# Chapter 22: Sects and Guilds
The first glimpse of Radiant City from the surrounding hills was nothing like what Xìng Huáng had expected. Instead of a desperate human settlement carved from hostile wilderness, he saw a thriving metropolis that rivaled the Blood Iron Stronghold in scope and clearly surpassed it in architectural sophistication.
Towers of cultivation-enhanced crystal and steel rose toward the sky, their surfaces inscribed with formation arrays that pulsed with harmonious energy patterns. The city walls weren't just defensive structures—they were massive cultivation arrays that enhanced spiritual energy circulation for everyone within their boundaries. Most impressive were the floating gardens that drifted between the towers, each one a masterwork of spatial manipulation and spiritual agriculture.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Captain Lin Wei observed as they crested the final hill. "Most people expect to find a refugee camp when they hear about a human settlement in the Blood Demon Martial Realm. Instead, they discover one of the most advanced cultivation cities in the region."
"How is this possible?" Xìng Huáng asked, his Gaming Prodigy talent automatically analyzing the city's defensive and organizational structures. "The merger happened less than two months ago. This level of development should take years, if not decades."
"It would, if we were starting from nothing," Lin Wei replied. "But Radiant City wasn't built by merger survivors alone. This was a pre-existing human settlement—one of the few places where humans had already established themselves in the Blood Demon Martial Realm before your species' arrival."
The revelation was startling. Humans had existed in this realm before the merger?
"The merger brought billions of new humans into our reality," Lin Wei continued as they approached the city's main gate. "But there were already several million humans here—descendants of previous dimensional migrants, explorers who found their way through natural rifts, and yes, even some who were brought here by other means."
HIDDEN INTERFACE: INFORMATION UPDATE
RADIANT CITY ANALYSIS:
Pre-Merger Population: ~2.3 million humans
Post-Merger Population: ~47 million humans *(Including refugees)*
Organizational Structure: SECT AND GUILD SYSTEM
Political Status: INDEPENDENT CITY-STATE
As they passed through gates that were themselves marvels of cultivation engineering, Xìng Huáng found himself in a bustling urban environment that defied every assumption he'd made about human survival in this realm.
The streets were filled with cultivators of all levels, from nervous-looking Black Iron newcomers who were clearly recent merger survivors to confident individuals whose spiritual signatures suggested Gold-level advancement or higher. But more importantly, everyone was human—not a single hobgoblin, harpy, or other native species in sight within the city proper.
"Welcome to the only purely human settlement in the known regions of the Blood Demon Martial Realm," Lin Wei announced. "Population forty-seven million and growing, with cultivation opportunities from basic mortal training all the way up to Transcendent-level advancement."
"How do you organize that many people?" Xìng Huáng asked, watching as groups of cultivators moved through the streets with obvious purpose and direction.
"Sects and Guilds," Lin Wei replied. "The fundamental organizational structure that allows our society to function efficiently while providing advancement opportunities for everyone."
They paused at a major intersection where a massive information board displayed listings that reminded Xìng Huáng of job postings, but with distinctly cultivation-oriented content:
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES:
AZURE MOUNTAIN SECT
*Seeking: Combat specialists with purification abilities*
*Requirements: Black Iron - High minimum, demonstrated anti-corruption techniques*
*Benefits: Advanced technique training, cultivation resources, sect protection*
MERCHANT'S GUILD
*Seeking: Appraisers with spiritual perception*
*Requirements: Specialized traits, basic cultivation foundation*
*Benefits: Resource access, trade route protection, profit sharing*
CITY DEFENSE FORCE
*Seeking: All cultivation levels for territorial security*
*Requirements: Loyalty oath, combat readiness*
*Benefits: Steady advancement, equipment provision, civic authority*
RADIANT SCHOLARS SECT
*Seeking: Knowledge preservation specialists*
*Requirements: Gaming Prodigy or similar analytical talents*
*Benefits: Access to archives, research support, intellectual community*
The posting for Radiant Scholars made Xìng Huáng pause. His Gaming Prodigy talent was specifically mentioned as a desired qualification.
"The posting system allows people to find organizations that match their abilities and goals," Lin Wei explained. "Sects focus on cultivation advancement and specialized training. Guilds handle economic activities, resource management, and practical services. Both provide structure, support, and opportunities for progression."
"And what prevents conflicts between these organizations?"
"The City Council mediates disputes, and everyone benefits from Radiant City's continued independence. Factional conflict would invite conquest by external powers—something no one wants."
