Day 4 arrived with an unexpected announcement.
Instead of Wei Long and ice water, a formal summons arrived at Kai's door—a blood-red letter sealed with the sect's symbol.
[Formal Summons Received]
[From: Sect Administration Hall]
[All inner disciples are required to attend the Monthly Sect Assembly]
[Time: Midday]
[Location: Grand Assembly Hall]
[Attendance: Mandatory]
Kai dressed in his cleanest robes—still the black of Shadow Hall, but at least not torn or bloodstained. He met Mei Lin, Hong Wei, and Yun Xia at the dormitory entrance.
"Monthly assembly," Mei Lin explained as they walked. "It happens once a month. The Sect Master addresses all disciples, announces sect business, and sometimes... makes examples of people."
"Makes examples?" Kai asked.
"Punishments. Executions. Rewards for outstanding achievements. It's theatre, mostly. A reminder of who holds power."
They walked through the sect grounds, and for the first time, Kai truly observed the Blood Demonic Sect's layout.
The sect was massive—easily ten square kilometers. Buildings were arranged in a hierarchical pattern. At the center stood the Grand Hall, a towering structure of black stone and red pillars. Surrounding it were the Five Halls: Shadow Hall (assassination), Blood Hall (combat specialists), Poison Hall (alchemy and toxins), Formation Hall (arrays and barriers), and Administration Hall (management and resources).
Beyond those were the disciple quarters—outer sect in the far reaches, inner sect closer to the center, and core disciples with private compounds near the halls.
[Sect Map Unlocked]
[Blood Demonic Sect Territory: 10 square kilometers]
[Total Population: Approximately 3,000 disciples]
[Outer Disciples: 2,400]
[Inner Disciples: 500]
[Core Disciples: 80]
[Elders: 20]
[Hall Masters: 5]
[Sect Master: 1]
As they walked, Kai noticed the atmosphere. Disciples moved with purpose but also fear. Eyes darted constantly, watching for threats. Groups formed small clusters, protecting their own.
This wasn't a sect. It was a den of predators, each one looking for advantage.
They reached the Grand Assembly Hall. The entrance was guarded by disciples in crimson robes—Blood Hall members, their cultivation radiating power. Foundation Establishment Realm, all of them.
Inside, the hall was enormous. Thousands of disciples filed in, segregating naturally by rank. Outer disciples filled the back. Inner disciples took the middle sections. Core disciples occupied the front rows, and elders sat on elevated platforms along the sides.
Kai and his group found seats in the inner disciple section. Around them, disciples whispered and pointed. The ceremony survivors were famous—or infamous—depending on perspective.
"Look, it's the pacifist," someone muttered.
"I heard he's Master Shen Yue's new personal disciple."
"Won't last a month. Just like the others."
Kai ignored the whispers. His attention was on the front, where five thrones sat on the highest platform. Four were occupied.
[Analyzing Sect Leadership...]
To the far left sat a massive man, easily seven feet tall, with muscles that strained his robes. His aura was violent, barely contained. Blood-red qi swirled around him like smoke.
[Blood Hall Master: Zhao Tian]
[Cultivation: Core Formation Realm Level 6]
[Specialty: Berserker Combat Style]
[Threat Level: Extreme]
[Reputation: "The Blood Titan" - Known for crushing enemies with bare hands]
Next to him sat a woman who looked like she was carved from ice. Pale skin, white hair, and eyes that were completely black. She held a cup of tea, but the liquid inside was faintly green.
[Poison Hall Master: Hua Meixiu]
[Cultivation: Core Formation Realm Level 5]
[Specialty: Master Poisoner, Alchemist]
[Threat Level: Extreme]
[Reputation: "The Jade Serpent" - Killed 300 enemies at a banquet with a single poison]
The third throne held an elderly man with a long white beard, his eyes closed as if sleeping. But Kai could feel the formations woven into the very air around him—invisible but deadly.
[Formation Hall Master: Elder Feng]
[Cultivation: Core Formation Realm Level 7]
[Specialty: Formation Arrays, Spatial Manipulation]
[Threat Level: Extreme]
[Reputation: "The Seal Master" - Once trapped an entire army in a death formation]
The fourth throne belonged to Master Shen Yue, who sat with her usual cold elegance. Her silver hair seemed to absorb the torchlight, and her crimson eyes scanned the assembled disciples like a hawk evaluating prey.
The fifth throne—the center throne, larger than the others—remained empty.
"That's for the Sect Master," Mei Lin whispered. "He's always late. Likes to make an entrance."
As if summoned by her words, the hall's doors slammed shut. All torches extinguished simultaneously, plunging the hall into darkness.
Then, a single point of red light appeared at the empty throne.
It grew brighter, expanding, until it revealed a figure sitting on the throne as if he'd been there all along.
The Sect Master of the Blood Demonic Sect.
He looked young—perhaps thirty—with sharp features and long black hair tied back. His robes were pure crimson, embroidered with golden dragons that seemed to move. But it was his eyes that commanded attention. They glowed faintly red, and when his gaze swept the hall, disciples instinctively lowered their heads.
[WARNING: Extremely Powerful Cultivator Detected]
[Sect Master: Xue Yan]
[Cultivation: Nascent Soul Realm Level 3]
[Specialty: Blood Demon Arts, Soul Manipulation]
[Threat Level: ABSOLUTE - DO NOT ANTAGONIZE]
[Reputation: "The Blood Demon Emperor" - Destroyed three orthodox sects single-handedly]
[Note: System cannot fully analyze this individual - power exceeds current assessment capabilities]
Nascent Soul Realm. Three major realms above Foundation Establishment. The peak of power in the Eastern Continent.
