Three days passed in a blur of activity.
Lin Feng's mornings were spent in public training sessions with other outer disciples—orthodox cultivation techniques under the supervision of various elders. He performed competently but not exceptionally, maintaining the facade that he was simply a talented cultivator with perfect meridians rather than someone hiding Divine Domain cultivation.
His afternoons belonged to the Patriarch's private instruction. In those sessions, behind formations that prevented any observation, Lin Feng could train his void techniques without restraint. The ancient cultivator pushed him hard, testing the limits of his inherited abilities while teaching him to integrate them more naturally with his own developing style.
His evenings were for study—formation techniques from the jade slip the Patriarch had given him, sect politics from carefully chosen reading materials, and cultivation theory that helped him understand the Inverse Void Dao more deeply.
Through it all, he felt the weight of watching eyes. Elder Shadow observed his public training sessions with barely concealed interest. Chen Hong, Li Xian's attendant, remained in the sect despite the Azure Sky delegation's departure, clearly gathering information. And there were others—disciples whose gazes lingered too long, servants who asked too many questions, even some elders whose interest felt more invasive than educational.
Everyone wants to understand what I am. The attention is exhausting.
On the fourth morning, Chen Wei appeared at Lin Feng's door with a jade tablet and an expression that suggested complications.
"Direct Disciple Lin Feng. The Mission Hall has assigned your first outer disciple obligation."
Every outer disciple was required to complete monthly missions—tasks that contributed to the sect while providing practical experience. They ranged from herb gathering to beast hunting to escorting sect merchants. Missions were graded by difficulty and assigned based on cultivation level and skills.
"What's the mission?"
"Escort and protection detail. A sect merchant caravan is traveling to Silver Moon City to deliver alchemy ingredients and purchase rare materials. The journey takes five days round trip. Your assigned role is security—protecting the caravan from bandits, spirit beasts, and other hazards."
Lin Feng accepted the jade tablet, reviewing the details. Silver Moon City was two days' travel southwest, through territory that was generally safe but occasionally saw bandit activity. The caravan consisted of three wagons, a chief merchant, and six guards—all at Foundation Establishment level or below.
Plus two outer disciples for additional security: himself and one other.
"Who's my partner?"
Chen Wei's expression suggested this was the complication. "Inner Disciple Zhao Hai has requested to accompany the mission as a training opportunity. He wishes to... assess your combat capabilities in real situations."
Zhao Hai. The inner disciple I defeated during the examination. He wants revenge or to prove the fight was a fluke.
"I see. When does the caravan depart?"
"Tomorrow at dawn. You're to report to the Eastern Gate with your equipment. The mission is expected to be routine, but as you learned during your examination..." Chen Wei's voice dropped slightly. "Not everything that seems routine actually is. Be careful, Direct Disciple."
The warning was clear enough. This mission might be another assassination attempt disguised as normal sect business.
After Chen Wei left, Lin Feng immediately reached out through the Dao Thread to Yun Qingxue. The connection had grown stronger over the past days—they could now sense each other's emotions clearly and even exchange simple thoughts across moderate distances.
I've been assigned a mission. Escort duty to Silver Moon City. Zhao Hai is coming along.
Her response came immediately, sharp with concern: That's not coincidence. Someone arranged for him to be there. Lin Feng, this could be dangerous—he'll be away from sect protections and witnesses.
I know. But refusing the mission would be suspicious. New outer disciples don't turn down assignments.
Then be ready for trouble. And...
He felt hesitation through their bond.
And what?
I'll try to monitor the situation. There are ways to track sect missions without being obvious about it. If something goes wrong, I might be able to send help.
Thank you. But don't take risks for this. The Patriarch knows about the mission—if it's a trap, he probably suspects it too.
That's what worries me. If he suspects and still lets you go...
Then he thinks I can handle it. Or he wants to see if I can.
Yun Qingxue's emotions through the bond mixed frustration with reluctant acceptance. Be safe. And remember—you don't have to hide your power if your life is genuinely threatened. Better to reveal yourself than die maintaining a cover story.
