Lin Chen slept for twelve straight hours.
When he finally opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Su Ming's face hovering far too close to his own.
"…Why are you breathing like that?" Lin Chen asked weakly.
Su Ming jumped back in shock. "M-Master! You're awake! I was checking to see if you were still alive!"
Lin Chen stared at him. "That is not how one checks."
> Sect Master Survival: Confirmed
Lin Chen sat up slowly, feeling like every meridian in his body had been politely but firmly beaten.
> Status:
Cultivation: Qi Refinement Peak 3
Spiritual Energy: Low
Pride: Intact
He nodded. Acceptable.
---
Outside, the sect was unusually lively.
Two birds argued on the roof. The Spirit Gathering Formation hummed steadily. Even the cracked courtyard stones looked… slightly less cracked.
> Sect Reputation Update:
Azure Cloud Sect: Noticed → Feared (Minor)
Lin Chen blinked.
"…Feared?"
Su Ming puffed up proudly. "The Black Iron Sect disciples ran into other cultivators on the way down the mountain. They said you defeated five people without moving."
Lin Chen coughed. "That's… not exactly accurate."
Su Ming looked confused. "But you didn't move much."
Lin Chen chose to let history be written by the witnesses.
---
A familiar chime echoed in his mind.
> New Task Completed:
Defended Sect Territory (First Instance)
Rewards Issued:
– Sect Master Authority +1
– Spirit Stones x20
– Random Furniture Item
Lin Chen froze.
"…Furniture?"
A beam of light flashed in the main hall.
THUD.
A massive chair appeared.
Carved from dark spiritual wood, inlaid with silver runes, faintly glowing with authority and intimidation.
Lin Chen stared.
Su Ming stared harder.
"Master," Su Ming said carefully, "why does the chair feel… stronger than me?"
> Item Identified:
Sect Master Throne (Low Grade)
Effect:
– Authority Pressure +10%
– Cultivation Speed +5% while seated
Warning: Cannot be sold
Lin Chen pinched the bridge of his nose.
"So the system thinks the most urgent thing I need… is a chair."
> System:
Correction: A very expensive chair
Lin Chen sighed and sat down.
The moment he did, invisible pressure spread through the hall.
> Cultivation Progress: Qi Refinement Peak 3 → Peak 3 (Stabilized)
Mental State: Comfortable
"…I hate that this works," Lin Chen muttered.
Su Ming stood straighter just by looking at him.
---
Later that day, Lin Chen gathered Su Ming again.
"Today's lesson," Lin Chen said, "is resource management."
Su Ming nodded seriously.
Lin Chen placed the twenty spirit stones on the table.
They sparkled.
Su Ming's eyes sparkled harder.
"Master," Su Ming whispered, "we're rich."
Lin Chen closed the lid on the box.
"We are temporarily less poor."
He opened the Sect Master Manual and pointed.
"Half of these go to maintaining formations. The rest go to improving your cultivation."
Su Ming hesitated. "What about you, Master?"
Lin Chen smiled. "My cultivation rises when the sect rises. So if you grow stronger—"
He gestured to himself.
"—I do too. It's called delegation."
Su Ming looked deeply moved.
> Disciple Loyalty: 88 → 92
Lin Chen felt a familiar warmth in his dantian.
> Sect Resonance Feedback:
Cultivation Progress: Slightly Increased
---
As night fell, Lin Chen leaned back in his absurdly powerful chair, staring at the ceiling.
"We survived," he said quietly.
Su Ming nodded. "Yes, Master."
"But now," Lin Chen continued, "we have a bigger problem."
Su Ming tensed. "Another enemy?"
Lin Chen shook his head.
"Visitors."
> System Warning:
Azure Cloud Sect Detected by External Parties
Possible Outcomes:
– Curious Cultivators
– Talent Seekers
– Troublemakers
Recommendation: Prepare recruitment plan
Lin Chen groaned softly.
"One disciple, one chair, and now I have to start hiring."
He glanced at Su Ming.
"You're going to have junior brothers soon."
Su Ming blinked. "Will they listen to me?"
Lin Chen smiled.
"They will if you look scary enough."
Su Ming immediately straightened his back and narrowed his eyes, practicing his glare.
Lin Chen closed his eyes, a small smile forming.
The Azure Cloud Sect had officially moved from survival to growth.
And somehow—
It all started with a chair.