As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm amber glow across the sky, the grand recruitment ceremony of the Sanatan Flame Sect began to settle into stillness. The once-bustling field, where eager cultivators had gathered with hope and ambition, now stood quieter as dusk embraced the mountain.
Xiao Rui and Lee Bie approached Shaurya, who stood overlooking the gathered crowd. In their hands, they carried the completed forms.
"Master," Xiao Rui reported, "we have successfully recruited 179 disciples and 1 elder."
Shaurya offered a pleased but thoughtful smile. "Only one elder... Well, it's a start."
Turning inward, he addressed the system silently. System, tell me, how many spies made it through?
The system's voice rang crisply in his mind.
[System Notification] Seven handyman disciples and three outer disciples have infiltrated as spies.
Shaurya's smile twisted into something devilish. "Oh? Then let's give them all a little surprise."
He accessed the system-generated list of spies. Raising his voice, he addressed the crowd, "So, we now have 170 outer disciples, 9 inner disciples, and 100 handyman disciples. That brings us to 279 in total. Not bad..."
Just as he was about to officially conclude the ceremony, a confident voice broke the silence.
"Wait!"
A striking man stepped forward, handsome and dignified. "My name is Wan Yu. I wish to participate in the elder test."
Shaurya raised an eyebrow. "Very well. Place your hand on the elder assessment artifact."
Wan Yu stepped forward and placed his palm on the glowing circle. Immediately, all nine stars lit up in vibrant red.
Shaurya's smile returned. "Congratulations, Wan Yu. You are accepted as an Inner Elder."
Wan Yu gave a graceful bow. "Thank you, Sect Master. I am also an alchemist. If your sect has an Alchemy Hall, I would be honored to manage it."
"Of course we do!" Shaurya said, clearly delighted. "Finally, an elder for the Alchemy Hall!"
He turned to the entire assembly. "Everyone, go to your homes and rest. Tomorrow, meet me in the mountains. We'll proceed to our sect together."
The crowd dispersed, except for Wan Yu. Shaurya noticed him lingering.
"You're not leaving?"
Wan Yu gave a soft smile. "I have no home. I'm not from here."
Shaurya's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Another one with a hidden wound behind the smile... Two elders, and both carry heavy pasts. Why can't I get a normal recruit?
He turned to his eleven disciples and Elder Liya. "Everyone, get ready. We have an important discussion in the mountains."
---
Later, at the peak of the mountain...
Shaurya activated the sect's communication crystal. The swirling aura shimmered, revealing the image of Elder Wu back at the main sect.
Shaurya's expression turned serious. "Elder Wu, I have something important to share. We have spies in our sect."
Gasps rang out. Elder Wu frowned. "Spies? But all previous disciples were trained under me. I guarantee their loyalty."
"Not them," Shaurya clarified. "The new recruits. They include agents from the Gu Family."
The disciples reeled in shock.
"Even that new Inner Elder," Shaurya continued, "Lin Shu, is the eldest daughter of the Lin Family and a planted spy."
Wang Tian muttered, "She's a spy?"
Luo Chen said, "But she seemed so powerful."
Muo Qian responded, "You can't judge someone just by power or looks."
Shaurya raised his hand to quiet them. "Listen to her story first."
He recounted Lin Shu's tragic past. By the time he finished, even Wang Tian had tears in his eyes.
Mo Liya asked with concern, "Master, with all your power, can't you break her curse?"
Shaurya chuckled. "Who said I couldn't? I can free her anytime. But we must act smart. Elder Wu, you taught everyone the aura suppression technique, right?"
"Yes, Master. All disciples have mastered it."
"Good," Shaurya said with a devilish grin. "Tell everyone to suppress their cultivation levels. Appear weak. We will lull the spies into thinking we're vulnerable. They'll report back to their masters, who will relax. When they lower their guard... we strike."
Jaws dropped. Elder Wu grinned. "Master, your intellect is terrifying."
"That's why he's our sect leader," Elder Liya added.