I'll keep that in mind.
The connection faded to its background presence, but her concern lingered like warmth against his chest.
Lin Feng spent the rest of the day preparing. He packed travel supplies, checked his weapons, and reviewed the caravan's route using maps from the Grand Library. The path to Silver Moon City passed through the Whispering Forest—dense woodland that provided cover for ambushes but also had multiple escape routes if things went wrong.
If Zhao Hai tries something, it'll be in the forest. Away from the caravan, where he can claim I was attacked by beasts or bandits.
That evening, Xiao Ling found him in the outer disciple training grounds, practicing sword forms.
"You're leaving tomorrow," she said without preamble. "I heard from the servants. They're saying it's dangerous, that Zhao Hai specifically requested to go with you."
"Rumors travel fast."
"Lin Feng, this is serious! Zhao Hai is Inner Disciple—Divine Domain Level 1—and he hates you for defeating him. If you're alone together in the wilderness..." She grabbed his arm. "Don't go. Claim illness, say you need more time to consolidate your cultivation, anything!"
Lin Feng stopped his practice and turned to face her. "Xiao Ling, I can't refuse missions. And even if I could, running from Zhao Hai now would only delay the problem. He'll challenge me eventually—better on my terms than his."
"Your terms? You're being escorted into the wilderness with someone who wants to kill you!"
"I'm being given an opportunity to resolve this conflict away from political complications." He smiled slightly at her confused expression. "In the sect, if I hurt Zhao Hai seriously, his family would demand consequences. Out there? If he attacks me and I defend myself, it's just unfortunate combat. No political fallout."
"You're planning to fight him."
"I'm planning to survive whatever he plans. There's a difference." Lin Feng sheathed his practice sword. "Trust me. I survived the forbidden back mountains, the examination, three assassination attempts during the trials. I can survive one jealous inner disciple."
Xiao Ling looked like she wanted to argue further, but something in his expression stopped her. "Fine. But promise me you'll come back. We finally became friends properly—I'm not losing you to some stupid revenge scheme."
"I promise."
She hugged him suddenly, fiercely. "You better. Because if you die, I'll learn necromancy just to bring you back so I can kill you myself for breaking your promise."
Despite the tension, Lin Feng laughed. "That's oddly touching."
She pulled back, wiping her eyes. "Shut up. Just... be safe. And if you get the chance, punch Zhao Hai in his smug face for me."
"I'll consider it."
After she left, Lin Feng returned to his quarters. Through his window, he could see the sun setting over the western peaks, painting the sky in shades of gold and crimson. Somewhere in those peaks, the Azure Sky delegation had departed days ago, but their influence remained.
This mission is a test. Maybe from the Patriarch, maybe from Li Xian's remaining agents, maybe from Zhao Hai himself. Either way, I'm being evaluated.
Time to show them what the 'Eternal Waste' has truly become.
Dawn arrived cold and misty. Lin Feng stood at the Eastern Gate with his travel pack and sword, watching the caravan prepare for departure.
Three sturdy wagons loaded with sealed containers—the alchemy ingredients being delivered to Silver Moon City. The chief merchant, a rotund man named Huang Bo with Foundation Establishment Level 5 cultivation, directed six guards as they checked harnesses and secured loads.
And there, standing apart with an expression of barely concealed hostility, was Zhao Hai.
The inner disciple wore traveling robes that couldn't quite hide their quality—expensive fabric, subtle formation arrays for protection, spirit thread weaving that marked him as someone from a wealthy family. His sword radiated Divine Domain energy, a clear reminder of his cultivation level.
"Outer Disciple Lin Feng," Zhao Hai said coldly. "How fortunate that we've been assigned together. This will give us ample time to... discuss our previous encounter."
"Inner Disciple Zhao. I look forward to working with you." Lin Feng kept his tone respectful but not subservient. "I hope we can ensure a safe journey for Merchant Huang's caravan."
