Li Sheng was momentarily stunned, thinking he had been stimulated by that woman into a hallucination. After confirming, he couldn't help but feel excited.
"System?!!"
"It really is true that there's no such thing as a dead end!"
"The great auspicious hexagram... it's truly amazing!"
He suppressed his excitement and silently willed for the binding. In an instant, a brilliant light filled his vision, and a line of subtitles appeared.
Host: Li Sheng
Title: Sect Master of Qingling Sect
Sect: Qingling Sect + (Unranked)
Cultivation Level: Ninth Grade Body Refinement Stage
Martial Arts: White Elephant Body Refinement Technique (Beginner)
Cultivation Talent: Mediocre (Ordinary)
Comprehension: Ordinary (Average)
Skills: None
Training Grounds +
Transmission Hall +
Secret Skill Pavilion +
Spirit Spring Pool +
Alchemist Room +
Sect Points: 5
Spiritual Vein: Damaged + (Cultivation Talent +1, Comprehension +1, Physical Improvement - Weak)
Protective Formation: First Stage Formation +
Sect Enhancement: Talent +1, Comprehension +1, Physical Improvement - Weak (can upgrade sect facilities to enhance effects)
"Mediocre talent... no wonder I've been stuck at the Body Refinement Stage for ten years; this aptitude..." Li Sheng silently complained.
Li Sheng focused on the plus sign next to Qingling Sect, and with a thought, it felt as if his soul was leaving his body, floating upward and gradually taking in the entire Qingling Sect.
At this moment, the disciples of the sect were divided into two groups. Most followed the mother-daughter duo with the surname Lu, while a small number went with the one surnamed Xiong, heading toward the mountain gate. Elder Feng had long since disappeared.
In his perception, the resource storage was completely empty, so clean that even a rat would cry if it went in. The few remaining herbs in the alchemist room had also mysteriously vanished.
Li Sheng felt helpless. Fortunately, the sect had already had very few resources left, so he didn't feel too pained by the plundering.
However, sooner or later, these people would have to pay a price. If it weren't for awakening the system, he probably wouldn't have had any chance to turn things around this time, Li Sheng thought to himself.
Retracting his gaze, Li Sheng examined the panel. The promotion conditions on the panel were the same as in reality; he still needed a Sixth Grade expert to promote to a Three-Star Sect.
Upon initial binding of the sect's base, he received 5 sect points as a reward.
From now on, each promotion of the sect would reward 5 sect points, and the stronger the sect, the more points received after promotion.
"It seems I can't get stuck at the threshold for promotion; I need to accumulate strength to maximize benefits."
After some tinkering, Li Sheng had a general understanding of the base functions.
Sect points could only be used to upgrade sect facilities. To grow stronger, he had to rely on the sect's promotions to benefit himself.
Li Sheng expanded his gaze, and everything in the sect came back into view.
At this time, the sect was eerily quiet; even the errand disciples had disappeared.
"Hey~ there's still one person!"
"Is it her?"
Li Sheng remembered her background; two years ago, the Sect Master's uncle had brought her back.
He had inquired about her origins, both openly and secretly, but the Sect Master had always brushed him off.
He wasn't curious because of her fair skin and long legs, but rather her talent.
Qingling Sect had been weak for quite some time, and the fact that she could improve by one rank in a year despite the lack of resources truly astonished him.
"She hasn't left?" Li Sheng rubbed his chin, pondering.
Seeing her walking toward the Transmission Hall, Li Sheng retracted his gaze and quietly waited.
In a moment, a woman in plain clothing with a cold expression entered. Her features were exquisite, her skin as white as snow, and her slender fingers were delicate like a snow lotus.
"Always looking so serious; it would be nice if she smiled more," Li Sheng thought, feeling quite good at the moment, his previous gloom completely dissipated.
She approached, bowed, and greeted, "Bai Ye pays her respects to Sect Master Senior Brother."
Li Sheng was surprised, "You're not leaving?"
Bai Ye nodded, her red lips parting slightly:
"The Sect Master has shown me kindness. If possible, I hope you can pass on the sect's legacy. During this time, I will assist you... If it's impossible... then forget it."
"The Sect Master saved my life; I will carry on the legacy," Li Sheng replied confidently, no longer feeling the despair he had before.
