The Azure Cloud Sect stood before him like a city carved into the mountainside.
Tiered pagodas rose through the mist, spiritual energy swirling around the peaks like living clouds.
For Kael, who had grown up in a burned-down village, it was a different world entirely.
At the gates, dozens of young hopefuls lined up — some nervous, others proud. Sect examiners in dark blue robes watched from raised platforms, testing candidates one by one
Kael stepped forward when it was his turn.
The examiner, a stern middle-aged man, barely looked at him.
"Name?"
"Kael," he said simply.
"Background?"
"None."
"Commoner?" The man frowned slightly. "Then you can test your spiritual roots. If they're average, you'll join as a servant, not a disciple."
Kael said nothing, placing his palm on the glowing crystal sphere.
Light flickered. Then — boom.
The crystal flared blood-red for a heartbeat before dimming again.
The crowd gasped. The examiner froze.
"That… That's a Blood Attribute Root—extremely rare!"
Kael's calm eyes met his.
"Does that mean I pass?"
The examiner coughed, suddenly respectful.
"Ahem… Outer disciple position approved. Report to Instructor Wei for uniform and token."
> [System Update: Faction Joined – Azure Cloud Sect (Outer Disciple)]
[+100 EXP | Access Granted: Sect Missions / Sect Contribution Points]
Kael bowed slightly, expression unreadable. He had no interest in fame. Only in strength. Life in the Outer Sect
Outer disciple quarters were small wooden huts near the mountain base. Most new recruits struggled here — low pay, hard work, and constant pressure to advance.
Kael, however, used the nights to hunt beasts and cultivate.
Each kill, each pill, each breath of spiritual mist fed his Blood Reaper System.
> [EXP: 210 / 600]
[Current Cultivation: Body Tempering (Lower)]
Yet something about the mountain bothered him.
He could feel a pulse — faint, rhythmic, deep beneath the sect. It resonated with his blood.
So one night, he followed it.
The Hidden Blood Crystal Vein
Kael slipped past the patrols, silent as shadow.
He reached an old cavern behind the alchemy hall — a place abandoned long ago. Inside, red mist drifted from cracks in the stone.
His system began to hum wildly.
> [Energy Source Detected – Unknown Grade]
[Absorption Possible. Proceed? Y/N]
Without hesitation, Kael pressed his palm to the stone.
Crimson light erupted, washing over him. Spiritual energy, thick as liquid, poured into his veins.
> [Absorbing Blood Crystal Energy…]
[+300 EXP]
[Spiritual Root Enhancement Detected]
[Blood Root: Low Tier → Middle Tier]
[Cultivation Level: Body Tempering (Lower) → Body Tempering (Middle)]
He gasped, falling to one knee. His body felt like molten metal, his blood roaring like fire.
The dagger at his waist vibrated violently, drinking the overflowing energy.
> [Weapon Absorption +10%]
[Passive Unlocked: Blood Vein Link – Allows absorption of ambient blood energy within 10m radius.]
Kael opened his eyes.
The cave glowed softly around him — the Blood Crystal Vein pulsing with life.
He smiled faintly.
> "A middle-tier sect sitting on this… and they don't even know."
He stood, power radiating from his frame.
> [Hidden Quest Completed: Discover the Blood Crystal Vein]
[Reward: +150 EXP | Blood Energy Resonance (Passive)]
A faint chime echoed in his mind.
> [New System Quest: Rise Within the Sect]
Become Inner Disciple
Reward: Unlock Skill Fusion Feature
Bonus: +500 EXP
Kael looked up toward the upper peaks, where the inner disciples trained.
"Inner disciple…"
He sheathed his dagger, eyes glowing faintly red.
"It won't take long."
The Blood Reaper System pulsed again — hungry, alive, unstoppable.