Looking at the dumbfounded Elder Brood, Kai was very satisfied. The amount of what he would receive from the Shadow Sect directly depended on his authority and strength. Especially since he was representing his Master Mo. Cai's glory would also be his old man's glory! Although Cai was not a sentimental person, but he attached great importance to this moment.
As long as he didn't unlock completely inexplicable abilities such as the Eyes of Essence, everything should be fine. Kai had already realised that no one would be able to identify his Astral Sacrificial Fire.
Especially as a Personal Disciple, Kai was now under the protection of the Shadow Sect. Such powers greatly valued their geniuses. All outstanding martial artists have their own secrets. Not to pry or ask about them was one of the unspoken rules of etiquette of the masters' world.
- The array is good, isn't it? I checked it before you too... I put my heart and soul into it, so you must pay me enough points! - Kai said with a smile, - By the way, how do they work? - He suddenly asked.
Only now, he remembered that he had not even learnt about the system of these so-called points in detail. He had immediately made an analogy with money, so he hadn't thought much about it. But now... He didn't even know what amount of points was considered impressive.
- I'm honestly surprised that you jumped from discussing something as unique as the Alchemy Array to the topic of ordinary Reputation Points... - Elder Brood replied with a strange look at Kai.
- Well... It's just that I've already had time to admire my array. Now I'm interested in my reward. Hehehe. - Kai replied with a sly laugh.
- Eh... - rubbing the back of his head, the old man exhaled heavily, - Reputation points are earned for literally everything. Any action done for the benefit of the Shadow Sect will earn you Reputation Points. Of course, everything has its own value... You can even earn them by sweeping the streets. For example, a good alchemist in our Alliance can get about two hundred Reputation Points a month. On the other hand, a simple guard will only get about fifteen...' Brood explained calmly, 'You came from the Border Beast City. I've been there once too... Their plaque system is a simplified version of the one in the Shadow Sect. - Said the old man.
- In what way? - Kai asked with interest.
- If it wasn't you, I wouldn't bother with this tedious explanation... - Brud replied reluctantly. It was obvious that he didn't really want to rehash the obvious.
- I'm counting on you, Elder! - Kai shouted with a smile.
- Aha... - Brud gave out lazily, - Anyway, when you went behind the wall of the Shadow Sect's territory, you should have felt something probe you... The entire territory is an amalgamation of various arrays, artefacts and other things. It is all one big monitoring formation. Almost nothing escapes its gaze. Your hieroglyph on your chest is an analogue of the plaque from the Border Beast City. How to explain it...' the old man said, lazily choosing his words, 'Once you join the Shadow Sect and receive your hieroglyph as a result, the system itself remembers your energy imprint... That is, even if you vaporise your uniform and run around completely naked, the system will still know who you are. - Elder Brood explained as simply as possible.
- ''Wow... This is indeed much more skilful than the method used in Border Beast City. If I lost my plaque, I would have to restore it...'' Kai said thoughtfully.
- That's not all. Everything you do, it automatically perceives and gives you points. Or it can take them away for breaking the rules! That's why they are called Reputation Points! If you want to get something, you have to spend some of them. - The old man went on to explain.
- Is she always watching us? It's kind of... - Kai said sceptically.
- Heh-heh-heh. Everyone has that reaction at first. - The old man laughed gloatingly, 'You don't have to worry. This whole system of arrays is not a living thing. And no one controls it, so all your actions are anonymous. As long as you don't violate the Shadow Sect's laws too much, nothing bad will happen. - Brood said with a smile.
- And if not severely, then can I or what? - Raising an eyebrow, Kai asked.
- Some rules aren't so strict, and sometimes need to be broken. If you do something like that, just remember that there's a fee for it. Hehe. - Laughing, Brood replied ambiguously.
It seemed that loopholes had been deliberately left in the system itself. It was logical enough, since living under total control was not a human characteristic.
- Let's say... If someone has wronged you, and you have an unbearable urge to teach them a lesson... You could very well punch them in the face. As long as you don't seriously injure or kill them, it's fine. You'll just have to pay for it with a decent amount of Reputation Points. Hehe. - Laughing evilly, Elder Brood explained.
- I see your point. - Smilingly replied Kai.
Looking at the old man, Kai was once again convinced that it was best not to fight with him. Brud had been in the Shadow Sect long enough to know how things worked here. He had probably used such loopholes more than once himself.
- Elder... But who was able to create such a marvellous method? - Suddenly thinking about it, Kai asked curiously.
