The darkened skies over Crimson Mist Peak simmered with a tension unseen in weeks. A veil of clouds loomed, but beneath it, the valley was alive with productivity. Jin Zhen stood atop a newly constructed balcony overlooking vast, newly terraced fields. Dozens of disciples in violet robes—men and women alike—tended to lush spirit crops under the guidance of several elders.
The Sect's transformation was nothing short of miraculous. Just two weeks ago, this area had been desolate. Now, rows of spiritual wheat, blood-ginseng bulbs, and elemental rice shimmered with Qi-infused vitality. Every blade of grass hummed with life.
Jin Zhen's robes flapped in the wind as he crossed his arms, expression calm.
[System Notification:
Spirit Crop Plantation Complete
Estimated Yield: 8,000 Medium-Grade Spirit Stones/month
Passive Income Activated]
[You have gained +150 SP]
He smirked, watching as two Inner Court disciples directed irrigation channels using minor water arts.
"Not bad," he muttered. "Even if they don't become powerful cultivators, they'll feed an army."
A familiar figure ascended the stairs—Elder Sun Mei, her brows raised and a scroll in hand. She bowed briefly before extending it to Jin Zhen.
"Master Jin, the Spirit Beast Enclosure is complete. We've domesticated three Windscale Elk and one Crimson Fire Lizard. They produce elemental cores. Would you like to inspect?"
Jin Zhen opened the scroll and read the detailed report. He chuckled softly. "We've gone from wandering rats to landlords of an empire."
"And wealthy ones," she added with a faint smile.
[Current Wealth:
38,400 Medium-Grade Spirit Stones
1,950 High-Grade Spirit Stones
10 Celestial Jade Stones (bound)]
[You have 3,240 SP Available]
Jin Zhen opened his palm, and the interface appeared before him, hovering like an ethereal slab of jade.
[System Shop Available – Categories:
Cultivation Manuals
Spirit Arts
Treasures
Architecture
Combat Techniques
Bloodline Enhancement]
His eyes gleamed as he scrolled toward a section labeled Sect-Wide Upgrades. There it was:
[Fortress-Grade Defensive Array (Tier-5)] – Cost: 3,000 SP
Description: A defensive formation capable of withstanding Soul Formation attacks. Covers up to 50 km². Integrated with Qi siphoning and illusion arrays.
He didn't hesitate.
[Purchase Confirmed – 3,000 SP deducted]
[Installation in Progress… 15%… 40%… 73%…]
Moments later, the mountain itself shimmered with a pulse. Ancient runes carved themselves into the stone and hovered in midair before sinking into the ground. A dome of translucent violet light flickered once and vanished.
Sun Mei stepped back in awe. "That… that's Tier-5 magic. Even our ancestors couldn't manage that."
Jin Zhen simply smiled. "We're no longer a forgotten sect."
---
Deep within the Outer Wilds
Meanwhile, leagues away in a jagged canyon carved by time, a massive throne of crimson bone rested upon blackened stone. Upon it sat a man whose presence distorted reality—the Crimson Venerable, one of the feared lords of the Nether Sky Alliance.
Kneeling before him was a tall figure clad in shadowy armor—Voidblade of the Night Pavilion.
"They say a small sect in the west has claimed Tier-5 defenses," Voidblade said, voice emotionless. "And their young Sect Master has a system of unknown origin."
Crimson Venerable opened one glowing eye. "A system?"
"Yes. A source claims the boy manipulates fate. Crops grow in barren soil. Weaklings gain bloodlines. Structures rise overnight."
"Then this boy is the anomaly the Prophets warned of," the Venerable whispered. "Send a scout. If he is what I suspect… he must either kneel—or perish."
---
Back at Crimson Mist Peak
In the training courtyard, Jin Zhen stood before a lineup of newly promoted Inner Court disciples. Each one had shown rapid advancement in recent days, thanks in no small part to the resources flooding into the sect.
One of them stepped forward—a muscular youth with wind-infused tattoos across his arms.
"Sect Master," he bowed. "Thanks to your generosity, I've broken through to late-stage Core Formation. I owe you everything."
Jin Zhen nodded. "Then protect what you've gained. The world isn't kind to the weak."
Another disciple stepped up—a girl with glimmering eyes and a trembling voice. "Master, when do we… fight?"
He tilted his head. "Soon."
He turned, pacing before them. His voice rang loud enough to echo off the stones.
"We are no longer prey. This sect will not just survive—it will dominate."
---
Inside the Sect Master's Hall
Night had fallen. The moon bathed the peak in silver as Jin Zhen sat in lotus position inside his chamber. He exhaled slowly.
[Status Update – Crimson Overlord: Jin Zhen]
Realm: Peak Nascent Soul
Body Constitution: Crimson Tyrant Physique (Enhanced)
Bloodline: Hellfire Dragon (Awakened)
Sect Reputation: Notorious Rising Force
Passive Effects:
• Spirit Absorption (15% cultivation efficiency boost)
• Presence of Dominance (lowers enemy morale)
• Wealth Magnet (increased stone gain from passive income)
[Remaining SP: 240]
Jin Zhen narrowed his eyes.
"I'll need more power if I'm going to deal with the Nether Sky Alliance."
He opened the Bloodline Enhancement tab and selected:
[Hellfire Dragon – 2nd Awakening]
Cost: 200 SP
[Enhancement Confirmed]
[Transformation Commencing…]
A burning pain swept through his veins as crimson runes slithered across his skin. His bones groaned. Scales flickered into being across his back before vanishing. His heartbeat boomed like a war drum.
[Hellfire Dragon Bloodline – Stage 2 Unlocked]
New Ability: Infernal Domain – Summon a 500-meter field that burns enemy Qi and heals self. Duration: 5 minutes.
Jin Zhen opened his eyes, which now glowed faintly red.
"Let them come. I'm ready."
---
Elsewhere – Blackstone City
Inside a dusty tavern, two rogue cultivators whispered over a chipped table.
"You heard? Crimson Mist Peak is paying a fortune for rare herbs."
"They say their Sect Master bought three spirit-grade cauldrons and is hiring alchemists."
"The boy's insane. No one spends wealth like that unless they're planning to challenge a major faction."
They exchanged glances.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Yeah. Let's head there. Either we die… or we rise."