Wei Tian finished his inspection of the peak as though he were evaluating a battlefield. Every footstep was precise. Every glance calculated. Every breath measured.
Meanwhile, Lin Xuanji stood in the courtyard, pinching the bridge of his nose as the System buzzed in his head like a persistent mosquito.
(Host. Initiating sect expansion protocols.)
No. Stop. Not right now, Lin Xuanji groaned internally.
(Host. Task: Prepare lodging for incoming disciples.)
Why do tasks always arrive when I'm tired?!
To Ruolan and Feng Xiao, he looked like a man staring at the floor with the intensity of someone trying to solve a life-or-death math problem.
Feng Xiao whispered, "Sect Master is making that face again."
Ruolan nodded nervously. "The… meditation face?"
Feng Xiao shrugged. "Maybe."
Ruolan cupped his hands around his mouth and whispered, "Sect Master… if you need, we can fetch water…"
Lin Xuanji snapped back to reality. "No! I mean—no, Ruolan, I'm fine. I'm just… thinking."
Wei Tian suddenly stepped forward and bowed.
"Sect Master. Your strategic contemplation is admirable."
"…My what?"
"Your mind must be formulating long-term defensive methods."
Ruolan blinked. Feng Xiao raised an eyebrow.
Lin Xuanji forced a dignified cough. "…Of course. Yes. Strategy. Always good."
Ling Xueyin, who was observing from the shade, lifted her sleeve just slightly to hide the faintest smile. She was the only one who knew the truth—Lin Xuanji wasn't thinking deeply; he was arguing silently with a sarcastic System none of them could see or hear.
Wei Tian continued, "I will begin patrolling the perimeter. Any threat approaching the peak will be detected immediately."
Lin Xuanji nodded. "Good. Very good. Excellent."
(Host. Your next building will appear soon.)
Lin Xuanji's eye twitched.
Ruolan and Feng Xiao exchanged worried glances.
Feng Xiao asked cautiously, "Sect Master… is something… wrong?"
"No! Why would anything be wrong? I'm perfectly normal!" he said, absolutely not sounding normal.
Wei Tian saluted. "Sect Master's mind is simply on a higher plane."
Lin Xuanji silently begged the sky to swallow him whole.
The ground beneath them suddenly throbbed with a gentle vibration—like a heartbeat from the mountain itself. Ruolan grabbed Lin Xuanji's sleeve again. Feng Xiao stepped back, fire gathering at her fingertips.
And Wei Tian immediately unsheathed his spear.
"Threat detected!"
Lin Xuanji raised his hands in panic. "STOP! STOP! Don't stab the ground! The mountain is… just doing… mountain things!"
Wei Tian froze mid-strike.
Ruolan whispered, "The mountain… does things?"
Feng Xiao sighed. "At this point… I think the mountain has more personality than all of us combined."
Another rumble rolled across the courtyard, stronger this time. Stones shifted. Soil lifted. Wood scraped against itself.
Lin Xuanji clenched his teeth.
"System… what did you trigger?"
(Construction: Disciples' Dormitory — Tier 1.)
Lin Xuanji groaned. "I swear if you build another building without asking—"
(Starting construction.)
The rumbling intensified.
Everyone stepped back.
Wei Tian raised his spear again—hesitating this time—checking if he should attack the floor or not.
"What do I do, Sect Master?"
Lin Xuanji groaned, "Just… don't kill the mountain."
A chunk of earth split open with a deep grinding sound.
Pillars rose from the ground like growing trees.
Tiles formed out of dust and arranged themselves midair.
A wooden corridor appeared, bending into place like it had a mind of its own.
Ruolan's jaw dropped.
Feng Xiao blinked.
Wei Tian lowered his weapon slowly.
Ling Xueyin closed her eyes, listening to the pulse of the peak with subtle nostalgia.
In less than a minute, a new building stood proudly beside the main courtyard.
A sturdy, two-room dormitory.
Quiet. Practical. Traditional style.
Perfect for the next disciple—or two.
Lin Xuanji stared at it.
"…I really have no control over my own home."
Ruolan tugged his robe. "S-Sect Master… is this for the next disciple?"
Feng Xiao nodded. "Whoever they are, the peak seems… ready."
Wei Tian bowed deeply. "Sect Master, your ability to command the mountain is unparalleled."
Lin Xuanji opened his mouth to deny it—
then closed it again.
Let the soldier believe whatever he wants.
"Right," he said with a forced smile. "I, uh… meant to do that."
Ling Xueyin stepped forward and spoke softly.
"The peak is preparing. The next arrival will not be simple."
Lin Xuanji swallowed.
He didn't know who was coming.
He didn't know when.
He didn't know how dangerous it would be.
But the mountain did.
And the System definitely did.
And as if responding to his thoughts, the System chimed:
(Host. Begin preparations. The third disciple is approaching.)
Lin Xuanji groaned. "Of course they are."
Heavenly Peak hummed in agreement.