Chapter 18: The Foundation Ritual

The sun dipped behind the eastern jungle as Lee-oh overlooked the newly scouted land—three kilometers wide, hidden between two crescent-shaped cliffs. A stream trickled through the terrain's heart, and the natural defense from the surrounding wilderness made it ideal. This was the birthplace of the Alchemist Merchant Sect.

His team had performed admirably during the Trial Period. Out of the initial twenty-three, eighteen remained. Some had failed the potion test—especially those unfamiliar with herbs—but those who endured gained not just Lee-oh's approval, but something more significant: belonging.

The mute blacksmith, now affectionately referred to as "Forge," had begun crafting a few swords using recovered monster bones and herbs mixed into molten iron, giving the blades a faint green sheen. The healer, Elsha, had treated all Trial-related injuries with unparalleled calm, her resentment for the old guild burning quietly beneath her gentle exterior. And the rogue, Dael, had returned from his assignment with a sack of rare black lotus petals, stolen from a wandering bandit group without being seen.

Lee-oh knew that these people weren't just recruits—they were pillars.

Back at the village base, which was nothing more than a repurposed barn and a few tents, Lee-oh gathered everyone for the announcement.

"This land will become our home," he declared. His voice, always calm but never weak, carried through the clearing. "We are no longer vagrants or misfits. We are Alchemist Merchants, and our roots will stretch across this continent."

A roar of cheers erupted. Even Forge, unable to speak, clanged a sword rhythmically on a shield.

Lee-oh raised his hand to silence them. "Tomorrow, we begin the Foundation Ritual."

They grew silent. Even the jungle seemed to hush. Everyone had heard the term—used by ancient sects when laying down their base's spiritual matrix.

But none of them were sure what it truly meant.

Lee-oh, however, did. The system had unlocked a blueprint upon reaching Level 4. It required 100,000 points, but it granted him access to an exclusive Alchemist Sect Formation Array—a hybrid matrix that boosted potion potency by 50%, increased local spirit energy, and attracted talent naturally through fate.

The only catch: it required extremely rare ingredients, perfect placement of spiritual stones, and a ritual performed under the next full moon—two nights away.

That night, Lee-oh called a private meeting with his trusted three: Elsha, Forge, and Dael.

He placed the blueprint scroll on the ground, and a translucent model of the formation appeared, glowing faintly.

"It's an alchemical matrix," Elsha whispered. "It blends healing energy with economic karma. This is a merchant's dream."

Forge nodded, tapping on the locations marked with stars—likely where spiritual energy would be most concentrated.

"Dael," Lee-oh said, "I need you to retrieve the Nightshade Ember from the ruins at Hollow Fang Cavern. Elsha, you'll gather Moondew Flowers from the northern lake. Forge, we need three spirit-forged steel stakes. Can you make them in two days?"

The mute man gave a short nod and left instantly.

"I'll get you ten Moondew Flowers," Elsha smiled. "The lake is dangerous, but I've traveled farther."

"And I'll have the Ember," Dael smirked. "Bandits still think I'm a myth."

The next day was relentless.

The village buzzed as construction began for temporary shelters on the new land. The remaining recruits, inspired by Lee-oh's words, hauled lumber, cleared land, and built with determination. In parallel, Lee-oh spent his time carefully calculating energy flows using his system's "Lay of the Land" feature. He placed spiritual stones from the system shop along the pre-determined points.

Night fell. Forge returned first, battered and blistered, his shirt scorched—but three perfect stakes were wrapped in spiritweave cloth. Lee-oh inspected them, then gave a rare smile.

The next day, Elsha came back, soaked but triumphant. Her satchel dripped with magical dew—the Moondew Flowers were still glowing. She had apparently tricked a lake serpent by luring it into chasing a dummy made of healing mist.

Dael arrived hours later, limping slightly, but tossed a velvet pouch at Lee-oh's feet.

"Nightshade Ember," he said, and collapsed on a straw mat with a groan. "Don't ask."

Lee-oh's eyes gleamed. "Perfect. We begin tonight."

As the moon reached its zenith, the sect gathered atop the new ground. Lee-oh stood at the center of the spiral etched into the dirt with spirit chalk. Around him, the ingredients were placed, the stakes hammered into the ground with precise strikes from Forge.

He raised his hand. "System, begin the Foundation Ritual."

A deep hum rolled through the air.

The stakes began to glow, drawing energy from the items around them. The Moondew Flowers released their glow like fireflies. The Nightshade Ember blazed into deep violet fire. The spiritual stones pulsed in a slow rhythm.

Lee-oh closed his eyes. "May this sect bring healing, strength, and fortune to all."

The energy surged. The spiral erupted in a column of golden light.

A sound like chimes in a hurricane filled the air.

Then silence.

The light dissipated, revealing the ground beneath—no longer dirt, but etched with the glowing sigil of the Alchemist Merchant Sect.

Above them, a system message appeared, visible to all recruits:

[New Sect Established: Alchemist Merchant Sect]Base Buffs: +20% Healing Efficiency, +30% Potion Quality, +15% Market Influence RadiusFate Attractor Activated: High Compatibility Individuals will be drawn within 500kmSect Level: 1 | Members: 18/50 | Base Defense: Basic | Marketplace: Locked

Gasps filled the air.

The recruits knelt, not in worship—but in awe.

Lee-oh, standing tall in the center, looked up toward the stars.

They had begun as wanderers. Now, they had a home.

And this was just the beginning.