Chapter 43: Of Roots, Blades, and Whispering Shadows
Morning dew clung to the red petals of the Blood Orchids blooming at the sect's perimeter. Disciples swept the stone courtyards, scrubbed formation markers, and chanted basic mantras as golden light filtered through the trees.
But at the center of it all, Jin Zhen stood barefoot in the dirt.
The Sect Master—wearing a crimson robe laced with dragonbone silk—was planting sweet potatoes.
Elder Mo's jaw clenched as he watched from afar.
"Why... is he planting vegetables?"
"Because," Jin Zhen muttered to himself as he knelt beside the soil, "a well-fed sect is a powerful sect."
[System Alert: New Function Activated – Spirit Agriculture (Tier 1)]
[Effect: Crops grown under your qi influence can absorb ambient spirit energy. Results vary by crop.]
[First Batch Activated: Spiritroot Potatoes – Growth Time Reduced: 1 day > 3 hours. Qi Efficiency: Moderate.]
He smirked.
The potatoes weren't just food. Under his qi, they absorbed ambient chaos from the surrounding terrain and converted it into stable essence. Not only would they strengthen the physical bodies of the disciples, but they would also subtly temper their foundations.
"Farming," he whispered, "is war with dirt. And I always win."
---
Inside the Inner Hall
While the cultivators trained in the courtyard, Jin Zhen returned to the grand strategy room. Maps of surrounding sects, beast territories, and trade routes hung on scrolls of tanned hide. But something new had appeared on his desk—a single silver dagger embedded into a block of black jade.
Attached was a note. No words. Only a single symbol:
A serpent biting its own tail.
The mark of Dagger Veil.
[System Notification: Threat Identified – Dagger Veil, Sub-faction of Nightshroud Pact.]
[Known For: Silent Assassinations, Curse Enchantments, Whisper Magic.]
[Threat Level: High – Estimated Kill Count: 47 Sect Leaders.]
Jin Zhen leaned back, a hand on his chin.
"So, the warm-up is over."
He flicked his finger.
[SP Used: 15 – Activate Passive Ward: Death's Whisper Barrier.]
[Effect: Nullifies all assassination attempts within a 20-meter radius for 6 hours.]
Just then, a messenger disciple rushed in, gasping.
"Sect Master! Disciple Yue Wen... she's done it!"
---
Outer Courtyard – Cultivation Platform
Dozens of disciples gathered, forming a circle around a glowing platform. In the center stood Yue Wen, fists clenched, hair disheveled, spiritual pressure bursting from her body like a geyser.
"Her body's… transforming," a senior disciple gasped.
"She's forming a Spirit Bone?" another exclaimed.
[System Alert: Unique Mutation Detected – Frostbone Variant Awakening.]
Jin Zhen's eyes narrowed. He appeared beside her with a step.
Yue Wen collapsed forward, panting. Her skin shimmered faintly with a frost sheen.
He placed a finger on her forehead.
[Scanning…]
[Status: Spiritual Mutation Confirmed.]
[Talent Grade: High-Adept.]
[Special Body Type: Cold-Moon Marrow – Ice Qi Affinity Tripled. Long-Term Compatibility with Glacial Arts.]
Jin Zhen's eyes lit up.
With her affinity, he could now introduce ice techniques into the sect's curriculum. And perhaps more importantly, she could form the nucleus of a new elite team.
"You've done well," he said.
"I—I just followed your guidance, Sect Master."
He smiled.
"No. You took the root I offered and grew a tree. Now we just need to make sure no one chops it down."
He turned to the crowd.
"From now on, Yue Wen will lead the Cold Vein Subdivision."
---
That Evening – Dining Hall
Laughter rang out as Jin Zhen sat with the inner disciples, sharing a hot meal of freshly roasted duck, lotus stew, and spiritroot potatoes.
One of the younger disciples leaned in, whispering, "Sect Master… were you really planting potatoes this morning?"
"Yes," Jin Zhen replied, sipping tea calmly.
"Why?"
He stared the boy down. "Because spiritual potatoes never betray you."
The hall went quiet.
Then Elder Mo chuckled, rubbing his forehead.
"He's not joking, is he?"
"No," Jin Zhen replied, biting into a drumstick. "Also, potatoes don't sneak into your room with a poisoned dagger."
---
Later That Night – Training Ground
Jin Zhen stood before the Moonlit Waterfall, his qi pulsing gently beneath his feet.
[SP Available: 210]
[Spend 100 SP to upgrade Formation: Lunar Ward Array → Crimson Moon Sentinel Array?]
[Effect: Enhanced Night Detection, Increased Resistance to Curse Magic, Autonomous Defensive Qi Projections.]
He confirmed.
[SP Deducted: 100]
Rays of red moonlight shimmered from the cliff face as ancient sigils emerged and spun around the sect like an orbiting defense grid. A deep hum settled over the mountain.
Then, he felt it.
A blade of intent, cold as death, slicing toward him from the shadows.
He didn't flinch.
The dagger stopped mid-air, inches from his throat, held by an unseen hand locked in spiritual paralysis.
From the shadows, a cloaked figure stumbled into view, face frozen in horror.
"How… how did you know?!"
Jin Zhen turned slowly.
"I always know."
He clenched his fist.
The crimson sigils converged on the assassin. A scream tore through the night—and the attacker vanished in a spray of silver light.
[System Alert: Attempted Assassination Neutralized.]
[SP Gained: +35]
[Item Recovered: Veilblade – A silent dagger enchanted to bypass low-tier formations.]
He picked it up.
"This war won't be fought on open fields," he muttered. "It'll be in shadows… in soil… in dreams."
He glanced at the moon overhead.
"Good thing I've always loved the night."