Recruitment Day was in full swing.
Dozens of sects were calling out loudly, trying to attract talented youths:
"Azure Cloud Pavilion seeks those with pure spirit roots!"
"Sword Valley welcomes sword prodigies!"
"Iron Bamboo Hall accepts those with firm willpower!"
Lin Feng sat alone at his crooked table, enjoying the peace.
Ghost child floated behind him, tying small knots in its splinter sword for fun.
The Chained Woman stood like a silent monument, her chain wrapped around her feet.
Every passing youth took one look at the ghosts
→ then pretended they had urgent somewhere else to be.
Perfect.
Lin Feng leaned back, hands behind his head.
"This is the quietest recruitment day I've ever seen. Very comfortable."
The system chimed.
[SYSTEM REMINDER]
Host, recruitment rate: 0%
Comfort level: 100%
Efficiency: deeply questionable.
Lin Feng nodded, satisfied.
"Excellent."
Several elders nearby stared at him like he was insane.
---
Azure Cloud Pavilion's booth was busiest.
One of their elders saw Lin Feng relaxing and smirked.
"Hmph. Foolish boy. He thinks reviving a dead sect is like painting a fence."
Sword Valley instructor added proudly,
"Watch, he'll return home empty-handed."
Right then—
A boy stumbled through the crowd.
Around fifteen.
Dirty clothes.
Thin.
Carrying a bag that looked heavier than his body.
He limped slightly, breath short.
He walked past Azure Cloud.
Past Sword Valley.
Past Iron Bamboo.
The elders puffed out their chests.
"Here he comes!"
"Yes, yes, come here, child!"
"Show your talent to a proper sect!"
The boy walked straight past them all.
And stopped in front of Lin Feng.
The entire plaza froze.
The Azure Cloud elder let out a sound like a dying chicken.
The Sword Valley instructor choked on his own spit.
Iron Bamboo elder dropped his teacup.
Everyone stared.
The boy bowed deeply to Lin Feng.
"Sir… c-can I… test my talent here?"
Lin Feng blinked.
"Oh? You're not afraid of ghosts?"
The boy looked behind Lin Feng—
Ghost child waved.
The Chained Woman stared without blinking.
The boy trembled but said truthfully,
"I'm terrified, sir… b-but you look… calmer than them."
The crowd gasped.
"What kind of logic is that?!"
"He thinks the ghost man is SAFER?!"
"This child is delusional!"
Lin Feng nodded seriously.
"Good instincts. Let's test you."
He tapped the Testing Stone the plaza provided for all sects.
The stone pulsed faintly.
A simple rule:
The brighter the shine
→ the better the talent.
Azure Cloud elder crossed his arms smugly.
"Heh. This boy looks weak. Probably trash talent."
Sword Valley instructor nodded.
"Let the cursed peak take him. One less disappointment for us."
The boy placed his hand on the stone.
Nothing happened.
The stone stayed dark.
Completely dark.
The Azure Cloud elder laughed loudly.
"Hahaha! Trash talent indeed!"
"Zero spiritual roots!"
"He can't cultivate even if heaven gave him ten chances!"
Parents dragged their children away, whispering loudly:
"See? That's why you never join sketchy sects."
"Stay far from cursed mountains."
"Yes, mother…"
The boy lowered his head.
Even he accepted it quietly.
"…I see."
Lin Feng tapped the stone.
"Hey. Shine."
The stone did not shine.
The system chimed.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Detected: Hidden Root Suppression
Cause: Emotional trauma + spiritual scar
Potential talent: Unknown (requires proper awakening)
Lin Feng nodded.
"I knew it. This stone is lazy."
He grabbed the Testing Stone with one hand…
and slapped it lightly.
"Do your job."
The stone flashed—
So bright the entire plaza flinched.
Azure Cloud elder: "WHAT—?!"
Sword Valley instructor: "Impossible!!"
Iron Bamboo elder: "Great heavens!!"
The stone kept glowing brighter… and brighter…
A blinding gold-white radiance poured out like flowing water.
People shielded their faces.
A few fell down in shock.
One guy fainted with his mouth open.
Even Ghost child stopped floating mid-spin.
The Chained Woman's chain lifted a fraction, acknowledging the power.
The stone finally dimmed.
Everyone stared at the boy like he just hatched from a dragon egg.
Azure Cloud elder stuttered,
"T-t-that… that LIGHT…! That is—!"
Sword Valley instructor trembled violently.
"A… Absolute… Root…?"
Lin Feng dusted his hands lightly.
"Good. You pass."
The boy stared at him with wide eyes.
"S-sir… does that mean… I can join?"
Lin Feng nodded.
"Yes. Welcome to Horizon Sect."
The boy kneeled instantly, forehead touching the ground.
"Disciple Li Shen greets Sect Master!"
The plaza exploded.
"WHAT?!"
"A top-tier talent joined HIM?!"
"He tamed ghosts AND talent?!"
"Broken-Soul Peak just gained a MONSTER disciple!"
Azure Cloud elder almost fainted.
Sword Valley elder nearly drew his sword out of sheer disbelief.
Iron Bamboo elder tried to swallow his tongue.
Lin Feng stretched lazily.
"Alright. One disciple recruited."
Ghost child clapped excitedly.
The Chained Woman remained silent but a faint ripple of approval leaked out.
The system chimed happily.
[MISSION COMPLETE]
Recruit 1 Disciple: Success
Reward: +3 Sect Points
Reward: Beginner Combat Manual (Unorthodox Variant)
Reward: Sect Reputation +2
Lin Feng smiled faintly.
The Horizon Sect had officially begun.
---