The golden sun rose slowly from behind the misty mountains, casting a warm, gentle glow upon the Sanatan Flame Sect. Disciples sat cross-legged in deep cultivation. Elder Wu moved among them, correcting stances and guiding the flow of spiritual energy. Birds chirped softly, and the gentle wind rustled through the trees.
The scene shifted to a closed curtain. A hand pulled it aside.
Shaurya stood behind it, smiling peacefully at the morning sun. He stretched slightly, sat down on his bed, and whispered to himself,
"One month has passed since the competition. It's been a really nice and peaceful month. I know peace is rare in the cultivation world, but after seeing my sect's power in the competition, no one dares to attack us."
Several light-hearted moments followed—Shaurya watering plants, sleeping lazily, dancing in his room, and chatting casually with his disciples. A calm and cheerful atmosphere enveloped the entire sect.
Later, Shaurya walked calmly through the sect grounds. His disciples were immersed in training, sweat glistening on their brows. He looked at them with pride.
"System, tell me the top ten disciples according to level."
[System]:
"Okay, Host.
1. Wang Tian – Qi Refiner Level 10
2. Xu Ran – Qi Refiner Level 9
3. Muo Qian – Qi Refiner Level 8
4. Luo Chen – Qi Refiner Level 8
5. Su Quan – Qi Refiner Level 6
6. Xiao Lian – Qi Refiner Level 6
7. Xiao Rui – Qi Refiner Level 2
8. Lee Bie – Qi Refiner Level 2
9. Zong Biely – Qi Refiner Level 1
10. Lu Sheng – Qi Refiner Level 1"
Shaurya's eyes widened in amazement.
"Wow! These kids progressed incredibly fast. I didn't even realize they'd reached such levels. Especially Xiao Rui and Xiao Lian—the sibling duo really worked hard."
"System, tell me about the others."
[System]:
"You already know about the top ten. Out of the remaining 191 disciples:
– 111 are at Qi Initiate Level 11
– 60 are at Qi Initiate Level 9
– 20 are at Qi Initiate Level 8."
"My disciples really work hard. With the system's help and Elder Wu's guidance, their progress has multiplied."
[System]:
"Yes… and on the other side, you, Host—who rested the entire week—only had a minor level-up."
"Yeah, yeah… but I also need rest. It's only been one and a half months since I arrived in this world. I need to balance cultivation and leisure. And in this kingdom, I'm already very strong—not just me, but my sect too. Among these fifty cities, we're unmatched."
[System]:
"Yes… only in these fifty cities. This is just one kingdom. There are ten kingdoms on this continent, and many of them are stronger than you and your sect."
"Don't worry," Shaurya said confidently. "When the time comes, I'll become stronger than all of them. But for now, I'm the strongest here."
"Well… who knows?" the system replied cryptically.
Shaurya frowned. "What do you mean?"
Silence.
He shrugged. "If you don't want to answer, then fine."
He walked toward Luo Chen and handed him the Lotus Sword he had obtained from the lottery.
"Thank you, Master," Luo Chen said with deep gratitude, swinging the sword through the air.
Wang Tian arrived, smirking. "Oh? You got a new weapon? Instead of swinging it in the air, let's have a practice battle."
Luo Chen nodded with a smile, and the friendly duel began. Shaurya watched them proudly, then turned and walked away to find Elder Wu.
"I'm going for cultivation. Please don't disturb me."
Elder Wu nodded respectfully.
Shaurya entered the Gravitation Training Chamber.
"Let's test this out… ten times gravity."
The immense pressure slammed down on him. Shaurya sat cross-legged and began cultivating.
---
Far away, at the border where the Demon Valley began, something stirred.
A dark figure emerged from the valley, climbing the mountain on which the Sanatan Flame Sect stood. The figure was an old man with dark skin, white hair, a long beard, and glowing red eyes. He wore a black robe, exuding eerie power.
He smiled devilishly, licking his lips.
"I want it."
With a burst of speed, he vanished.
---
Back at the sect, Elder Wu continued training the disciples. Meanwhile, Wang Tian and Luo Chen finished their battle. Luo Chen dropped to his knees, breathing heavily, while Wang Tian also panted but remained standing.
"I lost again… but I'll definitely win. Not today—but one day," Luo Chen said.
Wang Tian chuckled, and the two shared a smile.
Suddenly, the old man appeared in the sky above the sect, radiating a terrifying aura.
Guard Hee Ta sensed it instantly and rushed toward Elder Wu. Wang Tian and Elder Wu looked up in alarm.
"All disciples! Be on alert!" Elder Wu commanded.
Guard Hee Ta arrived.
"Elder, something powerful is coming!"
Everyone looked up as the old man descended slowly, wearing a malicious grin.
"Who are you?!" Elder Wu shouted.
The man floated closer. Guard Hee Ta unleashed his aura—Core Foundation Level 4.
The old man looked surprised, then smirked and released his own aura—Core Formation Level 5.
Elder Wu's eyes widened in horror.
"If this man attacks… many disciples will die. The Sect Master is in seclusion… I have to act!"
"Why are you here? Are you friend or foe?" Elder Wu demanded.
The old man laughed.
"Friend? I am your end. I am Gu Tang, Ancestor of the Gu Family. I sensed a powerful, unique energy coming from here. I want it. You all possess pure spiritual qi—I will kill you and take it."
