Chapter 58: Crimson Harvest
Morning in the Crimson Cloud Sect began as always — with the low hum of spiritual energy surging through the valley like a silent tide. Yet this morning felt… heavier. The mist hung thicker, and the sky bore the faint hue of blood. Jin Zhen stood at the peak of the Scarlet Pavilion, his crimson robes fluttering as the first rays of the sun shimmered over the sect grounds.
[System Notification: Current Spirit Stone Reserves — 748,000 Medium-Grade Stones.]
He smiled.
[SP Available: 12,200.]
"Not bad. Time to invest."
[Would you like to spend SP? Options available:]
[Unlock Tier 2 Crimson Domain Upgrade – 5000 SP]
[Enhance Sect Defensive Formations – 3000 SP]
[Recruit Hidden-Class Disciples (x2) – 4000 SP]
"Enhance the Crimson Domain. Let's see what this toy can do."
[Processing Upgrade…]
[Crimson Domain Lv.2 Activated: All sect members gain +20% cultivation speed while within sect grounds. Defensive capabilities increased. New feature unlocked: Crimson Binding Field.]
The air shimmered as blood-colored runes laced the clouds above the sect. Invisible, yet palpably powerful.
Behind him, Grand Elder Xun approached. "Sect Master, the crops in Spirit Field #3 have matured overnight."
Jin Zhen nodded. "Distribute them. Let the inner court disciples and villagers share equally."
Elder Xun blinked. "Even the villagers?"
Jin Zhen grinned. "Let them know the Crimson Sect grows with them. If the world dares question us, our own people must shout our name with pride."
Xun bowed deeply. "As you command."
---
Down below, excitement buzzed in the fields. Disciples in maroon robes carried baskets of spiritual grains, their eyes bright with awe and admiration. Even the stubborn old farmer Li, a mortal who once spat toward cultivators, now murmured blessings to Jin Zhen's statue as he collected stalks of gleaming silver wheat.
Meanwhile, deep within the Crimson Cloud Sect's treasury, the Vault Guardian Spirit flickered awake.
[Jin Zhen detected. Current Sect Value: 11,220,000 Spirit Stones. Vault Access: Approved.]
Jin Zhen stepped into the vault's core chamber, gazing at rare artifacts, alchemical materials, and piles of sorted spirit stones. One caught his attention — a jade scroll wrapped in obsidian silk.
[Item Identified: Infernal Tyrant Scripture (Fragment). Grade: Unknown.]
"System, what's the cost to repair this fragment?"
[Estimated SP Required: 6000.]
He paused. "Hold that for later."
His eyes shifted to the side — to a display labeled Disciples' Potential Overview. Names glowed brightly, ranked by Talent and Growth Rate.
Top 5 Disciples:
1. Xu Lanyue – [Heavenly Flame Body, Peak Golden Core]
2. Bai Feng – [Shadow Void Veins, Mid Golden Core]
3. Zhu Mei – [Venom Lotus Physique, Early Golden Core]
4. Lin Han – [Steelbone Spirit Body, Foundation Peak]
5. Yu Zhi – [Thunder Meridian, Foundation Middle]
"All growing nicely," he murmured.
---
Meanwhile, outside the sect walls, in the hidden forests bordering the Skybound Mountains, a group of rogue cultivators crept through the trees. Their leader, a scarred man named Wei Mo, held a crude map.
"You're sure the Crimson Sect left their eastern pass undefended?" he snarled.
A trembling rogue beside him nodded. "Their focus is west, where the Black Sun Clan resides. East is barely patrolled."
Wei Mo grinned. "Perfect. We'll sneak in, plunder their herb garden, and vanish before their dogs know what bit them."
But the moment they stepped beyond the border—
[Crimson Binding Field Activated.]
A red haze enveloped them. Chains of pure spiritual force erupted from the ground, binding wrists and ankles. Screams filled the woods.
Within seconds, a figure descended from the sky — crimson robes, jet-black eyes, and a silver fox mask.
Xu Lanyue.
"By order of the Sect Master, intruders shall be executed or enslaved."
Before they could react, flames erupted from her hands, carving symbols in the air. The forest turned to ash within moments.
---
Back at the Sect Hall, Jin Zhen received the notification.
[Crimson Binding Field captured 11 intruders. Xu Lanyue executed 8. Remaining 3 sent to Crimson Dungeons.]
"Efficient as always." He opened his palm, absorbing the notification into his system.
[+800 SP | +1200 Reputation | +3 Prisoners captured.]
Just then, a disciple burst into the hall. "Sect Master! A merchant from the Azure Jade Pavilion requests an audience."
"Let him in."
Moments later, a portly man in lavish silks entered, bowing deeply.
"Your Excellency, I bring an invitation. The Grand Auction of the Eastern Territories begins in seven days. All top sects are invited."
Jin Zhen leaned back. "Auction, hmm? What's on sale?"
"Rare beast eggs, ancestral artifacts, cultivation manuals… and a fragment of the Phoenix Bone Relic."
His eyes lit up.
"Reserve me a private room. And prepare your finest spirit wines — I intend to enjoy myself."
---
That night, he stood atop the northern watchtower, the entire sect glowing gently below.
"Five months ago, I was broke and dying in a ditch," he muttered.
Now, a single gesture could flood a village with prosperity… or obliterate a sect.
The system's voice chimed once more.
[Personal Status Display:]
Name: Jin Zhen
Cultivation: Late Nascent Soul (Crimson Overlord Path)
Talent: Heaven-Rank Dual Core
Spirit Points (SP): 7400
Affinity: Blood, Shadow, Life
Personal Fortune: 748,000 Spirit Stones
Sect Level: Mid-Tier Sect (Rising)
Reputation: Revered (Feared among rogue sects)
He grinned.
"This… is only the beginning."