As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm amber glow across the sky, the grand recruitment ceremony of the Sanatan Flame Sect began to settle into stillness.
The once-bustling field, where eager cultivators had gathered with hope and ambition, now stood quieter as dusk embraced the mountain.
Xiao Rui and Lee Bie approached Shaurya, who stood overlooking the gathered crowd. In their hands, they carried the completed forms.
"Master," Xiao Rui reported, "we have successfully recruited 179 disciples and 1 elder."
Shaurya offered a pleased but thoughtful smile.
"Only one elder… Well, it's a start."
Turning inward, he addressed the system silently.
System, tell me—how many spies made it through?
The system's voice rang crisply in his mind.
[System Notification: Seven handyman disciples and three outer disciples have infiltrated as spies.]
Shaurya's smile twisted into something devilish.
"Oh? Then let's give them all a little surprise."
He accessed the system-generated list of spies. Raising his voice, he addressed the crowd.
"So, we now have 170 outer disciples, 9 inner disciples, and 100 handyman disciples. That brings us to 279 members in total. Not bad…"
Just as he was about to officially conclude the ceremony, a confident voice broke the silence.
"Wait!"
A striking man stepped forward—handsome and dignified.
"My name is Wan Yu. I wish to participate in the elder test."
Shaurya raised an eyebrow.
"Very well. Place your hand on the elder assessment artifact."
Wan Yu stepped forward and placed his palm on the glowing circle.
Immediately, all nine stars lit up in vibrant red.
Shaurya's smile returned.
"Congratulations, Wan Yu. You are accepted as an Inner Elder."
Wan Yu gave a graceful bow.
"Thank you, Sect Master. I am also an alchemist. If your sect has an Alchemy Hall, I would be honored to manage it."
"Of course we do!" Shaurya said, clearly delighted.
"Finally, an elder for the Alchemy Hall!"
He turned to the entire assembly.
"Everyone, go to your homes and rest. Tomorrow, meet me in the mountains. We'll proceed to our sect together."
The crowd gradually dispersed.
Everyone left except Wan Yu.
Shaurya noticed him lingering.
"You're not leaving?"
Wan Yu gave a soft smile.
"I have no home. I'm not from here."
Shaurya's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Another one hiding pain behind a smile…
Two elders, and both carry heavy pasts.
Why can't I get a normal recruit?
He turned to his eleven disciples and Elder Liya.
"Everyone, get ready. We have an important discussion in the mountains."
Later — At the Peak of the Mountain
Shaurya activated the sect's communication crystal.
The swirling aura shimmered, revealing the image of Elder Wu, who remained at the main sect.
Shaurya's expression turned serious.
"Elder Wu, I have something important to share."
"We have spies in our sect."
Gasps echoed around the mountain.
Elder Wu frowned.
"Spies? But all previous disciples were trained under me. I guarantee their loyalty."
"Not them," Shaurya clarified.
"The new recruits. They include agents from the Gu Family."
The disciples reeled in shock.
"Even that new Inner Elder," Shaurya continued, "Lin Shu is the eldest daughter of the Lin Family and a planted spy."
Wang Tian muttered in disbelief,
"She's a spy?"
Luo Chen frowned.
"But she seemed so powerful."
Muo Qian replied calmly,
"You can't judge someone by power or appearance."
Shaurya raised his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down.
"Listen to her story first."
He began recounting Lin Shu's tragic past.
By the time he finished, even Wang Tian had tears in his eyes.
Mo Liya asked with concern,
"Master, with all your power… can't you break her curse?"
Shaurya chuckled lightly.
"Who said I couldn't?"
"I can free her anytime."
"But we must act smart."
He turned toward Elder Wu.
"Elder Wu, you taught everyone the aura suppression technique, right?"
"Yes, Master. All disciples have mastered it."
"Good," Shaurya said with a devilish grin.
"Tell everyone to suppress their cultivation levels and appear weak."
"We will let the spies believe that our sect is vulnerable."
"They will report back to their masters."
"Their masters will relax."
"And when they lower their guard…"
He smiled coldly.
"…we strike."
The disciples stared at him in stunned silence.
Elder Wu suddenly grinned.
"Master, your intellect is terrifying."
"That's why he's our sect leader," Elder Liya added proudly.
Meanwhile — Lin Family Manor
Lin Shu knelt on the floor, crying in pain as Lin Ru activated the Soul Puppet Curse.
He sneered coldly.
"You did well. No punishment today."
"But remember… if you ever defy me…"
The cursed crystal glowed again.