"Safety. Yes." Zhao Hai's smile didn't reach his eyes. "The wilderness can be so dangerous. Accidents happen frequently—even to those with supposed perfect meridians."
The threat wasn't even thinly veiled. Zhao Hai was announcing his intentions openly, confident that whatever he planned would succeed.
Merchant Huang approached, bowing to both cultivators. "Honored disciples! Thank you for agreeing to protect this humble merchant's goods. The route should be safe, but having powerful cultivators like yourselves provides great peace of mind!"
"We're happy to serve the sect," Zhao Hai said smoothly. "Tell me, Merchant Huang, do you expect any particular dangers on the route?"
"The Whispering Forest sometimes has spirit beasts—nothing beyond Foundation Establishment level typically. And there have been reports of bandits, but they usually target smaller caravans." Huang Bo gestured to his guards. "With two disciples and my guards, we should be more than safe!"
He doesn't realize he's about to be traveling with someone planning murder and someone who might have to commit it in self-defense.
The caravan departed as the sun fully cleared the horizon. The pace was moderate—the wagons couldn't move quickly over mountain paths—giving Lin Feng time to observe his surroundings and plan.
Zhao Hai rode near the front, occasionally talking with the guards but mostly staying apart. His spiritual sense regularly swept over the caravan, ostensibly checking for threats but also tracking Lin Feng's position.
He's waiting for the right moment. Probably in the Whispering Forest where there's cover and he can claim anything that happens was due to beasts or bandits.
The first day passed without incident. They traveled through mountain valleys and across open plains, making good progress. Zhao Hai made no moves beyond occasional hostile glares, and the guards seemed oblivious to any tension.
As evening approached, Merchant Huang called for camp. They settled in a clearing with good sightlines, the guards establishing a perimeter while Huang prepared a surprisingly elaborate meal.
"Honored disciples, please join me for dinner!" The merchant gestured to a spread of spirit-infused dishes. "The sect provides these provisions—might as well enjoy them!"
Lin Feng sat with the group, maintaining appearances. Zhao Hai joined as well, sitting directly across from him.
"Tell me, Outer Disciple Lin," Zhao Hai said conversationally while others ate. "How does it feel to be the Patriarch's direct disciple? Such an honor for someone who was a servant just weeks ago."
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from someone of the Patriarch's wisdom."
"Grateful. Of course." Zhao Hai's eyes glittered. "And your victory over me during the examination—you must be quite proud of that."
"It was a difficult fight. Inner Disciple Zhao is a skilled opponent."
"Too skilled to lose to a Mortal Awakening cultivator through legitimate means." The conversation had turned openly hostile now. The guards had stopped eating, sensing the tension. "Which makes me wonder—what techniques were you really using? What did you hide?"
Lin Feng met his gaze steadily. "I used what I learned from the jade tablet I found in the forbidden mountains. The Patriarch has examined my techniques and found them acceptable."
"The Patriarch may be satisfied. I am not." Zhao Hai stood abruptly. "Tomorrow, when we reach the Whispering Forest, I challenge you to a rematch. A proper fight, without the constraints of the examination. Unless you're afraid to face me fairly?"
There it is. The setup. He's making it public so when we fight and he 'accidentally' kills me, witnesses will say I accepted a challenge willingly.
"I accept your challenge," Lin Feng said calmly. "But perhaps we should focus on protecting the caravan first? Personal disputes can wait until after we've completed our mission."
"The mission will be fine. The forest is safe this time of year." Zhao Hai's smile was sharp. "We'll settle our business early tomorrow, before the caravan enters the forest proper. That way, there's no risk to the merchants."
No risk to the merchants. Just to me, alone in the wilderness with someone who wants me dead.
Merchant Huang looked nervous. "Honored disciples, surely this isn't necessary? Could you not resolve your differences through meditation or discussion?"
"Some matters require martial resolution," Zhao Hai said flatly. "Don't worry, Merchant. We'll be quick. One way or another."
The meal concluded in uncomfortable silence. Guards exchanged worried glances but said nothing—outer disciples and inner disciples settling disputes was above their station to comment on.
