If the Night Trials had brought any serenity to the sect, then that was highly temporary; Lin Feng knew that this was just the calm before the storm. The warning of the masked man still echoed in his head-a reminder that with the rise of his reputation came the danger that enveloped him.
The Black Lotus Sect was a battlefield, but at the same time, a labyrinth of secrets-each more dangerous than the other. Lin Feng decided to bring them into light, not just for defense purposes, but also to put them into use.
The five survivors of the trials were summoned to the Inner Sanctum, a restricted area of the sect into which only the most elite disciples and elders could tread. Lin Feng walked down the winding corridors with the others, each step closer to the heart of the sect's power.
Elder Shen greeted them in a dimly lit chamber, his expression unreadable.
"You have proved your worth," he started in that low, steady tone, "For now, you are survivors of the Night Trials, so you all are candidates for Inner Discipleship. Yet, power is never given but has to be won-out always."
Elder Shen's gaze rested on Lin Feng a little longer than anyone else, as though gauging him, before saying, "As candidates, your first assignment shall be to aid the Elder Council on something rather grave. Our sect has been infiltrated by a spy who reveals confidential matters to our foes. This spy shall be uncovered, identified, and then removed by you."
Elder Shen said, "This is a test of loyalty as much as skill. Succeed, and the path to the Inner Discipleship opens up before you. Fail, and here ambitions are laid to rest."
---
It set them at odds with one another in that mission. Even though Elder Shen never said it, Lin Feng knew very well that whoever succeeded first would gain favor and the rest would face suspicion or even punishment.
Lin Feng first analyzed the sect's structure, looking at where information was stored or passed. His first lead came from a rather inconspicuous source: Mei Xue, a junior alchemist who worked in the Herbarium, a secluded area where rare herbs and poisons were prepared.
She had once been loyal to Luo Jian; the sudden change in behavior drew Lin Feng's attention.
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At the pretext of searching for a rare herb, Lin Feng approached Mei Xue. It was quiet in the herbarium; its shelves were aligned with jars containing glowing powders and leaves that had been dried up. Mei Xue lifted her head as he went inside. She looked wary.
"Lin Feng," she said in a firm tone, but her hands quivered. "What are you doing here?"
"I need Ghostshade Lotus for the technique I cultivate," Lin Feng said in a smooth manner. "But I heard something even more interesting. They said you often work overtime. What is so important to do?"
Mei Xue's eyes dodged around. "The elders require high-quality elixirs, so I have no choice."
Lin Feng smiled faintly and walked up. "Of course. But if you're doing more than just preparing elixirs, Mei Xue, I'd advise you to be careful. The elders are watching closely."
She turned pale, and Lin Feng knew he had said what needed saying. He walked away and didn't urge anymore because he was certain that under such pressure, Mei Xue would commit a mistake.
---
Later that night, Lin Feng saw Mei Xue leave the herbarium. She was in a hurry, but she walked with purpose. Lin Feng followed her from afar; his Phantom Steps made him silent.
She led him to a hidden alcove near the sect's outer wall, where she met a hooded figure. Lin Feng's eyes narrowed as he watched them exchange a small jade token, the faint glow of its inscriptions indicating it was a communication artifact. Lin Feng smiled coldly, his eyes gleaming with delight, "gotcha."
Instead of confronting Mei Xue, Lin Feng decided to make use of her to expose the entire network. Returning to his quarters, he initiated Thousand Veil Technique and created an illusion of his own self reporting to Elder Shen.
He did not make the illusion particularly strong so that any spy keeping watch on him could clearly catch it.
Predictably enough, Mei Xue's contact fell for the trap. That night, the hooded figure snuck into the Elder Council's archives, presumably to confirm the contents of Lin Feng's supposed report.
Lin Feng was waiting.
The confrontation was swift and brutal. Lin Feng’s black qi lashed out, binding the intruder before they could escape. When the hood was pulled back, the face beneath was shockingly familiar: Chen Wu, a low-ranking Inner Disciple with ties to the Burning Forge Sect.
“You’re bold,” Lin Feng said coldly. “But not bold enough.”
Chen Wu sneered even as he was bound. "You think this ends with me? You're just a pawn in a game you can't begin to understand."
Lin Feng's blade shone bright in the dim light. "Then enlighten me."
The only answer from Chen Wu was a mocking laugh as Lin Feng's dagger silenced him permanently.
---
Lin Feng delivered Chen Wu’s body to Elder Shen, along with the jade token and other evidence he had collected.
Elder Shen examined the evidence silently before speaking. “You’ve done well, Lin Feng. The sect’s secrets are secure, for now.”
Lin Feng bowed slightly. “It was my duty, Elder Shen.”
The elder's eyes rested on him, sharp and calculating. "Loyalty is a virtue, but so is ambition. Do not let one consume the other."
Lin Feng inclined his head. "Of course, Elder Shen."
---
In his bedchamber, Lin Feng sat crossed-legged in meditation as he reflected on Chen Wu's last words. A spy had suggested a more significant conspiracy than that within the sect. Lin Feng's gut told him this was but just the beginning of it all.
Around him, as the black qi swirled, the cursed energy from the Soul Devourer Manual whispered sweet nothings of power. The secrets of the sect, their rivalries, its very foundation-all was fodder to his ambitions.
"This game is bigger than what I thought," Lin Feng muttered, a tinge of curiosity along with determination lacing in his voice. "But just for that reason, all the more worth playing."