Elder Shui wrapped Lin Feng, Shi Gong, and herself in a soft, shimmering veil of water Qi. The aura shielded them as they soared through the skies, cutting through clouds and gliding effortlessly over the lush landscape below. The beauty of the cultivation world stretched out before them: emerald forests that seemed to breathe with life, vast rivers winding like serpents of silver, and towering mountain peaks that pierced the heavens, shrouded in mist and mystery.
Lin Feng took a moment to absorb the sights. He had always marveled at this world, one so rich with spiritual energy and wonders. He watched as flocks of Spirit Cranes danced through the skies, their feathers glowing with iridescence. A lake below sparkled, its surface kissed by a waterfall that flowed from a mountain spring. Even in the face of danger and ambition, moments like these reminded him of the beauty that lay beyond the struggles of cultivation.
After two days of flying, they decided to rest at a small inn nestled at the foot of a hill. The inn was quaint but bustling with cultivators, some haggard and dusty from long journeys, others armored and boasting tales of their latest conquests. The aroma of sizzling meat and fragrant herbs filled the air, making Lin Feng's stomach rumble.
They took a seat at a corner table, and soon, a waitress approached them with a polite bow. "Honored guests, what may I bring you today?"
Lin Feng glanced at the menu carved into a wooden board on the wall. The dishes had exotic names: Phoenix Tail Soup, Dragon Scale Fried Rice, and Spirit Herb Stir-fry. He ordered the Spirit Herb Stir-fry, curious about the combination of flavors. Elder Shui chose a light broth infused with calming spiritual energy, while Shi Gong ordered a platter of roasted boar.
When the food arrived, Lin Feng was not disappointed. The Spirit Herb Stir-fry was vibrant, a medley of crisp greens, fiery red chili slices, and golden mushrooms that burst with flavor. Each bite rejuvenated his energy, the herbs humming with faint spiritual power. Shi Gong savored his meal, his imposing presence softened slightly as he enjoyed the boar's rich, smoky taste. Even Elder Shui, usually serene and composed, let out a contented sigh at the first sip of her broth.
Lin Feng leaned back, the warmth of the food settling comfortably in his stomach. The inn buzzed with conversations, cultivators sharing tales of treasure hunts, battles with rogue beasts, and the never-ending quest for advancement. He listened quietly, a small smile tugging at his lips. In this world, cultivators lived for the thrill of power and discovery—but not everyone could be a favored son of destiny. Many struggled, fighting and dying for mere scraps of fortune.
Soon, I'll be at the Divine Beast Academy, Lin Feng thought, where opportunities and dangers will be even greater.
The next morning, they continued their journey, reaching the gates of the Starfall Estate by midday. The estate sprawled across the landscape, a grand fortress of ancient stone and elegant courtyards. As they descended, Lin Feng felt a surge of emotion—returning home as a Rank 3 cultivator, with power that his family could no longer ignore.
Several elders happened to be gathered near the outer courtyard. They paused mid-conversation as they sensed Lin Feng's aura, their eyes widening with surprise. Elder Xu, a white-bearded guardian of the clan, stepped forward, his eyes narrowing in appraisal.
"Lin Feng," Elder Xu greeted, his voice a mixture of curiosity and respect. "You've… advanced. Rank 3 already?"
Lin Feng bowed, suppressing a smile. "Yes, Elder Xu. I've been fortunate in my cultivation."
The elders exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves. For years, they had considered Lin Feng a mediocre talent, overshadowed by his brothers. But now, his rise was undeniable. Elder Xu finally nodded, his expression thoughtful. "The patriarch will be eager to hear of this," he said. "Go on, then."
Lin Feng continued toward his father's quarters, Elder Shui and Shi Gong at his side. The doors to Lin Tian's study loomed ahead, guarded by sentinels who stepped aside as Lin Feng approached. Taking a steadying breath, Lin Feng pushed the doors open and entered.
Lin Tian, the head of the Starfall Clan, sat at an ornate table, his aura commanding and fierce. His crimson robes were embroidered with golden flames, the symbol of their lineage. His gaze landed on Lin Feng, sharp and scrutinizing.
"Father," Lin Feng greeted, bowing deeply.
Lin Tian's eyes narrowed, assessing his son. "Rank 3," he said, his voice betraying a note of surprise. "Impressive. I did not expect such progress from you."
Lin Feng kept his composure, even as old wounds threatened to resurface. "I've worked hard to change my fate," he replied evenly.
Lin Tian stood, his gaze unwavering. "If I had known you had this potential, you would have been trained alongside your brothers, Lin Wei and Lin Yang. Instead, you are sent away to academy, deemed… ordinary."
A bitter edge crept into Lin Feng's heart, but he swallowed it down. What's done is done, he reminded himself. "I am prepared to attend the Divine Beast Academy," he said. "I will bring honor to our family."
Lin Tian's expression softened slightly, though it remained stern. "Good," he said. "You will meet your fiancée from the Ye Clan there. This alliance is crucial to our future. Do not forget your responsibilities."
Lin Feng inclined his head, though the thought of a fiancée from a clan he barely knew stirred unease. But he was not here to question fate; he was here to rewrite it. "I will not fail," he promised.
His father studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Go, then. Make the most of this opportunity."
As Lin Feng turned to leave, the doors swung open, revealing Lin Yang. His second brother's expression twisted with surprise and barely concealed jealousy. Lin Yang was two years older and had always prided himself on his talent, especially his mastery over Time Path techniques.
"Little Brother," Lin Yang said, his voice tight. "I hear you've caught up to me."
Lin Feng met his brother's gaze calmly. "Yes, I have," he replied, his tone steady.
Lin Yang's eyes flashed with rivalry. "Then let's settle it," he declared. "A duel, right here, in front of all the family disciples. The terms: the loser must give the winner 10,000 high-grade spirit stones."
A murmur of astonishment rippled through the onlookers. High-grade spirit stones were treasures, each worth a hundred middle-grade spirit stones. And a middle-grade spirit stone was equivalent to a thousand low-grade ones. For ordinary cultivators, even obtaining a handful of low-grade stones was a matter of life and death. People killed and died for such resources, and only the most fortunate clans had access to high-grade spirit stones.
Lin Feng's mind raced. 10,000 high-grade spirit stones? It was a fortune beyond imagining for most, yet to his brother, it was a show of wealth and power. But Lin Feng's heart was resolute. If he won, he knew what he wanted to do.
I'll donate the spirit stones to lower-ranked cultivators, he thought. There are too many who suffer, who fight desperately for even a scrap of spiritual energy. My victory will be their blessing and it will help me in building my reputation.
But another thought lingered, one filled with curiosity and anticipation. And the system… he mused. If I perform such a righteous act, will it reward me? It's time to see how the system functions.
Out loud, he met Lin Yang's challenge with a confident smile. "I accept," he said. "Let the match be witnessed by the clan, and let our fates be decided."
Lin Yang sneered, his aura shimmering with temporal energy, warping the air around him. The crowd parted, making room for the impending duel. Lin Feng took a deep breath, summoning the System Panel in his mind, focusing on his brother's details.
Name: Lin Yang
Cultivation: Rank 3, Initial Realm
Bloodline: None
Supreme Physique: None
Attribute: Time
Special Ability: Temporal Edge
Dao Bone: Time Attribute Dao Bone
Luck: Purple
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. A Time Attribute Dao Bone, he realized. It was a rare and powerful asset, one that made Lin Yang's techniques formidable. A dangerous desire whispered in Lin Feng's heart: If I could claim that Dao Bone…