Volume 3 — The Storm of Crimson Fang
News traveled fast in the cultivation world—especially humiliating news. By the time Lin Feng and Caiyi returned to the Peach Blossom Sect, rumors had spread everywhere:
"A rookie Peach Blossom disciple defeated a Crimson Fang cultivator!"
"He did it by tripping!"
"He used secret peach footwork!"
"He screamed the whole time!"
Lin Feng wanted to hide under his bed. Unfortunately, he didn't have one—he had broken it in a failed attempt at using "light body technique," which launched him into the ceiling.
Caiyi found him sulking behind a peach tree.
"Stop hiding," she said. "The Sect Master wants to speak with you."
"That sounds dangerous."
"It is. Come on."
Inside the Sect Master's hall, a dozen elders stared at Lin Feng as if he were a rare beast—or a walking disaster.
"Lin Feng," the Sect Master said, stroking his beard. "You have made an enemy of the Crimson Fang Clan. They have sent a message."
"A… a polite message?" Lin Feng hoped.
"No. They challenged you to a formal duel."
Lin Feng collapsed. "On purpose?!"
The elders nodded grimly.
Caiyi stepped forward. "Then let me fight in his place."
The Sect Master shook his head. "This challenge is bound by clan honor. Only Lin Feng can answer it."
Lin Feng's stomach felt like it had swallowed a brick made of dread and spicy noodles. "I—I'm not strong enough!"
"But you could be," the Sect Master said. He held out a scroll shimmering with pink light. "This contains the Peach Blossom Heart Method, a technique once believed lost. For some reason, the spiritual peach you consumed awakened it."
Caiyi's eyes widened. "Master, that's a sacred cultivation art! He'll explode if he reads it wrong!"
"Then he should read it right," the Sect Master replied.
---
Training began immediately.
Lin Feng's days were filled with meditation, sweat, confusion, accidental explosions, and Caiyi yelling, "NO, NOT THAT PETAL—THE OTHER PETAL!"
But slowly—so slowly even snails would mock him—Lin Feng felt himself growing stronger. His spiritual energy flowed smoother. His sword felt lighter. His confidence… still nonexistent, but at least present.
One night, under a sky blooming with peach-colored stars, Caiyi sat beside him.
"You can win," she said softly.
Lin Feng glanced at her and smiled. "If you believe in me… maybe I can."
Far away, the Crimson Fang Clan prepared their own champion—a prodigy whose power eclipsed all others.
The duel of fates was about to begin.