Lin Feng retired to his tent, activating privacy formations before reaching out through the Dao Thread.
Zhao Hai has issued a public challenge. Tomorrow morning, before we reach the forest.
Yun Qingxue's response came immediately, sharp with alarm: That's too fast! We haven't had time to arrange backup or witnesses from the sect!
That's his intention. Quick confrontation, no time for interference. If he kills me, he'll claim it was a legitimate duel that went wrong.
Then don't fight! Refuse the challenge, return to the sect immediately!
If I refuse, I look weak and cowardly. Everyone in the caravan witnessed the challenge—word would spread. And Zhao Hai would just try again later, probably with even fewer witnesses.
Through their bond, Lin Feng felt her frustration and fear warring with understanding. She knew he was right—refusing would damage his reputation and only delay the inevitable—but she hated the situation nonetheless.
What will you do?
Win. Carefully. Make it look like another desperate victory rather than a demonstration of superior cultivation. Lin Feng's mental voice was calm. Zhao Hai thinks he's facing Mortal Awakening Level 3. He's actually facing Divine Domain Level 1. That's my advantage.
And if he has backup? What if this is a trap with multiple attackers?
Then I'll have to reveal more of my power. But I don't think that's his plan—Zhao Hai's pride won't allow others to fight his battles. He wants personal revenge.
Yun Qingxue was silent for a moment, then: I'm sending someone to monitor from a distance. Not to interfere, just to witness. If something happens beyond a fair duel, we'll have evidence.
Who?
Fan Wu. The Lucky Wanderer owes me a favor, and his constitution ensures he'll be exactly where he needs to be. He'll observe from concealment.
Thank you.
Don't thank me. Just win. And Lin Feng?
Yes?
I...
Through the bond, he felt what she couldn't quite put into words yet. Affection deeper than alliance. Care that went beyond political necessity. The beginning of something that scared her as much as it warmed her.
I know, he sent back. I feel it too.
The connection faded to its background hum, but warmth remained.
Lin Feng lay in his tent, staring at the fabric ceiling, and planned. Zhao Hai would attack with everything he had—Divine Domain techniques meant to overwhelm and kill. Lin Feng would need to counter while appearing to struggle, making each victory seem like desperate luck rather than skill.
The Patriarch said to build my own path, not just follow the Void Emperor's. Tomorrow is a chance to do that. To win not because I inherited someone else's power, but because I've learned to use it as my own.
Sleep came eventually, fitful and filled with half-formed strategies.
When dawn arrived, Lin Feng rose to find the camp already stirring. Zhao Hai stood at the edge of the clearing, his sword drawn, spiritual energy pulsing around him in barely controlled waves.
"Outer Disciple Lin Feng," he called loudly, ensuring everyone heard. "I await our duel. Unless you wish to withdraw and admit you cheated during the examination?"
The guards and Merchant Huang watched nervously. This was above their pay grade, but witnessing a duel between sect disciples was something they'd tell stories about for years.
Lin Feng emerged from his tent, his expression calm despite the tension singing through his nerves. He drew his sword—the superior practice blade the sect had provided, enhanced but not extraordinary.
"I accept your challenge, Inner Disciple Zhao. Let's settle this properly."
They walked away from the camp, the guards following at a respectful distance to witness but not interfere. About a hundred meters out, in a small clearing surrounded by trees, they stopped.
Zhao Hai turned to face him, all pretense of civility gone. "No sect rules here. No examiners to stop the fight. No political complications. Just you, me, and the truth."
"The truth?" Lin Feng settled into a ready stance.
"That you're nothing. A fraud who got lucky once and fooled everyone into thinking you're special." Zhao Hai's spiritual pressure exploded outward—Divine Domain Level 1, the full weight of his cultivation pressing down like a physical force. "Today, I prove that. Today, I crush you and restore my honor."
"Or," Lin Feng said quietly, his own concealed cultivation ready to be revealed the moment Zhao Hai struck, "today you learn that luck had nothing to do with it."
