Wei Tian stood on the newly formed summoning platform like a man carved from stone. His silver armor shone faintly, polished to perfection, and his presence felt like a sword pressed against the wind—sharp, disciplined, and unshakably calm.
Lin Xuanji stared at him for a long moment.
"…Guardian-class guard," he muttered. "Of all the things that could appear on my mountain, why a soldier?"
Wei Tian cupped his fists again. "Sect Master. Command me, and I shall obey without hesitation."
Ruolan peeked out from behind Lin Xuanji's sleeve. "S-Sect Master… he looks scary."
Feng Xiao crossed her arms. "He looks like he was born glaring at enemies."
Ling Xueyin studied the new arrival silently, her expression unreadable—but her eyes softened ever so slightly at the sight of him. A relic from the old sect… even if he didn't remember, she did.
Lin Xuanji cleared his throat. "Uh… Wei Tian, right?"
"Yes, Sect Master."
"Why… exactly… are you here?"
Wei Tian straightened his back, armor clinking softly. "I was preserved to serve Heavenly Peak upon its rebirth. When the summoning imprint awakened, I received the call."
Lin Xuanji blinked. "So the mountain made a… soldier delivery system."
(Correction: Summoning Platform.)
"Shut up."
Wei Tian glanced around the courtyard, taking everything in methodically. His gaze passed over Ruolan—who squeaked and hid again—then over Feng Xiao, then lingered briefly on Ling Xueyin before returning to Lin Xuanji.
"The peak is… quiet," he said.
Lin Xuanji snorted. "You think this is quiet? We were chased by a forest boar an hour ago."
Wei Tian paused. "A… boar?"
"A very angry one."
Ling Xueyin added calmly, "It was dealt with."
Wei Tian bowed deeply toward her. "As expected of the Grand Elder."
Feng Xiao leaned toward Ruolan. "Why did he not greet her like that earlier?"
Ruolan whispered, "Maybe he didn't see her properly…"
Lin Xuanji suddenly felt a pang of dread. "Wait. If he's the first guard…"
(Host. Additional guards will appear as the sect level increases.)
"NO. STOP."
(Next summon: Wei Family Guard Unit — 10 members.)
"STOP RIGHT THERE."
Wei Tian nodded approvingly. "Reinforcements will be valuable."
Lin Xuanji rubbed his face. "No, no, no—every time I gain a building or a person, something goes wrong. I can barely handle two disciples, a mysterious Grand Elder, and a mountain with mood swings!"
Ruolan raised his hand timidly. "Sect Master… um… I think the peak is humming again."
"What?"
The ground emitted a soft, steady vibration—
not alarming,
not dangerous,
just… pleased.
Lin Xuanji pointed accusingly at the ground. "Don't you DARE build anything right now!"
The humming stopped.
He blinked. "…Oh. That actually worked?"
Ling Xueyin gave him a knowing look. "The peak obeys you more than you realize."
Wei Tian looked impressed. "Sect Master's authority is absolute."
Lin Xuanji choked. "NO IT IS NOT. I can't even stop herbs from running!"
Feng Xiao added helpfully, "You also can't stop your body from showing off."
"THAT'S NOT A SHOW-OFF, THAT'S A CONDITION."
Ruolan tugged his sleeve again. "S-Sect Master… since Guardian Wei is here… does that mean we are stronger now?"
Lin Xuanji opened his mouth to deny it.
Wei Tian answered instead. "Yes. The sect now has an official defense unit. I will begin patrol immediately."
Before anyone could react, Wei Tian stepped off the platform and walked toward the cliff edge. He scanned the horizon with the expression of a veteran who expected danger at any moment.
Lin Xuanji sighed. "Great. Now we look like a sect that actually knows what it's doing."
Ling Xueyin smiled faintly. "Progress."
Feng Xiao folded her arms. "Sect Master, what will we do now?"
Lin Xuanji rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Now? We breathe. We act normal. We pretend we run a peaceful sect."
(Host. New task available.)
"…No."
(Host. It is important.)
"NO."
(Task: Prepare accommodations for future disciples.)
Lin Xuanji froze.
Ruolan gasped.
Feng Xiao's eyes lit up.
Ling Xueyin's expression softened knowingly.
Wei Tian turned and bowed once more.
"So another one arrives soon."
Lin Xuanji looked up at the sky with dead eyes.
"…Fine. Let the next disaster come."
The mountain hummed again—like a laugh.
And far away, in a quiet village touched by shadows, the third disciple took his first step toward Heavenly Peak without knowing his fate had already been decided.