Lin Chen had fought cultivators.
He had intimidated enemies.
He had rebuilt a sect from ruins.
None of that prepared him for the terror of an empty rice jar.
He stared at the jar.
The jar stared back.
> Food Supply Estimate:
3 days remaining
Recommendation: Acquire resources immediately
Lin Chen closed the lid with dignity.
"Alright," he said calmly, "we're going out."
---
The disciples gathered in the courtyard.
Su Ming was excited. "Master, are we going to conquer another sect?"
Li Yue clasped her hands. "Are we gathering rare herbs?"
Zhao Feng hesitated. "Are we… relocating?"
Lin Chen cleared his throat.
"We are going to the market."
Silence.
"…The mortal market?" Zhao Feng asked carefully.
"Yes."
Su Ming looked confused. "But Master, aren't sect masters supposed to send disciples for that?"
Lin Chen nodded. "Normally."
Then he added, "Normally, sects have money."
> Sect Status: Honest
---
They descended the mountain together.
Lin Chen wore a plain robe, suppressing his aura. Su Ming followed closely, eyes sharp. Li Yue carried a basket. Zhao Feng carried three baskets.
"I feel like a mule," Zhao Feng muttered.
"A spiritually significant mule," Lin Chen corrected.
Zhao Feng sighed, slightly comforted.
---
The town below was lively.
Stalls lined the streets. Vendors shouted. The scent of cooked food drifted through the air.
Li Yue's stomach growled audibly.
> Disciple Hunger: Detected
Lin Chen pretended not to notice.
At the rice stall, Lin Chen asked, "How much for a sack?"
The vendor eyed them. "Two low-grade spirit stones."
Lin Chen smiled politely.
"…Per grain?"
The vendor laughed. "Per sack."
Lin Chen nearly laughed too—out of relief.
He paid.
Zhao Feng stared at the sack reverently. "Master… this is heavier than destiny."
---
Then things went wrong.
A group of cultivators entered the market, robes marked with the Black Iron Sect insignia.
Su Ming stiffened. "Master—"
Lin Chen raised a hand. "Calm."
The Black Iron disciples scanned the market—then froze when they saw Lin Chen.
Whispers spread.
"That's him."
"The one who points."
Lin Chen sighed internally.
This is getting out of hand.
One disciple swallowed and stepped forward.
"Senior… are you here to—?"
"Buy rice," Lin Chen said.
"…Rice?"
"Yes," Lin Chen said evenly. "Very dangerous business."
The disciple stared.
Then bowed.
"Senior, please enjoy your shopping."
They backed away.
Zhao Feng whispered, "Master, you just scared them with groceries."
Lin Chen nodded. "Authority is versatile."
---
On the way back up the mountain, Zhao Feng struggled under the load.
"Master," he gasped, "can we rest?"
Lin Chen looked at him thoughtfully.
"Cultivation is about endurance," Lin Chen said.
Zhao Feng groaned.
> Disciple Training: Unintentional
Physical Conditioning: Increased
Lin Chen felt a faint warmth in his dantian.
"…Even this counts?"
---
That night, the sect ate properly for the first time.
Simple rice.
Simple vegetables.
The disciples smiled like they'd eaten a feast.
Su Ming raised his bowl. "To Master!"
Li Yue raised hers. "To Azure Cloud Sect!"
Zhao Feng raised his with trembling arms. "To… rice."
Lin Chen smiled, warmth spreading through his chest.
> Sect Harmony: Improved
Sect Resonance: Increased
Cultivation Progress: Qi Refinement Mid 4 → Late 4
He exhaled slowly.
A sect that can eat together, he thought, can survive together.
Outside, the mountain wind whispered through the trees.
Inside the Azure Cloud Sect, laughter echoed.
They had faced enemies.
They had faced poverty.
And today—
They had conquered the market.
For now, that was enough.