I Become Sect master In Another World

Chapter 215: Chapter 215 — A Different Battlefield

The Main Hall of the Sanatan Flame Sect stood quiet beneath the morning sky.

Soft mountain winds drifted through the open archways surrounding the enormous chamber, causing the orange-and-gold banners hanging between the jade pillars to sway gently. Spirit lamps continued burning along the walls despite the daylight outside, casting a warm glow across the polished white jade floor and the silver throne positioned at the highest point of the hall.

The sect’s elders had already gathered.

Elder Wu stood near the front with several jade slips hidden within his sleeves. Beside him, Elder Jian Fan remained as expressionless as ever, arms folded across his chest while his sharp gaze swept across the hall. Elder Hua and Elder Wan stood nearby, the latter already looking mildly concerned despite nothing having happened yet.

Elder An Ning remained calm as always, his hands resting behind his back. Elder Feng Yu stood beside him, while Elder Liya looked as though she had been dragged away from a perfectly comfortable nap.

Even Elder Yaochen had arrived early, quietly rotating a string of prayer beads between his fingers.

Lin Shu stood slightly apart from the others beneath one of the jade pillars, watching the throne.

At the very center of everyone’s attention sat Shaurya.

One leg rested casually over the other while a golden coin spun between his fingers. The metallic disc flashed repeatedly beneath the spirit lamps, rotating with practiced ease as though he had forgotten the entire hall existed.

No one interrupted him.

The elders had learned long ago that whenever Shaurya entered one of these thinking moods, forcing conversation rarely produced useful results.

Eventually, Lin Shu broke the silence.

"Did you figure something out?"

The coin continued spinning for another moment before Shaurya flicked it into the air.

Every gaze followed it instinctively.

The golden disc rose, turned several times, then dropped neatly back into his waiting hand.

Shaurya closed his fingers around it and smiled.

"Looks like I finally have a plan."

For a heartbeat, nobody reacted.

Then Elder Wan blinked twice and slowly lifted his head toward the ceiling as though searching for answers among the rafters.

"Am I still dreaming?" he asked at last.

Several elders immediately turned toward him.

With complete seriousness, the young alchemist pointed at Shaurya. "Our Sect Master just said he has a plan."

His expression gradually became more troubled.

"Someone check my pulse."

A faint sigh escaped Elder Liya. She pressed a hand against her forehead and looked toward Elder Wu.

"Did I hear that correctly? How unfortunate. To lose my hearing at such a young age."

Elder Wu’s expression remained as calm as ever, though the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Nearby, Elder Yaochen lowered the string of prayer beads in his hand and frowned thoughtfully. "Amitabha. This monk suddenly feels that reality has become somewhat unreliable."

A vein immediately appeared on Shaurya’s forehead.

The golden coin spinning between his fingers let out a faint creak as his grip tightened.

"You people..." he said through a strained smile. "...have you had enough?"

The elders straightened almost immediately. Not because they were afraid, but because experience had taught them that provoking Shaurya beyond a certain point usually resulted in consequences for everyone involved.

Lin Shu studied him for a moment. The faint amusement in her eyes hadn’t disappeared since he announced that he finally had a plan.

"So what is it?" she asked.

For a brief moment, Shaurya looked as though he might actually answer. Then a smile appeared on his face.

"Forget about it."

The Main Hall fell silent.

Elder Yaochen slowly turned his head toward Elder Wu. "What exactly are we supposed to forget?"

Elder Wu looked no less confused. He considered the question seriously before giving a small shrug.

"I have no idea. Master told us to forget, so I assume we’re forgetting something important."

"I see."

The monk nodded thoughtfully as if that explanation made perfect sense.

For some reason, the atmosphere inside the hall became even stranger.

Shaurya pressed two fingers against his forehead. "Sometimes I genuinely wonder why I bother."

No one attempted to answer that.

Instead, he shifted his attention toward Elder Wu. "Did you receive the information I requested?"

"I did." Elder Wu retrieved a jade slip from his sleeve, but before he could continue, his brows furrowed slightly. "Although I’d still like to know what you’re planning."

Shaurya ignored the question with practiced ease.

"How many spiritual ships are involved in Cloud Peak Sect’s supply operation?"

Elder Wu lowered his gaze toward the jade slip and reviewed the report once more. "Eight."

That answer caught Shaurya off guard.

"Eight?" His eyebrows rose. "That’s more than I expected."

"These are only the vessels assigned to logistics," Elder Wu replied. "Cloud Peak Sect possesses considerable commercial influence. If this report is accurate, they likely own far more."

Shaurya’s expression immediately darkened.

"And we only have one."

The complaint sounded genuine enough that several elders exchanged amused looks. Before anyone could respond, a familiar golden screen appeared beside him.

[Host, there is no reason to feel inferior.]

The system window flickered proudly.