This was a true monster.
"Disciples of the Blood Demonic Sect," Xue Yan's voice filled the hall without him raising his voice. It simply was, permeating every corner. "Another month passes. Some of you have grown stronger. Others have grown weaker. Such is the way of our sect."
He stood, and the pressure in the hall increased. Some outer disciples actually collapsed from the weight of his aura alone.
"This month, we celebrate achievements and punish failures. Blood Hall has successfully eliminated a rival sect's outpost. Zhao Tian, your disciples performed well. Twenty merit points to Blood Hall."
The massive hall master grinned savagely. "We honor the sect, Sect Master."
"Poison Hall completed a contract for the Iron Mountain Trading Company. The client was satisfied. Twenty merit points to Poison Hall."
Hua Meixiu inclined her head gracefully.
"Formation Hall has reinforced our sect's defensive arrays. The barriers are now impenetrable to anyone below Core Formation Realm. Twenty merit points to Formation Hall."
Elder Feng opened his eyes briefly and nodded.
"And Shadow Hall..." Xue Yan's gaze fell on Master Shen Yue. "Your disciples completed seventeen assassination contracts this month. Impressive efficiency. Twenty-five merit points to Shadow Hall."
Master Shen Yue smiled coldly. "Shadow Hall serves the sect's interests above all."
"Indeed." Xue Yan's attention shifted to the assembled disciples. "Now, for individual recognition. Step forward when I call your name."
"Wei Long. Shadow Hall senior disciple. Successfully completed five solo assassination missions without detection. Reward: 100 contribution points and promotion consideration."
Wei Long stood and bowed. "This disciple is honored, Sect Master."
"Ling Xiu. Shadow Hall disciple. Poisoned an enemy sect's water supply, killing thirty-seven cultivators without being discovered. Reward: 150 contribution points and a mid-grade cultivation manual."
Ling Xiu bowed.
Kai noticed her expression remained neutral, but he could sense satisfaction.
"Kai Zhang. Shadow Hall personal disciple."
Kai's heart skipped. He stood and bowed. "This disciple is present, Sect Master."
Xue Yan's glowing eyes focused on him, and Kai felt like he was being dissected. The Sect Master could probably see through every secret, every weakness.
But then Xue Yan smiled. "The pacifist who survived the Blood Moon Ceremony without killing a single opponent. Then became Master Shen Yue's personal disciple and excelled in three days of training. Interesting."
[Warning: Sect Master is analyzing you]
[Keep composure]
[Do not reveal the system]
"You have potential, Kai Zhang. I look forward to seeing how far you can go. Reward: 200 contribution points and access to the Sect Library's second floor."
"This disciple thanks the Sect Master for his generosity," Kai said, keeping his voice steady.
Xue Yan waved him to sit. The pressure lifted slightly.
The Sect Master continued calling names—rewards for successful missions, achievements in cultivation, victories in sparring tournaments.
Then the tone shifted.
"Now, for punishments."
Guards dragged forward three disciples, all beaten and bound. Their robes marked them as inner disciples.
"These three were caught stealing from the sect treasury. The penalty for them is death."
Before anyone could react, Xue Yan gestured. The three disciples' bodies exploded into red mist. No technique. No visible attack. They simply ceased to exist.
The hall was silent. Even the most hardened disciples looked pale.
"Let this be a reminder," Xue Yan said calmly. "The Blood Demonic Sect rewards strength and punishes weakness. Serve the sect well, and you will prosper. Betray the sect, and you will die."
He sat back on his throne. "There is one final announcement. In six months, the Grand Martial Tournament will be held. The Ten Great Sects and the Murim Alliance will host this event. Our sect will send representatives to demonstrate our strength."
Murmurs filled the hall. The tournament was legendary.
"Master Shen Yue will select disciples from Shadow Hall. Master Zhao will select from Blood Hall. The other halls may also nominate candidates. Those selected will receive extensive resources and training."
Xue Yan's eyes gleamed. "And the prize for this tournament is unprecedented. The Key of the Tyrant Sword Saint."
The hall erupted in shocked whispers. Even the elders looked surprised.
"The legendary key that unlocks the Tyrant Sword Saint's legacy scroll. Techniques that could elevate any cultivator to the peak of power. The orthodox sects will send their best. We will do the same."
He stood again. "Prove yourselves worthy. Show the world that the Blood Demonic Sect breeds the strongest cultivators in the continent. Dismissed."
The Sect Master vanished, his presence simply gone. The hall masters stood and left through side doors. Disciples began filing out, conversations exploding around the announcement.
Kai followed his group outside, his mind racing.
[Major Information Acquired]
[Grand Martial Tournament in 6 months]
[Prize: Key of the Tyrant Sword Saint]
[Multiple halls will send representatives]
[Competition within sect will be fierce]
"That's huge. If Shadow Hall is sending disciples, and Blood Hall too..." Hong Wei Said
"It means internal competition," Mei Lin finished. "The hall masters will push their best disciples forward. Only the strongest will be chosen."
Yun Xia looked worried.
"The orthodox sects will target anyone from our sect. We're demonic cultivators. They'll try to kill us."
"Let them try," Kai said quietly. "We'll be ready."
As they walked back toward their quarters, Kai noticed something. A figure was watching them from the shadows between buildings. When Kai looked directly, the figure vanished.
[Warning: You are being observed]
[Unknown threat detected]
[Recommendation: Increase vigilance]
The tournament announcement had changed everything. Now, the entire sect would be competing for those few representative spots.