THE SWARAAG SECT

"Yes Gandpa, I have reached the Manomaya level."

A while later, everyone recovered from their daze.

"Good..., Very good... To think you are already at The Manomaya level and without any special resources at that."

Both the grandson and grandfather talked for a long time and after their conversation ended all the Elders went into their own rooms. Darsh and his father were asked to stay in the guest room for the night because Ashok's room was not clean right now. 

The next day Ashok went back to the old wooden house to bring back his wife and daughter.

"Take care of yourself while I'm gone, son."

"Okay, Dad."

For the few days that Darsh had spent in the mansion, he had understood that what his grandfather was saying on the first day of his arrival was true. Darsh was a bit amazed by seeing the family bonding between each other in the family. In his previous world, even a father could kill his son for profit.

Darsh felt at home after these few days that he had spent in the mansion because of all the care and warmth of his relatives. He only felt one thing missing now which was the presence of his parents and his little sister.

In these few days, Darsh's grandpa had asked him if he had any siblings. 

"My little pea, do you have a sibling?"

Kabir sat in the middle chair of the hall, with Darsh perched comfortably on his lap. Despite not having had grandparents in his previous life, Darsh felt the warmth of his grandpa's embrace. Instead of feeling embarrassed, he found himself filled with happiness while sitting on his grandpa's lap.

"Yes Grandpa, I have a little sister."

Before Drash could continue Kabir started mumbling to himself.

"I even have a granddaughter... a granddaughter!"

Darsh couldn't understand his happiness this time and even felt a bit envious.

As days passed, Darsh's parents and his little sister reached the mansion. As soon as they saw Darsh who had come running to the main gate, his sister and mother hugged him and his mother started asking if he was okay.

Kabir also came to the main gate and seeing the family reunion he felt happy for them. When they released each other Darsh introduced everyone to his mother. At first, Samira was anxious but seeing Kabir's warm smile and his care for her children she finally calmed down. She greeted everyone. This action surprised all the Elders as well as Kabir. They didn't expect that a woman with such a humble background had such a big heart and broad mind.

Darsh's family settled down in the mansion on the same day. They didn't have much luggage with them. This made the work for house servants easier and in just an hour or so their room was ready.

The mansion consisted of many courtyards and rooms attached to them. First, this helped a cultivator to concentrate more efficiently, and second, it gave more privacy to the people staying.

A month later, because of all the resources provided to him, Darsh finally got another breakthrough and he reached Vijnamaya level and his fake cultivation base reached Manomaya's 2nd stage.

Vijnamaya level was divided into initial stage, middle stage, and peak stage. A cultivator improves his intelligence and calculating capacity at this level. For comparison, a person at the peak of Vijnamaya level is able to defeat even the most powerful supercomputer from Darsh's previous world with respect to computational power.

When he came out of seclusion he went to his grandpa.

"Have you achieved the breakthrough already?"

Kabir was shocked by his grandson's talent once again. Little did he know, his grandson's talent was far beyond his wildest imagination. If breaking through in the Manomaya level in one month is amazing then reaching the Vijnamaya level in one month is considered almost impossible.

"That aside, have you heard that the Swaraag sect is selecting cultivators to join their sect from our city tomorrow."

"No Grandpa, I came to meet you as soon as I came out of seclusion. But what is this Swaraag sect and why are you telling me this?"

Kabir knew that his extremely talented grandson was much more mature than his age suggested and because he had lived most of his life in the countryside he was oblivious to how this world had worked.

"My little pea, in our Vetar kingdom, there are three sects known as the Swaraag sect, Arion sect, and Illusion sect. These sects annually select disciples, and joining them is the most advantageous option for a cultivator aiming to progress swiftly. The resources these sects provide are beyond what even a prominent family like ours can offer. Therefore, I believe it would be a great opportunity for you to join one of these sects. Despite being the least powerful, the Illusion sect holds the highest reputation among the three."

"I understand, Grandpa. But can you tell me the rules of selection?"

"I don't know. You will know once you go there."

Kabir's tone became much softer.

"Even if you don't get selected, remember to not get disheartened, my little pea. The sect's disciple selection is held every year so you will have many chances afterwards. Okay?"

"I will remember your words, Grandpa."

The next day Darsh said farewell to his whole family which now included his grandpa, uncles, and granduncles.

Darsh didn't know that this decision would change his life forever. With a determined look on his face, he went to the center of the city where the selection was conducted.