The aftermath of Jin Baiyu's duel with Qiu Jian sent ripples through the Azure Heaven Sect like shockwaves through a fragile crystal. Whispers of the Outer Sect prodigy's strength had reached the Inner Sect, shaking even seasoned elders.
But the Inner Sect was not so easily subdued. Pride and ambition festered in their hearts, and a plan was already forming—one meant to contain, humiliate, or even eliminate Jin Baiyu entirely.
The Inner Sect Conspiracy
In the Inner Sect halls, disciples gathered in hushed tones. Qiu Jian, still nursing his bruised pride, spoke first.
"We underestimated him. The Outer Sect will not remain the same… nor will our influence remain unchallenged. He is a threat—an unpredictable variable we cannot allow to grow."
Another disciple, mid-stage Core Formation, frowned. "He relies too much on shadows. If we can disrupt his control, even momentarily, we may have an opening."
"Disrupt his shadows?" Qiu Jian's eyes flashed with impatience. "Do you even understand what you are facing? This boy… he is no ordinary cultivator. His mind, his strategy… he anticipates before we even act."
An elder interrupted, voice sharp. "Then perhaps it is time to strike preemptively. Gather evidence of his influence in the Outer Sect. Any loyalists must be removed. He must be forced into a corner."
The plot was set. The Inner Sect would act in secret, using elite disciples to eliminate Jin's allies and discredit him before he could grow stronger.
Jin's Observation and Preemptive Moves
Jin Baiyu, however, had long since noticed subtle changes in disciple behavior. Certain Outer Sect disciples avoided him unnecessarily; whispers carried unease and fear.
The Inner Sect moves in shadows… How predictable.
He summoned Wu Hao and several loyal Outer Sect disciples into a secluded courtyard beneath the floating peaks. Shadows curled lazily around the rocks and trees, unseen to outsiders.
"My friends," Jin began, crimson eyes gleaming faintly, "the Inner Sect believes they can strike first. They underestimate the reach of shadows, and they underestimate your loyalty."
Wu Hao swallowed hard. "But… what if they're stronger?"
Jin's smile was calm, almost cruel. "Then they will see what happens when the weak challenge the strong. But they are not stronger. They are arrogant, and arrogance is a weakness I can exploit."
The Shadow Army
Over the next several days, Jin consolidated his loyal disciples into a coordinated network, a silent army woven entirely through strategy and shadows.
Outer Sect prodigies, gifted with minor spiritual skills, were trained to use shadow reinforcement, amplifying Jin's control and defense in unexpected ways.
Jin taught subtle formations, combining shadow tendrils with spiritual energy to create ambushes and containment fields, allowing even weaker disciples to overpower stronger Inner Sect candidates if properly coordinated.
Communication occurred through imperceptible shadow signals, making his forces nearly untouchable to spies or informants.
By the time the Inner Sect's assassins arrived, Jin Baiyu's network had already adapted.
The First Strike
One evening, as a crimson sun set over the floating peaks, a small group of Inner Sect disciples attempted to infiltrate the Outer Sect. They moved silently, confident in their Core Formation abilities, expecting minimal resistance.
Jin's shadows, however, anticipated every step. Tendrils rose from the stones and trees, wrapping around the intruders before they could react. One disciple's sword was bent and shattered without a single direct strike; another's qi was siphoned, leaving him dazed and powerless.
Wu Hao, positioned behind cover, whispered in awe, "Baiyu… you didn't even touch them, and they're done."
Jin's crimson eyes glinted faintly. "Force is crude. Subtlety is power. Let them learn this lesson before the Inner Sect escalates further."
By midnight, the Inner Sect's first strike had failed completely, leaving Jin's loyalists unharmed and fully aware of the futility of opposition.
Cultivation Breakthroughs Amid Strategy
Even while orchestrating the Shadow Army, Jin's personal cultivation advanced. He retreated each night to the hidden cave beneath the western cliffs, focusing on meridian refinement and dantian expansion.
Using the Asura God Scripture techniques, he forced qi through previously inaccessible pathways, strengthening his mortal body beyond the limits of ordinary Outer Sect disciples.
Shadow tendrils became semi-autonomous, capable of reacting to threats without direct control, effectively multiplying his combat efficiency.
Jin experimented with spiritual absorption, siphoning ambient energy to temporarily amplify his attacks during battles or duels.
By combining these breakthroughs with his strategic network, Jin Baiyu became more than a singular threat—he was an unstoppable force poised to dominate the sect hierarchy.
The Inner Sect Realizes the Extent of His Influence
Word reached Qiu Jian: the Outer Sect was no longer just a training ground. Jin Baiyu had created a disciplined, coordinated faction capable of countering even Inner Sect elites.
Frustration burned in Qiu Jian's eyes. "He… he's turning the Outer Sect into his army. This is… beyond ambition. It's domination."
An elder added coldly, "The boy has not only power but intelligence. Every move he makes strengthens his position. If unchecked, he could challenge even the Sect Leader one day."
The Stage is Set for Open Conflict
The Inner Sect, humiliated and enraged, now openly plotted. Future confrontations would no longer be subtle—official duels, sanctioned trials, and manipulations of the Outer Sect hierarchy would all be deployed against Jin Baiyu.
But Jin was ready. His network was prepared, his cultivation advancing daily, and his mastery of shadows and strategy ensured that any attempt against him would be neutralized or turned to his advantage.
He stood atop the western cliffs one night, crimson eyes reflecting the moonlight. Shadow tendrils stretched across the stone like black rivers.
The Inner Sect thinks they can challenge me, he thought. Let them come. Every blade raised, every scheme plotted, will only sharpen the shadow army. By the time they realize the truth… it will be too late.
Closing Thoughts
By the end of this week, Jin Baiyu's influence and reputation had spread:
Outer Sect disciples now revered him as a protector and leader.
Inner Sect disciples feared his power and unpredictability.
Elders began to whisper about his potential to upend centuries of sect hierarchy.
The Azure Heaven Sect, once serene and hierarchical, was now a battlefield of shadows and strategy, where one boy, reincarnated and overpowered, was rewriting the rules of cultivation and power.
Jin Baiyu's ascent had only just begun, and the Inner Sect's open opposition promised escalating battles, duels, and political intrigue.
The floating peaks shimmered under the moonlight, silent witnesses to the rise of the Crimson Reborn, whose shadows now stretched across the entire sect.