[Your Dark Pearl alone is superior to all of their spiritual ships combined.]

Shaurya studied the message for a moment. Then his previously depressed expression vanished almost instantly.

"You know what? You’re right."

The system seemed visibly satisfied.

[Of course I am.]

The sudden improvement in his mood only made the surrounding elders more suspicious. From their perspective, Shaurya had stared at empty air for several seconds before somehow convincing himself that everything was fine.

Elder Liya narrowed her eyes. "Who exactly are you talking to?"

Shaurya answered without hesitation. "Nobody."

For some reason, that reply made everyone even more concerned.

Choosing not to explain further, he shifted his attention back toward Elder Wu. The casual smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression that immediately drew the elders’ attention.

"Elder Wu, let me ask you something. If one of Cloud Peak Sect’s transport teams was replaced during a supply operation, how long would it take for them to notice?"

The question caused several expressions to change.

Elder Jian Fan’s brows furrowed slightly. Elder Feng Yu glanced toward Elder Wu instinctively, while Elder Liya stared at Shaurya as though she had just heard something deeply troubling.

"Replaced?" she repeated. "What exactly do you mean by replaced?"

Shaurya looked genuinely puzzled by the question.

"The normal meaning."

His answer failed to help anyone.

The hall fell silent for a moment before Elder Hua suddenly narrowed her eyes. Unlike the others, she appeared to be following the direction of Shaurya’s thoughts.

A few seconds later, realization flashed across her face.

"You’re planning to infiltrate the supply chain."

Shaurya immediately pointed toward her with an approving smile.

"Exactly."

Then, for reasons known only to himself, he added, "Seven crore."

The atmosphere became confused once again.

Lin Shu frowned. "What does that mean?"

"A joke from my hometown."

When nobody looked any less bewildered, Shaurya wisely abandoned the explanation.

"The important part is that Elder Hua understood."

His gaze swept across the gathered elders before settling on the floating supply routes displayed above the center of the hall.

Until now, most of them had assumed Shaurya was preparing for some kind of direct confrontation. Yet ever since yesterday, his attention had remained fixed on supply routes, logistics, transportation schedules, and merchant operations.

Now the pieces were finally beginning to connect.

Shaurya stepped down from the throne and walked toward the massive spiritual map floating at the center of the hall.

"We’ve all been staring at Liu Tong, his army, and his allies. But armies don’t move because generals tell them to move. They move because someone feeds them, equips them, and keeps them supplied."

As he spoke, his finger traced one of the glowing routes connecting Cloud Peak Sect’s transport network to the mercenary encampment.

"If we can place ourselves inside that process, then we won’t need to challenge eight hundred thousand mercenaries directly."

The smile on Shaurya’s face widened slightly.

"After all, if someone insists on handing me the keys to their entire operation..."

His gaze lingered on the glowing supply route.

"...it would be rude not to use them."

For the first time since the discussion began, Elder Wu found himself studying the supply routes more carefully. His gaze lingered on the glowing lines connecting Cloud Peak Sect’s transport network to Liu Tong’s advancing army. The more he looked at them, the more he felt that Shaurya had already moved several steps ahead of everyone else.

After a moment of silence, he finally asked, "What exactly do you need from me?"

Shaurya’s eyes never left the floating map.

The countless routes, schedules, and supply markers reflected faintly in his golden pupils as he considered the question.

"Everything," he said at last, his tone calm enough to make the answer sound far more reasonable than it should have.

Before anyone could respond, he continued.

"I want the movement schedules of every spiritual ship involved in the operation. I want crew rosters, cargo manifests, departure times, escort assignments, transfer locations, emergency routes, and supply records. If a single crate changes hands between two docks, I want to know about it."

His gaze remained fixed on the glowing supply routes.

"And I need it quickly."

Elder Wu looked at him for several seconds before finally nodding.

"I’ll have all the spies focus entirely on the spiritual ships."

Without another word, he turned and left the hall.

The sound of his footsteps gradually faded beyond the doors while the remaining elders continued staring at the map suspended before them.

For the first time since Liu Tong began marching toward the Azure Dragon Capital, they could vaguely see the outline of whatever game Shaurya was preparing to play.

They still didn’t understand the full plan.

Shaurya’s gaze shifted away from the floating map and settled on Elder An Ning and Elder Feng Yu.

"I’ll need a few people for this operation."

The two elders immediately understood that he wasn’t talking about ordinary combat assignments.

"What kind of people?" Elder Feng Yu asked.

"Fast movers. Good at infiltration. Able to adapt when things go wrong."

A faint smile appeared on Shaurya’s face.

"Because things will definitely go wrong."

Several elders exchanged knowing looks. Unfortunately, that statement was usually true whenever Shaurya became involved.

Elder Feng Yu lowered his eyes in thought for a few moments before speaking. "If speed is the priority, then Cheng Fang should be included."

