The low rumble of the mountain range echoed as Jin Zhen stood at the peak of the newly-claimed Skyroot Ridge. The morning sun bathed the desolate terrain in a golden hue, yet the ground below was anything but serene.
Broken rocks, scorched earth, and the faint smell of charred spiritual beasts lingered after his battle with the [Flame-Horned Hydra]. Jin Zhen's black and crimson robes fluttered in the rising wind, streaked with cuts that had already begun stitching themselves together due to the regenerative effects of his [Devilforged Body — Bronze Layer].
He lifted his hand. A glimmer of green spiritual energy pulsed from his palm.
[SP Detected: 6700]
[Use 1500 SP to activate: Earthbinding Genesis Technique?]
[Y/N]
"Yes."
The moment he accepted, an emerald glow burst from beneath his feet, spreading like roots across the terrain. The desolate mountaintop trembled as spiritual vines erupted from the soil, twisting through ruined stone and ash.
Within seconds, the destroyed battlefield had transformed. Thick vines wrapped around cracked cliffs, and jade-green grass spread over what was once a burned wasteland.
The disciples behind him gasped.
"S-Sect Master turned the mountain fertile in one breath!"
"Even the sect's farming elders can't do this!"
Their awe pleased him. But Jin Zhen remained still, his mind wandering far from their praise. He wasn't doing this for worship.
He was laying foundations.
"Elder Mu," he called without turning.
A robed man bowed deeply. "Yes, Sect Master?"
"Bring the Seeds of the Thousand Bloom Vine. I want this ridge transformed into a medicinal cultivation valley within seven days."
"Yes!"
As Elder Mu retreated to relay orders, Jin Zhen finally sat down atop a smooth boulder. He took a long breath.
The [Crimson Overlord System] buzzed to life in his mind.
[Host: Jin Zhen]
[Realm: Late Nascent Soul]
[Physique: Devilforged Body – Bronze Layer]
[SP: 5200]
[Talent Tier: Heaven-Grade (Awakened)]
[Unique Traits: Infernal Charisma, Seed of Tyranny, Crimson Nexus]
[Followers: 243 disciples | 11 Elders | 1 Core Beast Spirit (Azure-Flame Leopard)]
[Assets: 89,000 Medium-grade Spirit Stones | 210 Low-grade Spirit Stones | 1 High-grade Artifact]
[Notoriety: Infamous — Three Sects have marked you for observation.]
He frowned slightly at the last line. "Observation" was often a prelude to assassination.
But no matter. He welcomed it.
"Let them come," he muttered with a faint smirk. "A little chaos is long overdue."
Just then, soft footsteps approached. He didn't need to look — he recognized the scent of lavender and steel.
It was Yan Rui, his personal guard.
"My Lord," she said, voice low. "Our scouts spotted a group of rogue cultivators near the river valley. Their leader wears the robes of the Cloudfire Sect."
Jin Zhen's eyes narrowed. "So the cowards finally crawl out of their burrow."
He stood slowly. "How many?"
"Seventeen. Twelve Qi Condensation, four Foundation Establishment, and one Core Formation — the leader."
"Too weak to challenge me. But perfect for a message."
Yan Rui bowed. "Shall I gather the enforcers?"
He shook his head. "No. This is personal."
He vanished in a blur of black smoke.
—---
The Cloudfire Sect rogues didn't even see him coming.
One moment, they were laughing over stolen spirit fruits by the river.
The next, a spear of crimson lightning tore through the leader's chest, pinning him to a tree. Blood sizzled on impact.
The remaining sixteen stared in horror as Jin Zhen emerged from the mist, his crimson eyes glowing, spear in hand.
"No questions?" he asked lightly. "Good."
He raised his hand again.
[Activate: Crimson Lotus Hellfire? Cost: 800 SP]
[Y/N]
"Yes."
The earth erupted in flames. Crimson lotus petals danced in the air, burning the very spiritual essence of those they touched. Within seconds, screams filled the valley — and then silence.
Jin Zhen stood amidst the carnage, unharmed, and turned to the last survivor, a young cultivator barely sixteen.
The boy trembled. "P-please…"
"You chose the wrong master," Jin Zhen said.
He tapped his foot. A chain of spiritual iron rose from the ground, binding the boy's limbs.
"I need someone to carry a message."
—---
Hours later, Jin Zhen returned to the sect.
At the gates, Elder Mu was waiting. "Sect Master! We've planted the vines as ordered, and the first shoots are sprouting!"
"Good," Jin Zhen replied. "Double their cultivation rate with the leftover beast cores."
"And the… Cloudfire problem?"
"Handled. One survivor is heading back to their Sect as we speak."
Mu blinked. "You left one alive?"
"I want them to know fear before they act."
He looked at the young disciples training nearby, some barely thirteen. They needed more time. Jin Zhen had no intention of letting his seedlings be ripped from the ground before they bloomed.
He would buy that time — with blood if necessary.
—---
That evening, inside the Sect Hall, a gathering of Elders met beneath hanging lanterns of spirit fire.
Jin Zhen stood at the center, his voice cold.
"The coming months will not be peaceful. Three sects are watching us. Two of them have already begun probing attacks."
"What do you suggest, Sect Master?" asked Elder Zhang.
"I suggest we make them regret it."
He waved his hand.
A scroll unrolled, revealing a map of the region. Red markings circled multiple locations — border towns, minor resource points, and small sects.
"These places are weak. But they're rich. And more importantly, they serve our enemies."
He stabbed the map with a finger. "I want strikes on all three in the next two weeks."
Elder Mu hesitated. "Won't this provoke outright war?"
"We're already at war. Only they don't know it yet."
The room fell into silence.
Then, Elder Yun chuckled. "Heh. The devil wears crimson indeed."
Jin Zhen smirked.
[SP +500 — Fear Accumulation]
[SP +1000 — Sect Loyalty Boosted]
[SP +250 — Reputation: Tyrant of the Ridge]
He turned and walked out, satisfied.
Outside, the night was calm. The stars above shone like watchful eyes.
Jin Zhen stood beneath them, his crimson robes fluttering.
"Soon," he whispered. "This land will kneel."