Chapter 4: The First Disciple
Morning light bathed Baruba Island in a warm glow as villagers began their daily routines—fishing, harvesting, repairing old tools. But away from the bustle, deep in the woods, a transformation was unfolding.
Alex stood calmly, his white robe fluttering with the breeze. In front of him knelt Lina, sweat dripping from her brow, eyes wide with determination.
"Again," he instructed.
Lina gritted her teeth and struck out with her wooden sword. Though her stance was still sloppy, it was vastly improved from just a day ago. She had already memorized half of the Flowing Leaf Sword Art, a Yellow-Mid grade technique that Alex had gifted her from the system.
"Don't just swing with your arms. Let your breath flow with the movement," Alex said, guiding her shoulder gently. "Every cut should feel like falling leaves—natural, but precise."
She nodded. "Understood, Master."
The word made Alex pause for a moment. It had been lifetimes since someone called him that with sincerity. In the Immortal World, he was once revered by countless emperors and sects. Now, he was starting from nothing again. But in this silence, far from the chaos of his past life, there was something satisfying about teaching just one willing soul.
Ding! Disciples Trained: 1
You have gained: 50 Origin Points
System Notice: Progress recorded. Hidden Quest requirement partially fulfilled.
Alex's eyes gleamed. One disciple is a seed. A hundred will become a forest.
As Lina continued training, Alex sat cross-legged under a tree, opening the system interface.
Origin Points: 150
Available:
Martial Skill Scrolls
Cultivation Manuals
Yellow Grade Weapons
Low-Level Pills
Luck Spin (100 Origin Points per spin)
He chose to save his points for now. More disciples would mean faster growth. He needed a base—a hidden place to build a sect, even if small at first. But most importantly, he needed to remain unnoticed.
"System," he said quietly, "analyze Baruba Island's spiritual density."
Scanning...
Result: Very Low Spiritual Density
Suggested Action: Create a Spirit-Gathering Array or relocate
"Of course," Alex muttered. In the Immortal World, spirit veins flowed like rivers, feeding entire cities. Here? It was barren. But he had a plan.
New Objective Suggested: Establish a Hidden Cultivation Ground
Reward (Optional): One Spirit Vein Seed (requires 300 Origin Points)
Alex stood, making a mental note. He would need more disciples before a sect could form, but even a single Spirit Vein Seed could turn this island into a spiritual oasis. That meant spreading knowledge—and doing it carefully.
He returned to Lina, now practicing silently.
"You're improving," he said. "Soon, I'll teach you breathing techniques to open your meridians."
Her eyes lit up. "Will that make me strong enough to defeat pirates?"
"Eventually. But strength is not power. True power comes from discipline, control... and patience."
She bowed deeply.
As the sun set over the island, a figure on a distant ship watched through a spyglass. The white-robed youth and the girl were just specks, but something about the energy in the air had changed.
"Huh," the man muttered. "That village was always quiet… What's going on there?"
Far above, the world spun toward a future where swords would clash with fists, and pirates would one day encounter cultivators.
And at the center of it all, hidden for now, the flame of immortality flickered quietly… waiting to erupt.