The forest thinned as Shen Yuan moved forward.
Ancient trees gave way to uneven paths, and the spiritual energy gradually stabilized, losing the wild, oppressive edge that dominated the deeper regions. Signs of human presence appeared—broken branches, discarded tools, faint traces of formations meant to repel beasts.
Civilization was near.
Shen Yuan slowed his steps.
This was the moment where caution mattered most.
Before he could proceed further, a familiar presence stirred within him—no longer distant or purely observational, but focused.
"Reclassification complete."
Shen Yuan halted.
"…Reclassification?" he repeated calmly.
The system responded, its tone unchanged but its intent unmistakably clearer.
"System designation updated.""The Heavenly Sect Creation System is now active."
Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow.
"That's… more specific than before."
"Initial phase required survival and self-completion,"the system explained."Those conditions have now been met."
Shen Yuan understood immediately.
"So everything before this," he said slowly, "was preparation."
"Correct."
Not power for power's sake.
Not survival alone.
Preparation for something larger.
Shen Yuan sat on a fallen tree trunk and crossed his arms loosely.
"Explain," he said. "Fully."
There was no hesitation.
"This system exists to assist in the creation of a sect capable of standing above all others.""Not through conquest.""Not through bloodline monopoly.""But through foundation, inheritance, and continuity."
Shen Yuan's gaze sharpened.
"A sect," he repeated. "Not a faction. Not a clan."
"Confirmed."
A sect meant:
Teachings that endured
Disciples beyond blood relations
A legacy not tied to a single individual
Shen Yuan was silent for several breaths.
Then he asked the obvious question.
"And why me?"
The system answered plainly.
"You are not bound by existing cultivation limitations.""You possess no inherited loyalties.""Your cultivation method is unrestricted."
In other words—
He was unaligned.
Unclaimed.
Unchained.
Shen Yuan exhaled softly.
"I haven't even met another cultivator yet," he said. "And you're talking about founding a sect."
"Founding does not begin with territory,"the system replied."It begins with vision."
That… was inconveniently reasonable.
"And if I refuse?" Shen Yuan asked.
There was a pause.
"No coercion protocols detected.""However, system rewards and guidance are tied exclusively to sect-related progress."
Shen Yuan chuckled quietly.
"So I can refuse."
"Yes."
"But it would be inefficient."
"Correct."
He sighed.
"Of course it would be."
Shen Yuan stood.
He looked toward the direction where the forest ended and the cultivation world truly began—sects, cities, politics, arrogance, opportunity.
He had no interest in ruling anyone.
But…
A sect that cultivated properly.A place where foundations weren't sacrificed for speed.Where bloodline wasn't destiny.
That idea lingered.
"I won't build a sect blindly," Shen Yuan said at last."And I won't recruit idiots."
"Optimal stance acknowledged."
"Primary System Task Issued."
Shen Yuan focused.
"Task: Lay the Foundation of a Heavenly Sect.""Phase One: Observation and Positioning."
Subtasks followed immediately:
"Subtask One: Enter a cultivation settlement.""Subtask Two: Observe existing sect structures and disciple selection.""Subtask Three: Identify potential locations for future sect establishment."
No deadlines.
No forced conflict.
Just… groundwork.
Shen Yuan nodded.
"This I can do."
"Task accepted."
The system settled back into silence.
Shen Yuan adjusted his robes, expression calm.
A sect.
He hadn't planned on it.
But if he was going to walk this world anyway, he might as well do it correctly.
As for romance?
He shook his head faintly and continued forward.
One problem at a time.