The System Store & The World Beyond

Qin Chen sat cross-legged, his golden eyes sharp as he stared at the glowing System Menu hovering before him.

Ding!

[Supreme Ascension System]

- 1,000 System Points Available

- System Store Unlocked

- System Lottery (0 Draws Remaining)

- ??? (Locked)

- ??? (Locked)

The System Store.

His path to power.

He tapped the glowing [System Store] tab, and instantly—

Boom!

A golden interface expanded, stretching infinitely before him.

The screen split into categories, each filled with countless treasures, artifacts, techniques, and mysteries beyond imagination. Some items glowed with divine radiance, while others seemed shrouded in eerie darkness, radiating an ominous presence.

[System Store – Categories]

-[Techniques & Cultivation Arts] – Skills, martial techniques, Dao scriptures, and divine arts.

-[Physiques & Bloodlines] – Special constitutions, inherited talents, and rare bloodline enhancements.

-[Weapons & Artifacts] – Swords, spears, battle armor, enchanted treasures, and spirit tools.

-[Alchemy & Pills] – Elixirs for cultivation, healing, and body refinement.

-[Beasts & Contracts] – Spirit beasts, bloodline contracts, and summoning scrolls.

-[Lands & Realms] – Pocket dimensions, hidden caves, and personal training spaces.

-[Miscellaneous] – Unknown objects, divine relics, system-related purchases.

Qin Chen's gaze lingered over each section.

This was a treasury of the heavens, and he had only 1,000 points.

Shaking his head, he tapped into the first section—

[Techniques & Cultivation Arts]

A massive list unfolded before him, categorized by grade:

-[Mortal Tier] – Basic skills, mostly useless to him.

-[Earth Tier] – Decent techniques, but limited in growth.

-[Heaven Tier] – Techniques cultivated by major sect geniuses.

-[Saint Tier] – Beyond mortals, techniques that could suppress entire sects.

-[Divine Tier] – Skills wielded by true legends.

His gaze landed on the top of the list, where techniques worth billions of system points shimmered in divine brilliance.

[Nine Tribulations Celestial Scripture] – 1.2 Billion SP

A supreme cultivation method that refines the user's body into an indestructible celestial form.

[Eternal Void Dragon Arts] – 950 Million SP

Allows one to merge with the void, becoming untouchable, with absolute spatial mastery.

[Immortal Phoenix Rebirth] – 3.5 Billion SP

A technique that grants endless rebirth through fire. Upon death, the user is reborn stronger.

Qin Chen stared.

These techniques were so far beyond his reach it was laughable.

With a sigh, he scrolled past the divine-tier techniques and searched for something he could actually afford.

After a few minutes, he found several fire-based techniques within his budget.

-[Inferno Step] – 600 SP (A high-speed movement skill that leaves behind fiery afterimages, confusing opponents.)

-[Blazing Tyrant Fist] – 750 SP (A heavy-strike technique that condenses flames into devastating blows.)

-[Scarlet Ember Palm] – 500 SP (A ranged technique that shoots fire-infused palm strikes.)

He held off on purchasing for now. He needed to check all his options first.

He clicked into the Physiques & Bloodlines category out of curiosity.

The first few results made his chest tighten.

[Primordial Chaos Dragon Bloodline] – 10 Billion SP

The blood of the Chaos Dragon, granting dominion over space, time, and all laws of reality.

[Supreme Yin-Yang Divine Physique] – 7 Billion SP

The physique of a heaven-defying existence, able to wield both destruction and creation in perfect balance.

[God-Devouring War Body] – 1.5 Billion SP

A physique that allows the user to absorb and refine the abilities of fallen enemies.

He smirked.

One day… but not today.

Returning to reality, he scrolled down to the lower-tier physiques but saw nothing worth buying—he already had the Fire Sovereign Dao Body, and nothing here would benefit him more than that.

Just as he was about to close the store, something unexpected appeared.

Ding!

Congratulations! As a first-time user, you have received a free item!

[Guide to the Azure Sky Continent] – Claimed.

Qin Chen blinked.

A leather-bound book materialized in his hands, glowing faintly with knowledge.

His eyes flickered.

This… this was what he needed.

Opening the book, his vision blurred, and suddenly—

The moment he opened the Guide to the Azure Sky Continent, a flood of knowledge and ancient texts poured into his mind. Golden runes flickered across the pages, unfolding a history that spanned countless eras.

