Chapter 36: The Devil Builds a Paradise
The aftermath of the Jade Spring Fortress conquest spread across the cultivation world like wildfire.
On one side, rogue sects and wandering cultivators hailed it as a miracle—proof that a new power had risen to defy the old, stagnant orders. On the other, righteous sects gritted their teeth at the insolence of the Crimson Blood Sect.
Meanwhile, within the walls of the newly renamed Crimson Jade Fortress, Jin Zhen had already begun what others might have considered impossible.
He was building a city.
Not a temporary outpost. Not a military stronghold. A real city—agricultural fields, market districts, cultivator academies, and even entertainment halls.
"Are you certain this is… necessary, Sect Master?" Yu Lan asked, watching a group of puppets plant spiritual wheat in perfect rows beside human farmers.
"Civilization is power," Jin Zhen said simply, lounging on a throne made of crimson wood under a temporary pavilion. "Trade. Food. Comfort. Cultivators don't just live on pills and killing."
"Speak for yourself," Elder Hei muttered from the shadows.
Jin Zhen smirked.
He raised his hand and brought up the system again.
---
[SP: 4,500]
[World Currency: Spirit Stones — 27,000]
[Available Developments:]
Agricultural Expansion Node (5 km radius): 1,000 SP
Spiritual Irrigation System (Auto-farming): 1,500 SP
Entertainment District Blueprint (Mood Boost, Income Generation): 800 SP
City-Wide Defensive Array: 2,000 SP
—
He tapped two options immediately.
[SP -1,000 | Agricultural Expansion Node Activated]
[SP -800 | Entertainment District Blueprint Acquired]
Moments later, the land surrounding the fortress shimmered as spiritual lines carved themselves into the soil. Farmland expanded outward like blooming roots, while another sector of the city began forming from summoned structures—stages, puppet performers, even tea houses.
Yu Lan stared. "Did… that theater just build itself?"
"Yes," Jin Zhen said proudly. "Even devils enjoy a good play."
In the corner, Elder Yuan was instructing logistics disciples to establish merchant guild permissions. For a 'demonic' sect, things were becoming strangely… organized.
Just then, a commotion broke out.
A disciple rushed toward the Sect Master's pavilion, tripping over his own feet. "S-Sect Master! You have visitors! From the east!"
Jin Zhen raised an eyebrow. "Another invasion?"
"N-No, sir! It's… they're merchants. Three caravans. With bribes."
He smiled. "Well, tell them they're welcome to contribute to our new economy. But they must first listen to a dramatic poetry recital by our puppets."
The disciple blinked. "Sir?"
"If they can survive the boredom, they're worthy of trade."
—
Within the hour, three major rogue merchant caravans had pledged long-term allegiance to the Crimson Blood Sect. One even offered a spiritual beast egg said to hatch into a Wind-Treading Panther.
The egg, currently sitting in a heat-nurturing formation beside Jin Zhen's throne, occasionally twitched.
"Name it yet?" Yu Lan asked.
"I'm thinking… Shadowpaws."
She stared at him. "You're… not joking?"
"I never joke about pets."
—
Later that night, as moonlight poured over the fortress-turned-city, Jin Zhen sat inside his private cultivation chamber and reviewed his status.
---
[Status Update]
Name: Jin Zhen
Realm: Early Nascent Soul (New!)
SP: 2,700
Wealth: 35,000 Spirit Stones
Reputation: "Crimson Architect," "Devil of Progress," "Enemy of Jade Pavilion"
Assets:
Crimson Jade Fortress
Crimson Puppeteer Army: 320 active units
Spirit Beast Egg (Wind Panther, Hatching Soon)
Spiritual Trade Routes (3)
Puppet Entertainment Troupe (Active)
—
He smiled. "Good progress."
A notification pinged:
[SP Reward: +500 for Establishing First Puppet-Based Agricultural Zone in Your Realm]
[Unique Achievement Unlocked: "Demonic Urban Planner"]
[+Title Bonus: All construction costs reduced by 5%]
"Well, well."
He leaned back, closing his eyes.
The fortress was secured. Trade was flowing. Puppet workers were tilling, entertaining, and even learning to paint. And somewhere out there, the righteous sects were losing their minds.
Perfect.
— — —
Meanwhile, deep in the mountains of the Eastern Frontier, the heads of five righteous sects gathered in a secret meeting beneath a jade waterfall.
"He must be stopped," said a pale elder from the Heavenly Jade Pavilion.
"He built a farm," spat another. "A farm! What kind of devil cultivator does that?"
"One with plans," murmured a third. "Plans that don't include us."
They all turned to the masked figure at the head of the table.
"What's your decision, Grandmaster?"
The figure spoke one word:
"War."
—
Back in the fortress, Jin Zhen sneezed.
Yu Lan looked up. "Someone talking about you?"
"Probably. Or maybe I'm allergic to all this peace."
He stood.
"It's time we raised the stakes."
She narrowed her eyes. "What now?"
He turned toward the southern hills, where ruins from the old war lay half-buried in dust.
"I think it's time we built a weapon."