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**Recruiting Little Brothers in the World of the Dead**
In the realm of the dead, the very fabric of existence is woven from soul fragments and broken spirits. Souls are the foundation of all undead beings, and in this world, the strength of one's soul determines their place in the hierarchy. A powerful soul can elevate its possessor to the very pinnacle of undead power.
However, not all undead creatures rely solely on soul strength. Some exceptional cases stand out.
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### **The Hierarchy of Undead Creatures**
At the apex of undead power are **bone dragons**. As the name implies, these fearsome creatures are born when a giant dragon perishes and its remains are reanimated. With their unyielding bones, residual dragon blood, and lingering draconic power, bone dragons dominate the undead world. Even the weakest among them possesses ninth-level strength, and the strongest can achieve the legendary holy rank.
In contrast, ordinary undead—such as skeleton warriors, skeleton mages, necromancers, zombies, mummies, and undead knights—draw their power primarily from their souls. Their ranks differ based on soul strength, creating a significant disparity in their abilities.
Another anomaly in the undead world is the **bone demon**. These creatures are not reanimated beings but products of the world's laws. Formed from fragments of free souls and condensed death energy, bone demons are inherently destructive. While their soul power is weak, they command immense energy, boasting at least sixth-level advanced strength. Unlike other undead, bone demons do not gain intelligence as they grow stronger. They exist solely to fight, making them the nightmare of any intelligent undead creature.
Necromancers, by contrast, lie at the opposite end of the spectrum. They derive their power entirely from their souls, treating the body as a mere vessel. Through their immense soul strength, necromancers wield powerful spells and form soul contracts to summon minions. Most necromancers surpass the fourth level in strength, relying on strategy and intellect rather than brute force.
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### **Chen Lin: A Unique Existence**
Chen Lin is an unusual case in the undead world. Once a lowly ghost, he ascended to become a third-level advanced skeleton warrior through the forbidden art of **Soul Manipulation**. Unlike others of his kind, Chen Lin possesses remarkable soul power, blending the physical might of a skeleton warrior with the magical potential of a necromancer.
Though he lacks offensive spells, his only spell—**Soul Contract**—is the key to his ambition: conquering the undead world by recruiting subordinates.
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### **Recruiting the First Followers**
Chen Lin's journey began in a low-level undead region, where resources and powerful creatures were scarce. After scouting the area, he identified a few potential recruits: three third-level primary skeleton warriors and nine second-level peak skeletons. However, persuading them to join him proved challenging.
Without a proper soul-binding talisman, Chen Lin had to rely on threats, coercion, and displays of raw power. His first attempt failed, with the target refusing to surrender. Frustrated, Chen Lin unleashed his full soul pressure on the next candidate, finally succeeding in forging a soul contract.
As he continued, Chen Lin's methods evolved. He learned that sheer intimidation worked better than negotiation. Although two skeletons died resisting him, he ultimately secured nine loyal subordinates.
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### **The Rise of an Undead Leader**
With his small band of followers, Chen Lin ventured into higher-level undead regions. He led his group through countless battles, honing their skills and gradually replacing weaker subordinates with stronger ones. Over time, his forces grew into a formidable unit of 20 elite undead.
Chen Lin himself advanced to the fourth-level intermediate rank, mastering new spells such as **Bone Spur**, a practical offensive ability. He also adopted a strategy focused on quality over quantity, prioritizing elite troops over a horde of weaker skeletons.
One pivotal battle against a fourth-level advanced skeleton mage taught Chen Lin the importance of this approach. Despite commanding over 150 skeletons, Chen Lin suffered a humiliating defeat due to the superior strength and coordination of his opponent's elite forces. This failure reshaped his tactics, leading him to prioritize strategic planning and troop upgrades.
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### **A New Territory and a Mysterious Encounter**
Having solidified his position, Chen Lin led his elite squad into uncharted territory, aiming to claim a stronghold for himself. After a hard-fought victory, he began consolidating his power in the area.
During one patrol, a peculiar scene unfolded. A second-level skeleton warrior sprinted toward Chen Lin's group, pursued by a horde of undead, including a formidable fifth-level creature. While a fleeing skeleton was not unusual, its behavior was. The skeleton froze upon seeing Chen Lin, displaying a distinctly human-like reaction: **shock**.
Curious and wary, Chen Lin watched the strange skeleton. Could it hold a secret worth risking a confrontation with the pursuing horde? With his forces ready for battle, Chen Lin decided that this unusual skeleton might be worth the trouble.
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Chen Lin's journey had only just begun. With his growing power and loyal subordinates, he stood poised to reshape the undead world in his image. But challenges loomed on the horizon, and the enigmatic skeleton might be the key to his next step.
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