Chapter 3: Ghost or Future Disciple?
A Not-So-Friendly Welcome
Lin Feng took a cautious step forward, his breath visible in the freezing air. The temple ruins were barely illuminated by the moonlight, casting long, eerie shadows.
"Who... dares... enter... my domain?"
The chilling voice echoed again. From the darkness, a spectral figure emerged—a shadowy silhouette with glowing red eyes. The presence alone sent shivers down Lin Feng's spine.
"System… this isn't a real ghost, right?" Lin Feng whispered.
[Depends on your definition of 'real.' It's definitely a spirit, though.]
Lin Feng clenched his fists. "That doesn't make me feel better!"
The shadowy figure suddenly lunged at him.
"Leave my domain by yourself OR face my wraith and consequences of crossing into my domain"
Lin Feng's instincts screamed at him to run, but his pride—and his system—refused.
[Host, dodge left and strike with a Qi-infused punch!]
Lin Feng reacted immediately, rolling to the side as the ghostly claw barely missed his head. He gathered the little Qi he had from his starter cultivation technique and threw a punch straight at the figure's chest.
WHAM!
To his shock, his fist connected. The "ghost" staggered backward, letting out a very human-sounding grunt.
"Wait a minute…" Lin Feng narrowed his eyes. "You're not a ghost, are you?"
The shadowy figure froze.
"U-Uh… I mean, I am the great and terrifying spirit that ha*nts this land!"
Lin Feng took a step forward. "Oh really? Then why did my punch just knock the wind out of you?"
"...G-Ghosts can get winded too?"
Lin Feng smirked. "Bulls**t. System, scan this guy!"
[Scanning...]
A screen popped up.
Name: Yan Qing
Age: 16
Cultivation: Late Qi Cultivation Realm
Status: Severely Malnourished, Deprived of Qi, Desperate
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. "A starving Qi Cultivator pretending to be a ghost? You must have had a rough time."
Yan Qing, now fully visible, looked like a ragged teenager with tattered robes and hollow eyes. Seeing that his trick was exposed, he sighed and dropped his act.
"...Fine. You got me."
---
A Tragic Past and an Opportunity
Yan Qing sat on a broken stone pillar, arms crossed. "I used to be part of a sect, but they abandoned me. Called me a disgrace because my talent wasn't high enough."
Lin Feng frowned. "Your sect just threw you out?"
Yan Qing nodded bitterly. "Left me here to leave this world in piece. I survived by scavenging and cultivating on scraps of spiritual energy left in this ruin. Over time, rumors spread that this place was haunted. I played along to keep people away."
Lin Feng scratched his chin. "So you scared people off because you didn't want them to find out you were just some abandoned disciple?"
"Pretty much."
Lin Feng smirked. "Congratulations! You're now officially my first disciple."
Yan Qing blinked. "Huh?"
[Ding! New mission: Recruit your first disciple! Reward: Sect Upgrade to 'Hut-Level'!]
[Mission completed!]
"Wait, wait, wait!" Yan Qing stood up. "Who said I was joining your sect?!"
Lin Feng crossed his arms. "Oh? You'd rather stay here, eating moss and pretending to be a ghost forever?"
Yan Qing scowled. "...I mean, when you put it like that—"
"Besides," Lin Feng cut in, "you got abandoned once. Wouldn't it be fun to get stronger and slap your old sect in the face?"
Yan Qing hesitated. "You… you'd really help me get strong?"
Lin Feng grinned. "Of course! With my guidance, you'll become a true powerhouse. No more ghost tricks—only real strength."
Yan Qing looked at him suspiciously. "What's your cultivation level?"
"...That's not important."
Yan Qing: "..."
System: [He's basically at 'Beginner Sect Leader Struggles to Survive' Level.]
Lin Feng glared at the system. "Not helping!"
Yan Qing sighed. "...Fine. I'll give it a shot. But if your sect turns out to be garbage, I'm leaving."
Lin Feng smirked. "Deal. Welcome to the Supreme Sect!"
---
A Sect That's (Slightly) Less Pitiful
The moment Yan Qing accepted, a golden light surrounded the temple ruins. The broken pillars and cracked walls repaired themselves slightly, and a new system message popped up.
[Congratulations! You have officially recruited your first disciple!]
[Sect Rank Up! Shack Sect → Hut-Level Sect!]
Lin Feng felt an influx of Qi as his system activated new features. He quickly checked his status.
Supreme Sect Leader: Lin Feng
Sect Rank: Hut-Level Sect
Sect Members: 1 (Yan Qing)
Sect Resources: [New Feature Unlocked!]
"Ha! We're moving up in the world!"
Yan Qing looked around. "The temple looks a little… better?"
Lin Feng puffed out his chest. "See? That's the power of our sect!"
Yan Qing deadpanned. "It's still just a broken ruin, though."
[Correction: It's now a 'slightly better' broken ruin.]
Lin Feng gritted his teeth. "System, do you have to roast me every chance you get?"
[Yes. It's my primary form of entertainment.]
Lin Feng took a deep breath. One day, I'm going to reprogram this damn system.
---
New Beginnings
As the night stretched on, Lin Feng and Yan Qing sat by a small fire, discussing the future of their sect.
"So, what's the first step?" Yan Qing asked.
Lin Feng grinned. "Simple. We build a proper base, find more disciples, and establish ourselves as a force to be reckoned with!"
Yan Qing raised an eyebrow. "You say that like it's easy."
Lin Feng waved him off. "Details, details. The important thing is that we have a vision."
Yan Qing sighed. "We have no resources, no money, and only two members. This 'sect' is basically just two homeless guys in an abandoned temple."
Lin Feng paused.
"...Okay, you make a fair point."
Yan Qing shook his head. "And yet, for some reason… I feel like this is going to be interesting."
Lin Feng smirked. "That's the spirit! Now, tomorrow, we start recruitment!"
As the fire crackled,
Yan Qing allowed himself a small smile. Maybe, just maybe, this crazy sect leader wasn't so bad after all.
— End of Chapter 3 —