5. Lu Yang's Upgrade

After Lu Yang and the bunch of us were finally accepted into the sect, we found ourselves herded together like eager sheep in a big open field. It was like waiting for the main act at a concert – excitement humming in the air, everybody stealing glances at one another, trying to figure out who'd be their new buddies in this adventure.

And let's talk about the attention I was getting. Seriously, I'd never been the focus of so many eyeballs before. I mean, yeah, I'm not bad-looking, but it was like people were expecting me to start glowing or something. Whispering, nudging, more side-glances – it was like being on the set of a drama, and I was the sudden heartthrob character.

Just when I thought the place couldn't get more charged, the sect master walks in. Hold on to your hats, folks, because she wasn't just your average leader. No siree, this lady was like the combination of a Greek goddess and a K-pop idol. But some idiots were giving her these... dirty looks. You know, the kind you shoot at someone who's totally clueless about the meaning of personal space? Well, she didn't take too kindly to that.

Before you can say "oops," she hits them with an aura that's like a punch in the gut. Seriously, I thought their eyes were gonna pop out of their heads. Moral of the story? Don't disrespect the sect master, especially if she looks like she could throw you into the next century.

So, now we're all hushed, and the sect master starts giving her speech. It's all about honor, duty, cultivation – you know, the kind of stuff they say in movies when they're rallying the troops. I tried to focus, but there was something about her eyes that kept catching my attention. Like, I could swear she looked at me more than once. Was it my imagination or did I just make a new friend at the sect master level?

Fast forward to when she wraps up her talk, and we're all getting these cool new sect clothes. It's like the school uniform of the magical world, and it actually felt kinda cool. Plus, the soul-cleansing pill sounded like a pretty sweet deal – a fresh start for our new life as inner disciples.

Now, here's the kicker: the sect provides housing for inner disciples, like, real fancy stuff. But I'm a momma's boy at heart, so I thought, nope, not leaving my dear mom all alone in our humble abode. We'll just stick together like the dynamic duo we are.

As everyone heads out, Lu Yang spot a quiet corner and pulled up his system interface.

[Supreme Sage System]

User: Lu Yang

[Cultivation Realm]: Core Condensation

[Experience Points (EXP)]: 10000/50000

[Acquired]: Soul-cleansing Pill

- Enhances body and soul strength removing impurities

- Upgrades cultivation realm to Core Condensation 1 Star

- Use? [Y/N]

He used the soul-cleansing pill and pulled up the system interface.

[Supreme Sage System]

User: Lu Yang

[Cultivation Realm]: Core Condensation 1st Stage

[Experience Points (EXP)]: 10000/50000]

As evening settled, the effects of absorbing the pill had consumed over three hours of Lu Yang's time. Exhausted and feeling the toll of the process, he made his way back home. His body bore evidence of the purification, with dark impurities visible on his skin, emitting an unpleasant odor.

Seeking relief from the ordeal, Lu Yang entered his home. His weariness was palpable, and without considering much, he pushed open the door to his bathroom. However, what awaited him inside caught him completely off guard.

His mother, in the midst of her own cleansing, stood there undressed, her form revealed. Their gazes met in mutual shock, frozen in the awkwardness of the unexpected encounter. The air hung heavy with a mixture of surprise, embarrassment, and incredulity as they both stood there, momentarily taken aback by the situation they found themselves in.

"M-Mother?"