At the entrance of the Main Hall, the white-robed Sect Master stood holding… a broom.
Qin Wucheng swept the floor with a calm expression, each movement slow and dignified, as if he were performing some ancient cultivation ritual.
From afar, Zhao Han froze.
"...Sect Master?"
Qin Wucheng didn't raise his head. "Mm."
"Sect Master, you're… cleaning?"
"The sect must be clean," Qin Wucheng said lightly, his tone carrying the weight of the heavens. "Dust clouds the heart. If the mountain is dirty, the dao heart will falter to dust demons."
Zhao Han scratched his head. "I—I see."
Qin Wucheng's movements didn't stop. His sleeves fluttered like immortal clouds, each sweep steady and composed.
At this moment, Luo Xueyao approached with a puzzled look. "Sect Master, shouldn't there be disciples responsible for this kind of… task?"
Qin Wucheng's eyes were calm. "You think too much. This is cultivation of the heart and mind."
"..."
Just as the two were at a loss for words, a familiar voice sounded in Qin Wucheng's mind.
[ Ding! Host has maintained sect cleanliness. Reward: +1 Sect Vitality. ]
His hand paused slightly, but his face remained indifferent. "See? Even the heavens acknowledge me."
Zhao Han and Luo Xueyao stared blankly.
This is cultivation of the mind?
Qin Wucheng placed the broom down, dusted his robes, and looked toward the horizon. His expression was profound, as if contemplating life and death.
"Remember," he said faintly, "a sect without dust will prosper for ten thousand years."
With that, he turned and walked away, the morning light falling on his white robes.
Behind him, Zhao Han whispered softly, "Sect Master is truly… extraordinary."
Luo Xueyao's expression twitched slightly. "...Senior Brother, do you think sweeping is part of the Dao?"
Zhao Han thought for a long time, then nodded seriously. "It must be."
The mountain wind carried the sound of a broom being gently set down.
Immortal Grave Mountain Range.
Lingxiao Sect.
The morning wind whistled over the endless ridges. Far from the tranquil peaks, the royal city of the Plume Ascension Dynasty was already dyed in the color of blood.
Within the golden palace, the sound of arguing ministers had barely settled before a single cold word descended like a blade.
"Noisy."
The speaker's eyes were indifferent, his aura heavy as a mountain. Wang Xuan raised his palm slightly, and his power swept out like invisible fire.
Bang. Bang.
The bodies of every minister in the hall burst apart, their souls turned to ash before a single scream could finish.
"Ah—!"
The only voice left was that of the emperor, Yun Tianxu. His bloodshot eyes stared at the scene, veins bulging, anger and terror mingled in his voice. "Who are you!"
He forgot for a moment that the man before him was a powerhouse of the Soul Transformation Realm. All that remained in his mind was hatred and the desire to tear the intruder apart.
"Yun Tianxu," a voice beside him said lightly. "Your Plume Ascension Dynasty has reached the end of its fate."
The speaker stepped forward. It was Luo Jingtao, his robe torn from battle, his eyes filled with cold satisfaction. The hatred in his bones burned bright; the memory of his ruined cities and slaughtered citizens flared in his chest.
"Luo Jingtao… you!"
Yun Tianxu's pupils contracted. "You're the one who killed my Imperial Preceptor!" His gaze turned toward Wang Xuan, face twisted with rage. "You dare! My dynasty's ancestor—he will not spare you!"
Wang Xuan didn't even glance at him. "Your ancestor?" His voice was calm. "If he exists, he may follow you soon."
The air trembled as his hand lifted. "My Lingxiao Sect is about to enter the world. To be the first offering beneath its name is your dynasty's honor."
His palm descended.
Boom—
The golden hall split in two. Yun Tianxu screamed as his body disintegrated under the pressure, words still echoing as ash scattered into the wind.
"Plume… Ascension… will not forgive…"
His voice vanished, leaving only silence.
The imperial city shuddered.
Luo Jingtao stood among the ruins, face pale but eyes burning. "This hatred is finally washed away."
He turned to Wang Xuan. "Senior, allow me to finish the rest."
"Do as you will."
The Nascent Soul powerhouse's tone was calm. His divine sense spread, a vast sea of pressure blanketing the entire royal city. Below, countless members of the royal clan screamed in terror as Luo Jingtao descended among them like a vengeful god.
