The days grew colder.
Wind cut through the outer sect like a blade. Disciples wrapped themselves in extra robes, whispered darker rumors, and watched their backs more closely than ever.
Because one of them had fallen.
Liang Cheng's disappearance wasn't mourned. Only feared.
He was strong. Cruel. Well-connected.
And yet—he was gone.
And no one knew how.
Or rather... no one dared ask.
Lin Shen, still wearing the name Mo Fan, moved through the sect grounds like a shadow. Quiet. Unassuming. Invisible.
But not unnoticed.
> **[Reputation Among Outer Disciples: +5 (Cautious Respect)]**
> **[Reputation Among Potential Enemies: +3 (Emerging Threat)]**
He didn't like the second one.
Attention was dangerous.
It meant people were watching.
It meant someone—somewhere—was preparing a knife.
So he decided to strike first.
---
**—Seven Days Later—**
"Mo Fan. Report."
Lin Shen stood in front of the Disciplinary Hall. He bowed respectfully, hands clasped behind his back.
The one who spoke was Elder Chi—one of the blood elders, clad in crimson robes that reeked of old death. His eyes were red-veined. His nails blackened from spirit corrosion.
"A mission has opened," Elder Chi said. "A righteous sect caravan was spotted crossing our border. Minor sect. Low threat."
He tossed a scroll to Lin Shen's feet.
"You will follow, observe, and report. No combat unless necessary. Five days."
Lin Shen's eyes narrowed.
This was a test.
They wanted to see if he would run. Or die.
Or succeed.
He picked up the scroll and bowed again. "Understood, Elder."
> **[New Mission Acquired: External Reconnaissance – Duration: 5 Days]**
> **Success Rewards: +3 Caution Points, +4 System Points, Outer Sect Merit +1**
> **Failure Penalty: Disciplinary Action / Expulsion**
Lovely.
---
**—That Night, Just Outside the Sect—**
Lin Shen crouched in the hollow of a black pine tree, watching the road below.
The caravan moved slowly—four wagons, six riders, all in light-blue robes with cloud motifs.
**The Clear Sky Sect.**
A minor righteous faction. Known for healing arts and storm techniques.
Their leader was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. The others were Qi Refining—just like him.
If he was reckless, he could assassinate one of them. Earn quick points.
But Lin Shen didn't move.
He observed.
Tracked.
Listened.
> **[Caution Point Expenditure: 1]**
> **Passive Skill Activated: Situational Awareness – Vision, Hearing, and Smell Enhanced for 6 hours.**
He caught names. Schedules. Routes.
And something else.
They were transporting **spirit-root children**—orphans with innate talent. Two of them, sealed in jade carriages.
Lin Shen's breath caught.
That was valuable information.
The kind that could earn him more than merit.
It could earn him leverage.
---
**—On the Third Night—**
He wasn't the only shadow on the road.
Two other cloaked figures were following the caravan from the opposite ridge. He caught a glimpse of dark sect robes—**Black Tooth Hall**—a rival demonic faction known for human experimentation.
They were planning to intercept.
And Lin Shen realized... this was opportunity.
If he warned the Crimson Asura Sect, they might send reinforcements. But then he'd be noticed.
If he stayed out of it, the Black Tooth Hall would succeed—and take everything.
But if he played it just right…
> **[New Choice Detected: Optional Moral Dilemma]**
> **1. Ignore and Complete Observation.
> 2. Warn the Caravan (Penalty: Alignment Shift – Righteous)
> 3. Alert Sect and Gain Favor (Penalty: Exposure Risk)
> 4. Orchestrate Conflict and Reap the Rewards]**
He selected Option 4.
---
**—Night of the Raid—**
Lin Shen used a wind-shifting talisman to carry whispers into the Black Tooth scouts' ears.
"Reinforcements coming. Leave one child. Flee with the other."
Then, he planted traces of a Crimson Asura presence near the caravan's path. A few fake blood symbols. A broken jade tag.
The Clear Sky Sect took the bait.
They panicked. Divided their forces. Split the wagons.
In the confusion, the Black Tooth raiders ambushed the weaker flank, seized one of the spirit-root children, and escaped into the woods.
Lin Shen stayed hidden. Observing. Recording.
He sent his final report in a sealed, enchanted scroll through a spirit pigeon.
**Not everything. Just enough.**
---
**—Upon Return to the Sect—**
Lin Shen knelt in front of Elder Chi.
"Report complete," he said. "Two factions intercepted the Clear Sky caravan. One child was taken. One escaped."
"Details?"
"Unknown attackers. Possibly rogue cultivators. I did not intervene."
Elder Chi narrowed his eyes.
"You were seen?"
"No, Elder."
A long pause.
Then a nod.
"You acted with restraint. Good. Take your merit. Dismissed."
As Lin Shen turned to leave, the System chimed softly:
> **[Mission Complete.]**
> **+3 Caution Points**
> **+4 System Points**
> **Outer Sect Merit +1]
> **Alignment: Neutral – Slight Demonic Lean**
> **Hidden Influence: Elder Chi Favorability +2 (Curious)**
> **Threat Matrix Update: Inner Sect Notice 12% → 14%**
> **New Store Unlock: Dark Negotiation Techniques**
---
That night, Lin Shen returned to his hut, lit a spirit lamp, and began studying his new reward.
> **[Unlocked Technique: Whisper Contract – Allows for temporary alliances sealed by blood-oaths. Duration: 3 days max. Failure to uphold contract results in minor soul damage.]**
He smiled faintly.
This… was useful.
Very useful.
Allies were dangerous. But temporary pawns?
He could work with that.
Another notification appeared.
> **[Intermediate Mission Unlocked – Eliminate or Convert a Righteous Spy Hidden in the Outer Sect.]**
He exhaled slowly.
So that was it.
He was being offered his first *real* job.
The kind that made people disappear.
And yet...
He didn't feel anything.
Not guilt. Not fear.
Only purpose.
"This is the world now," he murmured. "One step at a time... until no one can touch me."
The blood lamp flickered. Shadows danced along the walls.
And somewhere, deep in the heart of the Crimson Asura Sect, a demon smiled.