Dawn broke with an ominous stillness across the Bloodshade Peaks.
The wind had stopped.
Even the birds dared not sing.
Jin Zhen stood atop the central spire of the Crimson Sect, his crimson robes fluttering like embers clinging to life in the void of silence. His gaze was fixed toward the distant mountain range beyond the western boundary of the sect.
There, under the cover of night, a group of masked cultivators had crossed into Crimson territory. And the scent of malice still lingered.
He turned slightly, speaking aloud to the empty air beside him.
"[System. Status Display.]"
A translucent interface flared into life:
[Name: Jin Zhen]
[Title: Crimson Overlord – Sect Master]
[Realm: Late Nascent Soul (Peak)]
[Talent Grade: Mythic – Crimson Root]
[Body Constitution: Divine Fiend Physique – Tier 3]
[SP: 12,400]
[Spirit Stones: 981,000 (Middle-Grade Equivalent)]
[Disciples: 326]
[Affiliated Lands: 4 Sects, 1 City, 17 Villages]
Jin Zhen's eyes narrowed.
They thought they could infiltrate his domain without consequence?
"[System, allocate 3000 SP to Crimson Domain Enhancement.]"
[Processing… Enhancement Complete.]
[The Crimson Domain has expanded by 15 kilometers. A layer of Sect Detection Barrier has been added.]
He smirked. "Try hiding now."
---
Elsewhere, at the western edge of Crimson territory, five robed invaders crouched behind jagged rocks. Their auras were deliberately suppressed, barely distinguishable from mortals.
"Are you certain this is the place?" whispered one of them.
The leader, a tall figure with grey streaks in his black hair, nodded.
"We are close. The artifact fragment we carry reacted violently near this mountain ridge. It must be the Crimson Overlord's core vault. We infiltrate tonight. No engagement."
But as he spoke, a thin red mist curled up around the boulders.
The youngest among them frowned. "Something's wrong…"
The leader's expression darkened. "Retreat—!"
Too late.
The mist ignited.
Exploding with soul-burning crimson flame.
Their screams echoed across the range for only a moment—then silence reigned once more.
---
Back at the sect, inside the Great Hall, the senior elders knelt before Jin Zhen, visibly shaken after the sudden flare of barrier activation.
"Master… did we just—burn something?"
Jin Zhen gave a soft laugh.
"Nothing more than pests trying to steal grain from my storehouse. Tell the outer disciples to double patrol the borders. And Elder Yao—have the treasury expand our defensive ward inscriptions. Use spirit stones if needed. No compromise."
Elder Yao bowed, his voice shaking. "As you command, Master."
Moments later, Jin Zhen turned and left the hall, walking toward the Inner Pavilion where his core disciples resided.
Outside the training field, he found Xue Lin and Mu Feiyan sparring.
Mu Feiyan's red-tipped spear sliced through the air like a dragon's tongue, while Xue Lin's white fan danced with icy elegance.
Jin Zhen observed them briefly before raising a hand.
"I see you've improved. Good. Come, I have something for you."
The two girls stopped immediately and approached, eyes bright with expectation.
Jin Zhen raised two glowing jade slips. "Inside these are techniques—custom tailored by the system—for your unique constitutions. Feiyan, yours amplifies spear techniques with bloodline qi. Lin, yours harmonizes frost energy with spatial bursts."
Mu Feiyan trembled. "Master… this is… far too valuable…"
Xue Lin's expression softened. "We will not disappoint you."
Jin Zhen chuckled. "You had better not. I'm investing a lot in my core disciples."
He turned serious.
"A storm brews beyond these mountains. I sense the cultivators of the Sky Ring Alliance stirring. Soon, we may not have the luxury of peace."
---
Later that night, inside his personal chamber.
[System Alert: New Quest Available – "Stormbreaker Ascension"]
[Objective: Strengthen the Sect's Forces to Overlord Tier Before the Annual Continental Sect Trials.]
[Reward: ??? (Variable – Depends on Completion Grade)]
[Optional Bonus Objective: Subdue or Ally with One Major Regional Power Before the Trials.]
Jin Zhen crossed his arms, eyes gleaming.
"System… show me list of nearby regional powers."
[Displaying Map…]
Three major sects appeared:
Thunder Jade Pavilion (Neutral)
Soaring Sky Sect (Hostile)
Vermilion Blood Temple (Chaotic-Neutral)
Jin Zhen grinned.
"The Temple sounds like my kind of people."
[Side Objective Accepted: Initiate Diplomacy with Vermilion Blood Temple.]
---
In the following days, Jin Zhen busied himself with strengthening the sect.
He used [1200 SP] to unlock a new cultivation ground infused with Crimson Flame Essence.
He used [800 SP] to produce personalized cultivation pills for every Inner Disciple.
He sent trusted agents to nearby territories to recruit wandering cultivators and mercenaries.
Under his hand, the Crimson Sect didn't merely grow.
It evolved.
By the end of the week, its influence had quietly spread across six additional villages and one small merchant clan now operated directly under the Crimson Banner.
During a private conversation with Elder Yu, a former rogue cultivator turned loyal aide, Jin Zhen laid out a new vision.
"We will become more than a sect. We will become a sanctuary. A fortress. A kingdom of cultivators. And I…"
He stood and gazed at the horizon, voice low.
"…I will rule it from the shadows, or in the light, whichever they fear more."
Elder Yu grinned, exposing jagged teeth. "Then may the heavens prepare their coffins."
---
[System Notification: Hidden Condition Met – Domain Sovereignty Path Unlocked.]
[New System Feature Available: Crimson Edict Authority.]
[Allows the User to issue Sect-wide Orders with SP-enhanced Execution.]
Jin Zhen's smile widened.
He raised his hand.
"[System. Activate Crimson Edict. Order all disciples: Advance your realm by one minor level within 7 days. Provide resources as needed.]"
[Crimson Edict Executed. 2400 SP Used. All active disciples receive: Cultivation Surge + Supply Pack.]
Somewhere in the Inner Courtyard, a young disciple meditating in the moonlight gasped as golden light surged into his dantian.
Another girl in the alchemy hall dropped her cauldron as her meridians expanded under the force of sudden enlightenment.
And across the mountain, the Crimson Sect began to burn brighter.
Not with fire.
But with power.