Shaurya stared at his system screen, a spark of curiosity glowing in his eyes. "Finally… something useful," he muttered, lips curling into a smirk. The holographic interface shimmered as a new entry appeared.
[Soul Destroying Array – Cost: 10 Dharma Points] Description: A forbidden array designed to annihilate the soul of enemies. Effective against those below Core Formation Realm. Once activated, it locks onto the soul of the targets within range and burns them to ashes. Warning: Cruel and irreversible.
Shaurya didn't hesitate. "Buy."
[Dharma Points -10]
He grinned. "Perfect. Let those jade clowns come... I'll test this properly."
Almost as if on cue, a whistle split the air. Ten disciples from the Jade Fire Sect descended on flying swords, landing in front of Shaurya with cocky smirks. Their uniforms bore red flame insignias, and their leader, a muscular youth with a scarred brow, stepped forward.
"So, you're the so-called Sect Leader of the Sanatan Flame Sect?" he sneered. "Kneel now and beg for mercy, and we might give you a quick death."
Shaurya didn't flinch. Instead, he chuckled. "You know...… Speak Of The devil, and the devil is here."
The disciples blinked, confused.
"What did he say?"
"Whatever. He's stalling. Kill him."
Shaurya's eyes narrowed, voice calm yet chilling. "If you retreat now, you may live. Unlike your sect... which is destined to be destroyed."
"Arrogant fool!" the leader growled. "You just sealed your fate. I, Rong Yuan, will personally torture you and make sure you die slowly."
Shaurya smirked. "Torture? Me? You want to torture me? Fine… I'll show you what torture really looks like."
He raised his right hand.
"Soul Destroying Array—ACTIVATE!"
With a sharp snap of his fingers, the ground beneath the disciples lit up with dark red runes. Before they could react, an invisible force gripped them.
"What the—?!"
Their bodies froze. Flames erupted—not normal flames, but spectral ones—burning not their flesh but their very souls.
Screams echoed across the land.
One disciple dropped to his knees, eyes wide in terror as his body cracked like old porcelain.
"No! What is this?! It's burning—my soul!" another screamed.
One by one, their bodies shattered into ash, their souls vanquished beyond recovery. Silence followed.
Shaurya stood there, stunned for a moment. "Whoa... that was way stronger than I thought."
---
Scene Shift – Jade Fire Sect, Main Hall
The grand hall was massive, its interior bathed in crimson light. At the center sat a monstrous figure on a black stone throne. Huo Ling, the Sect Leader of Jade Fire Sect, looked more beast than man—towering, broad-shouldered, and draped in blood-red robes.
To his sides, eight Grand Elders sat in silence. Before him stood Jiang Lin, the beaten young master from earlier, and a lower elder trembling with sweat.
"What?" Huo Ling's voice thundered.
The elder swallowed. "Sect Leader… the ten disciples we sent... all of them are dead."
"WHAT?!"
The room trembled as Huo Ling stood, releasing a terrifying aura that cracked the marble floor.
"That brat must've used a secret artifact or forbidden technique. We underestimated him. No more! Prepare the core disciples. Grand Elders—you too. I will personally crush him!"
Jiang Lin bowed, a cruel smile forming on his lips. "He dared insult me… when Sect Leader defeats him, I'll take pleasure in cutting off his head myself."
---
Scene Shift – City Lord's Mansion, Conference Room
Seated in a luxurious chamber were several powerful cultivators. At the head of the table sat the City Lord—a muscular figure with glowing purple eyes and hair, a deep scar crossing his left eye.
He folded his arms. "Jade Fire Sect, the strongest sect of our city… versus a sect no one's ever heard of? Hmph. This might be interesting. The throne of this city's strongest sect probably going to shift."
A faint grin touched his lips.
---
Scene Shift – Sanatan Flame Sect Grounds
Shaurya sat by a lotus fountain, gazing at the clear blue sky.
Ding!
[System Notification: Disciple Xiao Rui has broken through from Qi Initiate Level 3 to Level 4]
"Oh? That kid's really talented. Broke through 3 levels in just 4 hours. Thanks to the pills, of course... but Xiao Lian, she..."
Suddenly, A sudden boom shook the air.
A powerful energy burst erupted from the nearby area where Xiao Lian was cultivating. The sky changed colors, frost forming mid-air.
Shaurya stood up, alarmed. "System! What's happening?!"
[System Notification: Congratulations Host. Your disciple Xiao Lian has awakened the legendary physique—Ice Phoenix Body.]
He gasped. "Ice Phoenix Body…?
[ System Replies: That's one of the rarest and one of the most powerful constitutions in the entire cultivation world!"]
Xiao Lian floated in the air, her body engulfed in a silvery-blue aura. Her eyes glowed. A spectral Phoenix spirit manifested behind her, letting out a chilling, majestic cry that echoed across the sky.
Xiao Rui ran over. "Master! What's happening to my sister?!"
Shaurya Snapped Out Of His Shock , laughed with joy and lifted him. "Your sister… is a genius!
Then he lut him down , She's awakened the Ice Phoenix Body!"
Even Xiao Rui's jaw dropped.
The sky glowed brightly.
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations! Disciple Xiao Lian has broken through from Qi Initiate Level 3 to Level 4... Level 5... Level 6!]
Shaurya blinked. "She just broke through three levels… in one go?! Wait… she's a level above me now?!"
Xiao Rui chuckled. "Master! See? My sister is now at Level 6!"
Shaurya smiled but a tear rolled down his cheek. "I'm her master… and now I'm weaker than her..."
[System: That's why I told you to work hard.]
"How do I work hard when I can't even cultivate without your help?!"
[System: Tch. Instead of whining, go congratulate your disciple. What kind of master are you?]
Shaurya sighed and walked toward the siblings.
Xiao Lian landed softly, her ice-blue aura fading. She was glowing with joy. She turned and hugged her brother.
Shaurya gently patted her back. "You did an amazing job. I'm proud."
"It's all because of you, Master," she said, eyes sparkling. "You gave us a chance to become cultivators. You're the best."
Shaurya puffed his chest. "No, no… you're flattering me!"
They all laughed.
---
Scene Shift – Skies above the city
A massive flying ship sliced through the clouds. The banner of the Jade Fire Sect fluttered atop it. The ship's deck teemed with disciples, and at the center, seated on a high throne, was Sect Leader Huo Ling.
Citizens looked up in fear.
"The Jade Fire Sect is moving… looks like that new sect is about to be wiped out before it even begins."
"Who knows? Maybe some miracle will happen..."
The ship roared toward the direction of the Sanatan Flame Sect.
---
Scene Shift – Rooftop
On a nearby rooftop, a mysterious young man around twenty sat, cross hands and his sword in between his both hands. His dirty white robes flapped in the wind. A white veil covered his face, revealing only a single silver eye that gleamed with anticipation.
---
Scene Shift – Sanatan Flame Sect
Shaurya's expression hardened.
Ding!
[System Notification: Jade Fire Sect is approaching. Defend your sect and complete the mission.]
Shaurya slowly looked up.
"So… the time has come."
He stand with serious expression Looking at the sky and called, "Disciples! Ready yourselves for battle!"
Xiao Rui and Xiao Lian stepped forward.
"Yes, Master!"
They stood beside him, the trio facing the skies From Where The Jade Fire Sect Ship Is Arrived. The war is going to begin.
TO BE CONTINUED...