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[System Notification – Congratulations!]
"Congratulations, Host, for mastering the True Immortal Azure Thunder Dragon Body and the True Dragon Qi Cultivation Technique to Level 1."
[Rewards Granted:]
Qi Restoring Pill (Perfect Grade) ×10
Health Restoring Pill (Perfect Grade) ×10
Body Tempering Pill (Perfect Grade) ×10
Qi Condensing Pill (Perfect Grade) ×10
---
Long Tian opened his eyes, lightning briefly flashing across his pupils.
With a flick of his claw, the reward bottles emerged in neat rows before him—each bottle carved with refined runes, the pills within radiating soft light and dense Qi.
He smiled faintly.
> "The system truly rewards breakthroughs generously…"
Without hesitation, he divided the spoils.
To Yunxiao, he gave a bottle each of the Qi Restoring and Qi Condensing Pills.
To Baoyun, he offered Body Tempering and Health Restoring Pills.
To the Ice Phoenix, a set of Qi Restoring and Qi Condensing Pills, alongside one Body Tempering Pill to assist her rebirth flame cycle.
He gave additional bottles to the loyal beasts who had followed him from the early days—wolves, flame deer, thunder turtles, and the flying squirrels of the western ridge.
The last two bottles he carried himself as he walked toward the giant ape.
---
The beast towered in silence, its frame like a mountain, its golden eyes cautious but respectful.
Long Tian stepped before him and extended a jade scroll.
> "You've served well. It's time I gave you more than just strength."
The scroll contained a Martial Art—a powerful, earth-grade technique: Mountain-Splitting Palm. Though basic in concept, its strength lay in brutal simplicity, perfect for a creature of the ape's physique.
The moment the ape grasped it, runes on the slave seal glowed—and dimmed.
[System Notification – Giant Ape's Loyalty has increased: 50 → 60.]
The ape let out a low, rumbling bow, not just in obedience—but in recognition.
Long Tian nodded once, then turned and returned to the heart of his domain.
---
There, his companions waited.
They sat together beneath the Origin Grade saplings, basking in their natural aura.
"Baoyun, how do you feel?" Tian asked.
The Baoyun flexed. "Like I could punch a boulder in half."
Yunxiao smirked. "Only half?"
The Ice Phoenix closed her eyes, serene. "The Spirit Frost circulates cleaner now. My flames no longer hurt me."
He smiled faintly. They were growing. All of them.
> "Good. Keep cultivating. This forest... may not remain quiet forever."
---
After the brief exchange, he walked alone, letting his senses stretch across his land.
The Earth Dew Pond glimmered gently. The Qi Gathering Formation pulsed with life. From the valley to the hill peaks, the aura of cultivation was thick. Beasts trained. Plants flourished. His sanctuary thrived.
He paused before a bed of spiritual herbs—still young, but full of potential.
> "Let's try this…"
Activating his innate Trait – Growth, Long Tian gently pressed a claw to the roots.
Golden-green energy spiraled from his palm, seeping into the soil. The herbs quivered. Their leaves shimmered with vitality. In mere moments, their maturity doubled. Essence condensed around them.
More medicinal herbs. Higher quality spirit plants.
> "Useful… with this, I can support not just myself—but an army."
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[System Notification – Territory Update]
Total Followers: 193
Current Cultivation Distribution:
Body Tempering: Layer 2 to Layer 9
Qi Condensation: Layer 1 (17 individuals)
---
He stood atop a hill, gazing at the moonlit forest below—his forest.
Once alone, now followed by nearly two hundred loyal beasts and companions.
Each one growing.
Each one evolving.
And at the center of it all—him.
> "Let the world prepare. The Azure Thunder Dragon… is no longer a hatchling."