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Upon hearing Li Sheng's words, Bai Ye's cold and beautiful face softened for a moment. She bowed and then turned to leave.
Li Sheng guessed that the vote she had cast to abstain earlier must have been hers.
Now, the strength of the sect equated to his own strength, and the requirement for the sect's promotion was a Sixth Grade Body Refinement Stage. Bai Ye's talent far exceeded his. If he had her assistance, it would greatly speed up the promotion to a Three-Star Sect.
Most importantly, he admired her character; even at this level, she had not left and was willing to help him preserve the sect. Perhaps she was only repaying a debt of gratitude, but it was clear that he would benefit from her assistance.
...
As the sun set, Li Sheng returned to his residence, quickly cooked a bowl of rice porridge, and went to the study, sitting cross-legged on a cushion.
With a flash of light, the sect panel appeared before him.
Li Sheng already had a plan in mind for the use of the 5 sect points.
In martial arts cultivation, talent is the most important, followed by resources and martial arts.
Spiritual veins have the effect of improving physical condition and accelerating cultivation, making it his first choice for enhancement, followed by the Alchemist Room and Secret Skill Pavilion.
With his thoughts racing, he focused on the plus sign next to the spiritual vein.
Spiritual Vein: Damaged + (Cultivation Talent +1, Comprehension +1, Physical Improvement - Weak)
"Would you like to consume 2 sect points to improve the quality of the spiritual vein?"
"Yes!"
Spiritual vein enhancement in progress, estimated time: three hours.
Completion reward: five Gathering Spirit Rooms.
"Gathering Spirit Rooms, I wonder what their effects are?" Li Sheng felt a surge of anticipation.
"If the other facilities also cost 2 points, I can only enhance one more facility."
Thinking this, he focused on the plus sign next to the Alchemist Room.
"Would you like to consume 1 sect point to enhance the spiritual essence of the Alchemist Room?"
"Yes."
"Thankfully, it only cost 1 point."
Enhancement of the Alchemist Room's spiritual essence in progress, estimated time: three hours.
Completion reward: Spiritual Furnace (synthesis).
Then, Li Sheng upgraded both the Secret Skill Pavilion and the Protective Formation, with the time still set at three hours.
Secret Skill Pavilion completion reward: Martial Cauldron (deduction).
Protective Formation completion reward: Formation Spirit (repair).
With that, all 5 sect points were consumed.
"Done. By the time the promotion is successful, it should be close to midnight." Li Sheng yawned as drowsiness washed over him. He returned to his bedroom and fell into a deep sleep.
...
The moon was cold and the stars were sparse.
Time swiftly passed to midnight. At this moment, three shadowy figures had appeared outside the valley of Qingling Sect, stealthily making their way toward the sect's mountain gate.
After a moment, the leader raised his hand to signal the others to stop.
"Ten steps ahead is the protective formation of Qingling Sect, a Misdirection Formation that can confuse and affect the senses. Whether it's grass or meat, it depends on your skill, Second Brother."
"Don't worry, Big Brother. I have quite a bit of knowledge about formations. This first-tier Misdirection Formation will be broken within half an hour," said the man in the center confidently, taking out some flags and getting to work.
"Big Brother, I heard that when the disciples of Qingling Sect left, they swept away all the resources in the sect. Our chances of getting something good this time are slim," the last person voiced his concerns.
"Third Brother, don't worry. After all, it's a Three-Star Sect; even the skinniest camel can yield some fat. Besides, I've heard that there's only a waste at the Body Refinement Stage left as the sect master, so this trip will be easy pickings," replied the eldest.
Half an hour later, the shadow in front smiled as he put away the flags.
"Big Brother, it's done. Breaking the first-tier illusion is a piece of cake."
"Still, be cautious."
"Don't worry, Big Brother. You can trust me. To be safe, I found three pathways; even if we encounter danger, we'll have options."
"Second Brother is impressive!"
The three gathered together, following a peculiar route, turning east and west. The journey was calm, and as the mountain gate drew near, their anxious hearts began to relax, their eyes filled with greed.
Just as they were about to step out of the range of the illusion, a thick white mist suddenly rose, engulfing the three of them.