When Wudi Egun opened his eyes, he found himself sitting on a worn, wooden chair inside a simple, dimly lit hall. The air was stale, and the smell of old wood wafted through his nostrils. Five additional people, each middle-aged with weary expressions, rested on their seats, their eyes closed as if in meditation.
The soft creaking of the old wooden beams and the faint hum of silence were the only sounds that broke the stillness.
Wudi Egun's brow furrowed in confusion, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. But before he could process his situation, a massive surge of memories burst forth in his mind, threatening to overwhelm him.
The memories belonged to the previous owner of the body he now possessed, a stranger's recollections that felt both familiar and yet, utterly alien.
As the memories flooded his consciousness, Wudi Egun's eyes widened, his mind reeling from the sheer volume of information. Faces, names, events, and skills – all swirled together in a maddening dance, leaving him breathless and disoriented.
As the memories continued to flood his mind, Wudi Egun's gaze turned inward, focusing on the revelations. He discovered that he had possessed the body of the Sect Master of the Sunburn Sect, a small sect nestled in the mountains.
The sect was home to only ten disciples and five elders, who looked up to him as their leader.
Wudi Egun's mental landscape shifted as he grasped the extent of the sect's humble existence. He saw the faces of the ten remaining disciples, their eyes filled with a mix of desperation and determination.
The five elders, too, appeared in his mind's eye, their weathered faces etched with concern and uncertainty.
As the Sect Master, Wudi Egun's new body held a position of authority, and he knew that he had to navigate the complexities of the sect's dynamics and find a way to ensure its survival.
Just as Wudi Egun's mind was reeling from the influx of memories, a mysterious voice echoed in his head, startling him. A transparent screen materialized before his eyes, its surface gleaming with an ethereal light.
[ Congratulations Host !! You have successfully bonded with Sect Progenitor System and have become the Host for the system ]
Wudi Egun's eyes widened in astonishment as he stared at the notification on the screen. He felt a shiver run down his spine as he struggled to comprehend the implications of this mysterious message.
The screen seemed to hover in mid-air, its presence both captivating and unnerving.
Wudi Egun's gaze remained fixed on the transparent screen as another notification appeared.
[ Currently you are the Sect Master of Ninth Rank Sect and have no real power or authority in this vast world ]
He silently read the words, and a hint of a bitter smile crossed his lips.
He couldn't deny the truth in the system's statement. As the Sect Master of the Sunburn Sect, he knew that his position held little sway in the grand scheme of things.
The system's voice echoed in his mind once more.
[ But don't worry, here I am. You have been given a Beginner Gift so please open the gift ]
Wudi Egun's curiosity was piqued, and he wondered what this Beginner Gift could be. He focused his thoughts on the gift, and the transparent screen responded by displaying a small, intricately wrapped box.
Wudi Egun's eyes widened in astonishment as he gazed at the contents of the Beginner Gift. The transparent screen displayed the gifts in vivid detail:
[ Ding !! You have opened a Beginner Gift and have received the following gifts ; Dao Expert Realm Cultivation, Mid-Grade Spiritual Gathering Array, ten Low-Grade Qi Refinement Pills and High-Rank Cultivation Technique ( Ghost-hand Technique) ]
He couldn't believe his luck. The gifts were incredibly valuable, especially the Dao Expert Realm Cultivation. According to the memories he inherited, Cultivation Levels were divided into many Realms, each representing a significant milestone in a cultivator's journey.
Starting from the humble Dao Apprentice Realm, cultivators could progress through the ranks: Dao Veteran, Dao Expert, Dao Master, Dao Noble, Dao King, and finally, Dao Emperor. The Dao Emperor Realm was said to be the pinnacle of power in this world, with its practitioners wielding unimaginable strength.
However, whispers of a legendary Upper Realm hinted at the existence of beings even more powerful than Dao Emperors.
These enigmatic entities were said to be supreme and aloof, much like immortals. Wudi Egun's mind reeled at the prospect of such immense power, and he wondered if he would ever be able to reach such lofty heights.
Wudi Egun's eyes sparkled with excitement as he gazed at the High-Rank Cultivation Technique, the Ghost-hand Technique. In this world, Cultivation Techniques were categorized into three ranks: Low-Rank, Mid-Rank, High-Rank.
Low-Rank techniques were typically used by cultivators from the Dao Apprentice to Dao Expert realms, while Mid-Rank techniques were employed by those from the Dao Master to Dao King realms. High-Rank techniques, on the other hand, were reserved for the most powerful cultivators, including Dao Emperors and those above.
Although High-Rank Cultivation Techniques were not comparable to Imperial Techniques, which were created by Dao Emperors themselves, they were still extremely rare and valuable.
High-Rank techniques were often developed through Dao Derivation or created by exceptional masters through their own innovation.
Wudi Egun felt a sense of awe and gratitude toward the Sect Progenitor System for bestowing such a precious gift upon him. The Ghost-hand Technique was a treasure that could potentially elevate his cultivation to unprecedented heights.
A sweet, melodious chime resonated within Wudi Egun's mind as the system's notification appeared before him.
[ Ding !! Since you are the Host of the system, you can automatically master the technique to Perfection Level and don't need any practice ]
Wudi Egun's eyes sparkled with unbridled joy as he read the notification. This was an unprecedented blessing, a gift from the heavens.
Mastering a High-Rank Cultivation Technique like the Ghost-hand Technique to Perfection Level without any practice was an opportunity that even the most talented cultivators could only dream of.
Wudi Egun's eyes grew wide with wonder as he delved into the description of the Ghost-hand Technique provided by the System.
