One Week Ago — Mountains Near Central City
The calm winds whispered through the mountain peaks as Shaurya stood at the edge of a cliff, surrounded by his ten disciples.
Beside him stood Chen Fang, the newly accepted disciple, his body glowing with a golden sheen.
Elder Liya observed quietly from the side, her gaze drawn to the young man's immense focus.
Chen Fang sat cross-legged, his eyes closed in deep concentration.
Around him, sword aura spiraled gently through the air—he was cultivating the Immortal Sword Body Art, the very technique Shaurya had gifted him.
"Why are we staying in this mountain instead of a hotel?" Lee Bie finally asked with a frown.
Wang Tian smirked.
"We offended the Gu Family too much. If we stay in Central City, they might try to attack us."
Luo Chen scoffed confidently.
"Let them come. I'll show them the power of this sect."
Shaurya chuckled, adjusting his sunglasses.
"You're right. If they attack, we'll be fine. But if we fight back in the city, innocent people could get hurt. That's why we're here. If a battle breaks out, no civilian will suffer."
Wang Tian nodded with a grin.
"Except the attackers."
Shaurya and Wang Tian laughed, the sound echoing across the mountain.
Mo Liya watched silently, surprised. Never before had she seen a sect leader think about ordinary people this way.
This man was different.
Suddenly, a powerful burst of energy erupted from Chen Fang.
Golden energy swirled around him as he broke through from Qi Initiate Level 6 to Qi Refiner Level 2.
He floated into the air, golden light surrounding his body as a majestic sword aura manifested behind him.
He released a cry of power, shaking the very air.
And then another surge came.
The ground trembled as he ascended again—Qi Refiner Level 5.
Everyone watched, stunned and exhilarated.
When Chen Fang finally landed, he looked completely speechless.
"I broke through… I actually leveled up!"
He rushed over to Shaurya and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Master."
Shaurya patted his shoulder proudly.
"Congratulations."
Chen Fang then turned to Mo Liya and bowed again.
"Master, I finally did it."
Mo Liya smiled faintly.
"Now you can take your revenge."
Shaurya stepped forward, excitement lighting up his expression.
"Now it's time."
"Time for what, Master?" Xiao Lian asked.
"The recruitment ceremony," Shaurya declared.
"We're going to accept disciples—and elders."
The disciples nodded in understanding.
Shaurya summoned his system.
"System, I have 250 Dharma Points. Suggest something that can help during the recruitment ceremony."
The shop menu appeared before him. Shaurya scanned the list until one artifact caught his attention.
Suitable Member Finder
This artifact can detect suitable disciples and elders. Nine stars will shine—blue indicates a disciple, red indicates an elder, and gold indicates an inner elder.
Shaurya smiled.
"Perfect. Let's do this."
Present Time — Recruitment Ceremony
Shaurya sat on a royal chair, his white robes flowing like silk, black sunglasses enhancing his cool presence.
To his left sat Lee Bie, and to his right, Xiao Rui.
Zong Bu, Wang Tian, Chen Fang, and Luo Chen managed the crowd.
Xiao Lian and Su Quan handled the Disciple Finder Building.
Muo Qian and Elder Liya supervised the Elder Finder.
Within the crowd, a girl in white robes walked slowly.
Black eyes.
Pale skin.
An emotionless face.
Lin Shu.
Behind her stood ten other members of the Gu Family, sent as spies.
From another side, a handsome young man with blue hair and sharp yellow eyes entered, radiating an impressive aura.
The ceremony began.
Lin Shu walked silently, her eyes locking onto Chen Fang.
Chen Fang?
Wasn't he a cultivation waste?
And now… Qi Refiner?
Her gaze lingered in disbelief.
A flicker of hope ignited within her eyes.
Maybe… this sect can change my life.
Shaurya suddenly clutched his chest.
His heart was beating wildly.
"Narayan… Narayan… what is this feeling?" he murmured.
Just then, a light burst appeared.
One candidate lit all nine stars in blue.
"System," Shaurya whispered. "Info?"
[Name: Shen Hang
Physique: Immortal Spear Body (similar to Chen Fang's Sword Body, but spear-based)]
Shaurya smiled.
He turned to Xiao Rui and whispered something.
Xiao Rui nodded and handed Shen Hang a form.
"You are accepted as an inner disciple."
Two hours passed.
78 disciples were accepted.
Only Shen Hang was selected as an inner disciple.
No elders.
Shaurya sighed.
"Still no elder candidates?"
Within the crowd, Lin Shu turned toward the Gu Family spies.
"Go."
The ten spies entered the disciple zone.
Only three were accepted as outer disciples.
Lin Shu felt relieved.
Good. Less harm done.
She then walked toward the Elder Building.
Shaurya, sipping water, casually glanced in her direction—
—and froze.
The girl in white robes.
Emotionless… yet stunning.
His heart skipped again.
What's happening to me… again?
Lin Shu placed her hand on the circle.
Nothing happened.
Shaurya narrowed his eyes.
Is this broken?
Then suddenly—
A blinding golden light exploded.
All nine stars shone in radiant gold.
Everyone gasped.
Even Shaurya was stunned.
"Golden… all nine stars?!"
"Inner elder?!"
He rushed forward, took a form from Lee Bie, and approached Lin Shu.
"Congratulations," he said, handing her the form.
"You're selected as an inner elder."
Lin Shu accepted the form silently and filled it out.
Shaurya noticed something.
No emotion on her face…
But her eyes…
They screamed in pain.
The system window appeared.
[Name: Lin Shu
Age: 22
Physique: Immortal Body (only you and she possess it)]
[Status: Sent as a spy by the Lin Family (relatives and allies of the Gu Family)]
Shaurya's expression darkened.
They dared send a spy into my sect?
[System Alert: Host, calm down! Calm down, host! Listen to me!]
Shaurya raised an eyebrow.
"Listen to what? Your rap song?"
[System: She is the eldest daughter of the Lin Family. Once a beloved child. After her mother's death, she was betrayed, abused, and cursed with the Soul Puppet Curse—unable to disobey or act of her own will. Her story is worse than any tragic novel you have read.]
Shaurya read the entire data.
Tears slowly welled up in his eyes.
Why… why does her pain feel like mine?
Why is my soul trembling?
He gasped for breath, his body shaking.
His disciples saw this and rushed toward him.
"Master!" Wang Tian asked anxiously. "Are you alright?!"
Shaurya trembled.
"I… I don't know. I'm not okay… but I am. It's strange."
His disciples looked worried.
"Master, please rest," Luo Chen insisted.
Shaurya nodded slowly.
"I feel… so sad. And angry. My heart… it's boiling."
His disciples exchanged anxious glances.
Xiao Rui stepped forward.
"Master, we'll take care of the rest. You should lie down."
Shaurya nodded and walked toward the shade of a tree.
As he lay back, he whispered,
"System… what is happening to me?"
[System: Host, you feel this way because… she is your destined one.]
Shaurya suddenly sat upright.
"My… destiny?"
[System: Yes. Your curse of being single is finally ending.]
Shaurya blinked.
"So… that's why I've been acting strange… my soulmate…"
He looked toward Lin Shu from afar.
You have suffered so much.
But from this day forward, I will give you everything.
I will heal your broken heart.
And make sure your tears are never wasted again.
In this vast world where power reigns and fate often writes cruel stories, sometimes destiny whispers gently.
In the quiet pain of a forgotten girl…
A spark ignited within the heart of a destined one.
Two souls.
Connected by fate.
Burdened by pain.
Bound by the heavens.
The story of Shaurya and Lin Shu has only just begun.
To Be Continued…