The first light of dawn washed the valley in golden hues, casting long shadows across the Crimson Cloud Sect's blooming spirit fields. Dew glistened on jade-colored leaves, and birds with bright plumes chirped melodies from atop the fortified bamboo walls. The sect, now more of a small city than a mere stronghold, bustled with quiet activity even at this early hour.
At the center of it all stood Jin Zhen, his arms behind his back as he overlooked a vast training ground from the high balcony of his grand pavilion.
The morning air was crisp, yet warm energy radiated from the spiritual formation pulsing beneath the sect. With a soft hum, it transferred spiritual essence across the land, nourishing both the crops and the cultivation paths of the sect's disciples.
A small notification flickered in the corner of his vision.
[System Notice: Cultivation progress stabilized across all disciples.]
[SP accrued from subordinate breakthroughs: + 1,240 SP.]
[Total SP: 9,810]
[Reminder: Host may now unlock a Tier II Sect Upgrade.]
Jin Zhen grinned.
"Perfect timing."
A knock came at the door.
"Sect Master, may we enter?" It was Yue Ling, accompanied by Su Rou and Bai Huan.
"You may," he replied, turning as the trio entered.
Yue Ling's silver eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "The new irrigation system has been a success. The spiritual wheat has increased yield by nearly thirty percent. Elder Xian even claimed a single stalk helped him breakthrough to Core Formation."
Jin Zhen nodded. "Good. The more prosperous our land becomes, the more stable our foundation will be."
Su Rou added with a laugh, "We've also started distributing spirit herb-enriched meals to the outer disciples. Their energy levels have increased, though… they're eating a lot more now."
"Let them eat," Jin Zhen said casually. "If they're growing, they'll repay that investment with loyalty and strength."
Bai Huan gave a quick report, "Construction of the new refinery and talisman workshop is ahead of schedule. By next month, we'll be producing low-tier spirit-grade artifacts internally."
Jin Zhen's eyes sparkled with satisfaction.
"My Crimson Cloud Sect… soon we'll be more than just a hidden faction in the Southern Wastes."
He opened the system interface.
[Available SP: 9,810]
[Upgrade Options:
— Sect Pill Pavilion (Tier II): 4,000 SP
— Formation Hall (Tier II): 4,500 SP
— Spirit Beast Stable (Tier II): 6,000 SP
— Heavenly Array Expansion (Passive Realm Growth): 9,000 SP
— Host Power Boost (Temporary, +1 Realm for 6 hours): 2,500 SP]
He smirked. "Time to invest."
He tapped two selections.
[Heavenly Array Expansion: Activated.]
[SP -9,000 | Remaining SP: 810]
A surge of energy burst from the ground, shaking the entire sect. Towers flickered with golden light, defensive wards expanded, and invisible layers of energy spread like a dome across the valley. Jin Zhen's eyes narrowed as he felt his own domain expand with it.
"Now," he muttered, "we're one step closer to sovereignty."
---
Meanwhile, deep within the Southern Wastes—
A sect master in violet robes stared at a shimmering jade tablet. His eyes twitched.
"Again?! The Crimson Cloud Sect's territory just expanded again?! How…? They were insects just a few months ago."
A robed elder behind him muttered, "Sect Master, this growth rate… it defies logic. Our spies reported that their cultivation methods are otherworldly—fast, efficient, but clean. There's no backlash. They say their disciples meditate on farms."
"Farms?" The Sect Master nearly spat out blood. "They're farming enlightenment?!"
---
Back at Crimson Cloud Sect, Jin Zhen was holding an impromptu assembly at the central courtyard.
Hundreds of disciples lined the plaza. Rows upon rows of robed cultivators stood at attention, their eyes focused on their leader.
"You have done well," Jin Zhen declared, his voice echoing across the courtyard. "Each of you has played a role in raising this sect to new heights. You will be rewarded—not only with pills and techniques, but with opportunities to reach the heavens."
The disciples cheered.
He turned to the senior disciples. "Zhao Fan, step forward."
A burly youth with glowing red tattoos across his arms stepped up and bowed.
"You've broken into the Late Core Formation realm. From today on, you are an Inner Guardian of the Sect. You will lead the Crimson Blades division."
Zhao Fan's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Sect Master!"
"Yue Ling. Su Rou. Bai Huan. As of this moment, I am promoting you to my personal council. You are to oversee cultivation, logistics, and external affairs respectively."
Yue Ling gave a radiant smile, while Su Rou crossed her arms smugly. Bai Huan just nodded with sharp military precision.
"But there is no time to relax," Jin Zhen said, his tone suddenly sharper. "Enemies gather in the shadows. I have received word of sects forming alliances. They wish to crush us before we become a true force."
Whispers erupted among the crowd.
"I say let them come," Jin Zhen said coldly. "We shall face them not as prey, but as predators. From today forward, we begin preparations for our first outer operation. A raid on the Black Sun Syndicate."
Gasps.
Yue Ling's brows rose. "You mean the black-market cultivator cartel based in Jade Serpent Marsh?"
"Exactly," Jin Zhen replied. "We'll strike fast. Take their spirit mine, their herb stores, and any cultivation slaves they're exploiting."
Su Rou licked her lips. "How delightful."
He turned back to the disciples. "Prepare yourselves. In five days, we march."
---
That evening, Jin Zhen sat alone in his meditation chamber.
He opened his status screen.
[Name: Jin Zhen]
[Title: Crimson Overlord]
[Realm: Early Nascent Soul]
[Physique: Supreme Crimson Vessel (Divine Grade)]
[Talent: Transcendent Class]
[SP: 810]
[Skills: Crimson Flame Art (Stage 5), Demon Bloom Palm (Stage 4), Heaven's Dominance Eye (Stage 2)]
[Sect Rank: Bronze-High]
[Territory Controlled: 3 km² (Spiritual Quality: B+)]
[Followers: 243 Core Disciples, 980 Outer Disciples, 40 Elders]
[Wealth: 13,000 Mid-grade Spirit Stones, 220 High-grade Stones]
He tapped on his inventory.
[System Item Available:
— Crimson Heaven Token (Summon Tier-1 Guardian for 10 minutes, Cooldown: 72 hours)
— Cultivation Seed of the Spirit Sovereign (Unplanted)]
He eyed the cultivation seed.
"I wonder… what happens if I plant you in our spirit field now that we've upgraded?"
A mischievous grin crossed his face.
"Let's find out."
---
The next morning, the disciples awoke to find a patch of glowing golden light in the center of the herb field. Jin Zhen stood nearby, one hand pressed to the soil as the seed vanished into the ground.
From the planted seed, a tendril of spiritual energy burst forth, weaving itself into the land like living lightning. Trees swayed. Spirit beasts bowed. The earth trembled.
"From this soil, a new foundation will rise," Jin Zhen whispered.
And far, far away—beyond mountains and sea—a slumbering existence opened its ancient eye.
It had felt… a ripple.
A birth of something Sovereign.