The tranquility of the Arcane Sanctuary was short-lived. As the disciples trained and the Nexus pulsed with energy, the martial sects began to take notice.
One night, Arin noticed movement near the perimeter. She raised an alarm, and Jihoon quickly assembled a small group to investigate.
In the shadows, they found a man clad in black, his movements precise and silent. Jihoon stepped forward, blocking his escape with a barrier of light. "Who sent you?"
The spy smirked. "You're making waves, Sect Leader Jihoon. The martial sects don't like competition."
Before Jihoon could question him further, the spy bit down on something and collapsed, foam frothing at his mouth.
"A suicide pill," Arin said grimly. "They're serious about stopping us."
The next day, Jihoon called a meeting with his disciples. "The martial sects see us as a threat," he said. "They'll come for us sooner or later. We must be ready to defend ourselves."
He began intensifying their training, focusing on defensive techniques and strategies. Daehyun worked tirelessly to perfect his fire magic, while Sora developed a water barrier technique that could shield entire groups.
Meanwhile, Jihoon devised a plan to outmaneuver their enemies. He sent trusted disciples to gather intelligence, learning about the coalition of sects forming against them.
The tension in the sanctuary grew as the disciples prepared for what they knew was coming. Jihoon stood at the Nexus one evening, his mind racing with possibilities.
"System," he said, "how can we ensure the survival of the Sect of Magic?"
New mission unlocked: Forge alliances. Expand your influence by recruiting allies and building relationships with outcast clans.
Jihoon smiled faintly. "Then that's what we'll do. If the martial sects want a war, we'll give them one they'll never forget."