Turns Out I'm Just Popular

The dust cloud billowed closer, revealing more details of the approaching party. It wasn't just Urg and Zephyr; it was a full contingent of Azure Cloud Sect cultivators, marching with purpose.

And the group they were "herding" wasn't a bunch of villagers eager for systems. They looked like… new disciples, perhaps? But their expressions were less "eager" and more "resigned."

My heart pounded. This wasn't a hostile takeover. This was… confusing. Urg, usually scowling, actually had a hint of a satisfied smirk on his face. Zephyr, as always, seemed to be holding back a laugh.

"Greetings, Sect Master Alex!" Urg boomed as they reached the entrance of the Heavenly System Sect, his voice echoing across the valley.

He stood before me, flanked by his cultivators, while the "herded" group stood silently behind them. "A fine establishment you've built here, for such a short time."

"Commander Urg, Commander Zephyr," I said, my voice steady, though my stomach felt like it was doing acrobatics.

"Welcome to the Heavenly System Sect. To what do we owe this… grand visit?" I emphasized "grand visit" with a touch of polite sarcasm.

Zephyr stepped forward, his usual glint in his eye more pronounced.

"Oh, nothing grand, Sect Master Alex. Just fulfilling the Sect Master's wishes. He sends his regards. And a message."

"A message?" I asked, my brow furrowed.

Urg then, surprisingly, produced a rolled parchment from his robes. He presented it with a flourish that seemed uncharacteristic for him.

"An official decree from the Azure Cloud Sect Master himself."

Jian, ever cautious, took the scroll, his intense eyes scanning the contents. Fang stood ready, club poised.

I watched Jian's face as he read. His eyebrows, usually a straight line of focus, slowly climbed his forehead. His intense gaze shifted from the scroll to Urg and Zephyr, then finally, to me, a look of profound disbelief on his face.

"Sect Master Alex," Jian said, his voice a low rumble of astonishment, "this… this states that the Sect Master requires your immediate presence at the Azure Cloud Sect."

My heart sank. "Immediate presence? What for?" Had I done something wrong? Was this a recall? Was my Sect Master dream about to be crushed?

"It's for the Grand Sect Tournament!" Urg announced, a genuine, booming laugh escaping him this time. "The one held every five years.

All the major sects send their best disciples to compete for glory, resources, and… bragging rights, of course."

"And the Sect Master," Zephyr added, his smirk widening, "wishes you to allocate 'systems' to a select group of Azure Cloud Sect disciples for the tournament.

He believes your 'unique enhancements' will give us an unparalleled advantage."

My jaw, once again, made a valiant effort to hit the floor. The Grand Sect Tournament? And they wanted me to system-ify their top cultivators for it? Not because I was a prisoner, but because I was an asset? This was… unexpected.

"So," I managed, "this isn't a… hostile takeover? Or a recall?"

Urg scoffed. "Why would we recall you? Your little sect here is still too small to be interesting. Besides, the Sect Master is quite intrigued by your progress.

He says the construction is proceeding admirably." He glanced around the valley, actually looking impressed. "And you have actual wings now? Hah! What else have you been buying, boy?"

"A few personal upgrades," I said, subtly flapping my wings a few inches off the ground, just to show off. "Necessary for… aerial inspections."

"Anyway," Zephyr interjected, "the tournament is in a month. The Sect Master wants to show off our cutting-edge… 'systems-enhanced' disciples. It's a big deal.

Glory for the Azure Cloud Sect. And a chance to make other sects green with envy."

This was an incredible opportunity. Not only would I get to use my systems on a grander scale, but if the Azure Cloud Sect won, my reputation

(and by extension, the Heavenly System Sect's reputation) would skyrocket. And more importantly, it meant more points! Lots and lots of points!

"I understand," I said, trying to contain my excitement. "Of course, I'll come. I'll prepare myself immediately."

"Good," Urg nodded, seemingly satisfied. "And these cultivators," he gestured to the "herded" group, "these are new outer disciples.

The Sect Master instructed us to 'drop them off' here on our way back. He figured your sect needed some initial recruits to, ah, 'flesh out' your ranks. They are… raw, but loyal."

My eyes widened. New disciples! Just like that! The Heavenly System Sect was actually getting bigger! They probably hadn't returned because the Azure Cloud Sect had diverted them to bring these new recruits.

That explained their prolonged absence, and my worried System's "NEHAHAHAHA" earlier.

I looked at the group of new recruits.

They looked a bit bewildered, probably confused about why they were being dropped off at a nascent sect in a wild valley, led by a guy in a white robe with literal wings.

But they also looked hopeful, a flicker of ambition in their eyes.

"Welcome, everyone!" I announced, putting on my most charming (and slightly exhausted) Sect Master smile.

"Welcome to the Heavenly System Sect! We're a new sect, with new ways of thinking! Here, everyone has the chance to become stronger, faster, better, through the power of 'systems'!"

My five original disciples cheered, their faces beaming.

Li immediately rushed forward, her [Minor Charisma System] kicking in as she began warmly welcoming the newcomers.

"Don't worry, everyone! Sect Master Alex is amazing! He has wings! And he gives you superpowers!"

The newcomers exchanged bewildered glances, but a few cautious smiles started to appear.

"Jian, Fang!" I called out. "We have new recruits! They'll need temporary housing. Assign them to tents, or help them set up their own. And make sure they get fed!"

Jian nodded, his eyes already assessing the group, calculating logistics. Fang merely grunted, but then he actually gave me a thumbs-up.

A full thumbs-up! This was a monumental display of approval from Fang.

"We'll need to clear out more space for new houses too," I mused. "And expand the training grounds."

Just then, the blue screen flashed in my mind again, though this time, it was less sarcastic and more… gleeful.

[SYSTEM ALERT: USER IS FINALLY UNDERSTANDING. GROWTH IS GOOD.]

[SYSTEM STATUS: MILDLY SATISFIED. (DON'T GET COCKY.)]

Then, another message:

OKAY, OKAY, GO. LET ME SEE WHAT THESE GUYS WANT ACTUALLY. THIS TOURNAMENT SOUNDS LIKE FUN. AND POINTS. LOTS OF POINTS.

I grinned. The System was on board! It was actually excited about the tournament, probably because of the potential point payout.

And it wanted to see what kind of systems these elite Azure Cloud Sect disciples would want. This was going to be big.

"Sect Master Alex," Zephyr said, observing my strange reaction, "is everything… to your satisfaction?"

"More than satisfactory, Commander Zephyr!" I declared, beaming. "This is excellent news! The Heavenly System Sect is always ready to assist the Azure Cloud Sect. We will make you proud in this tournament!"

Urg gave a short, booming laugh. "We shall see, boy. Don't disappoint the Sect Master. He has high expectations for these 'systems' of yours."

As Urg and Zephyr, with their contingent of cultivators, began to prepare for their journey back, I turned to my burgeoning sect. New disciples. A major tournament. More points.