The atmosphere inside the Chaos Sect had shifted.
The selection of Nyra, the first Core Disciple, had sent a silent wave across the Sect's foundations. The outer disciples, though still in training, looked upon her with awe, fear, or ambition. The Vault of Souls glowed more brightly now-Nyra's soul bond had stirred something ancient.
At the peak of the Chaos Pavilion, Zero stood silently, arms crossed, overlooking the canyons where torches burned around the main hall.
Behind him, Elder Mu knelt.
"Sect Master," he said solemnly, "I've finished assessing the first group of outer disciples. Of the 25, five have the potential to enter the Inner Sect within one month."
Zero nodded. "What about Nyra?"
Elder Mu smiled faintly, something rare from the man.
"With proper training... she may become more terrifying than any of us imagine."
X Inside the Core Hall: Nyra's Trial Begins
The newly constructed Core Hall was located deep inside the mountain-connected to the Chaos Soul Forge, a place where spirit energy condensed at ten times the rate of the outside world.
Nyra knelt inside, surrounded by flickering shadow flames. Her breathing was slow, eyes closed, body trembling slightly from the pressure of the Primordial Chaos Bloodline Compatibility Test.
Elder Mu hovered above her on a soul cloud, hands forming strange signs.
"Let your demon side burn," he said. "You are no longer defined by what you inherited, only by what you claim."
Nyra's body arched as black smoke poured from her veins. Screams of shadow beasts echoed around her.
But she didn't scream back-she stood, defiant.
Suddenly, a light pierced through her chest—a white flame within the blackness.
[System Alert: Abyssal Order Physique stabilized]
Unique Trait Gained: Soul Duality - immunity to all charm, illusion, and confusion effects.
She fell forward, gasping. Elder Mu caught her gently and smiled.
"Congratulations... Core Disciple Nyra. Chaos accepts you."
Meanwhile: Chaos Sect Construction Expands
Zero had already begun upgrading the base using his newly acquired resources.
[Construction Phase II Activated]
Core Hall (Complete) Inner Disciple Pavilion (Under Construction) Beast Taming Grounds (30%) Alchemy Hall (10%) Hidden Escape Arrays: [2 of 7 Placed]
He walked beside a projection of the Chaos Al Architect, adjusting placement of defense arrays.
"The next threat will come soon," he murmured.
The Al responded in its deep mechanical voice:
"Confirmed: Three known factions have detected spiritual anomalies. Projected contact in 24 to 48 hours."
Scene Shift: Assassin Camp Outside the
Canyon
A dozen cloaked cultivators sat around a fire. Their leader, a man named Shadow Fang, reviewed the bounty report.
"This so-called 'Chaos Sect' came out of nowhere.
No known alliances. No background."
He tapped a jade slip.
"Target: Female Core Disciple. Codename: Nyra. Kill or abduct."
Beside him, a masked woman snorted. "We've faced hidden sects before. Probably just a group of delusional players."
They laughed.
But then... the ground rumbled.
And a whisper echoed:
"You should have stayed hidden..."
Assassination Attempt: Nyra's
Awakening
Nyra stepped out of the Core Hall, finally finished with her first breakthrough. She had reached Foundation Realm - Level 1, but with her physique and boosted talent, her spiritual pressure equaled Foundation Level 5.
Suddenly, a distortion in space rippled beside her. A dagger flashed toward her throat.
But she didn't panic.
Her hand rose, and Void Step activated. She vanished
-reappearing behind the assassin with a shadow blade drawn from thin air.
"You picked the wrong Sect," she whispered.
The assassin barely turned before his throat exploded in black mist.
More enemies poured in-eleven of them, all above NPCs foundation Establishment or player assassins.
Yulin sensed the threat instantly. With a mighty roar, he burst from the Soul Temple and launched into the sky. Golden lightning laced his wings as he dived, crushing two assassins with a single strike.
Zero appeared beside Nyra mid-battle, calm and emotionless. His robes fluttered as he raised his hand.
"Let's test a new skill."
He pointed toward the remaining attackers.
"Chaos Shadow Bind."
Chains of soul-black mist exploded from his shadow, wrapping around six enemies. They screamed in agony as their soul energy was forcibly frozen.
[Skill Effect: Soul Suppression - Target cannot use any spiritual energy for 10 seconds.]
One assassin escaped the bind, trying to run-but Nyra was already behind him, her palm glowing black.
"Chaos Blood Purge."
His body imploded into dust.
Aftermath - Message Sent
Only one assassin was left alive.
Zero walked toward him, eyes cold.
"Tell your master.."
"If you come for Chaos-Chaos will come for you."
He snapped his fingers. The man's legs shattered from the inside, but his mind was spared.
Yulin dragged him to the border of the canyon and threw him into the wildlands.
Sect Growth Update
[First External Threat Repelled]
Chaos Sect Reputation +2 (Global Hidden Score)
Outer Disciple Loyalty: +10%
Disciples Inspired: Training Intensity Increased System Unlocked: Chaos War Doctrine I - Create battle teams & deploy formations
Zero returned to the inner courtyard. His system panel blinked.
[Hidden Title Acquired: "Shadow Executioner"]
Effect: Increases assassination resistance by 50% and damage against hidden-class cultivators by 30%.
He looked toward Nyra, who knelt again before him.
"You've done well," he said softly. "You are now the sword of Chaos."
She smiled slightly. "And you... are my reason to rise."
Across the Realm...
A masked elder within the Black Sky Sect received news of the failed attack. His eyes narrowed.
"Impossible... They wiped out all twelve of them?"
He looked at a glowing red crystal in his hand.
1. "This
Chaos Sect... who founded it?"
A servant ran in.
"Sir, we found a name. One word: Zero."
The elder stood abruptly, storm clouds forming outside.
"Declare him an enemy of the Black Sky Sect. A kill-on-sight order."