I Become Sect master In Another World

Chapter 216: Chapter 216 — The First Move

Evening settled slowly across the Sanatan Flame Sect.

The golden glow of the setting sun stretched across the mountain peaks, painting the clouds beyond the cliffs in shades of orange and crimson. Spirit lanterns gradually awakened throughout the sect grounds as disciples moved between courtyards and halls, their conversations blending with the distant sounds of training and preparation.

Despite the peaceful atmosphere, everyone knew something important was happening tonight.

The area before the Main Hall was unusually lively despite the late hour. Spirit lanterns hanging beneath the eaves bathed the courtyard in a warm golden glow, casting long shadows across the stone ground as the mission team gathered one by one.

Lee Bie stood near the front with his arms crossed over his chest, clearly trying to project the image of a dependable senior disciple. Unfortunately, his expression kept betraying him. Every few moments, determination would flash across his face before giving way to nervousness, only to be replaced by uncertainty moments later. The constant battle between confidence and anxiety made it difficult for anyone to take his serious posture seriously.

Standing nearby, Lu Fang appeared far more relaxed.

In fact, relaxed was probably the wrong word.

Excited would be more accurate.

Ever since learning that the sect was preparing for a secret mission, he had spent the entire day imagining various disasters that might occur along the way. Ambushes, hidden realms, ancient inheritances, mysterious enemies, cursed treasures—his imagination had produced enough possibilities to fill several novels. For reasons nobody understood, he seemed genuinely disappointed that none of them had happened yet.

Not far away, Chen Fang paid no attention to either of them.

While the others chatted and speculated, he focused entirely on preparation. Beneath the soft glow of a spirit lantern, he carefully inspected his equipment for the third time, checking every strap, pouch, and weapon attachment with practiced efficiency. His movements were calm and methodical, carrying none of the excitement displayed by the younger disciples.

Elder Hua wasn’t much different.

Then there was Auntie Muo.

Unlike everyone else, she still appeared completely bewildered by the situation.

Her gaze moved from disciple to disciple before drifting toward the Main Hall. A moment later, she looked at her daughter. Then she looked back at the assembled group.

The cycle repeated several times.

Finally, she released a long sigh.

"Can someone explain why a cook is joining a secret mission?"

No answer came.

The disciples looked at one another, clearly hoping someone else would explain the situation first. Unfortunately, nobody seemed capable of doing so. The problem wasn’t a lack of courage—it was simply that nobody truly understood why Auntie Muo had been selected for the mission.

Sensing her mother’s growing concern, Muo Qian immediately wrapped both arms around her shoulders and flashed a bright smile.

"Mom, don’t worry."

"I am worried."

"You’ll be fine."

Rather than feeling reassured, Auntie Muo looked even more troubled.

"That isn’t reassuring."

Muo Qian remained completely confident.

"Master personally chose you."

The statement failed to help.

In fact, it had the exact opposite effect.

Auntie Muo stared at her daughter for a moment before letting out a long sigh.

"That worries me even more."

Several nearby disciples coughed awkwardly while others quietly nodded in agreement. After all, their Sect Master had many admirable qualities, but making normal decisions had never been one of them.

Before the conversation could continue any further, the massive doors of the Main Hall slowly opened.

Everyone instinctively turned toward the entrance.

Shaurya stepped outside.

The evening breeze stirred the edges of his black-and-gold coat as his gaze swept across the gathered group. He wasn’t releasing any pressure, nor was he attempting to appear imposing, yet his presence alone was enough to draw everyone’s attention.

The casual atmosphere that had filled the courtyard moments earlier disappeared almost immediately.

Disciples straightened their backs.

Conversations ended.

Even Lu Fang managed to stop grinning.

For nearly three entire seconds.

Then the grin returned.

Shaurya wisely chose to ignore it.

His eyes moved across the assembled group, briefly checking each person’s condition before a satisfied look appeared on his face.

"Ready?"

The simple question instantly sharpened everyone’s focus.

