Su Mei's reaction to my decision was enthusiastic, to put it mildly.

"Yes!" she shouted when I found her in the association's common area, a cozy building near the gardens, far less imposing than Phoenix Faction's ornate hall. "I knew you'd make the smart choice!"

"Shh!" I glanced around nervously. "I haven't officially joined yet."

"Minor detail." She grabbed my arm and dragged me toward a larger room where about fifteen disciples were gathered. "Everyone! Lin Tian's joining us!"

The room erupted in welcoming cheers and applause. It was... surprisingly genuine. No political calculation in their eyes, no hidden agendas. Just people happy to have a new member.

[BLUE MOON ASSOCIATION ATMOSPHERE: REMARKABLY NON-TOXIC]

[REFRESHING CHANGE FROM SECT POLITICS]

[YOU MADE A GOOD CHOICE]

A woman in her mid-twenties stepped forward, Stage 8 cultivation, warm smile, practical robes without excessive decoration. "Lin Tian! I'm Jiang Mei, one of the association's senior members. Welcome!"

"Thank you for having me," I said, slightly overwhelmed by the enthusiasm.

"Su Mei's been talking you up for days," another disciple said, a burly guy with Stage 7 cultivation. "Said you beat Feng Zhao and Han Feng in consecutive matches. Impressive."

"I had help," I said, which was technically true if you counted an automated cultivation system.

[HUMBLE]

[THEY LIKE HUMBLE]

[GOOD INSTINCT]

"We don't do formal initiation ceremonies," Jiang Mei explained. "Blue Moon Association is collective, not hierarchical. We support each other's cultivation, share resources when possible, and watch each other's backs." She smiled. "The main requirement is that you show up for weekly meetings and don't be a dick."

"I can manage that."

"Perfect. You're in." She handed me a simple blue token, nothing fancy, just carved jade with the association's symbol. "Wear this when you want to identify yourself as one of us. It's not mandatory, but it helps."

[ITEM ACQUIRED: BLUE MOON ASSOCIATION TOKEN]

[EFFECT: IDENTIFIES YOU AS A MEMBER]

[ALSO: MAKES YOU A TARGET FOR PHOENIX FACTION]

[TRADE-OFFS]

"There is one thing you should know," Jiang Mei said, her tone becoming more serious. "We heard about the Mei Family harassment. That's partly why we're glad you joined, we can help with that. But joining us also means they might escalate. Blue Moon and the Mei Family have... history."

"Bad history?"

"Three years ago, during the Three Peaks Conflict, a Mei Family member tried to force one of our junior disciples into a political marriage. We intervened. They've held a grudge ever since." She crossed her arms. "They see us as obstacles to their influence in the sect."

[PLOT COMPLICATION UNLOCKED]

[YOU DIDN'T JUST JOIN A FACTION]

[YOU JOINED A FACTION WITH ENEMIES IN COMMON]

[THIS COULD BE GOOD OR VERY BAD]

"So by joining Blue Moon, I've basically doubled down against the Mei Family?"

"Essentially, yes." Su Mei grinned. "But now you have twenty-five cultivators who'll back you up instead of facing them alone. Math is on our side."

"Comforting."

"We're not looking for conflict," Jiang Mei clarified. "But we don't back down from it either. If the Mei Family escalates, we respond collectively. That's the whole point of the association, strength in numbers."

[FACTION BENEFITS: ACTIVATED]

[PROTECTION: MODERATE TO SIGNIFICANT]

[OBLIGATIONS: MINIMAL]

[SOCIAL SUPPORT: HIGH]

[FOOD AT MEETINGS: APPARENTLY EXCELLENT]

The celebration went late into the evening. Blue Moon members shared stories, offered cultivation advice, and generally made me feel welcome in a way I hadn't experienced since arriving in this world. Even the higher-stage disciples treated me like an equal rather than a subordinate.

It was... nice. Refreshingly normal despite the cultivation world setting.

[BOSS IS RELAXED]

[THIS IS GOOD FOR MENTAL HEALTH]

[EVEN PROTAGONISTS NEED DOWNTIME]

I was heading back to my quarters around midnight when I sensed something wrong.

[ALERT: HOSTILE QI DETECTED]

[MULTIPLE SOURCES]

[WAIT—]

[THAT'S NOT DIRECTED AT YOU]

[IT'S COMING FROM YUN XIA'S QUARTERS]

My blood ran cold. I launched myself toward her building, the Infinite Tide Scripture enhancing my speed. Other disciples looked up in surprise as I blurred past, but I didn't stop.

[HOSTILE QI: STAGE 7 x2]

[THEY'RE ATTACKING HER]

[MEI FAMILY AFFILIATED]

I burst through Yun Xia's door, thankfully unlocked, to find two masked cultivators backing her into a corner. Her room was trashed, furniture overturned, and she had a cut on her cheek that was bleeding.

"Get away from her!" I roared.

