Under the escort of the black-robed enforcers, Wang Teng finally arrived at his cave residence—the place provided by the sect to all disciples.
He had already packed his belongings beforehand, so it didn't take long. Carrying his things out of the cave, he realized how little he truly owned.
A few sets of clothes, some money… and that was all.
"Senior… I'm ready," Wang Teng said to the two enforcers.
They nodded and led him toward the sect's exit.
Just as they reached the gate, Wang Teng noticed another black-robed man approaching from the opposite direction, leading a beautiful horse by the reins.
"Do you know how to ride a horse?" one of the enforcers asked in a gruff voice.
"Yes," Wang Teng replied without hesitation.
The enforcer pointed at the horse that had stopped in front of them.
"This is a mortal horse. It was bred within the sect under Elder Li's jurisdiction. This is a gift from the elder. Take good care of it."
Wang Teng's eyes widened.
'A horse—a gift?'
Among mortals, horses were an extreme luxury, worth a fortune. To think Elder Li would give him one left Wang Teng genuinely shocked.
He accepted the reins, mounted the horse in one smooth motion, and handled it with practiced ease.
Having spent six years as an outer sect disciple, Wang Teng had been tasked with countless menial duties—herb gathering, pill procurement, hunting beasts. Along the way, he had picked up many skills, horse riding among them.
The trio exited the sect and began descending the mountain. Wang Teng rode ahead while the two enforcers walked on either side.
Changsheng Sect stood atop Changsheng Mountain, one of the nine great sects of the Dragon Kingdom, ruling over the entire province.
At the mountain's base lay Changsheng City—the largest city in the province—where mortals and cultivators occasionally lived in harmony.
Passing through the clouds, they descended steadily. Wang Teng took in the breathtaking scenery.
From above, dense forests stretched endlessly, bathed in morning dew. The air was fresh, spiritual Qi thinner with each step downward. Small mountains dotted the land, and in the distance, a massive lake shimmered under the sky.
"Beautiful…" Wang Teng muttered unconsciously.
Time passed, and soon they reached the foot of the mountain. The lively city welcomed them like open arms.
With their task completed, the two enforcers left without another word.
"Huff… finally," Wang Teng muttered as he dismounted, watching their figures disappear back into the mountain.
'You have no idea how much I held myself back…'
He stretched his body.
Crack.
His fingers crackled as he clenched his fists. Strength surged through him—dozens of times greater than when he had first awakened.
'This is Foundation Establishment…'
Wang Teng laughed quietly, feeling power capable of blasting trees apart with a single punch. His body felt heavy, solid—like that of an elephant.
He walked to a nearby tree, placed both hands on the bark, and applied force.
Crack—crackle.
The bark split, spiderweb cracks spreading outward as his palms left deep imprints in the wood.
'Fucking amazing!' he screamed internally, grinning like an idiot.
Satisfied, he mounted the horse once more and entered the city.
Foundation Establishment—a realm where one could become a sect elder. A stage that took an average of one hundred and fifty years to reach.
And today, he stood among those he once thought unreachable.
***
Changsheng City
The largest city in the province—and nothing like what one would expect from a medieval world.
Wide, clean stone-paved roads stretched in every direction. Traditional eastern-style buildings lined the streets, giving the city an artistic charm.
Children ran about flying kites. Adults busied themselves with daily affairs. Shops overflowed with customers. Men pulled carts loaded with goods while women browsed for groceries.
It was a picture of harmony.
Stopping his horse mid-street, Wang Teng approached an old man carrying a large jute sack.
"Old man, is there an inn nearby?" Wang Teng asked from atop the horse.
The old man looked up, startled. His eyes widened when he saw a young man in clean clothes riding a horse.
"Y-young master!" the old man bowed deeply.
"Five streets ahead, there's Changsheng Inn—"
"The hell are you saying, old man?"
A loud, gruff voice interrupted.
Wang Teng turned to see a bearded man stepping forward.
"Can't you see who you're talking to? Does this young master look like someone who would stay at some cheap inn?"
'…The fuck?'
"Young master," the bearded man continued respectfully, "follow the central road. There are many high-class inns there that suit your status."
"Though with the Changsheng Sect's recruitment ceremony ongoing, rooms may be scarce."
Wang Teng slowly recovered from the shock of suddenly being treated like nobility.
Only then did he realize—clean clothes and a horse were rare luxuries. Among mortals, only wealthy families, nobles, or the military possessed such things.
Being mistaken for someone important wasn't surprising.
And frankly—why refuse respect?
Under the man's guidance, Wang Teng headed toward the city center.
The streets were even livelier there. Laborers decorated the area, banners fluttering in the wind.
'Sect recruitment…'
An annual event held by Changsheng Sect. After discarding incompetent disciples, they recruited new talents capable of cultivation.
"Sect recruitment…" Wang Teng smiled faintly. "Brings back memories."
That night, he stood by the window of his room, gazing at the bustling streets below.
The city glowed like a festival. Stalls lined the roads, decorations complete.
'After six years… I've finally left the sect.'
He had been twelve years old when he first arrived in Changsheng City for recruitment, earning a position in the outer sect.
Now, he had been asked to leave.
And honestly?
He didn't feel bad at all.
It had been nothing but endless errands—cutting wood, gathering herbs, running tasks day and night. Pitiful resources, no favors unless you had talent or background.
Wang Teng had never liked how the sect operated.
So he left.
Free.
A rogue cultivator, traveling the continent.
Once impossible—now entirely achievable.
With the system, cultivation resources no longer mattered. Growth depended on encounters, not pills or sect favor.
Wang Teng smiled, gazing into the night.
A new life awaited.