Pain exploded through Lin Shu's soul.
Her scream echoed through the halls.
Later, she returned to her cold and broken room.
Sitting beneath the moonlight, she whispered softly,
"I hope… my destiny changes this time."
Back with Shaurya
Sitting on a tree branch, Shaurya clutched his chest.
"That strange pain again…"
"This sadness…"
"It must be because of her."
He sighed softly.
"Don't worry, heart. Starting tomorrow… everything will change."
At the same moment, Lin Shu placed her hand on her chest.
"Why does it feel warm…?"
"Like someone is thinking about me?"
The Next Day — The Departure
All 279 disciples gathered in the mountains.
Among them stood Lin Shu.
Her eyes widened in shock when she saw the massive floating ship, majestic and enormous.
Shaurya stood proudly on its deck, dressed in regal robes and his signature sunglasses.
Luo Chen leaned closer and whispered,
"Master… aren't we supposed to pretend to be weak?"
Shaurya smirked.
"Yes."
"But we did win the tournament and kill their ancestor."
"We'll simply claim we used powerful artifacts."
"Let them underestimate our true strength."
The disciples boarded the gigantic ship.
Among them, ten suspicious figures quietly observed everything—the spies.
Shaurya had already prepared for them.
He had drawn sketches of each spy.
Elder Wu distributed the sketches among the senior disciples.
"These ten are our targets."
"Play weak. Let them believe we are harmless."
"And defeat them thoroughly during training."
(God help the spies.)
Arrival at the Sect
After arriving at the sect, Shaurya announced a sudden housing problem.
The ten spies were "randomly selected" to live in a separate building.
They quickly volunteered.
Shaurya smiled inwardly.
His plan was working perfectly.
Later, with all loyal disciples gathered, Shaurya revealed the full strategy.
Everyone agreed enthusiastically.
Then Elder Liya asked,
"Master, what about Lin Shu?"
Shaurya smiled slightly.
"I already have a plan."
A Secluded Mountain Near the Sect
Lin Shu stood coldly.
"Why did you call me here?"
Shaurya smiled and activated a glowing formation.
"Divine Hidden Formation — Activate."
The surrounding space shimmered.
Lin Shu frowned.
"What is this?"
Shaurya stepped closer.
"You don't have to pretend anymore."
"I know who you are."
"The eldest daughter of the Lin Family."
"I know about the curse."
"I know everything."
Her face turned pale.
"H-How?! What do you want?!"
"Nothing harmful," he said gently.
"I admire your strength."
"And I'm here to free you."
She staggered slightly.
"You… want to help me?"
Shaurya snapped his fingers.
"Soul Destruction Array — Activate."
Chains erupted from the ground, binding her in purple flames.
Lin Shu screamed in agony.
She thought she had been betrayed.
"Why are you torturing me?!"
"If you want to kill me, just do it!"
Shaurya walked forward calmly.
"Why would I kill someone I want to save?"
The chains trembled violently.
A demonic spirit—the Soul Puppet Curse—was violently pulled out of her body.
The creature howled before exploding into nothingness.
Silence followed.
When the smoke cleared, Lin Shu stood frozen.
Lifeless.
Shaurya rushed toward her.
"Hey… are you okay?"
She blinked slowly.
Then tears poured down her cheeks.
She dropped to her knees.
"I'm… free…"
Shaurya smiled gently, his own eyes slightly moist, as he helped her stand.
"If you wish to leave the sect, you may."
Lin Shu looked into his eyes.
"No."
"This sect gave me a new life."
"I will stay."
Return to the Sect
Shaurya announced Lin Shu's freedom.
All the disciples erupted into cheers.
Lin Shu smiled faintly.
Shaurya placed his hand on her shoulder.
"From now on… you will know true happiness."
Blushing slightly, Lin Shu suddenly punched Shaurya.
He flew backward through the air.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Shaurya dusted himself off and returned.
"Alright, alright."
"Let's keep the spies unaware."
"Don't blow our cover."
Lin Shu's eyes burned with anger.
"Spies?"
"Let me kill them."
Shaurya quickly stopped her and explained the plan.
She stared at him, surprised.
"You don't look that smart…"
"Hey!" Shaurya protested.
But she smiled.
A real smile.
Shaurya saw it—and smiled too.
Nearby, Xiao Rui whispered to Lee Bie,
"So… Master finally found his soulmate."
Lee Bie wiped away a tear.
"Yeah…"
"When will our turn come?"
The single boys sighed together.
To be continued…