The Verdant Forest was quiet now. The oppressive aura of the 4-star stronghold had been replaced by an eerie calm. Every trap, every guard, every high-tier cultivator we had faced lay defeated — some unconscious, some dead, and some bound for justice. The battle had been swift and precise. Less than a month, and our squad had executed the assault perfectly, leaving minimal injuries in our ranks and no casualties.
We gathered in the central courtyard of the stronghold, the air still carrying the faint hum of residual mana from the high-tier enemies we had faced. The ground was scorched in places, the trees splintered from the impact of dual-path attacks, and the walls bore countless cracks from the sheer force of our assault.
Alex and I stood at the head of the formation as the squad distributed the spoils. The loot was staggering, far beyond what anyone could have imagined from a bandit stronghold, even one of 4-star rating.
"Let's tally everything carefully," I instructed, moving through the piles of treasure. Mana flows and residual qi energy still lingered around the essence stones and beast cores. The squad worked efficiently, moving the materials, counting, and recording each item.
By the end of the process, the haul was extraordinary:
10,000 gold coins
3,000 basic-tier beast cores
500 intermediate-tier beast cores
30 advanced-tier beast cores
1 Earth Element King Core — an unprecedented prize that pulsed with primal energy. I could feel its raw power already calling to me, hinting at the earth magic that would soon awaken within me.
500 1-star essence stones
300 2-star essence stones
100 3-star essence stones
20 4-star essence stones
2 5-star essence stones
1 6-star essence stone
Essence stones were rare enough, but these were of unimaginable purity. They contained the concentrated life force of the land, distilled into crystalline form, and were usable by both Qi users and Mana users. Who would have expected such treasures to be hidden within a bandit stronghold?
I ran my fingers over the Earth Element King Core, feeling the vibrations of raw power thrumming in harmony with my dual-path energy. This core would allow me to awaken my earth magic, adding a new dimension to my combat abilities — the ability to manipulate the very ground beneath us, to reshape terrain, and to channel destructive energy in ways even the Sacred Lords would hesitate to confront.
Alex's eyes glimmered as he sorted through the essence stones. "The 6-star stone… its energy is immense. If we absorb it strategically, it could elevate one of our team members beyond their current threshold." He glanced at me, the spatial mana around him faintly distorting the air. "We should think carefully about distribution."
Even after deducting the Qin Empire's mandated 30% tax for the army — a substantial portion — we were left with a fortune that would secure supplies, training, and resources for years to come. The gold alone could fund extensive expeditions, refitting our squad with the best equipment, talismans, and consumables.
I looked at our squad, noting their pride and fatigue. They had grown stronger over the past year, and this mission had tested every ounce of skill, strategy, and resolve they possessed. Yet, in the midst of the celebration, I could see that the true test had only begun.
"This is more than just wealth," I said, addressing the squad. "It is a reflection of what we are capable of. Every beast core, every essence stone, every piece of equipment… it is earned by your courage, your skill, and your unity. Use it wisely."
Alex stepped forward, his spatial mana forming subtle ripples in the air around him. "We will train, we will grow, and we will become even stronger. This is only the beginning. With these resources, we can push past any limits, refine our skills, and prepare for threats far beyond a mere stronghold."
The squad nodded, their eyes reflecting determination. Even the early-tier members felt the weight of the moment — this haul wasn't just treasure; it was proof that they could survive and thrive against overwhelmingly powerful opponents.
I carefully stored the Earth Element King Core in a reinforced container, feeling its latent energy pressing against the barriers of my mana and qi pathways. When the time was right, I would awaken its power. And when that happened, the battlefield itself would become my ally.
The remaining beast cores and essence stones were cataloged meticulously. The basic and intermediate cores would be refined into consumables for training and battlefield enhancement. The advanced cores would fuel specialized skills, and the essence stones would accelerate breakthroughs, potentially elevating members of our squad beyond their natural limits.
Finally, as night descended over the forest, Alex and I stood side by side, surveying the spoils. The wind carried the faint scent of mana and qi residuals, a reminder of the battles fought and the strength earned.
"This stronghold is gone," I said, voice low but resolute. "But the world is still filled with threats. And we will meet them, together."
Alex smiled faintly, the glow of his mana dimming to a soft hum. "Tomorrow, we begin the next phase. We train, we master these new powers, and we prepare for what lies ahead. The bandits were just the beginning."
And with that, the brothers of the Vardar lineage, along with their squad, set to work. The forest echoed with quiet determination, the calm after the storm signaling not just the end of one battle, but the preparation for countless more.