The day the Black Iron Sect arrived, the mountain was unusually quiet.
Too quiet.
Lin Chen stood at the entrance of the main hall, expression serene, robes clean, posture flawless. From a distance, he looked like a seasoned master who had seen countless storms.
Up close—
"Master," Su Ming whispered urgently, "your sleeve is on fire."
Lin Chen glanced down.
A corner of his robe was smoldering where it had brushed against a formation flag glowing too enthusiastically.
"…Extinguish it quietly," Lin Chen muttered without changing his expression.
Su Ming stomped it out with his foot, face serious, as if this were all part of the plan.
> Sect Master Dignity: Maintained (Barely)
---
Moments later, footsteps echoed from the mountain path.
Five figures emerged from the mist.
Black robes. Iron insignias. Arrogant expressions that seemed professionally trained.
At their center stood a broad-shouldered man with a scar across his cheek. His aura pressed outward—Qi Refinement, Sixth Layer.
Su Ming stiffened.
Lin Chen felt the pressure too, but he didn't move.
Instead, he smiled.
"So," the scarred man said, looking around contemptuously, "this is the 'revived' Azure Cloud Sect?"
His gaze fell on Lin Chen. "You must be the one playing Sect Master."
Lin Chen clasped his hands. "I am. And you are?"
The man sneered. "You're not qualified to know."
Lin Chen nodded thoughtfully. "That explains why your manners are unqualified as well."
The Black Iron disciples froze.
The scarred man's eyes narrowed. "You're courting death."
Lin Chen sighed softly. "Everyone keeps saying that. Is there a discount if I book it in advance?"
Su Ming almost choked.
---
The scarred man raised a hand. "Enough. Azure Cloud Sect has two options. Leave this mountain, or we remove you."
Lin Chen looked behind him.
At the patched-up hall.
At the stubborn disciple.
At the barely functioning formation humming like an overworked kettle.
Then he looked back.
"You're wrong," Lin Chen said calmly. "We have three options."
The scarred man laughed. "Oh?"
Lin Chen lifted one finger.
"Option one: you leave."
Second finger.
"Option two: you apologize and leave."
Third finger.
"Option three…" Lin Chen smiled faintly. "You stay long enough to regret it."
The scarred man roared with laughter. "Kill him."
---
The moment the Black Iron disciples stepped forward, the ground trembled.
The Spirit Gathering Formation flared to life, runes blazing as pressure descended on the courtyard.
> Formation Activated
External Suppression: −25%
Sect Resonance: Amplified
The disciples staggered, expressions changing.
"What is this?!"
Lin Chen stepped forward.
His cultivation surged.
> Sect Development Feedback Triggered
Cultivation Breakthrough:
Qi Refinement Late 3 → Peak 3
The scarred man's laughter cut off.
"A breakthrough?! Now?!"
Lin Chen blinked.
"…Oh. That timing was better than expected."
He coughed lightly and straightened his posture.
"Su Ming."
"Yes, Master!"
"Stand behind me," Lin Chen said. "And remember today's lesson."
Su Ming nodded fiercely. "Sect master dignity!"
The scarred man snarled and charged.
Lin Chen raised his hand.
Not to attack.
But to point.
"Watch your step."
The man scoffed—and immediately triggered a formation node.
BOOM.
He flew backward, slamming into a stone pillar.
Silence.
One Black Iron disciple whispered, "Did… did the Sect Master just win by pointing?"
Lin Chen nodded seriously. "Pointing is a profound technique."
---
The remaining disciples hesitated.
Lin Chen felt the formation strain, his spiritual energy draining faster than he liked.
He raised his voice.
"This is your final warning," Lin Chen said. "Azure Cloud Sect is not a place you can come and go as you please."
The scarred man struggled to stand, blood on his lips, fury burning in his eyes.
"This isn't over," he spat. "Black Iron Sect will—"
Lin Chen waved a hand dismissively.
"Yes, yes. You'll tell your elders. They'll be shocked. I'll be 'dead soon.' I've heard it."
He leaned forward slightly.
"But remember this," Lin Chen said softly. "You came with five. You're leaving with all five."
The implication hung heavy.
The scarred man clenched his fists—then turned.
"Withdraw."
The Black Iron Sect retreated, dragging their wounded leader with them.
---
The moment they disappeared, Lin Chen's knees buckled.
Su Ming rushed forward. "Master!"
"I'm fine," Lin Chen gasped. "Just… spiritually bankrupt."
> Spiritual Energy: Critically Low
Status: Overdrafted
Su Ming supported him back into the hall.
"Master," Su Ming said with awe, "that was incredible!"
Lin Chen smiled weakly.
"Rule number one of being a Sect Master," he said. "Never let them see you panic."
He paused, then added:
"Rule number two… always build more formations."
Outside, the mountain fell silent once more.
Inside the Azure Cloud Sect, something had changed.
They were still weak. Still poor.
But now—
They were no longer ignored.