Night fell over the Azure Heaven Sect like a velvet shroud, the floating peaks bathed in silver moonlight. The Outer Sect was quiet, the disciples winding down after another day of cultivation.
But beneath the serene surface, a storm was gathering.
The Assassins Assemble
In a hidden Inner Sect hall, Qiu Jian and his closest allies prepared a strike.
"Tonight, we remove him," Qiu Jian said, voice low but burning with determination. His blade shimmered faintly with refined elemental energy, a Core Formation technique capable of slicing through reinforced stone.
Beside him, three other disciples—each a peak Core Formation master—nodded. Their plan was simple: infiltrate the Outer Sect, eliminate Jin Baiyu, and sow chaos among his loyalists.
"We strike together," one of them said, "and leave no witnesses. The Outer Sect cannot know until it is too late."
Qiu Jian's eyes glinted with cold calculation. "Do not underestimate him. He is dangerous… but not invincible. Tonight, we claim victory."
Jin's Preparation
In the Outer Sect, Jin Baiyu's crimson eyes opened from meditation. He had sensed subtle disturbances in the spiritual energy surrounding the sect.
They're moving against me.
He smiled faintly, shadows curling around his limbs like living snakes. The Shadow Army, his network of loyal disciples, was ready. Every Outer Sect disciple under his influence had been trained to respond to subtle shadow signals.
"Wu Hao," Jin said calmly, "it seems we have visitors tonight. Gather the others and spread to the secondary platforms. Shadows will guide you. Do not strike prematurely."
Wu Hao hesitated. "But… if they're stronger—"
"Then let them underestimate us," Jin interrupted, crimson eyes flickering. "Fear is a weapon. Let's sharpen it."
The Infiltration Begins
The Inner Sect assassins moved silently along the mist-covered pathways, confident in their Core Formation abilities. They leapt from stone to stone, shadows barely touching the surfaces.
But the moment they crossed the first Outer Sect boundary, shadows erupted from the ground like black serpents, curling around them in a cage of darkness.
"What—?" one disciple shouted as a shadow tendril lifted him from the stone, immobilizing him midair.
Jin Baiyu stepped from the shadows, calm as ever. "Welcome," he said softly, crimson eyes glowing. "I've been expecting you."
Tactical Genius in Action
The assassins attacked simultaneously, thinking brute force and coordination would overwhelm Jin.
But Jin's strategy unfolded flawlessly:
Shadow Containment: Tendrils moved independently, blocking and redirecting attacks before they could land.
Energy Disruption: Jin siphoned the ambient spiritual energy of the arena to temporarily weaken Core Formation attacks.
Misdirection: Some tendrils mirrored their movements, creating illusions of multiple Jin Baiyus.
Every strike the assassins made was countered not by raw power alone, but by prediction, positioning, and shadow coordination.
The Outer Sect disciples, following subtle shadow signals, emerged from hiding to reinforce Jin, striking at unguarded flanks. Within moments, the balance of power shifted completely.
The First Casualties
One assassin, a towering figure with energy swirling violently around him, attempted a direct attack on Jin.
Crimson tendrils lashed out, wrapping around his limbs and siphoning his qi. Before he could react, he was flung against a floating peak, stunned and unconscious.
Another tried to leap over Jin's shadows, only to be met by a semi-autonomous tendril that struck midair, sending him crashing into a stone platform.
Even Qiu Jian, attempting to coordinate the group, found his plans falling apart. His sword was partially blocked by shadows that moved independently, while his allies were pinned or incapacitated without warning.
This is… unreal, Qiu Jian thought, panic creeping into his mind. How can one Outer Sect disciple control so many variables at once?
Demonstrating New Abilities
Jin Baiyu, standing atop the central platform, extended his hands calmly. Crimson shadows erupted upward, twisting into wings that radiated power and intimidation.
Shadow Wings: Semi-autonomous tendrils capable of intercepting multiple attacks at once.
Crimson Aura Amplification: Jin siphoned ambient energy to strengthen his tendrils, giving them destructive force capable of shattering Core Formation defenses.
Spatial Manipulation: By subtly altering the flow of qi in the immediate area, Jin caused floating platforms to shift slightly, destabilizing the assassins' footing.
The Inner Sect disciples, once confident in their superiority, now struggled to maintain even basic control. Each strike was met with anticipation, redirection, or outright counterattack before it landed.
Turning the Tide
Jin did not strike lethally; he only neutralized. Every incapacitated disciple was alive but firmly controlled.
"This is your first lesson," Jin said softly, crimson aura flickering. "Never underestimate your opponent. And never think the strong cannot see your schemes before they unfold."
His loyalists moved in, capturing disoriented Inner Sect disciples and restraining them with shadow binds. Jin's network, though composed of mostly Outer Sect disciples, now operated like a single unit under his direction.
Aftermath of the First Strike
By dawn, the Inner Sect's first coordinated assassination attempt had completely failed. Their elite Core Formation disciples had been neutralized, humiliated, and captured.
Whispers spread quickly throughout the sect:
The Outer Sect had a rising leader no one could touch.
Jin Baiyu was not merely powerful, but tactically superior, capable of predicting and countering even the best-trained Inner Sect disciples.
His influence over Outer Sect disciples was absolute, and his shadow techniques made direct confrontation nearly impossible.
Even elders were forced to reconsider their strategy. Jin Baiyu was no longer a curiosity or a dangerous child prodigy—he was a legitimate threat to Inner Sect dominance.
The Crimson Reborn's Reflection
Later, in the hidden cave beneath the western cliffs, Jin meditated on the night's events. His crimson aura glimmered faintly in the darkness.
They've tested the shadows and failed. Good.
He allowed his mind to wander through possibilities. Future Inner Sect strikes would be stronger, more coordinated, and potentially deadly. But he had already seen the shape of their tactics and the weaknesses of their planning.
Let them strike again. Every move they make… every step they take… strengthens my network, my power, and my position. When the Inner Sect finally realizes the truth… it will be too late.
Even Wu Hao, observing from the edge of the shadows, could not hide his awe. "Baiyu… they came to kill you… and you handled them like it was a game."
Jin's crimson eyes gleamed. "Power without strategy is chaos. Strategy without power is irrelevant. Together… they are unstoppable."
The floating peaks of the Azure Heaven Sect glimmered beneath the moonlight, silent witnesses to the rise of the Shadow Army and the absolute dominance of the Crimson Reborn.
The sect had entered a new era, one where strategy, fear, and overpowered power would rewrite the rules of cultivation and control.