The golden sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm amber glow across the Sanatan Flame Sect.
In the distance, the air still shimmered faintly with the lingering traces of the great battle that had shaken the very foundations of the sect.
Now, peace had returned.
The disciples worked tirelessly, rebuilding the sect with quiet determination.
Elder Wu oversaw the reconstruction, standing with his hands behind his back as he guided the young disciples.
The clinking of bricks, the hum of qi-powered tools, and the murmurs of teamwork echoed throughout the courtyard.
Soon, Elder Liya, Elder Wan, and Elder Lin Shu arrived beside him.
"Most of the work is done," Elder Wu said, glancing proudly at the rising walls. "The sect is almost fully restored."
Elder Wan exhaled deeply.
"Finally, the battle is over. Now I can focus on my alchemy again."
With a grin as wide as a child discovering candy, he wandered off while humming happily.
The remaining elders watched him leave with awkward smiles.
"Elder Wan is like a child sometimes," Lin Shu commented.
"Well, he isn't that old," Elder Liya added with a chuckle.
"Indeed," Elder Wu nodded. "But to be that talented in alchemy at such a young age is truly impressive. His future is bright."
Just then, Wang Tian approached, carrying bricks in both arms.
"Elders, do you know where Master is?"
Elder Wu replied calmly.
"Oh, the Sect Leader? He's resting in his room. The battle must have taken a lot out of him."
Luo Chen joined them.
"Master was amazing in that battle. He always is… but this time… it was different."
"The fury in his eyes… the power he unleashed… and the way he dealt with Gu Yang…"
He paused, the memory still vivid.
Everyone briefly recalled the chilling moment when Shaurya tore off Gu Yang's head.
Even now, the memory sent shivers down their spines.
Lin Shu murmured softly,
"I hope he's alright…"
Elder Liya smirked mischievously.
"Someone is thinking a little too much about her beloved."
Lin Shu instantly blushed furiously.
"W-What are you talking about, Elder Liya?! It's not like that!"
Luo Chen grinned.
"Then tell us, Elder Lin. If it's not like that, then what is it?"
"Everyone can see there's something between you two."
Flustered, Lin Shu punched Luo Chen.
He flew straight into a nearby tree.
The others watched with awkward smiles.
Wang Tian sighed and placed a palm on his forehead.
"When will this guy learn to control his mouth?"
He walked over and grabbed Luo Chen, who was hanging upside down from a branch.
"Why always me…" Luo Chen whimpered, cartoon tears streaming down his face.
Wang Tian grabbed his leg and pulled him down, letting him slam into the ground.
"Because you always say the wrong things at the wrong time."
"Chatterbox."
---
Meanwhile — Shaurya's Room
Shaurya slept peacefully, breathing slowly.
The room was quiet.
Until—
A familiar voice shattered the silence.
[System: Come on, lazy host! Wake up! You always sleep like Kumbhakaran after every battle!]
Shaurya stirred and yawned.
"Good morning, Systu… So how long did I sleep this time?"
[System: Four hours.]
Shaurya's smile instantly disappeared.
"FOUR HOURS?! Then why did you wake me up?!"
[System: Which Sect Leader sleeps all day like this?]
Shaurya stood up and pointed both thumbs at himself proudly.
"You're talking to one."
[System: …Shameless.]
"I heard that," Shaurya muttered.
[System: Anyway, here are your rewards for defeating the Gu-Lin Family and saving the sect.]
---
Rewards
10 × Legendary Lottery Boxes
Divine Eye Skill → Upgraded to Immortal Eye
• Learn any skill by seeing it once
• Master any book after reading it once
• Detect weaknesses in formations
• Upgrade weapons and artifacts
Guardian Primordial Dragon Dragzard — Fully awakened
Body Training Hall — Unlocked
Medicinal Hall — Unlocked
Discipline Hall — Unlocked
Major Cultivation Advancement
Core Formation Level 12 → Golden Core Level 1
---
Shaurya's eyes gleamed.
He suddenly jumped in excitement.
