Absolute Domain

Zhang Yong stood at the edge of the battlefield, his eyes scanning the horizon as the last traces of dawn's light painted the sky in a fiery orange hue. The night's bloodshed had left the land in ruins—charred bodies, crushed weapons, and the remnants of lives that had once thought themselves strong.

In this world of chaos and power, only one rule prevailed: survival of the fittest. The strong crushed the weak, and Zhang Yong had long ceased to care about the cost of power. Every death, every drop of blood spilled, only made him stronger. But as his cultivation advanced, so too did the dark weight of his choices.

The chilling breeze swept through his hair as he inhaled deeply. The scent of death still lingered in the air. He could feel the power within him growing, his cultivation pushing through to new realms. Yet, in the quiet aftermath of the violence, a nagging thought began to gnaw at him.

What was the price of all this?

A voice broke through the silence, dragging him back to reality.

"Master," a familiar voice called.

He turned to find Lilith standing before him, her eyes filled with a mixture of awe and concern. She had watched him grow from a mere mortal to a force of destruction, and now, her gaze seemed to carry an unspoken understanding of the weight of his journey.

"I... I don't understand," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "Why do you kill so mercilessly? Is there no other way?"

Zhang Yong's eyes narrowed, the harshness of his thoughts reflected in his expression. The questions she asked were ones that had crossed his mind in fleeting moments. But the answer was clear. Power, in its purest form, demanded sacrifices—sacrifices that others weren't willing to make.

"Mercy is for the weak," he replied coldly. His voice, though calm, carried the weight of a thousand lives taken in his pursuit. "I do what is necessary. In this world, there is no room for hesitation."

Lilith took a step forward, her eyes locking with his. "And what about the ones you care for? What about me?" Her voice cracked as she spoke, the vulnerability in her words laying bare a part of her that Zhang Yong had not seen before.

He stepped closer to her, his gaze softening just slightly. "You are different, Lilith," he murmured. "You are one of the few who have proven themselves worthy of my trust. But the world... the world has no place for weakness."

Her expression faltered, as if the truth of his words cut deeper than she could bear. She had known from the beginning that her association with him would come at a cost, but now, facing the cold reality of his path, she couldn't help but wonder how far he would go.

Zhang Yong placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch surprisingly gentle. "I will protect you. But understand this: I will not stop. I will not waver. And anyone who dares to stand against me... will die."

Lilith met his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew the man standing before her was not the same one she had first met. The darkness that had begun to take root in his soul was undeniable. And yet, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him, as if fate itself had bound her to his side.

"I'll follow you," she said quietly, her voice steady now, despite the storm of emotions within her. "Wherever you go, whatever you do... I will follow."

A slight smile tugged at the corner of Zhang Yong's lips. He had known she would say that, just as he knew he would not allow her to leave his side. The bond between them had been forged through blood and sacrifice, and it was unbreakable.

But as they stood there, amidst the ruins of their enemies, Zhang Yong's mind wandered to the future. The next step in his journey would not be easy. There were greater forces at play, and the path ahead would be filled with even more bloodshed.

The system's familiar beep broke his thoughts.

System Update:

You have reached the peak of the Qi Refinement Realm: Level 4.

New skill unlocked: Soul Devour—Absorb the soul energy of your enemies to enhance your cultivation.

You have gained the title: "Ruler of Destruction."

Zhang Yong smirked, the system rewards reaffirming his ever-growing power. He was closer than ever to his goal. But something deep within him stirred—a sense that the true challenges were yet to come. He could feel them, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"There is much more to do," he muttered to himself. His gaze hardened once more as he turned back toward Lilith. "We need to move. The world is waiting for us."

As the two of them prepared to leave the battlefield, Zhang Yong's mind raced with thoughts of the battles yet to come. His journey was far from over, and he knew that with each step, he would become more dangerous, more powerful, and more detached from the man he once was.

The price of power was steep, but Zhang Yong was willing to pay it. After all, a king could not rule without first conquering everything in his path.