Kaelien stood at the edge of a cliff, a gentle breeze playing with the strands of his dark hair. Below him, the world stretched as far as the eye could see, a vast mosaic of forests, mountains, rivers, and cities, each fragment teeming with life and energy. The world that had once stirred his curiosity now seemed almost insignificant. But things were about to change.
The idea of recruiting individuals and watching their growth had taken root in his mind, like a seed of distraction in an ocean of boredom. For years, he had avoided using this feature, preferring to explore the world alone. But now, it was time to experiment. Time to play a new game.
"System, explain the recruitment feature to me in detail."
The mechanical voice echoed in his mind, responding immediately to his command.
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[Recruitment Feature]
- The host may recruit up to 12 individuals, chosen either specifically or at random. The recruits will be bound to the host and can access the spiritual dimension, a space beyond time and reality where their souls can communicate directly with the host and with each other. Access to this space can be requested by the recruits, or the host can force them to enter. In this dimension, they can exchange information, request assistance, and earn rewards, rare items, or cultivation techniques by contributing important insights, completing missions assigned by the host, or achieving significant personal goals.
- The host can observe and subtly influence the actions of the recruits in the physical world without directly intervening unless desired. The host may also support them discreetly with resources or limited interventions.
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Kaelien smiled as he read the information. He had no intention of forming an army or conquering the world through direct means. His approach would be far more subtle. The individuals he recruited would be free to pursue their own ambitions, but they would be watched, guided discreetly, like pieces on a giant chessboard.
He wasn't interested in simply recruiting powerful cultivators; that would be boring. He wanted to observe the dynamics between individuals with differing goals, talents, and ambitions. A secret network capable of influencing events without anyone realizing that Kaelien was the mastermind behind it all.
For now, though, he needed to start with the first recruit.
"System, I want my first recruit to be chosen at random. Find someone in this world who could bring a little... complexity to this game."
The panel shifted instantly, indicating that the search had begun.
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[Random Recruitment in Progress…]
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Kaelien crossed his arms, a smirk playing on his lips. He trusted this first attempt. The randomness of the choice would add an unpredictable element to his plan. It excited him. He wasn't looking for the best or the most talented cultivator. He wanted someone with potential, someone who could stir up the stagnant waters of this world.
Who would the System choose? A genius in the making? A fallen cultivator? An outsider with hidden talents? Fate would decide, but Kaelien was ready for any surprise.
A moment later, a new screen appeared before him, displaying the details of his first recruit.
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[Selected Recruit]
- Name: Lian Zhi
- Level: Qi Condensation – Level 3
- Affiliation: None
- Status: Orphan and wanderer
- Details: Lian Zhi is a young cultivator who grew up outside the established sects. Her past is marked by the loss of her family and her wandering in unexplored regions. Her latent talent has gone unnoticed by the major sects, but she possesses a fierce determination to survive in this brutal world. Her ability to use rudimentary healing techniques could be the key to her future ascent, though she severely lacks support.
---
Kaelien studied the information with growing interest. An orphan, alone in this world, with no support, yet harboring a potential that had been overlooked. This was exactly what he was looking for. Someone untainted by the influence of the major sects or powerful families, but who, with the right resources, could carve a unique path in this world.
"Interesting…" Kaelien murmured. "A wandering soul, like me, but at a much lower stage. Let's see what she's capable of with a little help."
He raised his hand, and a golden light burst forth from his body, disappearing in an instant. That light represented the bond he had just forged with his first recruit, Lian Zhi.
---
[Lian Zhi has been recruited.]
---
Kaelien felt the connection weave itself between their minds. He could now observe her, interact with her in the spiritual dimension, though he wouldn't rush it. She needed to discover this mysterious link on her own, and most importantly, she had to prove her worth before he granted her anything of significance.
With a satisfied smile, Kaelien turned away from the cliff. The game had just begun. He had no intention of controlling Lian Zhi or his future recruits directly. They would be free to make their own choices, but he would be there in the background, guiding, observing, and sometimes pushing the pieces into place.
The world, which had once seemed so dull, was now a stage for a new kind of entertainment. And Kaelien, ever the silent puppet master, was eager to see how this first recruit would move her own strings.
As he descended from the cliff, his thoughts drifted to the future. He would watch Lian Zhi, see how she navigated the dangers of this world, and provide her with just enough support to keep things interesting.
And with that, the game was officially in motion.