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In the Shenzhou Continent, where exceptional people and spiritual lands abound,
within the Southern Domain of the Mystique Kingdom, lies a One-Star city known as Whitefloat City. Nestled among a range of mountains fifteen miles from the city outskirts are numerous martial arts sects.
Misty Peak.
In an old walled courtyard suffering from years of neglect,
Ye Feng, the new Sect Leader of the Misty Sect, stood in front of a water vat, staring at the handsome face reflected on the water's surface, unable to understand one thing.
"I'm so handsome, why am I this unlucky?"
It had already been a month since he had arrived in the Shenzhou Continent.
During this time, Ye Feng had experienced far too many things.
First, he was inexplicably picked up off the roadside by the Old Sect Leader of the Misty Sect, who then claimed that Ye Feng was his long-lost martial brother.
Soon after, the Old Sect Leader passed away due to the exhaustion of his lifespan, leaving behind only five disciples for Ye Feng, as the Sect Master Uncle, to manage in his stead.
But a sect could not be left without a leader for even a single day.
With no other choice,
Ye Feng, being the highest in seniority, took up the Sect Leader's Seal, becoming the Sect Master Uncle of the Misty Sect.
Without an awakened System, without cultivation and without a crisis for the time being; apart from his good looks, Ye Feng had nothing to his name.
"Just muddle along, I guess!"
Ye Feng sighed, shifting his gaze away from the water and looking at the four disciples seated on grass mats.
Originally, there were five disciples in the Misty Sect.
Half a month before the Old Sect Leader's demise, the youngest, Fifth Disciple Shu Hongyu, left the sect to gain experience and had not returned since.
Now, only Senior Disciple Shi Lei, Second Disciple Huo Yunjie, Third Disciple Li Jiaojiao, and Fourth Disciple Xiao Fangu were left, still eagerly awaiting in the sect.
"The Old Sect Leader once said that the senior disciples had mediocre talents, and only the Fourth Disciple, Xiao Fangu, possessed the highest talent, reaching the Fourth Layer of Qi Refinement at the mere age of fifteen," Ye Feng thought to himself.
Since the Old Sect Leader's passing, the sect's supplies had dwindled and they were soon to face a harsh and realistic problem: their livelihood.
Bang!
Suddenly,
the dilapidated gate of the Misty Sect was kicked apart, adding to the sect's already dire poverty.
"Where are the people of the Misty Sect?"
A sidemouthed youth donned in a red robe stepped across the threshold, arrogantly scanning the room, and finally, casting a derisive look at Ye Feng, he tossed an iron token that embedded itself deeply into the floor tiles.
"Ye Feng, this is our Scarlet Serpent Sect's battle invitation. In three days' time, be prepared to hand over the Sect Territory Deed, hahaha!"
The sidemouthed youth laughed unrestrained.
"A battle invitation?"
Ye Feng was startled, "Why should we accept it? Can't we just refuse?"
The sidemouthed youth scoffed, "You wish to refuse? Every sect must accept a challenge once a year. Our Sect Leader has checked; your Misty Sect hasn't faced a challenge this year. If you don't accept, then just wait for the City Lord's Mansion to disband you!"
"Is that really the case?"
Ye Feng was taken aback and looked at his disciples.
"Sect Master Uncle, it's true,"
"We haven't faced a challenge yet this year, so we can only accept the Scarlet Serpent Sect's challenge. But they have over a dozen disciples, utterly overwhelming us; it seems we cannot safeguard our sect this time."
Senior Disciple Shi Lei and Third Disciple Li Jiaojiao said gloomily.
"Heh, get ready to move out in three days then!"
The sidemouthed youth from the Scarlet Serpent Sect, still laughing wildly, made his way towards the exit, striding without a hint of recognition or kinship.
After the opponent departed,
Ye Feng looked at the four disciples before him and asked, "Is the Scarlet Serpent Sect really that strong?"
"Very strong!"
Senior Disciple Shi Lei nodded gravely.
Second Disciple Huo Yunjie furrowed his brows and said, "The one who delivered the battle invitation just now was the Scarlet Serpent Sect's prodigy 'Si Taijian'. He's at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refinement, comparable to our Fourth Brother. It is said that the Scarlet Serpent Sect also has three disciples at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refinement, not weaker than myself."
Third Disciple Li Jiaojiao spoke in a panic, "I and Senior Brother are only at the Third Layer of Qi Refinement, we stand no chance in a fight."
Upon hearing this, Ye Feng immediately knew the Misty Sect was going to lose.
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He thought for a moment and asked, "Since we can't refuse a challenge, we must respond. Junior sect members, what are the usual rules for a sect challenge?"
