In each realm, Harun experienced four stages, natal, attachment, suffering and unyielding. But of the four, though the unyielding stage by far carried the deadliest tribulations, Harun most feared the suffering stage. The stage order made the mental tribulations weaker, but this didn't change the fact that they had few natural enemies. Sovereign Essence could help Harun strengthen his flesh and mental fortitude, but that aside, he had nothing to rely on.
On the contrary, even if the unyielding stage summoned a rain of asteroids, with his Mythical Idol, Spiritual Incense, Decaying Flower, World Devouring Serpent and other means, Harun had full confidence in his success. But now, things were different. Harun realized that as long as he could keep his worshippers worry-free, the suffering stage posed no challenges. Of course, this could only work on a small scale. There was no way he could keep millions without troubles. But if he exhausted the Spiritual Incense he accumulated through them, dazzling their lives with miracles, perhaps he could maintain the balance.
One large city. He had to keep his faith centralized in one large city, a place he could reach and influence with ease, while still developing the Evergreen village. A place with advanced enough infrastructures that local powers could restrain the spread of news—preventing rumors of a rising cult from overwhelming the country. Instantly, Harun set his sight on Dark Stone city, capital of the eponymous country.
But though he could now see a solution to his tribulation issue, a dilemma remained, "Based on the Spiritual Qi fluctuations, the soil is turning into a Blessed Land. Within three years, it will breed blessed-grade cultivation veins, and the longer I stay here, the higher they will go," Harun inwardly said.
Sect and clans meticulously chose their faction's home base. While all places possessed some measure of Qi, without cultivation veins, the quantity remained scarce. Land and vein quality followed the same pattern: spiritual, blessed, treasure and holy. But on top of Qi benefits, high-grade lands spontaneously bred cultivation resources such as herbs, flowers and trees.
In Harun's memory, the Noxious Flame World's top-ranking lands were only of the blessed grade. And while Heaven's hegemonic clans boasted the ownership of holy lands, their sect grounds were just of the treasure grade. According to the system, the Serpent Domain and Divine Palace were the only exceptions, but resulted from their Dao Emperors' nurturing. At the current rate, Evergreen village would become a Blessed Land within three years and a treasure land in 15. As long as Harun stayed here, perhaps in a few decades, it'd spontaneously reach the Holy Land grade—a terrifying concept.
If the Mortal realm remained unchanged, the Mountain Edge World's top experts should be of the Crossed Vicissitude Realm. One million could assemble at his door, and Harun could smash them all into oblivion. However, 165 years had passed since his death. Following the events he triggered and the Ten-Thousand Sect War's pressure, would the world not evolve? In the Evergreen village, Harun didn't have access to any valuable information. But his right eye often stirred, warning him that this world carried a frightening destiny. Not one for carelessness, Harun wondered when a passing cultivator would sense the abundance of natural energies gathering in the area—leading to unnecessary trouble.
Relying on the mystery of Life, Harun could alter his physique and conceal the aura of his Sovereign Pupils. But at his current level, that was the limit. He couldn't conceal the aura of one square kilometers of land or suppress the blessings of his Mythical Idol. Such a feat would require either the mysteries of Dream, Illusion, or preferably, Truth. "Bah, can't stress myself over this. This is as secluded as it gets. How could a God-level expert miraculously appear here? At worst, I will just purge the related factions."
Letting go of his worries, Harun swept the villagers, spotting several figures worth noting.
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[Name: Zoran]
[Attributes: Senses (5) Physique (6), Luck (7), Dao Attunement (6), Willpower (8), Charisma (5)]
[Destiny: Industrious Subordinate]
[Age: 4]
[Cultivation Base: None]
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[Name: Cildar]
[Attributes: Senses (6) Physique (5), Luck (8), Dao Attunement (5), Willpower (7), Charisma (5)]
[Destiny: Star of Fortune]
[Age: 4]
[Cultivation Base: None]
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[Name: Gulik]
[Attributes: Senses (5) Physique (5), Luck (8), Dao Attunement (5), Willpower (8), Charisma (6)]
[Destiny: Star of Fortune]
[Age: 5]
[Cultivation Base: None]
---
In the cultivation world, those three were average. But for Harun, those results had great use. They couldn't become his inner disciples, but all three possessed great luck and willpower.
At the First Step, the Myriad Poison Bridge emphasized willpower and poison affinity. Harun could improve the latter, but had zero influence on the former. Thus, anyone with high willpower were potential outer disciples for him, which made the three worth nurturing. Above that, the luck stat ensured that the three would bring the sect treasures and good fortune. Especially those Star of Fortune, perhaps it was thanks to their luck that Harun reincarnated in this place.
By using his right eye to grant them good fortune, Harun could improve their luck stat by two—making them the breeders of auspicious winds. Imagining all the benefits he'd get from those three rabbits, Harun couldn't help but stroke his chin, staring at them like a doting elder—forgetting that he didn't look older than four.
Adopting a serious stance unfit for his toddler look, Harun crossed his arms behind his back and soared into the sky. For that extra dramatic effect, he surrounded himself in bright golden light, dazzling the villagers' eyes.
"To free the people of sufferings and lead them onto the road of true enlightenment, such is my duty. You and I are bound by destiny. It has been one year since I arrived in this world. All along, I've been observing you," Harun started, making the awestruck villager's eyes expand despite the dazzling light.
"Instead of the base man's greed, you showered me with love and care. I am not blind to your devotion and am pleased by the purity of your hearts. Therefore, I have decided to make you all my kin, bestow you with my bloodline, and teach the fated few my divine skills. Henceforth, you are the Birusk clan of the Evergreen village. Under the protection and mentorship of Spiritual Lord Birusk!" Harun proclaimed with righteous zeal, and overwhelmed by uncontrollable waves of emotions, the villagers resumed their kowtows.
"Spiritual Lord, we aren't worthy!"
"Thank you, oh Spiritual Lord!"
"Thank you, Lord Birusk!"
Before the tears and joy, Harun gave an approving nod. Gashing his palms, he summoned 147 golden blood drops in each hand. The first batch merged with the villagers—infecting them all. Instantly, they dropped dead—shoved into their last breath without an ounce of pain. But with the second batch, they returned to life, all several times stronger than they used to be.
Harun then picked the "three chosen," showering them with purple mist to increase their luck stats. At that time, the system's voice echoed in his mind.
"Remind me, what kind of sect are you trying to create?"
"One that specializes in poisoning, delicacies hunting, torture, espionage, assassination and sabotage," Harun straightforwardly replied.
"And what are you going to use this 'blessed clan' for?"
"Grow specific plants, wine brewing, steady faith supply, outer disciples source and inner too if gifted souls emerge."
Struck speechless by Harun's reply, the system paused—then gave a new appraisal.
"And he said that with a straight face. Sometimes, I wonder if the world wouldn't be a better place without you...what a despicable conman. The Ancestral One would be proud."