My Wings Are Humble

The City of Champions. Even from a distance, it hummed with an energy that felt different from anything I'd experienced.

As we drew closer, the hum intensified, a symphony of a thousand different Qi signatures, like a cosmic orchestra tuning up for the biggest concert of the year.

And then I saw them. Small dragons.

Not the terrifying, fire-breathing kind I'd imagined when the Facilitator first mentioned them, but smaller, agile creatures, no bigger than a large dog, with iridescent scales and leathery wings. They zipped through the sky above the city walls, weaving intricate patterns, occasionally letting out playful, chirping roars.

They looked like oversized, magical parrots.

"Are those… dragons?" I whispered, my jaw dropping for what felt like the hundredth time since arriving in this world.

"Indeed, Sect Master Alex," Zephyr replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Sky-Drakes. They are often used by the city guard for aerial patrols and swift communication. Quite harmless, unless you're a particularly juicy pigeon."

"Right," I muttered, still staring. My own wings felt suddenly very humble compared to those little aerial acrobats.

As we neared the colossal city gates, I saw the guards. They weren't just burly warriors. They were mages. Their robes shimmered with faint magical energy, and their hands glowed with various elemental auras – a crackle of lightning here, a ripple of water there.

They stood with an air of quiet power, their gazes sweeping over the incoming crowds. This was clearly a place where strength was respected, and displayed.

"This is one of the most popular cities in the realm," the Sect Master explained, his voice filled with a quiet pride.

"It is a nexus of cultivation, commerce, and knowledge. During the Grand Sect Tournament, it becomes the heart of the cultivation world."

My eyes darted around, trying to take everything in. The sheer scale was overwhelming.

Towers carved from glowing crystal, bustling markets filled with strange fruits and shimmering artifacts, and cultivators everywhere, from every corner of the realm.

"Sect Master," I asked, my curiosity piqued, "how does the power system work here? I mean, beyond Qi. What are the… levels?" I almost said "levels," but remembered the Sect Master's earlier explanation.

The Sect Master nodded. "A good question, Alex. In our world, a cultivator's strength is typically measured in 'Layers.' Think of it as peeling back layers of an onion, each revealing deeper understanding and greater power."

He paused, gesturing around us. "The weakest cultivators, those just starting their journey, are in the Ninth Layer.

They can barely manipulate Qi, perhaps conjure a small spark or a weak gust of wind."

"So, like, a beginner?" I clarified.

"Precisely," he confirmed. "As one cultivates, they progress through the Layers.

The Eighth Layer is where true Qi manipulation begins, allowing for basic techniques. Seventh Layer cultivators are considered competent warriors, capable of holding their own in minor skirmishes."

"And the higher you go?" I prompted.

"The higher the Layer, the more profound their understanding of the Dao, the more potent their Qi, and the more devastating their techniques," the Sect Master explained.

"Sixth Layer cultivators, like myself, are considered masters. We can command powerful elemental forces, withstand significant attacks, and lead smaller sects."

My eyes widened. The Sect Master was a Sixth Layer master! That was impressive.

"Fifth Layer cultivators are grand elders, capable of leveling small mountains," he continued, a hint of reverence in his voice.

"And Fourth Layer and above… those are the true legends. Beings of immense power, rarely seen, often secluded in deep meditation or protecting ancient relics."

"So, the strongest is the First Layer?" I asked.

"Indeed. The First Layer is a realm of myth. A true immortal, a being of unparalleled power, capable of shaking the heavens themselves. Few have ever reached it."

I quickly did a mental inventory of our group. "So, you're a Sixth Layer, Sect Master. What about Lyra, Urg, and Zephyr?"

Lyra, standing nearby, gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "I am a Seventh Layer, Sect Master Alex."

Urg grunted. "Eighth Layer. But I can hit harder than most Seventh Layers!"

Zephyr chuckled. "I am also Seventh Layer, Sect Master Alex. Though my focus is on agility and subtle manipulations, not brute force like Urg."

"And our twelve tournament disciples?" I asked. "What Layers are they?"

The Sect Master smiled. "Most of them are at the peak of the Eighth Layer, pushing towards the Seventh. Li Wei, our star, is already a nascent Seventh Layer, on the verge of a breakthrough."

My mind whirred. So, the strongest of the Azure Cloud Sect's young generation were Eighth and Seventh Layer cultivators.

And I, Alex, with my [Minor Kinetic Shield], [Basic Elemental Affinity (Earth)], [Minor Combat Prowess System], and [Basic White Wings System], had no Qi Layers at all.

I was a complete anomaly.

"Interesting," I muttered. My systems were powerful, but they didn't grant me Qi or a Layer. I was operating on a completely different playing field. It was like bringing a super-powered squirt gun to a magic missile fight.

A very effective super-powered squirt gun, but still.

As we passed through the city gates, the sheer vibrancy of the place washed over me. The streets were teeming with cultivators, merchants, and ordinary folk. Stalls lined the thoroughfares, selling everything from glowing spiritual herbs to exotic beasts in cages.

The air was filled with the aroma of strange foods, the chatter of a thousand conversations, and the occasional burst of Qi as someone demonstrated a technique.

"This way, Sect Master," Lyra directed, leading us through the bustling crowds. "Our designated lodging is near the main arena."

As we walked, I saw cultivators from other sects. The Blazefury Sect, in their fiery red robes, radiated heat even from a distance.

The Verdantwood Sect wore robes of deep green, their aura calm and earthy. The Ironfist Sect disciples were burly, their movements heavy and grounded. And the Starlight Conclave, in robes woven with shimmering silver threads, seemed to glide through the crowds, their presence almost ethereal.

"Wow," I breathed, genuinely impressed. This was like a giant convention of superheroes, except they were all real, and they could actually level mountains.

My disciples, despite their own power, looked around with wide eyes, absorbing the atmosphere. This was a big deal for them too.

"Remember our strategy," the Sect Master reminded them, his voice low. "Observe. Learn. And do not reveal the full extent of your new capabilities until the arena. Let our opponents underestimate us."

"Understood, Sect Master!" the disciples chorused.

As we continued through the throng, I couldn't help but notice the occasional curious glance thrown my way.

My white robe, while elegant, was simple compared to the ornate garments of some sects. And my wings, though currently retracted, probably gave off a faint, unusual energy. People probably thought I was some eccentric cultivator with a weird fashion sense.

"Sect Master," I whispered to the Azure Cloud Sect leader, "do you think anyone here has ever seen a 'system' before? Or someone like me?"

He chuckled softly. "Perhaps in ancient legends, Alex. But in living memory? Never. You are truly unique. Which is precisely why you are our secret weapon."

We finally arrived at our lodging – a sprawling compound of elegant buildings, clearly reserved for a major sect. It was grand, luxurious, and guarded by more mages.

"Rest, everyone," the Sect Master commanded. "The opening ceremony is tomorrow. And then, the tournament begins."

As I walked into my own private chambers, which were even more luxurious than my previous ones, my dashboard flashed.

[SYSTEM ALERT: USER IS NOW IN A HIGH-STAKES ENVIRONMENT. POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT POINT GAINS DETECTED.]

[SYSTEM STATUS: EXCITED. VERY, VERY EXCITED. (AND STILL SMUG.)]

Then, a new message, pulsing with an almost manic glee:

LET'S SEE WHAT THESE 'LAYERS' CAN DO AGAINST TRUE SYSTEMS! 

The Grand Sect Tournament was about to get a serious upgrade. And I couldn't wait to see the look on Grand Elder Kael's face when his "fire affinity" kid met a system-enhanced kick to the face.