The border of Azure Cloud Sect shook with the first clashes of war. Patrol squads sent to guard the mountain passes had begun to report attacks. Crimson Serpent Sect was testing the defenses, sending ambush parties and probing forces. The atmosphere across the sect was tense, but Sect Master Liang wasted no time. Orders were sent for vanguard squads to push forward and eliminate enemy scouts before they could gather too much information.Kai and his guild were among those chosen. The Ascendant Path marched in tight formation, their movements steady after days of relentless training. Two hundred disciples wore their guild’s mark. Each held their weapon firmly and kept their eyes sharp. They knew this was no longer training. The enemy was real.The System’s voice spoke in Kai’s mind.[System Alert: Sub-Quest Generated.][Quest: Lead your guild in the first border skirmish. Eliminate enemy ambush squads. Survive and maintain guild integrity. Reward: War Contribution Points.]Kai gripped

The attack came at dawn. Crimson Serpent Sect launched a full assault on Azure Cloud Sect’s outpost in Ironwood Valley. The valley had always been a strategic point. Whoever controlled it had would have access to trade routes and spiritual ore veins that were vital for cultivation resources. Losing it would weaken Azure Cloud greatly.Kai and the Ascendant Path arrived with a vanguard unit of sect disciples. Smoke already rose from the valley. Screams and the clash of weapons echoed between the cliffs. Crimson Serpent disciples swarmed the defensive walls, pushing the Azure Cloud defenders back with there sheer numbers and coordinated assaults.The System immediately updated Kai’s mission.[System Alert: Battlefield Detected.][New Sub-Quest: Defend Ironwood Valley. Your success Condition is to hold the outpost until reinforcements arrive.][Failure Condition is the destruction of the outpost and -50% of reputation from Azure Cloud Sect.]Kai’s eyes narrowed. He raised his hand to sig

The declaration of war had already set the entire cultivation world on edge. Clashes on the borders continued, but now both armies prepared for something larger. The Crimson Serpent Sect, unwilling to let Azure Cloud Sect gain confidence, sent their young sect heir to the battlefield. His name was Jiang Ren, known across the region as a monstrous genius with mastery over poison flames. He had defeated every opponent in his generation, and his arrival carried the intent to destroy Kai’s growing reputation.The challenge was delivered formally. Jiang Ren demanded a duel in front of both sects. If Azure Cloud refused, it would be seen as weakness. If they accepted, Kai was the obvious target.The Sect Master called Kai to the council. “This is a trap, but refusing will only weaken us further. Are you prepared?”Kai stood calmly. “I will face him.”The System responded instantly.[System Alert: Major Duel Event Triggered.][Quest: Defeat Jiang Ren, Crimson Serpent Heir.][Reward: +500 War

The war between Azure Cloud Sect and Crimson Serpent Sect reached a critical point. Losses were starting to pile up on both sides. The atmosphere started becoming heavy. The Sect Master sat at the head of the long table as the elders argued endlessly over the strategies they were to use in battle. Elder Zhao pushed his agenda forward. He claimed that Kai’s growing influence was dangerous. Other elders countered it. They insisted that without Kai’s victories, the sect would have already fallen.The Sect Master just watched as they continued debating. When the noise reached its peak, he raised his hand, and the hall became silent. His voice was calm. “That's enough! Kai proved himself to everyone. From this day forward, he will take temporary command over three outer divisions and two inner battalions. He will act under my direct authority.”The decision struck the room like a thunderclap. Zhao’s face went pale before turning dark with rage. “Sect Master, you cannot give such power to a

The battlefield of Crimson Peaks still burned with the remains of the war. Azure Cloud’s banners stood firm across the ridge, and soldiers were beginning to regroup. The sounds of victory had only just started to echo when everything changed.At the command ridge, Elder Zhao stood beside several high-ranking elders. His wore a calm face. Zhao quietly engaged hand seals. A faint red glow appeared beneath his robe, hidden from sight.The System in Kai’s mind suddenly emitted a sharp warning.[System Alert: Unusual spiritual fluctuation detected within Azure Cloud command ridge.][Analysis Result: Hostile energy signature – matches Crimson Serpent Sect’s formation pattern.]Kai froze for a second, his instincts sharpening. He turned toward the ridge in the distance, where the elders were gathered. “No,” he muttered. “Not now.”Before anyone could react, a massive explosion erupted from the command ridge. A wave of crimson flames engulfed the area, throwing disciples and elders off their