The Crimson Sect burned bright, a beacon of rising power in the southern ranges. But with that brightness came shadows—many, long, and full of malice.
Three nights after the warning scroll from the Hollow Palm Sect turned to ash, Jin Zhen sat calmly in his private study, sipping spirit tea brewed from immortal lotus petals. His eyes glowed faintly, reflecting the array lines etched across the walls. He was waiting.
Not for a visitor.
But for a rat.
---
Outside, in the darkness beyond the sect's inner ring, a cloaked figure crept silently. He moved like mist, avoiding patrols, skipping over formation triggers, and using stealth talismans that shimmered like liquid shadow.
He climbed toward the Flame Lotus Pavilion—where Jin Zhen resided.
He took a final leap toward the roof—then stopped.
Time froze.
He couldn't move.
He looked down—and saw thousands of glowing crimson runes swirling beneath his feet.
---
[System Notification]
[Formation Triggered: Crimson Web – Version 3.2]
[Target Trapped – Foreign Spirit Signature Detected]
[Auto-Countermeasures Initiated]
---
Jin Zhen stepped into the moonlight, standing on the edge of the roof, teacup still in hand.
"Welcome to my humble sect," he said, voice calm. "Enjoying the view?"
The intruder gritted his teeth. "You bastard... how?"
Jin Zhen sipped again. "The moment you touched the footbridge, I had your qi signature. You should try bathing next time. You reek of Hollow Palm rot."
With a gesture, the web tightened.
"Who sent you?" Jin Zhen asked.
The man spat. "The Hollow Palm Sect doesn't fear your tricks."
"Oh, I wasn't expecting fear."
He flicked his fingers.
A flash of crimson lightning surged through the web, shocking the spy into unconsciousness.
"I expected silence."
---
[System Notification]
[Spy Captured – Intelligence Points +1]
[Regional Tension Increased – Hollow Palm Sect Activity Detected Near Border]
[SP Earned: +1]
---
The next morning, Jin Zhen stood before the Ember-Forged Council.
He tossed the unconscious spy onto the floor.
Fang Mu whistled. "And here I thought it was just a drunk disciple."
Lan Yuer stepped forward. "Their methods are getting bolder."
"Let them be bold," Jin Zhen said. "They'll learn the price of it."
He looked around.
"Prepare all outer formations. Double patrols. No merchant leaves without screening."
Then he paused.
"And send a return gift."
Fang Mu grinned. "You want me to punch someone?"
"Not yet. Just deliver the spy back. Naked. Covered in chicken feathers. And with a sign that reads 'Nice Try.'"
---
Later that day, Jin Zhen entered his cultivation chamber.
He'd gained another SP point. It was time to invest.
[SP: 1]
[Use SP?]
[Spend 1 SP – Unlock: Sect-Wide Cultivation Boost (Tier 1)]
[Effect: All disciples gain +5% cultivation speed for fire-path techniques while inside sect grounds]
"Rise with me," Jin Zhen whispered as the runes across the sect glowed brighter.
---
That evening, as the spy was catapulted from a spirit cannon back toward Hollow Palm lands (feathers and all), Jin Zhen stood on his tower and laughed.
Lan Yuer approached. "Do you think they'll retaliate?"
"They'll do worse than that," he said, tone darkening. "They'll panic."
"And when a sect panics…?"
Jin Zhen turned, his crimson eyes blazing.
"They make mistakes."
---
[Status – Jin Zhen]
Cultivation: Core Formation (Late)
Talent Grade: Crimson Starfire – Divine Grade
Physique: Infernal Ember (True Sync)
Wealth: 72,000 Spirit Stones
SP: 0
Fame: Rising Flame – Feared and Mocked
Sect Buffs:
– Flame Cultivation Speed +5% (In-Sect)
– Herbal Growth Rate +10%
– Trade Profits +15%
---
Far across the southern plains, in the Hollow Palm Sect, an elder stared at the feather-covered spy who'd landed in the main hall like a projectile from hell.
"… I think we've angered him."
A senior disciple coughed. "What gave it away? The feathers, or the smell?"
---
Meanwhile, Jin Zhen sat cross-legged, flames dancing around him.
He opened his eyes slowly.
"Time to expand again."