"DRAW THE LOTTERY!"
---
Lottery Results
Immortal Mid-Grade Weapon — Breaking Hammer
Immortal High-Grade Technique — Hell Fire: Overdrive
Weapon Level-Up Talisman ×1
Technique Level-Up Talisman ×1
All Techniques Upgraded (Shaurya Only)
Sect Guard — Hee La (Brother of Hee Ta)
Core Formation Level 9
Immortal Spiritual Qi Formation
• Accelerates cultivation for disciples
Sect Guardian Beast — Legendary Wolf Fenrir
Golden Core Level 2
Immortal High-Grade Talismans
Destructive Thunder Strike ×10
Sect Guardian Beast — Phoenix
Golden Core Level 5
Shaurya froze.
Then suddenly burst into wild laughter.
"HAHAHAHA!"
Outside
The disciples froze.
"That's Master, right?" Wang Tian asked nervously.
"Why is he laughing like that?" Luo Chen wondered.
"Did Elder Lin accept his proposal?"
Xiao Rui stared at him blankly.
"And that… is why you get beaten up."
Lee Bie shrugged.
"Let's get back to work. This is normal now."
Back to Shaurya
Shaurya wiped drool from his mouth.
"Gimme my rewards!"
A golden portal suddenly appeared above the sect.
The ground trembled as three massive buildings manifested from golden light.
Medicinal Hall
Body Training Hall
Discipline Hall
The disciples stared in shock.
Elder Wu pointed upward.
"Look! It's the Sect Leader!"
Shaurya stood upon the highest rooftop of the Sanatan Flame Sect, the wind whipping through his robes as golden clouds swirled above the mountains.
Hundreds of disciples watched from below.
The sky itself seemed to hold its breath.
Shaurya slowly spread his arms.
Then he closed his eyes.
System… give me their incantations.
A soft chime echoed in his mind.
Ding.
The knowledge flooded into him like a divine whisper.
Shaurya's eyes snapped open.
They shone with blazing authority.
His voice rolled across the heavens like thunder.
---
"By the bolt that shattered the cradle of the world..."
"By the howl that silences the storm..."
"By the eternal hunter who runs across the lightning of the void..."
His gaze pierced the sky.
"Legendary Thunder Wolf… Fenrir."
---
The clouds trembled.
Lightning rippled across the heavens.
A distant wolf's howl echoed across the mountains.
---
Shaurya continued.
His voice deepened, resonating like an ancient chant.
---
"By the spark that survived the Great Drown..."
"By the wings that painted the first sunrise..."
"By the flame that burns within the furnace of eternity..."
His hand rose toward the heavens.
"Divine Flame Bird… Phoenix."
---
The sky ignited.
Crimson fire danced across the clouds.
A blazing silhouette spread its wings within the burning sky.
---
Shaurya lowered his voice.
Almost a whisper.
But that whisper carried the weight of ancient dragons.
---
"Primordial Dragon…"
"Dragzard."
---
The mountains trembled.
A deep dragon roar echoed from beyond the horizon.
The earth itself seemed to bow.
Shaurya's smile slowly widened.
Then—
he raised both arms toward the heavens.
And he whispered with divine authority.
"ARISE!"
The sky exploded with light.
The ground trembled violently.
City lords and distant cultivators felt the pressure.
Lightning split the heavens.
Flames poured across the clouds.
A colossal dragon tore through the storm.
A blazing phoenix descended like a falling sun.
And from the thunder itself—
a legendary wolf stepped forth.
Three divine beasts.
Answering the call of their master.
The white jade wolf Fenrir
The fiery orange Phoenix
The crimson-blue armored dragon Dragzard
Shaurya hugged them like an excited child.
Moments later, the beasts transformed into adorable smaller forms.
"Alright, names confirmed," Shaurya grinned.
"Fenrir is Arcarine."
"Phoenix is Blazejet."
Suddenly, a tall armored figure emerged from the main hall.
Wang Tian instantly rushed forward, raising his sword defensively in front of Shaurya.
"Don't worry," Shaurya said calmly.
