Dawn broke across the valley, bathing the Crimson Blood Sect in golden light. The crimson runes etched into the sect's structures gleamed faintly, pulsing with residual energy from the night before.
Jin Zhen stood on the Sect Master's Pavilion balcony, arms crossed as he gazed toward the western horizon. The battle against Mo Xun had been swift and efficient. His newly unveiled puppet legion proved not only devastating but had also raised morale and prestige to new heights.
[Notification: Morale has increased. Inner Disciples' loyalty +15%]
Behind him, Elder Hei entered silently. "Sect Master," he said with a deep bow. "Preparations for the westward expansion are complete. Three villages await your envoy."
Jin Zhen nodded. "Good. Dispatch Elder Yuan with an escort of eight puppets. Let them see what power truly looks like."
[Quest Generated: Expand Influence — Phase I]
[Objective: Recruit or subdue the western villages. Reward: 2,000 SP + Random Artifact Chest]
As the envoy departed, Jin Zhen turned to his system once more.
[Host: Jin Zhen][Realm: Core Formation (Late Stage)][SP: 2,000][Spirit Stones: 15,200][Talents: Devil's Insight, Crimson Charm, Spirit Blade Mastery][Special Physique: Abyssal Blood Furnace Body (Heaven)]
[Available SP Actions:]
Upgrade Physique Tier (Locked — Requires Nascent Soul Realm)
Unlock Passive: Puppet Command Network — 1,500 SP
Create Elite Crimson Puppet (Customizable) — 1,200 SP
He didn't hesitate.
[SP Spent: 1,500][Passive Acquired: Puppet Command Network — Puppets can operate at greater distances and synchronize tactics independently. Command efficiency increased by 200%.]
A web of crimson threads bloomed in his mind, connecting each puppet like stars in a constellation. He grinned.
Suddenly, a disciple ran up the steps. "Sect Master! A caravan of rogue cultivators requests an audience. They claim to be wandering merchants!"
"Merchants?" Jin Zhen's eyebrow rose. "Or spies?"
He descended to the main courtyard where a group of robed figures stood nervously beside a heavily loaded cart. Gold, spirit pills, and rare herbs shimmered beneath cloth coverings.
One stepped forward. "Respected Master Jin, we seek alliance. Trade. Protection."
Jin Zhen gestured slightly. Four puppets encircled them silently.
"Alliance?" he repeated. "What do you offer?"
The man pulled out a glowing jade.
"Spirit Beast Egg. Lightning-class."
Jin Zhen examined it. The egg throbbed with wild electric qi.
[Item Identified: Thunder Gale Falcon Egg — Mid-tier Spirit Beast]
Not bad.
"You may stay… under watch."
[New Trade Route Established: 10% increase in monthly Spirit Stone income]
[+1,000 SP]
Later that evening, Jin Zhen sat alone in the inner sanctum, a scroll open before him. It was one of the two high-grade techniques he'd earned previously.
[Crimson Chain Execution] — mastered.
[Blood Echo Step] — nearing mastery.
He closed his eyes, immersed in qi circulation. The Abyssal Blood Furnace roared within him, refining and purifying energy at terrifying speed. The ground beneath him cracked slightly from the pressure.
Suddenly—
[Breakthrough Detected: Late Core Formation → Peak Core Formation]
Qi burst around him like a storm, and a dome of crimson energy flared outward. In the distance, disciples looked up in awe.
[Host's Power Has Increased Significantly]
[+3,000 SP]
As the light faded, Jin Zhen's eyes snapped open. "Soon... I'll step into Nascent Soul."
He stood, cloak billowing behind him. "Prepare the sect. Tomorrow, we march on the Jade Spring Fortress."
The world had begun to tremble under the weight of the Crimson Overlord's rise.