Whatever jokes, complaints, or doubts had existed moments ago vanished as the selected members prepared themselves for the mission ahead.

Lee Bie nodded without hesitation, while Cheng Fang cupped his fists and gave a calm bow. Elder Hua secured the final strap on her medical pouch, signaling that her preparations were complete. Among the entire group, only Auntie Muo still looked unconvinced.

She slowly raised a hand.

"Master."

Shaurya glanced toward her.

"Hm?"

Auntie Muo hesitated for a moment before asking the question that had clearly been bothering her since the beginning.

"Are we doing something legal?"

The courtyard instantly became quiet.

Several disciples looked away.

Others suddenly found the ground extremely interesting.

Shaurya himself lifted his head and stared thoughtfully at the evening sky as though seeking guidance from the heavens.

After several seconds, he finally spoke.

"That’s a surprisingly difficult question."

Auntie Muo slowly closed her eyes.

"I knew it."

A few disciples immediately coughed to hide their laughter.

Before the conversation could continue any further, approaching footsteps echoed from the eastern pathway.

Everyone turned.

Elder Wu was walking toward them.

Several jade slips floated beside him, while a large spiritual map hovered above his left palm. The moment he arrived, the previously relaxed atmosphere began to fade.

If Elder Wu was bringing reports, then the mission was about to become serious.

"I’ve received the final intelligence reports."

The casual expressions on several faces disappeared immediately.

With a wave of his hand, the floating map expanded across the air before them. Streams of spiritual light spread outward, forming mountains, rivers, roads, supply depots, and transportation routes throughout the surrounding region.

Markers began appearing one after another.

Some represented camps.

Others represented patrol routes.

Several highlighted major transportation paths.

At the center of the projection rested eight glowing markers.

Elder Wu pointed toward them.

"The information has been verified."

His voice remained calm and precise.

"Cloud Peak Sect currently operates eight spiritual ships throughout this campaign."

As he spoke, several routes illuminated across the map.

"Three vessels are primarily responsible for transporting supplies between forward positions."

A portion of the projection brightened.

"Two remain stationed behind the main operation as reserve support."

Another section lit up.

"The remaining ships rotate between storage depots and transfer locations."

The group studied the map carefully.

Even Auntie Muo had stopped worrying about legal issues.

Elder Wu then shifted his attention toward a mountain region west of the primary route.

A narrow pathway immediately illuminated across the projection.

"More importantly..."

The glowing line extended through a rugged valley.

"One of the transport vessels temporarily separates from the main convoy during resupply operations."

Several eyes narrowed.

Elder Wu continued.

"The route passes through Blackstone Valley."

His finger moved along the illuminated path.

"The area experiences minimal civilian activity, patrol presence is significantly lower than average, and multiple blind spots exist within Cloud Peak Sect’s surveillance network."

As the explanation continued, a faint smile gradually appeared on Shaurya’s face.

To everyone else, it was merely information.

To Shaurya, it sounded suspiciously similar to an invitation.

Unfortunately, Elder Wu noticed that smile immediately.

His expression became increasingly concerned.

Years of experience had taught him that whenever Shaurya smiled like that, something outrageous was usually about to happen.

After studying the Sect Master’s expression for several moments, Elder Wu finally sighed.

"Will this plan actually work?"

The question hung in the air as every gaze shifted toward Shaurya.

Shaurya looked toward Elder Wu and smiled.

Unfortunately, it was the exact smile that usually preceded disasters.

The moment Elder Wu saw it, a familiar sense of dread immediately appeared in his heart.

"I regret asking."

Several disciples nodded in agreement.

Experience had taught them that whenever their Sect Master smiled like that, common sense usually stopped functioning.

Before anyone could continue the discussion, a familiar chime suddenly echoed inside Shaurya’s mind.

DING.

The smile vanished.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

The system?

Golden light gathered before him as a translucent window materialized within his vision.

At first, Shaurya assumed it was another notification.

Perhaps a recommendation.

Perhaps an insult.

The system enjoyed both.

However, the moment he saw the contents of the screen, his expression changed.

