Cherreads

Chapter 7 - Snake in the Sect

Moonfall Sect – Eastern Wing

The Moonfall Sect was one of the four great sects in the region.

Elegant towers. Heavenly sword arts. Righteous disciples.

But beneath the silver walls and golden floors, corruption bubbled quietly.

Elders who took bribes.

Inner disciples who bullied the outer ones.

Secret pacts with rogue clans.

And Priyanshu was going to break them from the inside out.

Dark Heaven Society – Command Hall

Anaya unrolled a large parchment on the table.

"Moonfall Sect's outer defense formation is weak near the Spirit Spring Gorge."

Meera added, "And I've found someone… useful. She's an inner disciple. Smart, powerful, but hated by her own sect for practicing dual-elemental cultivation."

Priyanshu raised an eyebrow. "Name?"

"Vaidehi," Meera said. "They call her the 'Witch of Thunderflame.'"

"She's the perfect chaos trigger."

System Notification:

❖ New Mission Unlocked: [Corrupt the Witch of Thunderflame]Target: Vaidehi – Inner Disciple, Moonfall SectStatus: Distrusted by elders, feared by peersTrait: Dual Core Physique – Fire & LightningHidden Affinity: Forbidden Flame Scripture (Sealed)

Primary Objective: Turn Vaidehi into a loyal high-tier female agentSecondary Objective: Use her to unlock forbidden flame techniquesReward: +1,200 CP + Flame Cultivation Path Access + Rare Skill Scroll

Step 1: Plant the Doubt

Vaidehi stood at the training ground, surrounded by whispers.

"She thinks she's better than us just because she cultivates two elements."

"Her aura is impure. That's why her breakthroughs stall."

"Someone should humble her."

She clenched her fists, ignoring them.

She had worked harder than anyone. Practiced longer. Endured pain they couldn't even imagine.

But still… all they saw was her difference.

That night, she returned to her cave residence, exhausted and angry.

And found a small scroll placed on her bed.

"There is a power beyond purity. A path they'll never let you see.""Come to the Spirit Spring Gorge at midnight if you dare."

Spirit Spring Gorge – Midnight

Vaidehi arrived, sword drawn.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

A voice came from the shadows.

"A friend."

Priyanshu stepped out slowly — not as a masked lord, but as a calm, average boy.

She frowned. "You? What could someone like you offer me?"

He smiled. "Everything."

He tossed her a scroll.

[Forbidden Flame Scripture – Incomplete Version]

Her eyes widened.

"This is sealed in the sect's forbidden vault… How—?"

"I have my ways. But the real question is: do you want to see who you could become without their chains?"

She didn't respond. But she didn't leave either.

System Notification:

✔ Stage 1 Corruption: Curiosity Triggered✔ Bond Forming: Conflict → Curiosity → RiskProgress: 27%Hidden Harem Flag TriggeredNew Title Possibility: [Master of Fire & Ice]

Days Later – A Secret Pact

Vaidehi met Priyanshu again.

This time, she didn't bring a sword.

"You were right," she said. "Their cultivation manuals are incomplete. Held back on purpose."

He nodded. "Because true power threatens the balance they've built."

She knelt.

"Teach me. I'll burn them all if I must."

✔ New Asset Acquired: Vaidehi➤ Rank: High-tier Female Agent➤ Loyalty: 55% (Growing)➤ Trait: Dual Flame Lightning Core➤ Passive Skill Gained: [Witch's Spark] – Increases fire-type follower effectiveness by 25%➤ Bonus Gained: +1,200 CP➤ Skill Scroll Unlocked: [Flame Puppet Technique Lv.1]

Back in the Dark Heaven Society

Priyanshu stood in front of a blazing torch, holding the newly gained scroll.

❖ Skill Acquired: [Flame Puppet Technique Lv.1]➤ Create temporary flame-based clones using fire Qi➤ Effective for infiltration, distraction, or combat➤ Upgradeable through Flame Points (New Currency)

❖ Resource Branch Unlocked: [Flame Path Cultivation Tree]➤ Access to Flame Markets, Fire-type followers, and Combustion Skills

The hall filled with excitement as Anaya and Meera knelt with updates.

Anaya: "Southwater Market is now exporting spirit wine. Profits have doubled."

Meera: "We've marked three elders in Moonfall Sect for corruption. One of them visits courtesans with sect funds."

Priyanshu smiled. "The righteous love dirty secrets."

Meanwhile – Ishika's Jealous Spark

Far away, Ishika received news of a new female follower beside Priyanshu.

She said nothing.

But her hand crushed the jade teacup she was holding.

Final Scene – The Map of the Future

Priyanshu stood before the Dark Heaven Map, now glowing with territory control.

✅ Eastern Hills: Spirit Mine✅ Southwater: Trade Hub✅ Moonfall Sect: Infiltration 22%✅ Noble Territory: Ishika Planted

Only one region remained untouched — the North, where the beast tribes and ancient ruins whispered of divine power.

He smirked.

"Time to wake the monsters."

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