Blood flowed like rivers. The palaces that had once shone with jade light now burned in crimson flame.
If you don't cut the grass at its roots, it will grow again.
The words echoed in Luo Jingtao's mind as his sword carved through the air. These were not mere enemies—they were executioners who had slaughtered millions of Grand Xu's people. Today, their blood would pay that debt.
Above the burning city, Wang Xuan remained motionless in the clouds. His aura covered the sky, ensuring no one escaped.
When the flames began to fade, Luo Jingtao rose, his robes soaked in blood and smoke. He clasped his hands and bowed deeply.
"Senior, the remnants of the Plume Ascension royal clan have been cleared."
Wang Xuan nodded faintly. "Good. This matter ends here. I will return to report to the Sect Master."
When he spoke those words, his tone carried a deep reverence that came not from duty, but from faith.
To the summoned guards of Lingxiao Sect, Qin Wucheng was not merely their master—he was their heaven. Even if ordered to die, they would not hesitate.
Luo Jingtao saw the expression in Wang Xuan's eyes and his heart trembled.
A powerhouse of this level… and yet he shows such devotion?
He clenched his fists, awe rising in his chest. It seems the origin of Lingxiao Sect is far deeper than I imagined.
A moment later, the two vanished into the wind.
...
In the void above the ruined city, golden light flashed. A figure in golden armor appeared, his presence vast as the heavens. His gaze swept the wasteland below; disbelief flickered in his eyes.
"Who dares destroy the Plume Ascension Dynasty!"
He closed his eyes, sensing the lingering aura, and his expression turned grim. "This power… the same realm as mine."
The golden-armored man's face darkened, killing intent rippling through the clouds. "To wipe out an entire dynasty in one strike… this Southern Region has changed."
The air cracked as he vanished.
...
Lingxiao Sect, Main Hall.
The air was quiet, but in Qin Wucheng's mind, a cold voice suddenly sounded.
[ Ding! Congratulations to the Host's subordinates for annihilating the Plume Ascension Dynasty. Sect mission complete. Reward: one random draw and ten war weapons! ]
Qin Wucheng's eyes snapped open, gleaming with delight. "Already done? That fast?"
He leaned back, half-laughing under his breath. "Seems the so-called Plume Ascension Dynasty wasn't worth much."
He waved his sleeve casually. "Ten war weapons… not bad. When I have more disciples, I can distribute them."
War weapons—tools strong enough to shake an entire region. On the Immortal Martial Continent, they were divided into low-grade, middle-grade, high-grade, then war, saint, ancient, quasi-emperor, and extreme emperor weapons.
In the Southern Wilderness, a single war weapon could cause sects to destroy each other for a taste of its power.
[ Ding! Ten war weapons have been stored in the System Space. Fixed reward: the Sect's Technique Pavilion has been successfully completed! ]
Qin Wucheng's eyes brightened. "Technique Pavilion?"
He spoke in his heart. "System, there are actual techniques in it, right?"
If this thing turned out to be an empty building, he swore he'd flip a table.
[ Ding! The Technique Pavilion has been filled with a variety of cultivation manuals. The Host may rest assured. ]
"Good. For once, you're reliable."
He leaned forward slightly. "Then show me the sect panel."
[ Ding! Opening Sect Panel. ]
Lines of text unfolded before his eyes, golden light glimmering like an ancient scroll.
[ Sect: Lingxiao Sect
Location: Immortal Grave Mountain Range
Sect Master: Qin Wucheng
Sect Disciples: 2
Sect Guards: 3
Guardian Elder: 1
Elders: None
Ancestor: None
Sect Points: 1000 ]
Qin Wucheng nodded slowly. "So clean. Almost looks empty."
"System, what are sect points used for?"
[ Ding! Sect Points can be exchanged for heavenly treasures, spirit weapons, elixirs, rare constitutions, and other items in the System Mall. ]
"Oh?" Qin Wucheng's eyes narrowed slightly. "Then the more disciples I have, the more points I can earn?"
[ Ding! Correct. Recruiting talented disciples, completing missions, and expanding sect influence all increase Sect Points. ]
He tapped the armrest of his seat thoughtfully. "So that's how it is."
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Not bad. Looks like it's time for Lingxiao Sect to start recruiting in earnest."