"All disciples, stay alert! This enemy is too strong!" Elder Wu shouted.
"Hee Ta, engage him!"
Hee Ta nodded and launched forward. Gu Tang retaliated instantly. Their clash released massive shockwaves that shook the entire sect.
Elder Wu evacuated the disciples while Hee Ta and Gu Tang exchanged deadly blows—kicks, punches, and powerful techniques: Shadow Claw vs. Mountain Breaking Fist, Ghost Hand vs. Sky Palm.
Explosions filled the air.
Both fighters were wounded, but Gu Tang was stronger. With a vicious strike, he knocked Hee Ta to the ground. Elder Wu rushed to help, but Gu Tang struck him as well, blood spraying.
"Master!" Luo Chen screamed and charged forward. Wang Tian joined him.
They attacked together, but Gu Tang repelled them with a casual wave of his hand. Still, they recovered and attacked again.
Gu Tang unleashed his aura, crushing them with pressure.
Elder Wu kicked Gu Tang in the face—it landed, but had no effect. Gu Tang retaliated with a powerful punch, grabbed Elder Wu's head, smashed it into his knee, and tossed him aside like a ragdoll.
"You have no chance. No one can save you. Now… DIE!"
Before the attack could land—
BOOM!
A massive light erupted between them.
Gu Tang was thrown backward.
From within the light… Shaurya emerged, eyes blazing with fury.
Ding! System Notification:
"Congratulations, Host, for using 800,000 EXP points.
Current Host Level: Core Formation Level 2."
Shaurya walked coldly toward Gu Tang.
"Who are you?!" Gu Tang demanded.
Shaurya roared,
"I am your death!"
He slammed his foot into the ground, releasing a massive shockwave.
Gu Tang scoffed—until Shaurya suddenly appeared before him and punched him square in the face.
Mid-air, Shaurya grabbed Gu Tang's head, smashed him into the ground, dragged him across the earth, then grabbed his leg and slammed him repeatedly before hurling him into the sky.
In the air, Shaurya struck again with Mountain Breaking Fist.
Gu Tang crashed outside the sect near the Demon Valley boundary, heavily wounded.
Shaurya appeared before him once more.
The disciples, Elder Wu, and everyone else stared in disbelief.
Wang Tian muttered, "Is Master really beating Gu Tang?"
Luo Chen exclaimed, "Yes! But how?! Master was only at Foundation Builder Level half a day ago!"
Elder Wu trembled.
"He achieved this power in half a day…?"
Gu Tang, terrified, slammed his hands into the ground.
A massive green serpent formed from spiritual energy and rose into the air.
Shaurya frowned.
"What kind of technique is this?"
System:
"Host, this is similar to the demonic spiritual body technique used by Wie Lu. Gu Tang refined a real serpent soul into spiritual energy. It's a dark, evil art."
"So this old guy practices evil arts," Shaurya said coldly.
Gu Tang laughed.
"Now you are dead! With this serpent spirit, my power is doubled!"
Shaurya closed his eyes.
"Power? I'll show you what power really means."
All sect members focused on him.
Xiao Rui shouted, "Look! Master's signature dialogue is coming!"
Shaurya whispered,
"My Dharma… My Power…"
Then he roared,
"MY FURYYYY!"
A terrifying aura erupted. The sky cracked as cosmic light poured down.
Shaurya raised his hand.
"Everything Suppressing Palm!"
A massive golden palm descended from the heavens.
Everyone was stunned—they were seeing this technique for the first time.
Muo Qian whispered, "This technique…"
Su Quan asked, "Senior, do you know it?"
Muo Qian nodded.
"Yes. Master used this technique to save me when we first met."
Elder Wu gasped.
"Luo Chen… I think the destruction we saw in Demon Valley earlier was caused by Sect Master using this technique."
Luo Chen nodded silently, still in shock.
Wang Tian's mouth hung open.
Gu Tang screamed and attacked with everything he had, commanding the serpent spirit to strike—but it was instantly destroyed.
The palm slammed down with divine force.
"My Gu Family will not leave you!" Gu Tang screamed before being obliterated.
The impact was even stronger than before.
A massive crater formed between Demon Valley and the sect mountain.
Gu Tang was reduced to ash.
Shaurya stood tall… then smiled—and collapsed.
Everyone rushed to him.
"Don't worry. I just used too much power," he said weakly.
Elder Wu and Xiao Rui nodded.
"Use the Oran Herbs from the medicinal field to heal the injured. Also, repair everything," Shaurya added before falling asleep.
"Luo Chen, Wang Tian," Elder Wu said softly, "take the Sect Master to his room."
They nodded, carried him carefully, and laid him on his bed.
Outside the room—
Wang Tian said quietly, "Master is too powerful."
Luo Chen replied, "Yes… but what was that technique? Master never taught it to us."
"Probably his personal technique."
"Yeah… but I know his special dialogue—'My Dharma, My Power.'"
They laughed together.
"My FURYYYY!"
Back in the room, Shaurya slept peacefully.
The system popped up.
Ding!
"Host… but he's sleeping again. Tired already? You weak Host… I told you to train. Hmph. Fine. I'll tell you later when you wake up."
To be continued…