The wind howled down the narrow canyons of the Crimson Ravine, carrying whispers of turmoil. News spread faster than blades—of the Crimson Sky Sect's meteoric rise, of their Overlord who subdued envoy after envoy, and most of all, of his strange, terrible power.
But deep within the sect's territory, the day began like any other. Farmers cultivated spiritual rice along glimmering terraces. Alchemists in training extracted essence from low-grade beasts. In the outer compound, rows of disciples gathered around the open trial field.
Jin Zhen stood atop a jade platform, arms crossed, robes fluttering slightly. His gaze swept the sea of young cultivators before him.
"Today begins the Cultivation Trials."
He pointed to the towering monument of black stone behind him, carved with glowing crimson runes.
"This is the Trial Monument. You will touch it. It will measure your potential, battle spirit, and spiritual compatibility. Fail, and you'll be assigned to menial work. Succeed, and you may enter the core."
A hush fell.
[System Notification: Cultivation Trial Module Activated]
[Trial Monument Bound to Host's Authority]
[SP Rewards Available Based on Evaluation Results]
A smirk crept across Jin Zhen's face.
"Begin."
---
One by one, the disciples stepped forward.
The first few results were modest.
[Disciple: Feng Lin | Talent: Mid-Tier Earth | Spiritual Root: Wood | Combat Will: Average]
Jin Zhen nodded slightly. "He'll make a decent farmer... or perhaps a formation runner."
[SP Gained: 20]
Then came a bold youth with sharp eyes. As he pressed his palm to the monument, a pulse of red light surged.
[Disciple: Meng Huo | Talent: High-Tier Earth | Root: Dual (Fire-Lightning) | Combat Will: Strong]
[SP Gained: 140]
The youth turned, chest rising with pride. "Crimson Overlord... I ask to be your personal disciple!"
Gasps spread through the crowd.
Jin Zhen raised an eyebrow. "Arrogant. I like that. Survive one year in the Outer Core, and you may ask again."
Meng Huo bowed deeply, excitement flashing in his eyes.
And so it continued.
One hundred. Two hundred.
By noon, over 80% had been assessed. Jin Zhen now stood before a glowing tally displayed by the system.
[Disciples Assessed: 213 / 243]
[Average Talent Grade: Mid Earth]
[Core Disciple Candidates: 17]
[SP Accumulated: 3,470]
But just as he prepared to call the final batch, a commotion broke out near the north gate.
A group of battered disciples stumbled into the courtyard—bloodied, bruised, and barely conscious.
Hui Lan rushed to their side. "What happened?!"
One of them, a boy barely sixteen, gasped, "Ambush... outside the Spirit Mine... Black Fang bandits... They took... Master Wei!"
Jin Zhen's gaze darkened.
The name 'Black Fang' echoed in his memory. A wandering gang of rogue cultivators who once worked as smugglers in the borderlands.
He turned sharply. "Assemble a task force. Twenty elites. Prepare horses. We ride now."
---
Thirty minutes later, Jin Zhen galloped ahead of his force down the ravine trail. Dust clouded behind him, but his spiritual sense remained razor-sharp. He could feel the battle still raging up ahead.
[SP Cost: 300 – Activate "Crimson Hunt" Aura (Squad Boost +15% Agility, +10% Strength)]
Red mist exploded from him, washing over his followers. Their speed increased, their auras pulsed with vigor.
By the time they reached the mining camp, chaos awaited.
A dozen masked figures circled a protective barrier where Elder Wei knelt, bleeding and alone. A massive saber slashed the shield again and again—wielded by a scarred cultivator with bloodshot eyes.
"You'll die today, old man!"
Jin Zhen didn't speak.
He landed silently in their midst, one foot cracking the earth. The bandits turned—and froze.
"Who the hell—?"
Too late.
With one gesture, his sword appeared—a sleek obsidian blade, humming with suppressed malice.
[Skill Activated: Crimson Severance Slash]
[SP Cost: 400]
He vanished in a flicker.
A heartbeat later, five heads rolled. The bandits screamed.
"It's him—it's the Crimson Overlord!"
Some tried to run. Others raised weapons. It didn't matter.
Jin Zhen's blade danced through them like shadow and fire. His disciples joined the fray—Meng Huo cut down two with flaming fists, Hui Lan's needles flew with lethal precision.
Ten minutes. That was all it took.
The last bandit, the leader, knelt sobbing.
"Mercy, please! I'll give you treasure, spirit ores, anything!"
Jin Zhen crouched to eye level.
"You ambushed my sect. You harmed my elder."
He whispered softly, "Do you think mercy is part of this world?"
And ended it.
---
[Battle Complete: Crimson Overlord Victory]
[SP Gained: 2,000]
[Reputation +8% | Regional Fear +6%]
[Bonus Gained: Spirit Mine Ownership Secured | Monthly Ore Output: 3,200 Units]
As his disciples cheered, Jin Zhen helped Elder Wei to his feet.
"Rest, old friend. You'll live."
Wei smiled, blood in his teeth. "Didn't doubt you... not for a second."
---
That night, the sect burned bright with victory.
A feast was held. Bonfires danced. Outer disciples laughed for the first time in weeks. Jin Zhen watched it all from the overlook, cup of spirit wine in hand.
[System Prompt: Cultivation Breakthrough Available]
[Condition Met: SP 7,950 | Soulforge Tyrant Physique Stabilized | Proceed to Mid Earth Realm?]
He took a deep breath.
"Yes."
[Breakthrough Commencing...]
His dantian ignited. Qi surged like a sea breaking a dam. Pillars of red light shot into the sky above the sect.
Disciples gasped as they saw it. The heavens seemed to pause. The air stilled.
When the light faded... Jin Zhen stood taller, stronger. A new weight filled the air around him.
[Realm Advanced: Mid Earth Stage]
[Stat Bonus: Strength +15 | Intelligence +10 | Charisma +10]
[Skill Upgrade Unlocked: Crimson Severance → Crimson Annihilation Blade]
He opened his eyes.
"I need more. This world... still has not bent the knee."