The sun shone on the peak of Rising Flame with a golden light as Lux began his second year at the Burning Sky Sect. The now seven-year-old had grown several inches, his silver-gray eyes radiating a deeper maturity. The first year had given him a foundation of knowledge of cultivation the second year would open him up to the wider and more dangerous realities of the world.
Elder Liam took Lux to the sect's command center situation room, a circular room with a giant energy map projecting the entire Verdant Lotus World in the air.
"In the second year, your focus shifts from basic theory to understanding the real world," Liam said, activating the map with a touch of energy. "As a Direct Disciple, you must understand not only how to cultivate, but also where and why we fight, who our friends and enemies are."
Lux watched with wide open eyes. The map showed a living topography with towering mountains, flowing rivers, and territorial boundaries glowing in different colors. The map's coefficient was 0.99985 - almost perfect.
"Impressive technology for a cultivation world," Lux thought, recalling the GPS systems from his previous life.
The lesson began with an in-depth analysis of the top six sects. Liam not only explained, but also simulated potential conflicts.
Burning Sky Sect - Lux's Home
"We are strong in frontal combat and fire alchemy," Liam said, pointing to the southern region that glowed red. "But we are weak in intelligence and night combat. The Shadow Viper Sect often exploits this."
Lux observed how the fire energy from their territory formed a natural defensive pattern. "Our territory's coefficient is 0.99960 - stable for fire cultivation, but easily predictable by the enemy."
Shadow Viper Sect - Archenemy
Elder Liam changed the map to the dark swampy area in the south while explaining, "They are experts in poison and espionage; they are also one of the sects focused on assassination, although most use poison." Its territory's coefficient is 0.99945 - unstable, suitable for guerrilla tactics," Lux thought.
"Do they have any major weaknesses?" Lux asked.
"They depend on the element of surprise. In open combat, we excel. But they rarely give us that opportunity."
Lighting Roar Sect - Strategic Ally
The southeastern region with lightning hills appeared next. "Our closest ally. The Fire-Lightning Axis has lasted for generations," Elder Liam explained.
Lux noticed how the fire and lightning energy patterns complemented each other. "But our relationship is unbalanced. They need our fire pills more than we need their lightning resources."
"Sharp analysis. That's why we hold a higher bargaining position in trade; they also sometimes help on the border between the Shadow Viper Sect and our sect," Elder Liam explained with a smile.
The following weeks were spent memorizing and analyzing detailed geographical maps. Lux found that his measurement abilities helped him understand the natural energy flows that influenced the strength of each faction.
Northern Region - Sea and Water Power
The Northern Sea Kingdom dominated the north with its remote islands. "They rely on geographical isolation as a defense," Liam explained.
Lux observed the kingdom's territory coefficient: 0.99960. "Stable water energy, but fragmented due to separate islands... but that's also a strategic weakness."
The Endless Flow Sect controlled the lake and river regions south of the kingdom. "They specialize in healing formations and area defense."
Forest and Land
The Life Root Sect occupied the largest spiritual forest in the center of the world. "Coefficient 0.99965 - the most stable in Verdant Lotus," Lux noted. "Suitable for long-term cultivation."
The Red Lotus Empire controlled the largest fertile plains. "The largest faction geographically, but lacks superior combat specialization."
Southern Region - Natural Battlefield
Lux spent extra time analyzing the southern region - home to the Burning Sky Sect and its enemies.
"We share borders with three factions at once," Liam pointed out. "Lighting Roar to the east, the Galeford Clan to the west, and Shadow Viper to the south."
Lux noticed how the energy patterns formed a natural battlefield. "Our fire mountains provide a natural defense, but also isolate us," Lux thought.
Then the lesson on the great clans opened a new dimension for Lux.
Andreas Clan - Crafting Experts
"They control the mineral-rich mountains in the northwest," Liam said. "Every high-quality weapon in the world comes from them."
Lux recalled his engineering abilities from his previous life. "There's a potential synergy between their techniques and my knowledge."
Next was the Hugo Clan - Shadow Assassins
"The most feared and hated clan. They have no permanent enemies - only contracts and payments."
The Hugo Clan's territory coefficient was 0.99955. "Stable earth energy... suitable for hiding underground bases."
Then there was the Long Clan - Spirit Beast Masters
"They are isolated but respected. Their spirit beasts can change the balance of power in battle."
Lux curiously asked, "Does the meteor legacy affect spirit beasts?"
"We haven't obtained information about that so far, maybe yes... maybe not... the cultivation world is sometimes difficult to predict, kid," Elder Liam replied.
Next, Elder Liam introduced a conflict simulation where Lux had to play the role of strategist for the Burning Sky Sect.
Elder Liam asked, "The Shadow Viper launches a surprise attack on the southern border. What's your response?"
Lux analyzed the map. "Request assistance from Lighting Roar for a diversionary attack in the east, while we consolidate defenses. The Shadow Viper's weakness is its reliance on the element of surprise."
