The path of the sect

[Host: Kaelen/Eric]

[Race: Human]

[Age: 15/42(74)]

[Physical Condition: Light spiritual energy poisoning.]

[Cultivation: Mortal]

[Techniques: None]

[Talent: Slightly above mortal (modifiable: On cooldown)]

[Constitution: Strong body (modifiable: On cooldown)]

[Luck: Light blue (excellent) (modifiable: On cooldown)]

[Do you wish to accept these settings?][Yes][No]

"Well, there's not much to do... I think this is the best I can do for now."

Kaelen murmured, a sigh escaping his lips as he confirmed the settings. The system made a brief sound, indicating that he had accepted.

With a slight smile of someone resigned to the situation, he stored the system screen and made a quick adjustment to his things before heading out. The destination was clear: the Nebulous Mountain Forest. Kaelen knew that the next step of his journey lay ahead.

After a short walk, he reached the inn and prepared for the descent. His eyes shone with determination as the cold mountain wind made his hair flutter while he looked at the vast and mysterious landscape ahead.

With the climbing hook already attached to his belt, Kaelen took a deep breath and activated the system.

[Scanning...]

[This may take a few minutes…]

Kaelen just watched the horizon as the scanning was carried out. The wait seemed long, but he knew it was necessary. The silence in the forest was profound, only broken by the occasional sound of wind whispering through the trees.

Soon, a blue dot gleamed on the map, indicating the exact location of the ginseng he was searching for. The relief was immediate.

"This is too easy... It almost feels like luck is on my side," Kaelen murmured to himself. He surveyed the terrain in front of him and noticed he was about 5 meters below a ravine. Nothing seemed threatening there, which was fortunate. A convenience he couldn't ignore.

"No spirit beast in sight... Excellent."

Kaelen tied the rope to a sturdy tree and, with agility, began to descend. The sound of the rope creaking was the only thing filling the air as he neared the exact spot where the ginseng grew, a place of rare tranquility.

With an experienced gesture, he carefully pulled the roots, storing them with skill. The moment was brief, and in less than a minute, he had collected enough. Without wasting time, Kaelen hurried to climb back up, already feeling the urge to return to the safety of the inn.

With the ginseng now in his hands, he wasted no time and headed back.

In front of the hall where Elder Zhao used to meet, Kaelen took a deep breath and checked the mission status once again:

[Mission: Elder Zhao wants to refine a pill for an internal disciple and needs a Starry Light Ginseng.

Objective: Collect the Starry Light Ginseng for the elder. The higher the quality, the better.

Deadline: 2 days 23 hours.

Penalty: Favorability reduction.

Reward: The next upgrade will be a critical hit.]

With a sigh, Kaelen approached the hall and, with a respectful touch, called out:

"Elder Zhao, I'm here with your Starry Light Ginseng."

A few moments later, Elder Zhao appeared, stroking his beard and smiling slightly. His voice was gentle but carried a hint of admiration:

"Ah, it's you, Kaelen. I knew you would succeed… Well, I'm afraid the other gatherers will have to sell their herbs at the Herb Hall now."

Kaelen carefully handed over the Starry Light Ginseng, noticing Zhao's attentive gaze, who noticed the fine gloves with which the young man handled the precious herb.

With the exchange made, Kaelen turned to leave the hall. Before he could take another step, the sound of coins falling into his hand echoed. He looked down and saw that he had received 5 gold coins.

At that moment, a beep from the system echoed in his mind, and words began to appear, floating before his eyes.

[Mission Completed]

[Mission Evaluation: B Ranking]

[Favorability with Elder Zhao: 3.5 stars]

Satisfaction filled Kaelen as he saw the progress of his mission, but the conversation with the elder wasn't over just yet.

"I see you know how to handle the ginseng, Kaelen. Do you plan to specialize in starry herbs?" the elder asked with a smile.

Kaelen, slightly flattered, replied casually:

"You flatter me, Elder. It's just common sense."

Elder Zhao continued, now with a more serious tone:

"Kaelen, have you done your talent assessment for the sect? Tomorrow, the young ones will have their talents tested at the center of Viresta City. It's your chance to stand out. I advise you to go."

A new beep rang out, interrupting Kaelen for a moment. The system announced a new mission, as if it were expecting the young man to make a quick decision.

[Mission Issued]

[Mission: The Celestial Dragon Sect is recruiting disciples. As a hot-blooded youth, you wish to join the sect and prove your talent.]

