Two months had passed since Lin Feng began his training under Senior Elder Blazeheart, and each day had been a crucible of fire and discipline. The Senior Elder's personal disciples had become his sparring partners, and from them, he had gleaned valuable insights—each one a seasoned practitioner with techniques honed to deadly precision. Yet, Lin Feng was no mere novice; with his mastery of the Fire Path Codex and his relentless drive, he was quickly closing the gap.
The Fire Path Codex was a tome of ancient wisdom, passed down through generations of Fire Path masters. Unlike other manuals, it emphasized control as much as raw power, teaching that a true fire cultivator should channel flame as both sword and shield, as both heat and light. With the Dragon Flame now within him—a volatile, potent force—it was clear to Lin Feng why Blazeheart had entrusted him with such a demanding guide. He felt his progress with each passing week, the intensity of his flames now tempered by focus and precision. Yet, today was special, as he would spar against one of Blazeheart's highest-ranked subordinates, an elder who had reached Rank 5 in the Fire Path, he had suppressed his cultivation to the same level as him.
Lin Feng stood across from the elder in the training ground, his hand steady on his blade as he focused his qi. The elder's figure exuded an aura of heat, a reminder of the power held by a cultivator of Rank 5. "You've progressed well," the elder said, his tone calm yet watchful. "But strength is not always about power; it is about control and timing."
With those words, the elder advanced, his hands wreathed in flames as he began with a familiar technique: Blazing Serpent Strike. Lin Feng recognized it at once; a fiery serpent-like coil that twisted through the air, its head aimed directly at his heart. Instead of dodging, Lin Feng summoned Dragon Fire Guard, a blazing wall of flame that surged up to meet the serpent.
The elder's attack met Lin Feng's guard with a searing impact, dispersing the flames into dozens of smaller bursts that scattered through the air. But the elder had anticipated this. With a quick flick of his wrist, he morphed the disbanded flames into Molten Sphere Cascade—a trio of fireballs arcing toward Lin Feng at blinding speed. Lin Feng reacted, rolling to the side and calling forth Phoenix Wing Guard in a spiral defense, deflecting two of the spheres, though the third grazed his shoulder.
The elder nodded, a glint of approval in his eyes. "You're learning to respond under pressure, but remember: the best defenses are also distractions." He demonstrated with an elegant move, compressing his flames into a focused point—a technique that forced Lin Feng to take note. With a swift motion, the elder lunged forward, his body wreathed in flames as he executed Infernal Lotus Sweep, conjuring a blossoming flame below Lin Feng's feet.
Lin Feng leapt into the air, barely avoiding the full force of the elder's strike. But he was ready with a counter of his own. Drawing his blade, he infused it with his Dragon Flame, summoning one of his newer techniques, Dragon's Roar. With a roar, the flames surged along his blade, transforming into a blazing dragon's head that lunged at the elder.
But the elder merely smiled, raising a hand that glowed with intense heat as he invoked Scorching Palm Defense. His compressed flames clashed with Lin Feng's Dragon's Roar, dispersing it with practiced ease. The elder's palm seemed to extinguish the flames at will, leaving Lin Feng momentarily breathless.
"Well struck, young master," the elder said, his voice calm. "But remember, your flames are as fierce as they are untamed. The key to mastery is in learning when to temper them."
As the sparring match continued, the elder occasionally paused to offer further guidance, his calm tone contrasting with the ferocity of his attacks. They moved from technique to technique, Lin Feng drawing on every lesson he had learned from the codex, testing his new abilities and refining his control. The training continued until he breathing heavily, though Lin Feng felt a surge of satisfaction at how far he had come.
Finally, the elder stepped back, nodding with respect. "Your progress is clear, third heir. I am sure Senior Elder Blazeheart would be pleased."
Lin Feng returned the nod, his respect for the elder evident. "Thank you, Elder. Your guidance is invaluable."
As he left the training ground, Lin Feng felt the pulse of the Dragon Flame within him—a steady warmth, a reminder of the two months of intense cultivation training. He was stronger, more precise, and on the cusp of breaking through to Rank 3. Much of that progress was owed to the Fire Path Codex and the relentless sparring sessions. His confidence grew as he envisioned the challenges ahead, particularly at the Divine Beast Academy.
