Chapter 1: The Night of Betrayal

The night sky above the Lin Clan's ancestral grounds was unusually clear, with the twin moons casting a silvery glow over the sprawling estate. The air carried the faint scent of incense and flowers, remnants of the celebratory banquet held earlier to honor Lin Feng's engagement to Qin Yue, the daughter of the Qin Clan.

For Lin Feng, this was supposed to be the beginning of a glorious future. The young prodigy of the Lin Clan, a respected name across the Azure Sky Kingdom, was engaged to a woman of great beauty and talent. But beneath the surface, a storm brewed.

As Lin Feng walked through the empty corridors of the estate, his thoughts were filled with excitement. He would soon step into the Core Formation Stage, a realm that would cement his place as the Lin Clan's rising star.

But then he heard it—a low, murmured conversation from the shadows of the banquet hall.

"Everything is in place," a man's voice whispered. "Once the poison takes effect, he'll be crippled. Without him, the Lin Clan will be easy to deal with."

Lin Feng froze. The voice was familiar. It belonged to Elder Zhou, one of the clan's senior members.

"Good," another voice replied, this one cold and calculating. Lin Feng's heart sank as he recognized it—it was Qin Yue, his fiancée. "The Iron Shadow Sect has promised to reward us generously. The Lin Clan's artifact will soon be theirs."

Lin Feng's blood ran cold. Betrayal.

---

He stepped out from the shadows, his voice trembling with anger. "Qin Yue! Elder Zhou! How dare you conspire against the Lin Clan?"

The two figures turned to him, surprise flashing in their eyes before Qin Yue's expression hardened.

"You shouldn't have heard that," she said coldly, drawing a small jade vial from her sleeve. "But it doesn't matter. You were never more than a pawn, Lin Feng."

Before Lin Feng could react, she threw the vial to the ground. A thick, green mist erupted from it, enveloping him. He tried to circulate his Qi to resist the poison, but a sharp pain tore through his chest.

"What… what have you done?" Lin Feng gasped, falling to his knees.

"The Crimson Soul Powder," Elder Zhou said smugly. "Even a genius like you can't withstand it. Your cultivation will collapse within hours."

Qin Yue knelt in front of him, her expression a mix of mockery and pity. "Goodbye, Lin Feng. I have no use for a cripple."

With that, she turned and left, leaving Lin Feng gasping for air as darkness swallowed him.

---

Lin Feng wasn't sure how long he lay there. His vision blurred, his body weak. The poison was relentless, eroding the foundation of his cultivation.

Suddenly, the ground beneath him shook violently. A deafening roar echoed through the estate, followed by the sound of clashing metal and screams.

"The Iron Shadow Sect!" someone shouted. "We're under attack!"

Lin Feng's heart sank. The Iron Shadow Sect had come for the Lin Clan's artifact, just as Qin Yue had planned.

Using the last of his strength, Lin Feng crawled toward the estate's outer gate. He had to warn his father, the clan leader, or at least die fighting alongside his kin.

As he reached the gate, he saw the massacre unfolding before him. Iron Shadow Sect disciples clad in black armor tore through Lin Clan guards like a storm. The once-proud halls of the Lin Clan were now bathed in fire and blood.

A figure approached Lin Feng, clad in black robes and radiating a chilling aura. It was Zhao Han, the leader of the Iron Shadow Sect.

"So, this is the Lin Clan's prodigy?" Zhao Han sneered. "Pathetic."

Lin Feng tried to stand, but his legs gave out. He could only watch as Zhao Han raised his sword.

"Goodbye, boy."

Before the blade could strike, a deafening explosion erupted in the distance. The ground cracked open, and a surge of energy erupted from beneath the estate, engulfing the area in golden light.

The last thing Lin Feng saw was a vortex of swirling energy pulling him into the depths of the earth.

---

Lin Feng awoke in darkness. His body ached, and his Qi was faint, barely a flicker. The sound of dripping water echoed around him, and he realized he was deep underground.

As his eyes adjusted, he saw a faint glow emanating from the walls of the cavern. In the center of the room stood an ancient stone altar, covered in intricate runes.

On the altar lay a tattered book radiating a mysterious aura. Its pages seemed to shimmer, filled with characters that shifted and twisted as if alive.

Drawn to it, Lin Feng staggered to his feet and approached the book. The moment he touched it, a voice echoed in his mind.

"Who dares disturb the slumber of Sovereign Aetherius?"

Lin Feng's breath caught in his throat. "Sovereign… Aetherius?"

The voice chuckled, low and ominous. "You… a cripple on the verge of death. And yet, you have potential. Do you seek power?"

Lin Feng clenched his fists. "I want revenge. I want the strength to destroy those who betrayed me."

"Very well," the voice said. "Swear your loyalty to me, and I shall grant you the power to rise above all."

Without hesitation, Lin Feng nodded. "I swear."

The book glowed brighter, and a torrent of energy surged into Lin Feng's body. The poison within him was burned away, and his Qi roared to life. A foreign yet familiar energy filled his veins, strengthening him beyond his previous limits.

The voice spoke again. "Remember, boy… this power comes with a price. Do not falter, or it will consume you."

Lin Feng opened his eyes, determination burning within them. He was no longer the naive prodigy of the Lin Clan. He was a man reborn, bound to the power of the Aetherial Codex.

And his path of vengeance had just begun.