The days following the tense encounter in his chambers were a whirlwind of focused study and strategic maneuvering. Mei Lin, emboldened by his defense and perhaps sensing Yuexin's unspoken challenge, became a constant presence. Under her patient guidance, Lin Feng delved into the fragments of battle techniques glimpsed within the Valley of Echoes.They were unlike anything cultivated within the Azure Dragon Clan – swift and brutal yet infused with an intricate understanding of an enemy's pressure points and the ebb and flow of energy within a fight. The words of the ancient text were faded and cryptic, but with Mei Lin's help, the moves began to take shape within Lin Feng's mind and body.These secret techniques were proving to be a potent weapon, adding a layer of unpredictability to his already impressive power. His system hummed with approval, rewarding not only his physical mastery but also his increasing bond with Mei Lin. Her unwavering belief in him was a unique form of nourishment, pushing him further than ambition alone ever could.Yet, it was the glowing orb – the trophy from his victory in the valley – that truly captivated his attention. It pulsed with a warmth that bordered on disquieting, a constant hum that reverberated within his soul. Initially dismissing it as a mere curiosity, Lin Feng began to suspect the orb held far more than met the eye.Driven by an insatiable hunger for knowledge – or perhaps by the same relentless ambition that fueled his rise through the clan – Lin Feng began experimenting. Sleep became an unnecessary luxury as he channeled his own energy into the orb, seeking to unravel its secrets.The breakthrough was as unexpected as it was potent. One sleepless night, frustration gave way to desperation. Lin Feng lashed out, his pent-up power mingling with a flicker of genuine fear he'd never admit to experiencing. The orb responded, not with a blinding flash or an earth-shattering roar, but with a whisper.Words, ancient and potent, flooded his mind. Images – a battlefield wreathed in storm clouds, the scaled silhouette of a mythical beast, a technique designed not to subdue an opponent but to shatter them utterly – seared themselves into his consciousness.It was overwhelming, terrifying… and exhilarating. Lin Feng staggered backward, clutching his head as if to contain the tidal wave of knowledge threatening to consume him. When he finally regained his composure, the orb was inert, its warmth replaced by an unsettling chill.He'd unlocked something, a fragment of a power that predated the Azure Dragon Clan by centuries… millennia perhaps. It was dangerous, yes, but danger was a currency Lin Feng traded in. And the system, as always, was buzzing with approval, calculating the potential gains from wielding such devastating power.The orb was no longer a mere artifact; it was a key. Whether it unlocked the door to greater strength or a path to ruin remained to be seen. But one thing was certain: Lin Feng was not one to turn away from any opportunity, no matter how perilous.Meanwhile, within the clan, whispers were circulating. Tales of his solitary training sessions, the strange glow emanating from his chambers late at night, and Mei Lin's constant presence fueled a mixture of unease and awe. Had Lin Feng stumbled upon a forbidden cultivation technique? Or worse, had his rumored dark pact yielded an even more sinister power?Yuexin, always adept at navigating the currents of gossip, watched with a strange mixture of hunger and unease. Her brother was becoming something more than a pawn in her elaborate game. This new power, the unsettling intensity in his eyes… it sparked a primal possessiveness within her, and an even greater yearning to claim him utterly before he slipped from her grasp completely.