The air inside the Infinite Pagoda was tense. Lin Xuan and Zhao Feng stood before the Elders, their minds racing with questions.

Sect Master Yan's gaze was deep and unreadable. "The altar has awakened," he repeated. "That changes everything."

Lin Xuan clenched his fists. He knew that whatever this meant, it would alter the course of his cultivation path.

Elder Mo, who had always been strict but fair, stepped forward. "You both have proven yourselves. But now, the real test begins."

Lin Xuan exchanged a glance with Zhao Feng. "What do you mean?"

Elder Qin, who rarely spoke, finally opened his eyes. "A storm is coming. The Heavenly Origin Sect has been at peace for too long. That peace is ending."

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THE SILENT DANGER

Far beyond the sect’s boundaries, in the Black Abyss Mountains, a group of figures in dark robes gathered in a hidden cavern.

A man knelt before a tall figure, his voice low. "The altar has been activated."

The tall figure chuckled, his voice filled with amusement. "So… the time has come."

From the shadows, a female voice whispered, "The Heavenly Origin Sect will never see it coming."

The flames in the cavern flickered. Something dark was rising.

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A CHOICE TO BE MADE

Back in the Infinite Pagoda, Sect Master Yan folded his arms. "Lin Xuan, Zhao Feng. You have a choice."

Lin Xuan took a deep breath. "What choice?"

"You can return to your normal training and pretend none of this concerns you…" Sect Master Yan's gaze sharpened. "Or you can step into the unknown, where real power lies."

Zhao Feng hesitated, but Lin Xuan didn’t. His path was clear.

"I choose to move forward," Lin Xuan said firmly.

Sect Master Yan nodded. "Then prepare yourselves. From now on, you are no longer just ordinary disciples."

A storm was coming. And Lin Xuan was ready to face it.