Thick tension wrapped around the air as the Elder Council convened at the Hall of Balance against the most recent threat. Lin Feng stood before the elders with his face composed, his sharp eyes catching each flicker of doubt and the poorly veiled glances at him full of suspicion.

The Spirit Pool is the root of our sect, said Elder Ji solemnly. "If the Eclipse Sovereign succeeds in attacking, the Black Lotus Sect will then be crippled."

"And yet, we must tread carefully," Elder Shen interjected, his voice measured but laced with venom. "Lin Feng's informant may not be reliable. Sending too many resources to defend the Spirit Pool could leave other critical locations vulnerable.

Lin Feng stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "The Eclipse Sovereign's actions aren't speculative-they're calculated. Their recent experiments with corrupted artifacts show a clear pattern. They aren't probing-they're escalating."

Smoothing his beard, Elder Qiu said thoughtfully, "Lin Feng's assessment tallies with what we have observed. If the Spirit Pool is their next target, we cannot afford complacency."

Nodding, Eldest Ji said, "The matter is settled. Lin Feng shall lead the defense, while Jiang Yue accompanies him in order to maintain co-ordination."

Lin Feng only nodded, his head bent in obedience, while in his heart he was seething with anger. Co-ordination? No, they're sending her to monitor me.

Jiang Yue stood at the edge of the hall and met his eyes with a cold and distant stare.

The Spiritual Pool was a natural repository of spiritual energy in its pure form, where crystalline waters flowed with power to nourish the sect's cultivators, nestled in the eastern mountains of the sect. Lin Feng and his team arrived under the cover of dusk, the air thick with tension as they assessed the site.

"We will divide our forces into three layers of defense," Lin Feng said, spreading out a map of the area. "The outer perimeter will be holding standard formations to slow their advance. The second layer shall focus on traps and ambushes, making good use of the topography in our favor. The last layer is protecting the heart of the Spirit Pool. That is where they will strike hardest."

Zhao Qing nodded, his expression serious. “And what about Void Specters? They bypass formations entirely.”

“I’ve anticipated that,” Lin Feng replied. “Yan Wei, you’ll oversee the traps. Focus on detecting and neutralizing any specters before they reach the second layer. Zhao Qing, you’ll handle the frontline and maintain morale.”

Jiang Yue crossed her arms. "And me? Do I have an assignment, or am I here just for backup duty?"

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Lin Feng's eyes flicked to her unreadable. "You'll reinforce the second layer. In case the specters manage to get through, you'll be in charge of putting them under control."

The corners of her jaw tensed, but she said nothing.

---

The attack came with the break of dawn: a thick mist, unnatural, heavy with corrupted qi, rolled down from the mountains. In the fog, shadows darted as the first wave of rogue cultivators surged forward; their cries echoed through the valley.

At the very front was Zhao Qing, his blade slicing through the fog as the disciples he was in control of fought skillfully and efficiently. Lin Feng sat at the second layer and watched, thinking through every move in his mind.

"Here they come," Yan Wei muttered, pointing to one part of the perimeter where ripples of distortion faintly shimmered in the air. Void Specters.

"Turn on the traps," Lin Feng ordered.

Yan Wei nodded, and a few talismans buried in the ground began to go into effect. Explosions of light lit up the specters' forms, shadowy writhing constructs shrieking as the traps ensnared them.

Jiang Yue, stationed not far away, hesitated as a group of specters slipped through the first layer. Lin Feng's gaze snapped onto her. "Now would be the time to act," he said coldly.

This time, she hesitated for a fraction of a second longer before releasing her technique-a wave of frost-like qi that set the specters in their place. Lin Feng didn't miss the delay.

---

The second wave to the Eclipse Sovereign's forces was composed of Chaos Reavers-massive flesh constructs of corrupted qi, tearing through the outer formations with brutal efficiency.

Lin Feng activated Celestial Shadow Veil, and rays of light burst out, conjuring radiant-shadow phantoms that struck the Reavers with precision. Every strike disrupted the cohesion of the constructs, but the strain of maintaining the technique weighed heavily upon him.

"Zhao Qing, fall back to the second layer," Lin Feng called. "Draw them into the ambush points."

The battlefield shifted as Lin Feng's team regrouped, using the terrain and traps to thin the enemy's numbers. Yet the enemy's commander, Tian Shao, remained elusive.

"He's holding back," Lin Feng murmured. "Waiting for us to overextend."

---

Sure enough, Tian Shao appeared in the middle of the Spirit Pool, holding a very strong-looking artifact that caused chaotic energy to sweep about. Of course, the formations became disordered.

Lin Feng did not hesitate and turned on the fragment of the Celestial Conduit. A wash of golden light bathed the area around the Spirit Pool, and stabilized the surrounding space.

Tian Shao laughed loudly, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "You have come far, Lin Feng. But this pool is to be taken by the Eclipse Sovereign."

"You overestimate yourself," replied Lin Feng calmly, with cutting words.

Using the fragment's power, Lin Feng disrupted the energy field of the artifact that was protecting Tian Shao, who had to retreat. Lin Feng chased him, laying out a trap that he had set for the runaway commander. A final blow from his shadow phantoms, and Tian Shao tumbled down while his remaining forces started crumbling.

---

This victory over the Eclipse Sovereign concluded the battle, but at some cost. The Spirit Pool took damage, and its supply of spiritual energy was now thinner. Over the coming weeks, cultivators of the sect were going to feel strained because of this.

First, Lin Feng oversaw the recovery efforts. Jiang Yue appeared at his side with a guarded expression. "You handled this well," she said grudgingly.

Lin Feng's eyes were cold. "Your hesitation almost cost us. Remember that next time."

Anger flashed in her eyes, but she finally turned and walked away.

Among the enemy spoils, Lin Feng found a jade slip. The message it contained was brief, but chilling:

> "This was but a test. The heavens tremble, and the game has only begun."

That night, Lin Feng stood alone near the damaged Spirit Pool. The fragment of the Celestial Conduit pulsed faintly in his hand, resonating with the Seal of Calamity at his side.

Whispers from the Seal filled the air: "You see their weakness, Lin Feng. They fear you as much as they fear the enemy. Strike first, or they will turn against you."

Lin Feng's expression was serene and cold. "Fear is controllable. Let them plot. They are just putting the rope around their necks themselves."

The light within the piece flared for an instant then dimmed, plunging Lin Feng into darkness.