Chapter 4: A New Disciple, A Rising Storm
The Cangyun Sect's central arena buzzed under a crisp afternoon sky, its stone ring etched with faint Qi runes. Wooden stands packed with disciples rippled with chatter, their plain robes fluttering like a sea of grey waves. Some practiced light sword forms in nearby fields, blades catching sunlight in lazy arcs, while others sat by open pavilions, sipping tea and murmuring about the disciple selection. The sect's calm routine felt almost too peaceful, like a nap waiting to happen. For Noah, it was the perfect excuse to dodge work.
Perched in his cliffside pavilion, Noah slumped over a wobbly table, jade-leaf tea steaming in a cracked cup. His silver hair spilled loose, and his patched robes sagged, hiding the might of a Dormant Immortal King. A cluttered shelf held jars of tea leaves, their scent mixing with the valley's breeze. His jade pendant dangled from a beam, its glow flickering like a restless spirit sniffing trouble.
Below, the disciple selection was underway. Newcomers lined up in the arena, facing senior disciples to prove their worth. Lin Jian stood at the edge, chipped sword at his hip, his torn robe patched but still dusty. His dark eyes burned, though his chest twitched with each breath, his soul seal gnawing at him. Noah sipped his tea, muttering, "Kid's gonna swing that blade like a mad dog. Better not keel over."
DING!
A shrill chime stabbed Noah's skull, sharp as a novice's bad lute strum. Golden words flared in his mind, mist swirling:
[System Update: Disciple Lin Jian at Disciple Selection. Host, Ensure Success.]
'Nagging pest strikes again,' Noah thought, rubbing his temples. 'Can't I sip my tea in peace for once?'
[Error: Tea Sipping Is Not Guidance. Host, Monitor Task Progress.]
'Pushy busybody,' Noah grumbled inwardly, but a golden panel flickered, glowing like a smug lantern:
[Progress Tracker: Lin Jian]
- Soul Seal: 20% Unsealed
- Sword Intent: Crimson Fang (1st Layer, 30% Mastered)
- Realm: Body Tempering (Marrow Stage, 10% to Qi Gathering)
- Task Status: Guide Lin Jian to unseal soul, complete disciple selection. Deadline: Five days.
'Twenty percent?' Noah thought, scowling. 'Kid's still slow without my help, but he's still not my disciple, you nosy pest.'
Lin Jian stepped into the arena, facing Zhang Wei, the smug senior at Qi Gathering (Early Stage). The crowd buzzed, Xiao Fan whispering to nearby disciples, "That new kid beat a Qi Gathering bear! But Zhang Wei's gonna crush him." Zhang Wei twirled his polished sword, smirking. "Beggar, this sect's no place for street rats. Kneel, and I'll go easy."
Lin Jian's eyes blazed and snorted. "Talk less, swing more."
The crowd gasped as Lin Jian lunged, his chipped sword slashing a red arc that hummed like a taut string. Zhang Wei parried, but the force sent him stumbling, his smirk faltering. Lin Jian's strikes grew steadier, each hum easing his chest's pain, the scroll's symbols pulsing in his mind. Noah nodded slightly, sipping his tea. "Not bad, brat. Starting to hum."
But Zhang Wei's eyes glinted with malice. Mid-parry, he flicked his wrist, and three silver needles coated with Qi-disrupting venom shot toward Lin Jian's chest. The crowd didn't notice, but Noah's eyes narrowed. 'Using dirty trick, huh' he thought, setting his cup down.
DING!
[Warning: Disciple Lin Jian at Risk. Host, Intervene or Guide.]
'Intervene?,' Noah scoffed mentally. But his jade pendant flared, and the Heavenly Insight Token sparked, recalling his old ally's technique: a calm blade deflects chaos. Noah flicked his teacup's lid, sending it spinning through the air like a disc. It grazed the needles, knocking them into the dirt, unnoticed by the crowd.
Lin Jian didn't flinch, his sword humming louder. A red arc slashed, clipping Zhang Wei's robe and drawing a thin line of blood across his arm. Zhang Wei staggered, face red with fury. "You'll pay for that, beggar trash!"
Lin Jian pressed forward, his blade's hum steady, like a river carving stone. His chest glowed faintly, the soul seal loosening as Qi swirled inside, pushing him to the edge of Qi Gathering. The crowd roared, Xiao Fan shouting, "He's matching Zhang Wei! with Body Tempering realm?"
Zhang Wei snarled, swinging wildly, but Lin Jian's humming blade danced, parrying each blow with precision. One final strike sent Zhang Wei's sword flying, landing in the dirt. The arena fell silent, then erupted in cheers. Elder Chen, watching from a raised platform, nodded, his cloud-embroidered robe catching the light.
Lin Jian panted, sword lowered, sweat dripping. Zhang Wei spat, "This isn't over," and stormed off, his scowl promising trouble.
Noah leaned back, sipping his tea. 'Kid's got some fire,' he thought. 'Might be worth keeping around.'
DING!
[Progress Update: Lin Jian]
- Soul Seal: 40% Unsealed
- Sword Intent: Crimson Fang (1st Layer, 60% Mastered)
- Realm: Qi Gathering (Early Stage)
- Task Status: Disciple Selection Passed. Continue Guidance.
'Oh, Forty percent?' Noah thought, smirking. 'Not half bad, brat.'
[Host, Progress Noted. Deadline: Four Days.]
'Keep nagging,' Noah retorted silently, but his eyes flicked to Lin Jian, who stood tall, scroll clutched tight. The kid's stubborn spark reminded Noah of a lost friend, and his jade pendant pulsed, heavy with memory.
Elder Chen's voice boomed. "Lin Jian, you've earned your place as a Cangyun Sect disciple. Step forward for assignment."
Lin Jian approached, head high. Xiao Fan whispered, "He's probably gonna get picked by a top elder!" The disciples buzzed, but Noah sighed, setting his cup down. 'Here comes the headache,' he thought.
Elder Chen scanned the arena, then pointed at Noah's pavilion. "Elder Noah, this boy's sword intent is raw but fierce. He's yours to guide."
The crowd gasped, Xiao Fan's eyes wide. "Elder Noah? The tea-drinking hermit?" Whispers spread, fueling Noah's mystique.
Noah stood, brushing his robes. 'Great. Stuck with the brat, but saves the trouble' he thought, but a faint smirk tugged his lips. He descended to the arena, each step calm but heavy with hidden power. Lin Jian met his gaze, defiant yet curious.
"Kid," Noah said, voice gruff. "You're not a total lost cause. Bow, and you're my disciple. Don't embarrass me."
Lin Jian hesitated, then dropped to knee, bowing deeply. "I won't let you down, Master."
Noah waved a hand. "Save the fancy talk. Just keep that blade humming." The jade pendant glowed brighter, like it approved.
The System chimed:
[Task Update: Lin Jian Accepted as Disciple. Reward: Heavenly Insight Token (Enhanced).]
'Finally shut up, huh?' Noah thought, but his smirk faded as a new figure approached the arena, a girl with sharp eyes and a faint scent of herbs, her robe marked with an alchemist's sigil.
Xiao Fan whispered, "Who's that? Another newcomer?"
Noah's pendant pulsed, and a chill ran through him. 'More trouble,' he thought.
Somewhere, a new blade or perhaps a cauldron was starting to hum.