One Week Ago - Mountains Near Central City
The calm winds whispered through the peaks as Shaurya stood at the edge of the cliff, surrounded by his ten disciples. Beside him stood Chen Fang, the newly accepted disciple, his body glowing with a golden sheen. Elder Liya observed quietly from the side, her gaze drawn to the young man's immense focus.
Chen Fang was seated cross-legged, his eyes shut in deep concentration. Around him, sword aura spiraled gently in the air—he was cultivating the Immortal Sword Body Art, the very technique that Shaurya had gifted him.
"Why are we staying in this mountain instead of a hotel?" Lee Bie finally asked with a frown.
Wang Tian smirked. "We offended the Gu Family too much. If we stay in Central City, they might try to attack us."
Luo Chen scoffed confidently, "Let them come. I'll show them the power of this sect."
Shaurya chuckled, adjusting his sunglasses. "You're right. If they attack, we'll be fine. But if we fight back in the city, innocent people could get hurt. That's why we're here. If a battle breaks out, no civilian will suffer."
Wang Tian nodded with a grin. "Except the attackers."
Shaurya and Wang Tian laughed, the sound echoing across the mountain. Mo Liya watched silently, surprised. Never before had she seen a sect leader think of ordinary people this way. This man was different.
Suddenly, a powerful energy burst erupted from Chen Fang. Golden energy swirled around him as he broke through from Qi Initiate Level 6 to Qi Refiner Level 2. He floated into the air, golden light surrounding his form as a majestic sword aura manifested behind him. He let out a cry of power, shaking the very air.
And then, another surge.
The ground trembled as he ascended again—Qi Refiner Level 5.
Everyone watched, stunned and exhilarated. When Chen Fang finally landed, he was speechless. "I broke through... I actually leveled up!"
He rushed over to Shaurya, bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master."
Shaurya patted his shoulder proudly. "Congratulations."
Chen Fang then turned to Mo Liya, bowing. "Master, I finally did it."
Mo Liya smiled faintly. "Now you can take your revenge."
Shaurya stepped forward, excitement lighting up his expression. "Now it's time."
"Time for what, Master?" Xiao Lian asked.
"The recruitment ceremony," Shaurya declared. "We're going to accept disciples—and elders."
The disciples nodded in understanding.
Shaurya summoned his system. System, I have 250 Dharma points. Suggest something that can help in the recruitment ceremony.
The shop menu appeared, and Shaurya's eyes scanned the list until one artifact caught his attention: Suitable Member Finder.
This artifact can detect suitable disciples and elders. Nine stars will shine. Blue indicates disciple, red for elder, and golden for an inner elder.
Shaurya smiled. "Perfect. Let's do this."
---
Present Time - Recruitment Ceremony
Shaurya sat on a royal chair, white robes flowing like silk, black sunglasses radiating his cool presence. To his left was Lee Bie, and to his right, Xiao Rui. Zong Bu, Wang Tian, Chen Fang, and Luo Chen managed the crowd. Xiao Lian and Su Quan handled the disciple finder building. Muo Qian and Elder Liya supervised the Elder Finder.
In the crowd, a white-robed girl walked slowly. Black eyes, pale skin, emotionless face—Lin Shu.
Behind her stood ten other members of the Gu Family, sent as spies.
From a different side, a handsome young man with blue hair and sharp yellow eyes entered, exuding an impressive aura.
The ceremony began.
Lin Shu walked in silence, her eyes locked on Chen Fang.
Chen Fang? Wasn't he a cultivation waste? And now... Qi Refiner? Her gaze lingered in disbelief.
A flicker of hope ignited in her eyes.
Maybe... this sect can change my life.
Shaurya suddenly clutched his chest. His heart was beating wildly.
"Narayan... Narayan... what is this feeling?" he murmured.
Just then, a light burst.
One candidate lit all nine stars in blue.
"System," Shaurya whispered. "Info?"
> Name: Shen Hang
Physique: Immortal Spear Body( same as Chen Fang sword body but it's spear)
Shaurya smiled, turned to Xiao Rui, and whispered. Xiao Rui nodded and handed Shen Hang a form.
"You are accepted as an inner disciple."
Two hours passed. 78 disciples were accepted. Only Shen Hang was selected as an inner disciple. No elders.
Shaurya sighed. "Still no elder candidates?"
In the crowd, Lin Shu turned to the Gu family spies. "Go."
The ten walked into the disciple zone. Only three were accepted as outer disciples. Lin Shu felt relieved.
Good. Less harm done.
She walked to the elder building.
Shaurya, sipping water, casually glanced her way—and froze.
The girl in white robes, emotionless yet stunning. His heart skipped again.
What's happening to me... again?
Lin Shu placed her hand on the circle. Nothing happened.
Shaurya narrowed his eyes.
Is this broken?
Then suddenly—a blinding golden light. All nine stars shone in radiant gold.
Everyone gasped. Even Shaurya was stunned.
"Golden... all nine stars?! Inner elder?!"
He rushed forward, took a form from Lee Bie, and approached Lin Shu.
"Congratulations," he said, handing her the form. "You're selected as an inner elder."
Lin Shu took the form silently and filled it.
Shaurya noticed something.
No emotion on her face... but her eyes... they scream in pain.
The system popped up.
> Name: Lin Shu
Age: 22
Physique: Immortal Body (Only you and she possess it)
> Status: Sent as a spy by Lin Family (Relatives and allies of the Gu Family)
Shaurya's expression darkened.
They dared send a spy into my sect?
> System Alert: Host Calm down, Calm Down host. Calm down! Listen to me!
Shaurya raised a brow. "Listen to what, your rap song?"
> System: She's the eldest daughter of the Lin Family. Once a beloved child. After her mother's death, she was betrayed, abused, and cursed with the Soul Puppet Curse—unable to disobey or act of her own will. Her story is worse than any tragic novel you've read.
Shaurya read the entire data.
Tears welled in his eyes.
Why... why does her pain feel like mine? Why is my soul trembling?
He gasped for breath. His body trembling.
His disciples see this rushed over.
Wang Tian Ask with worries"Master, are you alright?!"
Shaurya, trembling, whispered, "I don't know... I'm not okay, but I am... it's strange."
His disciples all worried.
"Master, please rest," Luo Chen insisted.
Shaurya nodded slowly. "I feel... so sad. And angry. My heart... it's boiling."
His disciples exchanged anxious glances. Xiao Rui stepped up.
"Master, we'll take care of the rest. You should lie down."
Shaurya nodded and walked to the shade of a tree. As he lay back, he whispered:
"System, what is happening to me?"
> System: Host, you're feeling this way because... she's your destined one.
Shaurya sat up straight.
"My... destiny?"
> System: Yes. Your curse of being single is finally ending!
Shaurya blinked.
"So... that's why I've been acting strange... My soulmate..."
He looked at Lin Shu from afar.
You've suffered so much. But from this day forward, I will give you everything. I will heal your broken heart, and make sure your tears are never wasted again.
In this vast world where power reigns and fate often writes cruel tales, sometimes destiny whispers gently. In the quiet pain of a forgotten girl... a spark ignited the fire within a destined one. Two souls... connected by fate, burdened by pain, bound by the heavens. The story of Shaurya and Lin Shu... has only just begun.
To Be Continued...