Chapter 44: Beneath the Crimson Banner
The morning mist clung to the mountain like a shroud, but within the valley of the Crimson Sect, life pulsed with renewed vigor. Under Jin Zhen's rule, prosperity spread like wildfire. Fields now bloomed with spirit herbs; irrigation channels had been reshaped with the help of cultivators. Even the chickens looked fatter.
Jin Zhen stood at the peak of the main hall, arms folded behind his back, his black-and-red robes fluttering gently. The Sect's flag, dyed crimson, waved proudly above. But his gaze was fixed far to the east—toward the Verdant Thistle Sect.
They'd denied his envoy again.
"How many times must I be disrespected before they learn?"
Behind him, a familiar voice chimed in.
"We could raze them," Yue Wen said cheerfully. "I even drew up diagrams for an ambush involving exploding spirit beetles. Very efficient."
Jin Zhen chuckled, "We'll get to that. But not yet. First, we'll show them who truly feeds this region."
[System Notification:
Sub-Mission Triggered – "Conquest Through Prosperity"
Objective: Spread Crimson Sect trade influence into Verdant Thistle territory.
Bonus Reward: 3000 SP, Spirit Herb Cultivation Blueprint, 50 Spirit Stones.]
He smirked. "Yue Wen, get the caravan ready. Send Fang Mei as the trade emissary. Make it look peaceful. We're not kicking in the gates… yet."
Yue Wen bowed theatrically. "As you command, Dark Prince of Profits."
---
Fang Mei had grown into her role as Trade Mistress with impressive speed. Her fiery demeanor made even old sect elders listen. She rode at the head of a caravan of seven spirit ox carts, each loaded with fragrant Crimson Root, Blue-Lotus Elixir, and rare Moonshade Pears—the fruit only found near their sacred lake.
As the caravan descended the mountains and entered the outlying trade village of Luowan, curious eyes watched them from the huts and balconies.
Fang Mei dismounted and tossed a bag of spirit stones to a gawking merchant.
"We're not here to compete," she said. "We're here to elevate."
With her golden fan flashing, she opened a scroll bearing the Crimson Sect's seal. The stunned villagers gathered, reading its contents aloud. It promised fair trade, security, and cultivation support—something the Verdant Thistle Sect had long ignored.
Back in the Crimson Sect's main hall, Jin Zhen watched a spiritual map on his wall flicker. Dots representing friendly trade posts blinked to life across the region.
[System Update:
Trade Outpost Established – Luowan Village
Reputation Increase: +12
Influence Radius: +3 Miles
Crimson Wealth: +500 Spirit Stones/day]
He turned toward the flame flickering in his spirit altar.
"Let's see how long they can ignore us now."
---
Three days later, a messenger from the Verdant Thistle Sect arrived—bloodied, bruised, and barely breathing. Jin Zhen met him in the outer courtyard, sipping wine with a trio of spirit birds perched nearby.
The man dropped to his knees.
"Crimson Lord… bandits… ravaged our eastern farmlands… We… request aid. Please!"
Jin Zhen raised an eyebrow.
"Did you come for help or to return the favor of ignoring us?"
The man coughed blood.
"I… I am not in a position to argue…"
[System Prompt:
Decision Time – Aid the Verdant Thistle Sect or let them burn.
Option 1: Aid them – +Faction Favor, +Trade Expansion Potential.
Option 2: Ignore them – -Reputation (Minor), +Time for Crimson Expansion.]
Jin Zhen laughed. "System, spend 500 SP."
[SP Spent: 500
Summoning Crimson Beast Guard – 'Ironback Oni Hounds' dispatched.
Estimated Arrival: 2 hours.]
"To show our mercy," Jin Zhen said, "we will send aid. But let them know: the Crimson Sect remembers."
---
The true battle began that night.
As moonlight bathed the forest trails, Jin Zhen entered his cultivation chamber. The air shimmered with pressure as he sat cross-legged and exhaled softly.
The surrounding qi thickened as he summoned the [Crimson Core Breathing Manual]. Lines of ancient script danced before him. He focused.
Qi rushed into his dantian like a raging tide.
[System Notification:
Cultivation Progress:
Realm: Late Golden Root (88%)
Qi Channels Strengthened
Special Body Trait: Crimson Flame Veins – Enhanced Qi Absorption 30%
Passive Activated – "King's Resilience" (Regenerates minor injuries over time)]
Then came the crackling.
With a surge of power, lightning-like energy surged around him.
His bones groaned but did not break. Instead, they shone faintly gold.
[Breakthrough Imminent… Initiating Trial.]
In his mindscape, Jin Zhen stood atop a mountain of corpses. Before him rose a mirror of himself, cloaked in pure white, radiating righteousness.
"You've taken the path of cruelty," the white Jin Zhen said. "Is this what you call leadership?"
Jin Zhen smiled coldly.
"It's what I call survival."
He lunged. The mental duel raged with bursts of flame and thunder. Eventually, the white figure cracked and dissolved, leaving only Jin Zhen, panting—but victorious.
[System Update:
Breakthrough Complete – Ascended Golden Root Realm
All Stats Increased
SP +1000 Bonus
New Skill Unlocked – "Crimson Soul Projection"
Current SP: 9,430]
As he emerged from his chamber, cultivators bowed low. His aura had changed—it was heavier, sharper, unmistakably dominant.
Yue Wen approached, eyes twinkling. "The mountain trembled. Did you sneeze too hard, or…?"
Jin Zhen just smiled. "Prepare the elders. It's time we claim the Crimson Wilds."
---
Far across the mountains, in a hidden cave, a figure wrapped in azure flame opened his eyes.
"So… the Crimson Flame rises again," the man murmured. "The game begins anew."