Chapter 16: Path to Ascension – The 100,000 Point Pursuit As the fires of the auction house slowly died down, Lee-oh stepped out into the night air, his heart still racing from the thrill of outmaneu

As the fires of the auction house slowly died down, Lee-oh stepped out into the night air, his heart still racing from the thrill of outmaneuvering nobles and traders alike. The golden badge of the Eastern Trade Union glinted under the moonlight, tucked safely inside his robe. Beside him, Daey-ib patted their bulging coin pouch with a grin.

"Who would've thought? You, walking out with a badge of influence and enough gold to make a noble blink," Daey-ib chuckled.

Lee-oh allowed himself a small smile, his eyes reflecting the stars. "It's just the beginning. There's something more... something bigger."

With the Eastern Trade Union's recognition in his grasp, he now had connections, influence, and a swelling customer base. His name had begun circulating among mid-tier merchant clans and alchemists alike. But he knew true power didn't lie in coin or badges alone—it lay in what he could build. And so, began the next stage of his journey.

A month later, the breeze of early autumn whispered through the Eastern Jungles, stirring the canopies above as Lee-oh sat by the bank of a stream, his reflection dancing across the clear water. The business was flourishing. He and Daey-ib had begun crafting and selling potions, healing balms, high-quality food, and enchanted animal products. His inventory rotated rapidly, and he'd climbed into the Beginner II rank.

But even with progress, his eyes were fixed ahead—on the elusive System Level 4.

System Upgrade to Level 4: Requires 100,000 Points. Current Balance: 10,450.

Back when the system announced the requirement, it had seemed laughable. An impossible sum. But with every potion sold, every enchanted sword traded, and every merchant deal secured, Lee-oh realized the climb wasn't impossible—just steep.

The reward, however, was worth every step:

Level 4 Unlocks: Expanded Storage, Auto-Craft Feature, New Merchant Recipes, Special Buffed Healing Items, and— Sect Creation (Minimum Members: 50).

Default Sect Name: Alchemist Merchant. Focus: Potions, Healing, Weapons Trade.

The thought of building a sect wasn't just a fantasy now. It was a tangible goal.

Lee-oh opened his system menu, swiping past recipe logs, sales reports, and crafting queues. The Points tab stared back at him. He clenched his fist.

"100,000. I'll get there. No matter what it takes."

He and Daey-ib returned to the Eastern Market, this time setting up not just one stall, but three—each manned by hired locals whom Lee-oh had personally trained. While the locals thought they were simply selling high-grade products, Lee-oh quietly monitored their sales through the system interface. Every sale, every satisfied customer, and every review pushed him forward.

Lee-oh no longer made low-tier health potions. Now, he produced Emerald Restoration Draughts, Ironhide Tonics, and Mindclearing Teas—items rivaling those made by Tier-3 Alchemists. He even started dabbling in elemental-infused weapon oils, a premium product highly sought after by adventurers and guards.

When he wasn't working the stalls, Lee-oh ventured deeper into the wilds. He hunted rare herbs and magical beasts. He made contracts with isolated herbalist clans, exchanging knowledge and goods. He avoided large-scale conflicts, choosing to profit through neutrality, always keeping his head down while his coin pile grew.

Two weeks into the grind, the system chimed:

Milestone reached: 50,000 Points. New Title: Relentless Trader – 3% discount when bartering with independent NPCs.

By now, small merchant groups and even minor sects were noticing his presence. Some tried to coerce him into joining. Others sought to copy his recipes. One particularly aggressive clan sent three apprentices to sabotage his workshop.

Big mistake.

Lee-oh had installed a Warding Rune Array, powered by minor spirit stones and crafted with guidance from the system's new "Security Enhancements" feature. The saboteurs left with scorched eyebrows and a lesson they'd never forget.

But with rising popularity came risk. He needed allies. He needed strength. He needed a sect.

"I want it to be different," he told Daey-ib one night. "Not just cultivators swinging swords. I want alchemists, healers, traders, researchers—people who build, not just destroy."

Daey-ib nodded. "A sect for the future, eh? Sounds like a plan. You'll call it...?"

"Alchemist Merchant Sect."

"A bit on the nose."

"But clear," Lee-oh said with a smirk.

They both laughed, but behind that laughter, an iron resolve formed.

The system beeped.

New Quest Unlocked: Foundations of a Sect. Objective: Accumulate 100,000 Points and recruit 50 members. Bonus Objective: Establish Sect Hall within a Trade City.

Lee-oh took one last look at the stream. The moon had risen, casting silver light across the water. His journey from a no-name player with a strange system to a budding power in the Eastern Lands had been nothing short of miraculous. But the true challenge had just begun.

He stood.

"Let's reach the summit."

Daey-ib packed their supplies with a grin. "And maybe sell some potions on the way up?"

Lee-oh chuckled. "Always."