Xiao Rui stood near the sect's temporary booth, busily sorting through a mountain of disciple application forms. By his side, assisting with sharp eyes and swifter hands, was a young man with black hair and piercing yellow eyes. His name was Lee Bie. Strikingly handsome and oddly calm, he worked efficiently beside Xiao Rui, glancing occasionally at the crowd.
Meanwhile, not far from them, Wang Tian and Elder Wu worked tirelessly to maintain discipline among the excited crowd of applicants, ensuring no one tried to break the line or sneak past the system.
High above the stadium, on the rooftop edge, lay Shaurya—the hero of the day. One leg hanging over the edge, the other propped casually, he stared at the sky, resting in a dramatic, stylish sprawl.
"Hey, System," he said lazily, raising an eyebrow. "I won the tournament, didn't I? So, give me the rewards."
Ding!
System Notification: Congratulations, Host! Rewards granted for winning the tournament:
1. Minor Level Up
2. Spiritual Cannon Gun
Additional Rewards for Defeating Demons:
Immortal Level Mid-Grade Weapon: Magic Stick (Can change its size at will; extremely powerful.)
60,000 EXP Points
100 Dharma Points
Spiritual Ship
"WOW!" Shaurya's eyes sparkled. "WOW WOW WOW! I got so many rewards and they're super duper awesome!"
Caught up in excitement, he forgot where he was and almost lost balance on the rooftop—but with a swift move, he flipped down and landed gracefully on his feet.
"I always level up in battle, but now... just level me up! I want to crush my opponents!"
System Notification: Level up! Current Level: Foundation Builder Level 4
Shaurya grinned. "So now I'm the strongest here! Hahahah—"
System Notification: Ahem. Host, I believe you've forgotten about... Dragizard.
Shaurya's laughter halted. He blinked. "Oh... Right. He's the strongest. But he's a beast! After him, I am the strongest!"
He made his way down to Xiao Rui and Lee Bie, who were now holding a thick pile of forms.
"Master! Here are the forms!" Lee Bie handed them over.
Shaurya flipped through them quickly. "101 disciples?! We've recruited that many already?!"
Ding! System Notification: Congratulations, Host! You now have 201 disciples. Main Mission Unlocked:
Create the No.1 Sect of Existence
Recruit 100,000 Disciples
Time Limit: 100 Years
Shaurya's jaw dropped. "WHAT?! One Lakh disciples?! This mission is insane! Good thing I got the notification on time."
He turned to the gathered crowd.
"ARE YOU ALL READY TO GO?!"
"YES, MASTER!" the disciples shouted in unison.
With a smirk, Shaurya raised his hand.
A golden light burst from the sky, casting an immense shadow over the stadium. A majestic Spiritual Ship descended, gleaming like divine gold. The crowd gasped. Even Elder Wu and Wang Tian stared, stunned.
Wang Tian muttered, "Every time I think Master can't shock me anymore... he does something more unexpected."
Shaurya chuckled, snapping his fingers. "Come on, snap out of your confusion! Everyone, board the ship! You'll get used to these surprises soon."
The disciples looked at each other, stunned, and then quickly followed his command. As everyone boarded, Shaurya approached the City Lord.
"Thank you, Sect Leader," the City Lord said gratefully. "You saved the city."
Shaurya waved it off. "No no, City Lord. You flatter me. It's my duty."
As he turned and boarded the ship, he looked around at the awe-struck disciples. The ship was massive, elegant, and perfectly designed to carry over 200 people.
Elder Wu approached him, impressed. "Sect Leader... this ship is truly remarkable."
Shaurya puffed his chest proudly.
"Where did you get it?" Elder Wu asked.
Shaurya paused, smirked, then leapt to a higher platform.
"I know you have many questions. The story is long, so here's the book—The Sect Master Origin Book! You can buy it for 100 silver tales!"
Everyone stared in shock.
"To end your curiosity, just buy it!" Shaurya insisted.
Those who didn't know the truth started buying the book eagerly, while the first 16 disciples groaned.
Shaurya beamed as the money rolled in.
System Notification: Shameless Host! How can you sell a book full of lies? And to your own disciples?! How much did you sell your shame for?!
Shaurya smirked. "Sell it? I bron shameless !"
---
The ship eventually landed at the sect grounds. Everyone stepped down, still buzzing.
"Sect Master is really something," whispered one disciple.
"I thought our sect would be powerful... but his origin... it's legendary."
Even Elder Wu widened his eyes after reading the book. "Our Sect Leader... truly has a mysterious background."
Shaurya stood proudly, then suddenly exclaimed, "I understand now!"
The nearby disciples turned toward him, confused.
"This ship needs a name!" he declared. "Its name will be... Dark Pearl!"
"Why does that name sound familiar?" one disciple murmured.
Lee Bie flipped open the origin book. "It's the same name as Master's Master's ship!"
"Yes, yes! It's in the book!" others joined in.
Shaurya nodded solemnly. "You guessed right. I named it in honor of my Master's ship."
Elder Wu thought silently, Our Sect Leader truly treasures his Master. His heart is noble.
Moments later, Shaurya distributed martial techniques, weapons, and pills among the disciples. Some were system-given, others he purchased.
"Train hard. Elder Wu, you're in charge."
He entered the main hall and sat on the throne, eyes gleaming.
"Hey System, didn't I unlock the Lottery Function when you upgraded?"
System: Yes, Host. You can draw the lottery daily.
"How many draws today?"
System: You may draw 10 times.
"Then let's go! Draw them all!"
Ding! Lottery Rewards:
1. Immortal Level Low-Grade Weapon: Rock Shield
2. Five Beast Protective Formation
3. Blazing Inferno ( sky level technique)
4. Thunder Fist ( sky level technique )
5. Earth Level High-Grade Weapon: Lotus Sword
6. Better Luck Next Time
7. Minor Level Up
8. 300 Cultivation Pills (Bottle)
9. Sect Guard Core Formation Level 3 - Hee Ta
10. Minor Level Up
Shaurya jumped up, dancing in joy.
Elder Wu walked by with a few disciples.
"What is Master doing?" one disciple asked.
Elder Wu sighed. "No one truly understands this man. Let's not disturb him."
"Thank you, System. Jai Narayan!"
System: Most welcome, Host. Jai Narayan.
"Wait... I got a Sect Guard?"
System: Yes. I told you earlier. You can obtain sect members too.
A golden portal appeared.
From it, a tall man in a guard's uniform, with a sword and shield, stepped out.
"Sect Master," he said, bowing. "Guard Hee Ta, on duty."
Shaurya smiled proudly. He introduced Hee Ta to the sect.
"Elder Wu, take him to the front gate. He'll be our new guard."
Elder Wu nodded.
Shaurya walked to a tree, laid back with closed eyes.
"Finally... I can rest."
---
Scene Shift: Demon Valley Mountain
In the depth of a shadowed cave, a dark figure cultivated silently. Suddenly, his eyes opened.
A black aura exploded from his body.
"Power... I can sense it... I want it."
To be continued...