The Lin family estate stood tall and proud against the backdrop of lush mountains. Lin Feng's return, accompanied by Zhao Tian and the other Nascent Soul cultivators, had already caused a stir among the guards and servants. The once "waste" young master now commanded respect and curiosity.
As Lin Feng entered the grand hall, his father, Lin Tianhai, sat at the head of the room, his aura as steady as the ocean. Beside him stood Lin Feng's eldest brother, Lin Chuan, a Golden Core cultivator, and his second brother, Lin Jian, who had recently broken into the Foundation Establishment realm.
Lin Tianhai's eyes swept over his youngest son. "Feng'er, you've returned. I hear you've been quite… active."
Lin Feng smiled faintly and bowed. "Father, I have uncovered and eliminated a band of raiders that were preying on nearby villages. However, this was no ordinary group. Their leader was a Golden Core cultivator, and their operations extended far beyond our borders."
The room fell silent. Even Lin Chuan, who rarely paid much attention to his youngest brother, looked up in surprise.
"A Golden Core cultivator?" Lin Tianhai repeated, his tone laced with skepticism. "And you defeated him?"
Lin Feng met his father's gaze confidently. "Yes, with the assistance of those under my command."
Lin Jian scoffed, his tone dismissive. "Defeating a Golden Core cultivator? Sounds like a wild tale. Perhaps you simply stumbled upon a dying man and finished him off."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed, but he maintained his composure. "Believe what you will, Second Brother. The results speak for themselves."
Before Lin Jian could retort, Lin Tianhai raised his hand, silencing the room. "Feng'er, if what you say is true, then this is a matter of great concern. Did you discover who was backing these raiders?"
Lin Feng nodded. "I found evidence that points to a larger organization, though their exact identity remains unclear. I believe they have infiltrated several regions, and their next target may be closer than we think."
---
After the meeting, Lin Feng retreated to his courtyard. The system's voice echoed in his mind:
[New mission available: Investigate the hidden organization. Reward: 1,000 System Points.]
Lin Feng frowned as he paced back and forth. "A larger organization… Could it be a rival clan, or perhaps a sect with ambitions of expansion?"
Zhao Tian approached him, his expression serious. "Young Master, the guards reported that several suspicious individuals were spotted near the estate last night. It's possible they're spies from the organization you mentioned."
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened. "If they're bold enough to send spies, then we need to send a message."
---
That night, Lin Feng and his team moved under the cover of darkness. Following the reports from the guards, they tracked the spies to a secluded area near the estate.
There, hidden among the trees, they found three men huddled together, whispering. Lin Feng signaled for silence and activated Crimson Shadow Steps, approaching the men undetected.
"Who sent you?" Lin Feng's voice rang out, cold and commanding.
The spies jumped in surprise, but before they could react, Zhao Tian and the others surrounded them, cutting off any chance of escape.
One of the men, clearly the leader, sneered. "You think you can intimidate us? You don't know who you're dealing with."
Lin Feng's sword gleamed under the moonlight as he stepped forward. "I don't have time for games. Speak, or face the consequences."
The leader's confidence faltered, but he remained defiant. "Kill me if you want. You won't get anything from me."
Lin Feng smirked. "I don't need you to talk. The system can extract the information I need."
With a flick of his wrist, Lin Feng unleashed a technique that paralyzed the man. The system's interface appeared before him:
[Scanning target… Information retrieved.]
The system provided details about the organization: a shadowy group called the Black Veil Sect, known for orchestrating raids and manipulating smaller factions to do their bidding.
"Black Veil Sect," Lin Feng muttered. "So, you're the ones pulling the strings."
---
By morning, Lin Feng presented the captured spies and the information he had gathered to his father.
Lin Tianhai's expression was grave as he read the report. "The Black Veil Sect… They've been a thorn in the side of many clans for years. If they're targeting us, then we must act swiftly."
Lin Chuan spoke up, his tone measured. "Father, I suggest we send a delegation to the sect's suspected location and demand answers. If they refuse, we should be prepared for war."
Lin Jian, however, had a different opinion. "Why waste resources on a direct confrontation? Let Feng'er handle it. He seems eager to prove himself."
Lin Feng ignored his brother's jab and addressed his father. "I agree that this matter requires a swift response. However, the Black Veil Sect operates in the shadows. A direct approach may not yield the results we need."
Lin Tianhai nodded. "Feng'er, you've shown remarkable growth recently. I'll entrust this mission to you. Take who you need and uncover the truth. But be cautious—the Black Veil Sect is not to be underestimated."
---
As Lin Feng prepared to leave, he received another notification from the system:
[Special reward unlocked: Black Veil Tracker.]
The tracker was a unique artifact that could pinpoint the location of Black Veil Sect members within a certain radius.
"With this, finding their strongholds will be much easier," Lin Feng thought.
Zhao Tian approached him, a determined look on his face. "Young Master, I'll gather the team. We'll leave at your command."
Lin Feng nodded. "Good. This mission will be dangerous, but it's also an opportunity. If we succeed, the Black Veil Sect's influence will be crippled."
As the group set out, Lin Feng couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a much larger conflict. The Black Veil Sect was merely one piece of the puzzle, and the true enemy was still lurking in the shadows.
---
Far away, in a hidden temple, a figure cloaked in black knelt before an altar.
"The Lin family is moving against us," the figure reported.
A deep voice echoed through the chamber. "Let them come. They're walking into their own demise."
The figure bowed deeply. "As you command, Master."
---
Lin Feng and his team traveled through treacherous terrain, using the Black Veil Tracker to guide them. Along the way, they encountered traps and ambushes, but Lin Feng's leadership and growing strength allowed them to press on.
Each battle honed his skills further, and with each victory, his confidence grew.
As they approached the sect's hidden base, Lin Feng couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. This was more than just a mission—it was a test of his resolve and the first step toward solidifying his place in this world.
He clenched his fists and muttered to himself, "Black Veil Sect… Your time is up."