The days that followed Souta's effortless victory over the Thunderclap Pavilion were filled with an unexpected mix of peace and anticipation. The Scarlet Moon Sect, once in disarray, was now united under his banner, its disciples looking at him with a mix of awe, fear, and fascination.
Souta stretched his arms as he walked through the main courtyard of the sect, the scent of flowers and fresh air mixing with the fragrant incense burning in the halls. His mind wandered to the future, a future where his power would be unmatched, and where every woman who gazed upon him would fall for his charm.
Jiang Xue walked by his side, her eyes still holding a certain wariness. Though she had come to accept his strength, she still couldn't help but wonder what he was truly after.
"Souta," she began, her voice measured. "What's your goal here? Is it just to have fun and build a harem?"
Souta smirked, glancing over at her. "Isn't that enough?"
Jiang Xue's gaze softened, but she kept her composure. "You can't be serious. What about the sect's future? What about its people? Are you really going to leave everything in ruins once you've had your fill?"
Souta stopped walking, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous light. "Who said anything about leaving them in ruins? I'm going to make this place *better*—more powerful, more influential. But let's face it, Jiang Xue, a little fun along the way never hurt anyone."
Jiang Xue shook her head. "I still don't understand you."
Souta chuckled. "Don't worry about it. You'll see soon enough."
The two continued walking, the whispers of the disciples filling the air around them. Every few steps, a new face greeted them, some offering smiles, others staring with admiration or curiosity.
And then, as if summoned by fate itself, a voice cut through the noise.
"Great Lord Souta!"
Souta turned his head, his eyes narrowing as a young disciple with flowing black hair rushed up to him. She was tall and striking, with an air of elegance about her.
"What is it?" he asked, his tone casual but commanding.
The disciple bowed low. "My name is Ling Wei. I'm a core disciple of the sect, and I've been chosen by the elders to personally serve you."
Souta raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a grin. "Oh? Is that so?"
Ling Wei's face flushed, but she held her ground, meeting his gaze with an air of determination. "Yes, Great Lord. I seek your approval. I wish to join your harem."
Jiang Xue shot a glare at Ling Wei. "Do you not have any shame, trying to offer yourself to him so openly?"
Ling Wei didn't flinch. "I'm not ashamed, Sect Mistress. I've seen what he can do. No man has ever possessed such power, such charisma. I've already made up my mind."
Souta stepped closer to Ling Wei, his gaze never leaving her face. The air around him seemed to pulse with a palpable energy. He reached out, gently lifting her chin with his fingers.
"I like your confidence," he said with a smirk. "But I don't want just anyone in my harem. You'll have to prove yourself."
Ling Wei nodded eagerly. "I will do whatever it takes."
Jiang Xue scowled but said nothing.
Souta's grin widened. "Good. I expect nothing less."
---
The sun was just beginning to set, casting a warm golden hue over the Scarlet Moon Sect's expansive courtyard. Souta stood in the center, his arms crossed over his chest as he observed the disciples gathered before him.
Ling Wei stood at the front, her expression serious as she awaited her test. The disciples whispered amongst themselves, eager to see what Souta would have her do.
"Today," Souta said, his voice booming through the courtyard, "Ling Wei will prove her worth."
Ling Wei stepped forward, her posture proud but her eyes filled with a flicker of doubt.
"I'm sure you all know the rules," Souta continued. "This is a test of both strength and loyalty. If Ling Wei can prove herself, she will join my harem. If she fails, she'll leave the sect and never return."
Jiang Xue, standing off to the side, watched the proceedings closely. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion, though she said nothing.
Souta raised his hand, and the air around them grew charged with energy. "Ling Wei, show me what you've got."
With a fierce determination in her eyes, Ling Wei began to channel her cultivation. The air around her shimmered as her Qi surged, and the ground beneath her feet cracked with the sheer force of her power.
But despite her impressive display, Souta remained completely unmoved.
"That's all?" he asked, his voice dripping with amusement.
Ling Wei's face turned red, but she refused to back down. She drew a sword from her back, its blade gleaming with a deadly aura. "If you want more, then I'll give you everything."
With that, she rushed forward, her sword slicing through the air with incredible speed.
Souta stood still, watching her every movement. He wasn't impressed, but he was curious.
