The atmosphere in the Black Lotus Sect was gloomy when Lin Feng and his group returned from the Ashen Veil Ruins. The mission was successful, but the fractures within the sect grew deeper day by day. Disciples whispered behind their hands as gazes flickered between Lin Feng and Jiang Yue, the two walking into the main hall side by side.
At the Hall of Balance, it was before the Elder Council that he had appeared, waiting; their faces a reflection of curiosity and caution. The bow was short before he plunged into an explanation: corrupted artifacts, experiments from cultivators, and that minor fight that tested his team in the mission.
"This artifact experimentation is not an isolated effort," Lin Feng concluded, his voice calm and measured. "It's a coordinated strategy. The Eclipse Sovereign is preparing for something far more significant than isolated raids."
Elder Shen sat with his hands folded, an eyebrow arched. "And yet, there are concerns about your methods. Concerns raised by Jiang Yue herself."
Jiang Yue stood up, her expression indignant. "Lin Feng has not disclosed some critical information on his mission. He risked everything by acting superfluously and by using the Seal of Calamity extravagantly, keeping his ambitions over the security of the sect."
Lin Feng faced her, his eyes cold as ice. "And yet we pulled it off. The fragment's safe, the robbers defeated. Tell me, Jiang Yue, what would you have done differently?"
Jiang Yue seethed but said nothing.
The next to speak was Elder Qiu; his tone was detached, and probing. "This fragment that you recovered-its relationship to the Seal of Calamity is one that draws our interest. Lin Feng, are you willing to give them to us for further study?"
Lin Feng nodded his head. "Of course, Elder Qiu. When it's to do with strength, then the sect comes first."
He made this assertion without demur, but of course he had no intention of letting go of the fragment. Control was everything.
---
Outside the Hall of Balance, Jiang Yue wasted little time marshaling her forces. She called a meeting in one of the sect's training courtyards, her voice razor-sharp as she laid out her charges against Lin Feng.
"He is jeopardizing the sect with his whimsical moves," she shouted above the crowd. "The Seal of Calamity is not something to be used; it is a curse. If Lin Feng continues this way, he will bring us to ruin."
The crowd murmured, some of them nodding in agreement, while others looked at each other doubtfully. Zhao Qing and Yan Wei stood among the onlookers, expressionless.
"You speak boldly for someone who contributed little to the mission's success," Zhao Qing said, his voice cutting through the noise. "Perhaps your concern isn't for the sect's safety but for your own pride."
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Jiang Yue's eyes flashed with anger, but before she could respond, Lin Feng appeared at the edge of the courtyard. His steps were unhurried, his expression calm.
"If any of you doubt me, Jiang Yue, let us settle the matter properly," he finally said. "A duel: public, fair, and decisive. Let the sect witness as to who truly serves its interests."
The crowd hushed with the challenge. Jiang Yue, taken aback, had no choice but to accept it because refusing would make her look cowardly. "Very well," she replied in an even tone. "Let's end this."
---
Preparation was still underway when news arrived in that the Crimson Tide Sect, a Black Lotus Sect ally, had been under organized attacks for several days. Survivors said something about Void Specters and corrupted artifacts, confirming all of Lin Feng's misgivings on the growth of this Eclipse Sovereign.
In the privacy of his chambers, Lin Feng turned on a jade slip left by one of his rogue informants. The message was short but blood-curdling:
> "The Black Lotus Spirit Pool is their next target. Prepare for war."
Ideas churned in Lin Feng's mind. The Spirit Pool was the lifeblood of the sect, the source of pure spiritual energy necessary to operate the sect. It would badly cripple their strength if taken away.
A gentle smile crossed his face while the chill in his eyes finally turned cold calculation. Let them come. Their ambition will be their undoing.
---
The sect's training grounds were full of disciples who had come to watch the duel. Lin Feng and Jiang Yue faced each other, their auras, like storm clouds before a tempest, clashing against each other.
Elder Qiu stood between them, his voice calm but authoritative. "This duel is sanctioned by the Elder Council. It will end when one combatant yields or is incapacitated. Begin."
Jiang Yue suddenly assaulted, her sword flashing bright with sharp Qi as it focused its attack on Lin Feng's life points. Her movement seemed calculated; however, all her attacks were simply repelled by Lin Feng's Parry, unreadable, he said, "Predictable," he finally said, calmly through the clashes of their blades.
Jiang Yue grew anxious since Lin Feng counterattacked every move she was making. She tried yet another strong technique, shaking ground they were on with that strength. Lin Feng stepped away easily as if that weren't enough to rattle him.
The moment she overextended, Lin Feng counterattacked. Using Celestial Shadow Veil, he conjured a phantom that mirrored his movements and overwhelmed her defenses. Jiang Yue was caught off guard, hard of breathing, as Lin Feng immediately took advantage of the opening.
He stopped just short of delivering a decisive blow, stepping back as Jiang Yue fell to her knees. “I could end this,” he said, his tone cold. “But it would serve no purpose. Yield, Jiang Yue. You’ve already lost.”
The crowd murmured as Jiang Yue lowered her head, her voice trembling with reluctant defeat. “I yield.”
---
He sat that night in meditation, the fragment of the Celestial Conduit glowing softly in his hand while the Seal of Calamity pulsed beside him, whispering now with urgency as never before.
"You saw her betrayal," it hissed. "You saw doubt in the council's eyes. They'll strike the moment you falter. Crush them before they get that chance."
Lin Feng's gaze was afar, his thoughts tangled in strategies and contingencies. He knew the truth of the words the Seal spoke, but he also knew the dangers of premature movement.
"When the time comes," he muttered, "I'll strike. Not a moment before."
The Seal pulsed again; this time, the tone was almost amused. "So you wait, Lin Feng. But waiting is a risk only the foolish take."
Lin Feng closed his eyes. His will remained unmoving. "Let them plot. Every step they take only plays into my hands."
---
As night deepened, Lin Feng stood at the top of a secluded ridge that overlooked the sect. The fragment of the Celestial Conduit glimmered faintly in his hand, casting strange patterns on the ground. The Seal of Calamity hovered beside him, its whispers weaving in and out of the air like some dark melody.
The sect below was abuzz with life, but Lin Feng's mind was elsewhere. His enemies surrounded him-some lurking in the shadows, others brazen enough to stand in the open. The Elder Council, Jiang Yue, even the Eclipse Sovereign-all wanted to be in control of the board.
"You are alone, Lin Feng," the Seal murmured. "Will you rise above them, or will you break under their weight?"
Lin Feng’s gaze hardened, his voice cold and certain. “Alone is where I’m strongest. Let them come. I’ll make them regret it.”
The fragment’s light flared briefly before fading, the night swallowing its glow as Lin Feng turned and disappeared into the shadows.