"Remarkable! Slaying a practitioner at the First Meridian Crossing yields me only a meager amount of Ferocity Points, but recruiting a follower costs ten. Nevertheless, the potential to enhance the follower's prowess with just one expenditure of Ferocity Points makes it a worthwhile investment."
Turning abruptly, Luli faced Chen Kang and Chen Axiu. At this moment, his Ferocity Points amounted to 134 after redeeming a primary cultivation technique, leaving him with exactly 34 points, just enough to enlist these two individuals.
"Chen Kang, if I assist you in avenging your grievances against that corrupt official, would you be willing to accompany me?"
Luli scrutinized Chen Kang. The prospect of recruiting a follower hinged entirely on their willingness; coercion was a method Luli vehemently disapproved of.
Chen Kang cast a glance at Luli, sighing helplessly.
"Young man, though you possess great strength, you cannot aid me. That corrupt official pursued me and Yu Rou back then. Yu Rou met a tragic end, and these years he's become the lord of Lingwu City in Cangzhou. Even if I escape to Yunzhou, I can only hide my identity."
"Oh, Lingwu City. I've heard of it. But how can you be certain that following me won't lead to vengeance against him? Do you know what the most precious thing in this world is?"
"Please enlighten me."
"Hope."
"Hope?"
Chen Kang stared at Luli, surprised at the unexpected emphasis on hope.
"Youngsters possess boundless potential. One can never predict how astonishingly they might grow in the future. Never underestimate the youth's capability to overcome adversity."
While Chen Kang contemplated Luli's words, Luli suddenly burst into laughter, gazing at him and Chen Axiu.
"Do you know that at the beginning of this month, I was just a useless individual incapable of practicing martial arts?"
Chen Kang was taken aback, finding it hard to believe that merely a few days ago, Luli was a novice in cultivation. His transformation into a powerhouse at the Third Meridian Crossing was beyond comprehension.
"I have no reason to deceive you. My name is Luli."
"Luli! Are you truly the waste from the Luli family in Donglin City?"
"Identifying whether I'm Luli is quite straightforward."
Luli disclosed his name not just to gain Chen Kang's trust but also because there was no need to conceal his identity. Chen Kang would soon discover his name by following him.
"If he is truly Luli, and he managed to advance from a non-practitioner to the Third Meridian Crossing realm in just a few days, he might genuinely help me seek revenge."
Chen Kang found a glimmer of hope within himself.
Observing Chen Kang's reaction, Luli approached the father-daughter duo.
"If you don't join me, how else will you have a chance for revenge? By following me, at least you'll have a glimmer of hope."
Luli concluded, leaving the decision to Chen Kang's attitude.
Seeing Chen Kang hesitating, Luli turned away, heading towards the outskirts of the water fort.
"Master Luli, please wait. I, Chen Kang, am willing to follow you!"
With his back facing Chen Kang, Luli couldn't help but smile, employing the tactic of letting the prey come willingly.
"System, Chen Kang is now willing to follow me. How can I make him my follower?"
"Access the follower interface; the instructions are there."
Entering the follower interface, Luli quickly comprehended the procedure for recruiting followers.
Approaching Chen Kang, Luli didn't hesitate to expend twenty Ferocity Points to make him his follower.
An invisible force entered Chen Kang's body, establishing a connection between them. With a mere thought, Luli felt he could end Chen Kang's life.
This follower system was undeniably formidable.
"Congratulations, host, for recruiting Chen Kang as your follower. As a reward for your first follower, you receive one free lottery opportunity!"
"Unexpected! A free lottery opportunity costs ten Ferocity Points. This is a windfall!"
"Chen Axiu, what about you?"
With Chen Kang successfully recruited, Luli inquired about Chen Axiu.
"I'll follow my father."
Chen Axiu glared resentfully at Luli, harboring animosity for nearly being choked to death.
Luli spent another ten Ferocity Points to recruit Chen Axiu, foregoing the free lottery this time.
Though Luli didn't award Chen Axiu a lottery chance, he was pleased to have her. In his words, youths possessed limitless potential, and Chen Axiu, being young, had a promising future. Spending ten Ferocity Points was a worthwhile investment.
With the acquisition of two followers, Luli immersed his consciousness back into the follower system, revealing the changes within.
Two avatars now adorned the interface – Chen Kang and Chen Axiu. Luli checked Chen Kang's details: Loyalty – twelve, Cultivation – Second Meridian Crossing.
However, when inspecting Chen Axiu's loyalty, it read zero. It seemed she harbored resentment from the neck-grabbing incident.
Contemplating the loyalties of Xiao Zhao and Xiao Qing, Luli decided not to turn them into followers.
Having recruited both Chen Kang and Chen Axiu, Luli left the water fort with the two in tow, heading toward Donglin City.
Once outside the city, Luli halted.
"Chen Kang, can you enter the city discreetly?"
"Master, I've always kept a low profile. No one recognizes me in Donglin City, and Axiu has never left the water fort, so she's not known either."
"Excellent. According to the wanted notice, your name is Zhong Heixiong. From now on, use your real names."
The trio entered the city, and soon Chen Kang learned that the young man accompanying him was indeed Luli, a name well-known in Donglin City. The reputation of the father and son as formidable figures had made them famous.
Arriving at the residence Luli purchased in the southern part of the city, he settled the two there.
As dusk approached, Luli rode back to the Luli residence.
From afar, he spotted Xiao Zhao waiting at the gate. As Luli rode closer, Xiao Zhao rushed toward him.
"This girl!"
Luli chuckled inwardly, sensing warmth in this rare connection between individuals.
Handing the reins to the gatekeeper, Luli reached out and grabbed Xiao Zhao, who blushed intensely, her face resembling a ripe apple.
"Young Master!"
"Why address me as 'Young Master'?"
"People saw us!"
Xiao Zhao stamped her foot anxiously, but Luli refused to let go.
"So what if they saw us?"
Luli feigned innocence, holding onto Xiao Zhao until they reached his courtyard.
Once inside, Luli yelled for Xiao Qing to prepare hot water.
Though Xiao Qing felt utterly aggrieved, the discrepancy between a maidservant and a concubine was too vast. There was no justice in this world!
Luli finally released Xiao Zhao, who looked at him with a shy and blushing countenance.
"Master!"
"Why call me 'Master'?"
"Others saw it!"
Feeling cheeky, Luli continued to
hold onto Xiao Zhao, leading her all the way to his courtyard.
After entering, Luli called for Xiao Qing to prepare a bath, and without hesitation, he immersed his consciousness into the system. This time, he exchanged his Ferocity Points for a primary cultivation technique – not a regular book but a jade slip.