The battlefield was silent except for the crackle of scorched earth and the faint, fading shimmer of dawnlight dissipating into the morning haze.
Kel stood alone, blood dripping from his knuckles, chest rising and falling with deep, steady breaths. The last of the Cloudpiercer scouts lay unconscious at his feet, defeated before they could send a full report.
A faint chime echoed in his mind.
> [MONARCH SYSTEM — SECTORIAL AUTHORITY AWAKENED]
Requirements met: Survival under lethal siege within Dawn's Blessing activation.
New Function Unlocked: Sect Creation & Sect Shop
Secondary Functions: Disciple Management | Talent Appraisal | Sect Points Economy
Kel's vision flickered, and before him, in the air, appeared a translucent golden interface.
---
[SECT CREATION MODULE]
Sect Name: — [Enter]
Sect Emblem: — [Design]
Current Rank: Mortal Grade (Tier 0)
Sect Points: 0 SP
Functions Available:
• Recruit Disciples (Max 100 at current tier)
• Talent Appraisal
• Sect Shop
• Mission Hall
---
[SECT POINTS SYSTEM]
Earn SP by:
• Completing System Missions
• Completing Sect Missions by Disciples
• Recruiting new disciples (Points vary by talent)
Talent Appraisal Scale:
• F-Grade: 1 SP
• E-Grade: 2 SP
• D-Grade: 5 SP
• C-Grade: 10 SP
• B-Grade: 25 SP
• A-Grade: 50 SP
• S-Grade: 100 SP
• SS-Grade: 250 SP
• SSS-Grade: 500 SP
---
[MISSION ALERT]
Primary Objective: Survive the Cloudpiercer Sect's Invasion.
Time Limit: 3 Months
Reward:
• Dawn Blessing Upgrade — Tier 2 Growth
• Cultivation Manual — Dawnflow Scripture
Bonus Objective:
• Reach Foundation Realm within the time limit
• Bonus: Passive — "Dawn's Horizon" (+15 min to dawn duration)
---
Kel's eyes narrowed.
"Three months…" he muttered. "Enough time to grow, if I have soldiers worth training."
He tapped the Recruit function. Instantly, a wave of golden light spread through the village, sending a subtle pulse to every soul within range. The call of the Monarch was irresistible. Soon, villagers began to gather — the young, the determined, and the desperate.
One by one, they stepped forward, placing their hands on the glowing crystal that had materialized in front of Kel.
---
[TALENT APPRAISAL COMPLETE]
1. Jorin — C-Grade Talent — +10 SP
2. Liya — B-Grade Talent — +25 SP
3. Tarin — D-Grade Talent — +5 SP
4. Ren — A-Grade Talent — +50 SP
5. Mirei — E-Grade Talent — +2 SP
6. Faro — D-Grade Talent — +5 SP
7. Kai — B-Grade Talent — +25 SP
8. Shin — C-Grade Talent — +10 SP
9. Arin — S-Grade Talent — +100 SP
10. Velra — B-Grade Talent — +25 SP
---
Total Sect Points Earned: +257 SP
---
Kel smirked as the Sect Shop interface opened.
---
[SECT SHOP — Mortal Tier]
• Basic Cultivation Manuals — 10–50 SP
• Weapon Forging Blueprints — 20–100 SP
• Alchemical Recipes — 50–200 SP
• Disciples' Attribute Enhancements — 100 SP per upgrade
• Sect Protective Formation: Dawnveil Array — 200 SP
---
He scrolled through the list, his mind racing with possibilities.
"This… this is how we survive. No—this is how we dominate."
Looking at the ten faces before him — some nervous, some determined — Kel felt the weight of what he was building. They were not yet warriors, but in three months, they would become the blades that cut down the Cloudpiercer Sect.
"Welcome," he said, voice steady and filled with quiet resolve. "From this day forth, you are disciples of the Dawn Monarch Sect. Train, grow, and bleed for the dawn — and I will make sure none can touch you."
Somewhere deep within the system's core, a clock began ticking down.
[Time Remaining: 89 Days, 23 Hours, 59 Minutes]
And thus, the seed of a sect was planted in the soil of war.