The newly formed hut creaked softly in the wind, still warm from whatever strange process had just birthed it out of stone. Lin Xuanji stood in front of it with his hands on his hips, nodding like a landlord trying to convince himself the rent was worth it.
"Not bad," he said. "A little small, but hey—beggars, choosers, all that."
(Structure: Basic Hut. Durability: Below Average.)
"…Below average? Really?"
(Accurate assessment.)
"You could lie a little to boost morale, you know."
(Invalid request.)
Lin Xuanji pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine. Whatever. Let's focus on the mission. System, how do I attract a disciple? Do I send out a flyer? Hire a talent scout?"
(Host simply waits.)
"Waits? Just… waits?"
(Affirmative.)
Lin Xuanji glanced around the empty mountain. "This place hasn't seen a visitor since the dinosaurs. Waiting is not a strategy."
(Incorrect. Probability of someone being drawn to Heavenly Peak increases now that sect foundation is established.)
"…Because of the hut?"
(Because of the mountain's awakening.)
"What awakening?"
(Irrelevant to Host.)
He threw his hands up. "Why do you say things like that? Do you WANT me to worry?"
(Host will worry regardless.)
"…Okay, that one was personal."
He had no time to argue further—because the wind shifted.
Not the usual breeze.
This one carried… steps.
Real, actual, someone-is-climbing steps.
Lin Xuanji froze. "System… someone's coming."
(Correct.)
"You could sound more concerned!"
(Why?)
"Because what if they're dangerous?!"
(They are not.)
"Oh. Well. Good. That's… reassuring."
A moment later, a boy—no older than fifteen—stumbled into view, sweaty, panting, and clearly regretting every life choice that led him up this mountain. His clothes were torn, his hair a mess, and his expression somewhere between fear and exhaustion.
He spotted Lin Xuanji and froze.
Lin Xuanji blinked.
The boy blinked.
They both blinked at each other for an uncomfortably long time.
"…Are you," Lin Xuanji said carefully, "lost?"
The boy shook his head quickly. "N-No! I… I sensed something strange up here, so I… came to check…"
He trailed off, eyeing the hut.
Then eyeing Lin Xuanji.
Then the hut again.
Lin Xuanji internally begged the System for help.
He got none.
"Alright," he said, clearing his throat. "Uh. Welcome to the… Heavenly Peak Sect."
The boy slowly tilted his head. "There's… a sect here?"
"Yep."
Lin Xuanji gestured proudly at the tiny hut.
"Behold. The headquarters."
The boy looked at the hut.
Then at him.
Then back at the hut.
"…Are you serious?"
Lin Xuanji coughed violently to hide his embarrassment. "Ahem. It's, uh, under renovation."
The boy lowered his bag. His shoulders sagged. Relief flickered across his face—relief mixed with desperation.
"I… I would like to join," he said suddenly, bowing deeply. "Please! I have nowhere else to go!"
Lin Xuanji blinked in surprise. "Wait, wait, wait—seriously? Just like that?"
The boy nodded frantically. "I—I'm being hunted! I only escaped because I ran without looking back—I didn't mean to come here, but when I stepped onto this mountain, I felt… safe."
Safe.
Lin Xuanji didn't know why that word made the ground beneath him hum faintly.
He missed it.
The System didn't comment.
"Alright," Lin Xuanji said, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "What's your name?"
The boy straightened, eyes trembling slightly.
"…Ruolan."
Lin Xuanji blinked. "Ah… okay. Ruolan."
Ruolan clenched his fists. "Please let me stay. Even if I have to do chores. Even if I sleep outside. I don't need much—just a place where no one can find me."
Lin Xuanji sighed.
This kid clearly needed safety.
Help.
A home.
And Lin Xuanji needed… well, disciples.
He placed a hand on Ruolan's shoulder. "Welcome to Heavenly Peak."
Ruolan's eyes watered instantly.
"Th—thank you, Sect Master!"
Lin Xuanji nodded firmly.
Inside his mind, the System chimed:
(First disciple acquired. Reward: One cultivation technique, tailored.)
Lin Xuanji blinked. "Tailored? Wait—what technique?"
A glowing book appeared in his hand.
Ruolan stared at it with wide eyes.
And for the first time…
Heavenly Peak didn't feel empty.
Not anymore.