The moment Shaurya accepted the mission, the golden screen dissolved into countless particles of light before disappearing from sight.
For several seconds, he remained standing atop the grassy hill, staring toward the distant horizon with excitement shining in his eyes.
A disciple.
His first disciple.
The thought alone made him strangely eager.
Somewhere within this vast world, his future disciple was waiting.
And he was going to find them.
Without wasting another moment, Shaurya began making his way down the hill. His steps felt lighter than air as he moved through the tall grass, occasionally glancing around with unconcealed curiosity. Every tree, every flower, every distant mountain seemed fascinating to him. After spending so many years confined to a hospital bed, even a simple forest path felt like an adventure.
The further he traveled, the more alive the world appeared. Strange Birds sang among the branches overhead while a cool breeze carried the scent of earth and wildflowers through the forest.
Just as Shaurya continued walking through the forest with a smile still lingering on his face, a familiar chime suddenly echoed inside his mind.
[Ding.]
His steps paused.
A golden screen immediately appeared before him.
Shaurya blinked.
Then smiled.
"What now?"
The radiant panel shimmered softly as lines of text gradually formed across its surface.
[Main Quest: Sect Foundation]
[• Accept 10 Disciples within 24 Hours]
[• Accept 50 Disciples within 4 Days]
[• Accept 100 Disciples within 7 Days]
[• Completion unlocks respective reward tiers]
[• Reward for 10 Disciples: Sect Main Structure + 1x Spin Wheel]
The smile on Shaurya's face slowly disappeared.
He read the mission once.
Then he read it again.
And then one more time just to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.
The forest around him remained peaceful.
Birds chirped among the branches overhead.
A cool breeze rustled through the leaves.
Meanwhile, Shaurya stood completely motionless.
His finger slowly rose toward the screen.
"Wait."
A slight twitch appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"WHAT?!"
The sudden shout startled a flock of birds into the air.
"Ten disciples?"
He pointed at the mission again as though the numbers might change if he looked hard enough.
"In one day?"
His gaze moved from the screen toward the sky.
Then back toward the screen.
Then toward the sky again.
Finally, he looked directly at the golden panel.
"I don't even have a sect yet!"
The system responded immediately.
[Then complete the mission and you'll get one.]
Shaurya stared.
The system continued.
[Simple.]
The corner of his eye twitched.
"Simple?"
[Very simple.]
"I don't have any disciples."
[Correct.]
"I don't have a sect."
[Also correct.]
"I don't know anyone in this world."
[That is unfortunate.]
Shaurya nearly choked.
He pointed accusingly at the floating screen.
"You cheeky little scam machine!"
The system remained silent.
Not because it was ashamed.
But because it clearly wasn't.
Unfortunately, the mission timer sitting at the top of the screen remained very real.
Shaurya stared at the countdown.
Then slowly looked toward the map displayed by the system.
A nearby location glowed brightly.
Blue Stone City.
The closest population center.
The closest opportunity.
The closest place where he might somehow convince ten complete strangers to join a sect that didn't even exist yet.
A grin slowly appeared on his face.
The situation was ridiculous.
Completely unreasonable.
Possibly impossible.
Which somehow made it exciting.
"Fine."
He cracked his knuckles.
"If the system wants disciples..."
The smile widened.
"...then let's go recruit some disciples."
Without another word, Shaurya burst forward and sprinted down the forest path, disappearing between the trees as the countdown continued ticking away above his head.
By the time he reached the outskirts of the city, the forest thinned into cobbled roads.
Blue Stone City was not a great capital, but for wandering cultivators it was a lively hub of opportunity.
Low-level sects competed here for disciples, spirit herbs, and influence over the city's resources.
For many young and weak cultivators, this city was the first step toward a much larger world.
The morning sun washed the market street in a warm, golden haze.
Vendors were shouting prices, children wove through crowds, and the smell of fresh melons lingered in the air.
Some stalls sold ordinary food, but others displayed low-grade spirit herbs, beast cores, and simple talismans used by beginner cultivators.
The marketplace of Blue Stone City had become a small trading hub for those seeking resources to strengthen their cultivation.
At first glance, everything felt lively and peaceful.
Yet amidst the bustling noise… something felt off.
A small commotion had formed near the roadside.
Two siblings were cornered by a group of burly thugs—three men and a richly dressed young master, sneering with the confidence of someone who had never worked a day in his life.
The young master stepped forward, looking down on them with open disdain.
"You think you're something?" the Young Master sneered. "Your clan's already fallen! You're trash! You can't even cultivate properly, and you dare stand before me?"