It wasn’t a notification.

It wasn’t a shop suggestion.

It was a mission.

An actual mission.

One he hadn’t received in quite some time.

[Emergency Mission Detected]

[Mission: The March of the Death Riders]

[Objective: Defeat Liu Tong’s Army and prevent the destruction of Azure Dragon Capital City.]

[Requirement: Total damage must remain below 1%.]

[Reward: Kalagni-Surya Astra.]

The surrounding conversation faded into the background.

Shaurya’s attention remained fixed on the final line.

Kalagni-Surya Astra.

The system window expanded automatically.

Additional information appeared beneath the reward.

[Kalagni-Surya Astra]

[One of the Ancient Solar Divine Astras.]

[Forged from the First Flame born at the end of a dying age.]

[When unleashed, it manifests the Fire of Time itself, capable of burning matter, spirit, karma, and destiny.]

Shaurya read the description carefully.

Then he read it again.

And then one more time.

The evening breeze drifted quietly through the courtyard while everyone waited for him to say something. Unfortunately, nobody else could see the system window, which made his increasingly suspicious expression even more concerning.

The system eventually broke the silence.

[Host?]

Shaurya continued staring at the reward.

[Host?]

A smile slowly appeared on his face.

Not the usual grin he wore while causing trouble.

This one was different.

Far more dangerous.

The kind of smile a treasure hunter made after discovering the greatest treasure in existence.

The system immediately became concerned.

[...Why are you smiling like that?]

Shaurya finally looked away from the reward description and toward the western horizon where Liu Tong’s army continued advancing somewhere beyond the distant mountains.

"I want it."

The system paused.

[That was immediate.]

"I want it."

[Host, that’s not the important part—]

"I want it."

The system remained silent for a moment before reaching the only logical conclusion.

[You sound like a child who just saw a new toy.]

Shaurya folded his arms.

"Incorrect."

[Then what exactly does this look like?]

His gaze remained fixed on the horizon.

"It looks like destiny."

The system responded instantly.

[It looks like greed.]

Shaurya ignored the slander completely.

Regardless of what the system wanted to call it, one fact remained unchanged.

His motivation to complete this mission had just increased by several hundred percent.

Just as Shaurya was about to respond, a thunderous roar suddenly exploded across the heavens.

The sound rolled through the mountains like a natural disaster, shaking the very foundations of the sect. Spirit lanterns hanging throughout the courtyards flickered violently, while several disciples nearly lost their footing as the pressure swept across the mountain. A flock of spirit birds burst from the surrounding forests and scattered into the sky in panic.

Lee Bie nearly jumped out of his skin.

Lu Fang instinctively reached for his weapon.

Even Elder Hua immediately looked upward.

Before anyone could determine the source, another roar echoed across the sky. The clouds above the sect split apart as an enormous presence descended from the heavens. Powerful winds swept across the grounds, causing robes, banners, and tree branches to whip wildly in every direction.

For a brief moment, many disciples genuinely believed a terrifying beast was about to attack the sect.

Then the source of the pressure landed in the center of the plaza.

A tiny dragon.

The overwhelming pressure disappeared so suddenly that the transition felt surreal.

Lorgaan stretched both forelegs lazily before yawning and scratching his stomach as though he had just woken from an afternoon nap rather than shaken an entire mountain with his arrival.

Shaurya and Lorgaan stared at each other for several moments.

The tiny dragon lazily stretched his forelegs before scratching his stomach as though he had just woken from an ordinary nap instead of descending from the heavens and shaking an entire mountain.

"What?"

The Sect Master’s eye twitched.

"What do you mean, what?"

Lorgaan tilted his head.

"You look surprised."

"I am surprised."

Shaurya pointed directly at him.

"Where were you?"

The dragon looked genuinely confused by the question.

"Sleeping."

"...For how long?"

Lorgaan frowned thoughtfully and actually took the question seriously.

"Hmm..."

His tail swayed from side to side while he thought.

"Don’t know."

The answer came with complete confidence.

