Silence settled over the courtyard after Lin Chen's declaration.
Su Ming stared at his master, eyes wide, as if trying to determine whether those words were born of confidence… or desperation.
"Master," Su Ming said hesitantly, "the Black Iron Sect isn't bluffing. They already sent people to tear down our outer boundary markers. If they come… we can't stop them."
Lin Chen didn't answer immediately.
He was busy scanning the glowing blue interface only he could see.
> Time Remaining for Newbie Task: 6 days, 22 hours
Warning: Sect defense power critically low
Suggested Action: Improve Sect Infrastructure
Lin Chen suppressed a sigh. Improve infrastructure with what? Air?
"Show me around the sect," he said at last.
Su Ming nodded quickly, relief flickering across his face. "Yes, Master!"
They walked through what used to be the heart of the Azure Cloud Sect. Broken stone paths were overgrown with weeds. Training grounds had cracked open, the formation markings barely visible. Several buildings had collapsed entirely, leaving nothing but rotten beams and scattered tiles.
"This was the outer disciples' residence," Su Ming said softly, pointing at a ruined structure. "And over there… the library hall."
Lin Chen stopped.
"The library?" he asked.
Su Ming lowered his head. "Burned down ten years ago during the sect war. Most cultivation manuals were taken… or destroyed."
Of course.
Lin Chen rubbed his temples. Every cultivation novel he'd ever read warned about starting in hard mode—but this was practically nightmare difficulty.
They reached the main hall. Its roof sagged dangerously, and a massive crack ran through one of the supporting pillars.
"This is as far as it goes," Su Ming said. "Master, if the hall collapses… the sect's luck will drop even further."
"Even further?" Lin Chen muttered. "So it can get worse."
The system answered him immediately.
> Detected: Collapsing Sect Core Building
Emergency Task Triggered
Task: Repair or replace the Main Hall
Time Limit: 72 hours
Failure Penalty: Sect luck −30, disciple loyalty −50
Lin Chen's expression darkened.
"Su Ming," he said, turning sharply, "if you wanted to leave the sect… would you?"
Su Ming froze.
For a moment, Lin Chen thought he'd crossed a line. Then the boy clenched his fists and shook his head fiercely.
"No. Even if Azure Cloud Sect only has one brick left, this disciple will stay."
The system chimed.
> Disciple Loyalty Increased
Su Ming Loyalty: 65 → 75
Lin Chen let out a slow breath.
"Good," he said. "Then we'll start by fixing this place."
Su Ming blinked. "Master… with what materials?"
Lin Chen smiled faintly.
"With whatever this mountain still owes us."
---
They spent the next few hours salvaging what they could. Fallen beams were dragged together. Loose tiles were stacked neatly. Cracked stones were reinforced using mud mixed with spiritual herbs Su Ming had secretly gathered over the years.
Lin Chen contributed in his own way—issuing instructions, organizing the work, and quietly learning how this world functioned. His body was weak, barely at the first layer of Qi Refinement, but his mind was clear.
As night fell, the main hall still looked pitiful… but it was no longer on the verge of collapse.
The system interface flickered again.
> Emergency Task Progress: 63%
Evaluation: Acceptable
Lin Chen slumped against a pillar, sweat soaking through his robes.
"So rebuilding a sect really starts with manual labor," he muttered.
Su Ming laughed softly for the first time. "The elders used to say that a sect's foundation isn't its buildings… but its people."
Lin Chen glanced at him.
"That's a wise saying," he said. "Who taught you that?"
Su Ming hesitated. "The previous Sect Master. Before he… passed."
Lin Chen fell silent.
That man had died, leaving behind a ruin—and unknowingly made space for Lin Chen to take his place.
As the moon rose high, a sudden hum echoed through the ground.
The mountain trembled—just slightly.
Lin Chen's eyes snapped open.
> [System Notification]
Hidden Sect Node Detected
Location: Beneath Main Hall
Status: Dormant
Condition to Unlock: Sect Core Building Stabilized (80%)
Lin Chen stared at the notification, heart pounding.
Hidden node.
Beneath the main hall.
"Su Ming," he said slowly, a spark lighting in his eyes, "tell me… has anyone ever explored under the main hall?"
Su Ming shook his head. "There's a sealed stone floor. The elders said it was just an old foundation."
Lin Chen smiled.
"Looks like this dying sect still has secrets," he said.
Above them, the cracked main hall stood silently beneath the moon.
Below them, something ancient waited to be awakened.
And three days remained before the Black Iron Sect arrived.