Chapter 35, fourth part , The Five Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Chapter 35: 35, fourth part , The Five Horsemen of the Apocalypse

"So we should consider this characteristic an advantage, my master. Most enemies will realize that something is wrong before they even approach us. Those who are intelligent enough will retreat. Those who are not..."

The blue flames within his eye sockets became slightly more intense.

"...will not have time to regret it."

Kael the Revenant remained serious.

"If our presence causes fear, we can use it to intimidate our enemies. But if the master wishes to remain hidden, we can also learn to control our presence and reduce our aura of death."

Nefraya the Mummy slowly moved her fingers.

The bandages around her arms slid like small snakes.

"We can adapt, my master. We do not need to reveal our true nature to every being we encounter. If you wish to remain incognito within this realm, we will learn to conceal our presence as much as possible."

Morcant remained silent.

Yun Che looked at him.

"Can you control your aura as well?"

Morcant took several seconds before answering.

"I can try, my master. Death exists naturally within me. It is not something I consciously activate. It simply exists. But if the master orders me to hide it, I will do my best to suppress it."

Yun Che nodded.

"That will be important."

Then he noticed that the fissure at the center of Morcant’s chest was beginning to slowly open, and a stream of black spiritual energy emerged from within.

Yun Che raised an eyebrow.

"Close that."

Morcant immediately obeyed. The fissure disappeared.

"As you command, my master."

Yun Che sat down on the enormous stone once again. Now he was no longer alone. He could rely on his subordinates.

Before him stood five creatures capable of causing terror to practically any ordinary cultivator.

A Lich, a vampire, a Revenant, a mummy, and finally a Soul Devourer. Five different races, possessing five different forms of undead.

And all of them were in the same cultivation realm as their master.

Yun Che crossed his arms.

"I have a question. If I send you into battle, can you act on your own while taking my interests into consideration? I want to know exactly how far your consciousness extends. I want subordinates capable of thinking and making decisions when I am not by your side."

Eryon the Lich was the first to answer.

"Yes, my master. We can analyze situations, recognize threats, and decide the best way to act..."

"...If we face a stronger enemy, we can assess their movements and look for a weakness. If we are outnumbered, we can adapt our strategy. Our consciousness does not depend on constant orders."

Kael the Revenant nodded.

"We do not need the master to tell us how to fight. I know how to use my body, I know how to recognize a threat, and I know when to advance or retreat. If I receive a simple order such as protecting the master, I can decide on my own the best way to fulfill that order."

Valeria the Vampire smiled.

"I can act on my own as well, my master. I can observe an enemy’s behavior, understand their intentions, and choose the best way to confront them. But there is an important difference: possessing autonomy does not mean possessing independence from the master. My will exists, but my loyalty still belongs to you."

Nefraya the Mummy added:

"If you order us to kill, we can decide how to do it. If you order us to eliminate several enemies, we can choose the most efficient method."

Morcant remained silent for several seconds before finally speaking.

"We can think for ourselves, my master, and our loyalty belongs to the master."

Yun Che looked at them strangely. They were like children looking for an opportunity to speak, even when the words of one of them would have been enough to make the point clear for all of them.

He made a mental note to ask more targeted questions in the future and limit the scope. After all, they had only just been born, and they still had a long way to go before they matured.

Yun Che raised his eyes toward the sky. The moon continued to illuminate the forest, partially hidden behind the clouds, but at that moment, the Ancient Flower Secret Realm no longer seemed so empty.

Yun Che felt that he now possessed true subordinates capable of accompanying him into battle, and the moment to put them to the test was approaching.

He slowly stood up from the stone.

"Then let’s go."

The five immediately became alert.

"Where to, my master?"

Yun Che looked at the dark forest ahead.

"First, we need to discover where we are. We need to determine the direction, understand the terrain, find out what creatures live in this region, and, most importantly, discover whether there are any resources that could be useful for cultivation."

Yun Che’s eyes became cold.

"And then..."

A dangerous smile slowly appeared on his face.

"...we will discover what kind of things live in this secret realm."

Eryon the Lich tightened his grip on his staff.

"As you command, my master."

Valeria the Vampire smiled.

"It will be interesting to discover what kind of creatures are brave enough to live in this place."

Kael the Revenant clenched his fists.

"If any of them attempts to attack the master, it will be a good opportunity to test our strength."

Nefraya the Mummy moved her bandages.

"If we encounter enemies, let them approach. I want to discover how far my own abilities can reach."

Morcant merely raised his head.

"If they possess souls..."

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"...they will be food."

Yun Che looked at the five, then simply began walking, and behind him, the five immediately followed.

"The world will know you as the Five Horsemen of the Apocalypse."

"As you wish, my master," they all replied in unison.

On that silent night, six figures advanced through the forest. One was a human necromancer, while the other five were summoned undead.

And without anyone knowing it, at that very moment, the Ancient Flower Secret Realm had just received something far more dangerous than simple disciples of a sect.

The Five Horsemen of the Apocalypse had been born, one from each existing continent in that world.

Each of their names would echo, causing fear to tremble through the hearts of those who heard them.