[COMBAT ASSIST: MAXIMUM ACTIVATION]

[INFINITE TIDE SCRIPTURE: FULL POWER]

[ELIMINATE THREATS]

The two attackers spun toward me. One laughed. "The boyfriend arrives. How touching."

"This doesn't concern you," the other said. "Walk away and we'll let you live."

"Not happening."

I didn't wait for more dialogue. The Infinite Tide Scripture flowed through my body as I engaged the first attacker, a woman with Stage 7 cultivation and dual daggers. Her speed was impressive, but the system predicted her movements with mechanical precision.

[ATTACKER 1: STAGE 7, SPECIALIZED IN ASSASSINATION TECHNIQUES]

[WEAK POINTS: OVERCOMMITS TO STRIKES, POOR DEFENSE]

I parried her first dagger, redirected her second, and drove my palm into her solar plexus. She gasped and stumbled backward.

The second attacker, male, Stage 7, fighting with a chain whip, tried to catch me from behind. The system warned me a fraction of a second before the chain wrapped around my sword arm.

[WEAPON IMMOBILIZED]

[SWITCH TO UNARMED TECHNIQUES]

I released my sword and flowed into close range, using the Infinite Tide Scripture's grappling techniques. The chain became a liability at this distance, too unwieldy for the tight quarters. My elbow connected with his jaw, followed by a Qi-enhanced strike to his knee.

He went down hard.

"Lin Tian!" Yun Xia called out.

I spun to see the female assassin had recovered and was aiming for Yun Xia again, daggers glowing with poison Qi.

[SHE'S IGNORING YOU]

[GOING FOR THE TARGET]

[STOP HER NOW]

"Tsunami Fang!"

I channeled everything into one technique, my Qi spiraling into a concentrated strike that crossed the room in an instant. The assassin turned at the last second, eyes widening as the attack slammed into her chest.

She crashed through the wall, literally through it, and landed unconscious in the courtyard outside.

[OVERKILL]

[BUT EFFECTIVE]

[ALSO, PROPERTY DAMAGE]

[SOMEONE'S GOING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE WALL]

The male attacker struggled to his feet, took one look at his fallen partner and me, and made the smart decision to flee through the broken wall.

[LETTING HIM GO?]

'One unconscious is enough for interrogation. The elders can track the other.'

[TACTICAL THINKING]

[GOOD]

I rushed to Yun Xia, who was shaking but standing. "Are you hurt?"

"Just the cut. I'm fine." Her voice trembled. "They broke in. Said the Mei Family sends a message, that anyone associated with you would suffer."

Rage flooded through me. "They threatened you because of me?"

"Lin Tian, it's not your fault—"

"Yes, it is." I helped her sit down on the remaining intact furniture. "They're using you to get to me."

[BOSS, CALM DOWN]

[ANGER MAKES YOU SLOPPY]

[THINK TACTICALLY]

The sound of running footsteps approached, elders and disciples responding to the commotion. Elder Hu arrived first, taking in the scene with sharp eyes: the destroyed room, the bleeding Yun Xia, me standing protectively over her, and the unconscious assassin in the courtyard.

"Explain," he commanded.

I did, quickly and concisely. Two masked attackers, threatening Yun Xia, claiming to be from the Mei Family. Elder Hu's expression grew darker with each word.

"The Mei Family," he said quietly, "has just crossed a line." He turned to other disciples who'd arrived. "Secure the unconscious attacker. Summon the Disciplinary Hall. And someone get Medical Disciple Wen."

[ELDER HU IS PISSED]

[ATTACKING DISCIPLES IN THEIR QUARTERS]

[THAT'S A MAJOR SECT LAW VIOLATION]

More people arrived, Su Mei and several Blue Moon members, Yang Chen looking concerned, even some Phoenix Faction disciples curious about the commotion. Word was spreading fast.

Jiang Mei pushed through the crowd and immediately moved to Yun Xia's side. "Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine," Yun Xia said, though she was still shaking.

"Blue Moon takes care of its own," Jiang Mei said firmly, then looked at Elder Hu. "Elder, this attack targeted someone close to our new member. The Blue Moon Association requests full investigation and prosecution."

"You'll get it," Elder Hu said. "This was an assassination attempt in sect grounds. The Sect Master himself will want to know about this."

[SITUATION: ESCALATING TO TOP LEVEL]

[THIS IS BIGGER THAN FACTIONAL POLITICS NOW]

[THE MEI FAMILY REALLY SCREWED UP]

Two hours later, I sat in a Disciplinary Hall interrogation room while the unconscious assassin was questioned under truth serum in an adjacent chamber. Yun Xia's cut had been healed, and she sat beside me, her hand in mine.

Elder Qin entered, her expression even more severe than during my previous hearing. "The attacker has confessed under truth serum. She was hired by Mei Family members, specifically, Mei Ling's elder brother, Mei Feng. The attack was meant to 'send a message' about interfering with family business."

"What happens now?" I asked.