As if staring at a map of the heavens, the vast world unfolded before him—a continent ruled by strength, ambition, and the endless pursuit of power.

In this world, factions are divided by strength, from the lowest of sects to Overlord Forces that rule with absolute dominion.

1. Overlord Forces (Supreme Rulers of the Continent)

-The pinnacle of power in the Azure Sky Continent. Forces that have existed for millions of years, possessing ancient immortals, Dao Saints, and legendary martial arts. Even Emperors and Saint Kings bow before them.

Example forces:

-The Eternal Heaven Palace – One of the strongest cultivation forces, ruling from the Central Sky Province.

-The Immortal Dragon Court – A legendary faction that controls divine dragon bloodlines and spatial Dao techniques.

-The Netherworld Abyss – A demonic force said to control the reincarnation cycle itself.

Overlord Forces are untouchable to mortals—they exist on a level beyond comprehension.

2. First-Tier Forces (Emperor Clans & Supreme Sects)

-Vast sects and immortal dynasties that control entire regions. Each has at least one Heavenly Saint or Emperor-level cultivator overseeing them. Their patriarchs and sect masters are figures that can shatter mountains with a thought.

Example forces:

-Celestial Sword Pavilion – A sect where every disciple wields a flying sword infused with immortal Qi.

-Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty – A ruling empire where the royal family wields divine bloodlines.

-The Flame Sovereign Temple – A sect controlling mystical flames from the dawn of time.

3. Second-Tier Forces (Large-Scale Sects & Noble Houses)

The most powerful sects and clans within provinces, but still beneath true Emperor-level forces. Have Nascent Soul and Dao Palace-level elders, but lack Heavenly Saints. Their disciples can dominate lesser sects, but cannot touch the true rulers of the world.

4. Third-Tier Forces (Mid-Tier Sects & Aristocratic Families)

These sects and noble families control cities and minor territories but have no major influence in the grand scheme. Most outer disciples from stronger factions would be stronger than their core disciples.

5. Fourth-Tier Forces (Local Sects & Minor Clans)

Small, regional factions that rule over weak territories. The strongest of these forces might have a Core Formation Realm cultivator, but nothing beyond that. At this level, mortals still make up the majority of their populations, and resources are scarce.

6. The Unaffiliated (Rogues, Wanderers, and Forbidden Existences)

Rogue cultivators, mercenaries, and exiled geniuses who do not belong to any faction. Some are hermit saints, while others are wandering devils who practice forbidden arts. Life in this category is brutal—without the backing of a sect, one must rely on their own strength to survive.

The world is divided into Five Great Regions—each home to different sects, empires, and hidden dangers.

Northern Wilderness – A land of ice, mountains, and warring clans.

-Known for barbarian tribes and ancient beast domains.

-Home to the Azure Sky Sect, where Qin Chen currently resides.

-One of the weaker regions, often looked down upon by stronger factions.

Western Flame Domain – A region bathed in eternal fire, ruled by fire-based sects and empires.

-The land itself is scarred by volcanic eruptions and spiritual flame veins.

-Home to the Flame Sovereign Temple and Blazing Sun Dynasty.

Eastern Oceanic Empire – A vast territory dominated by seafaring cultivators, divine beasts, and aquatic arts.

-A region full of floating palaces, ancient water sects, and hidden oceanic treasures.

-The Celestial Tide Sect and Blue Dragon Island rule these waters.

Southern Holy Lands – A region of divine monks, heavenly scholars, and celestial arts.

-Home to the Radiant Buddha Temple and Holy Spirit Sect.

-Many monks and enlightened sages train here, but they do not interfere with worldly conflicts.

Central Sky Province – The strongest, most prestigious region.

-Home to the greatest sects, clans, and immortal dynasties.

-The rulers here are Emperor-level figures, untouchable by the weak.

The golden pages fluttered once more.

In this world, power is everything—and cultivation is the only way to surpass mortality.

The cultivation path is divided into major realms, with minor stages in between:

1. Qi Refinement Realm 

-The foundation of all cultivation.

-Cultivators absorb spiritual energy to strengthen their bodies and increase their lifespans.

-Divided into ten minor stages (1st to 10th level Qi Refinement).

-Most low-tier sect disciples and weak clans never progress beyond this stage.

2. Foundation Establishment Realm

-The cultivator forms a spiritual foundation, solidifying their cultivation.

-Divided into Early, Mid, and Late Foundation Establishment.

