The night was silent, the air thick with the damp scent of moss and soil as Lin Feng and Shi Gong moved carefully through the shadowed forest. Beneath the towering canopy, Shi Gong placed his hand on the forest floor, channeling his Earth Path energy. The ground trembled, a passage opening as layers of soil and roots shifted aside, revealing an underground shelter deep beneath the forest floor.
Once they were settled inside, Lin Feng closed his eyes, focusing on the faint energy that marked Elder Shui's presence. After a tense wait, he felt her presence approaching, like a tethered pull on his soul—a connection through soul contract formed together.
"Open it, Shi Gong," he whispered.
The earth above them parted once more, and Elder Shui emerged, moving unsteadily, her breaths heavy and labored. She was battered, her robes torn and streaked with blood, and her left hand clutched her side where bruises and cuts marred her usually calm expression.
"Young Master," she managed, her voice taut with exhaustion, yet touched with relief.
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed with concern. "What happened?" he asked, his voice low and measured, even as he observed the painful steps she took to reach him.
Elder Shui leaned back against the earthen wall, catching her breath. "The commotion drew attention—more than we intended. Other elders joined the hunt, and then the Patriarch himself appeared," she said, wincing as she adjusted her stance. "The Bai Patriarch is a Rank 5 Thunder Path cultivator, middle realm, and he was relentless."
Lin Feng's gaze darkened. "He came himself?" well, the grief of losing a daughter shall be too much.
Elder Shui nodded, her face solemn. "They believe I was sent by the Yang Clan to assassinate their main bloodline heirs. With the recent death of the Patriarch's daughter, tensions are high. The Bai family is on high alert, securing their direct descendants under heavy protection."
Lin Feng's expression remained steady, but inwardly, he was already planning his next steps. "If they assume you're from the Yang Clan, they'll focus on securing their main bloodline heirs, leaving weaker members unguarded. Bai Xuemin, a mere Rank 1, will be of little concern to them."
"Precisely," she agreed, a hint of satisfaction breaking through her fatigue.
Lin Feng reached into his robes, pulling out a jade-colored vial. Inside was a healing pill gifted by his father, imbued with potent restorative energy. He held it out to Elder Shui, his tone calm but firm. "Take this. It will help you recover and stabilize your Qi."
Elder Shui's eyes widened slightly in gratitude. She accepted the pill with a respectful bow and immediately sat in a meditative posture, closing her eyes as she focused on drawing in the pill's energy. Her breathing slowed as she settled into the rhythm of healing meditation, her aura growing steady and calm as the pill's effects took hold.
With a final glance at Elder Shui, Lin Feng nodded to Shi Gong. "We'll need supplies. Let's hunt." Rank 1 to 5 were mortal ranks they still needed food and sleep.
Shi Gong, ever loyal and composed, bowed his head in agreement, his massive frame following Lin Feng as they made their way out of the underground chamber. The night air was cool, filled with the distant hum of nocturnal creatures. They moved deeper into the forest, venturing into the wild territories where magical beasts roamed.
They hadn't traveled far when Shi Gong raised a hand, signaling for silence. He pointed ahead, where the moonlight illuminated the form of a large, muscular beast. Its fur was dark and coarse, its eyes gleaming with a sharp intelligence, and its aura crackled with power—it was a Rank 3 beast, newly advanced to the initial stage.
Lin Feng's lips curved into a slight smirk. He could feel the fiery energy of the Dragon Fire pulsing within him, reinforcing his body and sharpening his senses. A fight with a Rank 3 beast was exactly what he needed to test his growing power.
"Stay back, Shi Gong," Lin Feng said, drawing his sword and stepping forward. "I'll handle this."
Shi Gong remained a few paces behind, his expression steady but alert. He was prepared to intervene if necessary, yet he respected Lin Feng's decision to face the beast alone.
The beast growled, its eyes narrowing as it crouched, ready to strike. With a flash of movement, it lunged at Lin Feng, its claws slashing through the air with deadly speed. Lin Feng sidestepped, his movements fluid and controlled, evading the beast's attack by mere inches. He swung his sword in a low arc, aiming for the beast's exposed side, but it twisted away, its hide thick and resilient.
The beast roared, retaliating with a sweeping strike of its tail. Lin Feng braced himself, absorbing the impact as he skidded back, his boots digging into the forest floor. His grip tightened on his sword, and his expression turned sharp with concentration.
In a swift, calculated move, Lin Feng dashed forward, channeling a burst of fire along the blade of his sword. He slashed upward, and the flames flared, searing the beast's fur as it let out a pained roar. The scent of burning fur filled the air as the beast staggered, its movements slower, but its determination unbroken.
The beast lunged again, its claws extended. Lin Feng spun to the side, narrowly dodging, and thrust his sword forward, aiming for the beast's shoulder. His blade sank in, but the beast twisted, pulling free and retaliating with a snap of its jaws. Lin Feng leaped back, evading just in time, his eyes blazing with excitement.
Shi Gong observed from a distance, his expression unreadable, yet Lin Feng could sense his readiness to intervene if the battle took a dire turn.
The beast snarled, baring its teeth as it circled him, wary now, its eyes flickering between Lin Feng and his weapon. Lin Feng felt the energy coursing through him, the remnants of the Dragon Fire fruit's power strengthening his limbs, making his movements sharper and his strikes more precise.
This time, he advanced, his footwork swift and light as he closed the distance. He slashed downward with a burst of fire-infused energy, the flames cutting through the beast's defenses and leaving a deep, smoldering gash across its side. The beast stumbled, its growl weakening as blood seeped from its wounds.
With a final surge of strength, Lin Feng leaped forward, his sword aimed directly at the beast's throat. The blade found its mark, piercing through flesh and sinew. The beast let out one last, strangled roar before collapsing, its body slumping to the forest floor.
Lin Feng stood over the beast, his chest heaving as he steadied his breathing. He could feel the thrill of victory coursing through him, the satisfaction of testing his limits and emerging victorious.
Shi Gong approached, a faint nod of approval in his gaze. "Impressive, Young Master," he said, his tone as stoic as ever.
Lin Feng wiped his blade clean, his expression calm yet thoughtful. "The Dragon Fire's effects are stronger than I anticipated. At this rate, I'll reach Rank 3 within a week."
Shi Gong's gaze flickered with something close to pride. "Your progress is remarkable. Only a few rank 2 could face a Rank 3 beast and come out unscathed."
Lin Feng sheathed his sword, casting a glance at the fallen beast. "This is just the beginning. The Divine Beast Academy would have stronger cultivators and then there are my siblings…"
They worked in silence to carve the beast, gathering meat and other resources before making their way back to the underground chamber. As they entered, they found Elder Shui deep in meditation, her aura steady and calm, her injuries already healing thanks to special healing pill.
Lin Feng and Shi Gong stored the meat they had gathered, the air filled with the faint scent of blood and earth. Lin Feng glanced at Elder Shui, satisfied that she would be fully recovered soon, her strength needed for the tasks ahead.
He sat back, letting his mind drift through the plans forming in his head. The Yang Clan's presence was an unexpected development, but it was also an opportunity—a way to divert suspicion and ensure the Bai family's focus remained scattered.
Within days, Lin Feng would be ready to move against Bai Xuemin, and with Elder Shui at his side and his own advancement approaching, he felt the taste of victory within reach.