Three days passed in a blur of preparation and mounting tension.
Lin Feng spent every available moment cultivating, pushing himself toward Divine Domain Level 3 with reckless intensity. The Patriarch supervised, providing guidance and resources while warning repeatedly about the dangers of forced advancement.
"You're playing with fire," the ancient cultivator said during one particularly brutal session. "Your foundation is stable, but you're advancing too quickly. The void energy is accumulating faster than your body can properly integrate it."
"I don't have time for slow and steady," Lin Feng replied, his spiritual energy crackling around him like visible lightning. "In days—maybe hours—I'll be fighting for my life. Every bit of power I gain now could be the difference between survival and death."
"Or between survival and cultivation deviation that leaves you crippled."
"I'll take that risk."
Patriarch Cloud sighed but didn't argue further. He understood necessity when he saw it.
Yun Qingxue spent her days gathering intelligence while maintaining her facade as the dutiful fiancée. Li Xian had become increasingly possessive since the council hearing, insisting on her presence at meals, demanding her attention during sect events, marking his territory in ways that made her skin crawl.
Through the Dao Thread, Lin Feng felt every moment of her discomfort, her barely restrained revulsion. It took all his self-control not to intervene publicly.
Soon, he promised through their connection. After this weekend, we'll have the evidence we need. Then you're free of him.
I'm counting the hours, she sent back, exhaustion coloring her mental voice. He kissed me today. In public. As a 'display of affection.'
Through their bond, Lin Feng felt the ghost of that unwanted kiss, felt her horror and anger. His own rage spiked in response, the Eternal Void flickering around him unconsciously.
"Control yourself," Patriarch Cloud warned, detecting the energy fluctuation. "Your emotions are affecting your domain manifestation. That's dangerous during cultivation."
Lin Feng forced himself to breathe, to center, to separate his feelings from his power. It was one of the hardest lessons he'd learned—that the Inverse Void Dao responded to emotional state, amplifying feelings into reality if not carefully controlled.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it worse.
You didn't. Knowing you feel my pain, knowing someone actually cares that I'm suffering... that helps more than you know.
The three days also brought increased surveillance. Chen Hong and other Azure Sky attendants were everywhere, watching, recording, reporting back. Elder Shadow's investigation might have been suspended, but his observation continued unabated.
Lin Feng caught the elder watching him during meals, during training, during walks through the sect grounds. The hatred in those eyes was no longer concealed—Elder Shadow had moved past subtle manipulation into open enmity.
"He's waiting for you to slip," Elder Shen warned during a chance encounter in the herb gardens. "Waiting for any excuse to move against you again. Be more careful than ever, boy."
"I'm trying, Elder. But careful has limits when enemies are actively plotting my death."
"Then be smart. Use their plots against them." The old cultivator's eyes held knowing wisdom. "You've done well so far—turning investigations back on investigators, protecting allies while advancing politically. Keep doing that."
"The Patriarch taught me well."
"The Patriarch taught you forms and power. Your instincts are your own." Elder Shen smiled slightly. "You remind me of someone I knew long ago. Another cultivator who refused to accept the limitations others placed on him. He died young, but he died free. Sometimes that's all we can ask for."
The melancholy in those words stayed with Lin Feng long after their conversation ended.
Finally, the third day arrived—the day Fan Wu would make his "accidental" discovery.
The morning dawned clear and bright, the three moons having set hours before dawn. Lin Feng stood at his window, watching the sect wake, and felt destiny coiling like a spring about to release.
Through the Dao Thread: Today's the day. Are you ready?
As ready as I can be, Yun Qingxue responded. I've positioned myself to be near the ceremony hall when Fan Wu's discovery happens. As Sacred Disciple, I can legitimize the findings and call for immediate investigation.
Good. And I'll be in the training grounds with witnesses—establishing that I'm nowhere near the ceremony hall, ruling out any claims I somehow sabotaged or planted evidence.
