There was complete silence in the secret room in the Sacred Lotus Vault, except for the very soft humming of the ancient qi leaking out of the crystalline orb Lin Feng held. The Celestial Conduit, no larger than a clenched fist, pulsed with a faint golden glow; its surface was etched with runes that seemed to shift when viewed from different angles.

The Seal of Calamity, tucked at his side, started to stir in response, its murmurs filling the chamber.

"You hold a fragment of fate," the Seal whispered, serpentine. "The heavens shook when this was sundered. Merge us, and they shall shake once more."

Lin Feng's grasp on the Conduit tightened as he pushed the whispers aside. His mind whirled onward. The Celestial Conduit was not just some treasure, but a relic of rebellion against the heavens-a weapon forged in defiance against divine rule.

"And shattered for that very same reason," Lin Feng muttered. "Its power is immense, but unrestrained ambition invites ruin."

Whispers from the Seal turned pointed. "Caution will not save you, Lin Feng. Your enemies conspire while you hesitate."

Lin Feng exhaled gradually before stuffing the Conduit into his storage ring. "You will not hurry me, Seal. I decide how all this goes down."

His return to the Black Lotus Sect was far from triumphant. Lin Feng's success in defending the Sacred Lotus Vault did nothing but add fuel to the fire of growing discontent within the sect.

In the Hall of Balance, the Elder Council gathered once again. Elder Shen was on the attack against Lin Feng's methods.

"His reliance upon taboo power is quite unmistakable," Shen said, raising a jade slip containing detailed reports from the vault's defense. "Witnesses confirm the utilization of overwhelming shadow constructs and qi-drenched techniques that only stem from the Seal of Calamity. This is the disciple in which we entrust with our sect's most sacred duties?"

Ji sprang back, his voice sharp as a razor. "And yet, his methods were effective. The Eclipse Sovereign's forces were repelled, the vault remains secure, and the rogues fled with their tails between their legs. Shall we condemn success, Shen?"

Hitherto silent, Elder Qiu leaned forward. "The Seal of Calamity is dangerous, yes. But so is the Eclipse Sovereign. If Lin Feng's connection to the Seal can tip the scales in our favor, then perhaps we should explore its potential rather than fear it."

Shen's eyes narrowed. "Potential that may one day turn against us."

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Lin Feng approached, respectfully lowering his head. "Honored Elders, I am loyal to the sect. The power of the Seal is simply a tool-no different from that of a sword or a talisman. It is I who wields it, not the other way around."

Elder Ji nodded, apparently considering; contrarily Shen's suspicion heightened.

"The council will be keeping a close eye on your actions, Lin Feng," Shen said coldly. "Do not confuse our leniency with trust."

---

That evening, Lin Feng sat alone in his quarters, the soft hum of the Celestial Conduit vibrating against the Seal of Calamity. His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a jade slip, the surface etched with an ominous mark he knew too well.

He focused on the slip as he activated it; the voice of the Eclipse Sovereign echoed within his mind:

> "You have found a fragment of what I seek. Do not mistake your discovery for control, Lin Feng. The heavens may fall, but so will the unworthy."

And with that, the message ended, leaving Lin Feng's thoughts in a swirl. The Eclipse Sovereign was cryptic, but clear: they know of the Celestial Conduit and will do everything possible to possess it.

"They move sooner than expected," Lin Feng mumbled. His mind was set on using the resources of the sect to dig deeper into the plans of the Sovereign while keeping their findings for themselves.

---

Lin Feng sat in the meditation chamber, where he had laid out the Seal of Calamity before him and let the Celestial Conduit float beside it. Its golden light danced across the walls as he concentrated his qi to try the Conduit's energy, merging it with the dark power of the Seal. This produced a technique he called Celestial Shadow Veil, a catastrophic combination of light and shadow energies.

He called a Shadow Phantom, its form now enhanced with radiating streaks of golden light. The phantom moved more sharply and quickly, while the strikes would have an aura of divine weight. The only setback was that the strain of holding the technique had left Lin Feng weakened for that moment, with a dangerously low amount of qi in reserve.

"It's powerful," he muttered, "but risky."

The Seal's whispers responded, taunting him. "You are afraid to take risks, but your foes are not. They will capitalize on every chance you pass up."

Lin Feng's fists clenched. "Then I'll master it. No one will ever find me unprepared."

---

Next morning, the brewing tensions between Lin Feng and Jiang Yue boiled over. She confronted him in the main training grounds before an audience of disciples.

"You put the sect in danger with your secrets and ambition," Jiang Yue loudly said over the crowd. "If you truly serve the Black Lotus Sect, prove it."

The murmurs of the gathered disciples grew louder, the tension in the air crackling.

Lin Feng smiled faintly. "If you think I am a threat, Jiang Yue, then you are free to come and fight me. But let me warn you-accusations are much easier to make than blows."

The Elder Council, knowing of the growing dissatisfaction, passed the match because this would be a public ending of the dispute.

The two combatants went at it hot and heavy, Jiang Yue's precision against Lin Feng's brute force and unpredictability. She struck out in a flurry of qi-laced blows, but Lin Feng countered with Celestial Shadow Veil, his amped Shadow Phantoms washing over her defenses.

Despite the route in full swing, Lin Feng refrained from delivering the finishing blow, instead stepping away as Jiang Yue fought her way to her feet.

"I spare you not out of mercy," he said, cold, his voice ringing across the silent crowd, "but because you're not worth the effort."

The duel solidified Lin Feng's status at the top of the other disciples, but Jiang Yue gave him a look that proved she wasn't done.

---

After the duel, Elder Qiu sought Lin Feng for another assignment.

Reports indicate that another shard of the Heaven's Ladder might be in Ashen Veil Ruins," Qiu said. "The council has greenlit an expedition to explore. You will be its commander."

Lin Feng nodded. "And who is with me?"

"Jiang Yue," Qiu answered; his voice, as always, was clear of inflection. "The council insists."

Lin Feng's face remained calm, but his thoughts churned. The mission into dangerous territory, escorted by an enemy that sought his failure, was not something he could take lightly.

As the meeting ended, the Seal of Calamity pulsed faintly, its whispers ominous. "The pieces fall into place, Lin Feng. Will you rise to seize them, or will you fall into their trap?"

Lin Feng’s gaze hardened. “Neither. I’ll play my own game.”