Dawn at Cloudhaven arrived with brutal efficiency. One moment the sky was dark, the next it was ablaze with golden light as the sun crested the eastern peaks. Lin Feng stood in the training yard, having arrived well before first light as instructed. His breath fogged in the chill mountain air as he moved through basic cultivation stances. Since the cave incident two days ago, he had been careful to suppress his newfound power. If Elder Lian was as perceptive as he suspected, she would notice if he suddenly displayed second-level Qi Condensation abilities. Better to reveal his improvement gradually, to avoid uncomfortable questions. "Your form is terrible," Elder Lian's voice cut through the morning stillness. Lin Feng turned to find her watching from the edge of the yard, arms crossed, expression unreadable as ever. Today she wore simple gray training robes, her hair braided tightly against her scalp. "The Soaring Dragon Sect's 'Dragon Seeks Water' stance emphasizes fluid motion," she continued, approaching. "You look like a dying fish flopping on land." Lin Feng straightened, accepting the criticism. "The stance never felt natural to me." "Because it isn't," Elder Lian replied simply. "Not for you." Before Lin Feng could ask what she meant, she moved into the yard's center. "Attack me." Lin Feng blinked. "Elder?" "You heard me. Attack. Don't hold back." Hesitantly, Lin Feng settled into an offensive stance, then lunged forward with a basic palm strike. Elder Lian didn't even appear to move, yet somehow Lin Feng found himself face-down on the packed earth, arm twisted painfully behind him. "Pathetic," she said, but there was no malice in her tone—merely observation. "Again." For the next hour, Lin Feng attacked and was summarily dumped onto the ground in increasingly creative ways. By the time Elder Lian finally called a halt, every muscle in his body screamed in protest, and he was covered in bruises and dirt. "Sit," she commanded, lowering herself to sit cross-legged on the ground. Lin Feng complied, wincing. "Do you know why I requested the sect's worst disciple?" she asked abruptly. Lin Feng shook his head. "Because talent is not what the elders think it is," Elder Lian said, her eyes shifting to that strange violet hue again. "They measure a disciple's progress against standardized techniques, ignoring that different bloodlines respond to different methods." "Bloodlines?" Lin Feng repeated. Elder Lian studied him for a long moment. "The Soaring Dragon Sect teaches techniques optimized for those with water and wood affinities. You, Lin Feng, have a pure metal affinity. Trying to follow their methods is like trying to force water uphill." Lin Feng's mind raced. Metal affinity? But the sect's evaluation had shown him with no particular elemental affinity at all. "How do you know this?" he asked. A slight smile touched Elder Lian's lips. "Because I have eyes that see beyond the surface, and because..." She paused. "Your father had the same affinity." Lin Feng stared at her, stunned. "You knew my father?" "I knew many things," she replied cryptically. "Now, forget everything the sect taught you. We begin your real training today." --- Liu Mei knelt before Master Han in his private chambers, heart pounding. The elderly master of the Medicine Hall was revered throughout the sect for his knowledge of herbs and healing techniques—and feared for his political influence among the elders. "Liu Mei," Master Han said, his voice gentle despite the severity of his expression. "You have become one of my most promising disciples." "Thank you, Master," she replied, keeping her eyes lowered respectfully. "Which is why I find myself... concerned about certain associations you maintain." He tapped a finger against a scroll on his desk. "Particularly with the disciple Lin Feng." Liu Mei's throat tightened. "We grew up in the same village," she said carefully. "It's a natural acquaintance." "Natural, perhaps. Wise? Less so." Master Han sighed. "Especially now, with the alliance between our sect and the Crimson Phoenix Sect hanging in the balance." "My personal friendships won't affect the alliance, Master," Liu Mei said. "Won't they?" Master Han leaned forward. "Young Master Ren is notably... possessive of what he considers his. Your betrothal is vital to securing mutual access to cultivation resources both sects desperately need. Nothing must jeopardize it." Liu Mei fought to keep her expression neutral. "I understand my responsibilities, Master." "I'm glad to hear it." Master Han's tone softened slightly. "But that isn't why I called you here today. Something unusual has happened." He unrolled a different scroll, revealing a message written in hasty brushstrokes. "This arrived by spirit bird an hour ago. A sect scout monitoring the territories near Cloudhaven reported a massive energy fluctuation two nights ago. The type of fluctuation that typically indicates the awakening of an ancient legacy or treasure." Liu Mei's breath caught. Two nights ago would be exactly when Lin Feng would have been traveling to Cloudhaven. "I need you to discover what happened," Master Han