LOST CULTIVATION METHODS

The first pale rays of dawn crept over Valeria, painting its broken towers and rising walls with soft gold.

Birds circled lazily overhead while distant clangs and orders echoed through the training grounds.

Jin stood in the courtyard, gazing at the solemn figure kneeling before him.

Lady Veyra.

She was no longer the mindless commander of the undead—something within her had begun to stir. Her movements had grown more fluid, and her responses more thoughtful, if still limited.

Her deep crimson armor remained cold and cracked in places, but her posture was straight, and in her hollow gaze shimmered the faintest echo of memory.

Jin looked down at her, his voice calm but commanding. "Veyra, from this moment forward, you are to lead and train the undead of Valeria. You will build them into an unbreakable army. Your own division."

She bowed lower. "Understood... Commander."

Her tone was dry, but not empty. There was something else there—a sliver of emotion. Jin caught it. The system confirmed it.

[Undead Commander: Veyra - Loyalty: 91%]

Emotional Capacity: 4% and increasing...

Moments later, another notification popped up in his vision.

[New Technique Unlocked]

Name: Soulkindling Sutra

Description: An ancient cultivation method once used to awaken the spirits of the fallen. Only applicable to those with strong residual will.

Soulkindling will slowly restore intelligence, memory, and combat instinct to elite undead.

Limit: 1 per week (for now).

Jin absorbed the technique quietly. He would need it.

He turned and looked to the training fields below. Veyra began issuing commands. The undead shuffled, then began forming rough lines. With her guidance, they started adapting—still slow, still crude, but no longer mindless.

Meanwhile, across the city, another regiment had begun taking form. This one, however, was alive.

The Holy Sun Regiment, formed by the father of the Holy Sun Maiden, had grown during Jin's absence. Its soldiers were fiercely loyal to the city's survival. Their golden tabards shimmered in the light, their drills already sharp, their morale high.

The two armies—one of the living, one of the dead—would be the sword and shield of Valeria.

Later that afternoon, Jin decided to patrol the city. He walked its main roads in silence, noting the changes.

New vendors had appeared. Streets were cleaner. Laughter could be heard from alleys where only silence had reigned two weeks before.

"Seems like things moved fast while I was gone," he muttered.

His stomach rumbled.

He realized he hadn't eaten properly since returning.

Wearing his black robe and hood, Jin entered a quaint inn with polished wood floors, bright lanterns, and the aroma of grilled meat and fresh broth.

The place bustled with activity. Customers filled the seats, soft music played from an old stringed instrument in the corner, and cheerful chatter bounced off the walls.

Jin sat quietly at a window table.

A little waitress approached him, notebook in hand. She looked no older than sixteen. "Welcome, sir! What would you like today?"

He scanned the menu briefly and said, "Fried rice. Braised duck. Tea."

She scribbled quickly, bowed, and rushed off—completely unaware of who he was.

As he waited, he stared out the window. The streets below bustled with life. He let his thoughts drift—to his mother, Lana... Arielle... Soulfire Cliff... and the painful life he'd left behind.

He picked at the fried rice when it arrived, savoring its surprisingly good flavor.

"Not bad," he muttered. He thought back to the slums of his past life, where even rice was a luxury.

Lost in memory, he didn't notice the waitress return.

"Excuse me, sir," she asked nervously, "will you be paying now or shall we debit your tab?"

Jin raised an eyebrow.

He reached up and casually removed his hood.

Gasps filled the room.

Whispers swirled. "Is that him?" "That's Lord Jin!" "The Death Commander himself!"

A group of tough-looking mercenaries near the back stood and approached.

Jin didn't flinch. His aura stayed calm.

They reached him—and dropped to one knee.

The entire inn went still. Then, one by one, the customers stood and bowed.

The waitress's eyes widened in panic.

"I-I'm so sorry, Lord Jin! I didn't know!" She bowed repeatedly. "Forgive me!"

Jin smiled faintly and placed a gold coin on the table. "For your honesty. And the food's decent."

He stood and glanced at the kitchen. "Tell your cook to try adding dried mushrooms and garlic oil to the rice. It'll make it better."

As he walked out, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.

[System Mission Unlocked]

Title: City of Flavor

Objective: Help develop five signature dishes in Valeria's inns and restaurants.

Reward: +5 City Prosperity / +1 Morale / Cooking Skill: +2

Jin: "Seriously? Are you glitched?"

System: "You thought it. We manifest it. You're welcome."

He shook his head and chuckled.

By the time he returned home, night had fallen. Lana was still out overseeing the Holy Sun drills. Arielle had likely returned to the estate library.

Jin passed quietly through the courtyard, climbed the stairs, and entered his room. He stripped off his robe, letting it fall across the chair, and fell into bed.

His body relaxed. For the first time in days, there was no pressure to fight, no urgent task. Just the silence of the night.

Sleep took him quickly, dragging him into the dream realm of the Dream King.

There, under twin moons and a sky littered with stars, he stood alone on a plain of memory—preparing for the next day, when his armies would march.