I Become Sect master In Another World

Chapter 213 — The Battlefield Inside the Mind

Morning sunlight slowly spread across the Sanatan Flame Sect as soft mountain winds drifted through the orange banners hanging above the massive sect grounds. The cold atmosphere from the previous night had eased slightly beneath the golden dawn while disciples gradually resumed their daily routines across the mountain pathways.

Some disciples trained across the open courtyards while the sound of wooden practice weapons and clashing spiritual energy echoed faintly through the mountain air.

Others carried crates of medicinal herbs, weapons, and supplies between the sect halls.

Stone dust drifted softly near the cracked training grounds while elders occasionally shouted instructions at disciples pretending to work seriously.

The sect no longer felt chaotic.

It felt prepared.

Awake.

Alive.

At the very top of the mountain, the enormous doors of the Main Hall slowly opened.

Then—

Shaurya walked out.

Yawning.

He stretched both arms lazily above his head while descending the white jade stairs one step at a time, looking less like the terrifying sect master of a newly promoted Level Eight Sect and more like someone who had just survived a long night of terrible decision making.

His black-and-gold coat shifted softly beneath the morning breeze while loose strands of dark hair fell across his eyes.

"…I need sleep."

A golden system window instantly appeared beside him.

[Host.]

Shaurya already looked tired.

"…Good morning to you too."

[I hope you slept well.]

The floating panel paused briefly.

[Now tell me your plan.]

Shaurya stopped walking immediately.

Then slowly turned toward the floating system window with the exhausted expression of a man being hunted by his own bad decisions.

"…You seriously aren't letting this go, are you?"

The system flickered once.

[Correct.]

[Because yesterday you purchased an Emperor Grade poison with absolutely no preparation.]

Shaurya sighed deeply while rubbing the side of his forehead.

"You're very dramatic in the mornings."

[YOU ARE A CRIMINAL STRATEGIST.]

"That sounds cool actually."

[THAT IS NOT A COMPLIMENT.]

Shaurya ignored the system completely before continuing down the stone pathway leading away from the Main Hall. Morning petals drifted softly through the mountain air while distant disciple voices echoed peacefully across the sect grounds.

Then suddenly—

He stopped beneath one of the large cherry blossom trees standing near the inner courtyard gardens.

Pink petals swayed gently overhead while sunlight filtered softly through the branches, scattering moving shadows across the grass below.

Shaurya stared at the tree quietly for several seconds.

Then sat down beneath it casually.

The system window floated nearby suspiciously.

[Why do you suddenly look philosophical?]

Shaurya leaned back against the tree trunk comfortably before closing his eyes for a moment.

"I'm thinking."

[That sentence worries me now.]

A small laugh escaped him.

Then finally—

He opened his eyes again.

"Alright."

The system immediately focused.

"…Fine."

Shaurya looked toward the floating map projection still hovering faintly beside the system interface.

"I'll tell you the plan."

The system became unusually quiet afterward.

Even the flickering stopped slightly.

Because despite all the nonsense—

It knew this expression.

Whenever Shaurya looked this calm…

Someone usually suffered emotionally afterward.

Shaurya lifted one hand lazily.

A massive spiritual map unfolded above the grass instantly, glowing softly beneath the drifting cherry blossom petals. Golden lines spread across the projection one after another, forming the western plains, mountain routes, nearby villages, and the advancing path of Liu Tong's army.

At the very center—

A crimson marker pulsed slowly.

Liu Tong.

Shaurya's golden eyes narrowed faintly while staring at it.

"This idiot is the easiest part."

The system window flickered immediately.

[…You're saying that very confidently for someone marching here with an army.]

Shaurya leaned back against the tree comfortably.

"Because men like him are predictable."

The crimson marker expanded slightly while dozens of smaller lights appeared behind it, representing the advancing mercenary force.

"He's violent."

"Prideful."

"Battle hungry."

A faint smirk appeared on Shaurya's face.

"And worst of all…"

Golden spiritual energy curled slowly around his fingers.

"…he thinks fear makes him untouchable."

The system quietly observed the projection while Shaurya continued studying the moving army routes.

Then several smaller unidentified markers appeared further behind Liu Tong's forces.

Different colors.

Different symbols.

Not fully clear yet.

The system noticed immediately.

[Those are the supporting factions?]

Shaurya nodded once.

"Most likely."

His gaze sharpened slightly.

"King Tian Long already confirmed Liu Tong isn't marching alone."

The unidentified markers slowly rotated around the main army route.

"One of them should be the Celestial Sword Sect."

"The other is probably Cloud Peak Sect."

A brief pause followed.

"But that's all I know for now."

The system blinked once.

