Morning arrived quietly.
Li Fan woke up before the bell rang. His breathing was steady. His body felt slightly lighter than the day before. Qi Condensation Level 1 was fully stabilized. There was no rush to advance further.
Rushing was inefficient.
He sat on the wooden floor and opened the system interface.
Status:
Qi Condensation Level 1
Body Condition: Stable
Mental State: Optimal
He reviewed the missions.
Establish a hidden base location.
Recruit one loyal subordinate.
Prepare for outer disciple evaluation.
Li Fan focused on the first mission.
A sect could not begin openly. Not yet. He needed a place outside the Azure Root Sect's control. Somewhere hidden.
Somewhere forgotten.
He closed the interface and left the room.
---
The area beyond the Eastern Forest was rarely visited. Most disciples stopped at the forest's edge, believing there was nothing valuable deeper inside. Li Fan knew that belief was wrong.
In his first life, many years later, a small rogue cultivator group had discovered a cave formation beyond the forest. By then, it was too late for him to benefit from it.
Now, the timeline was different.
He walked calmly, avoiding attention. His pace was not fast, but it was consistent.
Observe.
The system scanned the surroundings. Spiritual density slightly increased as he moved farther away from the sect.
After nearly an hour, he found it.
A narrow cliffside opening, partially hidden by vines and broken stone. The entrance was small. From the outside, it looked unstable and dangerous.
Li Fan crouched and examined the area.
Analyze.
Natural formation.
Low spiritual disturbance.
Interior space estimated at sufficient size.
Risk level: Low.
He entered carefully.
Inside, the cave widened. The air was cool. The spiritual qi was weak, but stable. Enough for early cultivation and storage.
Li Fan nodded.
This place was not suitable for powerful cultivators. That was exactly why it was perfect.
He marked the area mentally. Later, he would reinforce the entrance and set up simple concealment formations. Nothing obvious. Nothing flashy.
A hidden place did not need to be strong. It needed to be ignored.
The system updated.
Mission Progress: Hidden base location secured.
---
On the way back, Li Fan adjusted his plan.
The next step was recruitment.
He already had one candidate.
Chen Yu.
Li Fan returned to the sect and waited until afternoon training ended. Chen Yu lingered behind again, practicing alone, just as before.
Li Fan approached him quietly.
"You followed the breathing method," Li Fan said.
"Yes, Senior," Chen Yu replied. "I practiced all night."
Li Fan observed him.
Qi flow was smoother. Still weak, but stable.
Analyze.
Growth rate increased.
Loyalty probability: High.
"Come with me," Li Fan said.
Chen Yu hesitated for only a moment before nodding.
They walked toward the outer edge of the sect grounds.
"From today," Li Fan said, "you will train differently."
Chen Yu clenched his fists. "Senior, I will do anything."
Li Fan stopped walking and turned to face him.
"I do not need loyalty spoken," Li Fan said. "I need obedience and silence."
"Yes," Chen Yu said immediately.
Li Fan studied his reaction. No hesitation. No doubt.
Acceptable.
"I will give you resources and guidance," Li Fan continued. "In return, you will follow my instructions exactly. You will not ask unnecessary questions. You will not speak of this to others."
Chen Yu bowed deeply. "I understand."
Li Fan handed him a small bundle.
Inside were Spirit Dew Grass portions, measured carefully.
"Use this every three days," Li Fan said. "No more. No less."
Chen Yu's hands trembled slightly as he accepted it.
The system updated again.
Mission Progress: Loyal subordinate recruited.
Li Fan did not feel satisfaction. Only confirmation.
---
That evening, Li Fan focused on the third mission.
Outer disciple evaluation.
In his first life, he had failed by one rank. Not because he lacked effort, but because he lacked understanding. Others had cheated, used connections, or hidden their strength.
Li Fan would not make the same mistake.
He opened the system.
Analyze: Outer Disciple Evaluation.
Information flooded his mind.
Evaluation criteria.
Scoring thresholds.
Common methods of manipulation.
Hidden risks.
Li Fan absorbed it calmly.
He would not stand out too much. That attracted attention. He would not perform poorly. That wasted opportunity.
Middle ranking was optimal.
He adjusted his cultivation plan accordingly.
That night, he trained again.
Slow circulation. Precise breathing. No strain.
Qi Condensation Level 2 approached but did not cross.
Li Fan stopped before the threshold.
Advancing now offered no advantage.
He slept.
---
Days passed.
Li Fan repeated the same routine.
Training. Observation. Planning.
Chen Yu improved steadily. His movements became cleaner. His confidence increased, but his behavior remained cautious.
Li Fan gave minimal guidance. Just enough.
He did not want dependence. He wanted reliability.
On the fifth day, Li Fan tested him.
"Tomorrow," Li Fan said, "I will not appear."
Chen Yu looked startled. "Senior?"
"Continue training," Li Fan said. "If anyone asks, you learned nothing from me."
Chen Yu nodded without complaint.
The next day, Li Fan watched from a distance.
Chen Yu trained alone. He refused offers from other disciples. He did not reveal anything.
Loyalty Probability: Very High.
Li Fan made a note.
Chen Yu would be his first true pillar.
---
That night, Li Fan returned to the hidden cave.
He placed basic supplies inside. Herbs. Water. Simple tools.
This place would slowly become something more.
Not yet a sect.
But a beginning.
He sat down and opened the system one more time.
New Mission Generated:
Establish basic rules for future disciples.
Accumulate resources without attracting attention.
Reach Qi Condensation Level 3 before evaluation.
Li Fan closed the interface.
Everything was proceeding within expectations.
No surprises. No chaos.
This was how progress should be.
He stood and left the cave quietly, blending back into the world that still believed he was insignificant.
For now, that misunderstanding worked in his favor.
(Chapter Ended)