continued. "Your friendship with Lin Feng makes you ideally suited for this task. Travel to Cloudhaven. Ostensibly to deliver these medicinal supplies." He gestured to a wooden box nearby. "In reality, to determine if Lin Feng encountered anything... unusual... on his journey." "You suspect Lin Feng found whatever caused the energy fluctuation?" Liu Mei asked carefully. Master Han's eyes gleamed. "It would explain why Elder Lian requested him specifically. That woman has always known more than she reveals." Liu Mei's mind was whirling. Elder Lian had specifically requested Lin Feng? The sect's worst disciple? It made no sense... unless there was something about Lin Feng that the others had missed. "If Lin Feng has indeed stumbled upon an ancient legacy," Master Han continued, "it must be secured for the sect. Such powers are too dangerous in untrained hands." "And if he hasn't?" "Then no harm done. You deliver the medicines, visit an old friend, and return." Master Han smiled thinly. "But if he has... well, I trust you'll do what's necessary for the sect. After all, your future depends on it." The threat was subtle but unmistakable. Her position, her upcoming marriage, perhaps even her life—all hinged on her cooperation. "I understand, Master," Liu Mei said, bowing her head to hide the conflict in her eyes. "When should I depart?" "Immediately. And Liu Mei?" Master Han's voice hardened. "No one else must know of this mission. Not even your betrothed." --- Lin Feng collapsed onto his bed, every muscle in his body screaming. After six days of training under Elder Lian, he understood why Cloudhaven was considered punishment. The woman was merciless. Each morning began before dawn with physical conditioning that would break most mortals. The afternoons were dedicated to cultivation techniques drastically different from those taught at the main sect—techniques that, to Lin Feng's shock, actually seemed to work for him. His progress was remarkable, though he was careful to advance only slightly faster than what might be considered normal. Still, he had "officially" reached the second level of Qi Condensation in less than a week—a feat that had Elder Lian raising a single eyebrow in what might have been approval. In truth, Lin Feng had secretly advanced to the third level already, guided by the strange knowledge imparted by the jade lotus. Each night, when he was sure Elder Lian had retired to her quarters, he would practice the mysterious techniques that flowed into his mind like memories of things he'd never actually experienced. The lotus mark on his chest grew warmer and more distinct with each session, and sometimes, if he pushed his cultivation particularly hard, it would pulse with jade light that illuminated his small room. Tonight, exhausted as he was, Lin Feng couldn't resist accessing that power again. He sat cross-legged on his bed, closed his eyes, and turned his attention inward. The lotus responded immediately, suffusing his meridians with warm, jade-colored energy. Lin Feng felt his consciousness expand, becoming aware of the natural energy all around him—in the wood of his bed, the stone of the walls, the very air he breathed. He drew this energy in, directing it through the pathways Elder Lian had taught him that day—metal affinity pathways, she called them—and felt his cultivation base strengthen further. A knock at his door shattered his concentration. Lin Feng quickly suppressed his cultivation, the jade light fading. "One moment," he called, hastily straightening his robes before opening the door. Elder Lian stood in the doorway, her expression as unreadable as ever. But something in her eyes made Lin Feng's heart rate quicken. Was it suspicion? "We have a visitor," she said without preamble. "Someone from the main sect. Here to see you, apparently." Lin Feng's stomach clenched with apprehension. Had the elders sent someone to check on him? Had they somehow sensed the jade lotus's power? "Who?" he asked. "A young woman from the Medicine Hall. Liu Mei, I believe she called herself." Lin Feng's eyes widened. "Liu Mei is here?" A hint of amusement touched Elder Lian's lips. "Indeed. And quite insistent on seeing you immediately." Her gaze sharpened. "Interesting friends you have, Lin Feng. I wonder what brings a rising star of the Medicine Hall all the way to Cloudhaven." Before Lin Feng could respond, Elder Lian turned and walked away. "She's waiting in the main hall. Don't keep her too long—training begins at dawn, regardless of social visits." Lin Feng hurried to the main hall, mind racing. Why would Liu Mei come all the way to Cloudhaven? Had something happened at the sect? He found her standing near the hall's central firepit, warming her hands. She looked up as he entered, and the relief on her face was palpable. "Lin Feng!" she exclaimed, rushing to embrace him. "You're all right!" He returned the embrace, momentarily forgetting his concerns in the simple joy of seeing a friendly face. "Of course I'm all right. Why wouldn't I be?" Liu Mei pulled back, studying his face. "The journey to Cloudhaven is perilous. And then with the energy fluctuation the scouts reported—" "Energy fluctuation?" Lin Feng interrupted, suddenly alert. "What do you mean?" Liu Mei bit her lip, glancing around to ensure they were alone. "Two nights after you left, sect scouts near Cloudhaven detected a massive surge of ancient energy. The kind that usually indicates a legacy awakening or a sealed treasure being discovered." Lin Feng fought to keep his expression neutral, even as his hand unconsciously moved to his chest where the lotus mark lay hidden. So the sect knew something had happened, if not exactly what or to whom. "I was sent to deliver medical supplies," Liu Mei continued, gesturing to a wooden box on a nearby table. "But also to... check on you." The pause was slight, but noticeable. Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. "Check on me? Or investigate me?" Liu Mei's gaze dropped. "Lin Feng..." "Who sent you, Liu Mei? The elders?" "Master Han," she admitted quietly. "He suspects... something. About you. About why Elder Lian requested you specifically." Lin Feng's mind raced. This complicated things enormously. If Master Han was suspicious enough to send Liu Mei, others would follow. And if they discovered the jade lotus... "Did you find anything unusual on your journey here?" Liu Mei asked, her voice careful. "Anything... out of the ordinary?" Lin Feng looked at her—really looked at her. Liu Mei, his oldest friend. The one person from his past life who had never treated him as a failure or disappointment. But something had changed. There was a new guardedness in her eyes, a tension in her shoulders that hadn't been there before. And around her neck, partially hidden by her robes, was a jade pendant he didn't recognize. "Nothing unusual," he lied, forcing a smile. "Just the usual near-death experiences on that excuse for a trail. Why would the elders think I'd find anything of value? I'm just pathetic Lin Feng, remember?" Relief and something like guilt flashed across Liu Mei's face. "That's what I told Master Han. That the scouts must have been mistaken, or detected something else entirely." She moved closer, lowering her voice. "But Lin Feng, you need to be careful. Master Han won't be satisfied with my report alone. He may send others, less friendly investigators." "Why are you telling me this?" Lin Feng asked quietly. "If Master Han sent you—" "Because despite everything, you're my friend," Liu Mei interrupted. She touched the jade pendant at her neck, a gesture that seemed unconscious. "And things are... complicated for me right now." "Complicated how?" Liu Mei hesitated, then reached inside her robes and withdrew a small, folded paper. "I can't explain everything now. But read this when you're alone. Please." Lin Feng accepted the paper, tucking it into his own robes. "Liu Mei, what's going on? What aren't you telling me?" She shook her head. "I've already said too much. I should go—I told Master Han I'd return immediately after delivering the supplies." "You just got here," Lin Feng protested. "At least stay the night. The mountain trail is dangerous in darkness." "I brought a spirit bird for swift travel," Liu Mei said, already moving toward the door. "And I can't—" She stopped herself, taking a deep breath. "Just read the note. And be careful, Lin Feng. Trust no one." "Not even you?" The words slipped out before he could stop them. Liu Mei's eyes filled with a sadness that made his chest ache. "Especially not me," she whispered, and then she was gone, slipping out into the gathering darkness. Lin Feng stood motionless for several long moments, the weight of her warning settling over him like a shroud. Finally, he withdrew the folded paper from his robes and carefully opened it. Written in Liu Mei's elegant hand were just three lines: *Betrothed to Ren Zhao of Crimson Phoenix Sect.* *Master Han knows more than he reveals.* *The Jade Lotus Sect was not destroyed—it was sealed away.* Lin Feng read the message twice, his blood running cold at the final line. How could Liu Mei know about the jade lotus? He hadn't told anyone. Unless... unless the lotus itself was far more significant than he had realized. "Interesting conversation?" Lin Feng whirled to find Elder Lian standing in the shadows, her violet eyes gleaming in the firelight. How long had she been there? How much had she heard? He quickly crushed the paper in his fist. "Just catching up with an old friend." "Indeed." Elder Lian moved into the light, her gaze dropping to his clenched hand. "Old friends who pass secret messages and speak of trust and betrayal." Lin Feng's heart raced. "It's not what you think—" "You have no idea what I think, Lin Feng." Elder Lian's voice was soft but carried an edge that made him fall silent. "But perhaps it's time you learned exactly who I am. And more importantly..." Her eyes locked with his, fierce and knowing. "Who you are." She extended her hand, palm up. "The message, please." After a moment's hesitation, Lin Feng placed the crumpled paper in her palm. Elder Lian smoothed it open, read the three lines, and then did something completely unexpected. She smiled. "So," she said, "it begins."