Twilight Shadow Sect had gained a reputation.
A small one.
But in Molten Ember Town, word had spread:
A new sect had recruited two wandering geniuses. One could punch trees in half. The other hiccupped fire.
And now… visitors were coming.
Unfortunately, they weren't the friendly kind.
Outside the Sect
Three cultivators in matching red-and-black robes stood at the base of Twilight Shadow Mountain, sneering at the handmade wooden sign that read:
"TWILIGHT SHADOW SECT – No Entry Without Hugs or Permission."
"What kind of joke sect is this?" the leader asked.
"The kind with spirit stones, apparently," the short one muttered. "Lin Fan was spotted buying herbs. Expensive ones."
The leader—Mu Feng, an outer elder from Blazing Sun Sect—clicked his tongue. "He's one of ours. Ran away after burning down the dormitory."
"He said it was a 'controlled burn.'"
"His last pill exploded and vaporized a courtyard."
"To be fair," said the third man, "that courtyard had termites."
"Shut up," Mu Feng growled. "We're taking him back. And we'll see what else this sect has worth confiscating."
At the Sect Gate
Han Li stared at the three men, frozen.
"Y-Y-You want to speak with... Lin Fan?"
"Speak?" Mu Feng smiled coldly. "Oh, we'll be taking him with us. Step aside."
Behind Han Li, Yun Xi's voice rang out: "If you want to speak to anyone here, you'll need to ask, not bark."
"And who are you? The gardener?"
"I'm the disciple who'll send you rolling back down the mountain."
"Big talk for a no-name sect."
Shen Mo's voice interrupted, calm and clear. "Then let me introduce us properly."
He stepped out from the inner path, robes fluttering faintly in the breeze.
"Welcome to Twilight Shadow Sect. I'm Shen Mo. Sect Master."
Mu Feng narrowed his eyes. "That's not a recognized sect name in the region."
"Then perhaps your registry is out of date."
Yun Xi grinned. "Want us to carve it into your forehead?"
"That's enough," Shen Mo said. "You're here for Lin Fan, I assume?"
"He belongs to Blazing Sun Sect," Mu Feng snapped. "He left without permission. His talents were nurtured by us. He's our property."
Shen Mo tilted his head.
"Are you suggesting disciples are livestock?"
"I'm saying he's bound by contract."
Shen Mo nodded.
Then looked past them.
"Lin Fan, you hear all that?"
From the tree branch above the gate, Lin Fan dangled upside-down, chewing on a spirit fruit.
"Yep."
"Anything you want to say?"
"Yeah." He tossed the pit and grinned. "Blazing Sun Sect can kiss my scorched eyebrows."
"So… you don't want to go with them?"
"They made me clean cauldrons for six months straight. I'll blow myself up before going back."
Shen Mo smiled warmly. "You heard the man."
"That's not your decision!" Mu Feng barked.
"True," Shen Mo replied. "But attacking a registered sect without cause? That is a decision you'll regret."
"You're not registered!"
"We will be. As soon as we bribe someone."
"That's not how sect registration—"
"It is in this region," Yun Xi cut in.
Ten Minutes Later
Xue Rong appeared shirtless, cracking his knuckles.
"You said we have visitors?"
"Unwanted ones," Shen Mo replied. "Think you can stretch your legs?"
"Gladly."
Mu Feng scoffed. "You think one body refiner can stop all three of us?"
Xue Rong smiled. "You'll wish it was just me."
Behind him, Lin Fan tossed a pill into the air. It burst into flame.
"One custom flashbang. For dramatic effect."
Shen Mo raised his hand. "No fatalities. Bruises are fine."
BOOM!
Lin Fan's pill went off in a burst of light and smoke. Xue Rong dashed forward like a spirit beast unleashed.
What followed was a blur of fists, yelling, a snapped tree, and one man flying into a pond.
Later That Evening
Mu Feng and his men limped away, soaked, bruised, and thoroughly humiliated.
"This isn't over," Mu Feng muttered, dragging his wet sleeve through the mud.
"It never is," Shen Mo replied cheerfully. "Do drop by again—next time, bring snacks."
[System Notification:]
Blazing Sun Sect – Reputation DecreasedTwilight Shadow Sect – Local Influence +6Sect Strength: Recognized by wandering cultivators
Disciples' Morale +10Lin Fan's Loyalty: 48% → 72%
New Title Gained: "Mountain of Misfits" – Outsiders begin to associate the sect with strange but powerful talents.