The dawn crept slowly over the Bloodshade Peaks, bathing the misty sect in a crimson glow. Jin Zhen stood atop the highest terrace of the Crimson Hall, his long black robes fluttering gently in the wind. Below, disciples moved about like ants, tending to the newly cultivated fields, repairing buildings, and training in the courtyards with renewed vigor. His sect—once a forgotten relic—now pulsed with life, wealth, and a silent threat to the region.
Jin Zhen's arms were crossed behind his back. His eyes glowed with a faint crimson hue, filled with amusement.
"[System Notification: You have accumulated 1,000,000 Spirit Stones. Status: Wealthy.]"
"[SP Points: +1500 for Sect Development, Agricultural Infrastructure, and Improved Living Conditions.]"
"[New Feature Unlocked: Sect Storehouse (Upgradeable)]"
He grinned slightly.
"So even planting a few potatoes and fixing roofs makes the system happy," he muttered. "Good. Let's see what else I can milk out of you."
Behind him, Elder Mo approached, his expression grave.
"Master Jin, the scouts have returned from the eastern border. Three sects are mobilizing forces. They've noticed our rise."
Jin Zhen didn't even flinch. "Let them come. We'll welcome them with a smile—and then bury them with a sword."
He turned and walked down the steps, past lines of disciples bowing deeply. At the base of the terrace, his newest recruit—a boy named Yuan Bao—was directing spirit beasts to plow fields with startling coordination.
"Yuan Bao," Jin Zhen called.
The boy scrambled over and bowed. "Yes, Sect Master?"
"You have a talent. I'll appoint you head of Agricultural Affairs. Triple the food output by next month. Use the beasts, use formations, use slaves if you have to. Understood?"
Yuan Bao's eyes lit up. "Yes, Sect Master!"
The system chimed again:
"[Quest Complete: Empower Mortal Infrastructure – Bonus SP: +200]"
"[New Ability Unlocked: Demonic Earth Qi Conversion (Converts soil to high-yield spiritual farmland). Cost: 500 SP]"
Jin Zhen activated the ability without hesitation.
The ground below shimmered, pulsing with dark red veins as the soil transformed before everyone's eyes into rich, black spiritual earth. Crops visibly grew inches in minutes, and a faint spiritual aroma filled the air.
The disciples cheered. Yuan Bao looked like he'd seen a god.
"Back to work," Jin Zhen barked. "Praise doesn't grow rice."
He turned to Elder Mo again. "How many mid-tier alchemists do we have?"
"Seven, Sect Master."
"Make it twenty. Pay double the market rate. If they hesitate, show them our treasury. If they still hesitate—remind them of what happened to the Bone Shatter Sect."
"Yes, Sect Master."
As Elder Mo departed to carry out his orders, Jin Zhen pulled up his internal status:
[Name: Jin Zhen]
[Title: Crimson Overlord, Evil Sect Master]
[Cultivation: Late Nascent Soul (Peak)]
[Physique: Demonic Void Body – Tier: Mythical (Enhanced Recovery, Corrupt Qi Affinity, Pain Immunity)]
[Talent: Boundless Black Flame – Grade: Forbidden Heaven-Tier]
[SP: 6700]
[Current Assets: 1,200,000 Spirit Stones, 7 High-Grade Spirit Mines, 3 Alchemy Labs, 2 Artifact Forges]
[Sect Rank: Mid-Tier Ascendant Sect]
[Followers: 243 disciples (12 Core, 61 Inner, 170 Outer)]
[Notoriety: Rising Threat (3 nearby sects have taken notice)]
[Quests: Cultivate Power, Expand Territory, Crush Competition]
Jin Zhen smiled as he dismissed the panel. Everything was falling into place.
---
Meanwhile…
Far beyond the Bloodshade Peaks, within a fortified pavilion in the Cloudmist Sect, a council of elders gathered.
"Crimson Overlord? That upstart was a vagrant a few months ago!" spat Elder Wen.
Another elder stroked his beard grimly. "He's consolidated land, wealth, and power rapidly. Even worse, he's raising crops with spiritual essence. That could disrupt our markets."
"Markets?!" Elder Xiu snarled. "He's building an army!"
Sect Leader Qian narrowed his eyes. "We'll send an emissary. If he bows his head and shares his gains—we leave him be."
"And if he refuses?"
"Then the Crimson Overlord must bleed."
---
Back at the Crimson Sect
In the inner training grounds, Jin Zhen stood before six disciples. Each was adorned in new crimson robes, holding high-grade weapons forged in their own forge.
"You six," Jin Zhen said, "will be my Crimson Fangs. From now on, you're my eyes and hands in this world."
One of them, a woman named Lian, spoke up. "Sect Master, we would follow you into hell."
Jin Zhen smirked. "Let's start with the Mistblade Sect instead. They've got a spirit herb garden I want."
Lian's eyes glowed. "As you command."
---
That night, under the blood moon, Jin Zhen stood alone in his chamber. He pulled out a black scroll—a secret map taken from an ancient ruin.
The map glowed faintly, showing the location of an ancient relic: The Eye of the Abyss.
"System," he said aloud. "Can I unlock it?"
"[Analyzing… The Eye of the Abyss is a sealed god-tier artifact. Unsealing requires: Ancient Demonic Blood, 10,000 SP, and Abyssal Core Crystal.]"
"And where's the Core Crystal?"
"[Located beneath the Fallen Sky Ruins – guarded by Beast King: Abyss Wyrm (Heaven-Tier)]."
Jin Zhen chuckled. "Then it seems I need a pet."