The mountain woke with the dawn.
Mist coiled around the peaks like pale serpents, and for the first time in years, spiritual energy lingered instead of dispersing. Lin Chen stood at the edge of the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back, quietly feeling the pulse beneath his feet.
The sect was breathing.
> Sect Status Update:
Infrastructure: Stabilized (Basic)
Sect Resonance: Active
Warning: External Threat Approaching
Lin Chen's gaze sharpened.
"How long?" he asked.
> Estimated Arrival: 2 days, 11 hours
Threat Level: Moderate (Overwhelming for current sect)
So the Black Iron Sect was already on the move.
Lin Chen turned and looked at Su Ming, who was practicing sword forms nearby. Each swing was steadier than before, his posture firm, his eyes focused.
"Su Ming," Lin Chen called out, "stop for a moment."
"Yes, Master."
Lin Chen opened the system interface and selected the newly acquired reward.
> Blueprint Unlocked: Spirit Gathering Formation (Low Grade)
Requirements:
– Formation flags x6
– Spiritual stones x12
– Formation core (any stable spiritual source)
Lin Chen exhaled slowly.
"…Of course it needs spiritual stones."
Azure Cloud Sect had exactly zero.
But the system was already one step ahead.
> Alternative Detected:
Formation Core Substitute: Sect Foundation Spring
Warning: Reduced efficiency (−30%)
Lin Chen smiled faintly. "We'll take what we can get."
---
By noon, they began setting up the formation.
The formation flags were crude—made from sharpened wood, cloth, and hand-carved runes. The spiritual stones were replaced with concentrated earth crystals Lin Chen refined using the Sect Foundation Spring's energy.
It was inefficient.
It was rough.
But it worked.
Lin Chen positioned the final flag at the edge of the courtyard and pressed his palm against the ground.
"Formation—activate."
The runes flared to life.
A low hum echoed as invisible lines connected the flags, forming a simple but stable array. Spiritual energy from the mountain began flowing inward, gathering instead of dispersing.
> Spirit Gathering Formation Activated
Coverage: Main Hall + Courtyard
Effect:
– Cultivation Speed +50% (Sect Area)
– Sect Resonance +20%
Lin Chen felt it instantly.
The air thickened.
His dantian stirred.
> Cultivation Progress: Qi Refinement Peak 2 → 3
He let out a slow breath, suppressing his excitement.
"Another breakthrough… just from setting up a formation."
Su Ming's eyes widened as he inhaled. "Master… the air feels different."
"Sit," Lin Chen ordered. "Cultivate."
Su Ming obeyed without hesitation.
Within half an hour—
> Disciple Cultivation Progress:
Su Ming: Body Tempering 8 → Peak 8
Resonance Feedback: Sect Master cultivation stabilized
Lin Chen nodded approvingly.
This was the correct path.
Not reckless breakthroughs, but foundations.
---
By evening, a shadow crept up the mountain path.
A man in dark robes stepped into the outer boundary, his expression contemptuous as he surveyed the sect.
"So this is what's left of Azure Cloud Sect?"
Lin Chen stood atop the main hall steps, robes fluttering slightly in the gathered spiritual wind.
"You've crossed sect territory," Lin Chen said calmly. "State your purpose."
The man sneered. "Black Iron Sect. I'm here to deliver a final notice. Vacate this mountain within two days, or we'll clear it ourselves."
He paused, eyes narrowing.
"…You're the new Sect Master?"
Lin Chen smiled faintly. "I am."
The envoy laughed. "You look weak. One breath, and I could—"
The formation hummed.
The man's laughter cut off abruptly as pressure descended around him. His knees bent slightly, surprise flashing across his face.
"This—this spiritual pressure—!"
> Formation Effect Triggered
External Suppression: −20% combat efficiency
Lin Chen took one step forward.
"In two days," Lin Chen said evenly, "Azure Cloud Sect will still be here."
The envoy clenched his jaw, fury replacing shock.
"You're courting death."
He turned and left without another word.
As his figure vanished into the mist, Su Ming rushed forward.
"Master! That was someone from the Black Iron Sect. Won't this provoke them?"
Lin Chen's gaze remained fixed on the mountain path.
"That was the point," he said quietly.
The system chimed.
> Sect Reputation Update:
Azure Cloud Sect: Infamous → Noticed
Lin Chen felt a subtle shift in the air.
His cultivation stirred—just a little.
> Cultivation Progress: Qi Refinement 3 → Mid 3
He smiled.
"The first step to rebuilding a sect," Lin Chen said, "is making sure the world remembers it exists."
Above the mountain, the mist thickened.
Below, rumors began to move.
And two days later, the Black Iron Sect would come not for ruins—but for resistance.