The technique's capabilities were truly heaven-defying, allowing him to transform his hands into both corporeal and incorporeal states.
The incorporeal state was particularly astonishing, granting his hands the ability to ignore any materialized objects without effort. This meant that he could bypass solid obstacles, reaching the other side with ease.
The example provided by the System left him breathless – if there was a wall in front of him, he could use the Ghost-hand Technique to ignore the wall and reach his hand to the other side.
Wudi Egun's thoughts were interrupted by the murmur of voices around him. He refocused his attention on the gathering, taking in the familiar faces of the five elders seated across from him.
They were all gathered for a meeting to discuss the Sect Tournament that was going to be held after a month in Redwine City.
The annual tournament, a grand spectacle that drew in cultivators and sects from every corner of Qi Province, served as a benchmark to determine the strongest sect in the region.
In other words, it was a testament to power and a display of authority, showcasing the depth of a sect's resources, the prowess of its cultivators, and the effectiveness of its teachings.
Wudi Egun's introspection was interrupted by Elder Mu's unexpected suggestion. "This time, we should just retreat and let's not participate in this tournament," Elder Mu said, his voice laced with a hint of resignation.
The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on Elder Mu in surprise. Wudi Egun's eyebrows arched upward, his expression a mask of thoughtful contemplation.
He rubbed his chin, his fingers stroking his jawline as he nodded slowly. A faint glimmer of amusement danced in his eyes, hinting at thoughts that only he was privy to.
"I agree with Elder Mu's decision, and I shall respect his choice," Wudi Egun said, his voice measured and calm. He didn't reject the idea of retreating from the tournament, well aware that his sect stood no chance against the powerhouse sects that would be participating.
Although the event was touted as a tournament, everyone knew the truth. It was, in reality, a stage for the dominant sects to showcase their might, a platform for them to assert their authority and intimidate their weaker counterparts. The competition was often brutal, with participants frequently resorting to killing their opponents to eliminate the competition.
Wudi Egun's primary concern was the safety of his sect's disciples. He couldn't bear the thought of putting their lives at risk, especially when the odds were stacked against them. Retreat, in this case, seemed like the most prudent decision.
Elder Yong let out a deep, resigned sigh, his eyes clouding over with a mix of sadness and regret. Although he was reluctant to acknowledge the harsh reality, he couldn't deny the truth. Their sect, once a beacon of hope and promise, had been founded by the previous Sect Master Long, who had led the sect for ten years before meeting a tragic end.
Sect Master Long's demise had been a result of Dao Deviation, a catastrophic consequence of his cultivation going awry. The loss had been a devastating blow to the sect, leaving a power vacuum that had yet to be filled. The sect's decline had been steady and relentless, with their influence and reputation waning with each passing year.
Sect Master Wudi Egun had only been at the helm of the sect for a mere month, and the weight of leadership still felt unfamiliar to him.
Youthful and inexperienced, he had yet to face the trials and tribulations that came with being the sect master. The hardships and struggles that would temper his resolve and test his mettle had not yet begun to unfold.
As the newest leader of the sect, Wudi Egun's inexperience was a glaring concern. The sect's future hung precariously in the balance, and the burden of responsibility rested squarely on his shoulders.
The coming days and months would be crucial in shaping his leadership and determining the sect's fate.
Fortunately, Wudi Egun seemed to possess a rare quality among young leaders – humility. He was acutely aware of the sect's precarious situation and didn't shy away from acknowledging the challenges that lay ahead.
Unbeknownst to the others, Wudi Egun breathed a silent sigh of relief, feeling his tense body relax ever so slightly. The weight of responsibility still lingered, but for a moment, he allowed himself to revel in the fleeting sense of respite.
However, Wudi Egun's expression soon turned contemplative, his eyes clouding over with concern. A nagging thought had taken hold of his mind, refusing to let go. His gaze drifted inward, his focus consumed by the turmoil brewing within.
Normally, a Ninth Rank Sect like theirs would be led by a Dao Veteran, who would be the strongest cultivator among them. However, with Wudi Egun's recent breakthrough to becoming a genuine Dao Expert, their sect's overall strength had taken a significant leap. His abilities now rivaled those of an Eighth Rank Sect's sect master, a formidable presence that inspired confidence.
This newfound strength brought Wudi Egun a sense of relief, which was further bolstered by the presence of the five Dao Veteran elders by his side. With their combined strength and experience, he felt that his tenure as sect master might not be as daunting as he had initially thought.
Taking everything into account, Wudi Egun made a mental decision to focus on nurturing the growth of his sect and its disciples. He was determined to build a brighter future for their sect, one where they could thrive and prosper, free from the shadows of their tumultuous past.
Wudi Egun's thoughts turned to the reality of leading a sect. Being the strongest individual was merely the foundation; a true leader had to empower their followers, fostering their growth and development. Only then could a sect truly prosper and become formidable.
With this in mind, Wudi Egun made a silent vow to himself. He would focus on nurturing talented disciples, providing them with rigorous training, and quietly building the sect's strength from the shadows. By laying low and avoiding unnecessary attention, he hoped to create a brighter future for himself and his sect.
As he accepted his new identity as Wudi Egun, the sect master of this struggling sect, he steeled himself for the challenges ahead. He knew that his days would soon be filled with hard work and dedication, all in pursuit of a better tomorrow.
A helpless smile spread across his face as he contemplated the journey ahead. His days were about to get very busy indeed, with hard work and perseverance being his constant companions on the path to a brighter future.