The march back to Shadowveil was silent. The scent of blood still clung to Xel'Varyn's robes, her mind turning over the new power coursing through her veins.
As she entered the grand hall of her fortress, a familiar chime rang through her mind.
---
[System Update: Stat Progression & Absorption]
"Through blood and conquest, the Matron ascends."
Enemies defeated: 107
Qi Absorbed: +12,700
New Traits Acquired:
"Devourer's Will" (Absorbs a portion of the essence of slain foes, growing stronger with each kill.)
"Echoes of the Maw" (Remnants of the Black Maw cult linger within her mind, granting deeper knowledge of forbidden arts.)
"Terror's Gaze" (Those who lock eyes with her feel an overwhelming sense of dread.)
---
[Updated Titles]
Shadow Matron (Core Title)
"She rules not just with power, but with fear and loyalty alike."
+15% to intimidation against weaker factions
Increased combat effectiveness in night battles
Unlocks Clan-Wide Skill: Nightborn Supremacy
Warden of the Veil
"Her lands do not tolerate invaders. Those who trespass find only oblivion."
Increases territory claim strength
Enhanced detection of enemy movements within borders
Grants the ability: Mark of Dominion (Weakens enemy factions within her domain)
Broker of Shadows
"She does not just fight. She negotiates, manipulates, and binds the underworld to her will."
Deals with underworld factions yield +10% increased benefits
Reputation among mercenaries and assassins increases significantly
Unlocks Shadow Influence System
Devourer of the Maw (NEW)
"The Black Maw Cult sought power through sacrifice. Now, their secrets are hers."
Absorbs a portion of Qi and traits from slain enemies
Unlocks Forbidden Qi Techniques
Enhanced resistance to soul-based attacks
---
[Current Stats]
Name: Xel'Varyn
Clan: Shadowveil
Cultivation Rank: Peak Nascent Soul (Accelerated by essence absorption)
Qi Reserves: 78,300 (+12,700 from recent battle)
Strength: 87
Dexterity: 91
Endurance: 93
Intelligence: 94
Perception: 96
Titles: Shadow Matron, Warden of the Veil, Broker of Shadows, Devourer of the Maw
Traits: Sovereign's Gaze, Devourer's Will, Echoes of the Maw, Terror's Gaze
---
Xel'Varyn exhaled slowly. The power was intoxicating, a slow-burning fire curling within her core.
The Cult of the Black Maw had been strong, but in death, they had only made her stronger.
She turned toward her council chamber, where Edric and the high-ranking members of Shadowveil awaited her.
---
The Council Meeting
The room was dimly lit, only the ghostly blue torches lining the walls casting flickering shadows across the gathered cultivators.
Edric bowed first. "The cultists have been eradicated. The ruins are ours. What are your orders, Matron?"
Xel'Varyn took her seat at the head of the table, her three arms resting lightly on the armrests, her expression deceptively calm.
"We fortify."
Murmurs rippled through the council. Fortify the ruins?
"Are you suggesting we expand into the eastern lands?" asked Ishara, one of her strategists, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Xel'Varyn's golden eyes gleamed. "We do not merely expand. We claim. If we do not take control of those ruins, someone else will."
Her System flickered.
---
[New Objective: Dominion Expansion]
"A Matron does not wait for threats to come to her. She spreads her influence before they have the chance."
Claim the Eastern Ruins (0/1)
Establish a Shadowveil Outpost (0/1)
Eliminate any remaining threats (0/1)
Reward: Increased territorial power, enhanced Qi regeneration within Shadowveil lands.
This was how an empire was built.
---
A Night of Rituals
After the council meeting, Xel'Varyn retreated to the sacrificial chamber deep within the fortress, where her newly acquired Qi essence still pulsed through the walls.
Veyne, her raven familiar, landed on her shoulder. "You are changing, Matron."
She did not respond immediately. Instead, she stepped into the center of the ritual circle and activated the Mark of Dominion.
A wave of dark Qi burst outward, binding the conquered land to her will.
A new notification appeared.
---
[Territory Claimed: Eastern Ruins]
Qi Regeneration within territory: +20%
Shadowveil's Influence has expanded
Potential hostiles detected: 3 remaining cultists (hiding within ruins)
---
Xel'Varyn smirked.
"It seems our work is not yet finished."
---
The Hunt for the Last Cultists
The night was thick with mist as Xel'Varyn stalked through the ruins.
Her three arms moved fluidly, adjusting her grip on her void-forged blade, the weapon humming with latent hunger.
Ahead, three figures huddled near a broken altar—the last remnants of the Black Maw.
They had not fled. They were attempting a final ritual.
Xel'Varyn tilted her head. How foolish.
With a flick of her wrist, she sent Sylvaine slithering forward, the phantom serpent weaving through the rubble like a specter.
Before the cultists could react, the serpent struck—its venom-laced fangs sinking into the throat of the nearest one.
The cultist choked on his own blood, eyes wide in horror.
The remaining two spun to face her.
One drew a dagger, chanting a curse—
Too slow.
Xel'Varyn moved like a specter of death, her blade carving through his chest before he could finish the spell.
The last cultist screamed, falling to his knees. "Mercy!"
She smiled.
---
[Choice: Execute or Absorb?]
(1) Absorb his Qi and essence, growing stronger.
(2) Spare him, offering servitude under Shadowveil.
---
She did not hesitate.
Her third arm plunged into his chest, siphoning the last remnants of his soul.
---
[New Trait Acquired: Ritualist's Hunger]
"Through sacrifice, power is gained."
Absorbing enemy Qi now grants enhanced energy efficiency
Forbidden ritual techniques are easier to understand and use
---
The last of the cult was gone.
Shadowveil stood unchallenged.
As the sun began to rise, Xel'Varyn turned back toward her fortress, power thrumming through her body.
She had started as a homeless beggar, nothing but will and ambition keeping her alive.
Now?
Now, she was a Matron of Shadows, carving her own dynasty into the bones of history.
And this was only the beginning.