The week following the negotiations brought a flurry of activity to the Jade Lotus mountain. Representatives from the neutral sects arrived to establish the monitoring protocols agreed upon in the Boundary Pavilion. Disciples worked tirelessly to restore long-abandoned sections of the complex. Elders met in marathon council sessions to plan the sect's revival.
Through it all, Lin Feng found himself at the center of attention—the living bridge between the ancient sect and the modern cultivation world. The responsibilities were overwhelming at times, but he was not without support.
"Your stance has improved markedly," Ming Lihua observed as she circled Lin Feng in one of the smaller training courtyards. "The foundation is solid now. Let me see the middle sequence again."
Lin Feng moved through the advanced metal affinity form his mother had been teaching him—the True Jade Meridian Flow, a technique designed specifically for their bloodline. His movements were precise, jade energy flowing visibly along his limbs as he executed each transition.
"Better," she approved. "You're finally feeling the rhythm rather than just memorizing the positions."
Lin Feng completed the sequence and bowed respectfully to his mother. Their relationship remained new, sometimes awkward, but training together had accelerated their connection. In the shared language of cultivation techniques, they found common ground that words alone couldn't establish.
"The Time Reflection technique still eludes me," he admitted, referring to a more advanced temporal skill they had attempted yesterday. "I can feel the concept, but the execution..."
"Time Reflection requires a deeper connection to the jade lotus energy than you've yet established," Ming Lihua explained. "It will come. Your progress already exceeds what anyone could reasonably expect."
A polite cough from the courtyard entrance interrupted them. Liu Mei stood there, dressed in simple training clothes borrowed from the sect. Since the negotiations, she had remained at the mountain, her status with the Soaring Dragon Sect unclear.
"I hope I'm not interrupting," she said.
Ming Lihua smiled warmly. "Not at all. In fact, your timing is perfect. I was about to suggest Lin Feng practice with a partner for the next sequence."
Lin Feng glanced at his mother suspiciously. This was the third time this week she had "coincidentally" included Liu Mei in their training sessions.
"Unless you'd prefer to continue with solo forms?" Liu Mei asked, catching his expression.
"No, paired practice would be helpful," he assured her quickly. "I just didn't realize you were interested in metal affinity techniques."
"I'm not," she replied, stepping into the courtyard. "But your mother has agreed to help me explore my jade energy resonance. Apparently, some techniques can be taught even without the bloodline, if the practitioner has sufficient natural affinity."
Ming Lihua nodded. "Liu Mei's resonance is unlike anything I've encountered before. Not a bloodline connection, yet not merely exposure either. Something...deeper."
Lin Feng recalled his grandfather's theory that Liu Mei might have been touched by a fragment of the Original Jade Lotus. The idea that she could potentially learn temporal techniques despite her different cultivation background was both exciting and concerning.
"Won't that create problems with your Soaring Dragon cultivation?" he asked.
Liu Mei's expression grew serious. "That's assuming I still have a future with the Soaring Dragon Sect. Grand Elder Wei hasn't made his final decision yet."
"All the more reason to explore all options," Ming Lihua said practically. "Now, let me see you both perform the basic Temporal Awareness meditation. Remember, the goal is not to manipulate time, just to perceive its flow more clearly."
She guided them through the meditation, correcting their postures and energy circulation with gentle touches. Lin Feng found his awareness expanding, becoming sensitive to the subtle rhythms of time around him—the heartbeats of the three practitioners in the courtyard, slightly out of sync; the gradual movement of shadows as the sun continued its arc; even the slow growth of the plants in nearby garden beds, imperceptibly advancing with each moment.
When he opened his eyes, he found Liu Mei staring at her hands in wonder.
"I can feel it," she whispered. "The different... layers of time. Like currents in a river."
Ming Lihua nodded, clearly pleased. "An apt description. Most cultivators perceive time as a single, uniform flow. But those with jade affinity can sense its variations, its eddies and currents."
"Is this why my water techniques always felt... incomplete?" Liu Mei asked. "Because I was trying to manipulate only the physical element, not the temporal aspects connected to it?"
