The Elder Council of the Black Lotus Sect was in session within the Hall of Shadows, their faces shrouded by the dancing lamplight. At the forefront sat Elder Shen, his face serene but his eyes as sharp as a blade. An unsaid accusation hung in the air, and the disciples outside the chamber whispered rumors.

Lin Feng stood in the middle of the hall, returning the scrutiny of the council with an unwavering gaze. His presence was that of calm authority, but his mind calculated every angle of the unfolding game.

"Elder Shen," said Elder Ji, his tone measured, "your claims are serious. Forbidden techniques? Collusion with rogues? These are not accusations to be made lightly."

Elder Shen bowed his head, his tone as smooth as jade. "The evidence speaks for itself, Elder Ji. Residues of rogue artifacts and traces of soul-devouring energies were found near the places of Lin Feng's mission sites. If these are coincidences, then they're ominous ones."

Lin Feng smiled faintly, and the attention of the council fell upon him. "Elder Shen's zeal is commendable, but it often blinds one from the truth. The artifacts he speaks of were most likely planted by those who fear my rise within the sect."

A murmur of sounds rippled through the council. Elder Ji raised a hand to silence them. "Do you have proof of such claims, Lin Feng?

Lin Feng nodded. "Indeed. On my recent mission, I noticed evidence of interference—misleading information that would have forced our troops into an ambush. Elder Shen's source could have been… misinformed."

Elder Shen's face turned ice-cold. Elder Shen did not utter a word. "Since no evidence exists against my disciples, I suggest instead of using such baseless accusations that we make the sect stronger against those evil people who have been encroaching near the borders," Lin Feng spoke.

Elder Ji stroked his beard thoughtfully. "A fair point. Still, the council must remain vigilant. Lin Feng, consider this a warning. Any further suspicions will warrant a full inquiry."

Lin Feng bowed expressionlessly. "As you wish, Elder Ji.

That night, Lin Feng went back to his quarters. In the silent room, nothing else could be heard but the soft humming of the Seal of Calamity-its black glow was throbbing like a pulse.

Cross-legged, Lin Feng started his meditation. At that time, the Seal began to whisper once again, insistently as never before.

"They plot against you, Lin Feng," it hissed, its voice slithering into his mind. "Jiang Yue. Shen. Even the elders who claim to be impartial. They will destroy you if given the chance."

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Visions exploded in his mind: Jiang Yue standing before the Elder Council, holding the Seal aloft as she exposed his secrets; Elder Shen leading a faction to expel him from the sect; the Black Lotus Sect in chaos.

"Enough," Lin Feng said calmly but firmly. He grasped the Seal, its surface cold and smooth under his fingers. "You show me fear because you want me to act rashly. I am not so easy to manipulate."

The Seal pulsed once; its whispers receded but not completely. Lin Feng exhaled, returning to meditation. He had to master its power, not fall to its temptations.

---

Early next morning, Lin Feng was already standing at the head of several Inner Disciples, their robes billowing in the wind, ready to set off towards the Verdant Blade Sect. On the surface, the mission was simple enough-to escort an envoy to lock in an alliance against rogue cultivators. In practice, Lin Feng knew this was all an elaborately set trap.

Jiang Yue's presence among them only confirmed it. As they were about to leave, she walked up to him, her voice razor-sharp: "Don't think theatrics in the council room can save you. The truth always gets out, Lin Feng."

Lin Feng did not even turn to look at her. "Then I suggest you prepare yourself, Jiang Yue. Truth often reveals a lot more than one might expect."

Her scowl deepened, but she said nothing more as the group began their journey.

---

The journey to the Verdant Blade Sect was uneventful at first as the path wound its way through the Silverwood Pass, a narrow valley bordered by steep cliffs. Lin Feng's senses remained sharp, his gaze scanning every shadow.

The attack came swiftly.

Arrows rained down from the cliffs as glowing tips of qi emerged, and rogue cultivators appeared out of hidden alcoves; the leader of these men was a scarred man known as Lian Feng, who stepped forward with a sneer.

"Black Lotus lackeys," Lian Feng said, his tone full of disdain. "You really think you could just waltz through my territory without a scratch?"

Lin stepped forward, tone even. "Territory? You're little more than a hired blade.

Lian Feng's eyes narrowed. "Arrogant brat. Let's see how long you last."

The battle erupted.

---

The rogues were more numerous compared to Lin Feng's group, and their opening attack broke the formation of the disciples. Jiang Yue hesitated, and one of the rogues managed to force his way through, which required Lin Feng to intervene.

“Stay back,” he ordered her sharply, summoning two Shadow Phantoms that intercepted the rogue cultivator.

Jiang Yue glared at him. “You’re reckless!”

“And you’re incompetent,” Lin Feng shot back, focusing his energy.

The tide of the battle shifted as Lin Feng activated Soul Convergence, binding his Shadow Phantoms to his qi. The constructs swelled with power, tearing through the rogue forces like shadows through flame.

Lian Feng engaged Lin Feng directly, his blade crackling with chaotic qi. The two clashed in a blur of strikes, Lin Feng’s calm precision countering Lian Feng’s brute force.

“You’re strong,” Lian Feng admitted, gritting his teeth. “But strength alone isn’t enough.”

"Fortunately, I have more than strength," Lin Feng responded, coldly. Gathering his very last morsel of strength, Lin Feng launched Phantom Oblivion as his Shadow Phantoms combined to pounce on Lian Feng and envelop him in a flash of dark energy.

The chief of thieves was defeated; the rest ran away.

---

After the battle, Lin Feng looked through Lian Feng's items and found a jade slip with the Eclipse Sovereign's mark on it. Lin Feng turned it on to hear that voice again so clearly:

> "You are playing my game, Lin Feng. Will you seize the board or be swept aside?"

Lin Feng closed the slip, his expression unreadable. "Eclipse Sovereign… what are you planning?"

When Lin Feng returned to the sect, he reported his mission's success to the Elder Council. As expected, Elder Shen didn't waste any time in spinning the story.

"The attack was no coincidence," Shen said. "Rogue cultivators have targeted Lin Feng's missions repeatedly. Perhaps the council should investigate why."

Lin Feng met his gaze evenly. "Perhaps the council should investigate who leaked my movements to the rogues."

The chamber was silent for a moment; the crackling in the air was almost tangible. Elder Ji broke the silence, his tone firm. "Enough. The council will deliberate. Lin Feng, stay sharp."

As Lin Feng left the hall, Jiang Yue stepped in his path, her voice icy. "You think you've won, but this isn't over."

Lin Feng smiled faintly and incisively. "Jiang Yue, I don't have to win. I just need for you to lose."