The gleaming spires of his newly formed Platinum Sect stood proud on the mountain peak, but Lu Kai knew a sect was more than just structures; it needed disciples. His first task was clear: recruit. With a decisive nod, he descended the mountain, heading back towards the bustling hub of Hanli City.
He moved through the crowded streets, the energy of the city a stark contrast to the serene isolation of his sect. Cultivators from various factions continued their recruitment drives, their stalls still adorned with flashy displays of techniques and promises of power. Lu Kai, now with a clearer understanding of his own unique path and the power of his Platinum Spiritual Root, observed them with a detached gaze. He wasn't looking for acceptance from them anymore; he was looking for a recruit for *his* sect.
His Divine Eyesight, though not yet fully activated by the reward, was already subtly enhancing his perception, allowing him to scan the crowd with a sharper focus. He noticed a solitary figure near a less prominent stall – a young boy, appearing no older than fourteen, who seemed to be lingering, observing the recruitment efforts with a mixture of longing and dejection. He was being overlooked by the bustling recruiters, his potential seemingly unseen.
Intrigued, Lu Kai approached the boy. "Hello," Lu Kai said, his voice calm and steady. "What is your name?"
The boy, startled, looked up. His eyes, though young, held a flicker of weariness. "My name is Tian Zhu, Senior."
Lu Kai studied him for a moment, sensing a quiet resilience beneath the boy's dejected facade. "Tian Zhu," Lu Kai continued, "do you want to join my sect?"
Tian Zhu's eyes widened slightly, then narrowed with a touch of skepticism. He looked at Lu Kai, observing his simple attire and calm demeanor. "What is your realm, Senior?" he asked, his voice tinged with the innate caution of someone who had likely faced many disappointments.
Lu Kai didn't answer with words. Instead, he reached down, plucked a single, verdant leaf from a small, decorative plant near the stall. It pulsed with a faint, green energy – a nascent manifestation of his Divine Tree Origin. With a subtle flick of his wrist, he infused the leaf with his power and sent it flying towards a sturdy stone pillar some distance behind Tian Zhu.
The leaf struck the pillar with impossible speed and precision. In an instant, the upper half of the massive stone pillar was cleanly severed, cut into a perfect cross-slash, and fell to the ground with a thunderous crash. The force of the impact sent a tremor through the ground, momentarily silencing the surrounding crowd. The pillar's demise was so clean, so precise, it was undeniably powerful.
Tian Zhu stared, his jaw dropped, his skepticism vanishing, replaced by awe. He had seen cultivators demonstrate power, but nothing like this. The raw, controlled force, the effortless demonstration of skill – it was beyond anything he had imagined.
Without hesitation, he bowed deeply, his voice filled with newfound respect and excitement. "I… I will join your sect, Senior! Thank you!"
Lu Kai offered a slight smile. He had found his first disciple.
The Authy System's voice chimed in his mind, its tone satisfied. **"Task completed. Host can collect rewards at any time."**
**To be continued...**