"Possibly," Ming Lihua acknowledged. "Many cultivation paths brush against temporal principles without recognizing them as such. Water cultivators in particular often develop intuitive timing that borders on precognition, though few understand the true mechanism behind it."
She clapped her hands decisively. "Enough theory for now. Let's move to paired practice. The Mirror Form sequence will help you both develop complementary awareness."
The Mirror Form proved challenging—Lin Feng and Liu Mei stood facing each other, attempting to mirror each other's movements perfectly while maintaining their individual energy circulation patterns. The exercise required not just physical coordination but temporal synchronization, matching the rhythm of their qi.
After several failed attempts that left them both frustrated and slightly disoriented, Ming Lihua called a halt.
"You're overthinking it," she advised. "Don't try to anticipate each other's movements. Instead, try to feel the moment where past becomes present becomes future. In that transitional space, you'll find perfect synchronicity."
Liu Mei took a deep breath. "Let's try again."
This time, as they began the sequence, Lin Feng focused not on Liu Mei's physical movements but on the flow of time between them. Gradually, he became aware of a subtle connection—their jade resonance creating a temporal bridge that allowed each to sense the other's intentions a fraction of a second before manifestation.
Their movements aligned with increasing precision, eventually achieving perfect synchronization. Around them, jade energy formed a visible field, time itself seeming to slow within their shared space.
"Excellent!" Ming Lihua exclaimed. "You've grasped the fundamental principle. The Mirror Form isn't about mimicry but about shared temporal perception."
As they completed the sequence, the jade field dissipated naturally. Lin Feng found himself slightly breathless, not from physical exertion but from the intense concentration required to maintain the connection.
Liu Mei's eyes were bright with excitement. "That was... incredible. I've never experienced anything like it."
"Your natural talent for this is remarkable," Ming Lihua told her. "Most non-bloodline practitioners take months to achieve even basic temporal perception, let alone synchronized manipulation."
A shadow fell across the courtyard as Elder Lian appeared at the entrance, her expression more severe than usual.
"Apologies for interrupting your training session," she said formally, "but the Grand Elder has called an emergency council meeting. All bloodline members and senior disciples are required to attend."
Lin Feng felt a chill at her tone. "What's happened?"
"A delegation from the Crimson Phoenix Sect has arrived at the boundary," Elder Lian replied grimly. "Led by their Grandmaster himself."
The council chamber was already filled with elders and senior disciples when Lin Feng arrived with his mother and Liu Mei. The atmosphere was tense, conversations conducted in urgent whispers that ceased as the Grand Elder took his place at the head of the circular table.
"Thank you all for coming quickly," he began without preamble. "As you've likely heard, Grandmaster Phoenix has arrived at our boundary pavilion, requesting immediate audience. This is... unprecedented. In all our recorded history, the Crimson Phoenix Grandmaster has never directly negotiated with our sect."
"It's a trap," Elder Zhou stated flatly. "The negotiations a week ago didn't achieve their objectives, so now they escalate to intimidation."
"Perhaps," the Grand Elder allowed. "But we cannot simply refuse to meet with the acknowledged leader of the cultivation world's most powerful sect. Especially given the tenuous nature of our current standing."
"What does he want?" Lin Feng asked.
"He claims to have new information regarding the temporal distortions that have been attributed to our sect over the centuries," his grandfather replied. "Information he will share only with me, personally."
"Absolutely not," Elder Ming objected immediately. "Putting you in direct proximity to the Crimson Phoenix Grandmaster is too dangerous. We know their bloodline abilities are specifically evolved to counter ours."
The Grand Elder raised a hand for calm. "I appreciate your concern, but I see little alternative. Refusing the meeting would only confirm their narrative that we have something to hide."
"Then at least don't go alone," Ming Lihua urged. "Take a protective detail."
"A reasonable precaution," he agreed. "But who? Most of our combat-capable disciples are still recovering from temporal suspension, and our strongest elders are needed here to maintain the mountain's defenses."
Lin Feng found himself speaking before he'd fully considered the implications. "I'll go."
All eyes turned to him. His mother looked alarmed, Elder Lian thoughtful.
"You?" Elder Zhou scoffed. "What protection could you offer? You've barely reached Foundation Establishment."
