Morning sunlight crept over Heavenly Peak, painting gold across the courtyard. Ruolan swept diligently, Feng Xiao stretched with small fire bursts that singed the air, Wei Tian sharpened his spear with military precision, and Tian Wen sat quietly on the steps, practicing the breathing Lin Xuanji had taught him.
Lin Xuanji stepped out of his room rubbing his eyes.
"Morning, everyone—"
Before he finished, his toe caught on a stone.
He should have fallen flat on his face.
Instead—
His body rotated midair.
He twisted like a dancer, planted a hand, flipped, and landed lightly like he weighed nothing at all.
Everyone froze.
Ruolan's broom dropped.
Feng Xiao's fireball fizzled.
Wei Tian stopped sharpening mid-stroke.
Tian Wen stopped breathing altogether.
Ling Xueyin, watching from the shade, allowed the tiniest movement at the corner of her eyes—her version of stunned.
Lin Xuanji blinked.
"…I meant to do that."
Feng Xiao pointed. "Sect Master, NO YOU DID NOT."
Ruolan clapped shyly. "I-It was very graceful…"
Tian Wen stared. "…Are we sure he isn't secretly powerful?"
Wei Tian saluted. "Sect Master's prowess continues to surpass expectations."
Lin Xuanji waved his hands. "NO. NO PRAISE. That was muscle memory. Pure reflex. Nothing else."
(Correction: It was ancient battle instinct.)
Shut UP, System.
Tian Wen looked thoughtful.
"…If the Sect Master moves like that by accident… I should aim higher in training."
Lin Xuanji nearly gagged. "NO. DO NOT AIM BASED ON ME. I have no idea what my body is doing."
Ruolan nodded. "He doesn't even know why he flips sometimes."
Feng Xiao added, "He ran up a tree last week."
"That was AN ACCIDENT," Lin Xuanji snapped.
Wei Tian tilted his head. "A tree run is useful in combat."
"I WAS BEING CHASED BY A SQUIRREL!"
The disciples exchanged looks.
"…A squirrel?"
"…A fast one?"
"…Did you offend it?"
"…Sect Master, how??"
Lin Xuanji groaned and rubbed his face.
"Enough. Let's begin morning training."
He turned to Tian Wen.
"We're starting simple. Basic stances."
Tian Wen stood, serious as always.
Lin Xuanji demonstrated the first stance—
slow, controlled, perfectly balanced.
Ruolan whispered, "He actually looks like he knows what he's doing…"
Feng Xiao whispered back, "That's because his body does."
Lin Xuanji turned around. "…I heard that."
He walked over to Tian Wen.
"Spread your stance. Lower your weight. Steady your breath."
Tian Wen imitated him.
Too stiff.
Too tense.
But determined.
Lin Xuanji adjusted his posture with gentle taps.
"No—don't lock your elbows. And move your center of gravity slightly forward."
Tian Wen's body shifted—
—and suddenly the qi inside him surged.
His eyes widened. "It's moving again—!"
Lin Xuanji grabbed his wrist immediately.
"Breathe. Don't panic. Let it move. Don't force direction."
Tian Wen inhaled sharply.
The qi-thread inside him vibrated, spiraled—
—and settled.
Ruolan exhaled. "H-He did it again."
Feng Xiao nodded. "His reaction time is fast."
Wei Tian stepped closer. "He is adapting well. With proper discipline, he may become one of the stronger disciples."
Lin Xuanji gave Tian Wen an encouraging nod. "Good. Again."
Tian Wen sank into the stance again, smoother this time.
Lin Xuanji moved on to the others.
"Ruolan—you're sweeping the same spot for the third time."
"S-Sorry!"
"Feng Xiao—stop burning leaves for fun."
"It's training!"
Wei Tian continued patrolling, spear in hand.
Ling Xueyin remained calm, watching everything with quiet satisfaction.
The sect was finally… functioning.
Chaotic.
Unpredictable.
Emotionally compromised.
But functioning.
Lin Xuanji let his shoulders relax.
Then—
(Host. New mission.)
Lin Xuanji froze mid-step.
"…Please let this be something small."
(Mission: Prepare for the arrival of disciple number four.)
Lin Xuanji's eye twitched. "Already?! I just finished with this one!"
(Host is progressing too slowly. Work harder.)
"YOU SAY THAT WHILE DOING NOTHING!"
Ruolan looked worried. "Sect Master… are you arguing with the wind?"
"NO. I'M ARGUING WITH—" Lin Xuanji froze. "…Yes. The wind. Very rude breeze."
Feng Xiao pat his shoulder. "We'll help however we can."
Wei Tian bowed. "The sect is ready for expansion, Sect Master."
Ling Xueyin added softly, "Don't worry. You're not alone."
Lin Xuanji stared at the sky.
"Why are you doing this to me…?"
The mountain hummed cheerfully, clearly enjoying his suffering.
And somewhere in another town, a girl with a sword strapped to her back sneezed violently.
The fourth disciple was on her way.