[So you don't actually know anything about them yet.]

Shaurya sighed softly.

"Exactly."

He pointed toward the floating markers calmly.

"That's the real issue."

"Liu Tong himself isn't difficult to understand."

"But the people around him…"

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"…those are the dangerous variables."

Then slowly stood up beneath the cherry blossom tree while spiritual projections faded around him one after another.

The morning sunlight illuminated his black-and-gold coat softly while petals drifted through the air around him.

"But there's still one problem."

The system became cautious again.

[What?]

Shaurya folded his arms thoughtfully.

"I still need information."

The floating map reappeared beside him.

"How close are these sects to Liu Tong?"

"Do they trust him?"

"Do they fear him?"

"Are they ambitious?"

"Greedy?"

"Careful?"

His eyes narrowed faintly.

"How are their camps organized?"

"Who handles logistics?"

"Who distributes food?"

"Which officers distrust each other already?"

Every question sharpened the atmosphere slightly.

"Before I move…"

Shaurya's gaze settled toward the western horizon beyond the sect mountains.

"…I need to know exactly where to place the knife."

The system stared at him silently.

Then after several long seconds—

It finally spoke carefully.

[Host.]

[You already know everything… Right?]

Shaurya suddenly smiled.

A calm smile.

Then—

He turned toward the floating system screen beneath the drifting cherry blossom petals.

And winked.

The system froze instantly.

[…Why did that feel suspicious?]

Shaurya only laughed softly before beginning to walk away through the morning courtyard while sunlight and falling petals followed quietly behind him.

The main training grounds of the Sanatan Flame Sect echoed with noise beneath the bright morning sky.

Disciples moved across different battle platforms while spiritual techniques exploded constantly throughout the enormous courtyard. Some practiced sword forms beneath the guidance of inner disciples while others sparred using pure physical strength near the western combat arenas.

The atmosphere felt energetic.

Especially after yesterday's war preparations.

If anything—

The disciples looked more motivated now.

At one of the larger battle platforms near the center grounds, several disciples suddenly moved aside as two familiar figures walked toward the arena.

Sheng Lu.

Lu Fang.

Both stretched their shoulders casually while stepping onto the stone platform, instantly drawing attention from nearby disciples.

Because everyone inside the sect knew one thing clearly.

Whenever these two fought—

Something usually broke.

Lu Fang rolled his neck once before grinning widely.

"It's been too long since we fought properly."

Sheng Lu stepped onto the opposite side of the arena while cracking his knuckles loudly.

"Three weeks."

"That's too long."

Several nearby disciples immediately gathered around the arena edges excitedly.

Even Wang Tian and Luo Chen appeared moments later before casually sitting atop the audience stairs overlooking the training platform.

Wang Tian rested both elbows against his knees while grinning.

"This should be entertaining."

Luo Chen folded his arms beside him.

"Sheng Lu's definitely stronger physically now."

"Yeah."

Wang Tian's purple eyes gleamed slightly.

"But Lu Fang fights smarter."

Meanwhile—

At the center of the arena—

Sheng Lu and Lu Fang stopped several meters apart.

The mountain wind drifted softly across the training grounds while disciples gradually quieted around them.

Then both cultivators bowed toward each other calmly.

Respect.

Not formality.

Lu Fang straightened first before smiling.

"…Ready?"

Sheng Lu instantly vanished forward.

"Always."

BOOM!

The stone beneath his feet exploded as Sheng Lu rushed across the platform with terrifying physical force alone. His fist shot directly toward Lu Fang's face like a cannon blast.

Lu Fang immediately tilted sideways.

The punch missed by inches.

But Sheng Lu's momentum didn't stop.

His right foot slammed against the ground hard enough to crack the stone beneath him while his body twisted violently mid-motion.

Then—

His left fist thrust forward instantly.

FAST.

Lu Fang's eyes sharpened.

He pushed himself backward immediately to avoid the strike, his body sliding across the arena surface.

But Sheng Lu laughed loudly.

"You can't escape!"

Before Lu Fang even stabilized himself—

Sheng Lu jumped.

Mid-air, he spun violently before landing directly behind him.

CRACK!

The stone platform shattered beneath the impact.

Lu Fang's expression shifted immediately.

He forcefully stopped his backward movement using one foot before twisting sideways at the last possible moment.

BOOOOOOM!

Sheng Lu's fist blasted past his face close enough for the pressure alone to distort Lu Fang's hair.

Several disciples inhaled sharply.

"That was close!"

But Sheng Lu wasn't finished.

His fist immediately rose upward before smashing downward toward Lu Fang's head.

Lu Fang spun low beneath the attack.

BOOOOM!

The punch collided directly against the platform.

