Han Wuqing paused for a moment as he faced the crowd before him, then gave a slow nod—a calm gesture that somehow carried an invisible weight. Without a single word, he turned around and walked out of the hall. The carved wooden doors slowly closed behind him, leaving a lingering silence...
...until it was finally broken by the excited voices of the players.
"Dude, that was insane…"
"I thought it was a cutscene, but it felt so... real?"
"Phew... That Sect Leader NPC is intense, I actually felt intimidated."
Moments later, the system broadcast a notification that instantly silenced everyone.
[Congratulations! You have been accepted as an Outer Disciple of the Yuandao Sect.]
[Please select your starting weapon: Sword / Bow / Spear / Shield / Dagger]
The atmosphere shifted immediately. Fear and tension were swept away and replaced by pure excitement. Cheers broke out as the players eagerly stepped forward, already forgetting the gravity of the earlier scene.
They couldn't wait to try the battle system in this world. One by one, they chose their weapons. Some swung lightweight swords dramatically through the air, while others hesitated between a long spear or a sleek bow.
"I'm going solo. Grinding XP alone sounds better."
"Anyone need a tank? I can take hits like a boss. These muscles aren't just for show!"
"Sniper mode: activated. Just swapping my scope for arrows—easy peasy."
In no time, the courtyard outside the main hall turned into a lively gathering spot. Small teams began to form—some trios, some squads of five—each with their own style and strategy. While a few were still laughing, others were already serious, reading beast descriptions and preparing to head out.
One such team of four had some standout nicknames: [BulletMonk], a flashy archer, [MechaOtaku], a burly shield user, [CallMeZilong], a spear-wielding hero wannabe, and [DaoSlayer], a serious-looking sword user. With determined steps, they headed for the eastern forest edge.
---
At the Edge of the Eastern Forest
"Guys, look! A small swarm of Rock Beetles!" BulletMonk pointed toward a bush where a few beetle-like creatures with stone-like shells were slowly digging around.
DaoSlayer drew his sword with a calm hand. "Be careful. They can spray sharp sand. Don't get too close unless you're ready."
MechaOtaku stepped forward confidently with his shield. "Relax. I'm the tank. You guys stay behind me."
But before they could even form up properly, CallMeZilong charged forward, spear raised high.
"Hahaha! Low-level mobs like this? Let my dragon spear dance first!"
"Wait, dude, don't—!" BulletMonk tried to warn him.
Too late. Two Rock Beetles hidden behind a large tree root sprayed high-pressure sand at CallMeZilong.
"Oh shi—!"
He had no time to dodge. The sand, like sharp dust bullets, slammed into his face and chest. His body flew backward and crashed into a tree with a loud thud. He coughed, gasping for air... then went still, eyes wide in disbelief.
[Party member CallMeZilong has died. Respawning in 3 world minutes.]
Silence.
"...Who invited this idiot?" MechaOtaku grumbled.
BulletMonk sheepishly raised a hand like a guilty school kid. "Hehe… that'd be me."
DaoSlayer didn't say a word. He stared at the leftover sand swirling lightly in the wind and spoke in a low voice.
"Huft… whatever. Let's stick to proper formation this time. I'll take the middle, Mecha's up front, Bullet stays back. Keep your distance. Let's take this seriously."
The three of them moved again—this time in a tighter formation, eyes scanning bushes and rocks with care.
---
One Hour Later
All three stood catching their breath, clothes dusty and arms scraped from small wounds. In front of them lay four beast corpses—no bigger than large dogs. Two Rock Beetles, a single-horned rabbit, and a Misty Valley Qi Frog.
All of them were Common Beasts—regular animals with no spiritual energy. They couldn't cultivate, relying only on instinct. But for beginners, even these put up a real fight.
DaoSlayer sheathed his sword, his expression calm, though a flicker of frustration could be seen in his eyes.
"Four beasts in one hour… We need way more training."
MechaOtaku wiped sweat off his forehead and struggled to lift the beast corpse onto his shoulder.
"Damn… This game's too realistic. No inventory system? Seriously?"
BulletMonk, walking behind, chuckled faintly.
"Well, at least we're still breathing. Let's go to the Contribution Hall and trade these for Qi Stones—maybe we can finally afford a better weapon."
DaoSlayer nodded and mumbled, half-serious and half-confused:
"Strange... This sect system feels like an MMORPG. Kill beasts for EXP, collect materials, trade for Qi Stones... not what I expected from a cultivation game."
"Yeah... but would you really play a game where all you do is meditate in a cave all day?" MechaOtaku teased.
BulletMonk burst into laughter.
"Haha! You're right, Bro Mecha. This is way more fun!"
And so, the three of them walked off—tired but satisfied, carrying their spoils back to the hall. The world of cultivation might be harsh, but for them, it felt like a grand adventure that had just begun.
---
Meanwhile, in the Sect Leader's Chamber...
In a quiet room, Han Wuqing sat cross-legged in silence. A translucent panel floated before him in the air—like a holographic screen glowing softly from the system's core.
The conversation of DaoSlayer's party played clearly through it.
Hearing it, a faint smirk appeared on Han Wuqing's lips. A glint of cunning calculation sparkled in his eyes—everything was going according to plan.
"MMORPG, huh…? Hmph. That's exactly what I wanted," he murmured.
He touched the screen's surface and closed his eyes for a brief moment.
"A simple, addictive, intuitive system. Kill beasts for EXP, trade loot for Qi Stones, buy weapons or techniques—a growth cycle that pushes disciples forward without needing extra motivation. No grand vision required… when the system leads them by the nose."
He opened his eyes again—sharp, focused, filled with strategy.
"Cultivation isn't just about meditating in caves anymore. This is a new era. Under my hand, the sect will rise using modern logic. If they think this is a game... then so be it. Let them be trapped in the 'game' I created. In the end, I'll be the one who reaps the reward."
Outside, the night breeze whispered softly through the window.
But inside that room, a grand plan was already unfolding—and Han Wuqing, like a master chess player, had begun moving his pieces one by one.