The Falling Leaf Sect was no longer a ruin; it was a burgeoning home. The rhythmic thwack of the Basic Wood Axe echoed through the newly cleared spaces. Kael, Finn, and Gareth, their youthful muscles hardening with each swing, expertly felled timber, guided by the axe's efficiency and Li Xuan's watchful eye. Under his precise instructions, they worked to construct a sturdy, reinforced outer gate, patching ancient cracks in the walls with skill. The transformation was visible, tangible.
Inside the vault, the Scriptorium hummed with quiet cultivation. Qing'er, radiating the serene power of Qi Condensation Realm (Stage 1 - 10% progress), guided Elara, Roric, and Lyra. It had been mere days, but the results were astounding. Elara, with her natural aptitude, had already taken her first tentative steps into Qi cultivation, her face alight with wonder as she felt the ambient energy flow within her. Roric, methodical and persistent, was steadily grasping the concepts, his breathing becoming deeper, more controlled. Even Lyra, frail no longer, had managed to draw tiny wisps of Qi, her determination overcoming her physical limitations. The Lesser Qi Gathering Manual lay open on the stone table, its pages worn from eager study.
Li Xuan's gaze swept over his disciples, a profound sense of satisfaction settling in his chest. Their rapid progress was a testament to their potential and the potency of his sect's foundational methods. His Sect Points stood at a healthy 110, earned from the recent hunting expedition, and he knew exactly how to use them.
First, the utilities. A proper source of clean water was essential.
"System," Li Xuan thought, "Purchase Basic Water Purification Kit."
[Confirm purchase: Basic Water Purification Kit (5 Sect Points)?]
[Current Sect Points: 110. Remaining Sect Points: 105.]
"Confirm," Li Xuan affirmed. A compact, charcoal-filtered purification system, simple yet effective, materialized in his inventory. He quickly installed it near a natural spring bubbling up within the vault, providing a reliable source of potable water.
Next, something even more critical. His disciples were cultivating, but they needed a way to defend themselves, a unique edge that would define the Falling Leaf Sect. He wanted a skill that would make them formidable, even against opponents of equal cultivation. He mentally browsed the System Store's martial arts section, inputting keywords like "unique," "speed," "precision," and "versatile."
A particular entry caught his eye.
[Martial Art: Falling Leaf Blade Art (Basic Compendium)]
Rank: Common
Description: A deceptively simple yet highly adaptable blade art, focusing on fluid movement, precise strikes, and utilizing minimal Qi for maximum effect. Emphasizes swift, unpredictable movements to overwhelm opponents.
Unique Trait: 'Phantom Edge' - When executed with foundational Qi, strikes leave a momentary, blurring afterimage, subtly disrupting an opponent's perception and timing.
Cultivation Requirement: Body Tempering Realm (Stage 1) to initiate, Qi Condensation Realm (Stage 1) for full basic mastery.
Sect Point Cost: 80 Sect Points.
Eighty Sect Points. It was a significant investment, but the description captivated him. "Deceptively simple," "unpredictable movements," "Phantom Edge." This was exactly what he needed. A martial art that could be taught to his Body Tempering disciples, yet scaled with Qi Condensation cultivation. It perfectly aligned with the "Falling Leaf" name, too. This wouldn't just be a skill; it would be part of the sect's identity.
"System," Li Xuan decided without hesitation. "Purchase Falling Leaf Blade Art (Basic Compendium)."
[Confirm purchase: Falling Leaf Blade Art (Basic Compendium) (80 Sect Points)?]
[Current Sect Points: 105. Remaining Sect Points: 25.]
"Confirm," Li Xuan thought, a surge of excitement.
A thin, rolled scroll of parchment, tied with a simple leather string, appeared in his inventory. He unrolled it carefully. The scroll contained detailed diagrams and concise instructions for the basic forms and movements of the Falling Leaf Blade Art. It looked complex at first glance, but the accompanying mental knowledge from the System filled him with understanding.
He gathered his disciples. "Disciples! You have proven your dedication to cultivation. Now, it is time for the Falling Leaf Sect to truly distinguish itself. We will not just gather Qi; we will wield it. This is the Falling Leaf Blade Art." He presented the scroll. "This art focuses on agility, precision, and unpredictable movements. When mastered, even a cultivator of your current stage can overcome stronger foes through sheer skill and subtle deception."
He demonstrated the first basic stance and a fundamental cutting motion. His own movements, infused with his Qi Condensation Realm power, were breathtakingly fluid, leaving a faint, shimmering afterimage as his Falling Leaf Spirit Sword moved. The new disciples gasped, their eyes wide with awe.
"Qing'er, you will learn this with them, and help me teach," Li Xuan instructed. "We will dedicate a portion of our training time to this art. This will be the unique mark of our sect, a blade art that emphasizes speed and unpredictability, allowing our disciples to be truly formidable."
Over the next few days, the sect found a new rhythm. The construction of the Basic Living Quarters had begun. Li Xuan, using his Basic Sect Construction Manual and directing his disciples with the Basic Wood Axe, laid out the foundations for a simple, yet sturdy, timber-framed structure. He showed them how to measure, cut, and join wood, imparting practical skills alongside their cultivation.
In the newly expanded training area cleared from the dense undergrowth, Li Xuan and Qing'er began teaching the Falling Leaf Blade Art. The new disciples, especially Kael and Elara, showed natural aptitude for the fluid movements. Their initial attempts were clumsy, but the 'Phantom Edge' effect, even in its most nascent form, already provided a glimpse of its disruptive power. They stumbled and fell, but Li Xuan patiently corrected them, instilling discipline and precision. He also ensured they maintained their Qi cultivation practices, stressing that martial skill without a Qi foundation was meaningless.
Li Xuan's focus shifted. The new living quarters were a priority, and the cultivation of his disciples was paramount. He still had 25 Sect Points, enough for more basic needs or to begin saving for the larger facilities required for the Minor Sect rank. The path was long, but with a growing, uniquely skilled force, the Falling Leaf Sect was no longer just surviving; it was growing into something formidable.