By the time they climbed back up Heavenly Peak, Lin Xuanji was absolutely done with plants, beasts, forests, herbs, gravity, and life in general. Ruolan had nearly fainted twice on the walk back, Feng Xiao kept checking behind trees to make sure the boar wasn't following them, and Ling Xueyin remained serenely untouched by all mortal problems.
Lin Xuanji placed the herb carefully on a stone table in the courtyard, as if it might bolt again.
It squeaked once, curled its little root-legs under itself, and went still.
Ruolan peered over it. "Sect Master… it looks sleepy."
"It should be," Lin Xuanji muttered. "It ran more than all of us combined."
Feng Xiao frowned. "It still doesn't make sense. Why does a plant run?"
"Because the world hates me," Lin Xuanji declared.
(Host. Incoming system message.)
"NO. Not right now. I need a break."
(Break denied.)
Lin Xuanji dragged a hand down his face. "Why do I even argue with you…"
Ruolan tugged on his sleeve gently. "Sect Master… will this herb help the next disciple?"
"…Apparently," Lin Xuanji answered. "The System says we need it to prepare for their arrival."
Feng Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Who is the next disciple anyway?"
Lin Xuanji froze.
Ruolan blinked.
Feng Xiao blinked.
Even the herb blinked.
Ling Xueyin answered in her calm voice, "Someone important."
Feng Xiao looked at her. "Important how?"
Ling Xueyin's expression didn't change. "Important enough that the peak will not remain quiet."
Ruolan clutched his broom nervously. "S-Sect Master… is someone dangerous coming?"
Lin Xuanji inhaled deeply. "No idea. And I'd like to keep it that way."
He looked toward the mountain's stone walls and spoke louder.
"I repeat—
I want peace.
No explosions.
No glowing buildings.
No sudden—"
The ground rumbled.
Lin Xuanji snapped, "I DIDN'T FINISH MY SENTENCE!"
A low hum vibrated through the entire peak—gentle but firm, like a massive heartbeat under the stone. Ruolan yelped and hid behind him again. Feng Xiao stepped forward, hands ready with flame, while Ling Xueyin watched the ground without blinking.
Lin Xuanji glared at the mountain. "Why are you doing that? Stop doing that!"
A crack spread along the courtyard floor—not destructive, not dangerous, but deliberate, like it was carving lines on purpose.
Slowly, stones shifted and arranged themselves into the outline of a circular platform.
Ruolan whispered, "S-Sect Master… did you build this?"
Lin Xuanji threw his hands up. "NO! I never build anything! The mountain does what it wants!"
(Correction: Mountain assists System function.)
"DON'T EXPLAIN THINGS I DON'T WANT TO KNOW."
The circular stone base finished forming, smooth and polished. Soft white light pulsed inside the carved symbols.
Ling Xueyin stepped closer, her eyes unusually focused.
"This is… a summoning imprint."
Ruolan gasped. "Is another elder coming?!"
Lin Xuanji froze like a man caught stealing dumplings.
"…Elder? What elder? Who said elder? I didn't say elder—"
The hum deepened.
A gentle wind swept across the courtyard, forming a spiral above the stone circle.
The air thickened.
Qi gathered.
The temperature changed.
The peak itself seemed to breathe.
Feng Xiao whispered, "Something's coming…"
Ruolan grabbed Lin Xuanji's sleeve with both hands. "Sect Master! Please tell me this is normal!"
"DOES ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PEAK LOOK NORMAL TO YOU?!"
(Host. Congratulations. You have unlocked 'Summoning Platform — Tier 1.')
Lin Xuanji groaned. "A summoning platform? Why?! What are we summoning?!"
(Host will receive the answer shortly.)
"NO. I DON'T WANT ANSWERS 'SHORTLY.' I WANT THEM NOW."
The air pulsed.
Light expanded.
The summoning circle activated fully.
Ruolan held his breath.
Feng Xiao gripped her flame.
Ling Xueyin straightened her posture.
A silhouette formed inside the light—
not a disciple,
not a beast,
and definitely not an item.
A person.
Someone tall.
Armored.
Sharp-eyed.
And kneeling.
As the light faded, he bowed deeply toward Lin Xuanji.
"Reporting for duty—"
His voice echoed across the peak.
"Guardian of the Peak, Wei Tian, greets the Sect Master."
Lin Xuanji blinked.
"...A guard?"
(Host. You have summoned the first Guardian-Class Sect Guard.)
Ruolan whispered, "He looks strong…"
Feng Xiao nodded. "A little scary, too…"
Wei Tian rose with military precision.
"My life belongs to Heavenly Peak. Command me, Sect Master."
Lin Xuanji stared at him.
Then stared at the System.
Then stared at the mountain.
"…I went out to pick herbs," he said slowly, "and came back with a fully armed soldier."
Ling Xueyin allowed the faintest smile behind her sleeve.
"Welcome to the next stage," she said quietly.
And Heavenly Peak hummed in agreement.