-This is the minimum requirement to be considered a true cultivator.

3. Core Formation Realm 

-The Golden Core is formed, containing vast spiritual energy.

-This is where most inner disciples of sects reach.

-Can control Qi externally, launching energy-based attacks.

4. Nascent Soul Realm 

-The cultivator creates a spiritual soul avatar, granting immense power.

-Those in this realm can shatter mountains with a wave of their hands.

5. Dao Palace Realm 

-Cultivators begin to understand the fundamental laws of existence.

-Masters of this realm can suppress entire sects with their presence alone.

6. Heavenly Saint Realm 

-Legends that transcend mortal limitations, capable of destroying armies alone.

-Those who reach this realm become living myths.

7. Emperor Realm

-The peak of the mortal world.

-Those who ascend past this level enter Immortal Ascension—a realm beyond all comprehension.

Qin Chen shut the book, its golden glow fading as it dissolved into motes of light.

Silence filled the room.

His mind, however, was anything but silent.

So, the Azure Sky Sect… is nothing more than a third-rate force.

From what he just read, his sect was barely relevant in the grand scheme of the continent. It was a third-tier faction at best, strong within its local territories but insignificant compared to the true overlords of the world.

A fact that irritated him.

He had assumed, based on how the elders carried themselves, that the Azure Sky Sect was at least a dominant force within the Northern Wilderness—but in truth, it was just another stepping stone.

That means even if I dominate this sect, it means nothing.

He clenched his fists.

If he wanted to become someone truly untouchable, he needed to think beyond these walls.

His mind drifted back to the cultivation stages.

Qi Refinement? The weakest stage. Even peasants and minor cultivators could reach this level.

Foundation Establishment? The start of true cultivation, but still insignificant.

Core Formation? Most inner disciples of major sects would be at this stage by adulthood.

Nascent Soul? The true stepping stone to power, but still not enough.

Above that were the Dao Palace and Heavenly Saint realms, where legends were forged.

Then there was the Emperor Realm.

Those who reached Emperor-level cultivation were beyond mortals and even saints, capable of commanding entire dynasties and ruling supreme forces.

And beyond them?

The Immortals. The unknown. The realm where even time and space may mean nothing.

Qin Chen exhaled slowly.

Right now, he was nothing.

Just an outer disciple, weak and insignificant.

But he would not remain so.

His system was his greatest advantage, and now, he had direction.

Qin Chen's fingers tapped against his knee as he replayed the geography of the world in his mind.

The Five Great Regions.

And within them, opportunities hidden in plain sight.

1. The Western Flame Domain – The Land of Fire Cultivators

This one stands out immediately.

-The region overflowed with flame-based sects, dynasties, and inheritances.

-The Flame Sovereign Temple—one of the strongest sects in the land—was located there.

-There were natural fire treasures, such as lava spirit veins and flame-forged artifacts, that could enhance his cultivation.

If I want to push my Fire Sovereign Dao Body to the absolute limit, this place is my best bet.

It was far beyond his reach now, but one day… he would step foot there.

2. The Central Sky Province – The Domain of True Power

This was the most powerful region—where first-tier sects, ancient empires, and immortal clans reigned.

Even stepping into this land as a weak cultivator would be dangerous, but if he wanted to become a true powerhouse, he would have to face this place eventually.

That's where I'll find the true rulers of the continent.

One day, he would rise high enough to challenge the forces there.

3. Forbidden Zones – Lands Even Immortals Fear

-Mysterious regions where no sect claimed authority.

-Said to contain ancient ruins, lost legacies, and beasts from forgotten eras.

-Dangerous? Extremely.

-Worth it? Possibly.

No doubt these hidden zones contained techniques and resources he could never obtain anywhere else.

But he wasn't foolish.

I'm not nearly strong enough to step into those places.

Not yet.

But eventually… he would.

Three days.

That was all the time he had before the trial.

Right now, his priority was growing stronger within the Azure Sky Sect, gaining access to better resources, techniques, and cultivation methods.

Once he outgrew this sect, he would look beyond it—toward the greater world waiting for him.

His first major milestone would be breaking past Qi Refinement and reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, where he could truly begin standing above the weak.

For now… he needed to maximize his system advantages and ensure his performance in the trial was nothing short of overwhelming.

Qin Chen's lips curled into a smirk.

He had his first goal.

Now, it was time to take his first real step toward the peak.