In a peaceful village called Cloud-Bottom Hollow — known mostly for its dumplings and average weather — Zhao Jin was sleeping upside down on a tree branch.
Not meditating. Not training. Just sleeping.
"Zhao Jin!" a voice yelled from below. "You're going to die poor, single, and possibly upside down!"
It was Old Auntie Fan, the local herbalist and professional shouter.
Zhao groaned and shifted position, narrowly avoiding a bird's nest.
> "Auntie Fan," he mumbled, "the heavens shall provide for me."
> "The heavens sent you a rejection letter last week!"
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### ✉️ The Letter of Sudden Success
That afternoon, while avoiding work by pretending to study a rock, Zhao spotted a glowing scroll nailed to the village notice board. It was written in golden ink, signed with an actual thunderbolt mark.
> **"Seeking One (1) Disciple. No experience required. Results guaranteed. Side effects may include spontaneous power-ups, nosebleeds, or sudden marriage proposals. Apply in person. Bring your own shoes."**
Zhao blinked. "That sounds... shady. And perfect."
Before anyone could stop him, he grabbed a potato for the road and ran toward the address: **Somewhere Beyond Mount Sideways.**
---
### 🏔️ Arrival at the Sect of Sudden Success
After hiking through absurd terrain — including a field of meditating goats and a waterfall that flowed upward — Zhao arrived at an ancient gate with gold trimming and a sign that flickered between:
- "Welcome to the Sect of Sudden Success!"
- "No Refunds."
A man stood there, polishing a gourd that hummed ominously.
> "Name?" he asked.
> "Zhao Jin. Are you really taking disciples?"
> "Technically, yes. Spiritually, we've already accepted you."
> "Wait, what—"
The gate exploded open behind them. Confetti shot into the air. Bells rang. A duck quacked from the rooftop.
> "Congratulations!" said a voice from everywhere and nowhere. "You've been accepted as our next Inner Sect Disciple!"
> "I didn't even—"
> "Too late!"
---
### 🧙♂️ Meet the Elders (And Their Problems)
Zhao was dragged into a giant hall, where several elders sat in golden robes that didn't quite match. One had tea stains. One was on fire. One was asleep.
The oldest among them, Elder Tu Fang, stood up. "Welcome to your destiny, Zhao Jin. Here at the Sect of Sudden Success, we believe in **rapid improvement through confusing methods.**"
> "What kind of methods?"
> "You'll find out accidentally."
> "That doesn't sound safe."
> "That's because it isn't."
Zhao turned to leave, only for the duck to block his way and glow faintly.
Elder Tu Fang smiled. "You've been chosen. The duck approves. There's no higher authority."
---
### 🌌 A Seed of Destiny
Later that night, Zhao sat on his new (slightly smoking) bed, staring at the ceiling.
> "Did I just join a scam cult with spiritual ducks?"
The duck quacked once, then spat out a glowing seed that floated into Zhao's hand.
> **[You have received: Chaotic Spirit Root Seed]**
A system voice chimed in his head:
> **Congratulations. You've entered the path of destiny. Side effects may include mild confusion and overwhelming success.**
Zhao blinked. "...This might actually work."
Outside, the stars swirled in strange shapes, and the duck did pushups in the moonlight.
---
**Chapter 1 Ends**
✅ Zhao joins the Sect of Sudden Success
✅ Introduced chaos, duck, and system
✅ Strong plot motive: ancient secret sect that hides something bigger
✅ Comedy and mystery balanced