The sun had barely risen over Xuanling Sect, casting long shadows across the broken courtyard. Ling Wei was already deep in his cultivation, calm and precise as always. Yien, however, trembled, his pulse racing from the moment he stepped into the sect.
The air shimmered suddenly. A ripple of spirit qi washed over the courtyard. Xuán Wèi's eyes flicked to the system panel, which pulsed softly.
[Immortal Teacher Lottery – Result]
Candidate: Yien
Selected Teacher: Thousand-Year Fox
Binding Status: Pending Approval by Sect Master
Xuán Wèi's lips curved into a faint smile. "Perfect. Pride, cunning, and adaptability… exactly what I need to mold him."
The Appearance
A soft rustle echoed across the courtyard. In a blink, the Thousand-Year Fox appeared before Yien, now in her human form. Nine tails fanned behind her, each swaying with subtle menace. Her eyes gleamed with ancient intelligence, and her presence alone made the young disciple's knees weak.
"You are… Yien?" she asked, her voice melodic yet sharp. "You have the fortune to be chosen, yet fortune alone will not save you. Do you understand?"
Yien swallowed hard, nodding. "I… I understand, teacher. I will do my best!"
Xuán Wèi stood silently, observing. Good. Fear and respect combined… exactly the balance I want.
System Notification:
▸ Teacher bound successfully
▸ Must follow Sect Master's commands
▸ Can guide disciple in human form
The First Lesson
The fox circled Yien, examining his stance, his constitution, his aura. "Your Dao is messy. You attempt to grasp all things at once, yet you have no foundation. I will teach you discipline… through trials."
Yien blinked nervously. "Trials…?"
The fox smirked. "Do not worry. Pain, humiliation, fear—they are all part of learning. Only then will your luck truly matter."
Ling Wei, watching from the side, smirked slightly. "Looks like you'll have a rough start, Yien."
Xuán Wèi's thoughts: Good. Let him struggle, let him adapt. The sect grows stronger when the weak are tempered by the strong.
MC's Calculation
Xuán Wèi tapped the system panel lightly. Sect Points had increased slightly for the successful binding and recruitment. The sect remained hidden from Heaven, and the first true step toward rebuilding Xuanling Sect had begun.
[Sect Points +50]
[Immortal Teacher Bound: 1/3]
He glanced at the fox teacher and Yien. "The first trial begins. Let's see if he survives it… and let's see how far my myth-weaving can take him."
End of Chapter 14
Key Progression:
Second disciple Yien officially recruited
First Immortal Teacher Thousand-Year Fox bound and mentoring begins
MC's planning and bullshitting trait demonstrated
Sect hidden from Heaven, with Sect Points growth
Training stakes and tension for Yien established