As Ling Wei struck, he simply raised his hand, and the sword shattered into pieces before it even touched him.
Ling Wei froze, staring at the broken blade in disbelief. Her breath came in short gasps. "W-What…"
Souta walked slowly toward her, his every step radiating power. "You're strong, but not strong enough."
Ling Wei's knees trembled, but she refused to kneel. "I'm not finished," she said through gritted teeth. "I will prove myself to you, Souta!"
Souta chuckled. "Prove yourself? Let me make it clear, Ling Wei. In my harem, I don't need weak women. You either rise to my level, or you're nothing."
The words hit her like a hammer. She lowered her head, her heart racing. Was she truly ready to submit to this man, to give him everything?
She took a deep breath and met his gaze. "I… I will do whatever it takes."
Souta's smirk deepened. "Good. You're starting to get it."
With that, he extended his hand, and Ling Wei took it without hesitation. She had passed his test, but the real challenge had only just begun.
---
**Chapter 18: New Beginnings**
The next few days were a whirlwind. Ling Wei, now a member of Souta's growing harem, became an eager student in his cultivation methods, devouring everything he taught her. Her strength grew exponentially, far faster than she had ever imagined.
But with every passing day, she grew more aware of the power dynamic in the sect. The disciples, once loyal to Jiang Xue, now looked to Souta with a new sense of fear and awe. His presence alone was enough to break their wills, bending them to his desire.
And now, he had more women by his side—each one stronger and more devoted than the last. His harem, though still in its early stages, was already becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Souta stood at the top of the Scarlet Moon Sect's tower, his eyes scanning the horizon. His power had reached new heights, and with it, his confidence soared. He could feel it—the inevitable confrontation with the powerful forces of this world.
But for now, he was content.
His journey was far from over, and with each new addition to his harem, the world would bend further to his will.
---
The Scarlet Moon Sect had become a different place under Souta's rule. Where once there had been a sense of hesitation and division, now there was an overwhelming, unshakable confidence. The disciples, young and old, no longer feared the unknown—no longer feared the forces of nature that had once kept them in check. They feared Souta. The legend of the man who could transcend all known boundaries had spread like wildfire, and no one dared to challenge it.
Ling Wei, having fully integrated into his ever-expanding harem, now walked with a purpose she had never before known. The powerful cultivation techniques Souta had imparted to her had made her one of the strongest disciples in the sect in mere days. But unlike most, she wasn't consumed by power—she felt a deep, profound sense of devotion to Souta that surpassed anything she had ever known.
And now, standing in the grand hall of the Scarlet Moon Sect, Souta had called all the key disciples to gather. His presence was so overwhelming that not a single whisper escaped anyone's lips as they took their seats.
Souta leaned against the stone pillar at the far end of the hall, his golden eyes gleaming with silent amusement as he surveyed the crowd.
Ling Wei stood beside him, her gaze unwavering as she too looked out at the gathering disciples. Every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on him, waiting for his words, even though they all knew no one could challenge him now.
"Brothers, sisters," Souta began, his voice like thunder in the otherwise silent hall. "I trust you have all been enjoying your newfound strength, the fruits of my benevolence."
A murmur of agreement spread through the room, but it wasn't just acknowledgment—it was worship. Every disciple, male and female alike, saw Souta as their salvation, their path to unimaginable power. The women of the sect, already under his sway, grew even more entranced by his presence, their devotion to him deepening. The men, though still hesitant, began to see the reality—Souta was the future.
"Now," he continued, the corner of his mouth curling into a slight smile, "it is time to expand beyond the borders of this sect. The forces of this world—those that dare oppose me—must be made aware of the new king in this land."
Ling Wei could feel the air grow heavier with anticipation. The disciples were still uncertain, but her own heart swelled with pride. This was their moment, their chance to rise under Souta's banner.
Souta stepped forward, his aura exploding outward, a palpable force that rattled the walls and caused the very air to hum. For a brief moment, every disciple in the room felt as though they might be crushed under the sheer weight of his presence.
And then, as if it had all been nothing more than a game, he spoke again, his voice cool and collected. "I know some of you might still wonder if we should push forward. If we should face the other sects, the empires, the kingdoms. But the truth is simple. None of them can stand against me. Against *us*."
