Smoke rose from the heart of the mountain as the newly reactivated Hellfire Chamber pulsed with ancient energy. The once-abandoned forge began to glow with a warm crimson light, resonating with the sect's rebirth.
Jin Zhen stood before the Flame Spirit Forge, bare-chested, his body marked with spiritual arrays etched in ink and blood. The heat of the chamber didn't faze him—in fact, he drew strength from it.
[System Notification: Flame Spirit Forge Operational][Available Materials: Spirit-Iron x20, Fire Quartz x5, Obsidian Ash x2][Function: Craft Tier-1 Equipment (Flame-aligned)]
"Let's begin," he whispered.
He raised his hand and swept the available materials into the array.
[Crafting Initiated: Crimson Core Bracers — Tier-1][Estimated Completion Time: 2 hours]
Lan Yuer entered the forge chamber, eyes still wary since the vision in the trial.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked.
Jin Zhen didn't look up. "We can't protect this sect without weapons. The enemies we face… they won't wait."
"I wasn't talking about the forge," she said. "That specter said I'd betray you."
He finally glanced at her, firelight reflecting in his sharp eyes.
"Then prove it wrong," he said calmly. "With actions, not words."
She nodded silently and left, fists clenched.
—
Outside the chamber, Yun Mei trained with Xue Yan, sweat beading their brows as they cycled their qi. The spiritual garden nearby had flourished overnight, glowing with vitality.
"I still can't believe Master tends to plants," Xue Yan muttered.
"It's part of his plan," Yun Mei replied. "Everything he does has purpose."
Xue Yan paused. "You like him."
Yun Mei's eyes narrowed. "And if I do?"
Xue Yan looked away. "Just… be careful. Attachment makes us vulnerable."
—
Later that night, the disciples gathered in the central hall.
Jin Zhen placed the newly forged Crimson Core Bracers on the stone table. They glowed faintly with inscriptions.
"For you," he said, handing them to Lan Yuer.
She blinked. "Why me?"
"Because you carry lightning, and these bracers were forged to endure it."
[Item Equipped: Crimson Core Bracers — Tier-1]
[Passive Effect: +12% Lightning Resistance | +10% Flame Affinity | Flame Rebound Shield — Activates at 20% HP]
Lan Yuer's fingers trembled slightly as she strapped them on.
"They feel... alive."
"They are," Jin Zhen said. "And we'll craft more. One for each of you."
[System Notification: Sect Armory Function Unlocked][New Crafting Options Available: Armor Sets, Spirit Weapons, Defensive Arrays][Next Objective: Recruit Blacksmith Disciple or Unlock Auto-Forge]
Suddenly, the earth quaked. The disciples looked toward the eastern ridge.
From the clouds, a black airship descended—silent, deadly, and marked with the sigil of the Iron Veil Sect.
Jin Zhen's eyes narrowed.
"They're early."
A voice echoed from a distance:
"Crimson Overlord! By decree of the Alliance, surrender your sect and disciples—or face annihilation!"
Xue Yan's face paled. "We're not ready for a war."
Jin Zhen's voice was quiet but firm. "Then we buy time."
He turned to Yun Mei. "Prepare the illusions."
To Xue Yan: "Reinforce the barriers."
To Lan Yuer: "You're with me."
[System Notification: Emergency Defense Protocol Activated][Bonus Objective: Survive First Contact with the Iron Veil Scouts — Reward: Hidden Technique Scroll + 200 SP]
As torches lit the walls and preparations began, Jin Zhen walked to the top of the main tower, cloak billowing.
Below, the black ship hovered menacingly, a battalion of armored cultivators waiting aboard.
He extended his hand.
From the sky, crimson lightning cracked.
And the world trembled.