[Deadline: 10 days]

[Failure penalty: Unable to cultivate for 1 year.]

[Successful mission reward: System update.]

[Accept mission?][Yes][No]

Kaelen, after seeing the system's notification, decided to ignore the mission for now. He looked at the elder again and asked:

"Elder, will there be a fee this time?"

Zhao smiled with a humorous tone, as if he already knew the question:

"Yes, Kaelen. The fee will be two gold coins this time. It has increased by almost 5 silver coins compared to last time."

Kaelen knew that the talent tests were a way for the sect to raise funds. But unlike other sects, the Celestial Dragon Sect encouraged young ones to take the tests multiple times, making the process a real source of profit.

Back at his house, Kaelen sat calmly, looking at the sky that had just turned dark.

"Well, let's see what fate has in store for me this time."

He murmured, as he gently clicked the "Alter" option on the system screen.

[Guaranteed Critical Hit Used!]

[Talent: Radiant Sun]

[Do you wish to accept these settings?]

[Yes] [No]

Kaelen looked at the talent that appeared before his eyes. An intense light reflected in his mind, and with a slight smile, he stretched his fingers and pressed [Yes].

At that moment, an unbearable pain spread throughout his body, as if thousands of needles were piercing his stomach. The young man dropped to his knees, feeling his life force drain away, while the system emitted an incessant beep.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

[Host: Kaelen/Eric]

[Race: Human]

[Age: 15/42 (74)]

[Physical Condition: Light spiritual energy poisoning.]

[Cultivation: Mortal]

[Techniques: None]

[Talent: Radiant Sun]

[Constitution: Strong body (modifiable)]

[Luck: Light blue (Excellent) (modifiable)]

[Do you wish to accept these settings?]

[Yes] [No]

The next morning, a young man was shouting incessantly toward a relatively luxurious house.

"Ermin! Wake up! It's morning!"

Kaelen's shout echoed throughout the street, making the leaves of the trees around sway. He knew that, unless he woke up now, Ermin would only get up when the sun was setting.

Inside the house, the sound of the shout cut through the silence like a sharp blade. Ermin moved in bed, trying to hide under the blankets, but without success. He was used to Kaelen's shouts but always made sure to show his displeasure. After a few seconds, he lifted his head from the bed with an irritated look, his hair messy and his eyes half-closed from sleep.

"Kaelen, you bastard!" Ermin mumbled, his voice groggy and sleepy.

"What's this? Don't you know I'm in a growth phase? I need A LOT of sleep!"

Kaelen laughed, not bothered by Ermin's irritation. He was already used to his friend's dramas. He crossed his arms, impatient but trying to keep his tone light.

"Stop the drama, Ermin. You're already 15 years old, my friend. I think you've grown enough!"

Kaelen responded in a challenging tone.

"Elder Zhao told me the sect is recruiting disciples this afternoon. Shall we go together?"

Ermin looked at Kaelen as if he had heard the most absurd question in the world. He rolled his eyes and let out a long sigh as if he had been forced to wake up from a deep sleep of a thousand years.

"The sect is recruiting disciples again?"

Ermin murmured, still trying to adjust to reality.

"I don't know, Kaelen… seems like a waste of time and money. These tests are just a way for them to extract gold from mortals, don't you see?"

Kaelen didn't let himself be discouraged by Ermin's cynical response. Knowing the truth about the tests, Kaelen still had to participate since the system had issued a mission.

"I know, but what if... What if one of us has talent and soars to the sky?"

Kaelen said, with a confident smile.

"I'm going to participate, Ermin. And you, are you really going to stay there sleeping all day?"

Ermin crossed his arms, clearly with no desire to move. He had the gift of surrendering to the comfort of the bed like no one else, and that was the only thing he did really well.

"Kaelen you bastard, first answer me: Where is my rope?"

Kaelen paused for a moment. He froze in place as if struck by lightning. He remembered now... the rope was at the inn in the little town at the foot of Nebulous Mountain Forest. He had gotten distracted with the system mission and, of course, had completely forgotten. Irritation briefly passed across Kaelen's face, but he quickly tried to hide it.

"What? Ermin, I can't hear you from here..."

Kaelen said, his voice full of feigned indignation.

"Anyway, see you in the afternoon!"

Kaelen didn't wait for another response and ran out, jumping out of the house and heading toward his own residence.

Ermin sighed, once again throwing himself back on the bed, looking completely detached from the situation.

"Kaelen, you bastard..."

Ermin murmured, already turning to the side in bed.