Kai Yun stood in the courtyard with her hands on her hips, taking in the entire peak like she owned the place.
"So," she said loudly, "where do I sleep? And when do we fight? And do you have food?"
Lin Xuanji nearly choked on air trying to answer all three questions at once.
Ruolan, flustered, stepped forward with a tray of tea.
"W-We have food! And tea! A-And beds!"
Kai Yun snatched a cup.
"Good. Because I'm starving."
She gulped the tea in one go then winced.
"Hot. Hot hot hot."
Feng Xiao smirked. "Too hot?"
Kai Yun glared. "Don't laugh. I will challenge you later."
"That's a threat."
"That's a promise."
Ruolan panicked. "N-No fighting in the courtyard!"
Tian Wen watched silently from the side, studying her with those sharp, calm eyes.
"She's… energetic," he said quietly.
Feng Xiao snorted. "That's a nice word for 'violent.'"
"It's not violence if it's training," Kai Yun retorted.
"It's violence if you yell 'I'M GOING TO HIT SOMETHING' before training," Feng Xiao shot back.
"I SAID THAT ONCE!"
"You said it before stepping on the peak."
Kai Yun turned to Lin Xuanji.
"Sect Master! She's lying!"
Lin Xuanji raised both hands. "I don't know, I heard yelling too—"
(Host. Your fourth disciple is extremely compatible with the mountain.)
Lin Xuanji froze.
What does that MEAN?
(Her sword physique resonates with the ancient artifact.)
NO. STOP MAKING THINGS RESONATE.
(She will be noisy.)
"I KNEW THAT ALREADY!"
Kai Yun blinked. "…What?"
"NOTHING," Lin Xuanji coughed violently. "Just… allergies."
Wei Tian stepped forward, spear at his side.
"Welcome to Heavenly Peak. I am Guardian Wei Tian."
Kai Yun's eyes widened. "Whoa. You're strong."
Wei Tian nodded. "Correct."
"And scary."
"That too."
Kai Yun looked impressed.
"Awesome."
Ruolan whispered behind Lin Xuanji, "She likes scary things…"
Lin Xuanji whispered back, "That's concerning."
Ling Xueyin approached Kai Yun then, her demeanor graceful and calm.
Kai Yun froze.
Not because she was intimidated.
But because something deep inside her—
her sealed sword body—
trembled.
"…You're strong," Kai Yun whispered.
Ling Xueyin nodded. "Welcome."
Kai Yun stared at her.
"You're… scarier than the guard."
Ling Xueyin blinked. "Do you mean respected?"
"No. Scary."
Ling Xueyin looked away politely. "…I see."
Lin Xuanji choked on a laugh.
But then—
The mountain hummed.
A deeper hum than before.
Everyone instinctively stiffened.
Kai Yun blinked. "Oi. Why is the ground vibrating? Did I step on something?!"
"No," Lin Xuanji groaned. "The mountain is reacting to you."
Kai Yun frowned. "Reacting? Am I too heavy?"
"No!" Ruolan squeaked. "You're not heavy!"
"Well something is humming!"
Tian Wen stepped forward.
"It hummed when I awakened too."
Kai Yun blinked. "…Your training made the mountain hum?"
Tian Wen nodded.
Kai Yun looked determined immediately.
"Then I'm training RIGHT NOW."
Feng Xiao facepalmed. "Oh no…"
Ruolan panicked. "Sect Master! Stop her!"
Lin Xuanji held up a hand.
"Wait… maybe we should let her. The mountain seems to… approve."
(Host. Mountain has recognized Kai Yun's sword body.)
Recognized WHAT?
(She possesses a sealed Heaven-Diver Sword Body.)
WHY DO THEY ALL HAVE RARE PHYSIQUES?!
(Because your sect is special.)
I DON'T WANT SPECIAL, I WANT NORMAL.
(Request denied.)
Lin Xuanji fought the urge to cry.
Kai Yun unsheathed her oversized sword—
SWHHHH—
A faint silver aura whispered around the blade.
Ruolan gasped.
Feng Xiao's eyes grew wide.
Tian Wen's expression sharpened.
Wei Tian subtly shifted his stance.
Ling Xueyin's eyes softened with recognition.
Kai Yun planted her feet.
"Alright! Mountain! Watch this!"
She swung the sword down.
The air exploded.
Not a destructive explosion—
but a shockwave that slid across the courtyard, kicking dust and leaves into a small storm before dissipating.
The mountain hummed again—
louder, clearer, like applause.
Kai Yun blinked.
"…Did the mountain just cheer for me?"
Lin Xuanji rubbed his face.
"Yes. It likes your sword."
Kai Yun grinned proudly.
"HAH! Told you I wasn't normal!"
"That is NOT something to brag about!"
But she ignored him, running around the courtyard with the excited energy of a child receiving candy and a weapon at the same time.
Tian Wen watched her.
"…She's strong," he murmured.
Feng Xiao nodded. "And insane."
Ruolan whispered. "S-Sect Master… is she safe to be around?"
Lin Xuanji sighed.
"She's our disciple now," he said tiredly. "We'll figure it out."
(Host. Next mission preparing.)
"No," Lin Xuanji whispered. "Please. Not yet."
(Fifth disciple ETA: within the week.)
"NOOOOOO—"
Kai Yun froze mid-swing.
"Uh… Sect Master? Why are you screaming?"
Lin Xuanji collapsed to his knees.
"…I need a vacation."
Ling Xueyin's voice drifted softly behind him.
"You need more disciples."
The mountain hummed again.
Kai Yun swung her sword in joy.
Tian Wen exhaled slowly.
Ruolan prayed.
Feng Xiao laughed.
Wei Tian stared into the distance like a man preparing for war.
Heavenly Peak had gained its fourth disciple.
And chaos had officially begun.