"Officially, yes," Elder Lian interjected. "But Lin Feng's actual capabilities exceed his formal cultivation level considerably. Moreover, his experience in the outside world gives him perspective most of us lack after three centuries of isolation."
The Grand Elder studied Lin Feng with evaluating eyes. "There is merit to this suggestion. As my grandson and heir, Lin Feng's presence sends a message about our sect's future. And his connection to the jade lotus mark gives him certain... advantages."
"I'll go too," Liu Mei offered. "As a former Soaring Dragon disciple, I have some diplomatic standing that might prove useful."
Elder Zhou's objection was immediate. "Absolutely not. We cannot trust an outsider in such a sensitive meeting."
"Liu Mei has proven her loyalty," Lin Feng countered firmly. "And her status as a neutral party could be valuable."
"I agree," the Grand Elder said, ending the debate. "Lin Feng and Liu Mei will accompany me to meet with Grandmaster Phoenix." He turned to Elder Lian. "Prepare the defensive arrays as a precaution. If this is indeed a trap, we must be ready."
As the council dispersed to their assigned tasks, Ming Lihua pulled Lin Feng aside, her expression troubled.
"Be careful," she said softly. "The Crimson Phoenix Grandmaster is not just powerful in cultivation—he's politically cunning. Every word, every gesture will have multiple meanings."
"I'll remember," Lin Feng assured her.
"And watch over Liu Mei," she added, glancing to where the young woman was speaking with Elder Lian. "Her jade resonance is still developing, still unstable. In the presence of a powerful Phoenix bloodline cultivator, she might be more vulnerable than she realizes."
Lin Feng nodded, his own concern growing. "What exactly is the Phoenix bloodline capable of? Elder Lian mentioned they can detect temporal fluctuations, but Ren Zhao seemed to have other abilities as well."
"Their bloodline developed as a direct counter to ours," his mother explained. "Where we can perceive and manipulate the flexible nature of time, they perceive its rigid structure—what they call the 'true timeline.' This gives them the ability to sense any deviation from that timeline, to resist temporal manipulation affecting them directly, and in the most advanced bloodlines, to forcibly 'correct' temporal anomalies."
"Correct them how?"
"By reversing them. Forcing altered time back into what they perceive as its proper flow." Her expression darkened. "Against objects or minor energy fluctuations, this merely negates the temporal effect. Against living beings with jade energy... the results can be catastrophic."
Lin Feng recalled Elder Lian's description of the Blood Phoenix Binding—how it turned the cultivator's own bloodline against them, reversing temporal flow within their meridians. "And the Grandmaster would have mastered these techniques to their highest level."
"Yes," Ming Lihua confirmed grimly. "Which is why this meeting carries such risk, even with the protections of diplomatic protocol."
Before Lin Feng could respond, Liu Mei approached, now dressed in her formal Soaring Dragon Sect robes—a deliberate choice for the upcoming meeting.
"Elder Lian says we leave in an hour," she reported. "The Grandmaster is waiting at the boundary pavilion with a small retinue—only five disciples, including Ren Zhao."
"So Ren failed to achieve his objectives at the negotiation and called in his master," Lin Feng surmised. "That can't be good for his standing within the sect."
"Which makes him more dangerous," Liu Mei pointed out. "He'll be looking to prove himself, to redeem his failure."
Ming Lihua embraced Lin Feng briefly. "Remember your training. Trust your instincts. And if things go wrong..." She pressed a small jade token into his palm. "This emergency talisman will create a brief temporal bubble—enough to buy you seconds to escape if necessary."
Lin Feng slipped the token into his robes. "Thank you, Mother."
An hour later, Lin Feng found himself walking alongside his grandfather and Liu Mei down the stone path that led to the boundary pavilion. None of them spoke, each lost in their own thoughts and preparations for the confrontation ahead.
The pavilion came into view, its white columns stark against the late afternoon sky. Waiting within, visible even at this distance, stood a tall figure in robes of deepest crimson, bordered with gold.
The Grandmaster of the Crimson Phoenix Sect had come personally to the Jade Lotus mountain—a development unprecedented in the long history of conflict between their bloodlines. Whatever his true purpose, Lin Feng knew with certainty that this meeting would change everything.
Again.