Morning light streamed through the forest canopy, glinting off dew-covered leaves. Small animals stirred in the underbrush, their cries light and natural.
But deeper in the forest… it was as if nature itself held its breath.
No birds sang in the shadows. Heavy shapes moved between ancient trees, and the earth pulsed with subtle vibrations—felt only by those attuned to danger.
This land teemed with spirit beasts, waiting in silence to strike.
Standing at the edge of this untamed domain, Elder Xu's voice held unease.
"Are you certain… Wuqing?"
His tone was low, the doubt in it unhidden.
Before them stretched a towering range of mountains, vast and untamed. Beneath it sprawled a dense forest, crawling with whispers of deadly creatures.
To the east lay an endless ocean—home to sea tribes and unknown horrors.
To the west, savage lands roamed by ancient races and wild clans who had never made peace with mankind.
Han Wuqing glanced sideways.
His gaze was sharp. His voice calm, like still water untouched by the wind.
"I am certain, Elder."
A breeze swept past, bringing with it the damp scent of earth and the faint char of scorched branches.
Elder Xu studied the youth's face. His long white beard fluttered slightly as his eyes softened—not in relief, but in a quiet grief mixed with pride.
"The path you've chosen is not one of comfort, Wuqing," he said slowly. "Founding a sect... is not merely about buildings or gathering disciples. You, of all people, must know that."
Han Wuqing didn't flinch.
"I know, Elder. But if I remain under the shadow of others, I'll never reach the heavens on my own terms."
Elder Xu's lips lifted in a faint smile.
"You've always been different. Too calm... too deep for your years."
Wuqing stayed silent. Deep within, the echoes of humiliation from his early days in the sect still lingered.
Now, the system within him had already begun preparing... to recruit souls from Earth.
Elder Xu let out a long breath.
"Very well. Take this box from me. You'll need it... when the time comes."
He handed over a small lacquered box.
Wuqing accepted it respectfully. As he did, Elder Xu remembered the first time he found the boy—ten years old, bloodied and filthy, yet with eyes far too cold and knowing for a child.
"You looked at me then," Elder Xu murmured, "as if you already understood the truth: this world gives nothing for free."
Han Wuqing offered only a faint smile, neither agreeing nor denying.
"I just knew, Elder… if I wanted to live, I couldn't rely on mercy."
The old man chuckled under his breath, his eyes glowing with pride.
"And now you stand here—not because the world made way for you... but because you forced it to open a path."
Elder Xu took one last long look at Han Wuqing, etching the boy's face into memory. Then, with a gesture, he rose atop his spirit eagle and soared into the clouds.
Wuqing remained still as mist drifted from the eastern peaks. Behind him, danger waited in the forest's heart. Before him… the unknown.
His gaze swept the vast wilderness, searching for the place where everything would begin.
Step by step, he crossed rocky ground until he reached a wide open clearing.
The wind grew colder, carrying the scent of untamed earth and scattered spiritual energy.
This was it.
---
The place where it all begins.
[DING!]
Location suitable. Would the host like to build the Sect Core here?
Yes / No
→ Yes
Initiating Core Construction…
[Constructing: Main Hall, Awakening Hall, Mission Board, Stone Gate, Sect Name Monument, and Defensive Formation Lv.1]
The earth rumbled beneath his feet.
A vast formation circle pulsed with soft golden light, engraving patterns into the ground. Spiritual mist swirled upward, revealing faint outlines of buildings, shimmering with ethereal glow.
Before him, a massive stone pillar rose slowly from the earth.
At its peak... a blank space—waiting for the name that would one day shake a continent.
The system's voice echoed again:
Please name your sect.
Han Wuqing opened his eyes.
His gaze was sharp, as if seeing the far future.
"My sect will be called… Yuandao."
In an instant, golden light carved the name into the stone.
A quiet declaration. A vow.
"One day," he murmured, calm but unwavering, "this name will echo through Cangxuan history."
Without hurry, he walked into the newly formed Main Hall. His steps were steady, exuding natural authority.
Inside his mind, he summoned the voice that had become familiar.
"Sistem. Tell me about this Leadership Skill."
[Leadership Skill: A unique ability that allows host to see, evaluate, and influence the cultivation, potential, and mental state of disciples in real time. Buffs and strategic commands become available under certain conditions.]
[Current Level: Lv.1
Effect: View each disciple's cultivation stage, talent rating, emotional state, and training progress.]
Wuqing nodded as he walked, his eyes scanning the wide interior.
"See their status, huh..." he murmured. "So I can tell who's truly training… and who's just all talk."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Not bad. No more guessing which ones are real geniuses."
His footsteps echoed lightly in the stone corridor. Mist lingered in the air, adding an odd tranquility to the atmosphere.
At the end of the hallway hung a simple wooden sign above a grand double door—engraved with flowing ancient script:
Sect Leader's Room
Wuqing furrowed his brow slightly and pushed the door open.
It creaked softly, revealing a spacious chamber filled with warm wood and the gentle scent of incense.
Bookshelves lined the walls. A large desk stood at the center.
But what stopped him cold—was not the spiritual elegance...
It was the modern computer sitting on the desk.
A full setup: sleek monitor, keyboard, glowing indicators—completely foreign to this world.
The screen glowed softly, displaying a sleek silver-blue interface.
Wuqing stepped closer, guarded yet curious.
"Sistem...?"
As his fingers touched the mouse, the screen flickered—and a digital voice spoke in crisp tones:
[Welcome, Sect Founder. Virtual World Builder System: Activated.]