The giant beetle became visibly more excited as its strength increased. Its golden shell even brightened faintly. Su Mo used his Devil’s Eyes to check and confirmed that Little Goldie’s strength was now equivalent to a Qi Condensation Level 2 cultivator.

Yang Qingxi watched this scene silently.

"...I originally thought you’d forge a weapon using the meteorite."

"For Leng Shuang, perhaps... or even Du Wuchen."

"Strengthening your subordinates would’ve been more practical. As those two are suitable for the killing work."

Su Mo merely shrugged casually.

"I won’t invest too heavily in them until they fully prove their worth."

"Leng Shuang already has another reward prepared for her hard work."

"As for Du Wuchen..." Su Mo smiled faintly. "He hasn’t completely joined us wholeheartedly yet. Let him settle his family. Then talk about it."

"So, let’s wait first."

Yang Qingxi quietly nodded. It makes sense.

Although Leng Shuang seems completely loyal to Su Mo. Compared to the pet tamed by Su Mo, she is far behind.

Besides, receiving a system is already enough of a cheat for her. In a way, once Su Mo gives her the system, even if she ever had any second thoughts. It would be too late. By then, she could only honestly work for him.

’I still want to believe that Leng Shuang isn’t lying. She genuinely considers Su Mo her master.’

Since Little Goldie was now happily enjoying itself bathing in blood, Su Mo stopped paying attention to the slaughter.

Instead, he slowly looked toward the five successful demonic servants.

The basement lights reflected faintly across their faces.

The five men kneeling before Su Mo no longer felt like ordinary humans.

Their auras had changed entirely.

A cold, eerie Yin aura lingered around their bodies faintly, giving people the uncomfortable feeling of standing near corpses that could still move. Even their expressions had become calmer and emptier than before.

However, the changes were not limited to appearance alone.

Their strength had increased as well.

Number Three, who was originally at Qi Condensation Level Five, had directly stepped into Level Six.

Number Five and Number Six advanced from Level Four to Level Five.

Number Eight successfully entered Level Four.

And Number Ten rose to Level Three as well.

Every single one of them improved by exactly one level.

Su Mo narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. His gaze swept across the five demonic servants carefully.

[Is the increase of one level fixed during transformation... or was it just a coincidence?]

That question immediately became important in his mind.

If Demon Imprint truly guaranteed a level increase for every successful transformation, then the value of this ability would become terrifying.

Imagine raising someone to Qi Condensation Level Nine first. Then directly turning them into a demonic servant afterwards.

Wouldn’t that allow them to skip the difficult breakthrough process and directly step into the Foundation Building Stage?

The more Su Mo thought about it, the more interesting the idea became.

After all, unlike him and Yang Qingxi, the two system-equipped cheaters—Normal cultivators had to painfully struggle through breakthroughs.

Some people spent decades trapped at a bottleneck, unable to advance even a single step. Wasting years of cultivation time.

Compared to them, Su Mo and Yang Qingxi’s growth speed was practically unreasonable.

No wonder cultivators would probably vomit blood if they learned the truth behind their strength.

Anyway, now was not the time to think deeply about cultivation theory.

Su Mo slowly looked toward the five kneeling figures before him.

Their faces remained expressionless. Completely obedient and submissive to him.

Then he suddenly asked:

"Do any of you resent me for forcibly turning you into demonic servants?"

This question was mainly experimental. He wanted to observe whether Demon Imprint merely altered their loyalty... or completely rewrote their memory itself.

The answer came instantly.

"We do not!"

The five spoke in perfect unison. Not even a moment of hesitation existed.

Then Number Three lowered his head respectfully and spoke on behalf of everyone.

"The Lord has granted us new life."

"You gave us meaning and purpose."

"We are eternally grateful and will serve the Lord faithfully until death."

The reverence in their eyes was genuine to a frightening degree.

Su Mo felt slightly awkward.

"...That ability is honestly ridiculous."

He scratched his cheek lightly.

"Just moments ago, you people were glaring at me like you wanted to tear me apart." He pointed helplessly toward them. "Now suddenly you’re ready to die for me?"

The contrast was honestly absurd.

Meanwhile, Yang Qingxi silently stood beside him with complicated emotions.

Mostly envy.

Such loyal subordinates... Who wouldn’t want them?

Absolute obedience. No risk of betrayal. No unnecessary ambition.

Even brainwashing corporations probably dreamed of having such employees.

Yang Qingxi unconsciously crossed her arms.

’One day...’

Her eyes quietly flickered.

’I’ll build my own army too. At least more powerful than Su Mo’s.’

Naturally, she completely ignored the fact that her current thoughts sounded strangely competitive.

Meanwhile, Su Mo looked at the kneeling servants thoughtfully.

"Your numbering became disordered after those three failed during baptism."

As he spoke, he casually glanced toward the other side of the basement.

Little Goldie was still happily bathing in blood there.

The scene honestly looked horrifying.

Broken flesh. Dark blood. Crushed bones.

And a giant golden beetle happily stabbing corpses while absorbing energy through its silver-coated horn.

It was very disgusting.

Yet Little Goldie looked so excited that Su Mo couldn’t even bring himself to interrupt it.

A hardworking pet deserved encouragement.

So, Su Mo turned away and looked back toward the servants.

"Forget the old numbering."

He waved his hand casually.

"From now on, your names will simply be One to Five. The same descending order as before."

The five demonic servants lowered their heads respectfully.

"It is our honour to be personally named by the Lord."

Their expressions carried genuine gratitude.

Su Mo nodded in satisfaction.

[As expected.]

[These people are very attached to numbering systems.]

[Fortunately, I’m such a considerate lord who pays attention to these small details.]