Deep within the heart of the Crimson Sect's forbidden zone, the veins of spiritual energy pulsed with unnatural life. What had once been a dead mountain range now swelled with vitality. Black trees bore silver fruit, corrupted spirit beasts prowled the night, and the air itself trembled with ambition.
At the center of it all stood Jin Zhen.
[Status Update: Jin Zhen]
[Realm: Nascent Soul – Late]
[SP: 6,150]
[Followers: 1,372]
[Resources: 92,000 Spirit Stones, 4 Sect Artifacts, 6 Spiritual Veins]
[Reputation: Infamous – Revered by Evil Sects, Feared by Righteous Sects]
[Next Milestone: Establish Core Command Hall – Requires 5,000 SP]
With a single wave of his hand, he summoned his inner council. Yue Lin knelt first, her dark robes stained with blood. Behind her, Elder Mo bowed, accompanied by the newest addition to their ranks: a beast-tamer from the Southern Wilds with a living snake coiled around his waist.
"My lord," Yue Lin said, "our scouts have returned. The Fang Cloud Sect's outposts are undermanned. They still believe we're just a roving cult."
Jin Zhen smirked.
"They'll learn the difference between a cult and a kingdom soon enough."
He gestured toward the map that flickered into view mid-air, projected from a small obsidian stone. Red marks indicated their influence — over two dozen villages, five rogue cultivator camps, and one corrupted shrine dedicated to the Crimson Lotus.
"The expansion is too slow," Jin Zhen muttered. "We need to accelerate the subjugation efforts."
Elder Mo stepped forward. "Shall we unleash the Dark Puppets, Master? They are… eager."
Jin Zhen paused. "No. Not yet. I want willing followers. At least for now."
He tapped into the system and spent 1,500 SP.
[SP Spent: 1,500]
[You have unlocked: 'Faith Conversion Array – Rank 2']
[Effect: Villages under your control now generate +25% SP per week and are 30% less likely to rebel.]
In the distance, arrays flared to life across the mountains.
Yue Lin glanced upward. "You're planning for longevity."
"No," Jin Zhen said. "I'm planning for domination."
---
Meanwhile, across the Eastern Territories, panic began to spread.
The Azure Snow Sect reported a strange blight eating through their farmlands. Golden Mist Valley lost contact with two of their border monasteries. And in the distant Skyriver City, merchants whispered rumors of a masked man buying spiritual cores in bulk — paying with unmarked crimson tokens.
None of them realized these were all the work of one man — and his sect of shadows.
---
Back in the Crimson Sect, Jin Zhen stood before a strange altar — one constructed from fossilized bone and black jade.
This altar, acquired from a forgotten tomb, held a strange power. He activated it using 3,000 spirit stones.
The altar shimmered, and a whisper entered his mind.
"Offer your essence, and be seen…"
He did not hesitate. A drop of his blood was enough.
The altar shook.
From it emerged a humanoid projection — a phantom cultivator cloaked in gold chains and flaming hair. It was not truly alive, but a preserved soul fragment from the Immortal Wars.
The phantom spoke.
"You seek audience with the Chain Lord?"
Jin Zhen bowed his head slightly.
"I seek the knowledge to enslave souls without destroying their will."
A pause. Then, laughter.
"You… may yet be worthy."
[System Update: New Quest Available – 'Willing Chains, Crimson Reins']
[Objective: Complete the Binding Ritual across five major sects – Progress: 0/5]
[Reward: 12,000 SP, New Skill – Crimson Control: Bind Will Without Breaking It]
Jin Zhen's smile widened. "It begins."
---
Later that night, Jin Zhen entered the underground sanctum of his sect. There, the first batch of spirit farmers awaited his blessing.
These villagers had willingly joined the Crimson Sect, lured by the promise of safety and cultivation techniques.
"Raise your hands," he said.
As they did, he activated the low-grade Spirit Infusion Technique — an original one he'd modified using the system's 'Technique Refiner' tool.
[SP Used: 800]
[You have created a Unique Technique: Crimson Bloom Cultivation (Rank: B)]
[Effect: Enables low-level cultivators to nurture spiritual plants 40% faster; also mildly enhances constitution.]
A faint red aura surrounded the villagers. One of them burst into tears.
"My lord… I feel energy! My son—he was born with a broken meridian. You… you healed him!"
Jin Zhen turned to Yue Lin. "See to it they're trained in basic cultivation. Make sure their loyalty deepens."
"Yes, Sect Master."
As the people rejoiced, Jin Zhen stared up at the moon.
The world would come to worship him. Whether through fear… or gratitude.