Night fell over the Crimson Valley, but no one slept. The air was thick with tension as the disciples of the newly reborn sect moved like shadows, following Jin Zhen's precise instructions.
Above them, the Iron Veil Sect's black airship hovered like a vulture, its lanterns casting long beams of light into the valley. Dozens of cultivators clad in obsidian armor stood poised at its edge, awaiting the order to descend.
In the Grand Hall, Jin Zhen leaned over the central map table, hands clasped behind his back.
"Their envoy will demand submission," he said flatly. "They'll give us a chance to kneel. And when we refuse... they'll attack."
Xue Yan frowned. "Their numbers are greater. Their cultivation averages higher than ours."
"They expect fear. They expect disarray," Jin Zhen replied. "So we'll give them illusion and unity instead."
[System Notification: Tactical Formation Interface Activated][Command Option: Deploy 'Ember Mirage Array' — Cost: 45 SP | Status: READY][Deploy Now?]
"Yes," Jin Zhen whispered.
[Ember Mirage Array Deployed — Estimated Confusion Rating: 87%]
Bright red sigils ignited across the valley floor, slowly forming the illusion of thousands of armed disciples, each with burning crimson eyes. From the sky, it would look like the Crimson Sect had returned in full force.
—
At the entrance of the sect, a wide path carved between two jagged peaks, Lan Yuer, now clad in the newly forged Crimson Core Bracers, waited with Yun Mei and Xue Yan. Behind them, the remaining disciples lined up with calm determination.
"They're moving," Yun Mei said, eyes glowing faintly violet. "The envoy's descending."
A bright flare fell from the ship and struck the ground like a meteor. When the dust cleared, a single man stood among the impact crater — tall, narrow-eyed, with a hooked scar across his mouth.
His voice rang out:
"By decree of Sect Master Da Qian of the Iron Veil Sect, this territory is to be absorbed! Relinquish all claim, and your disciples will be spared!"
No one moved.
Jin Zhen stepped forward, his crimson cloak trailing behind him.
"I am Jin Zhen, Master of the Crimson Sect. This valley is ours — as it has always been."
The envoy sneered. "A fallen sect led by a nobody. I'll drag your corpse before Da Qian myself."
Jin Zhen's smile was faint. "You can try."
[System Notification: Duel Challenge Accepted — Envoy of the Iron Veil Sect vs. Jin Zhen]
[Combat Rating: Jin Zhen (Intermediate Foundation Realm) vs. Envoy (Late Foundation Realm)][Advantage: 23% in favor of Opponent]
The envoy drew a curved saber glowing with poisonous green qi. "Let's see if you're worth killing."
Jin Zhen didn't move at first. Then, slowly, he extended his right hand.
[Skill Activated: Crimson Flame — Sixth Form: Void Combustion Grip]
A flash of heat swept the area. The rocks beneath his feet blackened. The air shimmered with lethal intensity.
The envoy struck first, his saber flashing with blinding speed.
Jin Zhen stepped aside, his cloak untouched, and slammed his palm against the envoy's chest.
The explosion shook the mountains.
The envoy's armor cracked and splintered. He staggered back, coughing blood.
"Impossible—"
Jin Zhen closed the distance, his left hand forming a blazing spear from pure flame.
He struck.
The envoy flew backward into the cliff wall, impaled, the rock behind him scorched black.
[System Alert: Victory Achieved — Enemy Combatant Neutralized][+150 SP | Skill Mastery Increased: Void Combustion Grip (Lvl 2)][Loot Acquired: Iron Veil Token | Mid-Tier Spirit Saber]
Gasps filled the ranks of both sides.
The airship above hesitated.
Then, a second voice rang out from it — cold and amused.
"Well done... Crimson Overlord."
A figure dropped from the ship. She was beautiful, in a venomous sort of way — long black hair braided in gold wire, eyes like polished obsidian, robes inlaid with the Iron Veil's blood sigil.
"Elder Lin Qiruo," Xue Yan said, face paling. "She's... Core Formation Realm."
Jin Zhen's eyes narrowed.
But the woman didn't attack. Instead, she landed softly on the grass and bowed mockingly.
"I bear no orders to destroy you — yet. Sect Master Da Qian wishes... negotiation."
"Does he?"
She nodded. "He offers alliance. Or... temporary neutrality, in exchange for one thing."
Jin Zhen didn't blink. "And what's that?"
She smiled darkly. "Your Flame Spirit Forge."
Silence.
Yun Mei's grip on her sword tightened.
Lan Yuer looked to Jin Zhen.
He stepped forward, eyes like burning steel.
"My forge belongs to the Crimson Sect. No one else."
Elder Lin sighed. "A shame. Still, we'll watch. If you survive the next few months... perhaps we'll speak again."
With a wave of her hand, the airship slowly began to ascend.
But her parting words were a whisper wrapped in venom:
"Beware, Overlord. The game has begun — and you are not the only one rising from ashes."
—
As the ship vanished into the clouds, Jin Zhen turned to his disciples.
"No more hiding. No more building in silence."
He raised his hand high. Crimson fire burst into the sky.
"From today onward — the Crimson Sect rises!"
[System Notification: Public Status Revealed — Crimson Sect Now Visible on Regional Cultivation Map][New Quests Available: Recruit Outer Disciples | Upgrade Sect Defenses | Expand Spiritual Garden | Seek Ally Sects][Bonus Objective: Host Sect Tournament in 14 Days — Reward: ???]
From every corner of the valley, the flames answered.
And far beyond, in places of shadow and glory, other sects took notice.
The Crimson Overlord had declared war on mediocrity — and the world would burn before it stopped him.