The night after the Heavenly Envoy left was unusually quiet. No insects chirped. No wind brushed the mountain. Even the spirit qi seemed hesitant to move, as if the world itself were holding its breath.
Xuán Wèi stood alone in the ruined main hall of Xuanling Sect. Cracked pillars and faded carvings surrounded him. This place had once echoed with disciples' laughter, elders' debates, and the sound of cultivation breakthroughs. Now, it barely survived.
Only he could see the system panel floating before him.
[Sect Master System – Active]
Sect Status: Fragile
Heaven Attention: Locked
Recommended Action: Strengthen Foundation
Xuán Wèi exhaled. "So Heaven really noticed."
Behind him, Ling Wei approached, bowing lightly. "Master, may I speak?"
Xuán Wèi nodded. "Go ahead."
Ling Wei hesitated. "That man… was he truly from Heaven?"
"Yes," Xuán Wèi said simply.
Ling Wei clenched his fists. "Then why didn't Heaven destroy us?"
Xuán Wèi smiled faintly. "Because Heaven isn't all-knowing. And because lies, when layered with truth, become something even Heaven hesitates to deny."
Ling Wei absorbed the words silently.
The Hidden Disciples and Immortal Teachers
The system chimed softly, showing Xuán Wèi the full truth of his sect:
[Registered Disciples – Total 4]
1️⃣ Ling Wei – First Disciple (Universe-Defining Body)
2️⃣ Disciple #2 – Hidden (System-only knowledge)
3️⃣ Disciple #3 – Hidden
4️⃣ Disciple #4 – Hidden
[Immortal Teachers – Bound and Hidden]
▸ 3 Immortals summoned via lottery
▸ Human forms only, original traits retained
▸ Cannot act openly due to Heaven surveillance
▸ Life-and-death contract bound
Xuán Wèi smirked. Even Heaven doesn't know. Perfect.
He whispered to the system, "Make sure they stay hidden until I call them. The world sees only Ling Wei, nothing else."
System Confirmation: Acknowledged.
The Beginner Gift
After confirming the hidden disciples and Immortal Teachers, a new notification appeared.
[Beginner Sect Master Reward – Unclaimed]
▸ Reason: Sect Master officially recognized by Heaven (unaware of hidden disciples)
▸ Reward Tier: Foundational
▸ Reward:
▸ Sect Master Cultivation Stabilization (Permanent)
▸ Heaven-Concealing Aura (Passive)
▸ Myth-Weaving Tongue (Passive Ability)
▸ God-Tier Manual: Origin Scripture of Heaven and Earth
▸ Sect Points +1,000
Xuán Wèi raised an eyebrow. "So the system officially supports my bullshitting now."
Correction: Strategic Narrative Construction.
He chuckled. "Good. Very good."
Limits and Struggle
The system updated again.
[Sect Capacity Restriction]
Current Disciple Limit: 7 (Level 1)
▸ Exceeding limit impossible
▸ Sect Growth requires Sect Points
Xuán Wèi nodded. "If I could recruit endlessly, it would be meaningless. Struggle makes growth real."
Immortal Teachers – Still Dormant
He glanced at the sealed tab in the system.
[Immortal Teacher Lottery – Locked for Action]
Unlock Condition:
▸ Recruit a disciple of Golden Talent or above
▸ Sect Reputation: Established
▸ Heaven Surveillance: Reduced
The fox, the tortoise, and the sword sovereigns remained dormant but bound, ready for the right moment. If Heaven discovered them now, things would get messy.
Xuán Wèi's Resolve
He looked around the broken sect grounds.
"Seven disciples," he whispered.
"No shortcuts."
"No abandoning those who place faith in me."
He clenched his fist. "Let Heaven watch. I'll build a sect it cannot erase."
Above the mountain, clouds stirred, drawn by the faint rebirth of destiny. Hidden from the world, unseen by Heaven, the sect's true strength already waited in the shadows.