Chen Yu moved through the dense forest, his feet barely making a sound as he walked, the emblem of the Azure Sky Sect tucked securely into his belt. The faint whispers of the wind through the trees did little to settle his mind, which buzzed with questions. What was this Azure Sky Sect, and why had that spirit—one of the cultivators he had accidentally killed—pointed him toward it?

As he pondered, a low growl echoed from the underbrush. Without breaking stride, Chen Yu waved a hand, and one of the Dominion Orbs hovering around him shot forward, expanding into a jagged stone spike that impaled the incoming beast. The spiritual beast let out a final whimper before collapsing, and the orb shifted back into its spherical form, floating lazily by Chen Yu's side as though nothing had happened.

"To think I used to run from these beasts," Chen Yu muttered under his breath, casually blocking an attack from another beast with another orb that morphed into a sturdy barrier. The creature's claws scraped uselessly against the earthen shield before being flattened by a follow-up strike from a third orb.

The beasts were no match for him now. He barely even needed to focus. His mind was elsewhere—on the emblem and the spirit's final message. "Azure Sky Sect, huh?" he mused aloud, flicking another beast away with an idle wave. "I wonder what that place is all about. A secret sect with some powerful techniques, maybe?"

[System Notification: Query detected. Information on 'Azure Sky Sect' requested.]

Chen Yu perked up. "Oh? You know something, don't you, System? Go on, spill the beans. Tell me what you've got on this Azure Sky Sect."

[System Notification: No relevant data available.]

Chen Yu stopped dead in his tracks, eyes narrowing. "What do you mean 'no relevant data'? You're the all-knowing system with answers to everything! Don't tell me you're holding out on me."

[System Notification: The system is not withholding information.]

"Oh, come on!" Chen Yu threw up his hands, frustrated. "Stingy, aren't you? All I'm asking for is a little context here. What's so special about this Azure Sky Sect? You really expect me to just walk in blind?"

The system remained silent.

Chen Yu snorted, rolling his eyes. "Fine, be that way. I'll figure it out myself. But seriously, what's the point of having you around if you won't even help me out with the basics?"

Another growl interrupted his thoughts, and another Dominion Orb responded instantly, smashing into the lower-grade spiritual beast before it could get close. The remaining beasts scattered, knowing they stood no chance. Chen Yu sighed, casually wiping sweat from his brow. This was almost too easy now.

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He resumed his pace, still grumbling. "You know, for all your fancy features, you're kinda useless sometimes."

There was a long pause, during which Chen Yu smirked to himself, imagining the system pouting. Then—

[System Notification: The system does not withhold critical information for no reason. Performing a terrain scan.]

"Oh, now you're helping," Chen Yu muttered sarcastically. "About time."

As he walked, the system whirred quietly in his mind, analyzing the surroundings. He absentmindedly sent another orb flying to crush a particularly persistent spiritual beast, barely paying attention. He was getting used to multitasking—talking, fighting, thinking all at once.

The forest around him hummed with quiet energy, the wind brushing softly against his skin, though every now and then a breeze would whip through the branches, sending leaves spiraling downward. It was peaceful, but that peace did nothing to still his thoughts.

"Seriously though," Chen Yu continued, still muttering to himself, "how can I have a literal cultivator spirit pointing me toward a sect and you, the all-knowing system, don't have a single bit of info? You didn't even give me a dramatic notification like, 'Oh, this sect is super powerful, tread carefully.'"

[System Notification: Terrain scan complete.]

Chen Yu blinked as a map of the nearby terrain flashed before his eyes, highlighting the location of a winding path that led further into the mountains. An arrow blinked steadily, pointing him in the direction of the Azure Sky Sect.

[System Notification: A probable route to the Azure Sky Sect has been detected. The system has prioritized guidance to avoid unnecessary risk.]

[Estimated travel time: One Day On Foot.]

Chen Yu raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Wow, thanks. Guess I'll just follow this very obvious path you could've shown me ten minutes ago."

He smirked, half expecting a snappy retort from the system, but it stayed silent. Instead, he studied the map, feeling a flicker of excitement. Finally, a clear direction. Something to follow.

His Dominion Orbs hovered close as he adjusted his course, their silent hums a testament to the control he had now. It had only been a week, but his mastery over his Qi—and the elements—had grown exponentially. The beasts in the forest were no match for him now.

Chen Yu's mind raced with possibilities as he walked, the emblem of the Azure Sky Sect pressing against his side. The thought of meeting other cultivators filled him with both anticipation and uncertainty. Would they welcome him? Could they teach him more about this world? About his place in it?

The system chimed again.

[System Notification: Caution advised. Unknown variables detected in the direction of the Azure Sky Sect.]

Chen Yu rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. You already told me. 'Unnecessary risk,' blah blah. Don't worry—I've got this."

With a determined nod, he set off toward the northeast, his eyes focused on the path ahead. The forest seemed to part before him, the trees swaying gently as if guiding him on his way. He felt a strange sense of peace, a calm that settled over him like a warm blanket.

"This is the right path," he thought, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I can feel it. I'm getting closer to something… something important. Or, maybe this world's turning me into a lunatic."

"Azure Sky Sect," he whispered to himself, his voice filled with anticipation.