The Abyssal Sect had begun its march.
Across the region, the name "Abyssal Sect" was spoken in hushed tones—by merchants at roadside inns, by cultivators around flickering campfires, and by rival sects in secret councils. Rumors spread like wildfire: of a mysterious sect rising from obscurity, possessing unparalleled alchemy, formation mastery, and martial prowess. Of a Sect Master whose name struck fear in the hearts of enemies and reverence in his followers.
Atop Patriarch's Peak—now known to the wider world as the Sanctum of Abyss—Murong Chen stood upon a stone platform, the morning wind whipping his robes. Before him, rows upon rows of elite disciples stood at attention, weapons gleaming, spiritual energy swirling around them like coiled serpents. Behind them, the sect's banners flapped, displaying the sigil of the Abyss—a black phoenix wreathed in crimson flame.
Wen Zixuan stepped forward from the ranks of sect leaders, her expression sharp as a blade.
"Sect Master, the scouts have returned. Three neutral resource points have been identified—an abandoned spirit mine in the Wailing Gorge, a Tier 2 herb valley in the Mistleaf Forest, and an ancient ruin known as the Skyfire Bastion."
Murong Chen's eyes narrowed. "And their current status?"
"No claims as of yet," Zixuan replied, "but we've detected movements from the Qilin Sect and the Verdant Cloud Pavilion. If we do not act swiftly, they will strike first."
"Let them try," Bai Qingshan growled from the side. "They do not understand that our Abyssal Sect is no longer in the shadows."
Murong Chen nodded. "Prepare three forces. Zixuan, lead the mission to the Wailing Gorge. Mo Lian, take your alchemists to secure Mistleaf Valley. As for the Skyfire Bastion…" He paused, eyes glinting. "I will personally see it secured."
Sect System Update: Expansion Directive I – Final Phase
Objective: Claim all three resource points before the Qilin Sect or Verdant Cloud Pavilion.
Sect Reward: Guardian Beast Egg (Rare Tier), +2 Peak Enhancements.
Sect Master Reward: 'Abyssal Flame Crystal' (Enhances Weapon Tier), +1 Advanced Cultivation Technique.
Failure Penalty: -10% Regional Influence. Potential Rival Alliance Formation.
Murong Chen's fingers tightened around the Ashen Blade, its edge pulsing in response.
"Ready the riders. We move at once."
Within hours, the Abyssal Sect's forces mobilized, streaking across the skies atop spirit beasts, flying swords, and formation carriages. In less than a day, they would strike at their targets.
Murong Chen, however, had already vanished from the sect.
Through the use of the Voidstep Talisman—a one-time reward from a completed mission—he tore space itself and arrived at the outskirts of the Skyfire Bastion.
The bastion stood atop a barren mesa, surrounded by charred earth and scorched skies. Lightning crackled in the distance, and the air shimmered with residual heat. The ruins pulsed with an ancient energy—untamed, raw, and full of potential.
Yet Murong Chen wasn't alone.
As he approached, four figures emerged from the shadows, clad in the crimson robes of the Phoenix Valley Sect. At their center stood Xue Feng—the young master, a cultivator at the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm, eyes glowing with arrogance.
"Well, well," Xue Feng drawled, drawing a flame-forged sword. "The Abyssal Sect's ghost himself. I wondered if you would come. I planned to take this ruin for myself, but now… perhaps I shall take your head instead."
Murong Chen remained silent, drawing the Ashen Blade with a soft hum. Its crimson glow flared to life, illuminating the scorched battlefield.
"Leave," Chen said simply. "Or stay and be buried here."
Xue Feng laughed. "Bold words. Let me teach you the meaning of despair."
In a flash, the two clashed.
The ground exploded beneath their feet, flames and shadows colliding in a cacophony of force. Murong Chen's blade danced with deadly precision, each strike infused with Abyssal energy and the wrath of betrayal. Xue Feng's flames seared the sky, summoning phoenix-shaped firestorms that scorched the land.
As they fought, a system prompt appeared in Chen's vision.
Hidden Duel Triggered: Rival Elimination
Objective: Defeat Xue Feng within the Skyfire Bastion.
Bonus Reward: Phoenix Blood Essence (Enhances Fire Techniques), Sect Morale +15%, Unlocks Sect-wide Fire Cultivation Arts.
Chen's eyes glinted. He wasn't here merely to claim land—he was here to send a message.
With a roar, he activated the Abyssal Shadow Technique, vanishing from sight and reappearing behind Xue Feng in a flicker. The Ashen Blade cleaved through the air, its edge infused with a fragment of Abyssal Flame.
Xue Feng screamed as the blade tore through his defenses, searing flesh and shattering bone. In desperation, he summoned his Phoenix Avatar—but Murong Chen's strike descended before it could form.
One blow. Final.
Xue Feng fell, his body consumed by Abyssal fire, leaving behind only ashes and a bloodstained blade.
Ding! Duel Completed: Victory
Reward: Phoenix Blood Essence x1, +2 Peak Enhancements, Sect-wide Fire Technique 'Abyssal Phoenix Arts' Unlocked.
Bonus Reward: Regional Influence Increased (+10%). Fear Effect on Rivals Applied for 7 Days.
Murong Chen sheathed his blade, stepping over the ruins as the Skyfire Bastion's core pulsed in recognition.
Territory Claimed: Skyfire Bastion
Sect Reward: Flame Energy Density Increased (+20% in Bastion Vicinity). Spirit Ore Extraction Unlocked.
As he stood atop the mesa, overlooking the charred landscape, a shadowy figure appeared behind him—a messenger from the Veil of Shadows Pavilion.
"Master, intelligence confirms the Qilin Sect is retreating from the Mistleaf Valley. Mo Lian has secured it."
"And the Wailing Gorge?"
"Wen Zixuan now flies the Abyssal banner over its mines. All three objectives completed."
Murong Chen nodded.
Ding! Mission Chain Completed: Expansion Directive I
Sect-wide Reward: Guardian Beast Egg (Rare Tier – Flame Roc), +2 Peak Enhancements, Sect Treasury Capacity Increased.
Sect Master Reward: 'Abyssal Flame Crystal' Obtained, Advanced Technique 'Infernal Void Step' Acquired.
Murong Chen closed his eyes briefly. His sect had expanded. His enemies were crushed. His rise… inevitable.
As he returned to the sect, he summoned the key elders to the Grand Hall.
"This is only the first conquest," he said. "More lands, more resources, and more enemies await. Prepare. The Abyssal Sect shall reign supreme—not in the light of heaven, but from the Abyss."