Smart. Li Xian will try to spin this against you somehow. Having an alibi helps.
See you on the other side of this catastrophe.
Together on the other side.
Lin Feng went about his morning routine with careful normalcy. Breakfast in the outer disciple hall. Morning training session in the public grounds, where dozens of witnesses could confirm his presence. Even the subtle monitoring from Chen Hong worked in his favor today—the attendant's reports would confirm Lin Feng was nowhere near the ceremony hall all morning.
Around midday, it happened.
A massive spiritual disturbance erupted from the direction of the wedding venue—formation energy spiking wildly, then collapsing in a cascade of released power. Alarms formed from pure sound echoed across the sect, calling formation specialists and elders to emergency.
Lin Feng looked up from his training with carefully crafted surprise, joining the crowd of disciples rushing toward the disturbance. Through enhanced senses, he detected what others couldn't—the formation collapse was controlled, deliberate, designed to look accidental while ensuring maximum discovery.
Fan Wu's Heavenly Fortune Body, creating the perfect 'accident.'
The ceremony hall stood at the sect's northern edge, a magnificent structure usually reserved for important events. Disciples and elders were gathering outside, spiritual senses extended to assess the damage.
Inside the hall, Lin Feng could detect Fan Wu's spiritual signature—and the remnants of something else. Complex formation work, partially destroyed but still identifiable to trained eyes.
Elder Feng arrived first among the Grand Elders, his formation expertise making him the logical first responder. He rushed into the hall, Master Tie Shan close behind.
Moments later, Elder Feng emerged, his face pale with shock and rage.
"Someone has been conducting unauthorized formation work in the ceremony hall!" His voice boomed across the assembled crowd. "Advanced, sophisticated work—and it's still active!"
Murmurs rippled through disciples. Unauthorized formations were serious violations, especially in important venues.
"What kind of formations?" Patriarch Cloud asked, having arrived with his characteristic swiftness.
"I need to examine more closely to be certain, but..." Elder Feng's expression was grim. "They appear designed to suppress specific types of spiritual energy. Void energy, specifically."
The crowd erupted in shocked whispers. Lin Feng allowed himself to look surprised and concerned—which wasn't difficult, as Fan Wu's discovery was proving even more effective than hoped.
"That's impossible," Li Tianlong's voice cut through the noise. The Sovereign Monarch had appeared, along with Li Xian and several Azure Sky formation specialists. "Our delegation has been guests here. We would never conduct unauthorized formation work in sect property."
"And yet the formations are undeniably present," Elder Feng replied coldly. "Using techniques and materials consistent with Azure Sky Family methods."
"Circumstantial speculation," one of Li Xian's formation specialists spoke up. "These could have been installed by anyone trying to implicate us—"
A new voice interrupted: "Actually, I have documentation."
Fan Wu emerged from the ceremony hall, looking characteristically disheveled but carrying jade slips that pulsed with recorded formation data. Behind him, Yun Qingxue followed, her presence lending authority to whatever was about to be revealed.
"Ah, honored elders! What a fortunate disaster!" Fan Wu's voice carried his usual drunken cheerfulness, but his eyes were sharp. "I was walking past the ceremony hall—well, stumbling really, my balance has never been good—when I accidentally triggered a hidden formation tripwire. Caused a minor collapse, very embarrassing. But look what fell out!"
He held up the jade slips. "Complete formation diagrams. Construction schedules. Even correspondence between the designers and... well. Perhaps the Patriarch should review these privately first?"
"No." Patriarch Cloud's voice was hard as steel. "This concerns the entire sect. Display them publicly."
Fan Wu shrugged and activated the jade slips. Massive projections appeared in the air, visible to everyone assembled.
The formation diagrams were damning. Not just suppress-void-energy arrays, but a complete Void Anchor System—designed to lock down all spatial manipulation within the ceremony hall, prevent teleportation, and specifically counter techniques consistent with void cultivation.
