When morning came, the Falling Sword Sect felt different — or maybe it was just Shen Liang's imagination.
He stood before a cracked bronze mirror in the laborers' quarters, staring at the plain gray robe folded neatly in his hands. For years, that robe had marked him as a mere servant, a shadow sweeping behind proud disciples.
Today, however, a new robe lay beside it — the dark-blue attire of a Falling Sword Sect outer disciple. The difference wasn't just color — it was status, respect, and opportunity.
"Well," Shen Liang said, slipping into the new robe and admiring the way it barely fit, "look who finally got promoted after ten years of sweeping enlightenment."
He tightened the belt, straightened the collar, and grinned at his reflection. "Handsome enough to gain ten XP at least."
[Action: Self-praise. +1 Confidence XP.]
He laughed. "Even my narcissism cultivates."
When Shen Liang stepped out, the outer courtyard disciples were already gathering for morning training. Conversations hushed as heads turned toward him.
"Wait, is that… the laborer?""He's wearing the disciple robe!""He actually got promoted?"
Liu Qiming, whose swollen nose was still wrapped in bandages, glared from the sidelines. "That broom-wielding fraud…!"
Ignoring the whispers, Shen Liang walked straight to the registration desk. Behind it sat a sleepy senior disciple, scribbling names in a book.
"Name?""Shen Liang.""Former rank?""Laborer.""...Laborer?" The senior looked up, eyes wide. "By the ancestors… Elder Su must be mad."
"Mad genius," Shen Liang corrected cheerfully.
The senior shook his head, stamped the page, and handed over a bronze identity token engraved with his new title: Outer Disciple No. 1032 – Shen Liang.
[Quest Completed: "Join the Sect Proper"][Reward: 300 XP, +2 Vitality, +1 Spirit.][New Feature Unlocked: Skill Trees!]
Shen Liang blinked. "Skill trees?"
A glowing screen appeared before him — an intricate network of nodes connected by lines of light.
[UNIVERSAL LEVEL-UP SYSTEM] Core Skills: • Laborer's Perseverance (Lv. MAX) • Basic Cultivation (Lv. 3) Unlocked Skill Trees: - Sword Path (Locked) - Crafting Path (Locked) - Support Path (Locked) - Odd Jobs Path (Active)
A single branch blinked under Odd Jobs Path:
[Sweeping Arts Lv.2 → Next: Broom Mastery Lv.3 — Unlock Passive: "Duststorm Sweep"]
He nearly burst out laughing. "I'm about to ascend through cleaning techniques!"
As he tested the interface, a tall figure approached — Zhao Fei, a muscular young man with kind eyes and a chipped sword strapped to his back.
"You must be the famous laborer everyone's talking about," Zhao Fei said with a grin. "That broom duel was legendary."
"Ah, so my fame spreads faster than the dust I sweep," Shen Liang replied. "And you are?"
"Zhao Fei, outer disciple, third year. I train at the east yard — we can spar anytime."
"Only if we use brooms," Shen Liang said.
Zhao Fei laughed loudly. "You're a strange one. I like that."
A friendship notification popped up:
[New Relationship Formed: Zhao Fei – Affection +25 (Friendly)]
At the same time, a cold, hostile energy flared from behind them. Liu Qiming, glaring daggers, spat, "Enjoy your status while it lasts, janitor. The next competition will send you back to scrubbing toilets."
Shen Liang smiled. "Oh, good. I was starting to miss the smell of hard work."
Zhao Fei grabbed his shoulder, chuckling. "Ignore him. He's been humiliated since your duel. But be careful — the outer disciple tournament starts next week. He'll definitely challenge you again."
"Tournament?" Shen Liang's eyes sparkled.
[New Quest: "Outer Sect Tournament – Rank in Top 50"][Reward: ???]
He smirked. "Perfect. A public stage to earn XP — and maybe a few bruised egos."
That night, Shen Liang sat cross-legged in the empty training field. His body radiated faint light as qi circulated smoothly through his meridians. The Universal Level-Up System pulsed softly.
[Cultivation Progress: Qi Condensation – Stage 3 (114/300 XP)][Passive Training Active: +1 XP/minute]
He focused on his broom lying beside him. The handle was worn, but its balance felt perfect. "Broom Mastery… Duststorm Sweep…" he murmured, smirking. "Let's see what a true janitor cultivator can do."
He stood, channeled qi, and swung the broom in a wide arc. A gust of wind stirred, scattering dust and leaves into a spiraling whirlwind.
[Skill Unlocked: "Duststorm Sweep" – Creates a gust of wind that blinds enemies and deals minor damage.][XP +50]
Shen Liang's laughter echoed through the night.
From laborer to disciple, from broom to battle — his journey had only just begun.
Far above, on a mountain peak, Elder Su Qinglan stood silently, watching the distant light of his cultivation.
"This man…" she murmured. "He might truly rebuild the Falling Sword Sect."
And somewhere deep within the System interface, a new notification flickered briefly before vanishing:
[Main Quest Progress: 2/10 – The Sect Begins to Stir.]