After freshening up, he met Elder Shui and his newly acquired shadow guard outside his quarters. Elder Shui, who had reached Rank 5 herself thanks to the water attribute treasure they had acquired, inclined her head respectfully. "Young Master, I am deeply grateful for your guidance and for the opportunity to grow."
Lin Feng offered a small nod, glancing at her and his shadow guard. "Your strength is a boon to both of us. I'm glad to have a protector and a shadow guard I can trust."
He looked at the two of them thoughtfully. "Tonight, we'll dine outside the estate," he announced. "There's a famous inn nearby known for its magical beast dishes. We'll take the chance to enjoy a change of scenery."
The inn, located beyond the family's estate, was a place of vibrant energy. As they entered, they were greeted by the rich aromas of spices and roasted meats. The inn's interior was adorned with carved beasts, their forms etched into the dark wood of the walls. Lanterns cast a warm, welcoming glow, their light mingling with the gentle sound of conversation and laughter from patrons.
Lin Feng's party was shown to a corner table where the food arrived almost immediately—each dish a feast of rare and savory flavors. Plates of spicy wyvern, charred feathered serpent, and marbled beast meat filled the table. Lin Feng inhaled deeply, savoring the scents, and couldn't help but think back to his life on Earth.
For a moment, he was transported to a simpler time—when his mother would call him to the table with dishes she had made herself, each one prepared with love and care. He sighed quietly, nostalgia briefly softening his usual calculating gaze. "Mom's food had something even the best chef can't match," he murmured under his breath.
Elder Shui noticed his distant look. "Young Master, is something on your mind?"
Lin Feng quickly composed himself, masking his brief slip with a polite smile. "Just an old memory, Elder Shui. This food, though, is quite remarkable."
He took a bite, letting the flavors invigorate him. The magical beast meat had a quality that stimulated his qi, filling him with a subtle but steady energy. He glanced around the inn, observing the patrons with a calculating eye, seeking any hint of fortune among them.
After a moment, he noticed faint threads of fortune shimmering around certain individuals. One in particular caught his eye—a young woman seated across the room, accompanied by four Rank 4 bodyguards. Her aura was striking, with purple threads of fortune coiling around her, an unmistakable mark of someone blessed by fate.
Lin Feng's gaze lingered, studying her with growing interest. She was no ordinary traveler; her fortune suggested she held secrets, or perhaps connections, that could prove valuable. He made a mental note to observe her further and see if there might be a way to leverage her presence.
Returning his attention to his companions, he initiated a conversation. "Elder Shui, have you given much thought to our time ahead at Divine Beast Academy?"
Elder Shui met his gaze, her tone thoughtful. "Yes, Young Master. The academy will be filled with powerful individuals, each one with unique skills and ambitions. It's wise to enter prepared, and even wiser to seek alliances."
Lin Feng nodded, his thoughts already aligning with hers. "The academy is more than just a place for cultivation; it's a place to learn about potential allies—and rivals." He glanced toward the young woman again, considering the network of connections she might bring.
His shadow guard spoke up, his tone respectful but firm. "The academy doesn't favor the weak, Young Master. It is a place that forges the powerful and eliminates the unworthy. We'll need to be ready for any challenge."
Lin Feng's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Challenges are nothing new. Exploiting opportunities, however—that is where my interest lies." He allowed his gaze to drift back to the woman across the room, feeling a thrill of anticipation. The threads of fortune that surrounded her were rare, and he was certain they concealed opportunities he could make use of.
As the meal progressed, Lin Feng felt reinvigorated, both from the food and from his reflections on the academy. His mind lingered on his past and future alike, each memory and plan weaving together to shape his path forward.
"Remember," he said to Elder Shui and his guard, "in this world, power attracts challenges—but fortune brings opportunities. We'll see if there are any to be found here tonight."
With that, Lin Feng settled back, his eyes glinting with a mixture of confidence and ambition as he watched the young woman across the inn, already envisioning