Lu Haoran arrived at the treeline just in time to witness a sight no sane person should ever see.
A man crouched beside a shattered boulder, gnawing thoughtfully on what had once been a longsword. He chewed with the slow, deliberate rhythm of someone evaluating flavor. Metal shards crunched between his teeth like crisp vegetables.
Bai Ruolan whispered, "…Master, is this normal behavior in the Lower Dust Realm?"
"No," Haoran said. "No, it certainly is not."
The System chimed.
[Candidate identified: Zhang Iron-Eater.
Unique Body Constitution: Metal Devouring Physique.
Strength: High.
Intelligence: Debatable.]
Haoran whispered back, "System, please tell me the 'Intelligence: Debatable' part isn't official."
[It is generous, if anything.]
The man finally noticed them and stood, brushing metal dust from his clothes. He beamed with pride.
"Ah! Sorry if I startled you. I was… having lunch."
Haoran stared at the half-eaten sword. "That was your lunch?"
"Yes. Needed something crunchy."
Ruolan's expression hovered between awe and helpless confusion.
Haoran cleared his throat. "My name is Lu Haoran. Sect Master of Heavenly Peak."
"Never heard of it," the man replied cheerfully.
Haoran sighed. "Nobody has."
The System took the opportunity.
[Host, your sect's fame is currently at the level of a dead squirrel.]
"I didn't ask for your opinion."
Zhang Iron-Eater blinked at him. "You're talking to someone else?"
"Unfortunately."
Zhang nodded as if that explained everything. "Well, Sect Master Lu, you look like someone who won't scream at me."
Haoran raised an eyebrow. "Why would anyone scream at you?"
Zhang gestured to the sword fragments around him. "The usual reason. Eating weapons tends to upset people."
Ruolan whispered, "Master… what kind of people have you been fated to meet?"
Haoran didn't answer. He was wondering the same thing.
The System chimed again.
[Host, recruit him. His combat potential is high. His common sense is nonexistent, but that aligns well with your leadership style.]
Haoran took a deep breath.
"Zhang Iron-Eater," he said, "are you interested in joining my sect?"
Zhang's eyes widened. "Truly? You don't mind that I… eat valuable objects?"
"I don't have any valuable objects for you to eat."
"Perfect!" Zhang declared.
Ruolan looked at Haoran as if asking if he was absolutely sure about this decision. Haoran pretended not to notice.
Zhang bowed deeply. "Then I, Zhang Iron-Eater, pledge myself to Heavenly Peak."
The System chimed immediately.
[Second disciple recruited.
Basic Sect Facilities unlocked.
Reward: Guardian Beast Egg.]
An egg the size of a melon materialized in Haoran's hands. It pulsed with faint spiritual energy.
Ruolan stepped closer. "A guardian beast… This is a good sign."
The System added:
[Be cautious. The egg's species is unknown. Might be useful. Might be lethal. Hard to say.]
Haoran blinked. "Why do you give rewards you can't explain?"
[Because mystery builds character.]
Ruolan gently touched the egg. "It's warm. Something inside is alive."
Zhang leaned in. "Is it edible?"
"No," Haoran and Ruolan said at the same time.
Zhang backed away. "Just asking."
Haoran sighed. Between a girl who could shatter mountains and a man who snacked on weaponry, the sect was beginning to resemble a collection of disasters rather than a school.
But as they walked back up the path, Haoran noticed something unexpected.
The mountain felt livelier.
The air felt thicker.
The spirit well glowed brighter.
Heavenly Peak—ruined, forgotten, abandoned—was waking up.
The System hummed.
[Host. You now have two disciples.
Your sect's foundation is forming.]
Haoran allowed himself a small smile.
Maybe fate hadn't made a mistake after all.
Then Zhang spoke.
"Master, do you think the guardian beast will let me eat its claws?"
Ruolan nearly tripped.
Haoran closed his eyes.
"System… how do you feel about refunds?"
[Denied.]