Ling Wei and Ling Hua stood frozen, staring at Ling Yun.
He was alive.
Healthy, unharmed—standing right before them.
Ling Hua wept in her brother's embrace, and even Ling Wei was not far from tears. This reunion was something they had never expected.
But Ling Yun, with a serious expression, asked them to keep this meeting a secret.
It was difficult, but Ling Wei and Ling Hua agreed to his request.
The Next Morning,
Thousands of people gathered from near and far to congratulate the Feng Clan's patriarch. The palace and surrounding streets were filled with crowds, all celebrating the occasion.
Food was distributed freely, and joy spread across the city.
Alchemists offered their finest refinement pills as gifts.
The great clans presented valuable treasures to the Feng Clan's treasurer, gifts in honor of their patriarch's breakthrough in cultivation.
Now, the most crucial moment had arrived.
The patriarch of the Feng Clan was about to emerge from seclusion.
For three years, he had remained in a sealed underground chamber, forging his Golden Core.
During that time, much had changed.
And as Feng Dong stepped out, he had no idea of the bloody war that had erupted between the Feng and Ling Clans.
When the Crypt Doors Opened, a thick cloud of dust rose into the air.
A weak old man with unkempt hair and a tangled beard stepped out of the darkness.
He looked like a person about to die at first glance.
But the patriarch of the Feng Clan—Feng Dong—was very much alive.
Feng Shan, the head of the Feng Clan, emerged with a couple of elders, while the rest bowed deep in respect.
Feng Dong, peering from under his disheveled locks, scanned his glance over the young clan members.
In a voice rough and rasping, he muttered,
"Hmm... Good..."
Then, as Feng Shan and the elders guided him toward his residence, his eyes locked onto one person—Feng Lan.
She stood among the clan's most promising talents.
Feng Dong's gaze narrowed.
He raised his bony hand.
A sphere of Qi swirled at his fingertip.
Then, without warning—
He fired it at Feng Lan!
Everyone was stunned.
Even Feng Shan, who had never thought of his daughter as a true genius, was stunned.
But before the will of a Golden Core cultivator, resistance was meaningless.
The Qi bullet struck Feng Lan's forehead.
Her eyes snapped shut.
For a fleeting moment, the flow of Qi within her erupted into enlightenment.
Her aura roared like a raging fire.
When she opened her eyes, she had stepped into a whole new realm.
Feng Dong smiled.
Without any words, he continued on his way.
Feng Lan had now reached the third layer of Qi Refinement.
************
In the grand courtyard of the Feng Clan's palace, thousands of cultivators bowed in solemn silence before the towering Golden Throne.
At the top of a long staircase, Feng Dong, the patriarch, sat regally.
His transformation was remarkable—his once-disheveled appearance had been replaced by neatly trimmed hair, elegant robes, and an aura strengthened by powerful elixirs.
Across the vast courtyard, representatives from various clans sat at their designated tables, observing the proceedings with keen interest.
With a single wave of his hand, Feng Dong signaled the official start of the ceremony.
The event began with a dazzling showcase of martial arts and alchemy.
Warriors unleashed breathtaking combat techniques, demonstrating their mastery of Qi-infused strikes and weapon arts.
Alchemists took center stage next, revealing their refinement techniques, proudly introducing the legendary pills of the Eastern Continent.
Then came the musicians and dancers—graceful women whose melodies and movements filled the palace with an air of elegance and festivity.
But beneath the glittering facade of the event, a silent battle raged among the noble clans.
Eyes gleamed with caution.
Smiles hid veiled threats.
Every word, every gesture, held hidden meanings.
This was not just a celebration.
It was a battleground—one on which the greatest minds and the keenest hearts would determine the fate of the cultivation world.
By sundown, it was time to assess the potential of the young heirs of the Feng Clan.
Sitting on his throne, Feng Dong played with his beard nonchalantly, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
He could see the hunger in their eyes—an all-too-familiar smoldering desire to tread the path of cultivation.
They came one by one, six- and seven-year-old kids, onto the holy platform.
They were first cleansed with holy water, cleansing their bodies and spirits.
They next took the Qi Absorption Pill, a specially prepared potion that would release their innate potential.
Each clan had a secret formula for producing these pills.
For the Feng Clan, practitioners of the Fire Element, the ingredients were carefully chosen to determine each child's affinity with flames.
The results were as expected—most children displayed D or E-ranked talents.
But this was not a cause for disappointment.
On the Eastern Continent, merely putting one's foot on the Path of Dao would lead to a life of affluence.
For most, immortality was not the goal—they merely sought a better life.
And cultivation provided that opportunity.
Leaning back against his throne, Feng Dong's expression softened.
Seeing so many awaken their spiritual roots pleased him, especially since several C-ranked talents had emerged.
These individuals, with proper training, could rise to the rank of Elders within the clan.
They would be granted greater resources.
And some might even reach the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm.
But if a B-ranked or—even rarer—an A-ranked talent appeared…
Their fate would change forever.
The clan would send them to the Central Continent, where they would be taken as disciples of a great sect.
Through them, the Feng Clan's influence and power across the Eastern Continent would grow.
Yet, such geniuses were exceedingly rare.
And those that did exist often became targets for assassination by rival clans.
Even Ling Yun had kept his talent hidden until he reached the third layer of Qi Refinement.
As the Awakening Ceremony concluded, Feng Dong addressed the gathered youths with a fierce and passionate speech, igniting their spirits.
Then, the Phoenix of the Feng Clan stepped forward.
Draped in elegant crimson robes, Feng Lan stood in the combat arena, a slender sword glinting in her grasp.
Several disciples approached, eager for a match.
But what happened next left the entire audience in stunned silence.
Feng Lan moved like a flame dancing in the wind.
Her speed was blinding.
Her precision was terrifying.
She soared through the air, each strike as unpredictable and deadly as wildfire.
One by one, her opponents fell.
Cheers erupted from the Feng Clan, their voices shaking the arena.
But the other noble clans...
They could only watch in jealous silence, their faces filled with resentment and envy.
As Feng Lan bowed before the patriarch, Feng Dong beamed with pride.
His granddaughter's performance had exceeded all expectations.
Clapping his hands with satisfaction, he laughed heartily.
"Xiao lan! That was magnificent!"
"This is what it means to be a Feng! You have shown our allies the true power of our clan."
Feng Lan bowed once more.
But this time, her voice rang out with determination.
"Patriarch! I have a request."
A hushed silence fell over the place.
Feng Dong narrowed his eyes slightly, intrigued.
"Speak."
"During your absence, conflict in the Eastern Continent plunged two great clans into war, costing us many of our brothers."
"But now that peace has returned, I wish to strengthen our alliance with a friendly duel!"
The crowd murmured among themselves.
Feng Dong, stroking his beard, failed to hide the amusement in his smirk.
He already knew the true nature of this so-called "friendly" match.
This was an opportunity—a chance to shatter the legend of Ling Yun.
If Feng Lan could defeat him in combat, it would cement the Feng Clan's supremacy beyond doubt.
"Very well," he finally declared. "Your request is granted."
But what no one in the Feng Clan knew…
Was that the "monster" of the fourth layer…
Had now ascended to the seventh.