Alex was still staring off into space when the older disciple caught him. She squinted at him, crossed her arms, and tilted her head. Master, what are you looking at? Be honest. What part of my body are you focused on right now? That snapped him back to reality sort of. His brain was already a scrambled mess. He'd just been thinking about his parents, his missing little sister Mia, and then out of nowhere, Xiao Xiao started giggling in the distance, playing tag with her slime. It was chaos inside his head and outside of it.
Ding!
System Notification: Disciple arousing the Master. +2 Sect Points. His eyes twitched. Arousing the What? Meanwhile, the older disciple raised an eyebrow. What's that look, huh? Are you imagining me naked or something? Fine. Two can play that game. She stared back at him harder this time, head tilted, gaze narrowing as if stripping him with her eyes.
Ding!
System Update: Disciple mentally undressing the Master. +100 Sect Points. Alex gasped. This system is messed up! She smirked. Master, is my chick soft What? My chicken. My pet chicken. Don't tell me your dirty little mind thought something else. I No Wait Do you like it when I pat it like this? She patted her own head with a mischievous smile. Here, Master, you try. I like it when someone pats me too.
That's when Alex's nose exploded. A crimson stream shot out like a fountain. He clutched his face and staggered back like he'd been shot by a love arrow. I I need to meditate! Or hibernate! Or reincarnate!" he shouted as he fled into the house. But it was too late.
Master's bleeding! Xiao Xiao cried out as she ran up, still dragging the poor slime like a stuffed toy Is he dying?! the older disciple shouted, already sprinting after him. They burst through the door together only to trip and fall right on top of him. She landed first directly on his face. MASTER?! she yelled, looking down. Where's your head? Wait oh no. I'm sitting on it, aren't I I'm so sorry! Don't die, okay?!
Xiao Xiao, meanwhile, had grabbed his arms, eyes filled with terror. Master! You're so cold! Do masters get sick like mortals? What if he's cursed?! I said I'm fine! Alex squeaked, still smothered beneath disciple and slime. Check his temperature! the older disciple barked. I don't even know how! Xiao Xiao shouted.
I'll check it the old-fashioned way! She shifted her weight down from his head to his stomach with a soft thump. GHHH! Alex groaned. The room spun. His soul almost left his body.
Okay, Xiao Xiao, she said, voice serious now, go get the medicine jar fast!
Yes, senior sister! Xiao Xiao grabbed the slime like a companion in battle and sprinted off toward the kitchen. As for Alex he lay there, twitching, bleeding from the nose, eyes glazed, stuck in a pile of accidental intimacy. And above him, the system cheerfully chirped:
Ding!
Dual disciple contact established. Hidden achievement unlocked: "Suffocated by Affection. +500 Sect Points.
New Titles Unlocked: Human Pillow and Shyness The room was a battlefield of misunderstandings, soft landings, and system notifications that really needed therapy.
Alex, shyest sect master under heaven, lay flat on the wooden floor with a disciple sitting on his stomach and another yanking on his sleeves like a puppy trying to wake up its human. And of course, the slime was there too coiled lazily on his feet like a fat grape jelly with a conscience. Is he still alive? asked the older disciple, her tone caught between worry and complete amusement.
I think his spirit left his body for a moment,Xiao Xiao whispered. Alex twitched. I I'm fine, he croaked. His words were muffled because his face was partially buried in the floor. The weight on his chest didn't help. Nor did the faint smell of berries and chaos surrounding him.
Master! Are you sure you're not cursed? Xiao Xiao asked again, blinking rapidly. Or maybe you have a disease only cute girls can cure.
No. That's not a thing, he said. Please get off me. Oh, said the older disciple, blinking innocently.Sorry! I didn't mean to you know mount you like a spiritual beast in heat. I was just trying to keep you warm. Maybe you're cold-blooded? Like a lizard? Are you a spiritual lizard, Master? Alex said nothing. He just stared at the floor and begged the heavens to smite him.
Ding!
Master-Disciple Entanglement Bonus Activated. Unexpected Pile Up. +200 Sect Points.
W-WHAT EVEN IS THIS SYSTEM?
The girls looked at each other. What's wrong with Master? Xiao Xiao asked.
Looks like his face is leaking again, said the older disciple. Quick! Hand me that cloth.
Xiao Xiao grabbed what she thought was a towel. It was, in fact, Alex's undershirt.
