douluo dalu: the rise of the sacred gear sect

After returning to Nouding City, Xian Ye wasted no time. Standing in a secluded clearing outside the city, he accessed the system, ready to summon his first true force.

[System Notification: Do you wish to summon the 'Soldier Pact'—50 Anbu (Spirit King Level)?]

"Yes," Xian Ye affirmed without hesitation.

A golden magic circle expanded before him, illuminating the night sky with ancient runes. The very air trembled as space distorted. In an instant, fifty figures clad in black Anbu gear appeared, kneeling in perfect synchronization. Each of them radiated the powerful aura of a Spirit King.

"We greet the Sect Master!" they spoke in unison, their voices filled with unwavering loyalty.

Xian Ye examined them with a sharp gaze. Every single one of them was a peak assassin, trained in stealth, reconnaissance, and lethal combat. This was not just a small force—this was the foundation of his future dominance.

"You are my shadow," Xian Ye declared. "Your duty is absolute. You will protect the sect, execute missions, and enforce our will in the dark."

The Anbu bowed once more. "We shall obey!"

A smile played on Xian Ye's lips. With these warriors at his command, he had taken a massive step toward his goal. Now, it was time to establish a true foothold in this world.

Building the Sect Base

With his forces established, Xian Ye turned his attention to his next goal—constructing the Sacred Gear Sect's base. Using the system's building function, he allocated resources to materialize a hidden fortress deep within the outskirts of Nouding City. Towering walls, defensive formations, and underground chambers formed an impenetrable stronghold.

[System Notification: Congratulations! The foundation of the Sacred Gear Sect has been established. Reward: 500 System Points, Basic Resource Supply, and Expansion Blueprint Unlocked.]

Not only was the base hidden by advanced illusions and defensive formations, but it also contained underground training grounds, meeting halls, and a command center for intelligence gathering.

Xian Ye smirked. "Good. Now, let's start making our presence known."

Entering the Business World and Spreading Influence

To expand his influence, Xian Ye set up a trading company under a neutral banner, specializing in high-quality medicine, weapons, and enchanted items. This enterprise would serve as the public face of his sect, allowing him to accumulate wealth and gather intelligence without drawing suspicion.

The Anbu quickly got to work, gathering resources, securing supply chains, and spreading the name of their new firm throughout Nouding City. Within days, business was booming, and whispers of a mysterious new power began to circulate.

However, Xian Ye knew that financial power alone wasn't enough. To truly control Nouding City, he needed to exert influence over its underworld and decision-makers. Using the Anbu, he began a silent takeover, eliminating key figures in the underground market and replacing them with his own operatives. Smugglers, mercenaries, and black-market dealers soon found themselves either working under the Sacred Gear Sect's control or mysteriously disappearing.

At the same time, he targeted influential merchants and noble families, offering them lucrative deals and protection. The city's ruling elites soon found themselves entangled in his web of influence, unknowingly dependent on his business network.

Within a few months, Nouding City's underbelly was firmly under his control. Even the city guards had unknowingly been infiltrated by his men, ensuring that nothing happened in the city without his knowledge.

Shockwaves Through Nouding City

As the Sacred Gear Sect's influence grew, the established powers of Nouding City began to take notice. The rapid emergence of a new force, backed by unknown but terrifying experts, sent waves of unease through the ruling factions.

The City Lord's office received increasing reports of disappearances within the underworld, yet no trace of conflict was found. Merchant guilds whispered about a hidden power offering deals too beneficial to refuse. Even the underground syndicates, once the true rulers of the city's black market, found themselves dismantled or absorbed without resistance.

In the city's military barracks, the captain of the city guard slammed his fist against the table, his expression grim. "A new force is taking over Nouding City right under our noses! Yet we have no idea who they are or how they operate!"

"Whoever they are," his lieutenant muttered, "they move in the shadows like ghosts. They're replacing key figures without leaving a single clue. It's as if the city is slipping from our grasp."

The upper echelons of Nouding City's government and merchant circles were in turmoil. No one knew the identity of this rising power, but all could sense one undeniable truth—Nouding City was no longer the same. A silent storm was brewing, and at its heart stood Xian Ye, watching from the shadows, his Sacred Gear Sect weaving an unseen web of control.

As he stood atop his newly built headquarters, overlooking the city below, Xian Ye felt a surge of satisfaction. The foundation was set, his warriors were in place, and his business had begun. Nouding City was no longer just a temporary foothold—it was his domain.

"The world doesn't know it yet," he murmured, eyes shining with determination. "But the Sacred Gear Sect will be unstoppable."