Zhao Hai's eyes widened fractionally—some instinct warning him that something was wrong with this picture. But pride and rage overwhelmed caution.
"Die!"
The inner disciple launched his attack—"Heaven's Judgment Strike"—the same technique he'd used during the examination but executed with full power and killing intent. The blade came down wreathed in spiritual energy that could level a building.
Lin Feng didn't dodge. Didn't block. Didn't appear to move at all.
Instead, he released just enough of his concealment to let his true Divine Domain cultivation manifest for a fraction of a second. Just long enough to execute a single technique.
"Void Palm."
His hand moved forward, palm open. Between his palm and Zhao Hai's descending blade, space itself warped.
The Heaven's Judgment Strike hit the spatial distortion and simply... stopped. Not blocked. Not countered. It hit an absence where reality no longer quite existed, and the energy dispersed into nothing.
Zhao Hai's sword continued through the distortion—but without its enhancement, it was just steel meeting flesh. Lin Feng caught the blade between his palms, stopping it cold.
The two cultivators stood frozen, Zhao Hai's eyes wide with shock and dawning comprehension.
"You..." Zhao Hai's voice was barely a whisper. "You're Divine Domain. You've been Divine Domain this entire time."
"Yes."
"The examination. You weren't getting lucky. You were holding back."
"Yes."
Zhao Hai's face cycled through emotions—shock, disbelief, rage, and finally something like fear. "That's impossible. The examination was two weeks ago. You can't have advanced from Mortal Awakening to Divine Domain in two weeks!"
"And yet here we are." Lin Feng maintained his grip on the blade. "Inner Disciple Zhao. I didn't cheat during the examination. I simply didn't reveal my full cultivation. That's not against the rules."
"But why? Why hide it? Why pretend to be weak?"
"Because showing my true power attracts the wrong kind of attention." Lin Feng's voice was quiet but firm. "And because I wanted to see who would try to kill me when they thought I was helpless. You've answered that question."
Zhao Hai tried to wrench his sword free, but Lin Feng's grip—enhanced by void energy—held firm. The inner disciple's cultivation erupted fully, Divine Domain aura pressing down with desperate force.
Lin Feng matched it with his own, and suddenly the clearing was filled with two Divine Domain cultivators' combined presence. The guards watching from a distance stumbled backward, the pressure too much for their Foundation Establishment cultivation.
"Now what?" Zhao Hai demanded, his voice strained. "You kill me here and claim self-defense? The sect will demand answers!"
"I won't kill you." Lin Feng released the sword and stepped back. "This wasn't about revenge or proving superiority. It was about survival. You came here planning to kill me. I came here planning to defend myself. But I don't need your death to be safe."
"Then what do you need?"
"Your understanding." Lin Feng's gaze held Zhao Hai's. "I'm not your enemy, Zhao Hai. I never was. Your brother Zhao Kun tormented me for years because he could. You challenged me because I made your family look bad. But none of that was my intention—I just wanted to survive and advance."
Zhao Hai was silent, processing.
"Go back to the sect," Lin Feng continued. "Tell them we fought, and it was a draw—both Divine Domain Level 1, too evenly matched to determine a clear winner. Your honor is restored because you faced me at equal power. And no one dies in a pointless duel that benefits only those watching us fight."
"You expect me to just... accept that? To lie to preserve your secrets?"
"I expect you to think about whether killing me—or trying to—really serves your interests. Or whether maybe, just maybe, having a potential ally who's as strong as you are might be more valuable than satisfying wounded pride."
For a long moment, Zhao Hai stood frozen, his sword hanging loosely at his side. The morning sun filtered through the trees, birds singing obliviously to the violence that had almost erupted.
Finally, the inner disciple sheathed his blade. "Divine Domain Level 1. When did you actually achieve it?"
"During my time in the forbidden mountains. The inheritance I found included resources that forced rapid advancement."
"And the Patriarch knows?"