Senior Disciple Shi Lei answered, "Usually it's a best of five matches, needing a three-win majority, and the battles must be fought by disciples. With junior sister not here, we're down to four people, so we already lost one match before we even start."
"That bad?"
Ye Feng was speechless.
"It's still fine, our fourth junior brother is a fifth-layer Qi Refinement genius—he can take one match. The rest of us just need to win two out of three to be victorious," Second Disciple Huo Yunjie stepped forward. "I'm also a seasoned fourth-layer Qi Refinement cultivator, aiming to secure a victory."
After speaking, Huo Yunjie turned to the always silent fourth junior brother Xiao Fangu, saying, "Junior brother Xiao, if you and I each win a match, the pressure on senior brother and third junior sister will be much less."
Ye Feng, Shi Lei, and Li Jiaojiao, upon hearing Huo Yunjie's words, all turned their gaze toward the silent Xiao Fangu, as if seeing a hope for victory in him.
At this time, fourth junior brother Xiao Fangu lifted his head, revealing a handsome but indifferent face.
He looked at Ye Feng and said, "I have been favored by an elder from One-Star Qingyun Sect and am leaving Misty Sect today. Look after yourselves."
After speaking, Xiao Fangu tossed his Disciple Identity Token aside as if it were trash and left Misty Sect's dilapidated courtyard.
Ye Feng and the remaining three disciples were stunned.
"I just saw a glimmer of hope, and you turn traitor?"
Ye Feng watched Xiao Fangu's indifferent retreating figure, his mouth twitching.
"Fourth junior brother, don't leave!"
"Xiao Fangu, come back!"
The remaining three disciples quickly got up and shouted, rushing after him, but Xiao Fangu's figure was nowhere to be seen.
The man had already taken Misty Sect's only Flying Sword and fled far away, never to be found again.
This made the already impoverished Misty Sect even poorer.
Ye Feng, now the Sect Leader, stood in the desolate wind, no longer seeing a trace of hope in his eyes.
A five-match, three-win system, and with two people gone, they had already lost two matches without even fighting.
Now, Misty Sect was left with only average talents Shi Lei, Huo Yunjie, and Li Jiaojiao. If they lost just one match, they would have to hand over the Sect Territory Deed.
By then, Misty Sect would exist in name only.
"Sect Master Uncle, what should we do?"
Li Jiaojiao was on the verge of tears from urgency.
With just the three of them, how could they possibly win all three matches? Without a turn of events, Misty Sect would be finished.
"Sect Leader, do you have any countermeasures?"
Huo Yunjie and Shi Lei asked with distressed expressions.
"I need some quiet…"
Ye Feng shook his head and paced back and forth in the courtyard for a long time, but was still at a loss for ideas.
Seeing this, the complexions of the three disciples grew even worse.
"Ding, suitable host detected, initiating preliminary binding… Binding complete, 'Strongest Sect Leader System' at your service. Please communicate with the System via thoughts when needed."
Just then, Ye Feng heard a strange voice. He glanced at the other three disciples and saw that they apparently hadn't heard it.
Right, the System!
Ye Feng realized the key point, and excitedly thought, "System, is that really you?"
"Greetings, respected host. I am the 'Strongest Sect Leader System,' dedicated to creating the strongest Sect Leader in history. Detection of already existing sect 'Misty Sect' has triggered binding, which is now irreversible."
The System's voice echoed in Ye Feng's mind again.
The next moment.
In Ye Feng's vision, a dozen lines of pale blue text appeared.
[Sect Leader: Ye Feng (Qi Refinement Seventh Layer)]
[Sect: Misty Sect (Lower Rank)]
[Sect Prestige: 5]
[Sect Disciples: Shi Lei (Qi Refinement Third Layer, First Grade Spell "Iron Shield Technique", Beginner), Huo Yunjie (Qi Refinement Fourth Layer, First Grade Spell "Fire Cloud Palm", on the verge of Beginner), Li Jiaojiao (Qi Refinement Third Layer, First Grade Spell "Wind Spirit Steps", Beginner)]
[Probation Period Task: Recruit ten disciples within seven days. If the task is completed, the System will be permanently bound and a newcomer gift package will be awarded; failing will result in unbinding of the System. Progress as follows: Outer Sect Disciples 3/3, Registered Disciples 0/7, Completion 50%]
Looking at the text before his eyes, Ye Feng was overwhelmed with excitement.
It had finally come, the System was really here!
[PS: New book release, a light-hearted narrative with a Sect Leader System theme, hope all readers enjoy]