The twin crimson moons cast an eerie glow over the rugged valley as Wei Chen and Liang Ruo trekked toward the Azure Tide Sect's gates. The air buzzed with faint spiritual energy, but the path was littered with cracked stones and wilted spirit herbs, signs of a sect on the brink of collapse. Liang Ruo's violet robes fluttered as she gripped the Azure Tide Crystal, her expression a mix of wariness and reluctant gratitude toward the grinning stranger beside her.
"You really spent 300,000 spirit stones back there," Liang Ruo said, her voice tinged with disbelief. "That's enough to feed our sect for a decade. And you used it for… what, a light show?"
Wei Chen chuckled, twirling his ruby amulet. "Not just a light show. A statement. Gotta let the world know the Sovereign of Extravagance has arrived." He glanced at her. "Besides, you're still holding that crystal, so mission accomplished, right?"
Liang Ruo's eyes narrowed. "You're either a genius or a lunatic. I haven't decided yet."
"System Notification: Reminder—Spend 10,000,000 Spirit Stones within ten days to unlock the Extravagant Sovereign's First Trial. Current progress: 300,000/10,000,000."
Wei Chen's grin widened. "Nine point seven mil to go. Piece of cake." He scanned the horizon, where the Azure Tide Sect's gates loomed—a crumbling archway engraved with faded wave motifs, barely holding together. "So, this is your sect? Looks like it could use a glow-up."
Liang Ruo sighed, her shoulders slumping. "The Azure Tide Sect was once a mid-tier power on the Celestial Ember Continent. But rival clans—Obsidian Fang, Iron Cloud, and others—have been chipping away at us for years. The Azure Tide Crystal powers our protective array, but it's weakening. Without it, we're defenseless."
Wei Chen raised an eyebrow. "And let me guess, those clans want the crystal to control whatever's inside your sect?"
She nodded, clutching the crystal tighter. "It's the key to the Tide Vault, a relic from our founder. It holds ancient techniques and treasures. If we lose it, the sect falls. I was sent to retrieve it from a hidden shrine, but the Obsidian Fang ambushed me."
"Sounds like you need a sugar daddy with deep pockets," Wei Chen said, winking. "Lucky for you, I'm loaded. Let's fix this dump and make those clans regret messing with you."
Liang Ruo stopped in her tracks, glaring. "This 'dump' is my home. And we don't need your charity. We need strategy, not some spendthrift throwing spirit stones around like candy."
Wei Chen laughed. "Strategy? I've got a system that turns candy into cannons. Watch and learn."
As they reached the gates, a group of disciples in tattered robes rushed out, their faces pale. "Elder Ruo!" a young man with a scarred cheek called. "The Iron Cloud Clan sent an envoy. They're demanding we surrender the crystal by dawn, or they'll attack!"
Liang Ruo's face hardened. "They're bolder than I thought. How many?"
"Three Core Formation elders and a hundred disciples," the young man replied, trembling. "We've only got twenty fighters left, and our array's barely functional."
Wei Chen whistled. "Sounds like a party. System, what can I buy to shut these guys up?"
"Suggestion: Invest 500,000 Spirit Stones to activate the Grand Tidal Restoration Array. Effect: Temporarily boosts the Azure Tide Sect's protective array to Core Formation peak strength, repelling invaders and impressing allies."
"Done," Wei Chen said, raising his amulet. "Let's give this sect a facelift."
"Expenditure approved! Activating Grand Tidal Restoration Array!"
A torrent of spirit stones poured from the amulet, dissolving into a shimmering blue mist that enveloped the sect's gates. The cracked archway glowed, its wave motifs reigniting with azure light. A massive dome of water-like energy surged upward, covering the sect's crumbling walls and towers. The ground trembled as the array stabilized, its aura rivaling a Core Formation master's.
The disciples gasped, some dropping to their knees. "The array… it's restored!" one cried. Liang Ruo stared, her spear nearly slipping from her hand. "Half a million spirit stones… for an array that'll last a week?"
"Worth it," Wei Chen said, dusting off his Dragonflame Sash. "Now, where's this Iron Cloud envoy? Time to flex."
A group approached from the valley—a stern woman in silver armor flanked by two grizzled elders, their Core Formation auras pressing down like a storm. Behind them, a hundred disciples in cloud-patterned robes stood ready, swords glinting.
"Elder Ruo," the woman said, her voice cold. "You've kept us waiting. Hand over the Azure Tide Crystal, or the Iron Cloud Clan will raze this pathetic sect to the ground."
Liang Ruo stepped forward, her aura flaring. "You'll get nothing, Zhao Yun. Leave, or face our array."
Zhao Yun sneered, glancing at the glowing dome. "A temporary fix? You think that'll stop us?" She turned to Wei Chen, eyeing his opulent robes. "And who's this? Your new errand boy?"
Wei Chen grinned, stepping forward. "Errand boy? Nah. I'm the guy who's about to make you regret waking up today. System, let's drop another 200,000 spirit stones for something that screams 'back off.'"
"Expenditure approved! Activating Celestial Intimidation Mirage!"
The air shimmered as the spirit stones vaporized into a golden haze. A colossal phantom dragon materialized above the sect, its scales crackling with lightning. Its roar shook the valley, sending Iron Cloud disciples staggering back, their faces pale. Even Zhao Yun's composure cracked, her hand tightening on her sword.
"That's… a divine beast projection!" she stammered. "Who are you?!"
"Just a guy with too much cash," Wei Chen said, tossing another handful of spirit stones into the air. They burst into a dazzling display of phoenix-shaped fireworks, each explosion radiating Spirit Forging pressure. "Take your cloud cosplayers and scram, or I'll buy your clan and turn it into my personal zoo."
"Expenditure successful! Reward: Cultivation breakthrough to Spirit Forging 4th Stage. Bonus: Thunderstrike Talisman (Mid-Grade Artifact)."
Energy surged through Wei Chen, his aura now rivaling the weaker Iron Cloud elders. The Thunderstrike Talisman appeared in his hand, sparking with violet energy. Zhao Yun's eyes widened, but she forced a sneer. "This isn't over, brat. The Iron Cloud Clan will return."
As the envoy retreated, Liang Ruo rounded on Wei Chen. "Seven hundred thousand spirit stones in one day! Are you trying to bankrupt the continent?"
Wei Chen smirked. "Bankrupt? I'm just getting started. So, Ruo, you gonna show me this Tide Vault or what? Bet it's got something worth spending on."
Liang Ruo sighed, rubbing her temples. "You're going Jewish. I'm stuck with you, aren't I?"
"System Notification: Progress update—1,000,000/10,000,000 Spirit Stones spent. New mission: Spend 1,000,000 Spirit Stones to unlock the Tide Vault's secrets. Reward: Unknown."
Wei Chen's eyes gleamed. "Oh, this sect's about to get a serious upgrade."