"Yes. He's overseeing my training personally to ensure the foundation is stable."
Zhao Hai laughed bitterly. "So I've been played by everyone. My family pressured me to challenge you to restore our honor. Li Xian encouraged it, probably hoping we'd kill each other. And all along, you were actually my equal in cultivation, just better at hiding it."
"I'm sorry. If there had been another way—"
"Don't." Zhao Hai held up a hand. "Don't apologize for surviving. That's what cultivation is—surviving long enough to grow strong. You did what you had to." He paused. "But this stays between us. If word spreads that I challenged you and then backed down..."
"Then we tell the story I suggested. Equal duel, mutual respect, no clear winner. Your honor is intact, my secret remains safe."
"And in exchange?"
"In exchange, maybe someday when I need someone who understands what it's like to be pressured by family expectations and political games, I'll know who to ask."
Zhao Hai studied Lin Feng for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Fine. We have an agreement. But Lin Feng—be careful. If I figured out something was wrong, others will too. And not everyone will be as willing as me to walk away."
"I know. Thank you for the warning."
They returned to the caravan together, their expressions carefully neutral. The guards looked disappointed—clearly hoping for a more dramatic confrontation—but Merchant Huang seemed relieved.
"Everything resolved, honored disciples?"
"We've reached an understanding," Zhao Hai said formally. "The duel was... instructive for both parties. We'll continue the mission as planned."
The caravan resumed its journey. Zhao Hai kept his distance but no longer projected hostility. The guards whispered among themselves about what they'd witnessed—two cultivators facing off, massive spiritual pressure, then walking away without blood being shed.
Lin Feng felt a presence in the trees as they entered the Whispering Forest—Fan Wu, observing from concealment as promised. The Lucky Wanderer's spiritual sense touched Lin Feng's briefly, a silent acknowledgment that he'd witnessed everything, then withdrew.
Yun Qingxue will be relieved, Lin Feng thought. One threat neutralized without revealing too much, and possibly an ally gained.
Through the Dao Thread, he felt her distant presence—anxiety fading to relief as she sensed his survival.
The rest of the journey to Silver Moon City passed without incident. Zhao Hai remained distant but professional, occasionally even offering tactical advice when they encountered minor spirit beasts. The transformation from enemy to reluctant ally was incomplete but promising.
When they finally reached Silver Moon City and delivered the caravan safely, Merchant Huang paid them both generously—mission complete, bonus for preventing any losses.
On the return journey, Zhao Hai finally spoke privately: "I meant what I said. Be careful. My brother is still plotting against you, and he has connections I don't. Whatever you're really hiding, make sure it's worth the targets it's painted on your back."
"It is."
"I hope so. For your sake."
When they finally returned to the Celestial Dawn Sect, Lin Feng reported to the Mission Hall, submitted his completion documentation, and returned to his quarters exhausted but satisfied.
He'd survived. More than survived—he'd turned a potential enemy into something approaching an ally. Had proven he could handle threats without always resorting to violence or full power revelation.
The Patriarch was right. Building real connections matters more than just hiding and growing strong alone.
That night, he met Yun Qingxue at their usual pavilion. She hugged him tightly, unusual for the normally reserved Ice Goddess.
"I felt everything through the bond. The fight, the negotiation, the resolution." She pulled back, her ice-blue eyes holding his. "You did well. Better than well."
"I had good advice."
"You had good instincts." She smiled slightly. "The Void Emperor's legacy might have given you power, but what you did today? That was all Lin Feng."
They stood in moonlight, the Dao Thread pulsing between them with growing warmth. The dangers weren't over—Li Xian still plotted, Elder Shadow still investigated, greater threats loomed in the distance.
But tonight, Lin Feng had proven something important: he could walk his own path, using inherited power while forging his own identity.
The "Eternal Waste" was becoming something the world hadn't seen in a hundred thousand years.
And despite the dangers ahead, Lin Feng found himself looking forward to discovering what that something would ultimately become.
END OF CHAPTER 13
TO BE CONTINUED...