Shaurya nodded for him to continue.

"I trained him personally. His movement techniques are among the best in the younger generation. He’s disciplined, reliable, and knows how to stay unnoticed when necessary."

"Good choice."

Shaurya mentally noted the name.

Beside him, Elder An Ning folded his arms and considered the question carefully.

"Cheng Fang is suitable," he agreed. "But if we’re discussing mobility, there’s another disciple worth considering."

"Who?"

"Lee Bie."

A few elders immediately turned toward him.

Even Lin Shu raised an eyebrow.

Elder An Ning remained completely calm under their gazes.

After a brief pause, he added, "The boy is an idiot."

Silence spread through the hall.

Elder Liya slowly nodded. "A surprisingly accurate assessment."

"Very accurate," Elder Jian Fan agreed.

"No objections here," Elder Feng Yu added.

The collective agreement was so immediate that it almost felt rehearsed.

Elder An Ning ignored them and continued, "Fortunately, being an idiot doesn’t prevent someone from being useful."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"He’s fast. Extremely fast. His reaction speed is excellent, his movement techniques are solid, and he adapts well under pressure. Most importantly, people tend to underestimate him."

"Because he’s an idiot," Elder Liya supplied helpfully.

"Because he looks harmless," Elder An Ning corrected.

"No, I think my explanation was more accurate."

A few quiet chuckles spread through the hall.

Meanwhile, Shaurya rested his chin against one hand while considering the suggestion.

Lee Bie.

Cheng Fang.

Both choices made sense.

One specialized in speed and stealth.

The other possessed the kind of natural unpredictability that occasionally produced miracles.

Or disasters.

With Lee Bie, it was usually difficult to distinguish between the two.

Eventually, Shaurya nodded.

"Alright. Cheng Fang and Lee Bie are in."

Elder An Ning looked satisfied.

Lin Shu lowered her gaze slightly while Elder Liya pinched the bridge of her nose. Unfortunately, nobody could think of a convincing argument against that assessment.

Shaurya considered the suggestion for a few moments before nodding. The list seemed to settle into place almost immediately.

"Alright. Then the team will be Lee Bie, Lu Fang, Cheng Fang, Auntie Muo, Elder Hua, and myself."

Elder Hua blinked. "Me?"

Across the hall, Elder Wan stared at Shaurya for several seconds as though trying to determine whether he had misheard something. When realization finally struck, his eyes widened noticeably.

"Wait a moment."

The interruption drew everyone’s attention. Elder Wan pointed at himself with genuine disbelief.

"Auntie Muo is going, but I’m not?"

The accusation carried so much wounded sincerity that even Elder Liya briefly considered feeling sorry for him before deciding against it.

Shaurya looked completely unmoved. "Because I need a cook."

For a moment, Elder Wan simply stood there, his expression growing more aggrieved by the second. "I can cook."

"No, you can’t," Shaurya replied without the slightest hesitation.

"I absolutely can." Elder Wan looked genuinely offended now. "Who told you otherwise?"

Shaurya stared at him for a long moment. "Elder Wan."

Elder Wan immediately sensed danger. "Yes?"

Shaurya rubbed the bridge of his nose as though this conversation was physically exhausting him.

"I need someone who can prepare food without accidentally turning lunch into a medicinal experiment."

Several elders immediately looked away, their shoulders trembling suspiciously.

Elder Wan opened his mouth to argue, paused, then closed it again. Unfortunately, everyone present remembered the incident involving the ’Fortifying Spirit Noodle Soup’ that had accidentally broken through three disciples’ cultivation bottlenecks and sent another six to infirmary.

His defense lost most of its strength after that.

"That happened once," he muttered.

"It happened four times," Elder Liya corrected.

Elder Wan looked personally betrayed.

"Why does everyone keep count?"

For a brief moment, complete silence filled the hall. Then laughter erupted from every direction. Even Elder Jian Fan’s normally cold expression twitched slightly.

Elder Wan stand there in stunned disbelief, looking as though he had just suffered a devastating personal attack.

Shaurya, meanwhile, continued as if nothing had happened.

"I also need someone with extensive medical knowledge."

His gaze shifted toward Elder Hua.

"You’re the best choice for this mission. Elder Wan’s expertise lies in alchemy. Yours lies in understanding the human body and medicines."

Elder Hua slowly nodded. That explanation made sense.

Elder Wan, however, looked like a man questioning every decision that had brought him to this moment.

Even Elder Jian Fan’s usually expressionless face twitched slightly.

Meanwhile, Elder Wan sat motionless, looking as though he had suffered a devastating personal betrayal.

Shaurya ignored him and turned toward Elder Hua.

"I also need someone skilled in medicine. Your knowledge is more useful for this mission than Elder Wan’s alchemy."

Elder Hua slowly nodded.

That explanation made perfect sense.