"Your response is quite accurate, kid, but you forgot their specialization in information warfare; they won't let that happen. Okay, let's try the next one," Elder Liam commented.
"The Galeford Clan is blockading our air trade routes. The solution?"
"Use the Red Lotus Empire as a mediator. They are neutral and have an economic interest in resolving this."
"Pretty good, but when that happens, we'll be in a lower position in terms of negotiation, unless we have a trump card to turn the tables," Elder Liam praised and suggested.
"The Endless Flow Sect discovers a new spirit crystal vein on the neutral border. Our claim?"
"Negotiate a revenue sharing agreement. Open conflict with defense specialists would be too costly."
"Makes sense, but we must ensure information blockade so that the surrounding major factions don't interfere. Okay, that's enough for now; you can rest, kid."
In his free time, Lux began to apply his new knowledge to solve the mystery of his missing friends.
"With their engineering abilities," Lux analyzed, "Liu Wei and the others might be attracted to a faction with high technology."
He made a list of possibilities:
Andreas Clan: Crafting and metal specialists - suitable for an engineering background
Red Lotus Empire: The largest territory, most likely to hide strangers
Freedom Wind Sect: Speed and efficiency specialists - attractive to engineers
"But there's a problem, worm," Mobius said. "They may not remember their previous lives like you do."
Lux nodded in his mind. "Or they developed different abilities based on the meteor legacy."
Lux's knowledge of global politics changed the dynamics with the other Direct Disciples.
Karion, who usually looked down on Lux, began to show a certain respect after Lux won a strategy simulation against him.
"How can a seven-year-old understand such complex politics?" Karion asked one day.
"Pattern and data analysis," Lux answered simply. "Politics is no different from an engineering system - it's all about input, output, and feedback loops," Lux thought.
Silvia, on the other hand, became an interesting discussion partner. "I study under the Grand Elder of Foreign Affairs. Your perspective... is fresh," she praised.
Even the rough Yuan began to consult with Lux about battle strategies. "You may be small, but your brain works fast."
Only Erika remained the same - friendly and supportive, but Lux began to suspect there was something behind her overly perfect attitude.
The lesson on global politics indirectly revealed the internal conflicts of the Burning Sky Sect.
One day, Liam accidentally mentioned, "The Grand Elder of Resources wants a more aggressive approach towards Shadow Viper, but the Grand Elder of Foreign Affairs opposes it."
Lux stored this information. He began to map out internal alliances:
Militarist Faction: Grand Elder of Defense + Grand Elder of Resources
Diplomacy Faction: Grand Elder of Foreign Affairs + Grand Elder of Sect Supervision
Sect Master Klahan: The balancer between them
"Each Direct Disciple is supported by a different faction," Lux analyzed. "Karion by the militarist faction, Silvia by the diplomacy faction."
His own position? Lux realized he was becoming a pawn in a larger game.
In strategy lessons, Lux began to experiment with Distortion applications for political analysis.
He found that by distorting the energy map coefficient slightly, he could simulate changes in political power. A distortion of just 0.00001 could show the domino effect of a decision.
"You're using us for predictive modeling," Mobius said, sounding impressed. "An innovative approach."
But Lux also found limitations. Complex simulations made him mentally exhausted. He had to choose his moments carefully.
In the final months of the second year, Lux began to learn the specific tactics of each faction:
Fighting Shadow Viper
"They rely on poison and surprise attacks. The best defense is a strong detection formation."
"Never chase them into the swampy areas. It's a trap."
Working with Lighting Roar
"Timing coordination is crucial. Our fire takes time to build up; their lightning is instant."
"They are prideful. Treat them as equal partners."
Dealing with Clans
"The Andreas Clan respects craftsmanship. Show skill, and they will respect you."
"The Hugo Clan only understands the language of profit. Everything is negotiable at the right price."
At the end of the second year, Lux realized that knowledge of the world had given him both freedom and shackles.
He now had the tools to find his friends, understand conflicts, and navigate politics. But he also knew that as a "star child" of the Burning Sky Sect, he could not avoid involvement in conflicts that had been going on for generations.
"Knowledge is a double-edged sword, Lux," Elder Liam said at the end-of-year evaluation. "You can use it to protect or destroy. The choice is in your hands."
Then, that night, Lux stood on his room's balcony, looking at the same stars as the year before. But now he saw them with a different understanding.
The Verdant Lotus World was no longer a mysterious, foreign place. It was a giant chessboard with powerful players, complex rules, and very high stakes.
He now knew where to look for his friends, how to navigate politics, and who to trust. But this knowledge came at a price - the realization that his every move would be watched, every mistake would be exploited, and every success would be feared.
With a deep breath, Lux decided he would play this game, but by his own rules. Mobius's Distortion power gave him an ace that no one else had.
The third year would be the beginning of his cultivation journey and would take him deeper into the sect's internal conflicts.