Chapter 8: A Teacher, A Secret, A Beginning
The Imperial Army training camp was nothing like the martial family.
If the family felt like a declining flame, then this place was a roaring furnace. Everywhere Lin Yuan looked, people were training—fists colliding, bodies crashing into the ground, weapons slicing through the air. There was no leisure, no wasted movement. Even the air seemed heavier, filled with pressure and intent.
Pang Hu stood beside him, staring with wide eyes. "Brother Lin… are we here to train or to die?"
Lin Yuan glanced at him. "Probably both. Depends on how fast you run."
"…I knew I should've brought more food before coming."
Lin Yuan almost laughed.
They were soon assigned to a training group. No introductions, no ceremony—just a cold command to begin basic drills. But even these "basic" drills were brutal. Running with weights, repeated sparring, endurance tests that pushed the body to its limits.
Lin Yuan didn't stand out.
At least, not at first.
He moved steadily, conserving energy, observing everything. The way the instructors corrected stances. The way stronger recruits circulated energy. Even the mistakes others made—he watched all of it.
And slowly, quietly—
He improved.
---
It was during one of the short breaks that he noticed her.
She stood slightly apart from the others, her posture straight but her expression faintly troubled. Her movements during training had been precise, almost elegant, but there was hesitation in certain transitions—small, nearly invisible flaws that most people wouldn't notice.
But Lin Yuan did.
Because to him, those flaws were loud.
She attempted the movement again, her brows knitting slightly as she failed to stabilize her stance.
Lin Yuan hesitated for a moment.
Then walked over.
"You're forcing the transition too early," he said casually.
The girl turned, clearly surprised that someone had spoken to her. Up close, she looked even more delicate—soft features, calm eyes, and a presence that felt out of place in such a harsh environment.
"…What do you mean?" she asked.
Lin Yuan gestured lightly. "Your breathing and your movement are out of sync. You're stepping before your energy settles. Try slowing it down."
She looked at him for a second, as if unsure whether to believe him. Then she tried again.
This time—
Her movement flowed.
Not perfectly, but noticeably smoother.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"How…?"
Lin Yuan shrugged. "Just looked at it."
She stared at him, clearly not satisfied with that answer. "That's not something you can 'just look at.' Even the instructor didn't explain it that way."
Lin Yuan smiled faintly. "Maybe he didn't notice."
That made her pause.
Because deep down—
She knew it was true.
---
For the next few minutes, she asked more questions.
And Lin Yuan answered.
Not in a formal way, not like a teacher reciting knowledge—but casually, simply, breaking things down in a way that made sense. Each explanation was clear, direct, and strangely easy to understand.
By the time they stopped, her expression had completely changed.
From doubt…
To shock.
"…Who are you?" she asked quietly.
"Lin Yuan."
"…Just Lin Yuan?"
He nodded. "Just Lin Yuan."
She looked at him for a long moment, then suddenly said, "Will you teach me?"
Lin Yuan blinked.
"That was fast."
"I'm serious," she said, her tone firm despite her gentle appearance. "The way you explain things… I've never understood techniques this clearly before."
Lin Yuan scratched his cheek slightly, thinking.
Teacher?
He hadn't expected that.
But then again—
He wasn't here just to get stronger.
He was here to build something.
A sect.
Even if it was just the beginning.
"…Fine," he said after a moment. "I'll teach you."
Her eyes lit up slightly, though she quickly tried to hide it.
"My name is Su Yan," she said. "From now on… I'll trouble you."
Lin Yuan waved his hand. "As long as you don't ask too many difficult questions."
"…I already have ten."
"…I regret this decision."
For the first time, she smiled.
---
That night, Lin Yuan sat alone, leaning against a wooden pillar as he looked up at the dark sky.
Things were moving faster than he expected.
A disciple.
In a new world.
Inside the Imperial Army.
"…Not bad," he murmured.
Then, as if remembering something, he spoke softly.
"System."
The familiar interface appeared.
---
✨ [System Active]
---
"I have a question," Lin Yuan said. "If I build a sect… how do I know my disciples won't betray me?"
There was a brief pause.
Then the system responded.
---
✨ [Response]
No need for concern.
If a member betrays the sect:
All memories related to the sect will be erased
Learned techniques will be locked
Cultivation gained through sect methods will be sealed
---
Lin Yuan blinked.
"…That's harsh."
Then again—
It made sense.
A sect without protection like this wouldn't survive long.
"Good," he said softly. "That saves me a lot of trouble."
---
The system didn't disappear.
Instead, it continued.
---
✨ [Additional Information Unlocked]
True Location of Boundless Sect: Void Space
---
Lin Yuan straightened slightly.
"Void…?"
---
✨ [Explanation:]
The sect exists beyond normal worlds
The location chosen in the main world is only a branch
Core sect remains hidden and protected
---
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"So the warehouse…"
---
✨ [Branch Location Confirmed]
---
Lin Yuan let out a quiet breath.
"…This system is more ridiculous than I thought."
---
The interface flickered again.
---
✨ [Boundless System Status]
Current Core Sect Size: 2 km
Growth: Linked to Host Progress
Evolution: Active
---
He stared at the numbers for a moment.
"Only 2 kilometers…"
Small.
Very small.
But—
It was his.
---
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Does it grow?"
---
✨ [Yes]
The Boundless System will evolve with the host.
---
Lin Yuan leaned back slightly, closing his eyes.
A sect hidden in the void.
A branch in every world.
Infinite expansion.
---
"…Now that sounds like something worth building."
---
In the distance, he could hear Pang Hu shouting about food again, arguing with someone over an extra bun.
Lin Yuan chuckled softly.
"Yeah…"
"This place isn't bad."
---
His eyes opened slowly, calm but filled with quiet ambition.
"Let's see how far this goes."
---
✨ [New Path Stabilizing…]
---
And somewhere deep within him—
The Boundless path continued to grow.