---
Meanwhile, back at the Lin Family...
Lin Shu knelt, crying in pain as Lin Ru activated the soul curse. He sneered, "You did well. No punishment today. But remember, if you ever defy me..."
The crystal glowed again, igniting pain in Lin Shu's soul. Her scream echoed through the halls. She left and returned to her cold, broken room. Sitting beneath the moonlight, she whispered, "I hope... my destiny changes this time."
---
Back with Shaurya...
Sitting on a tree, he clutched his chest. "That strange pain again... this sadness... It must be because of her. Don't worry, heart. Starting tomorrow, everything will change."
At the same moment, Lin Shu touched her heart. "Why does it feel warm... like someone's thinking of me?"
---
The Next Day — The Departure
All 279 disciples assembled in the mountains. Among them, Lin Shu arrived, only to be awestruck by the massive floating ship, majestic and vast.
Shaurya stood tall on its deck, dressed in regal robes and his signature sunglasses. Luo Chen whispered, "Master, aren't we pretending to be weak?"
Shaurya smirked. "Yes, but we did win the tournament and kill their ancestor. We'll claim we used artifacts. Let them underestimate our foundation."
The disciples all boarded the gigantic ship. Ten suspicious figures glanced around silently—the spies.
Shaurya, already prepared, had drawn their sketches. Elder Wu distributed them among the senior disciples. "These ten are our targets. Play weak. Let them think we're harmless. And beat them soundly in the training grounds."
(God help the spies.)
Upon arrival, Shaurya announced a "housing problem." The ten spies were "randomly selected" to live in a separate building. They immediately volunteered. Shaurya smiled—his plan was working perfectly.
Later, with all loyal disciples assembled, Shaurya laid out the full strategy. They agreed enthusiastically.
Then Elder Liya asked, "Master, what about Lin Shu?"
Shaurya smiled. "I have a plan."
---
In a Secluded Mountain Near the Sect...
Lin Shu stood coldly. "Why did you call me here?"
Shaurya smiled, activated a glowing formation. "Divine Hidden Formation: Activate."
The space shimmered. Lin Shu looked confused. "What is this?"
Shaurya stepped closer. "You don't have to pretend anymore. I know who you are—the eldest daughter of the Lin Family. I know about the curse. Everything."
Her face went pale. "H-How?! What do you want?!"
"Nothing harmful," he said gently. "I admire you. And I'm here to free you."
She staggered. "You want to help me...?"
He snapped his fingers. "Soul Destruction Array: Activate."
Chains erupted, binding her in purple flames. She screamed, thinking he betrayed her.
"Why are you torturing me?! If you want to kill me, just do it!"
Shaurya walked forward. "Why would I kill someone I want to save?"
The chains trembled. A demonic spirit, the Soul Puppet Curse, was yanked from her body. It howled and exploded.
When the smoke cleared, Lin Shu stood still. Lifeless. Shaurya rushed to her.
"Hey... are you okay?"
She blinked. Then tears flooded her eyes. She dropped to her knees. "I'm... free..."
Shaurya, smiling with moist eyes, helped her up. "If you wish to leave the sect, you may."
She looked into his eyes. "No. This sect gave me a new life. I'll stay."
They returned to the sect. Shaurya announced her freedom. All disciples cheered. Lin Shu smiled faintly. Shaurya placed his hand on her shoulder.
"From now on, you'll know true happiness."
Blushing, she punched Shaurya lightly, sending him flying.
Everyone laughed.
Shaurya dusted off and returned. "Let's keep the spies unaware. Don't blow our cover."
Lin Shu's eyes burned with anger. "Spies? Let me kill them."
Shaurya stopped her and explained the plan.
She stared at him, stunned. "You don't look that smart..."
"Hey!" he protested.
But she smiled—a true smile. Shaurya saw it and smiled too.
Xiao Rui whispered to Lee Bie, "So... Master finally got a soulmate."
Lee Bie wiped a tear. "Yeah... When will our turn come?"
The single boys sighed.
To be continued...
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