Life and Death Within the Sect

Chapter 5 – Rising Authority: Life and Death Within the Sect

The morning sun bathed the Azure Cloud Sect in a golden hue, but the once-glorious sect remained nothing more than a broken husk of its former self. Ruined buildings, overgrown courtyards, and empty training grounds stood as silent witnesses to its decline. Yet, **deep within the heart of the sect, a storm was brewing.**

Jiang Chen stood in the main hall, his expression calm, but his eyes burned with a fierce determination.

**"Sect System, upgrade the sect!"**

A notification flickered before his eyes.

> **[Sect Advancement: Tier 9 → Tier 8]**

> **[New Authority Gained: Invincible Within Sect]**

> **[New Ability Unlocked: Small Control Over Life and Death Within the Sect]**

> **[Sect Expansion: +100 Meter Radius]**

> **[Sect Resources: Basic Spiritual Vein Activated]**

The moment the upgrade was completed, a tremor spread across the sect. The stagnant energy that once clung to the air like dust suddenly surged, pulsing with newfound vitality. The ancient stones in the courtyard hummed, and a faint spiritual mist began to rise from the ground.

Jiang Chen could feel it—**his control over the sect had deepened.**

### **Invincible Within the Sect**

A wave of information flooded his mind. With the **"Invincible Within the Sect"** ability, he **could not be harmed by any intruder within the sect's boundaries.** Even if a Core Formation expert were to invade, the system would suppress them to ensure Jiang Chen's absolute dominance.

**He was the supreme ruler of his domain.**

This alone was a power that most sect leaders could only dream of. But there was more.

### **Small Control Over Life and Death Within the Sect**

Jiang Chen took a deep breath as he examined the second ability. With this power, **he could grant blessings or deliver punishments to those within the sect.** He couldn't kill someone instantly with a thought, but if a disciple committed treason, he could weaken their vitality, shorten their lifespan, or even block their cultivation indefinitely.

Conversely, if a loyal disciple made great contributions, he could **extend their life, heal their injuries, or boost their comprehension.**

This…

This was the authority of a true Sect Master!

Jiang Chen clenched his fist, feeling the weight of his new power settle within him. The Azure Cloud Sect was no longer a dead sect—it was **his** sect. And within these walls, **he was the undisputed god.**

### **The Birth of a Spiritual Vein**

Another system notification popped up.

> **[A Basic Spiritual Vein has been activated.]**

Jiang Chen's breath hitched. **Spiritual veins were the foundation of powerful sects.** They generated spiritual energy naturally, making cultivation easier for disciples. Even a basic spiritual vein meant that the barren land of the Azure Cloud Sect had begun to recover!

Stepping outside, he could already feel the difference. The air was richer, the ground less withered, and the once-crippled spiritual energy in the sect had become **denser.**

With time, this place could once again flourish as a land of great cultivators!

### **Testing His Power**

To test his new authority, Jiang Chen focused on his Small Control Over Life and Death ability. A mere thought, and a glowing list of options appeared before him:

> **[Disciples: 0]**

> **[Sect Beasts: 0]**

> **[Eligible Targets: Wild Beasts, Intruders]**

Since there were no disciples yet, Jiang Chen turned his attention toward the nearby forest where he had sensed wild beasts prowling.

**"Let's see how this works."**

Extending his hand, he willed his power toward a small spirit beast—a fierce black-furred wolf lurking near the outer sect.

> **[Target Acquired: Low-Grade Spirit Beast (Black Wolf)]**

> **[Options: Weaken, Strengthen, Drain Vitality, Extend Lifespan]**

Jiang Chen smirked. He selected **Weaken.**

The moment the command was issued, a faint ripple of energy surged out from him. The black wolf, which had been stalking prey, suddenly staggered, its once-glowing eyes dimming as its aura dropped sharply.

"Interesting…" Jiang Chen murmured.

Even though his control was not absolute, **he could indirectly dictate life and death within his territory.** In the future, traitors and enemies who entered his sect would **never be able to escape his judgment!**

### **First Recruitment: A Desperate Plea**

As Jiang Chen was contemplating his newfound abilities, a loud commotion erupted at the sect's entrance.

"Please, save us!"

Jiang Chen turned to see a group of **three ragged figures** stumbling toward the main gate. Their clothes were torn, their faces pale with exhaustion, and **their bodies bore the marks of a brutal pursuit.**

Before Jiang Chen could ask, another figure emerged from the forest—a **fierce-looking man dressed in dark robes, exuding a vicious aura.**

"Hah! You think running into a dead sect will save you?" The man sneered. "This place is abandoned. Hand over the girl, and I might spare your lives."

Jiang Chen's gaze shifted. Among the three newcomers, a young woman clutched a jade pendant—her breathing ragged, her eyes filled with terror.

Something inside Jiang Chen stirred. **These were his first potential disciples.**

And **this intruder had just stepped into his domain.**

The black-robed man smirked, stepping forward confidently. "I don't know who you are, but this matter doesn't concern you. Leave."

Jiang Chen chuckled. "You have made a mistake."

The man frowned. "What?"

"You stepped into my sect." Jiang Chen's voice turned cold. "And within my sect, I am invincible."

A suffocating pressure **erupted from the ground beneath the black-robed man.** He gasped, staggering back as his cultivation was instantly suppressed. His once-confident face contorted in horror as he realized—**he couldn't move.**

> **[Invincible Within Sect: Activated]**

Jiang Chen raised his hand, and **the system's authority pulsed through his body.**

> **[Target: Enemy Intruder]**

> **[Judgment: Drain Vitality]**

The black-robed man let out a strangled cry as his **lifespan began rapidly decreasing!** His hair turned gray in an instant, his once-strong muscles shriveled, and his energy drained like water spilling from a cracked pot.

"N-No… what… is… this…?!" he gasped, horror filling his fading eyes.

Jiang Chen stepped forward, looking down at him. "You do not belong here."

With a final flick of his fingers, the man collapsed—lifeless.

The three escapees **stared in absolute shock.**

To them, this was no ordinary man. **This was a true Sect Master—a god within his domain!**

Trembling, they dropped to their knees and bowed.

**"Sect Master! Please accept us as your disciples!"**

Jiang Chen smiled. His sect was no longer empty.

**The Azure Cloud Sect's revival had begun.**

—**End of Chapter 5**—