The moon cast pale shadows over the sprawling compound of the Black Lotus Sect as its dim light glinted off Lin Feng's cold eyes. Casually leaning against the doorframe of his humble quarters, he watched two figures in the distance-disciples loyal to Xu Yan-exchange whispers beneath a withered tree.
"They're planning something," Lin Feng muttered to himself, expressionless. These weeks, he had been feeding suspicions about Xu Yan's faction to the key informants on the Elder Council. Now that everything was falling in place, he was watching his next steps with a hawk's eye.
That night, a disciple named Bai Rui-a peripheral member of Xu Yan's faction-was arrested for stealing cultivation manuals from the sect library. Lin Feng had planned and framed the crime to make evidence pointing to Bai Rui look like it was related to Xu Yan's scheming. By dawn, Xu Yan's faction was under investigation, with infighting erupting among her disciples.
Meanwhile, Lin Feng went to see the most loyal lackey under Luo Jian's payroll: Du Ming. The muscular Outer Disciple was guarding a small storage room that contained many herbs and talismans that were used in the gathering of qi. Lin Feng stepped forward respectfully and discreetly offered a token-a very rare access token for the second level of the Library of Shadows.
"Just a small token of my appreciation, Senior Brother Du," Lin Feng said, his voice smooth.
Du Ming, greedy and self-assured, accepted the token with alacrity, leaving his storeroom unguarded that evening. The next morning, the storeroom had been raided-Lin Feng's handiwork. The resources were safely hidden, and Du Ming was in for a severe punishment for his negligence.
Lin Feng smiled to himself in his quarters. The weakening of Xu Yan's faction, the fracturing of Luo Jian's network-two obstacles cleared without ever dirtying his hands.
---
Three days later, Lin Feng stood before Elder Shen in the somber Hall of Serenity. The elder's incisive gaze bored into him, but Lin Feng held his ground, expression composed.
"I have an assignment for you," the Elder Shen launched into his sentence, the words dripping with chill. "One that will tell whether you truly are worth all the fuss made over you."
Lin Feng respectfully nodded his head. "I await your orders, Elder Shen."
"The Shadowheart Mirror lies deep within the Abyss of Echoes," Elder Shen continued. "Retrieve it. But be warned—its location is perilous, and the mirror itself is said to test the sanity of those who seek it."
Lin Feng bowed low, his mind already racing. He knew the elder viewed this mission as a death sentence. But to Lin Feng, it was an opportunity to turn peril into power.
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"I will not fail," he said back, in a voice sure and clear.
---
Zhao Wei, a poison cultivator of subtlety and deceit, was taken under his wing by Lin Feng along with Yue Mei, the incomparable defensive array master of unparalleled mettle in her ability to cope with peril. And both these disciples thought Lin Feng would give them a share of his profits-but they were wrong because both of them were the pawns in the grand game.
The journey to the Abyss of Echoes was treacherous, but Lin Feng used their skills to maximum effect. Yue Mei’s arrays neutralized several traps, while Zhao Wei’s poisons kept roaming beasts at bay.
Halfway to the Abyss, Lin Feng deliberately attracted the attention of Han Shao, a rogue cultivator infamous for scavenging forbidden zones. He was intercepted at a narrow mountain pass, his scarred face twisting into a grin. "Well, what do we have here? A merry band of treasure hunters?" Han Shao sneered, his blade gleaming in the moonlight.
Lin Feng pretended to obey, his tone calm. "We mean no harm, Senior Han. We only want to pass safely."
Han Shao looked narrow-eyed, suspicion climbing across his face. But Lin Feng did indeed let Han Shao take minor treasures on their way, calming the rogue while he took the time to study his weak points.
---
The Pit of Echoes had been a dominion of chaos. Spatial rifts warped the air, remnants of the previous expeditions-a litter of arms, bones, and talismans-alike-condescended to the ground.
The Yue Mei defensive arrays afforded a thin layer of protection, but soon Zhao Wei began to tire, his poisons less potent against the abyssal creatures. Lin Feng controlled with calculated leadership, reassuring all the while, but secretly building his strength.
---
Deep in the Abyss, they found a chamber aglow with a dim and malevolent light. The Shadowheart Mirror hovered in the center, its surface roiling with a vortex of darkness.
Spare a moment to approach, and the apparition of a Phantom Warden materialized-a ghostly guardian with a sword of pure light. Its blank eyes fixed on them, and with a deafening roar, it charged.
Lin Feng used the Thousand Veil Technique to create three illusory doubles that completely entranced the warden; Zhao Wei and Yue Mei attacked him in succession, but he was an ethereal form that none of their attacks could resist.
While the warden was busy, Lin Feng took his time to study the traces of its movements, as they were very regular in the method of attack. He used his doubles to tease it into overextension, then struck with an accurate surge of black qi.
The warden exploded into fragments of light and Zhao Wei and Yue Mei went limp in exhaustion.
"This is our chance!" exclaimed Yue Mei, advancing to the mirror.
Lin Feng's face darkened. As Yue Mei reached out to the mirror, Lin Feng hollered and a wave of black qi knocked her out. Zhao Wei turned, shocked, but Lin Feng had already prepared for him-a silent trap array triggered a curse, and he was rolling on the ground, writhing in agony.
The moment Han Shao finally realized that something was off, he reached out to the mirror. Lin Feng used a hidden formation and sent Han Shao tumbling into a spatial rift.
Finally alone, Lin Feng stepped up to the Shadowheart Mirror. Its swirling surface reflected his deepest fears and darkest desires, promising him unimaginable power.
Lin Feng smiled. "I've seen such temptations before. You won't break me."
He willed his will into the artifact, binding its energy to himself. The mirror pulsed with dark light, submitting to his dominance.
---
Lin Feng returned to the sect in high spirits, presenting the Shadowheart Mirror to Elder Shen. "The others were overcome by greed," he explained. "I barely survived."
Elder Shen's sharp eyes stayed on Lin Feng a moment longer before silent dismissal came in the form of a nod.
In his quarters, Lin Feng began assimilating the power of the mirror into his cultivation. Amplifying his qi with the artifact, he finally broke through to the Shadow Devouring Form. With this new technique, he could absorb the life force of defeated enemies and sustain himself in prolonged battles.
Over the next few weeks, Lin Feng consolidated his strength, silently removing any hidden dangers among the Outer Disciples. By the time rumors of his deeds reached the ears of the Inner Disciples, Lin Feng was no longer a rising star-he was a force to be told.
Sitting cross-legged in his quarters, the Shadowheart Mirror glowing faintly beside him, Lin Feng whispered to himself:
"This sect is but a stepping stone. One day, even the heavens shall bow before me."