Jin Valentine did not need to witness the recruitment to know its outcome.

  Before Elder Wu ever stepped forward.

  Before Lysandra called for kneeling.

  Before a single disciple felt the crushing weight of the Heavenly Demonic Sect’s presence—

  The system had already shown him everything.

  As Jin sat alone in his chambers, tea steaming faintly, Esdeath resting beside him like a loyal shadow, the world outside faded.

  A translucent interface unfolded before his eyes.

  Not lists.

  Not numbers.

  But threads.

  Thousands of glowing lines stretched outward, each tied to a living soul outside the sect gates. Some flickered weakly. Some burned bright. Some pulsed violently, unstable but dangerous.

  And five…

  Five shone differently.

  They did not blaze.

  They endured.

  The system’s voice echoed, calm and absolute.

  > [Analyzing Fate-Grade Potential…]

  [Candidates capable of Ultimate Ascension Detected.]

  One by one, information unfolded.

  Kaelric Ashborne

  > Potential Ceiling: Heaven Rank → Taboo Threshold

  Path: Sword / Execution / War Instinct

  Probability of Ascension: 68%

  Remark: Unrefined blade. Will surpass masters if given structure.

  Seraphine Veyra

  > Potential Ceiling: Heaven Rank → Forbidden

  Path: Will / Law / Judgment

  Probability of Ascension: 61%

  Remark: Broken vessel. Unbreakable mind.

  Dorian Blackvein

  > Potential Ceiling: Earth Rank → Heaven Rank

  Path: Body / Destruction / Survival

  Probability of Ascension: 74%

  Remark: A monster shaped by necessity.

  Nyx Elowen

  > Potential Ceiling: Heaven Rank → Taboo

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Path: Dreams / Mind / Deception

  Probability of Ascension: 55%

  Remark: Unstable. Dangerous. Perfect.

  Ashara Lune

  > Potential Ceiling: ???

  Path: Dominion / Silence / Authority

  Probability of Ascension: UNDEFINED

  Remark: This soul does not submit to calculation.

  Jin’s lips curved faintly.

  “So that’s it…”

  The Five Demons had never been chosen by whim.

  They had been seen.

  The moment the thousand disciples crossed the threshold and the sect officially expanded, the system reacted.

  Not with fanfare.

  With weight.

  > [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

  Achievement Unlocked: Sect Expansion — Major Grade

  Achievement Unlocked: Thousand Under One Banner

  Achievement Unlocked: Lord of a New Era

  The interface shifted.

  > Rewards Granted:

  ? 2,000 Normal-Rank Cultivation Techniques

  ? 500 Hybrid Demonic Techniques

  ? Sect Authority Module: Activated

  Jin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

  Hybrid demonic techniques were not simple cultivation manuals.

  They were systems of growth, capable of adapting to mortals, broken cultivators, and even those with no spiritual roots.

  Perfect.

  Present -

  Jin summoned Elder Wu and Lysandra that very night.

  When the elders arrived, Jin spoke calmly—but every word reshaped the future of the sect.

  “There are ranks to cultivation manuals,” Jin said.

  He waved his hand, and massive illusory tablets appeared in the air.

  Cultivation Manual Ranks

  Novice Rank — Red → Yellow

  Basic body tempering, qi sensing, survival foundations.

  Normal Rank — Yellow → Green

  Structured cultivation paths. Stable growth. Combat fundamentals.

  Advanced Rank — Green → Purple

  Dao-aligned cultivation. Specialization begins.

  Earth Rank — Grey

  Foundation-shaking techniques. Alters destiny.

  Heaven Rank — Black

  Rare. World-defying. Often causes tribulations.

  Forbidden Rank — Colorless

  Techniques that violate natural law.

  Taboo Rank — ???

  Even the system refuses full classification.

  The elders stared in silence.

  Jin continued.

  “All disciples—inner and outer—will abandon their previous techniques.”

  Lysandra stiffened. “Completely?”

  “Yes.”

  He met their eyes.

  “They will relearn everything.”

  “Under Heavenly Demonic Sect techniques.”

  “Those with weak foundations will become strong.”

  “Those with strong foundations will become terrifying.”

  Elder Wu exhaled slowly, reverently.

  “…This will reshape Ether.”

  Jin nodded once.

  “That is the intention.”

  The announcement echoed across the sect the following morning.

  Disciples panicked.

  Some hesitated.

  Some resisted.

  But when the first wave began cultivation under the new manuals—

  The results were immediate.

  Meridians stabilized.

  Qi density increased.

  Combat instincts sharpened.

  Even mortals began forming spiritual cores within days.

  The sect roared with life.

  Not chaos.

  Momentum.

  A week later -

  Jin unveiled the final piece.

  At the heart of the sect, a colossal obsidian board rose from the ground, carved with living runes.

  At its peak, a single inscription burned:

  THE DRAGON BOARD

  Below it—missions.

  Mission Rankings

  Bronze — Basic tasks, escort, resource gathering

  Silver — Monster hunts, sect challenges

  Gold — Battlefield missions, assassinations, ruins

  Black — Forbidden zones, enemy sect operations

  Crimson — War-level missions

  Void — Authority Required

  Rewards included:

  Cultivation stones

  Treasures

  Pills

  Techniques

  Sect authority points

  The disciples’ eyes burned with hunger.

  Jin watched from above.

  This was how demons were forged.

  THE CELESTIAL SECT-

  Far away, beyond mountains and continents, the Celestial Sect convened.

  White jade halls.

  Golden banners.

  Immortal qi thick enough to suffocate mortals.

  An elder spoke coldly.

  “The Heavenly Demonic Sect refuses our invitations.”

  Another scoffed. “As expected.”

  At the center, a calm man folded his hands.

  “Still,” he said softly, “send it again.”

  “A sect-wide competition.”

  “All of Ether.”

  “Two months from now.”

  A pause.

  “…Even demons cannot ignore the heavens forever.”

  The invitation was sealed.

  And sent.

  Far away, Jin opened his eyes.

  He smiled faintly.

  “Two months…”

  Esdeath hummed softly at his side.