The dawn spread its golden fingers across the valley, illuminating the jagged peaks and whispering trees that surrounded the ancient ruins. For the first time since its collapse, the Crimson Sect's grounds began to stir with life—not only spiritual, but physical.
Jin Zhen stood barefoot in the fertile patch of land near the cold spring, sleeves rolled up, and hands deep in black soil. His fingers pressed a small spiritual seed into the earth.
"Water it every dawn," he instructed Xue Yan, who stood nearby with her sleeves tucked. "Don't overdo it. Let the soil breathe."
She nodded solemnly, surprised to see her fearsome Master teaching farming.
Lan Yuer sat cross-legged nearby, holding a freshly-carved wooden staff. "We're cultivators, not farmers. Why are we wasting time with dirt?"
"Because a sect needs roots," Jin Zhen said. "You want to grow strong? Then you must understand growth. Patience. Cycles."
[System Notification: Sect Function Expanded — Agriculture Node Activated. Spiritual Herb Yield: Low Tier][New Function: Resource Self-Sufficiency — Sect earns daily Spirit Points from harvested resources.]
[+10 SP per day projected.]
Yun Mei, newly awakened and still pale, emerged from the temple hall. Her violet eyes scanned the gardens, confusion painting her expression.
"You're... growing plants?" she asked, voice weak.
Jin Zhen smiled faintly. "You expected bloody corpses?"
"I'm not used to kindness," she admitted.
"Then get used to it. You'll need strength, and peace to recover."
She nodded slowly.
—
Later that afternoon, the disciples gathered near the ancient forge. Jin Zhen stood beside a half-buried stone vault, brushing away moss and vines.
"It's time to awaken the Flame Core beneath this mountain," he said. "We'll need its power for what comes next."
[System Notification: Hellfire Chamber Reactivation Quest Unlocked][Requirements: Three Disciples with Flame or Lightning Affinity | 300 SP | One Infernal Core]
[Progress: 2/3 Affinities Active | 145 SP | 0/1 Core]
"We need one more with flame or lightning talent," he said aloud.
Lan Yuer crossed her arms. "Where do we find one?"
Jin Zhen tilted his head. "We don't. We make one."
[System Action: Hidden Talent Enhancement Feature Activated — Use SP to Awaken Latent Traits in Disciples]
He turned to Xue Yan.
"You, girl of snow, ever wondered what ice becomes under pressure?"
She blinked.
He touched her forehead.
[SP Used: 80 — Latent Trait Awakening: Crimson-Frost Conversion Enabled]
A pulse of red-and-blue light burst from within her dantian. Her eyes widened, breath catching as frost spirals merged with flickers of flame.
"I... I feel different."
[System Notification: New Trait — Crimson-Frost Dual Affinity (Rare)]
"Good," he said. "Now we have what we need."
—
As night fell, lanterns flickered throughout the ruins. The cold spring glowed with energy, and garden beds had already begun sprouting faint green spiritual shoots.
The disciples shared a simple meal around a stone table Jin Zhen had repaired himself. No one spoke of power, revenge, or ambition for the first time.
Only warm broth, quiet laughter, and the faint song of mountain birds returning.
Yun Mei, holding her bowl, glanced sideways at Jin Zhen.
"You're not what I expected."
He raised a brow. "Disappointed?"
She shook her head. "No. Just... wondering what you're really after."
He sipped his tea in silence, then smiled.
"To change everything."
[System Notification: Sect Morale Increased — Disciples' Loyalty Growth Rate Boosted by 12%][Passive Bonus Unlocked: Unity of Flame (+1 SP per disciple per day when morale is High)]
Far from the valley, beyond the mountain peaks, shadows stirred.
A masked figure knelt before a towering black obelisk.
"Report," a deep voice said.
"The Crimson Sect has reawakened," the figure rasped. "The Crimson Overlord walks again."
"Then the cycle begins once more."