Broken-Soul Peak.
The kind of mountain even ghosts avoided unless absolutely necessary.
Naturally, Lin Feng chose it as his new home.
He stood at the base of the broken stone stairs, holding a travel bag containing one pair of socks, one stale bun, and unrealistic confidence. Mist curled around the stones like it was whispering warnings.
Lin Feng smiled warmly.
"Lovely atmosphere. Very welcoming."
A cold chime echoed in his mind.
[SYSTEM ACTIVATED]
Welcome, Host.
Recommended Action: Turn around immediately.
Lin Feng waved at the air.
"No no, this is perfect. Good feng shui. Very haunted."
[SYSTEM: Analyzing Host mental stability… error.]
He began climbing.
Every few steps, the mountain tried to intimidate him:
A childlike whisper drifted through the trees.
A boulder trembled for no reason.
A shadow crawled across the ground with no owner.
Lin Feng hummed like he was on a morning walk.
A translucent ghost floated onto the path, head tilted, mouth hanging open unnaturally.
The system flashed:
[Ghost Detected]
Cultivation: Spectral Vein Realm (Low)
Aggression: Low
Confidence: Confused
Lin Feng nodded at it politely.
"Afternoon."
The ghost drifted back in fear.
"See?" Lin Feng said proudly. "The locals already respect me."
---
Arriving at the Sect
At the top of the peak stood a ruined gate with a rotting plaque:
HORIZON SECT
(half the letters were chewed off)
The courtyard was worse:
broken tiles
collapsed roof
a swing that creaked aggressively
the faint sound of distant crying (hopefully not human)
Lin Feng pushed the gate open.
"Perfect. Just the right amount of disaster."
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Sect Level: Rank 9 (worst possible)
Buildings: Ruined
Resources: 0
Wealth: negative
Recommended Action: Cry
Lin Feng patted the gate.
"No tears. Tears attract ghosts."
The system scanned again:
[HOSTILE GHOST COUNT: 32]
[AGGRESSION LEVEL: HIGH]
[UNKNOWN ENTITY DETECTED]
Power Level: Too high to measure
Lin Feng's eyebrow lifted slightly.
"Oh? A VIP."
Cold metal clinked behind him.
He turned.
A woman stood there—pale, dressed in a torn funeral gown, thick chains wrapped around every limb. Her long hair covered half her face, the rest expressionless and unreadable.
She watched him silently.
The system almost panicked:
[ENTITY SCAN FAILED]
Cultivation: Wraith Core Realm or higher
Threat Level: Extreme
Behavior: Observing
Lin Feng nodded politely.
"Evening, Elder."
She tilted her head slightly.
Her chains rattled once, softly.
She did not attack.
Lin Feng walked past her calmly, admiring the broken walls as if he owned a palace.
[SYSTEM WARNING]
Your reaction to danger is abnormal.
Recalculating survival patterns…
Lin Feng ignored it.
He inspected the courtyard, checked the fallen beams, kicked a rock, and took a deep breath.
"Not bad. With some work… and some money… and zero sense of safety… this place will shine."
The system chimed again:
[NEW MISSION: Revive the Horizon Sect]
Requirements:
• Survive
• Rebuild
• Recruit disciples (0/1)
• Don't die
Reward: Starter Pack
Lin Feng raised a brow.
"Starter pack? Why didn't you say earlier?"
[SYSTEM: Host must first acknowledge mission.]
"I acknowledge."
[STARTER PACK GRANTED]
A small pouch appeared in his hand.
Inside were:
3 Sect Points
1 Broken Manual Page
1 Low-grade Spirit Bone Fragment
1 (cracked) lantern
Lin Feng held the lantern.
"It's cracked?"
[SYSTEM]
Budget limitations.
Lin Feng sighed.
"Fine. We start from nothing. That's tradition."
Broken-Soul Peak groaned quietly, as if amused.
Lin Feng stood in the middle of the ruined courtyard, hands behind his back, looking at the haunted mountain with a calm smile.
The Horizon Sect had died long ago.
Tonight, it opened under new management.
...