She handed it over proudly. The older disciple nodded like a general receiving a sacred scroll and began dabbing at his face. There, there. Let it all out, Master. All men cry in private, especially the cute, hopeless ones. Alex whispered, I want to die. No dying on my watch!" she declared.
Wait what's your name again? he asked weakly. Oh, right, she said, suddenly perking up. I never said! I'm Ling Feng, ex-eldest daughter of the Flaming Jade Sect. He froze.
The Flaming Jade Sect?" he croaked.
One of the Ten Grand Sects under the Martial Court? Xiao Xiao added with a gasp. You were a big deal
Ling Feng leaned back proudly still sitting on him, of course. "Yup! My dad was Master Number Eight in the rankings. But I hated it there. Always rules, rules, and more rules. No snacks after cultivation, no kicking elders in the shin, no eating demon boar dumplings past midnight it was a nightmare! So you ran away? Alex asked.
I politely defected, she said, hands on hips. Then I found you. My adorable, painfully shy Master with zero confidence and one house. I just knew—I had to stay. Alex groaned. Just then, Xiao Xiao returned with a handful of leaves and herbs and dropped them on his stomach. Here! I brought your medicine, Master That's grass. It's fresh!
Ding
System Update: Cultivation Duo Bonding Progress 35%. Sect Points: 1,120.
Alex tried to move, but Ling Feng was still lounging on top of him like he was a luxury recliner. I'm begging you. Get off. Not until I know your fever's gone! I don't have a fev She leaned down suddenly and pressed her forehead to his.He short circuited.
Ding!
Intimate Contact Detected. Bonus Quest Unlocked: Will You Press Foreheads With Me Under The Moonlight?
Alex screamed inside. I It's normal to check fevers like this, she said casually, though her cheeks were a little red too. You're very warm. Like a spiritual furnace. Or a blushing dumpling. You're embarrassing me. Then blush harder, Master. Xiao Xiao giggled. Are all sects like this? No, Alex muttered. But they should be, Ling Feng added proudly.
With great effort and the power of inner despair Alex finally crawled out from beneath them and sat up, his face drenched, his shirt missing, and his brain spinning.
Let's just eat dinner, he mumbled. I thought we did? Ling Feng said. Or did I accidentally eat it all again? You both ate like beasts in a famine, he muttered.
Hey! That's not fair, Ling Feng pouted. "I eat delicately! You were stuffing buns into your mouth like you were born in a bakery. That's called efficiency, Master.
He stood, dusting himself off and walking toward the kitchen, praying the leftovers hadn't been spiritually devoured. That's when he stopped. At the corner of the old dining hall, a photo hung on the wall. Dust-covered. Cracked frame. It was a family photo his family. His mother, radiant in her robes, his father with a serious face, his little sister Mia grinning with missing teeth.
Back when the Black Thunder Dragon Sect was still a name people whispered with respect. He stared at it in silence. Master? Ling Feng's voice softened behind him. He didn't answer. Who are they? Xiao Xiao asked. My family, he said quietly. My parents died fighting demonic beasts. The sect's land and title were given to us in honor of their sacrifice. Ling Feng lowered her voice. "And your sister? Alex's throat tightened. She went missing. Years ago.
The room was quiet for a long moment.
Then, Ling Feng said, "That's why the sect's name is just 'Black Something Sect, huh?
I didn't know what to call it, Alex said. And I wasn't ready to carry the old name. LShe walked up beside him and gently put a hand on his shoulder.
You're not the only one who lost something, she said. But you're the only one I know who's still trying to build something from the ruins. He looked at her.
For once, she wasn't teasing or smirking. Thanks, he said. She smiled. "Also, I've officially decided your nickname is Shy Bun Master. You blush like one. You steam like one. And honestly, I just like buns.
There it is, he muttered. I like it! Xiao Xiao chimed in. Can I be Xiao Bun?!
No no bun names, Alex said quickly. "We need to focus. We only have two days left to recruit our last disciple or we're all doomed.
Ding!
Main Quest Reminder: Recruit 2/2 Disciples. Time Remaining: 2 Days.
Ling Feng pointed at the slime. Can we count the slime? No.
Even if it's spiritually gifted?
No. What if we put it in a wig?
No! They sighed. But even in their absurdity, something warm lingered in the air. A new family. One made from broken pieces, failed sects, and shared buns.
System update Sect Points: 1,120 | Disciples: 2 on 2 objects complete reclute 10 desiples for the system update.