Upgrading My Disciples

The valley was a hive of activity. Azure Cloud Sect engineers, led by a surprisingly cheerful old man named Master Glimmer, were already laying out the foundations for what would be the Heavenly System Sect's first few buildings.

The rhythmic clang of pickaxes and the shouts of cultivators guiding massive stone blocks through the air echoed between the hills. My new home, my new sect, was literally rising from the ground.

For the first few days, I spent my time getting acquainted with the valley.

My [Basic Elemental Affinity System (Earth)] proved surprisingly useful. I wasn't flinging boulders yet, but I could feel the subtle vibrations of the earth, tell which patches of ground were firm or soft, and even subtly nudge loose stones out of the way for the construction crew.

My [Minor Kinetic Shield] also made me feel a bit safer, especially when a rogue flying rock nearly took my head off (thanks, Master Glimmer!).

My five initial disciples—Jian, Li, Old Man Huo, Xiao Mei, and Fang—were diligently assisting with the construction, or meditating to absorb the valley's spiritual energy.

They were a motley crew, but they were my motley crew. I knew the Sect Master was counting on me to turn them into powerful assets. And for that, they needed systems.

On the third evening, as the sun dipped below the mountains, painting the sky in fiery oranges and purples, I gathered my five disciples.

We sat around a small campfire, the flames crackling cheerfully. The construction crew had packed up for the day, and the valley was filled with the sounds of chirping crickets and distant nocturnal creatures.

"Alright, everyone," I began, my voice clear in the quiet.

"You've been helping out, learning the ropes, and now it's time for your… first upgrade."

Jian, ever stoic, merely nodded, but a flicker of anticipation was visible in his intense eyes. Li clapped her hands together, a wide grin spreading across her face. Old Man Huo grunted, his skeptical expression softening slightly.

Xiao Mei closed her book, her gaze sharp with curiosity. Fang, as usual, just stared, a permanent scowl on his face.

My dashboard shimmered: [Points: 6,086].

I scrolled through the available systems, careful to pick ones that suited their nascent talents or could help them overcome a weakness.

"Jian," I started, turning to him first. "You have incredible focus and a natural affinity for spiritual insight. For you, I have the [Enhanced Meditation System]."

I projected its description into his mind:

"Greatly accelerates Qi absorption during meditation, deepens spiritual understanding, and enhances clarity of thought."

Jian's eyes widened. He nodded, almost eagerly, offering his hand. I initiated the transfer. The green light flowed into him, and he instantly closed his eyes, his breathing slowing, a palpable aura of calm radiating from him.

He was already meditating!

My dashboard: [Successful System Allocation Bonus! Points: +120]

[Points: 6,106] (Cost 100 points, so 20 points profit).

"Alright, Li!" I grinned, turning to her.

"Your optimism and cheerful spirit are your greatest strengths.

I'm giving you the [Minor Charisma System]."

Description: "Enhances natural charm and persuasion, makes others more receptive to user's words, subtly boosts morale of allies."

Li gasped, her eyes sparkling. "Me? Charisma? Oh, thank you, Sect Master Alex! I'll make sure everyone in the sect is always in good spirits!"

She practically vibrated with excitement as the system flowed into her. I could almost feel the positive energy radiating off her.

Dashboard: [Successful System Allocation Bonus! Points: +130]

[Points: 6,136] (Cost 100 points, 30 points profit). The System was being quirky with the bonuses again.

Next was Old Man Huo. "Old Man," I said, a playful tone in my voice. "You've seen many battles, many scars. For you, I offer the [Iron Will System]."

Description: "Greatly increases mental fortitude and resilience to pain, reduces fear in combat, enhances resistance to spiritual attacks."

Old Man Huo's skeptical eyes narrowed, then a slow grin spread across his face. "Iron Will, eh? Sounds like something this old body could use. Been feeling the aches a bit too much lately." He scoffed, but accepted the system.

A subtle, almost imperceptible hardening seemed to settle around him.

Dashboard: [Successful System Allocation Bonus! Points: +110]

[Points: 6,146] (Cost 100 points, 10 points profit).

Xiao Mei, clutching her book, was next. "Xiao Mei," I said.

"Your thirst for knowledge is impressive. So, the [Rapid Comprehension System] for you."

Description: "Accelerates learning speed for any subject, enhances memory retention, improves analytical skills for complex information."

Xiao Mei's shy demeanor vanished, replaced by an intense eagerness.

"Learning speed? I could read ancient texts in half the time? Oh, thank you, Sect Master! This is… truly wonderful!" She practically snatched the system from my mental grasp. As it flowed into her, her eyes seemed to literally brighten.

Dashboard: [Successful System Allocation Bonus! Points: +140]

[Points: 6,186] (Cost 100 points, 40 points profit). Higher bonus for her! Maybe the System liked studious types.