His words carried an undeniable weight, and they resonated deep within every disciple's soul. The fear they once felt turned into burning determination. They were not following a mere man. They were following a god.
Jiang Xue, who had been sitting at the far side of the room, stepped forward, her normally composed demeanor showing cracks. Despite herself, she had to admit that Souta's power was now undeniable. But something still gnawed at her—a deep unease that he had yet to truly prove himself.
"Souta," Jiang Xue called, her voice steady yet sharp. "You talk of conquering this world, of expanding your power, but what of the people? The ones who don't wish to follow you? Will you destroy them as well?"
Souta's gaze turned cold, his lips curling into a sly smirk. "Destroy them? No. That would be too quick, too easy. I'll let them see the true power of the Scarlet Moon Sect. I'll let them know that anyone who dares oppose me will be swept aside like dust. But there will be no mercy."
He turned his attention to the assembled disciples, his eyes scanning the room, locking on each of them in turn. "What we need is unity. We need to show the world that the Scarlet Moon Sect, with me at its helm, is the strongest force to ever exist. I will build my empire. And every last one of you will be a part of it."
The room fell silent. No one dared to speak, yet all of them were thinking the same thing. This man, this overwhelming force before them, could not be stopped. He was a force of nature. A storm that none could weather.
Ling Wei felt a familiar tug in her heart as Souta spoke, but it was not fear or hesitation. No, it was pride. She was proud to stand by his side. Proud to call him her lord, her protector, her conqueror. Her devotion to him was like a fire that only grew stronger, blazing brighter with every word he spoke. She was his. And she would follow him to the ends of the earth.
But not everyone was as trusting.
An elder from the sect, a tall, imposing man with a long white beard, stood up slowly. His hands trembled slightly as he faced Souta, but his voice was steady. "Great Lord, your power is undeniable. But can we truly follow you into a war against the other sects? The forces of this world are far beyond what you may know. We—"
Souta's eyes flashed with a lethal gleam. In a single, fluid motion, he snapped his fingers.
The elder froze, his body stiffening as if bound by an invisible force. A light, almost invisible aura surrounded him, pressing down on his very soul.
The disciples gasped in shock. They had never seen Souta's power displayed so casually, yet so effectively. The elder was powerless against him.
"I don't *need* to know everything about this world," Souta said, his voice soft, but every syllable weighed with finality. "I only need to know that anyone who dares to stand against me will be eradicated. Anyone who hesitates will be crushed."
He released the elder from his grip, watching with amusement as the man collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily. "Now," Souta said, "any more questions?"
The hall was silent, save for the ragged breaths of the elder. No one dared speak.
"I didn't think so," Souta muttered, his golden eyes scanning the room once more. "I trust you all understand. Now, it's time to expand. We march on the other sects. We show them that the Scarlet Moon Sect will rise above all others."
---
The following days were filled with a whirlwind of action. Souta's orders were swift and decisive. He had no time for delays, no time for uncertainty. He pushed his disciples to their limits, training them relentlessly. But it wasn't just their strength that mattered—it was their loyalty, their willingness to follow him into the fire.
Ling Wei, once unsure of her place in this new world, found herself rising quickly through the ranks. Her power had grown exponentially, and her confidence in Souta's vision had solidified. She wasn't just part of the sect anymore. She was a force to be reckoned with in her own right.
Souta's harem was expanding rapidly, each woman who joined his side growing stronger under his influence. They were no longer just his followers—they were his warriors, his generals. The women he had claimed, one by one, had become vital pieces in his empire-building.
But with every victory, every new disciple he brought into his fold, the target on his back grew larger. The other sects—once content to stay out of each other's way—had begun to notice the rising power of the Scarlet Moon Sect.
But Souta was unfazed.
"Let them come," he said, smiling darkly. "Let them all come."
The world would soon realize that no one—not even the gods themselves—could challenge him.
And so, the rise of the Scarlet Moon Sect began, as the legend of Souta Akihiro—the man who could break through any realm with a single thought—spread across the land, leaving a trail of awe, fear, and devotion in its wake.
The story of his power, his dominance, and his harem would echo through the ages. The world had never seen a force like him. And it would never forget him.