Morning light filtered gently through the clouds as Xuan Long stood at the city gates, holding a small bundle of warmth by his side—Xue'er. The little girl's hand was wrapped tightly around his, as if letting go would mean being swallowed back into the darkness of her past.
"Xue'er," he said gently, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear, "do you want to meet your big brothers?"
She hesitated. Her grip on his robe tightened. She glanced up at him with wide, fearful eyes.
"Will they… like me?"
Xuan Long knelt before her and cupped her tiny face with one hand.
"They will love you," he whispered. "Because you're mine."
A beat passed. Then she gave the faintest nod.
Arrival at the Mountain Base
After several hours of travel, they reached the mountain stronghold.
The air buzzed with power. Watchtowers lit up with signals. Sentries descended from trees and rooftops.
As soon as Xuan Long stepped onto the training grounds, over 120 cultivators dropped to one knee.
"WELCOME BACK, LORD!"
Their unified voice echoed through the cliffs.
But all attention soon turned to the small figure hiding behind Xuan Long's leg, peeking from under his robe.
She froze under their stares, her little heart pounding. Her knees shook.
Xuan Long knelt and gently rubbed her hair.
"It's alright, Xue'er," he said warmly. "They're your family now."
He took her hand and led her through the ranks. No one moved without permission. No one dared breathe too loudly. Her presence had already shifted the air in the fortress.
Assembly in the Grand Hall
The war room had never been so quiet.
Xuan Long sat on the obsidian seat at the head of the hall, the throne-like chair from which he issued commands. Today, he held Xue'er on his lap.
She buried her face into his chest, refusing to lift her head. Her fingers clutched his tunic like lifelines.
The room waited.
Then, he spoke.
"Report your progress."
Hei Mo's Report
Hei Mo stepped forward and knelt with one hand to the floor.
"Master. I've reached Foundation Realm Level 10."
Xuan Long's brow lifted.
"Level 1 to 10 in a month?"
"Yes, Master. The blood pills from the demonic sect and battlefields accelerated my growth. My five elites have reached Level 5. The remaining fifteen are now Level 1."
"Good. Keep refining."
Mu Chen's Report
Mu Chen followed next, his posture calm and composed.
"With the help of mid-grade stones and our new manuals, I've reached Foundation Realm Level 7. My fifteen soldiers are all at Level 3."
Xuan Long nodded slowly.
"You've done well. You will soon lead your own platoon."
Demi-Human Brothers
The two demi-humans stepped up and bowed in unison.
"We've reached Level 5, Master. Our illusions and stealth techniques have doubled in strength. Our twenty-five soldiers now function as a perfect scouting unit."
Xuan Long offered a rare smile.
"You've built the eyes of our empire."
The Pill Master Joins
He turned to the woman standing quietly in the corner. She wore simple robes, but her presence held purpose.
"You. Your name?"
"Lin Qian," she answered, bowing deeply. "Once a pill cultivator of Clear Spirit Sect… cast out under false accusations."
"You will refine pills here. For your brothers and sisters."
Lin Qian blinked, then slowly nodded, her lips quivering.
"Thank you, Master… I will serve with my life."
The Room Pauses
A moment of silence passed.
Then, Mu Chen looked at the small figure still curled against Xuan Long.
"Master," he said hesitantly, "the girl…"
Xuan Long looked down. Her eyes peeked up at the mention of her. But she said nothing.
"She is my sister now," he announced clearly. "Her name is Xue'er."
Whispers rippled through the room. Shock, awe, confusion.
But Xuan Long's tone brooked no debate.
"I found her in a slave market. Burned, beaten, broken. Barely five years old. Sold like meat."
He looked at them all.
"She cried for her dead parents in her sleep. She still flinches when someone lifts their hand too fast."
He turned to Lin Qian.
"Take her to rest."
Lin Qian stepped forward.
But as she approached, Xue'er trembled and clung harder to Xuan Long's robe.
"No! Don't take me away…"
She was shaking.
Xuan Long gently stroked her hair.
"It's okay. You'll stay in my room."
He turned back to the hall, his voice now sharp and absolute.
"She is your princess now. The first of the new generation. If anyone raises their voice at her, they answer to me. If anyone makes her cry, they lose a limb. If anyone dares to harm her…"
His killing intent spread like a cold wind.
"They will not die. They will wish they had."
Every single cultivator dropped to their knees and slammed their fists over their hearts.
"We swear on our veins, Master!"
"We will protect her with our lives!"
"May anyone who harms her be erased in body and soul!"
And in that moment, Xue'er peeked up. She saw them—all those warriors kneeling for her.
Not to hurt her.
But to protect her.
Her tiny lips trembled.
She reached up, tugged at Xuan Long's collar, and whispered in the softest voice,
"Brother…"
And he smiled.
A rare, true smile.
Because in that single word… she accepted him.
And so did the empire that now bowed to her.