The arena floor exploded inward instantly.

A crater formed beneath Sheng Lu's fist while stone fragments scattered across the battle platform.

Lu Fang landed several meters away before laughing awkwardly.

"…Are you sure you're not using spiritual energy?"

Sheng Lu cracked his neck once while grinning wildly.

"I don't need spiritual energy to crush you."

Wang Tian immediately nodded proudly from the audience stairs.

"That's why he was my general."

Luo Chen looked spiritually inspired.

"Physical combat is beautiful."

Meanwhile—

Lu Fang laughed loudly.

Then both fighters rushed simultaneously.

BAAAAAANG!

Their fists collided directly at the center of the arena.

A visible shockwave erupted outward instantly, forcing nearby disciples to shield their faces against the pressure.

Sheng Lu roared before driving forward with monstrous force.

Lu Fang slid backward across the platform while his boots carved deep marks through the stone floor.

Then suddenly—

He looked toward his own trembling hand.

And smiled.

"…Now it's getting interesting."

The next instant—

Both exploded forward again.

Fists blurred across the arena.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

A barrage of punches erupted between them fast enough that weaker disciples could barely follow the exchanges properly. Elbows. Hooks. Palm strikes. Knees.

Neither gave ground.

Sheng Lu fought like a moving fortress.

Lu Fang fought like flowing momentum itself.

Lu Fang dodged another straight punch before immediately countering with a sharp strike directly toward Sheng Lu's cheek.

BAAM!

Sheng Lu's head snapped sideways violently.

Several disciples winced.

But then—

Sheng Lu slowly turned back.

Spat saliva onto the cracked platform.

And grinned.

Lu Fang immediately stepped backward.

"…What are you made of?"

Sheng Lu laughed deeply while rolling his shoulders.

"My body is unbreakable."

Then Sheng Lu charged again.

FAST.

Lu Fang sidestepped quickly.

But Sheng Lu twisted his body instantly mid-motion before slamming a kick directly toward Lu Fang's abdomen.

BOOM!

Lu Fang caught the leg barely in time.

The impact alone forced him backward several steps.

Then he immediately tried twisting Sheng Lu's leg sideways to destabilize him.

But Sheng Lu reacted instantly.

His trapped leg snapped free while his fist shot directly toward Lu Fang's jaw.

Lu Fang blocked.

Sheng Lu punched again.

Counter.

Kick.

Block.

Elbow.

Dodge.

The exchange accelerated further.

Their battle platform cracked continuously beneath the relentless pressure of pure physical combat. No spiritual techniques. No cultivation arts.

Only bodies sharpened through endless training.

But gradually—

The difference became clearer.

Sheng Lu dominated physically.

Every direct exchange pushed Lu Fang backward slightly.

Every collision made Lu Fang's arms tremble harder.

Meanwhile, Sheng Lu only became more excited.

Sweat rolled down Lu Fang's forehead while heavy breaths escaped him.

His body slid closer and closer toward the edge of the platform.

Wang Tian narrowed his eyes slightly from above.

"…Lu Fang's getting cornered."

Luo Chen nodded once.

"He can't win head-on anymore."

Meanwhile—

Sheng Lu laughed loudly before rushing forward again.

"It's over for you, Lu Fang!"

His fist thrust forward like a cannon blast aimed directly toward Lu Fang's chest.

But suddenly—

Lu Fang smiled.

At the final possible moment—

He sidestepped.

Spun.

And slammed his foot directly against Sheng Lu's back.

BOOOOM!

Sheng Lu's eyes widened slightly.

His own momentum betrayed him instantly.

He blasted forward uncontrollably before flying straight off the battle platform.

FACE FIRST.

BAAAAM!

The ground outside the arena cracked violently beneath the impact.

Dead silence.

Then—

Lu Fang burst into laughter.

"HAHAHAHA!"

He pointed downward dramatically.

"Big muscles with the brain size of a peanut!"

The surrounding disciples exploded laughing instantly.

Even Luo Chen covered his face while trying not to laugh.

Wang Tian slapped the stairs loudly.

"That was dirty!"

Below the platform—

Sheng Lu slowly lifted his head from the crater.

Stone dust covered his face.

His fist trembled against the ground.

"I WAS SO CLOSE!"

Several disciples laughed even harder afterward.

Meanwhile—

Farther away near the outer training courtyard pathways—

Shaurya stood quietly beneath the morning sunlight with both hands resting inside his coat pockets.

His eyes calmly observed the entire fight from beginning to end.

The raw force.

The momentum.

The strategy.

Then—

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"…I know what I have to do now."

The mountain wind swept softly through the Sanatan Flame Sect.

To Be Continued…