The Eternal Radiance Divine Sect had officially leveled up.
The inner court had been unlocked, the formation was humming with newfound energy, and the disciples—now a whopping five—were spread out across the mountain peak, ready to turn ruins into something vaguely resembling a proper sect.
Naturally, the first step was chaos.
Very loud, extremely enthusiastic chaos.
"DAAAANIU!" Su Jian's voice echoed across the hills. "That is not how you hold a hammer!"
"But it makes the nail go in faster if I use both fists!"
"You're hammering your foot!"
Li Qingyu strolled past the half-built training platform with a cup of spiritual tea in hand, watching as Tian Feng tried to guide Daniu with hand-drawn blueprints while standing on a box labeled "EXTREMELY FRAGILE – DO NOT STAND."
In the distance, Ziyan was sparring against three log mannequins at once, occasionally blowing one up just for fun. Lin Yanyu had turned the old pigsty into a private spear dojo and was writing motivational phrases on the walls like "Hit First, Ask Later" and "Pain Is Just Cowardice Leaving the Body."
Life was good.
For now.
---
[Ding! Inner Court Construction Phase Activated]
Mission Board: 45% Built
Cultivation Pool: 20% Filled (please clean frogs)
Storage Pavilion: Foundation Complete
Disciples' Quarters: 0% (currently just tents and hope)
[Optional Upgrade Available: Appoint Core Disciple to Assist with Management]
Li Qingyu raised an eyebrow. "Core disciple, huh?"
He turned to the chaos below.
Daniu had now tied two hammers to a stick and was calling it "The Double Thunder Stick."
Tian Feng was writing "Do not trust Daniu with tools" in bold red letters on the blueprints.
Su Jian was trying to light incense but had accidentally set his sleeve on fire again.
Ziyan was meditating while upside-down on a spear stuck in a tree.
Yanyu was wrestling a wild goose that had wandered into her dojo.
Li Qingyu nodded.
"Obvious choice."
---
Inside the nearly complete main hall, Li Qingyu sat cross-legged across from Ziyan.
She didn't look up.
"You want to make me Core Disciple?"
"Yes."
"Because I'm the strongest?"
"Because you're the least likely to accidentally blow us up with a hammer."
"…Fair."
Ziyan opened one eye.
"What does a Core Disciple do, exactly?"
"Help manage tasks, lead outer missions, and keep the junior disciples from dying or committing arson."
"…Mostly Daniu, then."
"Exactly."
Ziyan cracked her knuckles and smirked. "Fine. I'll whip them into shape."
Li Qingyu grinned. "Whip softly. We don't have a medical hall yet."
---
[Ding! Core Disciple Appointed: Ziyan of the Nine Blade Flow]
Discipline Boost (All Disciples +5%)
Training Speed Increased (Ziyan-led sessions)
Leadership Aura: -10% Likelihood of Sect-Wide Accidents
New Feature: Disciplinary Action Board (Ziyan may not let anyone leave unscathed)
---
Later that evening, the sect gathered for dinner.
By "dinner," they meant a pot of spicy noodles boiled over a spiritual fire, garnished with strange mountain mushrooms that Su Jian insisted were "only mildly narcotic."
"Tomorrow," Li Qingyu said, "we finish the mission board."
"And then?" asked Tian Feng, mouth full of noodles.
"Then we take on our first official sect mission."
Lin Yanyu grinned. "Please say it involves violence."
Su Jian sighed. "We don't even have a medic."
Ziyan smirked. "We'll need a new training ground once I'm done 'supervising.'"
"Master," Daniu asked, blinking, "what kind of missions will we get?"
"Good question."
Li Qingyu opened the glowing jade interface hovering above the fire.
---
[Mission Board Preview – Tier 1 Available Quests]
1. Herb Gathering in Spider Valley – Reward: Spirit Stones x150
Note: Requires anti-venom and strong shoes.
2. Escort the Widow of Azure Stream – Reward: Cultivation Pill x1, Sect Fame +1
Note: Widow has temper. And a sword.
3. Eliminate Bandits near Moss Cavern – Reward: Spirit Stones x200, Weapon Box (Random)
Note: Bandits known for dramatic monologues and throwing knives.
4. Lost Pet Retrieval – Fire Ferret named 'Mister Buttons' – Reward: Low-Tier Beast Taming Manual
Note: Highly flammable. Do not use fire-based techniques.
5. Mysterious Cave Investigation – Unknown Risk Level – Reward: ???
Note: Unknown… everything.
---
Su Jian pointed. "We could try the herb gathering. Low risk."
Yanyu scoffed. "That's just picking weeds."
Ziyan's eyes gleamed. "Mysterious cave."
Li Qingyu sipped his tea.
"Let's vote. Majority rules."
---
They chose the cave, obviously.
Because who needs sense when you have narrative drama?
---
The next morning, the five disciples stood at the base of a rocky trail leading into the mountains.
Wind howled. Distant howls echoed. The trees whispered ominously.
Daniu had packed ten sandwiches and a frying pan "for negotiations." Tian Feng was already regretting everything. Yanyu looked thrilled. Ziyan was sharpening her blade and humming a war tune.
Li Qingyu stood at the front, robes fluttering, eyes bright.
"First official mission," he said.
Su Jian muttered, "First official death trap."
Li Qingyu smiled wider.
"Let's show the world what chaos looks like."
---