Without hesitation, he waved his hand.
A burst of force slammed into the siblings, sending both of them flying into the dirt.
From a distance, Shaurya watched the scene unfold.
Slowly… his eyes began to sparkle.
"Oh? Ohoho? Isn't this… EXACTLY like those 'chosen disciple' scenes in cultivation novels? Jackpot!"
A grin stretched across his face, wide enough to be dangerous.
He didn't walk.
He launched forward, kicking up dust behind him.
One of the bulky goons raised a fist, aiming straight for the trembling brother's face.
"Die, trash!"
The punch never landed.
WHOOSH—
A white blur sliced through the air like a falling star.
Shaurya twisted mid-air, his body coiling and releasing like a divine spring before—
BANG!
His flying side kick crashed into the goon's chest. The 200-pound man shot backward, smashing into a nearby fruit cart.
CRAAAASH!
Melons exploded like green fireworks. Splinters rained across the street.
The market froze.
Vendors stopped mid-bargain. Children went silent. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Shaurya landed gently, brushed the dust from his robe, and turned toward the stunned siblings with a radiant smile.
"Fear not, little ones! Your savior is here."
Shock quickly turned into rage.
The two remaining goons snarled as jagged knives flashed into their hands.
"Get him!"
They lunged together.
But to Shaurya, the world slowed.
[System Alert: Host Cultivation — Qi Initiate Lv.3]
[Divine Body Buff: Agility & Perception Maxed]
Shaurya's grin widened.
"Ohoho… I'm broken already? NICE!"
He stepped aside casually.
The first goon's slash tore through empty air. Shaurya grabbed his wrist, spun him like a carnival ride, and hurled him away. The man flew backward and crashed into a tree with a sickening THUD.
The second attacker barely processed what happened before Shaurya swept his legs out from under him. The man lifted off the ground for half a heartbeat before slamming down hard.
Bam.
The third goon froze in horror.
Shaurya was suddenly behind him.
An elbow slammed into his spine. The man screamed.
Then came a simple forehead tap.
Instant KO.
Three enemies fell in seconds.
Shaurya cracked his knuckles as he approached the trembling Young Master.
"You… you—do you know who I am!?" the boy stuttered. "I'm from the Jade Fire Sect! You'll regret this!"
Shaurya inspected his ear with his pinky, looking bored out of his mind.
"Yeah, yeah. Heard that one in a thousand novels."
Panicking, the Young Master tried to channel Qi, his hands glowing red.
Too slow.
Shaurya's hand blurred.
Not a punch.
Not a palm.
A single extended index finger—sharp, controlled, and precise like a divine spear.
It jabbed into the boy's lower abdomen.
CRACK!
The sound echoed like shattering porcelain.
Chaotic Qi erupted from the boy's back, a shockwave blowing a ring of dust outward. His eyes rolled back as his foundation collapsed with brutal finality.
"No regrets now," Shaurya said coolly. "Your arrogance ends here."
The Young Master slumped unconscious.
For a heartbeat, Shaurya stood over him like a war god forged from lightning.
Then—
His expression flipped.
Sunshine replaced murder intent.
He turned to the stunned siblings, flicked his robe dramatically, and struck an exaggerated pose of grandeur.
"I am Shaurya, Sect Master of the Sanatan Flame Sect. I see the spark of potential in both of you. Will you become my disciples?"
The siblings stared.
At the wrecked fruit cart.
At the groaning goons.
At the unconscious Young Master.
Then back at Shaurya's gleaming, childlike grin.
Was he a hero?
A lunatic?
A divine being?
Probably all of the above.
Shaurya tilted his head, a nervous twitch forming in his smile.
"Don't want to? I mean, I won't force yo—"
THUD!
Both siblings dropped to their knees, foreheads touching the dirt.
"We disciples greet Master!"
[Disciples Accepted: 2/10]
+2 Dharma Points
+10 Dharma Points (Bonus: Good Karma)
Shaurya's entire soul vibrated.
"YESSS!" He fist-pumped, nearly jumping. "Thank you, Lord Vishnu!"
The siblings blinked, confused by his sudden outburst.
"Ahem."
Shaurya straightened his posture, clearing his throat.
"Let's go. We still have eight more to find."
As they headed deeper into the city, Shaurya nudged the System mentally.
"System, I can't let my disciples wear regular clothes. Give me uniforms. Something… sect-worthy."
[Uniform Pack Purchased — 10 Dharma Points deducted]
Item: Unlimited Sanatan Flame Sect Robes
"You're welcome. I have a big heart."
