22: Five underlings!

Seeing Catfish Head dutifully standing guard at the cave entrance, Li Qing was in an excellent mood.

With his first minion secured, the next goal was to expand the team.

He swam out of the valley and continued his patrol in the reef area.

Before long, a low thudding sound echoed from the distance.

Following the sound, Li Qing saw a giant crab, blood-red all over with claws like iron hammers, frantically attacking a reef.

[Blood Iron Pincer Crab (Rank 2 Early Stage Vicious Beast)]

[Possesses immense strength; its dual pincers are as hard as iron. It has a violent personality and is naturally combative.]

Another Rank 2!

A flash of excitement crossed Li Qing's eyes.

Luck is quite good tonight.

He swam over silently, waiting until the Blood Iron Pincer Crab was fully focused on swinging its pincers before suddenly activating [Domination].

"Stop, submit to me!"

The Blood Iron Pincer Crab's pincers froze mid-air as it turned its head to look at Li Qing.

In those bean-sized eyes, there was first confusion, then rage.

"Ga ga ga!"

It waved its pincers, making a threatening gesture.

The previous Black Armored Giant Catfish had reacted the same way.

Li Qing had now figured out the reason.

Pure mental pressure wasn't enough; he had to beat them into submission first.

Li Qing didn't waste words and charged directly at it.

Seeing this, the Blood Iron Pincer Crab spun its pincers like windmills, smashing them toward Li Qing.

Boom!

The Turtle shell collided with the pincers, producing a crisp metallic clang.

The Blood Iron Pincer Crab felt as if it had struck an iron mountain, its pincers going numb.

Before it could react, Li Qing's hind claw kicked it hard in the abdomen.

Crack!

The Blood Iron Pincer Crab's carapace split at the impact, and the entire crab was kicked flying backward, slamming heavily into the reef.

"Still not submitting?"

Li Qing's mental pressure descended once more, this time carrying the powerful deterrence of that previous kick.

The Blood Iron Pincer Crab sprawled on the reef, looked at its cracked shell, then at Li Qing's massive body, and lowered its head.

It submitted.

It couldn't win; it had been defeated in a single exchange.

When did such a fierce Turtle appear in this area?

"From now on, I'll call you Crab Number Two."

Li Qing gave it a name offhandedly, then pointed toward the valley.

"Go report there and follow Catfish Head's arrangements."

Crab Number Two tucked its tail and swam dejectedly toward the valley.

Second minion, secured!

Li Qing intended to gather more minions.

Minions acting as a group.

That was the only way the success rate of hunting would be high enough.

The best thing would be to gather ten minions.

With minions helping him hunt outside, he could stay safe and keep a low profile!

Li Qing continued wandering the reef area, searching for his next target.

Before long, he discovered a slender black fish with a dorsal fin like a blade in a shallow area lush with aquatic plants.

[Black-Backed Bladefish (Rank 2 Early Stage Vicious Beast)]

[Extremely fast; its dorsal fin is as sharp as a blade. It excels at sneak attacks.]

This Black-Backed Bladefish was chasing a school of small fish, its speed so fast it drew a black line through the water.

Li Qing didn't rush forward but observed for a while first.

Being careful was never a mistake.

With a thought, he activated [Mystic Water Manipulation]!

The water around the Black-Backed Bladefish instantly became viscous and turbulent, and its speed plummeted.

"What's going on?"

The Black-Backed Bladefish thrashed its body in panic, only to find itself as if stuck in a quagmire.

Right then, Li Qing's voice rang out in its mind.

"Little fish, do you want to follow me?"

The Black-Backed Bladefish turned its head and was immediately startled by Li Qing's massive body.

It struggled desperately, trying to flee, but the surrounding water was like invisible chains, binding it tightly.

"Don't waste your energy."

Li Qing swam over lazily and lightly pressed a Turtle claw onto the Black-Backed Bladefish's head.

"Either submit, or... well, you understand."

Feeling the immense pressure from above its head, the Black-Backed Bladefish was a bit dazed.

What do I understand?

I am a Rank 2 Vicious Beast.

You say submit and I just submit?

Without another word, the fight began.

Ten or so seconds later.

It dejectedly submitted.

"Very good, I'll call you Xiao Hei from now on. Go report to the valley."

Third minion, job done!

In the time that followed, Li Qing was practically like a mob boss collecting protection fees, running rampant through the reef area.

In less than four hours, he subdued two more Vicious Beasts one after another.

One was a Rank 2 Early Stage Iron-Shelled Turtle; its defense was extremely strong but its speed was slow. After Li Qing violently broke its defense, it surrendered obediently and was given the name 'Turtle Three'.

The last one was a Rank 1 Peak Water Snake with a flexible body, good at constriction. After being pinned into the mud by Li Qing's claw, it honestly acknowledged him as master and was named 'Xiao Qing'.

Li Qing was very satisfied with this name; it had commemorative significance.

By the end of the night, all five minions were in place!

When he swam back to the valley, he saw the five Vicious Beasts lined up neatly, with Catfish Head patrolling in front of them, looking quite like a big brother.

"Not bad, you all have good awareness."

Li Qing nodded with satisfaction, then issued the first collective mission.

"From now on, you will act as a group."

"When you encounter Vicious Beasts of a similar Rank to yours, injure them and bring them here."

"Also, hunt Rank 1 Vicious Beasts and bring them here."

"Remember, if you find any glowing aquatic plants, strange stones, or other valuable items, report immediately."

"Furthermore, if you encounter a powerful intruder, do not fight them head-on; notify me immediately."

The five Vicious Beasts nodded in unison, indicating their understanding.

Looking at this minion team that was beginning to take shape, Li Qing felt a massive sense of achievement.

From now on, he was the uncrowned king of these waters!

There were still five slots left for Domination.

Li Qing planned to take it slow.

As dawn approached, Li Qing prepared to finish up and return.

Before leaving, he gave one more instruction.

"Work hard, and follow me for a good life!"

His consciousness returned to his original body, and Li Qing opened his eyes.

In the quarters, he was still the first to wake; everything was very quiet.

He looked at the sky outside the window; there was still some time before it was time to get up.

Closing his eyes, Li Qing savored tonight's gains.

Five minions! He wouldn't have to worry about evolution value in the future.

Moreover, with this team, he could truly begin laying his plans in the Great River.

Treasure hunting, hunting, and claiming territory—the very thought was exciting.

"Li Qing, can't you sleep again?"

Hou San had woken up at some point and was looking at Li Qing with his head tilted.

"Lately you've been sleeping very lightly. Are you feeling unwell?"

Li Qing's heart tightened, and he quickly feigned a weary look.

"It's nothing. Maybe it's just the change in environment; I'm not quite used to it yet."

"Then you must take care of your health."

Hou San said with concern.

"Tomorrow I'll take you for a stroll in the city to relax."

"Alright, thanks, San-ge."

Li Qing responded, but in his heart, he was thinking about the arrangements for tomorrow night.

With minions, his days were looking bright.

Especially those glowing aquatic plants—Spiritual Plants identified by the System were definitely good things.

As he thought, the corners of Li Qing's mouth involuntarily curled upward.

He had finally found the trick to a new Realm of the 'low profile' philosophy.