Night draped the Wen Clan's residence in hues of deep indigo and silver, the moon casting a tranquil light across the peaks. Lanterns flickered along winding stone paths, illuminating disciples on their night patrols, while atop Patriarch's Peak, a different kind of preparation unfolded.
Within the secluded Chamber of Heavensight, Wen Wuxing stood before a massive jade formation circle, his fingers glowing with spiritual energy as he activated the core. The air shimmered, revealing a swirling map of the Kingdom of Xianwu, overlaid with runic lines depicting ley lines, cultivation hotspots, and strategic sect strongholds.
The Veil of Shadows Pavilion had delivered their most recent intelligence, highlighting fractures in the Qilin Sect's leadership and the emergence of a rogue faction within Phoenix Valley Sect. Opportunities. Weaknesses.
Wuxing's sharp eyes narrowed.
Ding!
System Notification: Strategic Planning Detected.
Mission Branch Unlocked: "Web of Influence"
Objective: Orchestrate internal collapse of at least one rival sect via espionage and political maneuvering.
Reward: +1 Kingdom Influence Boost (15%), +1 Sect Foundation Blueprint, +1 Peak Evolution Token.
Optional Objective: Form an alliance through intermarriage – Reward: +1 Genius Descendant Birth Opportunity.
Warning: Failure will trigger retributive actions from rival sects.
Wuxing smirked.
"Time to sow the seeds."
A low knock echoed.
"Enter," he called.
Wen Ruoyan stepped in, dressed in training robes, her expression calm yet eager.
"Patriarch, I have returned from Iron Wolf Clan. They've agreed to a non-aggression pact and will back us during the Grand Sect Tournament's third phase."
Wuxing nodded approvingly. "Your cultivation?"
She bowed. "Late Core Formation. I have broken through."
"Good. You will lead the youth battalion in the tournament preliminaries."
Ruoyan's eyes lit up with pride.
Wuxing dismissed her and turned back to the projection, his mind racing. The Heaven's Veil Pavilion had been expanding rapidly. Recent sales of ancient cultivation techniques and rare spiritual herbs had brought in a windfall of spirit stones. His wealth now rivaled minor sects.
And that was just the beginning.
He tapped the system interface.
Ding!
Clan Overview:
Population: 2,500 (Core Clan Members: 500, Outer Members: 2,000)
Peaks: 6 Major Peaks, 12 Minor Peaks
Guardian Beasts: 3 (1 Shadowflame Direwolf, 2 Earthsteel Lions)
Clan Realm Average: Late Foundation Establishment
Patriarch: Mid Nascent Soul Realm
Clan Treasury: 250,000 Spirit Stones
Veil of Shadows Pavilion: Operational – Secrecy Level: Absolute (System-Controlled Agents)
Residence Buffs: +25% Spiritual Density, +30% Defensive Array Strength
Recent Descendant Births: 5 – Rewards Received: Minor Spirit Pills, Array Materials
Peak Assignment: Windhowl Peak elevated to Tier 2 Status.
Wuxing's clan had become a regional power—quietly, methodically. And now, it was time to expand beyond the shadows.
That night, beneath the Moonlit Courtyard, a secret ceremony commenced. Wuxing stood before a line of disciples—chosen elites—each one having proven their loyalty, talent, and readiness.
"You stand at the threshold," he intoned, his voice echoing like thunder. "You will become the founding pillars of our Hidden Star Sect, a force that will extend the Wen Clan's reach into the cultivation world."
Gasps of shock echoed, but none spoke.
Wuxing raised a hand.
"You will operate independently, with your own Peak. Rewards will flow, missions will test you, and the system will recognize your efforts."
Ding!
Sect Creation Initiated: Hidden Star Sect.
Initial Tier: Tier 4 (Hidden Affiliation: Wen Clan)
Founding Members: 10 Elite Disciples.
Patriarch Authority: Absolute.
Initial Reward: +100,000 Spirit Stones, +1 Guardian Beast Egg (Tier 3), +1 Sect Mission Generator.
New Mechanic Unlocked: Sect Competition Entry – Expand Influence.
Next Upgrade: Convert Sect to Tier 3 – Requirements: 5 Victories in Sect Competitions OR Regional Influence +20%.
Wuxing's eyes glowed.
"Your orders will come from me directly, and your success will pave the way for the clan's ascension."
He handed each disciple a Veil Token, imbued with spiritual restrictions ensuring absolute loyalty. The system's safeguards made betrayal impossible.
The Hidden Star Sect was born, a puppet sect cloaked in mystery.
And none knew of its true master.
Weeks passed.
News of the Hidden Star Sect's emergence rippled through the cultivation world. Their disciples, veiled and masked, began appearing in minor competitions, crushing opponents with ruthless efficiency.
Speculation abounded, but no one traced them back to the Wen Clan.
In the Grand Sect Tournament's final preparatory phase, Wuxing convened a closed-door meeting with sect leaders, forming strategic alliances with smaller sects disillusioned by Phoenix Valley's dominance.
He offered resources, protection, and ancient techniques—all system-sourced—to bind them.
Ding!
Alliance Formed: Stonecliff Sect, Jadefeather Hall, and Cloud Piercing Pavilion.
Reward: +2 Rare Alchemy Recipes, +1 Clan Child Genius Birth Chance, +1 Peak Expansion Token.
Warning: Larger Sects Have Taken Notice – Rival Actions Imminent.
He dismissed the warnings.
Let them come.
Back at Patriarch's Peak, another descendant was born—this time to a core elder's daughter.
Ding!
Descendant Reward Triggered.
Patriarch Reward: +1 Mid-Tier Alchemy Furnace, +20 Spirit Stones.
Clan Boost: +1% Overall Cultivation Speed (Temporary for 3 Months).
Note: More descendants = greater clan vitality = passive growth.
Wuxing's gaze turned to the Guardian Spirit, now awake and sentient. It patrolled the inner peaks, its presence a constant reminder of Wen Wuxing's unfathomable power.
To his clan, he had become an enigma—a Patriarch whose cultivation leaped with impossible speed, whose foresight bordered on prophetic, and whose schemes always bore fruit.
None suspected the system's invisible hand guiding it all.
Beyond the Kingdom, enemies stirred.
News of Hidden Star Sect's victories angered the Phoenix Valley Sect. Their young master, Xue Feng, issued a public challenge to any sect daring to oppose them at the Grand Tournament.
Wuxing accepted.
Privately, he issued a Veil of Shadows order: Investigate Xue Feng's secrets, his weaknesses, his bloodline.
He would crush this so-called genius. Publicly.
With overwhelming force.
Ding!
Hidden Mission Unlocked: "Burn the Phoenix."
Objective: Defeat Xue Feng before the Tournament's Final Round.
Reward: Phoenix Flame Bloodline Sample, +1 Hidden Star Sect Tier Upgrade, +1 Guardian Beast Slot.
Penalty: Influence Loss – 20%, Hidden Star Sect Exposure Risk Increased.
Wuxing's eyes gleamed.
So be it.
Let the world watch as the Wen Clan rose—unseen, unstoppable, eternal.