The Crimson Sect's fields glistened under the moonlight, humming faintly with the Qi that now coursed through the soil. In the quiet of the mountain night, there was a peace that rarely visited sects known for bloodshed and ambition. But Jin Zhen wasn't one to be idle.
[System Notification][Spirit Grain Growth Rate: +15%][Farm Disciples' Morale: Elevated – "Sect Master gave us boots! Actual boots!"]
Jin Zhen chuckled as he read the last part. "They're getting too soft... or too grateful."
He turned toward the still-developing Flame Construct Workshop. The structure was halfway complete, lined with glowing glyphs and supported by spirit-tempered wood. Near it, a young disciple was attempting to lift a metal beam with clear effort and zero success.
"Try not to crush yourself," Jin Zhen called out. "The Sect's insurance policy does not cover stupidity."
The boy turned red. "Y-yes, Sect Master!"
Inside his chamber, Jin Zhen opened the system interface. The display shimmered into view.
[Status Panel]
Name: Jin Zhen
Cultivation: Core Formation (Peak)
SP: 5
Wealth: 2,960 Spirit Coins | 1,800 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones
Talent Level: Heaven Grade (Mutated)
Body Type: Crimson Tyrant Physique (Evolving)
Special Titles: Evil Sect Master, Agrarian Overlord (Temporary)
Sect Rank: D+ (Growing)
He tapped on his SP pool. "Time to spend wisely."
[SP Used: 3][Skill Unlocked: Flame Puppet Control - Lv1][Effect: Can summon and control 1 Flame Construct for 30 minutes daily.]
He smirked. "A walking servant I don't have to feed? Perfect."
Moments later, a short construct made of bronze and flame slinked into the chamber. Its eyes glowed bright orange.
"State your function," Jin Zhen ordered.
The puppet responded in a voice that sounded... oddly cheerful. "I make tea, sweep floors, and incinerate intruders! Would you like me to clean the latrines, Great Overlord?"
Jin Zhen blinked. "...I'm going to regret giving it a personality, aren't I?"
Elsewhere in the Crimson Sect, Lan Yuer was organizing the new patrol squads. Fang Mu sauntered over, chewing on a cooked boar rib.
"You know," he said, "for an evil sect, we've got better food than most empires."
Lan gave him a deadpan look. "You complain even when you're eating."
"I'm not complaining. I'm just impressed. This rib changed my outlook on life."
She rolled her eyes. "Maybe it'll change your outlook on bathing."
Later that night, Jin Zhen walked into the newly cleaned training ground, where several outer disciples practiced their stances. They straightened immediately.
"Relax," he said. "I'm only here to make fun of your footwork."
A few laughed nervously. One stumbled.
He raised his hand, and his Flame Puppet dashed forward and corrected the disciple's stance with a gentle tap of a heated claw.
"Better," Jin Zhen said. "Now, try not to scream like a goat next time. We are cultivators, not livestock."
[System Notification][New Passive Skill: Sect Momentum - Disciples train 8% faster when directly mocked by Sect Master.]
Jin Zhen stared at the notification. "...That can't be real."
[System Response][Real. And surprisingly effective. Mock them more.]
He chuckled. "Fine. If sarcasm fuels the future, I shall become a cultivator of sass."
The wind rustled the leaves as the Sect Master walked away, puppet in tow, grumbling something about sarcastic AIs and flaming janitors.