Morning on Mount Turtleback arrived not with sunshine or birdsong, but with the faint groaning of rotting wood and Hu Daniu screaming at a squirrel.
"IT STOLE MY PILLOW!" he shouted, chasing after the animal barefoot, holding a stick like it was the Sword of Legends.
Li Qingyu sipped tea from the same chipped bowl, now flavored faintly with pine needles. He watched the chase with detached amusement.
"Good reflex training," he muttered. "Maybe he'll level up by breakfast."
The Sect Development System chimed in his head with unnatural cheer.
[Ding! Sect Daily Mission Unlocked: Feed 1 disciple, maintain 1 building, recruit 1 new disciple.]
"Recruit another one?" Li Qingyu rubbed his chin. "Well, I've already enslaved—sorry, 'nurtured'—one local. Let's go for two."
He rose to his feet and stretched. The sun peeked through thick clouds as if apologizing for showing up. With his broom strapped to his back and his robes billowing in the morning wind, Li Qingyu looked like a righteous sect master.
Until the wind caught a roof tile and smacked him in the head.
"…System," he grunted. "Add 'replace roof' to the list."
---
Later that day, Li Qingyu descended to the nearby Stone Ridge Market. It wasn't big—just a few dozen stalls, some wandering cultivators, and one very loud tofu seller—but it was the hub of gossip and talent.
And talent was what he needed.
He positioned himself near the entrance with a large vertical banner that read:
"SEEKING DISCIPLES: FREE CULTIVATION, FOOD, AND SOMETIMES LIFE ADVICE."
"JOIN TODAY. SURVIVE TOMORROW."
Passersby glanced at the sign, then at him, and kept walking.
A few snickered. One cultivator muttered, "Another mad sect founder."
Li Qingyu smiled like a man who had accepted the world's judgment and chosen to ignore it completely.
Then, someone kicked his sign over.
It wasn't a big kick—more like a casual tap—but it sent the banner flopping into the mud.
"Hey," he said without looking up. "That was hand-painted, you know."
The kicker stood with a long blade strapped across her back, black robes stitched with silver clouds, and hair tied in a single braid. She looked about seventeen. Her eyes held the weariness of someone twice that age.
"I've been to twelve sects," she said flatly. "They all made promises. None delivered. Yours looks even worse."
Li Qingyu blinked. "Wow. That was a lot of baggage in one sentence."
She crossed her arms. "What can you offer?"
"Immediate spiritual awakening, unpredictable life experiences, and unlimited tofu."
"Pass."
"Wait," Li Qingyu said, raising a hand. "What's your name?"
"Lin Ziyan. Peak Body Refining Realm. Specialize in sword arts. No family, no debts, no time for nonsense."
He raised both eyebrows. "You're a lone wolf type. Strong backstory. Edge of mystery. Very recruitable."
She turned to walk away.
"I can give you a cultivation pill that doubles your body strength temporarily and tastes like grapes."
She paused.
"And a sword manual that teaches how to counter Heaven-level techniques with sarcasm."
She turned back slowly.
"…You're bluffing."
Li Qingyu grinned. "Try me."
---
Five minutes later, she sat at a table in a run-down teahouse. Across from her, Li Qingyu laid out three items: a palm-sized jade bottle, a worn scroll titled "The Art of Aggressive Sword Commentary", and a silver token with the faint glow of spiritual energy.
"This is real," she muttered, holding the token.
"System-issued," Li Qingyu replied. "Join the sect, and you'll have access to manuals, pills, daily sparring, and a senior brother who recently tried to fight a squirrel."
"I work alone."
"Good. Our sect currently only has one other person. You'll practically be a solo branch."
Lin Ziyan studied him for a long moment.
"You don't act like a sect master."
Li Qingyu leaned back. "And you don't act like someone looking for home. But here we are."
There was a long pause. Then, to his surprise—and maybe hers—she slid the token into her sleeve.
"…I'll give it a week."
[Ding! 2nd Disciple Acquired: Lin Ziyan (Potential Rating: A-). Rewards unlocked.]
[Rewards: 30 Sect Points, 1x Sword Cultivation Field (Locked), 1x Discipline Manual, 1x "Flame-Forged Iron Token."]
---
Back at the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect, Hu Daniu gawked at the new arrival.
"She looks like she could break my spine."
"She probably could," Li Qingyu agreed cheerfully. "But only if you touch her sword."
Ziyan raised an eyebrow. "Why would he touch my sword?"
"Hu Daniu does not understand boundaries," Li Qingyu replied. "We're working on it."
"Do I get my own hut?" she asked.
"You get the west shed. The one without squirrels."
"...Fine."
---
Later that night, Li Qingyu stood on the broken gate, staring at the moon again.
Two disciples.
It was strange how proud he felt. Hu Daniu had already fallen asleep mid-meditation, drooling on his cultivation manual. Ziyan, meanwhile, was out in the courtyard practicing sword swings under moonlight, her aura steady, eyes focused.
She didn't ask for praise. Didn't want it. But she worked harder than most people he'd seen.
"System," he murmured. "They're both weird. But they might be the real thing."
[Ding! Additional System Function Unlocked: Disciples' Status Panel.]
[Disciple: Hu Daniu]
Realm: Qi Gathering (Early)
Talent: Moderate
Morale: High
Favorite Food: Roasted duck
Notes: Frequently distracted by wildlife. Immune to sarcasm.
[Disciple: Lin Ziyan]
Realm: Body Refining (Peak)
Talent: High
Morale: Guarded
Favorite Weapon: Silent Edge Sword
Notes: Has trust issues. May attempt to leave if disappointed.
Li Qingyu let out a low whistle.
"Well," he said. "Guess I'll just have to be amazing."