The inner sect of the Vermillion Cloud Sect shimmered with spirit energy. Grand towers pierced the clouds, and elegant bridges arched over flowing rivers of qi-infused water. It was a place of pride, honor, and cultivation.
But tonight, its perfection was about to be stained.
Raizen stood at the boundary stone, hidden beneath a concealment talisman he'd stolen from the corpse of a patrol disciple. His eyes were locked onto one specific name glowing in red on his system interface.
> Target: Lei Feng – Inner Sect Disciple
Status: Alive
Crime: Betrayal, Core Rupture, Attempted Murder
Execution Recommended
Raizen's lips curled.
Lei Feng was once his sparring partner. A coward dressed as a loyal friend. When the elders turned on Raizen, Lei Feng was the first to throw him down and the last to spit on him before they left him crippled.
Tonight, that debt would be paid.
> System Update: Path Cleared – Inner Sect Boundary Breached
[Abyss Presence] Activated – Fear Field Suppressing Targets Below Spirit Sea Stage
Raizen slipped past the guards like a whisper. His aura was completely masked — not just by talismans, but by the abyssal energy that naturally cloaked him in anti-spiritual interference.
He followed the crimson thread only he could see — a line that led directly to Lei Feng's cultivation chamber at the east wing of the sect.
---
Inside Lei Feng's Residence
The young inner sect disciple sat cross-legged in meditation. A subtle glow wrapped around him as his Qi surged toward the peak of Qi Condensation.
He was talented — not as gifted as Raizen once was — but enough to climb over others through flattery, cruelty, and betrayal.
Lei Feng opened his eyes slowly, sweat beading on his forehead.
"So close… Once I break through, Elder Yun said he'd recommend me for the elite trials."
He grinned, wiping his face with pride.
But his grin froze when he felt a cold wind blow through the sealed chamber.
He turned his head slowly.
The door hadn't opened.
But a figure was already standing inside.
A black cloak. Crimson eyes. A face he had once spat on, now reborn in shadow.
"No…" Lei Feng stood, heart racing. "You... Raizen? That's not possible—!"
Raizen didn't answer.
> Skill Activated: [Terror Echo]
Effect: Induces traumatic memory replays. Target suffers fear paralysis for 3 seconds.
Lei Feng's eyes went wide as visions burst into his mind — Raizen on the ground, his cultivation being destroyed, begging for help.
And Lei Feng laughing.
Just like he did back then.
Only this time, he wasn't laughing.
He was screaming.
Raizen moved before the scream could leave his throat. One step — and his hand was around Lei Feng's neck, abyssal mist pouring into his meridians like molten acid.
Lei Feng thrashed, summoning a blade from his ring, slashing wildly.
Raizen leaned in, unflinching. The sword grazed his side — but the wound closed instantly with a hiss of black steam.
"You know what's funny?" Raizen said softly. "The system said I only needed to kill you. But it didn't say I had to do it fast."
Lei Feng's eyes bulged.
> Skill Activated: [Soul Inversion – Tier II]
Effect: Reverses Qi flow violently. Induces core backlash.
Lei Feng's chest burst with red lightning. His dantian cracked like shattering crystal. Blood spilled from his nose and mouth.
And then…
> Final Command: Abyss Touch – Total Corruption Initiated
Lei Feng's body withered, his skin turning grey as his Qi, his soul, and even his memories were consumed.
By the time he fell, he was not a corpse.
He was nothing.
> Target Eliminated
+2 Levels Gained | Skill Unlocked: [Blood Pact: Vengeance Sigil]
Level: 2 → 4
Raizen turned and walked out, leaving no trace behind. Not even the scent of death.
Only silence.
And fear.
---
Later that night – Inner Sect Alarm Tower
A red flare burst into the sky.
Sect elders appeared instantly. Disciples poured into formation.
Lian Fei arrived moments later, face pale, heart heavy.
"Who was it?" she demanded.
A shaken elder responded, "Lei Feng. His core… it wasn't destroyed. It was unmade."
Lian Fei's voice trembled. "Did anyone see who did it?"
"No. But this was left behind."
He held up a burning sigil drawn in black blood on the stone floor.
A spiral symbol.
The same one from Raizen's chest.
Her breath hitched. She knew.
He was sending a message.
---
In the forest beyond the sect
Raizen sat beneath a crooked tree, letting the darkness wrap around him.
His system pulsed softly.
> New Target Revealed: Elder Yun
Status: Spirit Sea Stage – High Threat
Note: This target was one of the Five who approved your destruction.
Raizen whispered into the night.
"One down."
He opened his hand. The blood sigil pulsed like a heartbeat.
"Four to go."
---
[End of Chapter 4]