The dawn that broke over the Crimson Demon Sect was a cruel one. Blood still stained the training grounds where the disciples had clashed the night before, where Jin Zhen had repelled the masked assassins in a display of ruthless dominance. But there would be no time to mourn or reflect—only to act.
In the Sect Master's Grand Hall, Jin Zhen stood atop the crimson jade dais, his eyes half-lidded, arms folded. Before him knelt the elders, their heads bowed in reverence—or fear.
"Let me repeat," Jin Zhen's voice echoed like iron on stone, cold and sharp. "I do not want reports. I want results. The spies that infiltrated us—where did they come from?"
One of the newly promoted internal affairs elders, a gaunt man named Elder Xiang, trembled as he rose. "Sect Master, we suspect the involvement of the Black Bone Pavilion. Their signature poison was found on two blades… and one of the corpses bore a mark traced to their Eastern Branch."
Jin Zhen's lips curled into a faint smile.
"Black Bone Pavilion… you finally decided to crawl out of your little rat hole."
He turned toward the side hall, where Bai Mei and two of the Sect's top-ranked maidens stood, awaiting orders. Bai Mei stepped forward, bowing.
"Sect Master, shall we launch a retaliatory strike?"
Jin Zhen closed his eyes.
[System Notification: Major Faction Conflict Unlocked – Initiate Subjugation Campaign?]
[Yes / No]
He mentally confirmed: Yes.
[System Notification: 5,000 SP deducted. You have activated: Crimson Conquest Protocol.]
[Bonus: All sect disciples receive +15% to attack and movement speed for 3 days.]
[Crimson Overlord Exclusive Bonus Activated: "Harvest the Wicked" – Defeated enemies drop 3x standard loot, 50% chance to drop cultivation techniques.]
He opened his eyes, which glowed faintly red for a moment. "Mobilize the Shadow Division. Burn every outpost of the Black Bone Pavilion east of the Emerald River. Take prisoners—but only those who scream loud enough."
"Understood!"
---
Three hours later, a convoy of masked disciples dressed in black and red stormed down from the mountains like a plague of locusts. Villages and minor cultivation outposts affiliated with the Black Bone Pavilion were razed with precision and fury.
Meanwhile, Jin Zhen remained within the Crimson Demon Sect—but he was not idle.
Inside the Core Cultivation Chamber, the massive spiral formation was lit with runes, bathing his body in red light as he hovered in mid-air, absorbing Spirit Qi at a terrifying pace.
[SP: 13,900 → 18,400]
[SP Spent: 2,000 – Crimson Core Expansion Technique Activated]
[Effect: Spiritual root capacity increased by 50%. Physical body can withstand two cultivation stages higher without backlash.]
Jin Zhen exhaled slowly as his aura expanded. Around his body, threads of spiritual energy spun like threads of silk. He could feel it—his control over blood essence, spirit force, and darkness was nearing the threshold of harmony.
Not enough. I need to reach the next boundary.
Suddenly—
Boom!
A sound echoed through the chamber. A projection rune lit up, revealing a messenger from the front lines.
"Report! Black Bone Pavilion's Sect Master has emerged. He is accompanied by three Elders and has issued a challenge. He demands a duel with you, Sect Master Jin!"
Jin Zhen chuckled, and with a gesture, pulled on a fresh crimson robe, embroidered with golden talons. His voice was calm but laced with venom.
"Then prepare a stage."
---
On the Border of the Fallen River Wastes
A battle stage had been erected over black stone, carved with ancient runes. Spectators from both factions stood at a distance, watching as Jin Zhen stepped forward alone.
Across from him, a tall man with silver hair and a bone-mask smirked.
"So this is the 'Evil Sect Master' we've heard so much about," the man sneered. "Where is your army? Or do you plan to bore me to death with words?"
Jin Zhen flexed his fingers. His voice was a whisper that carried across the battlefield.
"You're already dead. You just haven't noticed yet."
[System Alert: Combat Mode Engaged – Faction War Duel Initiated.]
[Opponent Identified: Sect Master Hei Lian (Black Bone Pavilion) – Nascent Soul 2nd Realm.]
[Combat Boost: Crimson Overlord Title grants +25% attack power and +20% spirit resistance in faction duels.]
---
The clash was thunderous.
Jin Zhen moved like a crimson shadow, his blade flashing with spirit-devouring runes. Hei Lian responded with bone armor and toxic mist, but found his defenses pierced over and over again.
"You dare use poison against me?" Jin Zhen laughed, slamming his palm into the ground.
[Ability Activated: Crimson Devour – Absorb ambient spirit poison, convert to health.]
Mist turned into streams of light, entering his body as his wounds sealed.
"You call this poison?" he mocked. "Let me show you real corruption!"
His aura surged, dark tendrils bursting from his back like wings.
[SP Used: 2,500 – Forbidden Art: Crimson Crown Manifestation]
A red crown of energy appeared above his head, and with a final roar, he thrust his fist into Hei Lian's chest. The man's eyes widened as his spiritual core shattered.
"No—!"
Boom!
Hei Lian exploded in a burst of crimson light.
[System Notification: Enemy Sect Master Defeated. Bonus SP: +6,000]
[Drop Acquired: Bone-Dissolving Poison Scripture, 3x Nascent Soul Pills, 1x Spatial Ring]
Jin Zhen turned to the crowd.
"Let this be a warning. I do not forgive, and I do not forget."
He raised his hand, and the symbol of the Crimson Demon Sect appeared in the sky.
---
Later That Night – Sect Treasury Chamber
Jin Zhen sat on a cushioned throne, examining the items from Hei Lian's spatial ring.
A map. A dark artifact. Several sealed scrolls. But what interested him most was the black jade fragment etched with symbols.
[System Notification: Ancient Relic Detected – Fragment of the God-Slaying Seal.]
His eyes narrowed.
Another piece... so the game is truly beginning.
He leaned back.
"Prepare the inner circle. We're heading into the Forgotten Abyss."
Bai Mei, who had been silently watching, bowed. "As you command, Master."
---
Status Update: Jin Zhen
Name: Jin Zhen
Title: Crimson Overlord
Realm: Late Nascent Soul
SP: 19,000
Cultivation Techniques:
– [Crimson Core Expansion]
– [Devouring Blood Sutra]
– [Crimson Crown Manifestation]
Special Traits:
– OP System Interface
– +50% Spirit Root Capacity
– Artifact Assimilation (Locked)
Wealth: 3 million mid-grade Spirit Stones
Reputation: Rising Evil Star – Feared across four regions
Faction Influence: Expanding rapidly