The final Emei disciple's sword clattered to the ground, her will to fight extinguished by Liam Ardent's overwhelming display of skill. As the last of them yielded, a symphony of crisp, clear chimes echoed within the depths of Liam's consciousness. The Infinite Upgrade System was diligently tallying his gains, its notifications flashing with a satisfying rapidity.
System Update [Defeated First-Rate Expert: Saxa Quinn – EXP +5,000]
[Defeated Peak Second-Rate Expert: Viola Grace – EXP +1,500]
[Defeated First-Rate Expert (Mid Stage): Serena – EXP +5,000]
[Defeated Second-Rate Expert (x22) – Total EXP +16,500]
[Multiple Defeats Processed: Cumulative EXP Gained +35,000]
[Level Up!]
[Constitution Increased!][Internal Energy Increased!]
[Reached Level 10 – Prestige System Unlocked!]
[Prestige directly influences reward quality and passive cultivation speed.]
A surge of potent energy flooded Liam's meridians, the familiar and exhilarating sensation of a breakthrough. His senses sharpened, and the world around him seemed to snap into sharper focus. His constitution, the very foundation of his cultivation, grew more resilient, and the vast ocean of his internal energy deepened and expanded.
While Serena had been calmly explaining the fearsome hierarchy of the Ming Cult to her terrified disciples, Liam's primary focus had been turned inward, analyzing the intricacies of this newly unlocked system. He noted that defeating masters yielded exactly half the experience of killing them and granted no silver, a balancing mechanism he found both fair and intriguing. Yet, the cumulative gain from overwhelming the entire Emei group had been substantial, a tidal wave of energy that effortlessly propelled him across the threshold to a new level of power.
The Prestige System, however, was the true prize. Its mechanics were fascinating. It wasn't based on violence or plunder, but on influence and loyalty. For every individual whose Favorability toward him reached the absolute pinnacle of 100 (Unwavering Devotion), he would gain a single, precious point of Prestige.
The potential benefits were nothing short of revolutionary. The system explained that with just 1 point of Prestige, he would passively gain 1 point of Internal Energy and 1 point of EXP every single day, without any meditation, training, or effort whatsoever. It was a trickle, but the implications were staggering. If he could somehow amass 10,000 Prestige, that would mean an automatic gain of 10,000 points of energy and experience daily—a truly astronomical growth rate that would make him untouchable.
However, the path to such power was rightly arduous. Earning such absolute, unwavering loyalty was no simple task. It required more than just strength; it demanded trust, respect, and often, a shared history. He mentally reviewed his connections. So far, only a select handful had reached that zenith of devotion: Lady Moira Drake, Isla Drake, Isolde Serpentis, Lilith Stormbane, Rowena Sterling, Juliana Valehart, Selestine Valehart, Hector Xu, and Marcus Ashford. His current Prestige stood at a meager, yet significant, 9 points. Each point represented a soul who would follow him to hell and back.
The moment he had left the Emei Sect behind, their figures receding into the distance, Liam eagerly willed his status panel into view, curious to see his new statistics.
System Update – Status Panel
Name: Liam Ardent
Sex: Male
Age: 19
Level: 10
Constitution: 220 (Insight and recovery speed increased by 22×)
Internal Energy: 271,000 (Peak First-Rate Expert)
Prestige: 9 (Gained by earning Unwavering Devotion. Each point grants +1 Daily Internal Energy & EXP)
Experience: 29,000 / 512,000
Storage: Growth Gift Pack (Openable) ×1, Golden Flower Silver Leaf Talisman ×1
Silver: 10,400
Weapon: Heaven-Reliant Sword (King-Tier Divine Weapon)
Technique Library: Nine Suns Divine Skill (King-Tier), Heavenly Foreign Visitor (King-Tier Sword Art, Incomplete), Nameless Medical Text (Diamond-Tier), Sunpierce Divine Finger (Diamond-Tier, Incomplete), Orchid Acupoint Hand (Diamond-Tier, Incomplete)…
The experience from comprehensively defeating the Emei disciples had not only elevated him to Level 10 but had also illuminated a brilliant and more palatable new path for rapid advancement.
His initial, darker thought had been to gain EXP through more lethal means, which also yielded random items from the system. But the idea of killing indiscriminately, without cause or enmity, had sat uneasily with him, a remnant of a morality not entirely erased by this ruthless world. Discovering that simply defeating and subduing opponents granted substantial experience—albeit half of a kill's reward—completely eliminated that moral dilemma. He could grow stronger through combat and dominance without becoming a mindless slaughterer.
Now, the six major sects and countless smaller factions were converging on Bright Peak. The potential EXP harvest from challenging and defeating so many masters was staggering! Furthermore, if he could not only subdue these powerful figures but also earn their respect and eventually their loyalty, the long-term Prestige gains would be an even greater boon, setting him on an unprecedented path of cultivation.
A clarifying system note warned of a restriction: repeatedly defeating the same individual yielded no additional EXP unless that person's own cultivation level had significantly increased in the interim. This was a primary reason he had left the Emei group behind; they had no more experience to offer him for now. They were spent resources in terms of immediate growth.
His new goal was therefore clear and exciting: he needed to find new, stronger opponents to challenge, and seek out potential allies whose loyalty could be won.
But before he embarked on this new campaign, there was one more urgent and promising matter to attend to.
He had reached Level 10. The Growth Gift Pack, a reward that had previously granted him incredible tools, was available once more, its icon glowing enticingly in his mental inventory.
Liam focused his consciousness on the waiting package, a thrill of anticipation running through him.
System Update [Growth Gift Pack (Openable) x1 – Use? Y/N]
'Use!' he commanded without hesitation.
The package vanished from his storage in a flash of golden light, replaced by three new, shimmering items that radiated potent energy.
System Update [Item Acquired: Experience Vial x1 – Grants +100,000 EXP]
[Item Acquired: Solar Flare Pill x1 – Permanently increases Internal Energy by +10,000]
[Item Acquired: Prestige Card (100) x1 – Instantly grants +100 Prestige]
A slow, genuine smile spread across Liam's face. These were not just good; they were exceptional rewards. The Experience Vial was a massive injection of progress, and the Solar Flare Pill would significantly bolster the depth of his power. But the Prestige Card was truly priceless, a treasure beyond compare. One hundred points of Prestige was the equivalent of convincing one hundred powerful, unique individuals to swear their undying loyalty to him. It would instantly multiply his passive cultivation speed a hundredfold.
The path to unparalleled power had just become much, much clearer. Bright Peak was no longer just a battlefield; it was his hunting ground and his recruiting field.
Glossary – Chapter 44
Prestige System: A new advanced mechanic unlocked at Level 10. Prestige is earned exclusively by gaining the Unwavering Devotion (100 Favorability) of others. Each point of Prestige grants a daily passive increase of 1 Internal Energy and 1 Experience point, enabling growth without active cultivation.
Solar Flare Pill: A supremely potent alchemical pill forged from concentrated yang energy. It permanently increases the consumer's Internal Energy reservoir by a massive amount (+10,000), a prize typically only found in ancient ruins or legendary caches.
Prestige Card (100): A legendary-tier item of immense value. It instantly grants the user 100 points of Prestige, drastically accelerating their passive cultivation speed and representing a monumental leap in their influence and potential.
This story is inspired from various Wuxia novels ,so if you find any similarities please dont mind . and if you think this is boring wait till the Dual cultivation starts ,Thank you .
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