At the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect…
The courtyard was unusually quiet.
Even the chickens — spiritual or otherwise — sensed something had changed.
Ziyan sauntered through the main gate, her robes stained with soot and glory, a half-eaten spirit fruit in hand.
Behind her, Li Qingyu walked calmly, carrying Shen over one shoulder like a sack of rice.
"…You know," Ziyan said, taking another bite, "for a half-dead genius, he's pretty light."
Shen groaned weakly, "I'm… right here…"
Li Qingyu tossed him gently onto a soft pile of alchemy herbs drying in the sun. "And now you're here. Welcome to the sect."
Hu Daniu ran over with a panicked face. "Sect Master! Senior Sister! You're back! Who's the guy on the weeds?"
"New inner disciple," Ziyan said, plopping onto a bench. "He's smart, brave, and stupid enough to get kidnapped by bandits."
"I was scouting a formation route!" Shen protested, still half-dizzy. "They ambushed me!"
"Mmhm." Li Qingyu tossed a small bottle his way. "Swallow that. Healing pill from the system. Worth more than your old sect's treasury."
Shen blinked, uncorked the bottle, and downed it.
A golden glow surged through his meridians. Bones realigned. Bruises vanished. His qi flickered brighter.
Ziyan nodded, impressed. "Damn. That stuff works fast."
Shen sat up, dazed. "I… feel like I could fight three tigers."
"Then go weed the courtyard," Li Qingyu said. "We're out of manual laborers."
Shen froze. "…Was that a joke?"
"No."
"Yes," Ziyan said at the same time. "Maybe."
Hu Daniu leaned close to Shen. "Don't worry. You get used to it. Eventually. Maybe."
---
Inside the Sect Hall
Li Qingyu sat cross-legged before the Sect Tablet, where golden text flickered:
> Inner Disciple Slot Filled:
Shen – Recognized Genius Tier
New System Feature Unlocked: Inner Disciple Trial Grounds
Status: Inactive
Requirement: Initiate Spiritual Link with disciple
"Hmph. Trial Grounds, huh?" Li Qingyu muttered. "Sounds fancy."
> DING! Would you like to initiate a Spiritual Link with Disciple Shen?
Li Qingyu pressed [Yes].
A flash of light. The air shimmered. Somewhere within the mountains behind the sect, an ancient gate rumbled to life — carved with phoenixes and dragons, sealed with forgotten formation marks.
Far away, a spying cultivator gasped. "The Eternal Radiance Divine Sect… they activated that?!"
---
Back at the courtyard…
Shen was now fully upright, robes freshly cleaned by Daniu's confused laundry technique (which mostly involved shaking them a lot). He stared at the sect buildings.
"…This place is a mess."
Li Qingyu didn't look offended. "Yet you're here."
"I'm not ungrateful! Just—this isn't what I expected from a sect with a name like 'Eternal Radiance Divine.'"
"We're still installing the 'radiance,'" Ziyan said helpfully.
"But we have the 'divine,'" Li Qingyu added, gesturing to himself.
"…This place is insane," Shen concluded.
Li Qingyu smirked. "And now it's your insanity."
---
Elsewhere… in a shadowy room lined with jade scrolls
An elder in black robes crushed a spirit crystal in his hand. "You're certain? That brat from the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect destroyed the entire bandit camp?"
"Yes, Elder!" a trembling scout said. "He's built a sect on that ruined mountain, recruited at least three disciples, and now... now there are strange fluctuations — a forbidden realm may have reawakened!"
"Hmph," the elder sneered. "That waste sect was supposed to rot."
"Shall I send assassins?"
The elder narrowed his eyes.
"…No. Let's watch a little longer. A flame that bright burns out fast."
---
Back at the sect — that night
Shen sat on the rooftop, knees tucked to his chest, staring at the moon. Li Qingyu joined him, handing him a steamed bun.
"This place is weird," Shen said quietly.
"Most good things are," Li Qingyu replied. "But you'll see. We're going to make this sect famous. Your name will shake the heavens."
"…You really believe that?"
Li Qingyu grinned. "No. I know it."
> DING! Favorability with Disciple Shen has increased.
Current Status: Loyal
---