The meeting continued for a while longer as the final arrangements were discussed. Elder Jian Fan headed toward the training grounds to oversee combat preparations, while Elder Hua and Elder Wan returned to their respective halls to begin organizing medicinal supplies.

One after another, the elders left the Main Hall until the vast chamber gradually grew quiet again.

The atmosphere felt different from before.

The threat still existed.

Liu Tong was still marching toward the Azure Dragon Captial City.

The massive hall settled into silence as spirit lamps hanging from the jade pillars cast a warm glow across the polished floor. Outside, distant sounds of training drifted in from the sect grounds. The clash of weapons, the occasional shout of a disciple, and the faint hum of formation arrays blended together into the familiar rhythm of the Sanatan Flame Sect.

Shaurya’s gaze shifted toward the side of the hall.

Lin Shu stood near one of the jade pillars with her arms folded loosely before her chest. She hadn’t moved since the others left. The soft glow of the spirit lamps illuminated her figure while the mountain breeze stirred a few loose strands of hair beside her face.

The hall gradually fell silent after the elders departed.

Spirit lamps flickered softly along the jade pillars while mountain winds drifted through the open windows high above. Outside, distant sounds of disciples training echoed faintly across the mountain, occasionally reaching the Main Hall before fading once more into the afternoon breeze.

Shaurya remained where he stood near the center of the hall, absentmindedly rolling the golden coin across his fingers.

Only after the doors closed behind the final elder did he glance toward the side of the chamber.

Lin Shu hadn’t left.

She stood quietly near one of the pillars, watching him with the same calm expression she always carried.

For a moment neither spoke.

The silence wasn’t awkward.

It was familiar.

Comfortable.

The kind that only existed between people who had already spent years standing beside each other.

Shaurya caught the coin and slipped it into his pocket before smiling slightly.

"We’ve spent the entire morning talking about armies, sects, logistics, poison, spies, and murder."

Lin Shu raised an eyebrow. "When you summarize it like that, it sounds slightly concerning."

"It is concerning."

A laugh escaped Shaurya before he shook his head and looked toward the open windows overlooking the mountain peaks beyond the sect. "Let’s get away from all of it for a while. We have enough people worrying about armies and politics already."

His gaze drifted toward the distant horizon.

"Before everyone starts trying to kill each other."

The corner of Lin Shu’s lips lifted faintly.

"A rare responsible decision."

Shaurya immediately looked offended. "I make responsible decisions all the time."

"Once every few months."

"That was unnecessary."

"It was accurate."

He clicked his tongue dramatically before gesturing toward the hall entrance. "Come on."

Lin Shu followed him with her eyes. "Where exactly are we going?"

"I haven’t decided yet."

The answer earned him a long look.

"You invited me somewhere without knowing where you’re taking me?"

Shaurya nodded without the slightest embarrassment.

"That is correct."

For several seconds, Lin Shu simply stared at him.

Then she sighed.

Somehow, this was exactly the answer she should have expected.

Together, they left the Main Hall and followed the stone pathways winding across the upper mountain. The sect was as lively as ever despite the looming threat beyond the kingdom borders. Disciples moved between courtyards carrying supplies, training equipment, and stacks of reports. Whenever they noticed Shaurya and Lin Shu passing by, they immediately greeted them before returning to their duties.

The mountain air felt pleasant. Sunlight bathed the surrounding peaks in gold while endless clouds drifted below the cliffs like a white ocean stretching beyond sight.

They walked without urgency.

Without destination.

For once, neither felt the need to fill the silence.

Eventually, they arrived at one of the quieter gardens on the eastern side of the mountain. Rows of cherry blossom trees overlooked the distant plains surrounding the Azure Dragon Capital, their branches swaying gently beneath the wind. Pink petals drifted through the air while a small wooden bench rested beneath the largest tree.

Shaurya sat down first.

Lin Shu joined him a moment later.

The breeze stirred the branches overhead.

For a while, they simply sat there watching the mountains.

No discussions about Liu Tong.

No strategy meetings.

No responsibilities.

Only silence.

The comfortable kind.

Then, without warning, Shaurya spoke.

"You know, I just realized something."

Lin Shu didn’t even turn immediately.

That tone alone was enough to make her suspicious.

"What did you realize?"

A grin slowly appeared on his face.

"If Liu Tong attacks while we’re sitting here..."

His eyes drifted toward the distant horizon.

"...then technically Elder Wu becomes Acting Sect Master."

Lin Shu finally turned toward him.

Several seconds passed.

Then she shook her head.

"Sometimes I genuinely worry about how your mind works."

Shaurya laughed.

The sound carried softly beneath the cherry blossom tree while petals drifted between them.

Far beyond the mountains, armies continued marching toward the Azure Dragon Captial City.

But for this brief moment, neither of them cared.

To Be Continued...