The arena was still charged with energy, the echoes of Lin Feng's clash with Lin Yang lingering in the air. Nearly a hundred thousand disciples, elders, and honored guests watched in awe as the High Elder announced the victor: "Both sons of the Starfall Clan have proven their worth. But today, it is Lin Feng who stands victorious!" The crowd erupted, the roar of approval shaking the very foundations of the arena.
Lin Feng stood, chest heaving from exertion, a faint sheen of sweat on his brow, but his gaze remained steady. He had done it—he had defeated his brother, shattered the clan's expectations, and solidified his place among the most promising members of the Starfall Clan.
As the cheers slowly began to fade, Lin Yang approached, his face a mixture of acceptance and lingering pride. He held out a storage ring, the intricate runes along its edge shimmering faintly in the waning light.
"You've earned it," Lin Yang said, his voice hoarse but without resentment.
Lin Feng took the ring, feeling the weight of the spirit stones within—a fortune that many in the clan would kill for. But he had already decided how he would use this reward. Raising the ring high above his head, he let his voice ring out across the arena with a clarity that demanded attention.
"I, Lin Feng, pledge to donate all the spirit stones I have won today to the disciples of Rank 1 and Rank 2! But I ask for one thing in return: a vow, upon your very souls, to perform three righteous acts in the name of the Starfall Clan!"
A stunned silence swept over the arena. For a moment, it seemed as if time itself had paused. Then, the realization of his words struck, and the crowd's astonishment gave way to a roar of approval. The disciples' cheers surged, filled with a fervor that Lin Feng had never before witnessed—hope, respect, admiration. Even the elders and special guests exchanged surprised glances, unable to hide their shock at such a bold gesture.
Lin Feng expected the System to react, to reward his act of calculated generosity, but no such response came. No surge of power, no whispered notification. The silence was maddening, but he maintained his composed expression, pushing aside his frustration. Patience, he reminded himself. This was not his first time crafting a strategy to win the trust of others. In his previous life as a businessman, he had given hundreds of speeches, convincing employees and investors alike to follow his lead. Building loyalty and exploiting trust was an art he had mastered long ago.
Yet here, in this world, it was different. The stakes were higher, and the consequences of failure more severe. The System's silence only strengthened his resolve—he would build his reputation, System reward or not, and solidify his place in the cultivation world.
One by one, disciples began to line up, eager to swear their oaths and receive the resources Lin Feng had promised. Each oath was soul-bound, ensuring that their commitment to righteousness was genuine. Lin Feng watched them, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction with each promise. He along with various elders and senior disciples who came to help Lin Feng handed out spirit stones, seeing the gratitude in the eyes of those who had long struggled for even a scrap of spiritual energy.
As the last of the disciples left, Lin Feng felt the weight of his actions settle within him. He had planted seeds of loyalty, and in time, they would grow into a force that could change the fate of the clan. Yet the System's lack of response lingered like a shadow in his mind.
The day passed, and as the sun dipped below the horizon, Lin Feng found himself in the central hall of the Starfall Estate, standing before Senior Elder Blazeheart. The elder's presence was like a burning flame—commanding and unyielding. His crimson robes flickered with threads of gold, reflecting the power of his cultivation, and his eyes held the weight of years of experience.
Blazeheart's gaze lingered on Lin Feng for a moment, and then he spoke. "Your actions today were unexpected, Lin Feng," he said, his voice deep and resonant. "To share such wealth with the lower-ranked disciples... It was a decision few in your position would make. Why?"
Lin Feng met the elder's eyes without hesitation. "To earn trust," he said, his voice calm. "To build a reputation that will serve me in the future. Spirit stones are fleeting, but loyalty and respect are lasting."
A slow smile spread across Blazeheart's face, one of genuine approval. "You think like a leader, not just a warrior," he said, nodding. "The Divine Beast Academy will be a true test for you, and I believe you are ready."
From within his robes, Blazeheart produced a jade amulet, a small artifact that pulsed with a gentle light. Lin Feng's eyes widened slightly as he recognized it—a rare flying artifact, valuable beyond measure. "Take this," Blazeheart said, offering the amulet. "It is a gift. Use it wisely, and it will carry you far."
Lin Feng accepted the amulet with a bow of gratitude. "Thank you, Senior Elder. I will make good use of it."
Blazeheart placed a firm hand on Lin Feng's shoulder, his gaze intense. "The road ahead is long, and the challenges you will face are unlike anything you have encountered before. But you have shown wisdom today. Remember that power is not just about strength; it is about the legacy you leave behind."
Lin Feng nodded, understanding the weight of Blazeheart's words. "I will not forget, Elder."
With a final nod, Blazeheart turned and departed, leaving Lin Feng alone with his thoughts.
By twilight, the Starfall Estate was quiet. The cheers from earlier had faded into the cool evening breeze, leaving only the chirping of nocturnal creatures as a backdrop to the stillness. Lin Feng stood in his courtyard, the jade amulet in his hand, contemplating the path ahead. He didn't have to wait long before Elder Shui and Shi Gong arrived, their expressions a mix of pride and warmth.
"Master, your victory today was beyond anything we expected," Shi Gong said, his deep voice filled with admiration. "The way you handled the clan... it was masterful."
Elder Shui's smile was gentle, her eyes reflecting a quiet respect. "And your decision to share the spirit stones, Young Master—it will be remembered. You've given hope to those who had none."
Lin Feng's gaze softened. "I did what needed to be done," he said simply, though he knew his actions had been far more calculated than his words suggested. He extended the jade amulet toward Elder Shui, who looked at it in surprise. "This is a flying artifact," he said. "Take it. It's yours to guide us to the Divine Beast Academy."
"Thank you, Young Master," she said, accepting the amulet with a deep bow. "I will make sure it serves us well."
Together, the three of them took to the sky. Elder Shui activated the artifact, and they ascended smoothly, the platform of jade glowing softly beneath their feet. The air was cool, filled with the scent of night-blooming flowers, and the stars above were beginning to pierce the deepening twilight.
As they soared higher, the Starfall Estate receded below them, and the beauty of the cultivation world unfolded in all its splendor. Endless forests, shrouded in the mist of spiritual energy, stretched out beneath them. Rivers gleamed like molten silver under the moon's light, winding through the landscape like veins of power. In the distance, a mountain range rose like jagged teeth, their peaks dusted with a faint glow as if kissed by the heavens themselves.
Lin Feng's heart stirred at the sight. This world is far more beautiful than the cold boardrooms and steel towers of my past life, he thought, a smile playing at his lips. But it is no less ruthless. Power is beauty here, and beauty is power.
As they flew, Spirit Cranes glided beside them, their feathers glowing with ethereal light. Below, a grove of luminous flowers shimmered, each petal shifting colors with the breeze. It was a world alive with wonder and danger, and Lin Feng felt a deep sense of satisfaction knowing he had earned his place within it.
Elder Shui guided the jade platform with a steady hand, the wind whipping through their hair as they traveled further from the Starfall Clan. Shi Gong remained vigilant, his eyes scanning the horizon for threats. They flew on in comfortable silence, the only sound the rhythmic hum of the artifact and the whisper of the wind.