"Rest is important."

Shaurya immediately rubbed his forehead.

Sometimes he honestly wondered how a creature from the primordial era had managed to survive until the present day.

Meanwhile, Lorgaan had already forgotten about the conversation.

His golden eyes wandered across the courtyard, examining the gathered disciples, elders, and supplies scattered around the plaza.

"Why is everyone gathered here?"

"Long story."

The dragon nodded.

"Oh."

For a moment, that seemed to satisfy him.

Unfortunately, curiosity was stronger than common sense.

"So what’s happening?"

Without hesitation, Shaurya pointed toward Elder Wu.

"Ask him."

Lorgaan slowly turned around.

Nearby, Elder Wu adjusted his sleeves and prepared himself to explain the situation.

After all, information gathering was important.

Planning was important.

Understanding the mission was important.

For one brief and beautiful moment, everyone genuinely believed the dragon was going to listen.

Then Lorgaan shook his head.

"No."

Elder Wu blinked.

"What?"

"I refuse."

The dragon flapped his wings lazily.

"I don’t need a boring lecture."

A dangerous twitch appeared near Elder Wu’s eye.

Years of patience.

Years of wisdom.

Years of self-control.

All of them were being tested.

Unfortunately, Lorgaan remained completely unaware.

His attention had already drifted elsewhere.

While the elder fought for his remaining composure, the dragon’s gaze swept across the distant courtyards before suddenly locking onto something.

His entire expression brightened.

"Xiao Rui!"

Before anyone could react, the dragon launched into the sky.

"XIAO RUI!"

His voice echoed across the mountains.

"WHERE ARE YOU?"

The response arrived almost instantly from somewhere within the western courtyards.

"OVER HERE!"

Lorgaan’s wings beat once.

Then his tiny body vanished across the sect like a golden meteor, leaving behind a stunned Elder Wu and a group of disciples struggling not to laugh.

Nobody spoke.

Eventually, Shaurya let out a slow breath.

"Alright."

The single word immediately refocused everyone’s attention.

Conversations ended.

Expressions sharpened.

The playful atmosphere created by Lorgaan’s arrival disappeared almost instantly.

The last rays of sunlight stretched across the distant mountains, painting the horizon in deep shades of crimson and gold. Above them, the first stars had already begun appearing in the darkening sky.

Far beyond those mountains, Liu Tong’s army continued advancing toward the Azure Dragon Kingdom, completely unaware that plans were already being set into motion against them.

As the last traces of sunlight disappeared beyond the mountains, Shaurya allowed his gaze to travel across the group gathered before him.

No one spoke.

Lee Bie stood with his arms folded, his usual relaxed attitude replaced by rare seriousness. Nearby, Lu Fang had finally stopped smiling and was quietly checking the edge of his weapon, while Cheng Fang remained calm as ever, standing beneath the fluttering sect banners with steady eyes fixed on his Sect Master.

A short distance away, Elder Hua adjusted the strap of her medical pouch one final time. Even Auntie Muo, despite still looking somewhat uncertain about the entire situation, had stopped questioning why she had been chosen and was now preparing herself alongside everyone else.

The atmosphere had changed completely.

The laughter from earlier had vanished.

The casual conversations were gone.

What remained was anticipation.

The group knew a mission awaited them.

They didn’t know every detail of Shaurya’s plan, but that didn’t matter.

They trusted him.

Shaurya’s eyes swept across the assembled team once more before a faint smile appeared on his face.

Good.

Everyone was here.

Everyone was ready.

The evening wind drifted through the courtyard, causing the banners of the Sanatan Flame Sect to flutter softly against the darkening sky.

"Everyone."

The single word immediately drew every gaze toward him.

Shaurya looked at each of them for a brief moment before speaking again.

"It’s time."

No further explanation was necessary.

The determined expressions appearing across the group were answer enough.

Somewhere beyond the mountains, Liu Tong believed he was advancing toward his enemy.

What he didn’t know was that the game had already begun.

Shaurya had made his first move.

To Be Continued...