The knock came at noon.
Not at the gate.
Not on the path.
It came from the air.
A pressure swept over Azure Cloud Sect, polite but firm—like someone clearing their throat very loudly.
The disciples froze mid-training.
Lin Chen sighed.
"…They never use the door."
---
Three figures descended on flying swords, landing just outside the sect boundary.
Their robes bore the emblem of Stone River Sect—a minor sect known for muscle, mining, and minimal thinking.
The leader stepped forward, arms crossed.
"This is Azure Cloud Sect?" he asked, squinting. "Smaller than the rumors."
Lin Chen smiled pleasantly. "Rumors exaggerate."
The mountain did not.
---
> System Alert:
Visitors: Stone River Sect
Disposition: Curious, Greedy
Threat Level: Low to Medium
Recommendation: Do Not Let Them Touch Anything
Lin Chen nodded internally.
---
"We sensed land resonance," the leader continued.
"Thought we'd take a look."
Lin Chen nodded again. "Looking is free."
"And touching?"
Lin Chen smiled wider.
"…Expensive."
---
One of the visitors scoffed and casually stepped forward—
Crossed the boundary—
And immediately tripped.
Not violently.
Just… inevitably.
The ground subtly tilted.
The cultivator faceplanted.
The mountain reset itself.
Lin Chen winced. "Oh dear."
---
Little Green popped up with a sign:
BOUNDARY WORKING AS INTENDED
The Stone River disciples stared.
The leader frowned. "…Did the ground just reject him?"
Lin Chen shrugged. "Some people aren't compatible."
---
The fallen cultivator scrambled up, furious.
"You dare humiliate us?!"
The mountain rumbled—low, warning.
Lin Chen's voice hardened slightly.
"Azure Cloud Sect welcomes guests."
He paused.
"But we do not tolerate disrespect."
---
> Sect Authority Resonance Activated:
Land Alignment: High
Lin Chen's Presence: Amplified
The air grew heavy.
Not crushing.
Just undeniable.
The Stone River leader swallowed.
"…We meant no offense."
"Good," Lin Chen said calmly. "Then observe and leave."
---
They stayed for tea.
They did not touch anything.
Little Green watched them like a guard dog made of vegetables.
---
When they finally departed, the leader bowed stiffly.
"…Your sect is… unusual."
Lin Chen inclined his head. "We get that a lot."
---
As the flying swords vanished, Zhao Feng exhaled.
"Master… were they afraid of you?"
Lin Chen shook his head.
"No," he said. "They were afraid of the ground."
The mountain hummed smugly.
---
> Sect Reputation Update:
Among Minor Sects:
'Do Not Provoke Casually'
Lin Chen smiled faintly.
"Good."
Because he knew—
That knock had not been a threat.
It had been a test.
And Azure Cloud Sect had just passed.
Quietly.
Firmly.
With dignity.
And absolutely no explosions.