The Sect System Awakens

Jian eyes widened as a translucent screen floated before him, glowing faintly in the dim hall.

{Status}

Host: Feng Jian

Sect: ???

Sect Grade: ???

Cultivation: ???

Cultivation Technique: None

Martial Arts: None

Abilities: None

Disciples: 0

Sect Points: 100

{Shop}: Locked

Jian blinked, his mind racing. "A system?" A grin spread across his face. "Finally! Three years of suffering, and now my Goldfinger appears!"

His heart pounded as he scanned the status. The glaring question marks gnawed at him, but before he could delve deeper, the calm, mechanical voice returned.

[Ding!][Detected: Host is malnourished and has no cultivation talent.]

"As the bearer of the Sect System, how can the host be talentless?"

The words struck like thunder. Talentless? He clenched his fists. "Fix it!"

[Processing...]

[Solution Found: Host can acquire the highest cultivation talent. Does the host wish to accept?]

Jian's heart leapt. "Of course!" He could already see himself conquering mountains and valleys, a peerless talent unmatched in history. But before he could confirm, the voice interrupted, calm yet sharp.

[Warning: Host is malnourished. Acceptance in current condition will result in death.]

The air seemed to freeze. Sweat trickled down Jian's brow. "D-death? No! Cancel it!"

[Mission Generated.]

Mission: As the bearer of the Sect System, how can the host be talentless?

Description: The host must become healthy to accept the talent.

Progress: 0/10,000 Calories

Time Limit: 5 Days

Reward: Top Cultivation Talent

Note: No other missions will be available until this mission is completed.

Jian's shoulders slumped, relief mingling with dread. Just as he prepared to question the system, its voice cut through his thoughts again.

[Ding! Detected that the host has a sect token.]

[Analyzing token...]

[Token detected: No-grade Sect Token.]

[Finding solution...]

"Host is in the presence of an ancient sect baptized by Heavenly Dao aura. Does the host wish to absorb the aura to upgrade the token?"

"Wait!" Jian raised his hand, his voice cracking. "Let me ask some questions first!"

"Proceed, host."

Jian exhaled sharply. "What are you, and what happens if the token absorbs the aura? And what even is a sect token?"

The system replied, its tone patient and precise. "I am the Sect Building System, designed to aid the host in becoming a sect master. In this cultivation world, individuals strive for immortality through cultivation or by establishing sects that propagate their legacy.

A sect token is a divine object granted to chosen individuals who pass the Heavenly Dao's test. These tokens define a sect's grade, ranging from 1 star to 9 stars. Currently, the host's token is ungraded. By absorbing the aura of this ancient, ruined sect, the token will be upgraded to a 1-star token. However, this process will cause the secret realm to collapse."

Jian's brows furrowed. "And what happens to me if the realm collapses?"

"The host will be teleported outside safely."

Jian mulled it over. This realm was barren, devoid of food. He had no way to complete his calorie-based mission here. Upgrading the token and escaping seemed like his best option. Resolute, he turned toward his grandfather's tomb for one final goodbye, then returned to the hall.

"System, begin the process."

[Ding! Absorbing Heavenly Dao Aura...]

[Time Remaining: 01:00]

As the process began, the ground trembled, and cracks spread across the ancient walls. The once serene atmosphere turned chaotic, a tempest of energy surging through the realm.

[00:05]

[00:04]

[00:03]

[00:02]

[00:01]

[Ding! Sect Token upgraded to 1-star!]

Rewards:

10,000 Sect Points

Shop Unlocked

Jian barely had time to savor the news before the realm began to collapse entirely. "System, teleport me out!"

[Error. Teleportation formation damaged. Spatial storm imminent.]

[Solution: Purchase one-time protection from the shop for 5,000 SP. Proceed?]

"What?!" Jian's voice rose, but he had no choice. "Yes, buy it!"

[Protection purchased. Teleportation commencing...]

As the countdown resumed, the collapsing realm blurred into chaos. Jian felt his body grow weightless before darkness claimed him.

Jian awoke in a dense forest, the system's chimes pulling him from unconsciousness.

[Ding! Teleportation successful.]

[Time elapsed: 4 days.]

His heart sank. "System, why four days? I only have one day left for the mission!"

"Host was unconscious for three days due to the teleportation process. Navigating the spatial storm took an additional day."

Jian sighed, frustration giving way to determination. He glanced at the mission screen.

Mission: As the bearer of the Sect System, how can the host be talentless?

Progress: 0/10,000 Calories

Time Remaining: 1 Day

"One day left..." Jian whispered, clenching his fists. He gazed into the forest, a spark of resolve lighting his eyes. "Let's do this."

The familiar mechanical tone responded, calm but unyielding. "Host can find fruits or hunt demonic beasts to complete the mission. However, I suggest forgetting about the fruits. Demonic beasts often guard them, and host currently lacks the ability to kill even the weakest of them."

Jian frowned, irritation creeping into his tone. "Then what's the point of looking for a beast if I can't kill it?"

"Host can search for ungraded demonic beasts. Though they are low-level compared to graded beasts, they are still stronger than host. Begin by targeting them."

"Ungraded beasts?" Jian muttered.

"Host, just as sects are graded, demonic beasts are classified from Grade One Star to Grade Nine Star. Ungraded beasts fall below Grade One Star. They are the weakest of their kind."

Hearing this, Jian's face paled. "I'm weaker than even ungraded beasts?" He felt a wave of helplessness wash over him. "Where can I find one?"

Before the system could reply, a thunderous shriek echoed through the forest, startling Jian. The sound reverberated through the trees, sending birds scattering into the sky. His instincts screamed at him to run, but the system's voice intervened.

"Host, I suggest investigating the source. You may find food or encounter another person. Based on the singular shriek, it is likely a human fighting a beast."

Jianyu hesitated, torn between caution and necessity. "What if I go and it's a beast? I'll die before completing my mission. And if it's a human, why would they help me?"

"You have no other option, host. The mission deadline is approaching. Decide quickly."

Grinding his teeth, Jianyu weighed the risks. Every second of indecision ate into the dwindling hours. Steeling himself, he turned toward the source of the noise and began moving cautiously in its direction.