Lin Xuan woke stiffly, his body aching and protesting each small movement. The brutal fight with the serpent still lingered vividly in his memory—and his muscles. He stretched slowly, groaning slightly. "Defeating giant snakes wasn't exactly part of my CEO training."
[Indeed. Your previous occupation did lack such practical exercises.] the system replied dryly.
He ignored the sarcasm and focused on the immediate task. "Alright, system, what's next?"
[New Quest Issued: Sect Construction Initiation] Objectives:
Construct the Main Hall (basic structure, symbolizing the sect's authority)
Construct Disciple Quarters (initial housing for disciples) Rewards: 1000 Points, increased functionality in Sect Management System.
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. "I thought you'd just make the buildings magically appear."
[As previously established, Pavilion Master: we provide functionality, not furniture.]
"Fair enough," Lin Xuan sighed, getting to his feet. He began surveying the land around the cavern, considering practical matters such as access to resources, defensibility, and convenience. His eyes settled on a gently sloping area just below the cavern's entrance—a natural plateau with an ideal vantage point. "Perfect for a Main Hall."
For disciple quarters, he chose a sheltered glade slightly downhill. But first, he'd need water. Lin Xuan frowned and narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"Can't build a sect if everyone's too thirsty to cultivate."
Drawing upon his elemental affinity, Lin Xuan roamed the nearby surroundings, palms grazing the ground at intervals. He reached out with his Qi, feeling for disturbances or shifts in the elemental balance that might hint at water hidden below. After several hours of carefully navigating rock ledges and tapping into the earth's spiritual threads, he finally detected a cool pulse of moisture through the terrain beneath his feet.
Concentrating, he focused his Qi into the ground. The soil shuddered, then cracked open as a clear stream of glowing azure water burst forth.
[Resource Discovered: Azure Cloud Spring] A natural spring enriched with spiritual water, ideal for cultivation and alchemy.
"And that," Lin Xuan said with a grin, "is how you hydrate a future empire."
He marked the spring's location before beginning the groundwork. As he gathered resources, a familiar notification appeared:
[Heavens Treasury has refreshed.]
He checked the updated inventory:
Healing Renewal Pills (4 pcs): Completely heals physical injuries for cultivators below Qi Condensation – 200 Points
Vein Awakening Pill: Has a chance to randomly awaken a hidden physique based on constitution – 3000 Points
Artifact – Flameguard Bracer: Provides strong resistance against fire attacks – 600 Points
Artifact – Breeze Steps Boots: Greatly improves speed and agility – 750 Points
He purchased the Healing Renewal Pills immediately, valuing their utility.
[Weekly Draw Available]
"Alright, let's see if luck smiles again."
[Congratulations! You've obtained the Mythical Technique: Celestial Mind Grasp.] Allows the user to manipulate objects through focused Qi application. Strength and precision scale with the user's cultivation.
Lin Xuan wasted no time testing it. Small stones floated into the air, then spun in place with a flick of his will. He grinned. "This… this changes everything."
He spent the next several days immersed in construction. With Celestial Mind Grasp and elemental manipulation, he experimented constantly—levitating timber into place, welding joints with fire, and stabilizing walls with compressed stone. He even practiced fine control by rotating pebbles in a spiral while guiding logs midair. Curious about combat applications, he extended his Qi toward his sword, which lay sheathed by a boulder. The blade twitched, then slowly lifted into the air—unsteady at first, but gradually steadier as he adjusted his intent. With focus, the sword began to float in slow arcs, mimicking slashes and thrusts under his mental command. Though clumsy for now, he imagined its future potential in battle—projecting flying blades, defending from multiple angles, or even dueling without physical contact.
It wasn't instant—each structure required patience and recalibration. But gradually, walls rose and foundations hardened. The Main Hall stood proudly at the heart of the plateau, flanked by the simpler, solid Disciple Quarters.
Food presented a separate challenge. Luckily, Lin Xuan's elemental skills and hunting knowledge sufficed. Each evening, he ventured into the forest and hunted low-tier spirit beasts—wild boars with faint traces of metal Qi or rabbits carrying earth essence. The meat, once cooked, was succulent and flavorful, surprisingly nourishing to his meridians.
He even kept a sizable chunk of the serpent meat from before—cured using fire Qi and stored under cool stone. The rest, sadly, had to be incinerated due to lack of preservation tools.
[Quest Completed: Sect Infrastructure Established.] [Rewards Granted: +1000 Points. Increased functionality now accessible.]
Lin Xuan, arms sore and robes streaked with ash, finally surveyed the scene with satisfaction. Crude yet solid buildings, clean water, and steady meals—his fledgling sect had taken its first breath.
"Spirit vein, check. Freshwater, check. Buildings, check," he recited, grinning. "Now, before I keel over, I believe I've earned a nap."
[Strongly recommended. You are currently operating at 43% optimal condition.]
He chuckled. "So precise."
As twilight spread across the mountains, Lin Xuan lay back on a smooth slab near the spring, breathing deeply. With the foundation set, the true path of the Myriad Heavens Pavilion could begin.
That evening, as Lin Xuan sat cross-legged near the Azure Cloud Spring, circulating his Qi to recover from the exhausting days of construction, he felt an unusual rush in his meridians. The flow of spiritual energy surged with newfound clarity and power, and his body vibrated with a low hum of resonance.
[Congratulations, Pavilion Master. You have broken through to Qi Condensation Stage 9.]
He exhaled slowly, eyes flashing open with renewed sharpness. "Stage 9... just one more step before the next major realm."
Though the power coursing through him was invigorating, Lin Xuan remained grounded. He understood that even at the peak of Qi Condensation, he was still far from being considered powerful in this world. But it was progress—a steady climb built on blood, grit, and clever use of opportunity.