Shaurya's jaw dropped.
"This is highway robbery!"
"No, this is called business."
Before he could argue further, the city opened up into a massive plaza.
They had arrived at the heart of Blue Stone City.
The square was packed with young cultivators. Banners fluttered above grand recruitment stages.
Every year, the sects of Blue Stone City gathered here to recruit new blood.
Disciples meant strength, resources, and influence — and even the smallest sect fought fiercely to secure promising talents.
Ten different sects were actively taking disciples.
"This is the City Sect Recruitment Ceremony," explained the elder sibling. "Our city has ten sects. The highest one is Rank 9."
Shaurya rubbed his chin thoughtfully before looking toward Xiao Rui.
"How many sect ranks are there?"
Xiao Rui answered without hesitation.
"Twelve. The lowest is Rank Twelve and the highest is Rank One. Each rank is divided into Low, Mid, and High grades."
Shaurya nodded slowly.
In the cultivation world, a sect's rank determined almost everything. Resources, territory, influence, prestige, and even how seriously others treated you were all tied to that ranking. Powerful sects could influence entire regions, while the strongest could affect the fate of kingdoms.
Before he could think further, the familiar system notification appeared before him.
[System Sect Rank is calculated differently.]
[Don't worry.]
[You'll understand later.]
Shaurya glanced at the screen.
"Got it."
The golden window vanished.
"For now, numbers are enough."
His gaze swept across the recruitment square.
Every major sect had prepared elaborate displays.
Some had luxurious pavilions decorated with golden banners.
Others displayed spirit artifacts and cultivation manuals to attract recruits.
One sect had even hired musicians.
Another had disciples demonstrating martial techniques in front of cheering spectators.
The competition was fierce.
Sect after sect fought to attract the most talented newcomers.
Shaurya observed everything quietly.
Then he nodded.
"I have a plan."
Several minutes later...
Xiao Siblings stood frozen.
Completely frozen.
Xiao Lian eyes slowly moved toward a broken wooden table.
Then toward an old chair.
Then toward a torn banner hanging crookedly from a nearby tree.
Finally, Xiao Rui broke the silence.
"...Master."
"Hm?"
"What are you doing?"
Shaurya finished tying one side of the banner.
"Recruiting disciples."
Xiao Rui looked at the banner again.
The words SANATAN FLAME SECT had been painted across the cloth in thick black letters.
The problem was that the cloth itself looked like it had recently lost a battle against a garbage pile.
Nearby pedestrians had already begun staring.
Several sect elders stared too.
One of them even removed his glasses to make sure he wasn't imagining things.
Meanwhile, Shaurya remained completely satisfied with his work.
He dragged the broken chair beneath the tree and sat down.
Then he crossed his legs.
Then he put on a pair of system-issued sunglasses.
The transformation was immediate.
Somehow, despite sitting behind what looked like a failed market stall, he carried himself like a king inspecting his empire.
Xiao Rui watched the scene in silence.
A dangerous feeling began rising inside his heart.
"Master..."
"Hm?"
"I don't think this is how recruitment works."
Shaurya ignored him.
Instead, he picked up a handmade cone-shaped microphone crafted from rolled paper and wood.
Then he stood up.
The square remained busy.
Hundreds of people moved between the various recruitment areas.
Nobody paid attention to him.
That lasted exactly three seconds.
"O PEOPLE OF BLUE STONE CITY!"
The roar exploded across the square.
Every conversation stopped.
Several birds fled from nearby rooftops.
A merchant nearly dropped his basket.
Even the musicians stopped playing.
Thousands of eyes turned toward a certain man wearing sunglasses beneath a tree.
Shaurya raised the cone dramatically.
"DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR DESTINY?"
The crowd blinked.
"DO YOU DESIRE GREATNESS?"
More people turned around.
Several children immediately ran closer.
A few curious adults followed.
"THEN COME JOIN THE SANATAN FLAME SECT!"
He pointed proudly toward his crooked banner.
"WHERE A NEW LIFE BEGINS!"
Silence.
Complete silence.
One elder from a nearby sect slowly lowered his tea cup.
Another stared at Shaurya as though witnessing a rare disease.
Several disciples exchanged bewildered looks.
Finally, someone in the crowd voiced what everyone was thinking.
"...Who the hell is this lunatic?"
Unfortunately for them, Shaurya heard it.
The grin beneath his sunglasses widened.
Good.
People were paying attention now.
And in recruitment...
Attention was the first victory.
The flames of the Sanatan Flame Sect had finally begun to rise.
To Be Continued...