"He's not an enemy."
"He is Hee La, brother of Hee Ta—our new sect guard."
Hee La bowed respectfully.
Hee Ta approached.
The two stared at each other silently.
Shaurya thought nervously,
Well… I got them from Systu. I hope they behave like real brothers…
Then—
The two guards suddenly embraced each other warmly.
Shaurya sighed in relief.
"I was worrying for nothing."
---
Sect Entrance
Hee Ta and Hee La stood guard.
A mysterious man approached.
"I want to meet your Sect Leader," he said arrogantly.
"Name first," Hee La replied firmly.
"Then we'll send word."
The man scoffed and released his aura.
Core Formation Level 1.
"You expect me to wait?"
"Your leader should come greet me himself!"
---
Later
Elder Wu saw the guards return.
"Everything alright?"
Hee La shrugged.
"Well… a strange guy came earlier."
"He said our Sect Leader should greet him personally."
"Really?" Elder Wu asked.
"Where is he now?"
The guards pointed upward.
Elder Wu looked confused.
Then—
BOOM!
The arrogant man slammed into the ground in the distance.
His eyes spun wildly.
His tongue stuck out.
Later
The disciples gathered.
The man slowly regained consciousness.
He opened his eyes—
Only to see Shaurya staring directly at him.
He jumped to his feet defensively.
But froze when he felt the overwhelming auras surrounding him.
Shaurya asked calmly,
"Why are you here?"
"Who are you?"
The man looked around nervously.
Then he saw Wang Tian staring at him.
Fear appeared in his eyes.
Then suddenly recognition flashed across his face.
With a dramatic scream, he jumped forward and grabbed Wang Tian's feet.
"MASTER! I FINALLY FOUND YOU!"
"WHAT?!" Wang Tian kicked him away.
"What master?!"
The man knelt down dramatically.
"Master, it's me! Your loyal and greatest warrior!"
Wang Tian blinked in confusion.
"My loyal… greatest warrior…?"
Then suddenly his eyes widened.
"Wait… are you really…"
"Sheng Lu?!"
Shaurya blinked.
"You two know each other?"
Wang Tian nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"He was my general."
"Brain-dead general?" Elder Liya remarked.
"Only one person called me that!" Sheng Lu gasped.
"The Fairy Empress!"
Elder Liya smirked.
"At least your eyes are still sharp… even if your brain isn't."
Sheng Lu puffed his chest proudly.
"No one can hide from my eyes."
"They are sharper than swords."
"Then why didn't you see Wang Tian's brother's betrayal?" Elder Liya replied.
Sheng Lu's face turned pale.
"WAAAAAH!"
Wang Tian patted his shoulder.
"Where were you all this time?"
Sheng Lu wiped his tears.
"After your death, I fought your brother."
"I killed his right-hand man… but I was too weak to defeat him."
"I died as well."
"My soul slept for years."
"I awakened six years ago in a younger body."
"I sensed your aura and searched everywhere."
"Then I heard about this powerful sect."
"I thought you were seeking challenges here."
"I never expected you joined a sect."
Wang Tian handed Shaurya a completed registration form.
"Not just me."
"You're joining too."
"From now on, you follow Master Shaurya."
Sheng Lu's jaw dropped.
"My master… has a master?!"
He looked at Shaurya seriously.
If Master follows him… then he must be extraordinary…
Sheng Lu bowed deeply.
"I, Sheng Lu, accept you as my Sect Master."
[System: Ding! New notification.]
Before Shaurya could read it—
Hee Ta and Hee La returned.
"Master," they said.
"We have another visitor."
"He claims to be the Third Prince of this kingdom."
Shaurya's expression darkened.
"The Third Prince?"
"A royal?"
"What does he want?"
Lin Shu spoke calmly.
"We destroyed the Gu-Lin Family."
"They were one of the Top Eight Families."
"This will definitely shake the royal palace."
Shaurya nodded slowly.
"Bring him in."
"Let's hope…"
"He hasn't come here to cause trouble."
To be continued…