The cold wind whispered across the mountain as Jin Zhen stood beside Xue Yan, who now lay unconscious against a tree. Her breath was shallow, her body shivering from blood loss and exhaustion. But to him, she was more than a stray survivor.
She was the foundation.
The first brick in the empire he was going to build.
[System Notification: Disciples require a cultivation path. Recommend using Beginner Manual or selecting one from the System Shop.]
[Available Manuals:]
Crimson Flame Sutra – Fire affinity boost; explosive techniques.
Frost Moon Codex – Ice affinity enhancement; defensive and ranged mastery.
Twin Yin Heart Scripture – Dual Cultivation foundation.
Jin Zhen browsed through the list.
He looked at Xue Yan's body again. Her affinity was clear.
[Frozen Moon Physique Detected — Compatible with Frost Moon Codex.]
He selected it.
[Manual Selected. Transferring to Disciple...]
A soft glow enveloped Xue Yan's body as streams of icy-blue energy flowed into her meridians. The sword wound on her shoulder slowly closed, and color returned to her cheeks.
Moments later, she stirred.
Her silver lashes fluttered.
"...You saved me?" she asked faintly, sitting up with effort.
Jin Zhen didn't answer immediately. He knelt and met her eyes.
"You were fated to die today. But I gave you a second chance."
She blinked. Her fingers trembled as she touched her healing wounds. "...Why?"
He stood.
"Because I'm starting a sect. And you'll be its first maiden."
A pause.
Then, a laugh—weak, bitter. "You're joking. I'm... no one. My old sect abandoned me. I'm just a failure with a cursed body."
Jin Zhen's voice was calm, but chilling.
"Then they're fools. That body of yours is one in a hundred million. And those who discarded you? I'll destroy them."
He extended his hand.
"Swear loyalty to me, Xue Yan. And I promise you—no one will ever step on you again."
She stared.
This man... he wasn't righteous. His gaze was too cold. Too commanding.
But his words stirred something buried deep within her broken heart.
She took his hand.
"I swear. As your disciple... and as the first of your Crimson Sect."
[System Notification: Loyalty increased to 59%. Admiration increased to 23%.]
[Bond Perk Unlocked: Shared Cultivation – 5% EXP boost to both Master and Disciple.]
Jin Zhen turned, cloak billowing behind him.
"Then follow me. We'll find a base soon. A real one."
Suddenly—
[World Notification: Sect Registered — Crimson Sect.][Current Rank: Mortal-Tier Sect (1 disciple)]
[Next Rank: Earth-Tier (Requires 5 disciples + Sect Grounds)]
[Rewards for Advancement: System Feature Unlocks, Shop Expansion, Recruitment Boost]
He smirked.
So the system recognized official formation now.
Then came another message:
[Hidden Mission Unlocked — The First Five Maidens]Objective: Recruit 5 female disciples within 7 days.Reward: Rare Physique Draw Ticket, System Feature: Crimson Core Formation.
He raised an eyebrow. That sounded useful.
But first... shelter.
He led Xue Yan deeper into the forest, following remnants of spiritual energy and broken ruins. A few hours later, they found a forgotten valley, ringed by cliffs and protected by dense fog. A natural barrier.
There, buried beneath vines and moss, stood a crumbling temple with old sigils carved into its walls.
[System Analysis: Structure recognized. Suitable for temporary Sect Grounds. Upgradeable.]
[Do you wish to claim this location as your Sect Base?]
"Yes."
[Crimson Sect Base Established — Temporary Rank: Low.]
[Function Unlocked: Sect Management]
A mini interface opened before him:
————————————————————
Crimson SectLeader: Jin Zhen
Disciples: 1 (Xue Yan)
Sect Rank: Mortal (Low)
Resources: 0
Facilities: Ruined Temple, Meditation Stone, Cold Spring (Unclaimed)————————————————————
He looked around.
It was nothing now.
But one day... it would be a fortress feared across the heavens.
Jin Zhen walked to the stone altar in the center. There, he found an old, dusty scroll locked under a seal. As he touched it—
[Legacy Fragment Detected. Requires System Points to unlock: 150 SP.]
He had just 100 SP.
"Tch. Not enough."
He turned to Xue Yan, who sat cross-legged, meditating with the Frost Moon Codex. Cold mist surrounded her, and faint runes danced on her skin.
The system glowed again.
[New Recruitment Target Located: 6 km west. Potential disciple: High.][Do you wish to investigate?]
He grinned.
"Of course."