Chapter 8: Shadows of the Sect
The night air was thick with tension as Lan Feng approached the hidden sect's entrance, the ancient stone gates barely visible under the pale moonlight. His heart pounded—not just from the strenuous journey, but from the weight of the secrets that awaited within. For years, the Forbidden Sect had operated in the shadows, feared by many but known by few. Tonight, he was about to cross the threshold into a world that could change his destiny forever.
Lan Feng's footsteps echoed softly as he passed the guards, their eyes sharp but respectful. Inside, the courtyard was alive with the quiet murmur of cultivators honing their skills, their silhouettes flickering like ghosts against the flickering torches. He felt a strange mixture of awe and unease. This was a place where power was forged, but also where betrayal could lurk in every corner.
A tall figure emerged from the shadows, draped in robes that shimmered faintly with mystical energy. "You've come far, Lan Feng," the elder said, his voice calm but commanding. "But the path you seek is not an easy one. Are you prepared to sacrifice everything for true cultivation?"
Lan Feng met his gaze steadily. "I am."
The elder nodded slowly and gestured toward a winding stone stairway leading down into darkness. "Then your trials begin now. Welcome to the heart of the Forbidden Sect."
As Lan Feng descended into the depths, the weight of the world seemed to lift and fall all at once. In this place, legends were born... and nightmares awakened.
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