The crimson hue of dusk spread across the Ironwood Valley as the sun dipped beyond the jagged peaks. Shadows lengthened and the wind whispered secrets through the gnarled trees. At the heart of the valley, a massive formation circle carved into the earth pulsed with dark red light. Blood Moon Sect banners fluttered around the perimeter, guarded by dozens of armored disciples standing in silence.
Standing at the center, Jin Zhen wore a deep black robe embroidered with the sigil of a blood-dripping serpent. His expression was unreadable, but his aura was oppressive—like a storm about to burst.
Beside him stood Elder Xie Mei, her white hair tied in a bun, her eyes glinting with malicious amusement. "It's ready, Sect Master. The Blood Moon Pact can begin."
Jin Zhen nodded.
"Good. Let the world tremble."
He raised a hand, and the crimson formation flared.
The outer circle began to spin, dragging in spirit energy from the surroundings. Dozens of spirit stones cracked and shattered at once. From the sky, the first sliver of the Blood Moon emerged, bathing the valley in its eerie light.
[System Notification: Special Event — Blood Moon Pact Activated.]
[Consuming 500 SP… Enhancing Effect of Blood Moon Ritual.]
[Effect: 3x boost to cultivation absorption, +1 physique advancement chance for all participants.]
A low hum filled the air as disciples seated around the circle entered meditation. In an instant, their cultivation bases began to rise. Some trembled as their bodies surged forward, breaking into new realms. The ground quaked as qi turned violent, swirling around Jin Zhen like a typhoon.
At the edge of the circle, Elder Gao trembled. "This… this is madness. He's force-feeding them power…"
"Madness?" Xie Mei chuckled. "No. This is brilliance."
In the center, Jin Zhen closed his eyes, and a translucent screen hovered before his vision.
[Name: Jin Zhen]
[Title: Crimson Overlord – Evil Sect Master]
[Realm: Late Core Formation (Peak)]
[Physique: Crimson Demonic Vessel (Tier 5 – Unlocked: 40%)]
[Talent: Heaven-Defying]
[SP: 3,400]
[Owned Sect Members: 243]
[Wealth: 8,920 Spirit Stones | 76 Rare Treasures]
[Next Goal: Establish Domain Core]
His lips curled slightly. This ritual would push at least fifty of his disciples into Foundation Establishment. Five elite ones would likely reach Core Formation. In time, he'd have an army of monsters.
Suddenly, a tremor rippled through the valley—not from the formation, but from the nearby cliffs.
A loud, piercing screech tore through the air.
BOOM!
A massive black-scaled wyrm burst out from the mountain, flinging rocks and dust into the sky. Its golden eyes locked onto the formation, drawn by the massive surge in energy.
Jin Zhen's eyes narrowed.
"So, you've come to feast on the energy."
Xie Mei's face paled. "That's a Grade 5 Spirit Beast! An Abyssal Wyrm!"
Several disciples jumped up in panic, but Jin Zhen simply lifted a finger.
[Activating Skill: Crimson Binding Chains – Cost: 300 SP.]
Dozens of blood-red chains erupted from his shadow, wrapping around the charging wyrm mid-air. The beast roared, thrashing wildly, but it was already too late. With a flick of his wrist, Jin Zhen hurled it down, crashing it into the center of the ritual circle.
The formation flared again.
[System Notification: Unplanned Offering Detected — Abyssal Wyrm (Grade 5). Energy siphoned.]
[+1,200 SP gained.]
[Crimson Demonic Vessel Physique – Absorption Rate Enhanced.]
Jin Zhen stood over the writhing beast as its energy bled into the ground.
A hush fell over the valley. The disciples stared in awe. None could speak.
The Sect Master had subdued a Grade 5 beast without even drawing his weapon.
Xie Mei murmured, "Unbelievable… even at Core Formation, he commands power like a Nascent Soul master…"
But Jin Zhen wasn't done.
[System: Use SP to force talent enhancement? Cost: 1,500 SP.]
[Confirm.]
A vortex of blood energy formed over the beast's corpse and shot into Jin Zhen's chest.
[Crimson Demonic Vessel Physique – Unlocked: 60%]
[New Ability Gained: Blood Essence Infusion – Can bestow minor physique improvements to others.]
[Temporary Buff: Supreme Blood Control – Duration: 2 hours]
Jin Zhen exhaled slowly.
"Perfect. Now let's give them a taste of real power."
He clapped his hands once.
"All disciples, rise!"
The cultivators opened their eyes—many gasped. A few burst out laughing as they felt the surge in power.
One of them, formerly in Qi Condensation, shouted in joy, "I've broken into Foundation Establishment!"
Another followed, "Me too! The Sect Master's ritual really works!"
The morale of the sect soared.
Suddenly, a sharp whistle pierced the air.
A black-robed scout knelt before Jin Zhen. "Sect Master! A patrol was ambushed. Three disciples dead. The attackers bore the crest of the Azure Heaven Sect."
A flicker of annoyance crossed Jin Zhen's face.
"So soon?"
Elder Gao clenched his fists. "They're testing our strength. Spies must have reported the rise of our sect."
"They'll learn regret soon," Jin Zhen muttered.
He turned to Xie Mei.
"Send word to the Shadow Hall. I want every Azure Heaven outpost in a 100-mile radius burned to the ground."
"Yes, Sect Master."
Jin Zhen turned to the formation, now fading.
The Blood Moon Pact was a success. But the path ahead would demand war.
Good. He liked war.
[System Notification: Quest Unlocked – 'Crimson Warpath']
[Objective: Conquer Azure Heaven Sect Territory]
[Reward: 2,000 SP + One World-Class Artifact]
A smirk tugged at the corners of Jin Zhen's mouth.
It was time to show the cultivation world that the Blood Moon Sect was no longer a hidden threat—it was a rising storm.
And he was the eye of it.