As they walked deeper into the city, Xìng Huáng could see the system in action. Groups of cultivators wearing matching robes or insignia moved through the streets with clear purpose. Sect members were easy to identify by their disciplined formations and spiritual harmony, while Guild members showed the practical efficiency of people focused on concrete objectives.
"The Azure Mountain Sect posting mentioned purification abilities," he observed. "Is corruption a significant problem here?"
Lin Wei's expression grew more serious. "One of our biggest challenges. The merger brought billions of refugees, many of whom had already begun showing signs of essence-theft infection. Others developed corruption after arrival through desperation or poor guidance."
"What happens to them?"
"Depends on the severity and their willingness to accept help. Early-stage infection can be treated by specialists with purification techniques—people like yourself, based on your combat reports. Advanced cases..." She paused meaningfully. "Advanced cases become threats to public safety."
They paused outside a impressive building whose architecture combined classical human design with cultivation-enhanced materials. The sign above the entrance read: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DIVISION - NEW ARRIVAL PROCESSING
"This is where we handle initial assessment and placement for newcomers," Lin Wei explained. "You'll undergo evaluation—nothing like what the Blood Iron Tribe attempted, just basic capability assessment and preference matching."
"And if I don't want to join any organization immediately?"
"Independent cultivation is permitted, but not recommended. The city's protection extends to all residents, but advancement opportunities, resource access, and social integration work best through organizational membership."
Inside the building, the processing center was a marvel of efficient organization. Multiple stations handled different aspects of newcomer integration: cultivation assessment, skill evaluation, organizational matching, and housing assignment.
The assessment process was refreshingly straightforward compared to his tribal evaluation. A middle-aged woman with Gold-level cultivation examined his spiritual signature with professional competence.
"Black Iron - Peak, Blood Seeker specialization, demonstrated combat effectiveness with purification capabilities," she announced. "Multiple organizational matches available based on current needs."
ASSESSMENT RESULTS:
PRIMARY MATCHES:
- Azure Mountain Sect: *Anti-corruption specialist position*
- City Defense Force: *Combat unit integration*
- Merchant's Guild: *Security specialist role*
SECONDARY MATCHES:
- Radiant Scholars: *Pattern analysis researcher*
- Independent Contractor: *Freelance opportunities*
"The Azure Mountain Sect seems particularly interested in your purification abilities," the assessor noted. "They're currently dealing with a corruption outbreak in the eastern districts that's proven resistant to standard treatment methods."
"What kind of corruption outbreak?" Xìng Huáng asked, his divine heritage stirring with interest at the mention of essence-theft problems.
"Organized infected humans who've formed a rival faction. They're attempting to establish territory within the city through systematic corruption of recent arrivals. Standard purification techniques have been ineffective because their corruption is structured rather than chaotic."
HIDDEN INTERFACE: OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS
CORRUPTION OUTBREAK: STRUCTURED ESSENCE THEFT
DIVINE GREED COMPATIBILITY: MAXIMUM *(Direct philosophical opposition)*
POTENTIAL ADVANCEMENT: SIGNIFICANT *(Worthy opposition detected)*
RISK LEVEL: MODERATE *(Manageable with proper support)*
The situation was perfect for demonstrating his capabilities while advancing his cultivation through worthiness-based combat. More importantly, it would allow him to establish his reputation in Radiant City through meaningful contribution rather than simple integration.
"I'd like to speak with Azure Mountain Sect representatives," he decided. "The purification specialist position sounds like an excellent match for my abilities."
"Excellent choice," the assessor replied. "They maintain a recruitment office on the seventh floor. Tell them Chen Ming referred you—they'll expedite the interview process."
As Xìng Huáng headed toward the elevators, he felt optimistic about his prospects for the first time since escaping the Blood Iron Stronghold. Radiant City offered something he'd never experienced: a human society where his rapid advancement might be valued rather than viewed with suspicion.
More importantly, the corruption outbreak provided an opportunity to use his divine heritage's natural opposition to essence theft while building legitimate credentials in his new home.
The path to godhood had found its way to a city where earned advancement was not only possible, but actively encouraged through organized competition and mutual support.
HIDDEN INTERFACE UPDATE:
SANCTUARY STATUS: CONFIRMED
ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES: MULTIPLE HIGH-VALUE OPTIONS
DIVINE HERITAGE CONCEALMENT: STABLE
RECOMMENDATION: ESTABLISH SECTARIAN AFFILIATION FOR LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT
The Lord of Greed was about to find his place in a society built around the very principles his divine nature embodied.