The discovery of the so-called "Ancient Tomb" and its dubious "spiritual essence" had bolstered Li Wei's confidence, even if the bat guano's stench lingered on his hands. The hidden valley, with its ancient tree, shimmering pool, and glowing blossoms, continued to pulse with an energy that seemed to affirm his path. The warmth in his dantian, denser since his Nascent Soul Awakening attempt, felt like a beacon guiding him toward immortality. Azure Dragon, his scruffy spirit beast, dozed by the stone altar, a constant companion in his solitary quest. The scroll, its bamboo slats worn but revered, urged him onward with a new passage: "The cultivator's light draws others to the Dao. Expand the sect, for unity strengthens the path to eternity."
In the cultivation novels Li Wei had devoured in Beijing, sects were grand institutions, with sprawling compounds and legions of disciples united under a master's banner. The Order of the Jade Dawn, his virtual sect, was a far cry from such glory—just Zhang Wei and Liu Mei, connected through shaky video calls—but their shared belief in the scroll's promises had kept Li Wei grounded through betrayal and ridicule. The scroll's call to expand the sect thrilled him, promising a community to share his trials and amplify his qi. Yet, the memory of Wang Hao's betrayal made him wary. He needed allies who truly believed, not skeptics who would mock his path.
Li Wei turned to the internet, the only bridge between his isolated valley and the wider world. Using his battered phone, charged during rare trips to Old Chen's teahouse in the village, he returned to the "True Path Seekers" forum. The sting of the tournament's mockery lingered, but the forum remained a hub for cultivation enthusiasts, a mix of dreamers, mystics, and charlatans. He crafted a careful post, titled "Join the Order of the Jade Dawn: Seekers of the True Dao," describing his scroll, the valley's energy, and his trials—lightning, demons, and the tomb—without revealing too much. "Only the resolute need apply," he wrote, hoping to attract those with genuine faith.
Responses flooded in, most dismissive or trolling, but a few stood out. A user named "StarlitPath" claimed to have meditated in a Sichuan cave, sensing qi similar to Li Wei's descriptions. Another, "CloudWarden," shared photos of a homemade altar, adorned with stones and herbs, eerily reminiscent of Li Wei's setup. A third, "SilentFlame," wrote of a family scroll detailing qi circulation, offering to share translations. Li Wei vetted them carefully, mindful of Wang Hao's disloyalty, and invited them to a video call with Zhang Wei and Liu Mei to test their sincerity.
The call, held under the valley's starry sky, was a chaotic blend of excitement and tension. Li Wei sat by his altar, Azure Dragon snoring nearby, his phone propped against a rock. Zhang Wei joined from his cluttered Shanghai dorm, vials of experimental potions glinting in the background. Liu Mei appeared from her Sichuan rooftop, her serene face lit by moonlight. StarlitPath, a young woman named Chen Xiu, spoke passionately of her cave meditations, her eyes bright with belief. CloudWarden, a middle-aged man named Zhao Feng, showed off his altar, his voice steady but eager. SilentFlame, a reserved student named Lin Tao, shared grainy scans of his family scroll, its script mirroring Li Wei's in parts. The call stretched for hours, ideas clashing as they debated techniques—Chen Xiu's meditative purity, Zhao Feng's focus on physical rituals, and Lin Tao's alchemical insights.
Li Wei, as the Order's leader, proposed a structure: weekly calls to share progress, a private chat for secure exchanges, and a commitment to the scroll's principles. Zhang Wei and Liu Mei welcomed the new members, but tensions arose quickly. Chen Xiu argued that meditation was the only true path, dismissing Zhao Feng's rituals as "superstition." Zhao Feng, in turn, questioned Lin Tao's scroll, suspecting it was a modern forgery. Li Wei mediated, citing the scroll's call for unity, but the debates grew heated, echoing Wang Hao's skepticism. By the call's end, the Order had grown to five, but cracks were already forming.
Back in the valley, Li Wei scribbled in his notebook: "Sect expanded—Chen Xiu, Zhao Feng, Lin Tao joined. Unity fragile, but path strengthens." He meditated under the ancient tree, the jade slip warm in his hands, seeking to harmonize his qi with the new members' energies. The valley's whispers seemed to caution him, their murmurs tinged with unease. He shared the expansion with Old Chen during a village visit, who chuckled, "More fools chasing dreams? Be careful, boy—they'll either lift you up or drag you down."
As the moon rose, Li Wei sat by the altar, Azure Dragon at his side, the scroll open before him. The sect's growth was a victory, but the discord worried him. The scroll promised that unity amplified the Dao, but also warned of "hearts divided." With his Golden Core pulsing and the valley's energy as his guide, Li Wei resolved to lead his sect through the chaos, forging a brotherhood to rival the heavens. The path to immortality was his to shape, and he would not falter, no matter the cost.