After the Great Elder of the White Tiger Sect fell, burned under the radiance of golden flames, a dreadful silence took over the arena. Everyone stared at Rayan as if he were a monster from ancient legends.
But in the next moment, noise erupted!
The disciples of the White Tiger Sect, who had just moments ago raised their swords against Rayan, dropped their weapons and knelt all at once.
"We're ready to join the Heavenly Sect!"
"We were wrong! Please, allow us to become your disciples!"
Rayan looked at them coldly before a system notification appeared before him:
> [Condition Met: Defeat the Great Elder of the White Tiger Sect!]
[Congratulations! You've completed the main quest "Topple a Great Sect Elder"! The following rewards have been granted:]
10,000 Sect Points
Unlocked: Alchemy Hall in the Heavenly Sect!
A window appeared in front of Rayan displaying the creation of the Alchemy Hall inside his sect, making him smile with excitement.
Then he turned to the new disciples who were still kneeling before him. He raised his hand and gestured for them to rise.
"You are now part of the Heavenly Sect. But remember, the sect doesn't need mere followers—it needs real warriors willing to fight for it!"
The eyes of the new disciples lit up with passion. They felt they were in the presence of a leader unlike any they'd seen before.
At that moment, another notification appeared:
> [7 New High-Talent Disciples Registered in the Heavenly Sect!]
A list of names and their talents appeared before him:
1. Ling Xuan – Talent: Heavenly Wind
2. Xiao Lan – Talent: Hidden Shadows
3. Zhang Wei – Talent: Crimson Fire
4. Yu Han – Talent: Eternal Ice
5. Luo Ming – Talent: Heavenly Lightning
6. Jing Fei – Talent: Steel Body
7. Liu Qing – Talent: Wise Spirit
"Interesting…" Rayan muttered as he saw these rare talents gathering in his sect.
He opened the system's quest page to see that the disciple recruitment quest had been completed—but two new missions had appeared:
1. Collect the Seven Worldly Treasures (0/7)
2. Unite the Mortal World under the Heavenly Sect's Banner
Rayan looked at the missions and chuckled quietly. "Looks like my path is still long…"
Suddenly, a new notification popped up!
> [Congratulations! The Heavenly Sect is now eligible to upgrade to Rank Seven!]
A classification of the sect ranks appeared before his eyes:
1. Rank 1 – Divine Sects
2. Rank 2 – Celestial Sects
3. Rank 3 – Legendary Sects
4. Rank 4 – Superior Sects
5. Rank 5 – Grand Sects
6. Rank 6 – Intermediate Sects
7. Rank 7 – Lesser Sects
8. Rank 8 – Mortal Sects
Rayan read through the rankings, then muttered, "So we're at Rank Seven now… Still a long way to the top."
But instead of feeling pressure, a wide, eager smile appeared on his face.
"Well then, let the real rise begin!"
---
Inside the Royal Palace
The king sat on his throne, the kingdom's strongest guardian by his side. The atmosphere was heavy with tension after news from the capital arrived.
"So… the Great Elder of the White Tiger Sect, one of the kingdom's Ten Guardians, has been eliminated?" the king murmured, tapping his throne's armrest.
The guardian nodded solemnly and replied, "Yes. He wasn't just any elder… He was the tenth among the Ten Guardians of the Kingdom. And now, after his death, Rayan has unofficially become his successor."
The king remained silent for a moment, then gave a cold smile. "If that's the case, we can't leave this matter unresolved."
"Send him an official message. Inform him he's invited to the royal palace to claim his new position among the Ten Guardians!"
The guardian bowed and said, "As you command, Your Majesty!"
---
In the Grand Capital
The royal messenger ran swiftly through the streets toward the Heavenly Sect—but upon arrival, Rayan was nowhere to be found.
"Where's the leader?" he asked one of the new disciples.
"He just left heading to the outer market!"
The messenger furrowed his brows and turned quickly. "In that case, I'll track him down!"
He leapt across rooftops, eyes scanning every movement, until he saw Rayan walking calmly down a street.
He landed in front of him. "Lord Rayan! I bring a royal message for you!"
Rayan raised an eyebrow. "A message? From the king?"
The messenger nodded, handing him a scroll sealed with the royal insignia. Rayan opened it and began to read:
> "To Rayan, Leader of the Heavenly Sect,
After defeating the Great Elder of the White Tiger Sect, you are now officially qualified to take his place among the Kingdom's Ten Guardians.
You are hereby invited to the royal palace in the capital to claim your new title."
Rayan closed the scroll, took a deep breath, then gave a cold smile. "Looks like the real game is only just beginning…"
— End of Chapter
---