.
Liu Lin, watching from the shadows, whispered to the other heroines: "He's not of this world, but you're all already orbiting his sun."
Xiao Ning replied coolly, "If we burn while doing so, so be it."
---
Elsewhere in the capital, a cloaked figure entered the Yi Family's domain, breathing heavily.
"Jun is forging a spirit-army... and now he has an ancient being by his side. I saw it with my own eyes."
The patriarch's knuckles cracked. "Activate the Silent Culling Plan."
"At once."
---
In the camp, Jun finished preparing three elite scout units and two excavation teams. Their task: map every ridge, cave, and stream between the camp and Black Thunder Hill.
"Our goal is Black Thunder Hill. We move in three days. I want maps, supply lines, and fallback positions ready."
He handed his uncle a sealed container.
"Take this. One pill. When taken, it will push you to the peak of the Sky Pulse Realm."
The uncle's eyes widened. "You'd give this to me?"
"Family comes first. Always."
His grandfather said nothing but nodded with deep approval.
---
That night, Liu Lin sat beneath the stars, whispering to the heroines:
"Soon, he'll clash with this world's laws. You must be more than followers—you must become his shields, his voice, his blade."
Lin Ar responded, "We believe in him because he believes in us."
Even the princess added: "He gives without asking. For that alone, I'll stand with him until the end."
In a rare moment of peace, all four gathered around the campfire. Jun stared at the flames, expression unreadable.
> "The clock ticks... Black Thunder Hill is just the beginning. After that—only
the worthy shall remain on the throne."
A soft breeze carried his words into the night.
---
End of Chapter Fifteen