- There is no answer to your question, as you originally put it wrong. - Brud replied, 'This system has been created over hundreds of years... It has been and continues to be improved by each generation of the Shadow Sect. But to be more honest, it is the merit of the Patriarchs of the Shadow Sect! - The old man said proudly.
- Could you tell me more about it? - Kai asked with fervent interest. His eyes showed that he really wanted to know the answer.
Although Elder Brood had originally not wanted to explain anything. But now, seeing the look in Kai's eyes, he himself became a little enthusiastic. After all, the older people liked to share knowledge with the younger generation....
- Kai... You must realise that the Patriarch's power is unbelievable... He alone could destroy everyone in the City of Shadow, including even us Elders! And that's what each of the Patriarchs were! They're on a completely different level. Their capabilities sometimes violate common sense... The current Patriarch is also a Master of Artefacts and contributes his expertise to improving this so-called system. The previous Patriarch's craft was Array Mastery. - Looking at Kai, Brood said, 'And it's been that way for every generation. Although old men like me also contribute to the development... But it's not as impressive when compared to the Patriarch. - Honestly, the old man said.
- Is the Patriarch really that incredible? - Kai asked with a slight shock.
- Yes. - Brood answered without delay, - Kai, you are in the Cloud Sphere. To mortals, you would already seem like a miracle... But then there are three more Spheres. - The strongest Personal Disciples and Young Elders are in the next sphere after yours, the Sphere of Attraction. The Great Elders, of which I am one, are in the Star Sphere. Sometimes, the heads of empires or leaders of great powers also reach this sphere. Although they are weaker than us, they are still the unquestioned rulers in their territories. The ruling Emperor of the Ghost Halberd Empire is also in the Star Sphere. - Elder Brood calmly and carefully explained.
At this moment, Kai finally heard what he had been wishing for a very long time! He had learnt where he was going! It turned out that there were as many as three more spheres ahead! And naturally, it would be more and more difficult to break into each of the next....
As he thought about Elder Brood's words, he realised that a Star Sphere master from the Shadow Sect was much stronger than a similar one from outside. It seemed to be all due to the difference in heritage, resources, and talent. The Shadow Sect only absorbed the best!
- But the Patriarch...'' the old man continued thoughtfully, ''The Patriarch is in the legendary Core Sphere! Believe me lad... You can count such people in the whole world on your fingers. To ascend to the Core Sphere is incredibly difficult... And also deadly! Those who have succeeded are in a completely different world! - Brood said seriously.
- Elder, can you explain to me the approximate difference between these spheres? Master Mo didn't tell me about it, he wanted me to learn everything on my own. I still don't really understand the difference in the strength of the masters... - Kai asked with a slight frown.
- Hmm... There is a certain division. It looks something like this...
A warrior is a master that has just learnt to sense energy. He rebuilds his body and prepares it to absorb the energy. They are more agile and stronger than ordinary mortals.
Cultivator - forms an Energy Vortex and learns to control the energy. They are like wizards to mortals, as they can create different manifestations of nature out of thin air. Due to the energy, their strength and stamina become inhuman. A cultivator can lift a hundred kilogram boulder with his hands, which is impossible for ordinary people.
Cloud Sphere Master - Transforms the Energy Vortex into a Cloud Sphere. At this stage, physical power ceases to progress much, but the amount of energy and the ability to use it soars to a new level. Its volume and area of effect also increases greatly. The stronger you become, the more intense the clouds condense and accelerate their rotation more.
When the density of the clouds becomes too great, the energy begins to manifest as small droplets and shrink into the core of the Cloud Sphere. This is the sign of a Sphere of Attraction. At this stage, masters learn to manifest their energy in a form... Some have it as a sword, others as an animal... In general, there are many variations. In turn, this greatly affects the master's power and prowess in combat.
The moment a huge amount of energy is concentrated in the centre, it collapses and transforms into a shining star. This is the Star Sphere Master. - In one breath, the old man explained.
- This star is different for everyone... For me, for example, it looks like a ball of red, burning flame. This is due to my cultivation technique and the Earth Fire I control. The masters of my realm have serious striking power... If I wanted to, I could easily vaporise a lake. Or destroy a small city with a single attack... Or destroy the army of the Phantom Halberd Empire on my own... Though that would only scare mortals...' Brood said thoughtfully.
As soon as Kai heard how calmly the old man was talking about it, his jaw dropped....