The moment the system notification rang out, Shaurya's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
He shifted his gaze toward his disciples, who were still standing awkwardly in the vast, echoing Main Hall.
"Xiao Rui, Xiao Lian—go explore the sect," Shaurya said casually. "Pick your rooms, roam around, and feel the energy. Get used to your new home."
Both siblings bowed deeply. "Yes, Master!"
Their footsteps echoed against the obsidian floor as they hurried away, excitement barely contained. Soon, the massive hall fell silent once more.
Shaurya was alone.
He settled back onto the Silver Throne, sitting cross-legged, his chin resting lazily on his hand as his gaze drifted forward.
"System," he said calmly, "explain the task."
[Hidden Task Activated: Save the Sect from the Clowns]
Objective: Defend against the Jade Fire Sect's retaliation.
Reward: Medicinal Garden + Immortal Level Technique: [Dragon Fist]
[System Note:] Techniques follow the ranking: Earth, Sky, Spirit, King, Emperor, and Immortal. Unlike items, techniques do not have minor grades. An Immortal-level technique is a singularity—even top sects would burn entire kingdoms just to glimpse one.
Shaurya's eyes lit up instantly.
"Those Jade Fire jokers are coming to destroy my sect?" he scoffed. "Hah!"
He leaned back and laughed, the sound echoing confidently through the hall, arrogance pouring off him like heat.
"They won't be destroyers," he declared. "They'll be stepping stones for my greatness… and delivery boys for my rewards."
The laughter faded as he exhaled slowly.
To prepare for war, he needed clarity.
Inner peace.
A new notification appeared.
[Daily Task: Sacred Chant]
Shaurya adjusted his posture on the throne, straightening his back. He closed his eyes, regulated his breathing, and began chanting softly.
"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya..."
The words flowed steadily, carrying a strange resonance that vibrated through the Main Hall.
"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya..."
One chant after another.
108 times.
With each repetition, a warm golden glow wrapped around his body, washing away fatigue and sharpening his focus.
Ding!
[Daily Task Complete – Sacred Chant]
[Reward: +3 Dharma Points]
[First-Time Bonus: +10 Dharma Points]
[Total Balance: 13 Dharma Points]
Shaurya opened his eyes, feeling refreshed and grounded.
"Thirteen points," he muttered with satisfaction. "Not bad for a start."
He summoned the System Store.
"Let's see what I can afford..."
Rows of items unfolded before him. Divine Talismans. Spirit Swords. Rare artifacts.
He scrolled past them all—far too expensive.
Then his gaze stopped.
A glowing blue bottle hovered quietly among the listings.
[Qi Enhancement Pill Bottle]
Cost: 5 Dharma Points
Effect: Increases Qi and Physical Power. Boosts cultivation speed by 3x for 10 hours.
Shaurya grinned. "Perfect. I'll take two."
[Purchase Complete: x2 Pill Bottles]
[Remaining Balance: 3 Dharma Points]
He rose from the throne and called out.
Moments later, Xiao Rui and Xiao Lian entered the hall, still looking small beneath its towering ceiling.
Shaurya tossed a bottle to each of them.
They caught the bottles instinctively, eyes widening as faint spiritual energy leaked through the glass.
"Inside are 10 Qi Enhancement Pills," Shaurya explained. "Take one pill every hour and cultivate for ten hours straight. These will boost your power and cultivation speed by three times."
Their jaws dropped.
"Three times?!" Xiao Rui gasped. "Master… these pills are priceless!"
Shaurya leaned back on his throne, nodding proudly.
"Of course. Your Master doesn't deal in trash."
Their gratitude was immediate and sincere. Bowing deeply, eyes burning with determination, they hurried away to cultivate.
As their presence faded, Shaurya leaned back, staring up at the distant ceiling.
His expression darkened slightly.
"System… when will the Jade Fire Sect attack?"
[I said they will attack. That means they could be here in a month... or in five minutes. Be prepared.]
Shaurya stiffened.
"WHAT?! What if they come now?! I'll be wiped out! I barely have a sect!"
[Then perhaps you shouldn't have offended them in the first place, Host.]
Shaurya froze.
"T-That's… that's true, but—" He stammered, then sighed. "Fine. I'll do it myself."
[Correction: You will need my help. Without me, you will either die or become beast food.]
Shaurya was left speechless.
"System… are you challenging my ego?"
[No. Absolutely not. I am just giving you a reality check.]
"..."
He had been roasted.
Again.
By a floating screen.
Shaurya crossed his arms and sulked. "...Okay, fine. You win."
[Of course I do.]
BOOM!
A sudden surge of energy erupted from the disciple quarters.
Shaurya jolted upright.
[System Alert: Disciples Xiao Rui & Xiao Lian have broken through!]
[Level Up: Qi Initiate Level 1 → Level 2]
His sulking vanished instantly.
"Already?!" Shaurya laughed. "That's incredible!"
He leaned back, lowering his voice. "Hey System… could they be like me? Stronger than their level suggests?"
[Affirmative. They are not only fast learners... their foundations are stronger than any ordinary cultivator.]
Shaurya smirked, confidence flooding back.
"Good. Let the clowns come."
His grin sharpened, turning predatory.
"I'll defend my sect, take the System reward…"
He paused.
"...and I'll take compensation too."
[Compensation?]
"Of course." He wagged a finger. "They're disturbing my peace. I'll destroy them, then take their money, their resources, and their dignity as payment."
[You mean... robbing them.]
"No, no," Shaurya corrected. "It's not robbery. It's Business. Just like you said when you sold me those robes."
[...]
[Host... I didn't think you could reply like that.]
Shaurya laughed. "Heheheh! You think only you can roast people? Don't forget—I'm the Host."
Ding!
[Hidden Achievement Unlocked – "Teacher's First Gift"]
[Condition: Help disciples breakthrough for the first time.]
[Reward: +10 Dharma Points]
Shaurya blinked. "Wow. I didn't know you had so many hidden missions."
He rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Alright, System. Open the shop. I have 13 points again. Let's do some shopping."
[How much do you plan to buy with just 13 points?]
Shaurya's face darkened. "Hey! Stop judging me and just open the shop!"
The interface shimmered, low-tier items filling the screen once more.
Shaurya scrolled slowly, feeling a strange warmth rise in his chest—the pure thrill of spending.
"Let's see… maybe a defensive charm? Or a—"
Suddenly, he stopped.
His eyes widened.
A bright reflection danced in his pupils as he leaned closer, staring at an item tucked away in the corner of the interface.
"This…"
He whispered, a wicked smile spreading across his lips.
"This is amazing. High impact. Low price."
He straightened slightly.
"I need this."
To Be Continued…