Gathering an Army

BOOM!

A sizable crater soon formed on the side of a small mountain, producing several avalanches, causing a cloud of dust to rise.

"Ahh! Big bro, that strike was really stronger than normal..." After receiving the 'treatment' for the past 8 days, Huo Long had realized that the tainted Spirit Qi in his body was gradually decreasing, however, he had also became smarter.

Each time he claimed that Shadow was using more strength than normal, the latter would decrease his strength, causing the damage dealt to decrease, albeit agonizing.

Shadow's eyes twitched in annoyance as he brandished his God Decimating sword and hurtled towards Huo Long.

"Big bro, how can you do this?!" Huo Long's eyes constricted as he promptly did a Split S and went beneath Shadow in an instant.

"I have purposely restrained my strength this time round and you still said it's stronger than normal. To make up for the efficiency lost during the past few days, the sword shall replace my fist," Shadow professionally said with a straight face.

'Damn it!' A sour feeling sprouted from the Huo Long's heart, if he had knew that this would happen, he would have silently take on Shadow's fists. But alas, it's too late for regret.

"Come on!" Huo Long growled with an undying determination as he turned around and faced Shadow's merciless strike.

***

A pool of dark red blood surrounded Huo Long as he forced the tainted blood from his wounds. The dense pool of blood emitted out a tiny aura of death. Though it was a minuscule amount, the black swirls of death aura still caused the surrounding grass to whither.

Shadow closed his eyes as he concentrated on sending Spirit Qi to force the tainted Spirit Qi out.

'Seems like I can eradicate the poison today...'

However, Shadow felt a tinge of discomfort in his body as a wave of nauseousness permeated him. Instantly, Shadow opened his eyes, to his surprise, the aura of death was flowing silently and gently into his body.

Just as Shadow was about to force the death aura out of his body, the red in his eye glowed a deep scarlet, covering half of his face in red. As quickly as it came, the death aura in his body vanished immediately, rendering Shadow helpless as to what to do.

Since there's nothing he could do, Shadow shook his head and regained his original composure, once again assisting Huo Long in removing the tainted Spirit Qi.

As dusk approaches, Huo Long puffed out a putrid air. His eyes no longer lifeless, and instead, it was replaced by a mix of newfound strength and vitality. The wounds on his body started recovering at an visible rate as he circulated the gaseous Spirit Qi in his veins.

"Thank you big bro," Huo Long sincerely said as he stared at Shadow with reverence and gratitude. After all, this powerful being in front of him saved his life and through the interactions in the past few days, he had a better understanding of Shadow. Though Shadow appeared cold and uncaring on the outside, deep down, he knew that Shadow was actually a person...no, a friend which truly valued friendships.

With a dismissive wave of his hand, Shadow brought up the deal from the previous time.

With a nod, Huo Long lifted up his head in the air and bellowed, "Profound Rank beasts and below! Come out for yours truly!" Such arrogance! Yet, as his roars reverberated throughout the Lands of Despair, every single beasts froze for a moment before running towards his direction.

Shadow was astonished at the authority that Huo Long possessed. In front of them were 5 Profound ferocious beasts and 5 Profound demonic beasts, prostrating on the ground. Behind the big shots were several other small bosses, lying on the ground with their head in the soil. Behind the bosses were... You get the idea.

"Listen up! This is my big bro, from now on, you all have to obey him! If anyone of you dares to harm my big bro, I'll personally devour you!" Huo Long exclaimed with a tone that was befitting for an overlord.

Though Shadow was touched by Huo Long's sincerity, he still grimaced at Huo Long's act of absolute authority. However, to the beasts in front of them, the authority was absolute and unequivocal.

"I don't think I can manage an army of this size, it's too big and..." Shadow spoke his thoughts and eventually trailed off.

Huo Long stared at Shadow in shock, his mouth agape. 'If I can manage this army with my strength, then you can simply overwhelm them with just a hand flip!' It was at this point did Huo Long realize that Shadow had underestimated his own strength all along!

"Big bro, actually, based on your current strength, no one can overpower you in this realm. Maybe except for the Human Emperor, but at most, all he can do is contend with you," Huo Long said seriously as he educated Shadow on his own strength.

"Really?!" For once, Shadow spoke with a slight emotion, he was both surprised and pleased. For the past few days, Shadow had thought that his inexperience and lack of skills would cause him to be disadvantageous despite the high cultivation level he possessed.

In front of overwhelming power, weapons and skills are worth nothing, and nothing can stop it.

This was the WAY. The PATH to advance towards. Right now, Shadow's heart had became extremely clear, he was no longer stuck in a constant state of anxiousness. Unknowingly, Shadow had formed his Dao.

This was the Dao of Overwhelming Strength!

As Shadow recovered from his initial shock and excitement, he turned to Huo Long and softly spoke, "I know now. I will get going now, rest here and recover. I'll be back for you."

Huo Long smiled but said nothing.

Then, Shadow turned to the army of demonic beasts and with an otherworldly aura, he commanded, "Common and rare beasts spread far and wide, attack any imperial troops in groups. Profound beasts follow me. 3 days later, gather at the outskirts of the imperial city! Move out!"

Instantly, the beasts began to disperse and dashed towards the direction of the Imperial City. This army of 1,000 led by a cultivator with unfathomable strength would astonish the world with its strength and this, was the start of Shadow's journey to become a Sovereign that ruled over all beings.

Huo Long gazed at the disappearing army before closing his eyes and focused on meditating his current state. 'Wait a minute, did big bro just said Imperial City? Is he going to a war with the Human Emperor?! What da f*ck?'