Chapter 8: Seeds of Power
The morning mist clung to the valley like a veil, casting the Supreme Immortal Sect in a dreamlike haze. Sunlight filtered through the trees as Alex stood at the edge of a rocky cliff, observing his disciples from above.
Lina was sparring with Kai, her movements fluid but deliberate. Though only at the first star of the Martial Apprentice Realm, she had already absorbed two Spirit Nourishment Pills, and her aura had stabilized significantly. Kai, ever eager, charged in with basic footwork and a practice sword—but lacked control.
Aya sat beneath a tree nearby, carefully refining her breathing. Her progress was slower, more methodical, but Alex noticed that her spiritual sense was unusually strong for a beginner.
She's developing spiritual awareness earlier than expected… Her soul is either naturally sensitive, or she's hiding something.
He made a mental note to test her later.
Ding! Disciples Training Progress: +2%
Current Sect Development: 15%
Hidden Quest Progress: 9%
Alex opened the system's new Sect Facility Menu. With the rewards from the last quest and recent breakthroughs, new options had become available:
Martial Arts Pavilion (Blueprint – Locked)
Alchemy Hall (Basic Cauldron Installed)
Trial Platform (Requires Spiritual Stone)
Outer Disciple Quarters (In Progress)
"Soon, I'll need to open the first martial technique to them," Alex murmured. "A basic cultivation path isn't enough if I want them to reach Martial Master within five years."
He browsed the system's internal mall.
[Available Martial Arts Techniques]
Tiger Roaring Fist (Yellow-Mid) – 100 Origin Points
Silent Step Movement Art (Yellow-Mid) – 120 Origin Points
Iron Skin Technique (Yellow-High) – 180 Origin Points
Wind Shadow Sword Art (Yellow-Perfect) – 300 Origin Points
Alex selected the first two for his disciples.
Purchased: Tiger Roaring Fist, Silent Step Movement Art
Remaining Origin Points: 140
He created engraved scrolls using the Engrave Spirit Ink, placing them inside a small wooden shrine beside the training ground.
That afternoon, he gathered the disciples. "These are your first martial techniques. Use them to develop your strength and understanding. But remember—techniques are tools. The true path lies within your own spirit."
Lina stepped forward. "Master, I feel like I'm reaching a threshold. Every time I breathe, I can feel something wanting to break."
Alex nodded. "You're close to Martial Apprentice 2-Star. Continue absorbing the pills I gave you and start practicing Tiger Roaring Fist. With effort, you'll break through within the month."
Kai's eyes glowed. "And me, Master?"
"You lack control. Focus on precision. Strength without control is like fire in dry grass."
Kai scratched his head, unsure, but determined.
That evening, Alex walked into the forest, deeper than he had before. There was something in the air—a distortion of spiritual energy, subtle but real.
He reached a hidden glade where spiritual energy swirled unnaturally. In the center, a massive stone lay cracked and steaming.
"Strange," he muttered. "This stone holds remnants of a spiritual ore vein. Not natural."
Ding! Spiritual Spring Location Detected
Requirement Met: Unlock Hidden Resource Point
Generate Low-Grade Spiritual Qi
Boost Sect Cultivation Efficiency +20%
Can be converted into Spirit Stone Mine (Future Upgrade)
Reward: +150 Origin Points
Alex smiled faintly. "Perfect."
Back at the sect, Aya sat alone, eyes glowing faintly. Her fingers traced the ground as if drawing invisible runes.
Unbeknownst to her master, something ancient stirred in her soul. Visions of a burning tree, a whispering spirit, and a silver moon flashed behind her eyes.
She blinked and the images vanished.
"I must grow stronger," she whispered. "Before it awakens again."
From afar, a pirate scoutship sailed past the edge of Baruba Island. One crewman with a spyglass frowned, sensing something off.
"Captain," he called, "the island… I don't know why, but the air feels weird. Like a pressure I've never felt before."
The captain took the spyglass. "Not Haki. Not a Devil Fruit either. Just… strange."
They stared at the island for a moment longer.
"Mark it on the map. We'll report it to the boss later. Maybe just… keep an eye on it."
As the ship turned away, the first seeds of trouble began to form.
And the world, still unaware of what had taken root, continued to turn—one step closer to an era where mortals would challenge the heavens