"Now?" Elder Qin's eyes glinted. "Now the Mei Family faces consequences that make Mei Ling's punishment look lenient. Hiring assassins to attack disciples in their quarters violates our most fundamental sect laws. The Sect Master is being informed as we speak."

[MEI FAMILY: ABOUT TO GET DESTROYED]

[THEY OVERPLAYED THEIR HAND BADLY]

"Will Yun Xia be safe?" That was all I really cared about.

"Protective details will be assigned to both of you until this is resolved," Elder Qin said. "The Mei Family will not be allowed to retaliate further." She paused. "Lin Tian, I want you to understand, this isn't about you anymore. This is about sect law and order. The Mei Family has challenged the sect's authority by taking matters into their own hands."

"I understand, Elder."

"Good." She stood to leave, then paused. "Also, joining Blue Moon Association was wise. They're troublesome sometimes, but honorable. Better allies than the political vipers in Phoenix Faction."

After she left, Yun Xia leaned against my shoulder. "This is really happening. The Mei Family is going to be punished. Severely."

"They earned it," I said. "They could have accepted the hearing's judgment. Instead they tried to intimidate us. Then attacked you." My jaw clenched. "They brought this on themselves."

[BOSS IS ANGRY]

[PROTECTIVE ANGER]

[UNDERSTANDABLE]

[BUT ALSO, THE SITUATION IS BEING HANDLED]

[LET THE ELDERS DO THEIR JOB]

Su Mei entered the waiting room, followed by Jiang Mei and several other Blue Moon members. "We're here to escort you both back. Safety in numbers until this blows over."

"Thank you," I said sincerely.

"That's what associations are for," Jiang Mei said. "Besides, watching the Mei Family get taken down a peg is going to be satisfying for all of us."

The next morning, the sect was in an uproar.

The Sect Master had issued an official decree: Mei Feng was expelled from the sect for hiring assassins. Three other Mei Family members who'd assisted were demoted to outer sect status. And the family's overall influence in sect affairs was officially under review.

[MEI FAMILY: CRUSHED]

[THEIR POLITICAL POWER: SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED]

[MEI LING: PROBABLY WISHING SHE'D NEVER CHALLENGED YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE]

I stood in my cultivation chamber, processing everything that had happened in less than twenty-four hours. Joined Blue Moon Association. Fought off assassins. Triggered a major political shakeup.

"Just another day in the cultivation world," I muttered.

[YOU'RE ADAPTING WELL]

[MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE OVERWHELMED]

[YOU'RE ACTUALLY HANDLING IT]

'Thanks to you,' I thought. 'And to my friends.'

[TEAMWORK]

[ALSO, YOUR CULTIVATION IS PROGRESSING NICELY]

[47% TO STAGE 6 → 53%]

[STRESS APPARENTLY ACCELERATES GROWTH]

[WHO KNEW?]

A knock on my door—Yun Xia's pattern, but accompanied by others.

I opened it to find her standing with Zhou Ming, Su Mei, and Han Feng, the Stage 6 cultivator I'd fought days ago.

"We're forming a training group," Yun Xia announced. "People who actually care about cultivation more than politics. Interested?"

I looked at their faces—genuine friendship, mutual respect, no hidden agendas.

"Yeah," I said, smiling. "I'm interested."

[SOCIAL CIRCLE: SOLIDIFYING]

[ALLIES: RELIABLE]

[CULTIVATION ENVIRONMENT: IMPROVED]

[SURVIVAL PROBABILITY: 62%]

[BOSS, YOU'RE ACTUALLY THRIVING]

As we headed to the training grounds together, I couldn't help but think about how much had changed in just two weeks.

From cannon fodder to inner sect.

From isolated to surrounded by allies.

From victim to someone who fought back.

The road ahead would still be dangerous. But for the first time since arriving in this world, I felt like I actually belonged.

[CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: COMPLETE ARC]

[READY FOR NEXT CHALLENGE]

[WHATEVER THAT MAY BE]

And knowing this world, the next challenge was probably already on its way.

But I'd face it.

With friends, faction, and a stupidly overpowered automated cultivation system.

What could possibly go wrong?

[BOSS, DON'T TEMPT FATE]

[SERIOUSLY]

[EVERY TIME SOMEONE SAYS THAT, SOMETHING GOES WRONG]

'Right. Forget I said anything.'

[TOO LATE]

[PLOT GODS HAVE BEEN ALERTED]

[INCOMING COMPLICATIONS IN 3... 2... 1...]

[END OF ARC 1: SURVIVAL AND ESTABLISHMENT]

[STATUS: SUCCESS]

[NEXT ARC: ???]

[HINT: IT INVOLVES OUTER SECT MISSIONS, DANGEROUS RUINS, AND POSSIBLY A HAREM SITUATION]

[BUT THAT'S FOR LATER CHAPTERS]

[FOR NOW: CELEBRATE NOT DYING]

[GOOD JOB, BOSS]

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