The night was quiet, with a cool breeze rustling through the leaves. Feng Xiao lay in bed, exhausted from the day's training yet unable to fall asleep. His mind was racing with thoughts of his recent progress, Elder Yuan's wisdom, and the new possibilities that lay ahead.
Suddenly, he heard faint footsteps approaching outside his window. His senses heightened, and he instinctively reached for the dagger by his bedside. Moving quietly, he peered through the window, spotting a shadowy figure moving stealthily through the courtyard. Whoever it was, they didn't belong there.
Without a second thought, Feng Xiao slipped out of his room and into the courtyard, keeping low to the ground and moving silently, a technique he had honed with Silent Flame Step. The figure paused, looking around cautiously before continuing toward one of the clan's restricted areas: the Hall of Records, where ancient techniques, scrolls, and clan secrets were stored.
Feng Xiao's heart raced. The Hall of Records was heavily guarded and accessible only to senior members of the clan. Whoever this person was, they were up to no good. He tightened his grip on his dagger, determined to stop them.
As he got closer, he realized the figure was a young woman dressed in dark robes, her face partially hidden beneath a hood. She moved with surprising agility and stealth, but something about her seemed out of place. Was she a rogue cultivator? Or perhaps an assassin sent by one of the rival clans?
The woman reached the door to the Hall of Records and pulled out a strange, thin crystal, placing it against the lock. With a soft click, the door opened, and she slipped inside, vanishing into the shadows.
Feng Xiao hesitated. He knew he should alert the clan elders, but he didn't want to lose the chance to confront this intruder himself. If he could catch her in the act, he might gain valuable information about her purpose. Gathering his resolve, he followed her inside, moving as quietly as he could.
Inside, the Hall of Records was dimly lit by a few candles, casting eerie shadows across the ancient shelves and scroll racks. The woman moved swiftly through the rows, her eyes scanning the shelves as though searching for something specific.
Feng Xiao moved closer, watching her every move. He could feel his pulse quickening, the thrill of the chase mixed with the weight of responsibility. He couldn't afford to let her escape with any of the clan's secrets.
The woman finally found what she was looking for—a thin, worn scroll marked with the clan's ancient symbol. She tucked it into her robes and turned to leave, but as she did, her gaze landed directly on Feng Xiao. Her eyes, dark and sharp, widened in surprise.
"So, we have a little spy," she whispered, her voice soft but laced with danger.
Feng Xiao stepped forward, holding his dagger defensively. "Who are you, and what do you want with our clan's secrets?"
The woman smirked, her hand resting on a sword at her side. "Just someone looking for knowledge. I didn't expect to run into an overly curious clan member."
"I can't let you leave with that scroll," he said, his voice steady despite his nerves.
"Is that so?" She tilted her head, her expression amused. "You're brave, I'll give you that. But you're clearly outmatched."
Feng Xiao tightened his grip on his dagger, calling on his qi to activate Silent Flame Step. He focused on his intent, his mind clear and resolute. "Try me."
With a quick burst of movement, he lunged at her, Silent Flame Step allowing him to move swiftly and quietly. He aimed for her side, hoping to disarm her quickly. But she reacted with lightning speed, drawing her sword and blocking his strike with a single fluid motion.
"Not bad," she said, her voice edged with mock admiration. "But you'll need more than that."
She countered with a series of rapid slashes, each one precise and powerful. Feng Xiao barely managed to evade, using Silent Flame Step to dodge and weave around her attacks. He could feel the heat of her blade as it cut through the air, narrowly missing him each time.
Realizing that he couldn't keep dodging forever, he decided to use his Blazing Lotus Strike. He took a quick step back, focusing his qi into his palm, and formed a small, intense lotus of flames.
"Blazing Lotus Strike!" he shouted, thrusting the fiery lotus toward her.
The woman's eyes widened as the fiery lotus hurtled toward her, but she quickly raised her hand, releasing a gust of icy qi that extinguished the flames. Feng Xiao stared in shock—her qi manipulation was extraordinary, and she wielded frost qi as effectively as Feng Mei.
"Impressive," she said, her tone now more serious. "You've trained well. But you're still not strong enough."
She advanced on him, her movements swift and graceful. Feng Xiao felt his options dwindling. She was clearly more experienced, and her frost qi gave her an edge he hadn't anticipated. His Blazing Lotus Strike alone wouldn't be enough to defeat her.
Desperate, he tried to focus on his intent, remembering Elder Yuan's advice. He visualized his victory, pouring his resolve into his next move.
He activated Silent Flame Step once more, but this time he added a twist. He gathered his qi around his entire body, creating a thin layer of flames that would disorient her if she got too close. The combination created a flickering, shifting aura around him, making it hard to predict his movements.
The woman seemed momentarily thrown off by his new approach. She hesitated, watching him with narrowed eyes as he moved in close, his aura of flames flickering like a mirage.
Seizing the opportunity, Feng Xiao closed the distance between them and struck with his dagger, aiming for her shoulder. She reacted just in time, deflecting the blade, but he managed to graze her arm, drawing a thin line of blood.
She scowled, stepping back. "You're persistent. I'll give you that."
Before she could retaliate, a voice echoed through the hall, sharp and authoritative. "Enough!"
Both of them turned to see Elder Yuan standing at the entrance, his face stern and his eyes blazing with anger. "Who dares to intrude upon our clan's sacred hall?"
The woman's expression shifted, and for a moment, she seemed genuinely unsettled. She glanced at Feng Xiao, her dark eyes assessing him one last time before she darted toward the nearest window.
"Until next time," she whispered, and with a quick, graceful movement, she disappeared into the night.
Feng Xiao wanted to chase her, but Elder Yuan placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. "Let her go. She's far beyond your current strength."
"But Elder, she stole one of our scrolls," Feng Xiao protested, frustration gnawing at him.
Elder Yuan sighed, his gaze troubled. "Yes, I saw. But there's something more dangerous about her than her skill with the sword. That woman… she's no ordinary rogue. She's connected to an ancient sect known for their ruthless methods and powerful frost techniques."
Feng Xiao's mind raced. "A rival sect?"
"Not just any rival," Elder Yuan said, his tone grave. "The Azure Frost Sect. They have been gathering rare techniques from all over, growing in strength and posing a threat to clans like ours. If she's involved with them, this won't be the last time we encounter her."
A chill ran down Feng Xiao's spine as he remembered the woman's calculating gaze. She had been powerful, far beyond what he was ready for. But in that brief exchange, he had learned something important—he needed to grow stronger, much stronger, if he was to protect his clan and confront the dangers ahead.
Elder Yuan patted his shoulder, his expression softening. "You did well tonight, Feng Xiao. You showed bravery, skill, and discipline. But remember, there is no shame in acknowledging your limits. Use this experience to fuel your training."
Feng Xiao nodded, determination settling in his heart. "I understand, Elder Yuan. I'll work harder. I won't let the clan down."
Elder Yuan smiled faintly. "Good. But rest now. You have a long path ahead, and you'll need every bit of strength."
As Feng Xiao returned to his quarters, his mind was filled with thoughts of the Azure Frost Sect, the mysterious woman, and the challenges that lay before him. This encounter had opened his eyes to the dangers lurking beyond the safety of the clan. He knew he had to become stronger, not just for himself but for everyone he cared about.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Feng Xiao vowed to push himself harder than ever. He would master his techniques, refine his intent, and unlock his full potential.