Nathan stood frozen in place, staring down at his completely bare body. For a solid three seconds, his mind refused to process anything except the horrifying reality that he was, in fact, standing stark naked in the middle of a giant grassland.
"OH COME ON!" he screamed internally, slapping both hands in front of himself in a panic.
He twisted left, twisted right, even crouched slightly — anything to make sure the tall grass wasn't hiding any spectators. After what felt like an eternity of frantic scanning, he finally exhaled a shaky breath.
"Phew… thank god no one saw that," he muttered, wiping imaginary sweat off his forehead. "If someone had seen me like this in broad daylight, they'd think I escaped from a mental hospital."
He glared at the sky.
"System! Why am I naked!? Do you want me to build a harem by flashing myself at strangers!? Give me some clothes!"
The system, always polite and completely unfazed by his suffering, responded immediately.
DING.
> [For host's convenience, a set of simple clothes has been gifted.]
A bright light burst in front of him, wrapping around his body like a warm blanket. The glow faded, and in its place appeared a spotless white robe — simple yet elegant, with soft fabric that fluttered in the breeze.
Nathan twirled once, admiring it.
"Ohhhh this is nice!" he said happily. "System, you redeemed yourself. You get one forgiveness point."
Now fully clothed and emotionally stable again, Nathan remembered something important.
"System," he said, "you told me about cultivation levels earlier… but what about sects? How does that work in this world?"
The system replied with its usual calm tone:
> [There are five levels of sects in this world.]
A screen appeared before him listing them neatly.
---
Levels of Sects
1. One-Star ⭐ – Small sect
2. Two-Star ⭐⭐ – Mid-level sect
3. Three-Star ⭐⭐⭐ – Large sect
4. Four-Star ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Sect equal to kingdoms
5. Five-Star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Independent world-famous sect
---
Nathan leaned closer, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"So what's the difference between each level?"
The system explained:
> [One-Star: known only in their city.
Two-Star: known by surrounding cities.
Three-Star: known across the whole continent.
Four-Star: as powerful as kingdoms, known across multiple continents.
Five-Star: independent sects known worldwide.]
Nathan's imagination instantly took off like a rocket.
He saw himself standing atop a giant mountain, his robe fluttering dramatically as countless disciples bowed before him. His sect would be legendary — known across the seven continents, feared by kings, revered by emperors, and maybe even respected by gods.
He couldn't help but grin like a man who just found a treasure chest.
"If I build a Five-Star sect… no… with the system, maybe I can even surpass that! Maybe I'll make a Seven-Star sect! A Super Supreme Sect!"
Nathan was so deep in his fantasies of ultimate domination that he almost forgot where he was when—
DING.
> [Host has been awarded a Beginner Gift Pack. You can access it through your Inventory.]
Nathan froze.
"A g-gift pack? For me? On my birthday?"
His heart warmed a little.
He never received gifts growing up.
Not even once.
"System," he said slowly, "what's inside the gift pack? And uh… what else can you do?"
The system explained:
> [Beginner Gift Pack contains:
(1) Cultivation Manual
(2) Body Strengthening Pill
(3) Potential Scanner
(4) Qi Restoration Pills ×15
Regarding system functions: At your current authority level, only the Inventory function is available.]
Nathan nodded thoughtfully.
"What's my authority level right now?"
> [Authority Level: 1.
Maximum possible level: 10.
Higher levels unlock more system functions.]
"So… how do I increase it?"
> [By completing quests.]
Nathan clapped his hands.
"Alright then, let's open the gift pack! I can't wait anymore!"
The system immediately complied.
---
DING.
> [Opening Beginner Gift Pack…]
> [Congratulations, host. You have received:]
– Qi Restoration Pills ×15
– Body Strengthening Pill (Peak Immortal Level Grade)
– Potential Scanner
– Cultivation Manual: VOID ASURA SUTRA (Peak God Level Manual)
---
Nathan froze.
His brain shut down.
His soul left his body for a moment.
And then—
"WOOOOHOOOOOOO—!!!"
He jumped in the air like a delirious kangaroo.
He spun.
He danced.
He screamed with joy.
If anyone had walked past, they absolutely would've labeled him as a local lunatic who had recently escaped from captivity.
Tears streamed down his face.
In his life on the old Earth, he had gotten nothing.
Not a toy. Not a book. Not even a real birthday cake.
But here…
He received world-shaking treasures on day one.
He wiped his tears and sniffled.
"System… thank you," he whispered.
Finally calming down, he asked:
"System… you mentioned grades earlier. What's with all these 'Peak Immortal' and 'Peak God' descriptions? Are there more grades?"
The system answered:
---
Grades of Manuals (Low–Mid–High)
1. Mortal
2. Earth
3. Sky
4. Heaven
5. Immortal
6. Saint
7. Supreme
8. God
Grades of Artifacts & Pills (Low–Mid–High)
1. Mortal
2. Earth
3. Sky
4. Heaven
5. Immortal
6. Saint
7. Supreme
8. God / Divine
---
Nathan stared blankly.
"So my manual is… one of the strongest possible?"
> [Correct. A Peak God Level Cultivation Manual.]
Nathan felt another wave of excitement slam into him.
Peak God level!?
Something like that shouldn't even exist in the mortal or immortal realms!
He couldn't imagine how strong he could become with it.
"System," he said breathlessly, "what does the Void Asura Sutra actually do?"
The system replied:
> [VOID ASURA SUTRA grants the host power as fierce as an Asura and as limitless as the void. However, training difficulty is extremely high.]
Nathan grinned.
"Difficult? Who cares! I was an orphan — life was already difficult. Bring it on!"
Then he frowned slightly.
"Oh right… where exactly am I? You said this was Ian City, but all I see is grass."
The system explained:
> [Host is currently in the southern outskirts of Ian City. This region is called the Green Wasteland.]
Nathan nodded.
"Okay, that explains the lack of people. Good thing I didn't appear in the middle of the marketplace… naked."
He shuddered at the thought.
But before he could ask anything else—
DING.
A loud chime rang in his mind.
The system's voice took on a serious tone.
---
[MAIN QUEST ISSUED]
> Objective: To build a Supreme Sect capable of ruling the world, host must first recruit 3 disciples with potential above 50.
Reward per disciple: 1 Peak Supreme Grade Cultivation Manual
Quest Completion Reward: +1 Authority Level and a Sect Creation Token
Failure Penalty: Death
Time Limit: 5 months
---
Nathan's smile froze.
"H–Huh!?"
Death!?
"System… SYSTEM! Why is death always your favorite punishment!?" he shouted in terror.
The system remained eerily calm.
Nathan gulped.
Three disciples with high potential…
Only five months…
In a world he didn't know…
With zero resources…
This was going to be tough.
But…
He clenched his fists.
"I just got a second chance at life… I won't waste it."
A fire lit in his eyes.
"Fine. I'll build the strongest sect this world has ever seen."