Lin Feng moved through the grand halls of the Starfall estate, his mind a storm of plans and contingencies. The lingering heat of the Dragon Fire Fruit still pulsed within his veins, a quiet reminder of the pain and triumph he had endured. His aura had changed, grown, and he could feel the weight of eyes upon him, some with newfound respect, others with suspicion or envy.
He had given Elder Shui her orders earlier: to enter secluded cultivation and not emerge until she had broken through to the 5th Rank. He trusted she would do as instructed. Her loyalty was bound to him by the magic of a soul contract, but Lin Feng also knew the burden of expectation. Success was not optional for anyone who served him.
Now, he approached the courtyard, his thoughts snapping back to the present. The sky stretched in an endless azure above, but down here, tension coiled in the air like an unseen serpent. As he stepped forward, he was greeted by the sight of the most powerful figures in the Starfall Family gathered together, forming a living wall of authority and expectation.
The six Senior Elders stood at the forefront, their auras palpable. Each one bore a unique and unmistakable presence, they were not called by their names rather called by honorary titles give my those who witnessed their brilliance first hand. Lin Feng's eyes flicked briefly over Elder Starbreaker, who's Star Path was legendary, and Elder Mooncradle, who wielded the Lunar Essence Path with otherworldly grace. The other elders each possessed Paths of equal renown, and Lin Feng felt the weight of history in their eyes, a silent judgment from generations past.
Behind them, twelve High Elders and twenty-four Regular Elders stood in disciplined ranks, their faces a mix of pride and scrutiny. At the center of it all was the Family Head, Lin Feng's father. His presence was like an unmovable mountain, and his aura, even when subdued, pressed against the souls of everyone in the courtyard. Lin Feng took a breath, steadying himself. His father's approval was both a prize and a curse, and Lin Feng had long since learned to keep his emotions hidden.
His gaze shifted to the four Unit Commanders standing off to one side, warriors whose names inspired both dread and reverence. Commander Inferna, a blazing figure clad in crimson, radiated heat that made even the coldest day feel like midsummer. Commander Tempestra, her hair white and wild like storm winds, had eyes that promised lightning-fast strikes. Then there was Commander Granitefist, an imposing earth cultivator whose very footsteps left cracks in the ground. Finally, Commander Nightshade, a master of shadows whose movements were whispers in the dark.
Lin Feng's lips curled in a faint smile. The legends of these commanders had fascinated him during the earlier stages of his life.
As he stepped into the courtyard, his presence commanded attention, and a heavy silence fell over the gathered cultivators. His brothers, Lin Wei and Lin Yang, stood nearby. Lin Wei's golden aura pulsed with celestial energy, while Lin Yang's eyes, ever calm and calculating, gleamed with the hint of his Time Path. Lin Feng knew that even without their rare Paths, his brothers would be formidable. Yet it wasn't fear that stirred within him—it was a challenge, an acknowledgment that they were hurdles he would one day overcome.
Lin Feng's father inclined his head slightly. "Lin Feng, make your choice," he said, his deep voice carrying through the courtyard like a decree from the heavens. It was a family tradition to give the choosing option to the youngest first.
Lin Feng felt every eye upon him, the weight of expectation heavy on his shoulders. But he had long since mastered the art of masking his emotions.
He stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the three Shadow Guards standing at attention. These were no ordinary warriors; they were elite cultivators, assigned only to heirs of the Starfall Family they had high aptitude for cultivation. Two of them shimmered with blue threads of fortune indicating moderate to high fortune, but not worth mentioning, while one glowed with a more dangerous hue—orange.
The first Shadow Guard, Lan Hai, exuded an aura as fluid as the ocean, his Path of Water imbued with a grace that belied his lethality. The second, Bai Feng, carried the energy of the Wind Path, a lightness and speed that made him nearly untouchable. Both were exceptional, but Lin Feng's attention was fixed on the third Shadow Guard.
Shi Gong was enormous, a mountain of a man whose presence seemed to distort the very air around him. His muscles strained against his armor, and the earth seemed to tremble beneath his weight. Lin Feng suspected he possessed a special bloodline—perhaps that of the ancient giants who were called another name of power. The orange threads around Shi Gong pulsed with raw potential, a hidden power that Lin Feng intended to unleash.
"I, Lin Feng, make my choice," he announced, his voice strong and clear. "Shi Gong, the Earth Guardian, will serve as my Shadow Guard."
Shi Gong stepped forward, his movements heavy but controlled. The ground quaked slightly beneath him, and he knelt on one knee before Lin Feng, his head bowed. "Young Master," he intoned, his voice a deep rumble that resonated in the chest. "I swear my loyalty."
Lin Feng extended his hand, his palm steady as he prepared for the ritual. A hush fell over the courtyard, the air thick with anticipation. The magic of the soul vow shimmered between them, a crimson sigil forming in the space where their hands met. It pulsed once, twice, before sinking into their skin, binding them.
"By my soul," Shi Gong declared, his voice echoing through the courtyard, "I vow to protect the Young Master with my life."
Lin Feng felt the energy of the blood contract settle into his core, the connection solid and unbreakable. A flicker of triumph sparked in his eyes, but he quickly masked it. He had won a formidable ally, one whose strength would serve him well in the battles to come.
As the ritual concluded, Lin Yang stepped forward. His expression was calm but tinged with a hint of rivalry. "I choose Bai Feng, the Wind Guardian," he declared. Bai Feng, with a graceful bow, sealed their soul vow, the magic binding them as easily as the wind.
Finally, Lin Wei, the family's eldest heir, approached. His aura shimmered with celestial brilliance as he announced, "Lan Hai, the Water Guardian, will be mine." Lan Hai knelt and performed the ritual, the water-like qi flowing seamlessly between them.
Their father, the Starfall Family Head, stood from his seat. His gaze swept over the assembled cultivators, and his voice carried the weight of an unbreakable edict. "Now that the choices have been made," he announced, "we shall hold a duel."
Whispers of excitement and anticipation rippled through the courtyard. "Twelve prodigies of the family," the Family Head continued, "alongside our three heirs, will compete. This is your opportunity to prove your worth. The elders and commanders will observe, and should your performance be deemed exceptional, you may earn the chance to become their disciple."
Lin Feng's heart pounded, not with fear, but with exhilaration. This was his chance to shine, to demonstrate the power he had cultivated, the fire he had forged in both pain and ambition. His gaze swept over the crowd, noting the faces of the young prodigies who would be his competition. Some looked confident, others nervous, but all were eager for the chance to earn the favor of the elders.
He felt his brothers' eyes on him, and he met Lin Wei's gaze and though for a moment Lin Wei must have felt something different as he was the one who was supposed to gain Shi Gong, If what I suspect is correct of him possessing giant bloodline…it is a huge loss for him.
Lin Feng clenched his fists, the Dragon Fire pulsing within, a reminder of his resolve. The path before him was treacherous, full of obstacles and powerful enemies. But he would face them all, burn through every challenge, and rise above even the brightest stars of the Starfall Family.