Lin Chen realized something very important by midday.
Three disciples ate significantly more than one.
He stared at the small pile of spirit rice in the storage room, then at the system interface.
> Sect Resources:
Spirit Stones: 18
Spirit Rice: Low
Dignity: High
Food: Concerning
Lin Chen closed the storage door slowly.
"So this," he muttered, "is how great sects fall."
---
In the courtyard, Su Ming was already acting like a veteran senior brother.
"You," he said, pointing at the new male disciple, "your stance is wrong."
The young man protested, "But my old sect taught it this way."
Su Ming crossed his arms. "Your old sect is not here."
The girl nodded fervently. "Senior Brother is right."
The young man slumped. "Yes, Senior Brother."
Lin Chen watched from afar, sipping plain water like it was fine tea.
> Sect Order: Stable
Discipline: Established
At least something was going well.
---
He called everyone together.
"From today onward," Lin Chen announced, "Azure Cloud Sect will implement a new rule."
The disciples straightened.
"Meals will be… simple."
Su Ming nodded. "Understood."
The girl nodded. "Of course."
The young man hesitated. "How simple?"
Lin Chen gestured toward a steaming pot.
"…Spirit rice porridge."
Silence.
"…With water?" the young man asked carefully.
"With," Lin Chen said, "intent."
> Morale: Slightly Reduced
Sect Resonance: Stable
Lin Chen coughed. "Think of it as tempering hunger."
---
Later that afternoon, the system chimed.
> New Sect Task:
Objective: Assign Roles to Disciples
Reason: Prevent Chaos
Reward: Sect Efficiency Boost
Lin Chen nodded approvingly.
"Good. I was worried they'd start asking questions."
He gathered the disciples.
"Su Ming," Lin Chen said, "you are the Senior Disciple."
Su Ming straightened so hard his spine nearly cracked.
"Yes, Master!"
"You'll oversee daily training and discipline."
Su Ming nodded solemnly. "I will not fail."
Lin Chen turned to the girl.
"You," he said, "what is your name?"
"Li Yue, Master."
"You'll assist with herbs and internal affairs."
Li Yue bowed deeply. "I will do my best!"
Finally, Lin Chen looked at the remaining young man.
"You are…"
"Zhao Feng," he said quickly.
Lin Chen considered him.
"You'll handle… logistics."
Zhao Feng blinked. "Logistics?"
"Yes," Lin Chen said gravely. "Counting supplies. Carrying things. Making sure we don't starve."
Zhao Feng looked strangely relieved.
> Sect Roles Assigned:
Efficiency: Increased
Discipline: Improved
Lin Chen felt another familiar warmth.
> Cultivation Progress: Qi Refinement 4 → Mid 4
He smiled.
Even assigning chores improves cultivation.
What a world.
---
That evening, Lin Chen overheard whispered conversation near the dormitory.
"Do you think the Sect Master is really that strong?" Zhao Feng whispered.
Li Yue replied, "He has a chair that makes people nervous."
Su Ming added seriously, "Master once defeated five enemies by pointing."
Zhao Feng inhaled sharply. "I will never question him again."
Lin Chen nearly tripped on a stone.
---
He returned to the main hall and sat on his throne, sighing contentedly.
"System," Lin Chen said, "how am I doing?"
> Evaluation:
Sect Growth: Slow but Stable
Sect Master Performance: Adequate
Risk Level: High
Food Level: Alarming
Lin Chen nodded. "Yes, yes. I hear you."
He looked at the flickering lantern light.
"Next objective," he murmured, "is making this sect rich."
He paused.
"…Or at least fed."
Outside, the disciples laughed quietly, unaware of the looming problem of hunger.
Inside, Lin Chen planned his next move.
Azure Cloud Sect had survived enemies.
Now—
It had to survive dinner.