The sun dipped low behind the rooftops of Ian City, painting the sky in streaks of crimson and gold. Nathan walked forward with steady steps, Ash on his right and Cyril on his left.
One small and scrappy.
One cold and sharp.
Two entirely different worlds, now following a single man.
The courtyard behind them slowly regained noise and breath, but many stayed silent, replaying what they had just witnessed.
A boy from a high-tier sect…
Forced to kneel.
Not by brute strength.
Not by cultivation.
But by will.
No one present could forget it.
Ash looked at Nathan with awe sparkling in his eyes.
"Master… that was incredible! You— you just made him kneel! A whole genius from a real sect!"
Cyril walked quietly, but his steps carried newfound certainty. He kept glancing at Nathan, as if confirming the man was real.
Nathan stretched his arms lazily.
"Well, to be fair…"
He glanced back with a smirk.
"He deserved it."
Cyril's lips twitched — not quite a smile, but close.
As they walked, Nathan scanned the sky.
The colors told him evening was almost over… meaning the riverbank meeting with Lia would soon begin.
He slowed his steps.
"Ash, Cyril."
Both disciples straightened instantly.
"You two will follow me to the southern riverbank. I need to meet someone."
Cyril narrowed his eyes slightly. "An enemy?"
"No," Nathan said softly. "A potential ally. Or… a lost genius."
Cyril's steps faltered for a split second.
Ash looked confused, then realization dawned.
"Master… you mean the girl you talked to earlier?"
Nathan nodded.
"Yes. Lia."
---
Approaching the Riverbank
They weaved through the district until the noise of the city softened and the gentle rush of water filled their ears. Fireflies blinked over the shimmering surface of the southern river, their lights dancing along the reeds.
The sky was deepening to violet, with the last threads of sunset fading.
Nathan's robe fluttered as he stepped onto the riverbank.
Ash and Cyril stood slightly behind him — respectful, attentive.
Nathan scanned the riverside.
Empty.
No sign of Lia.
Ash whispered, "Master… do you think she'll come?"
Nathan took a deep breath.
"I hope so."
Cyril tilted his head, studying Nathan quietly.
"Hope?" Cyril murmured. "I thought you were always certain."
Nathan smiled.
"As confident as I am… people's hearts are unpredictable."
Silence settled between them. The river murmured. Wind rustled through the grass.
Nathan watched the opposite bank, wondering if Lia had chosen to forget the meeting.
Then—
A soft crunch of footsteps behind them.
Ash spun around.
"Master!"
Nathan turned.
Lia stood several steps away, hands clasped nervously, her eyes flicking between him, Cyril, and Ash.
She had come.
Nathan's smile warmed instantly.
"You came."
Lia nodded slightly.
"I… thought about what you said."
Cyril observed her silently.
Ash waved enthusiastically. "Hello!"
Lia blinked, startled by Ash's friendliness, then offered a shy nod in return.
Nathan approached her slowly, respectfully.
"I won't force you," he said softly. "But I meant everything I said earlier. You have talent most sects would fight over, but you were never given a fair chance."
Lia clenched her fists, her eyes reflecting the river's wavering light.
"Nathan… I don't know if I can go through that pain again."
Her voice trembled.
"That humiliation. Being told I wasn't good enough. Being laughed at…"
Nathan stopped in front of her and spoke gently:
"Lia. You don't need to be unbroken to start again. You just need courage."
Her breath hitched.
Nathan gestured toward Ash and Cyril.
"Ash lived his whole life hungry. Cyril spent years being controlled. Neither had a fair start."
He smiled softly.
"But look at them now. They chose a new path."
Ash nodded proudly.
"Master is amazing! He saved me!"
Cyril glanced away, cheeks faint pink.
"...He helped me too."
Lia's eyes softened, their walls cracking once again.
Nathan extended his hand.
"If you join me, Lia, I won't let anyone step on you again. I'll teach you. Guide you. And I'll make sure you never regret choosing this path."
The wind grew still.
The river quieted.
Lia stared at Nathan's hand as though it were the door to another world.
She bit her lip.
Then—
Slowly…
Softly…
Her fingers reached out—
And touched his.
Nathan's heart warmed.
He closed his hand gently around hers.
"Lia," he said warmly, "welcome."
A soft, gentle chime echoed in his mind.
DING.
> [Potential Disciple Identified: Lia (Potential: 72)]
[Status: Accepted]
Ash clapped loudly. "Yay!"
Cyril nodded respectfully. "Welcome."
Lia bowed her head, a tear slipping down her cheek.
"Thank you… Master Nathan."
Nathan exhaled slowly, relief and pride swelling in his chest.
Three disciples.
Three sparks.
Three futures.
His sect finally had its core.
Nathan led them to a small clearing near the river, where moonlight shimmered over the grass. The four of them sat in a small circle — Nathan at the center.
Lia, Ash, and Cyril sat in silence, waiting.
Nathan folded his hands thoughtfully.
"Now that all three of you are here… I can tell you something important."
The disciples leaned in.
"I am going to build a sect."
Cyril's eyes narrowed with interest.
Ash gasped.
Lia blinked.
Nathan continued:
"This sect will not be like the Azure Sky Sword Sect or the ones who reject the weak. It won't follow corrupt traditions. It won't worship strength alone."
His voice grew firm.
"It will be a sect where every disciple matters. Where talent isn't wasted. Where people rise because of effort, not background."
Ash straightened proudly.
"Yes, Master!"
Cyril's fingers curled around his wooden sword.
"…A sect where no one can force someone else into chains."
Lia wiped her eyes, smiling softly.
"And where failure isn't a curse."
Nathan nodded at each of them.
"You three will be the founding pillars. The first generation."
Ash grinned excitedly.
"The… the Founding Disciples? That sounds cool!"
Cyril smirked slightly.
"Founders should at least be strong."
Lia smiled shyly.
"I… I'll work hard, Master."
Nathan looked at them with a mixture of pride and ambition.
"Good. Because to reach the top… we will need to train harder than anyone else in this world."
Ash puffed his chest.
"I'm ready!"
Cyril nodded without hesitation.
"Me too."
Lia placed a hand over her heart.
"I'll try my best."
Nathan stood.
Moonlight illuminated his figure like a silver aura.
"From today onward… the foundations of the Supreme Sect begin."
Ash's eyes sparkled.
Cyril's resolve hardened.
Lia's spine straightened.
Nathan lifted his head.
"And together… we will build a sect the world has never seen."
As the three disciples stood before him, united for the first time—
DING.
> [Main Quest Completed: Recruit 3 Disciples with Potential > 50]
[Reward: +1 Authority Level]
[Reward: Sect Creation Token Received]
[System Message: Host may now establish the Supreme Sect.]
Nathan's heart thumped.
It was time.