Chapter 50 – The Crimson Pavilion Rises

The early morning mist clung to the forested peaks surrounding the valley, each breath of wind brushing through the leaves like whispers of ancient secrets. Jin Zhen stood atop the black-stone platform in the heart of his sect, eyes closed, arms folded behind his back. His robe fluttered lightly in the breeze, embroidered crimson threads shimmering faintly in the light of dawn.

Below him, the central courtyard buzzed with activity.

The newly accepted outer disciples—nearly two hundred strong—stood in neat rows, watching as senior disciples moved about distributing cultivation manuals, uniforms, and resources. What had once been a desolate valley had transformed into a bustling hub of life and purpose. The Crimson Demonic Sect, which the righteous factions had once laughed at, now cast a long shadow across the lower realms.

And it had only just begun.

Jin Zhen opened his eyes slowly, golden irises flickering with controlled power.

[Crimson Overlord System Notification]

[SP Used: 500]

[Effect Activated: Tier-4 Defensive Formation – "Dome of Malice" installed over Sect Grounds]

[Effect: Passive defense against all intruders below Nascent Soul Realm. Additional barrier charges available: 3]

[SP Remaining: 4,750]

He smirked.

"Let's see which righteous dog dares bark now."

"Master!"

The voice belonged to Mei Ling, who now served as Head of Outer Affairs. She knelt beside the platform, her soft voice carrying both respect and urgency. "The Pavilion has been completed. All three floors have been secured and are awaiting your inspection."

"Good." Jin Zhen descended, floating effortlessly to the ground. "Call Elder Duan. I want the spirit stone vault and the alchemy chambers reinforced with formation seals. Use the Blood-Searing Glyphs."

"As you command."

He walked with deliberate grace through the central compound. The disciples parted instinctively, heads bowed. Some dared sneak glances, eyes full of awe and fear. The Master of the Crimson Demonic Sect was no longer a mere cultivator—he was a symbol.

The construction of the Crimson Pavilion had cost him 1,200 low-grade spirit stones and an additional 800 SP, but it was worth every coin. Its three floors would serve multiple purposes: a library of forbidden techniques, a treasury for the sect's wealth, and a sealed training chamber that could simulate the pressure of higher realms.

Jin Zhen stepped inside the building.

Dark red pillars etched with runes of blood cultivation supported the spacious halls. Black jade tiles covered the floor, humming softly with spiritual energy. Already, the air felt denser, heavier—a place where disciples would be forged through suffering and fire.

On the second floor, three elder disciples waited.

One of them, a stooped figure with wrinkled skin and eyes like knives, stepped forward.

"Master," said Elder Duan, "we've confirmed the appearance of a spatial rift in the Crimson Ridge. Something... is trying to force its way through."

"Let it." Jin Zhen's voice was calm. "I need more enemies."

The elders stiffened at his madness—but didn't question it.

Instead, Jin Zhen raised his hand.

[Crimson Overlord System Notification]

[SP Used: 800]

[Effect Activated: Sect-Wide Cultivation Acceleration – 1.3x Speed for 30 Days]

[SP Remaining: 3,950]

"You have one month," he told them, voice echoing like divine decree, "to raise your strength by at least one minor realm. Otherwise, I'll turn you all into corpses and try again."

The threat wasn't idle. Every disciple present had seen him destroy an entire bandit sect two weeks ago with a single wave of his hand. Bones melted. Souls devoured. Not even ashes remained.

"Y-yes, Master!" they bowed, sweat glistening on their backs.

By midday, word spread like wildfire across the sect.

Cultivation speed had increased. The Pavilion had opened. New techniques would be released for those who could prove themselves in the weekly Crimson Trials. And those who failed… would face The Pit.

As night fell, Jin Zhen stood once again on the sect's highest platform.

But this time, he wasn't alone.

To his left stood Bai Xuemei, recently promoted to Inner Disciple, her ice attribute aura swirling with deadly grace. On his right, Li Feng, now a Core Formation cultivator thanks to three pills and two demonic rituals, stood ready in his crimson armor.

Together, they watched the valley sparkle with light.

Torches. Lanterns. Glowing formations.

It was no longer a forgotten sect.

It was an empire in the making.

Suddenly, a flicker of spiritual pressure burst from the horizon.

Jin Zhen narrowed his eyes.

"A Nascent Soul cultivator?"

Another flicker followed. Then another.

Five.

No—six.

[System Alert: Multiple High-Level Cultivators detected approaching at high speed.]

[Origin: Heaven's Edge Sect]

He grinned. His fingers cracked as his killing intent leaked.

"Finally," he whispered, voice dark and delighted. "The righteous ones come."