The fog on Broken-Soul Peak thickened as Lin Feng and Li Shen walked through the gate.
The wooden sign above them creaked once, then lost another piece of itself.
A tile slid off the roof and shattered on the ground.
Li Shen stood there, silent.
Lin Feng waited.
Finally the boy spoke.
"…Master… did someone rob us before?"
"No," Lin Feng said calmly.
"…Was this rebuilt once and then destroyed again?"
"Possibly."
"…Did we arrive too early in the century?"
"Highly likely."
Li Shen exhaled very slowly, then bowed.
"I understand."
He did not look angry.
He did not look afraid.
He simply looked like a person who accepted that fate had punched him unexpectedly, but politely.
Ghost child floated by and pointed proudly at a broken wall as if saying, This is premium construction.
The Chained Woman stood at her usual place by the altar, chains wrapped around her like lazy serpents.
Li Shen whispered to himself:
"…So this is Horizon Sect…"
Lin Feng patted his shoulder.
"You'll get used to it. Eventually. Probably."
They walked deeper inside.
The courtyard was cracked.
The training field was uneven.
The main hall leaned to one side like it wanted to lie down forever.
Li Shen paused at every sight, showing only thoughtful confusion.
"Master… this pillar is… bent."
"Yes."
"And this door doesn't open."
"It's decorative."
"…The roof is missing."
"Ventilation."
Li Shen nodded like this was profound wisdom.
Lin Feng pointed at one of the rooms.
"That one will be yours."
The boy entered.
The door fell off immediately.
He caught it with both hands, set it aside gently, and bowed to the empty room.
"…Thank you, Master. It's perfect."
Lin Feng looked at him with mild admiration.
"You adapt quickly. Good."
Li Shen placed his small travel bag in the corner, cleared dust from a crooked table, and sat down with quiet determination.
"Tomorrow," Lin Feng said, "we begin your training."
Li Shen bowed.
"Yes, Master."
Silence settled.
Fog drifted through the hallway.
Ghost child peeked into Li Shen's room, inspecting him like a new toy.
The Chained Woman's chains rattled once before settling.
Li Shen did not flinch.
He simply said, "Hello," as if greeting neighbors.
Lin Feng stepped into the courtyard and exhaled.
A soft chime rang through his mind.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Mission Complete: Recruit 1 disciple
Rewards issued to host:
• Sect Points +3
• Beginner Combat Manual (Basic Foundation Art)
• Reputation +2
• Bonus: 20 copper coins ("For emotional stress during recruitment")
Lin Feng lifted his hand casually.
A small stack of copper coins appeared.
A plain-bound manual appeared afterward.
Ghost child floated closer, staring with curiosity.
Li Shen noticed the movement but did not react strangely.
Storage techniques were normal for cultivators.
Lin Feng placed the coins into a pouch at his belt and slid the manual into his sleeve as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.
He didn't bother opening it.
He would look through it when he felt like it.
For now, simply having it was enough.
He looked up at the sky above the broken roof.
"Not a bad start."
Fog curled at his feet.
Li Shen sat quietly in his ruined room.
Ghost child hummed.
The Chained Woman watched over the hall without moving.
The mountain whispered its usual sounds—
nothing ancient, nothing cosmic—
just the restless cold of a haunted peak that now had one more living soul inside it.
And for the first time…
Horizon Sect didn't feel empty.
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