Lin Feng woke to the sound of rustling leaves, the chill of dawn settling on his skin. He had slept in the grove again, too restless to return to the sect's dormitories. The Flame Lotus Sword rested nearby, its ominous aura muted beneath the cloth he had draped over it. For the past few days, he had relied only on his iron sword, but the weight of the Flame Lotus Sword's presence gnawed at him.
"I can't rely on you," Lin Feng whispered to the blade, his voice tinged with frustration. "Not if I'm going to truly surpass my limits."
Yet, a part of him wondered if that decision would doom him.
The events of the previous day were still fresh in his mind. His victory over Bai Ren had earned him a sliver of respect, but it had also painted a target on his back. He could feel the weight of the sect's collective gaze, the whispers that followed him wherever he went. Some saw him as a dark horse, a rising star. Others dismissed him as a lucky fool who had managed to exploit Bai Ren's carelessness.
He sighed and tightened the straps on his iron blade. There was no point dwelling on it. His path was his own, and no amount of speculation from others would change that.
---
The training grounds were quieter than usual that morning. A thick fog rolled over the sect, obscuring the stone platforms and practice dummies. Lin Feng preferred it that way. The solitude allowed him to focus, to work on his movements without the distraction of prying eyes.
He ran through his forms methodically, his blade slicing through the air with precision. Each strike, each step was a reflection of the countless hours he had spent in the forest. But even as his body moved with practiced ease, his mind wandered.
The Flame Lotus Sword haunted his thoughts. It was more than just a weapon—it was a mystery, a fragment of something far greater than himself. The power it had granted him during his fight with the Nascent Soul Realm beast was undeniable, but it came at a cost. That power wasn't his own, and relying on it felt like a betrayal of everything he had worked for.
"Still training alone, I see."
Lin Feng froze, his grip tightening on the hilt of his blade. He turned to see an elder standing at the edge of the platform, his long robes billowing slightly in the breeze. Elder Yan was one of the sect's senior instructors, known for his sharp eyes and even sharper tongue.
"Yes, Elder," Lin Feng replied, bowing respectfully.
Elder Yan stepped onto the platform, his gaze sweeping over Lin Feng like a hawk assessing its prey. "You've made quite the impression recently," he said. "Defeating Bai Ren has earned you some recognition, but don't let it go to your head. The path of cultivation is long and treacherous. One victory means nothing in the grand scheme of things."
Lin Feng nodded, his expression serious. "I understand, Elder."
"Do you?" Elder Yan's eyes narrowed. "Strength without wisdom is like a blade without a hilt—dangerous and self-destructive. Tell me, Lin Feng, what drives you to grow stronger?"
The question caught Lin Feng off guard. He opened his mouth to respond but hesitated. What did drive him? Was it the desire to prove himself? The need to protect those he cared about? Or was it simply a stubborn refusal to accept his limitations?
"I... don't know," Lin Feng admitted finally.
Elder Yan regarded him for a moment before nodding. "Good. A man who admits his ignorance is already wiser than most. But if you wish to survive in this world, you must find your purpose. Without it, your strength will be hollow, and your victories meaningless."
With those parting words, the elder turned and walked away, leaving Lin Feng alone once more.
---
The storm came that evening, sudden and fierce. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and the wind howled through the sect grounds. Lin Feng stood at the edge of the grove, staring up at the darkened sky. The Flame Lotus Sword pulsed faintly beneath its cloth covering, as if reacting to the tempest.
He felt a sense of unease, a gnawing tension that he couldn't quite place. It wasn't just the storm—it was something deeper, something that resonated within him.
His instincts proved correct.
The sound of hurried footsteps drew his attention, and Lin Feng turned to see a group of disciples rushing toward him. Their faces were pale, their eyes wide with fear.
"Lin Feng!" one of them called out. "Elder Yan has summoned all disciples to the main hall. Something's happening!"
"What is it?" Lin Feng asked, his voice calm despite the urgency in their tone.
"We don't know," the disciple replied. "But there's talk of an intruder—someone powerful."
Lin Feng's heart sank. An intruder? In the sect? The thought was almost unthinkable. The sect's defenses were formidable, and the elders were among the most powerful cultivators in the region. For someone to bypass those defenses...
"Go," Lin Feng said. "I'll catch up."
The disciples hesitated for a moment before nodding and running off. Lin Feng turned back to the grove, his gaze settling on the Flame Lotus Sword.
The blade seemed to pulse again, its aura growing stronger as if sensing the danger. Lin Feng clenched his fists. He had sworn to rely on his own strength, to forge his own path without the crutch of the sword's power. But could he afford to hold onto that resolve now?
"Not yet," he murmured, turning away from the weapon. He sheathed his iron blade and started toward the main hall, his footsteps heavy with uncertainty.
---
The main hall was packed with disciples, their murmurs filling the air like a swarm of bees. Elder Yan stood at the front, his expression grave.
"Silence!" he barked, and the room fell quiet.
"We are under threat," Elder Yan said, his voice steady but firm. "An unknown cultivator has breached our defenses. They have yet to reveal their intentions, but their power is... significant."
A ripple of unease passed through the crowd.
"We have locked down the sect and activated the barrier formations," Elder Yan continued. "Remain vigilant and follow your assigned duties. The elders will handle the situation."
As the disciples began to disperse, Lin Feng lingered at the back of the hall. His mind raced with questions. Who was this intruder? What did they want? And most importantly, were the elders truly capable of stopping them?
A faint pulse of energy drew his attention, and Lin Feng turned to see a shadow flicker outside the hall. His instincts screamed at him to follow, and without a second thought, he slipped out into the storm.
The rain fell in sheets, drenching Lin Feng as he moved through the darkness. Lightning illuminated the forest, casting fleeting glimpses of the figure ahead.
"Who are you?" Lin Feng called out, his voice cutting through the roar of the storm.
The figure stopped, their silhouette outlined by a flash of lightning. Lin Feng tightened his grip on his sword, his heart pounding in his chest.
"You're brave," the figure said, their voice low and cold. "But bravery without strength is meaningless."
Before Lin Feng could react, the figure vanished, reappearing behind him in an instant. A wave of energy slammed into him, sending him sprawling to the ground. Pain lanced through his body as he struggled to stand, his iron blade trembling in his hand.
"You're not worth my time," the figure said, their tone dismissive. "But you might be worth watching."
With that, they disappeared into the storm, leaving Lin Feng alone in the rain.
As he knelt there, battered and drenched, Lin Feng felt a flicker of determination ignite within him. Whoever that intruder was, they were on a level far beyond anything he had ever encountered. If he wanted to survive in this world—no, if he wanted to thrive—he would need to rise to that level.
And he would do it on his own terms.