The forest no longer echoed with silence.
Now it rang with the sound of boots stomping in rhythm, voices shouting commands, and the sharp clash of wood against wood.
Tian was no longer alone.
There were now five young men — misfits, orphans, ex-thieves — all drawn by rumor, curiosity, or hunger. They had heard of a swordsman in the hills. Most expected food. Some expected shelter. None expected what they found.
Discipline.
At sunrise, they stood in a line, eyes heavy from lack of sleep.
General Feng paced in front of them, spear in hand, slamming its butt into the dirt.
"Look at you. Soft. Crooked backs. Lazy legs. You think swinging a blade makes you warriors?"
He stopped in front of one recruit, shoving his foot into place.
"You'll march. Drill. Bleed. Until you forget how to be weak."
"This is the Iron Core now. You either break… or become steel."
No one laughed.
Because behind Feng, standing silently, was Lü Bu — watching every movement with eyes like cold fire.
He didn't need to shout.
His presence demanded obedience.
System Update: Iron Core
— Unit Size: [6/100]
— Formation Level: I (Basic)
— Training Efficiency: +25% (due to presence of Veteran Instructor: Feng)
— Unit Morale: Stable
— New Passive Unlocked: Formation Bonus (Discipline Aura I)
— Nearby allies recover stamina 10% faster and break formation 30% less often.
Days turned into weeks.
Each morning began before the sun. Each night ended with bruised limbs and aching muscles.
Tian was now a leader among them. He corrected footwork. Adjusted stances. Shouted at the others when they slowed down.
The others grumbled at first. But they listened.
Because Tian had bled for this.
Because Lü Bu had chosen him.
And in a strange way — that made him more than just a recruit.
It made him a symbol.
One night, as the fires crackled and the wind blew through the trees, Lü Bu stood before his six men.
Their clothes were torn. Their hands blistered. But their eyes were steady.
"This is the first stone," he said.
"Six men. But not just men."
"Six blades. One will. One cause."
He paused, letting the silence fall.
"I will build a force that no kingdom can ignore."
"Not through numbers. Not through fear. But through discipline."
"We will not break. We will not bend. We will become the sharpest edge this world has ever known."
The recruits stood straighter.
Even General Feng gave a small nod.
"The Iron Core has been born," he said.
"Now let's see if it survives."
System Update: Leadership Path Activated
— Lü Bu - Role Confirmed: Founder of the Iron Core (Kingdom Seed Stage)
— New Objective: Train a full 100-man unit to Elite Status.
— Reward: Unlock Tactical Command Tree.