Finally, Fang. The silent, scowling giant. "Fang," I said, trying to be as direct as possible. "You're built like a brick wall. How about a system to make you an even tougher brick wall?

The [Minor Hardened Skin System]." Description: "Enhances skin and muscle density, provides minor resistance to physical damage, reduces impact from blunt force."

Fang grunted, but his eyes held a flicker of interest. He slowly offered his massive hand. The system flowed into him, and his already solid presence seemed to solidify further.

He subtly flexed his arm, and I could swear his bicep looked a little… harder.

Dashboard: [Successful System Allocation Bonus! Points: +110]

[Points: 6,196] (Cost 100 points, 10 points profit).

My points were now at a respectable [Points: 6,196]. I'd gained 110 points just from this session. Not bad for a night's work! My disciples were visibly (and invisibly) upgraded, ready to tackle the challenges of building a sect.

Now, it was my turn. The Sect Master's challenge, the System's "Sect Master" requirement for the shop – it all pointed to one thing: I needed to be a powerful figure.

My Kinetic Shield and Earth Affinity were good, but I needed more. I needed something that would make me formidable, something that would make people go, "Whoa, that guy's the boss."

I scrolled through my catalogue, ignoring the locked System Shop for now. I still had 6,196 points.

My eyes fell upon a tempting option:

[Minor Combat Prowess System] - Cost: 2,600 Points

(Grants intuitive understanding of basic combat techniques, enhances reaction speed, improves coordination and muscle memory for fighting.)

This was exactly what I needed! It wouldn't make me a cultivation master, but it would turn my clumsy brawling into actual fighting. It would make me able to stand toe-to-toe with some of the lower-level cultivators, maybe even impress the higher-ups.

And it cost 2,600 points, leaving me with 3,596. A big chunk, but worth it.

I allocated the [Minor Combat Prowess System] to myself.

A different kind of energy flowed through me this time. It wasn't the gentle hum of the shield, or the grounded connection of the earth affinity.

This was a sudden rush of instinct, a downloaded library of movements, strikes, and dodges. My body felt lighter, more responsive. I instinctively shifted my weight, and it felt… right.

"Alright, System," I muttered, my voice filled with a new kind of determination. "Let's see if I'm stronger than these guys now."

My dashboard: [Points: 3,596].

I had enough left for something else. Something… showy. Something that screamed "Sect Master material." Something that flew.

I scrolled again. And there it was. Beautiful. Elegant. Absurd.

[Basic White Wings System] - Cost: 1,000 Points

(Manifests a pair of functional, ethereal white wings on user's back, grants limited flight capabilities, provides graceful aerial maneuverability.)

Wings! Actual, literal, flying wings! For 1,000 points! This wasn't just practical; it was iconic. A Systems Trader who could fly? Take that, boring old cultivators with their flying swords!

My mind screamed "YES!"

I allocated the [Basic White Wings System] to myself.

A strange, tingling sensation spread across my shoulder blades. It wasn't painful, but like a sudden growth. I felt a subtle weight behind me, a new presence. I imagined them, and instantly, a shimmering, translucent pair of white wings, ethereal and beautiful, unfurled from my back, barely visible in the dim light of the campfire.

They stretched out, catching the faint starlight, giving me an almost angelic appearance.

My disciples gasped. Li let out a delighted squeal. Old Man Huo's jaw dropped. Fang actually managed to widen his eyes. Jian, for the first time, looked genuinely astonished.

Xiao Mei scrambled for her book, probably to write down "Sect Master Alex Grows Wings."

"S-Sect Master Alex!" Li stammered, pointing. "Wings! You have… wings!"

I gave a casual shrug, trying to look like it happened every Tuesday. "Just a little personal upgrade. Necessary for… executive oversight of a growing sect."

I subtly flapped them, and felt a tiny gust of wind. It was exhilarating!

My dashboard: [Points: 2,596].

The night was filled with the excited chatter of my disciples, their awe palpable. I spent a good hour awkwardly experimenting with my new wings, trying to fly without crashing into a tree. It was harder than it looked, more like swimming through air than simply soaring.

But I could do it! I could lift off the ground, hover for a few seconds, and even gain some altitude.

The next morning, the construction resumed, but now with a new energy. My disciples, newly enhanced, worked with renewed vigor.

And I, now equipped with combat prowess and actual wings, felt a powerful sense of readiness.

"Alright, everyone!" I called out, hovering a few feet off the ground, my wings shimmering in the morning sun.

"Let's make some serious progress today! Because we've got an entire sect to build!"

My disciples cheered. This was it. I was a Sect Master, even if it was a branch sect. I had powers, I had disciples, I had a cool name, and I had a whole lot of points to spend in the future. The Heavenly System Sect was officially open for business.