Free Web NovelChapter 133: Chapter 133: Thunder Drum Spoils
The Thunder Drum Battlefield rewards strengthened the Qin family’s command system again.
By now, Qin Mo had stopped pretending these rewards were unrelated.
"The Tower is giving you army tools," he said in the underground formation hall.
Qin Yuheng looked at the Thunder Drum Command Core, War Rhythm Crystal, Lightning Morale Banner Fragment, and Thunderhide Beast Core Bundle.
"Yes."
"Does that worry you?"
"Yes."
Qin Mo blinked.
"That was direct."
"It should worry me."
Commander’s Burden had not stopped at Iron Rain Fortress. Every floor since then seemed to offer tools that could help command, protect, stabilize, or guide groups.
Thousand Lantern River: guide and memory protection.
Red Thorn Labyrinth: anti-separation and blood-seal detection.
Thunder Drum Battlefield: morale and rhythm.
Each reward helped the Qin family.
Each also pushed Qin Yuheng further toward a role that could not be abandoned easily.
Gu Tianhe was pleased but cautious.
"A commander with too many tools may begin to think every problem is a battlefield," he warned.
Qin Yuheng nodded.
Qin Zhengyuan added, "And every person a unit."
That warning struck deeper.
Qin Yuheng remembered the Spirit Gate reflection: the version of himself who controlled his family "for their own improvement."
He would not become that.
So he made a rule.
No command artifact would be used on family members without consent.
No training field would force participation.
No Silent Heaven Army integration would occur until Gu Tianhe and Qin Wanshan both approved.
Power needed boundaries. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
That evening, he trained with Qin Yuze again.
Qin Yuze’s spear had improved. His footwork was steadier, though still aggressive. Qin Yuheng let him attack for thirty moves before disarming him.
Qin Yuze frowned.
"I lasted longer."
"You did."
"But not enough."
"Enough for today."
Qin Yuze looked toward the training field where Qin Feng and Qin Ruyan were practicing under War Rhythm pressure.
"When can I use those resources?"
"When your foundation can hold them."
"That sounds like adult delay language."
"It is also true."
Qin Yuze grumbled, but accepted it.
Qin Xue’er sat nearby with a notebook, drawing little beasts, lanterns, and towers. The Celestial Echo Spirit Beast Egg remained hidden, but Qin Yuheng sometimes wondered if she sensed it from afar. She often drew a small silver-blue egg without knowing why.
Mu Qinglan noticed too.
"Her perception is awakening slowly," she said.
"Too early?"
"No. Children with strong future spirit talents often show harmless signs first. Do not feed it too much."
Qin Yuheng nodded.
He would wait.
Outside, the city’s attention continued growing.
Qin Yuheng’s team had now passed Floor 24 with an almost impossible chain of SSS evaluations. Some began calling them the strongest seed team in Heavenly Gate Academy’s recent history. Others claimed the academy was hiding their true background.
The Qin family did not deny or confirm.
Mystery was useful.
Then the Wei family requested a formal joint training session.
Wei Chen had reached Floor 20 and awakened a defensive class: Iron Wall Sentinel, S grade. Not as dazzling as Qin Yuheng’s class, but extremely stable and suitable for his path.
Qin Yuheng accepted the training.
It took place in the academy’s fortress simulation yard.
Wei Chen’s defense combined well with Qin Yuheng’s command field. Qin Yuheng discovered that willing allied teams could enter the edge of his Gate Thunder Command Field if he allowed it, but the burden increased quickly.
Wei Chen noticed.
"Your field can support non-team allies."
"Yes, but only briefly."
"That is valuable."
"And dangerous."
Wei Chen nodded. "Then use it only when needed."
Qin Yuheng appreciated his directness.
Unlike many ambitious students, Wei Chen did not ask to join, exploit, or trade secrets. He simply trained, learned, and offered stable cooperation.
Lin Xian’er watched from the side.
After the training, she approached Qin Yuheng.
"Your circle is forming."
"I refused to form a faction."
"That does not stop a circle. Wei Chen trusts you. Qin family younger generation follows you. Some instructors support you. I trade with you. Students observe you. Even refusing followers creates a shape."
Qin Yuheng frowned slightly.
"So what do you suggest?"
"Name the boundary before others name it for you."
That advice was sharp.
If he did not define his circle, outsiders would.
So Qin Yuheng publicly stated a simple position through academy channels:
Qin Yuheng’s team will not form a student faction at this time.
Cooperation is possible through academy-approved missions, fair trade, and instructor-supervised training.
No recruitment, loyalty pledges, or private oaths will be accepted.
Yu Qingmei approved.
Qin Wanshan approved.
Qin Mo celebrated.
"No faction paperwork."
But Blood Sun Hall interpreted it differently.
Xue Rong saw a young commander refusing premature faction formation.
Not weakness.
Discipline.
Harder to exploit.
So he turned again toward Zhao Tianyu.
The Crimson Beast Stabilization Crystal had deepened its influence. Zhao Tianyu’s strength rose, but his dreams became more violent. He began hearing a voice before sleep.
You are not weaker. You are restrained.
Break the restraint.
Prove your blood.
The voice never said Blood Sun.
It did not need to.
Soon, Zhao Tianyu would reach Floor 20.
If his class awakening could be bent, then Blood Sun might create a rival shaped specifically to pressure Qin Yuheng.
Not to defeat him.
To pull him.
