The Forgotten Sect Master

The sun rose steadily, its golden rays piercing through the cracks in the walls of an ancient building. The light crept into a grand hall, roughly the size of half a football field. Chairs lined the walls on both sides, and at the center stood an imposing throne, fit for an emperor.

Seated on the throne was a young man, no older than 23. Despite his regal posture, his frail figure betrayed his true state. His sunken eyes and pale complexion told the tale of a body weakened by years of hardship. He clutched a bundle of papers and a stone token, his thoughts wandering to the events of the previous night.

As the sunlight reached him, he squinted and clenched the token tighter, his mind replaying his grandfather's final words.

Suddenly, a mechanical sound echoed in the silent hall.

[Ding...]

The Previous Night

"Jian, listen carefully," the old man gasped, his voice weak but resolute. He lay on a crude bed, struggling for each breath as he gazed at the young man beside him.

"Grandpa, please don't strain yourself—" Jian tried to intervene, but the old man raised a trembling hand to stop him.

"I know... you've wanted to leave this mountain for years. I've stopped you, again and again... I'm sorry for that."

"Grandpa—"

"Listen!" the old man interrupted, his voice tinged with regret. "I did it out of selfishness. Long ago, I was the sect master of a renowned sect—one known throughout the world. But that was a thousand years ago. Now, our name is forgotten, lost to time."

Jian froze in shock. "What? Sect master? A thousand years ago?"

It was the first time he had heard such a thing, though deep down, he already knew he wasn't the person his grandfather believed him to be.

In his past life, his name was Li Chen. He had died in a bus accident while returning from a job interview. When he awoke in this new world, he found himself in the body of Feng Jianyu, a malnourished boy who had succumbed to hunger. His only companion was an ailing old man he now called Grandpa.

For three years, Jian had lived on this desolate mountain, obeying his grandfather's commands. The old man forbade him from venturing beyond the mountain's bounds. Despite his growing curiosity about the outside world, Jian remained confined, unable to understand why.

But now, as his grandfather revealed the truth, Jian's mind raced. He had read enough stories in his past life to understand the significance of a sect master. They were beings of immense power, revered and feared alike.

"Grandpa, is that why you kept me here? Why you..." Jian began, but his words trailed off as he noticed the old man's breathing grow heavier.

The old man gestured weakly toward the corner of the hut. His lips moved, but no sound emerged. Then, with a final exhale, he was gone.

"Grandpa!" Jian cried out, his voice filled with anguish. Tears streamed down his face as he clung to the old man's lifeless body.

When his sorrow finally subsided, he recalled the old man's gesture. Wiping his tears, Jian approached the corner of the hut. At first, he found nothing, but a closer inspection revealed a recently patched section of the wall. Knocking on it produced a hollow sound.

With trembling hands, Jian broke through the wall, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside, he found a bundle of papers and a smooth, stone token.

He unfolded the letter and began to read.

The Letter

"Dear Jian,

If you're reading this, it means I have passed away.

The truth is, you are not my biological grandson. I found you abandoned on this mountain while building our home. Despite this, I raised you as my own because I saw potential in you, even though you lack the talent for cultivation.

The ancient building near our home is the remains of our sect. Once, it was a place of glory, but now it lies in ruins. The stone token I leave with this letter is a relic of our sect, a sacred object discovered by the founding sect master. Its purpose remains unknown, but it is the key to the sect's tomb.

My final wish is to be buried there, alongside my ancestors. The entrance to the tomb lies in the central hall of the sect's main building. Use the stone token to open it.

I am sorry for leaving you with this burden. May the heavens guide you on your path.

—Your Grandfather"

Jian finished the letter, his heart heavy with grief and newfound responsibility. He carried his grandfather's body to the ruined sect, using the token to access the tomb hidden beneath the main building. There, he laid the old man to rest, fulfilling his final wish.

Afterward, Jian wandered the empty halls of the sect. He found himself in the central hall, where the throne of the sect master stood. Overwhelmed by the weight of his circumstances, he sank into the chair.

"I have no talent for cultivation," he muttered. "What can I possibly do in a world ruled by strength?"

As the night passed and the sun rose, its rays illuminated the hall, casting light on the token in Jian's hand. Absentmindedly, he squeezed it, nicking his finger. Blood dripped onto the stone.

A sudden noise broke the silence.

[Ding...]