Chapter 6: First Contact
The forest ended in silence.
After weeks of solitude, Lin Tian stepped out from beneath the last line of trees and stood at the edge of an open valley. The air beyond smelled of smoke and civilization. Faint voices echoed from far away—shouts, laughter, and the ringing clash of steel.
He paused, eyes narrowing slightly.
A sect outpost.
The valley stretched for miles, dotted with spirit grass and glowing stones. At its center stood a small defensive camp surrounded by wooden barricades and banners painted with crimson runes. Disciples moved in formation, their robes bearing the sigil of the *Scarlet Cloud Sect*.
Lin Tian's gaze sharpened. "A third-rate sect," he murmured, sensing their energy flow. "Weak, but organized."
[Ding! New Sign-In location discovered: Scarlet Cloud Outpost.]
[Reward: Spirit Weapon — 'Silent Sky Blade'.]
A silver light flashed before him. A sword formed out of pure energy and solidified in his grasp. It was elegant—thin, curved, and silent, its blade humming with restrained power.
He gave it a casual swing. The air split, and a distant mountain boulder cracked cleanly in half.
Lin Tian nodded in approval. "Acceptable."
His presence had not gone unnoticed. Several disciples near the camp turned toward him, sensing the sudden surge of spiritual pressure that rolled like a storm.
One of them, a young man with a short sword and proud expression, stepped forward. "You there! Identify yourself! This area belongs to the Scarlet Cloud Sect!"
Lin Tian's gaze drifted lazily toward him. "And?"
The man blinked, caught off guard. "And… you're trespassing! If you don't leave, we'll—"
Before he finished, Lin Tian's aura flared.
It wasn't an attack. Just a ripple of spiritual energy. Yet the air distorted, and every disciple within a hundred meters fell to their knees as if gravity had suddenly multiplied tenfold.
The leader coughed blood instantly. "Y-you… who are you?!"
Lin Tian didn't answer. He simply walked forward, each step echoing like a drumbeat.
His Silent Sky Blade shimmered faintly at his side, its edge slicing stray leaves that drifted near him.
By the time he passed through their barricade, none dared move. The camp fell silent except for the sound of crackling torches and heavy breathing.
Lin Tian stopped before a large stone tablet marked *Outpost Command Pavilion*. His eyes briefly flickered.
[Ding! Hidden Sign-In location discovered: Command Pavilion.]
[Reward: Advanced System Feature — World Map (Sealed until Foundation Realm).]
A faint smile appeared on his lips. "Now this is interesting."
He turned to leave, but a tremor shook the ground.
From the sky above, streaks of crimson light descended—more disciples, far stronger, flying on spirit swords. Their robes bore golden embroidery, marking them as *inner sect* elites.
One of them—a woman—hovered in midair, her aura steady but fierce. Long black hair flowed behind her like silk, and her eyes shone with sharp intelligence.
"Who dares attack a Scarlet Cloud outpost?" she demanded coldly.
Lin Tian raised his head, his expression calm, voice steady as stone.
"Attack? If I wanted that," he said quietly, "there wouldn't be anything left to defend."
The woman's eyes widened slightly as the ground around him cracked under invisible pressure.
In that moment, the Scarlet Cloud Sect met the man who would one day make the heavens themselves tremble.
*To be continued...*