The morning mist hung thick over the ruined valley. Birds remained silent, as if they sensed the presence of something beyond the natural order. Jin Zhen stood at the edge of the spring nestled behind the temple ruins, arms folded, watching the reflection of the misty sky ripple across the water.
Xue Yan sat in deep meditation nearby, her cultivation advancing faster than expected. The [Frost Moon Codex] pulsed softly with light, and thin strands of spiritual energy coiled around her like snowy serpents.
[System Notification: Disciple's cultivation base increased to Mid Qi Condensation Stage.]
[Shared EXP gained: +35 SP.]
Jin Zhen smirked. "So she's absorbing qi at that pace, huh?"
He checked his own status.
[Host: Jin Zhen]
[Level: Qi Condensation - Peak]
[SP: 135]
[Physique: Crimson Overlord Body (Dormant - 5% awakened)]
[Talent: Heaven-Destroying Seed (Grade: Unranked)]
Soon, he'd break through.
But he wanted something else first: a test.
[System Notification: Potential Disciple detected — Female cultivator, Minor Clan, Affinity: Lightning. Distance: 5.8 km west. Estimated power: Early Foundation Establishment.]
Foundation Establishment?
Interesting.
He turned to Xue Yan. "Stay here. Meditate. Guard the base."
"Yes, Master." Her voice was calm, eyes still closed.
Without another word, he leapt into the trees.
—
Five kilometers away, a clearing pulsed with pressure.
Lan Yuer — a young woman dressed in indigo robes embroidered with lightning arcs — stood surrounded by three armored cultivators. Her breathing was shallow, her blade chipped, and blood ran down her lip.
"You dare turn down our invitation to the Silver Pike Sect?" one of the attackers growled.
"I don't join dogs," Lan Yuer spat.
She lunged again, body crackling with electricity, but she was outnumbered and exhausted. Her sword met a heavy axe mid-air—and broke.
The axe fell toward her skull—
—and stopped mid-swing.
A single black boot had landed on the attacker's weapon.
"What—?!"
Jin Zhen appeared like a ghost.
"Three Foundation disciples ganging up on one girl. What noble sect behavior."
One of them barked, "Who the hell are you?"
He didn't reply.
He just waved his hand.
[Skill Activated: Crimson Tyrant Palm - First Form]
A wave of blood-red force surged forward like a tidal wave. All three cultivators were blasted backward, crashing into the trees.
[System Notification: +60 SP.]
Lan Yuer blinked. "You saved me?"
He turned to her.
"No. I saved my future disciple."
Her brows furrowed. "...What are you talking about?"
He stepped closer.
"I'm Jin Zhen. Sect Master of the Crimson Sect. I'll offer you power, resources, protection... and vengeance, if you swear loyalty."
Lan Yuer narrowed her eyes.
She was proud. From a lightning cultivation clan, raised to believe in independence. But those men would've killed her.
And this man's aura… was monstrous.
[System Notification: Lightning Vein Constitution Detected — Compatibility: 92%]
He offered his hand.
"Your decision, Miss Lan. You can crawl through the mud alone. Or rise above the clouds at my side."
Silence.
Then she clasped his wrist.
"Fine. I'll follow you. But I won't bow like a slave."
"I don't need slaves. I need monsters."
[System Notification: Disciple Accepted — Lan Yuer.][Loyalty: 46%. Caution: 32%. Respect: 18%.]
[System Reward: +50 SP | New Physique Bonded: Lightning Vein Amplifier]
[Shared Cultivation Boost: Activated between Master and Disciple.]
As she followed him back to the valley, a new message appeared:
[Quest Progress: 2/5 Maidens Recruited.][Bonus Objective: Recruit a Dual Cultivation Physique within 72 hours for +1 Legendary Draw.]
He smirked.
"Well then. Let's hunt down another talent."
And with two powerful disciples and a sect ground awakening, the Crimson Sect's shadow began to stretch across the land.