The construction schedule showed work beginning three days after Li Xian's arrival. The timeline projected completion for two weeks from now—coinciding with a "special ceremony" noted in Azure Sky calendars.
And worst of all—the correspondence.
Messages between Li Xian and formation specialists, discussing "the target's void cultivation," planning "elimination during the ceremony when all witnesses assume it's part of the event," and coordinating with "E.S." to "ensure the investigation doesn't interfere."
E.S. Elder Shadow.
The evidence was overwhelming, undeniable, and spectacularly incriminating.
Li Tianlong's face had gone from confident to carefully neutral to ice-cold in rapid succession. Li Xian looked like he'd been struck by lightning—shock giving way to panic as he realized how thoroughly they'd been exposed.
"This is fabricated," Li Xian said, but his voice lacked conviction. "Someone planted this evidence to frame us—"
"The formation work itself is real," Elder Feng interrupted flatly. "I can verify that with any examination. And the techniques used are unmistakably Azure Sky Family methods—I've studied your family's formation style for decades."
"The correspondence could have been forged—"
"With your personal spiritual signature on every message?" Fan Wu held up another jade slip. "I'm no expert, but spiritual signatures are hard to fake. Especially when there are so many messages to forge consistently."
Patriarch Cloud's presence intensified, pressure radiating outward like physical weight. "Li Tianlong. Your son has been building an assassination array in my sect, targeting my personal disciple, while hiding behind the pretense of a wedding alliance. Explain yourself."
The Sovereign Monarch's expression was stone. "I was not aware of the full extent of my son's plans. If he overstepped—"
"Overstepped?" Yun Qingxue's voice cut through, cold with fury. "He built an assassination array disguised as a wedding venue. He planned to kill Lin Feng during our ceremony, in front of everyone, making it look like an accident or justified intervention. That's not overstepping—that's betrayal of sect hospitality, attempted murder, and conspiracy!"
"Sacred Disciple Yun," Li Tianlong's voice held warning. "You're understandably emotional, but remember your position—"
"My position as your son's fiancée?" Her ice-blue eyes blazed. "A position I never wanted, maintained only out of family obligation? Well, that obligation ends now. I formally request dissolution of the engagement contract on grounds of betrayal, attempted murder of an ally, and loss of all trust."
The crowd gasped. Formal dissolution requests were rare and politically explosive.
Li Xian found his voice finally: "You can't—we're destined to marry! Our families—"
"Our families allied based on mutual trust and benefit," Yun Qingxue said coldly. "You destroyed that trust by plotting murder on sect grounds. The engagement is void."
"The Yun family must approve dissolution—"
"I am the Sacred Disciple. In matters of personal honor and safety, my authority supersedes family preference." She turned to Patriarch Cloud. "Patriarch, I formally request sect sanction of engagement dissolution and expulsion of the Azure Sky delegation for violating hospitality law."
Lin Feng watched this unfold with carefully controlled satisfaction. Yun Qingxue was magnificent in her fury—the Ice Goddess weaponized, using every bit of her authority to strike back at Li Xian.
Through the Dao Thread, he felt her emotions—righteous anger, liberation, fierce joy at finally being free to act openly.
Patriarch Cloud was silent for a long moment, his ancient gaze moving between the evidence, the Azure Sky delegation, and the assembled sect members. Political calculations were being made, consequences weighed.
Finally: "The evidence is clear and damning. The Azure Sky Family has violated hospitality law, engaged in conspiracy against a protected disciple, and betrayed our trust." His voice carried absolute authority. "I declare the engagement between Li Xian and Yun Qingxue dissolved, effective immediately. The Azure Sky delegation will depart sect grounds by sunset. Any who remain after that deadline will be treated as hostile infiltrators."
"This is outrageous!" Li Xian's control shattered completely. "You can't expel us based on fabricated evidence! My father is Sovereign Monarch—"
"And I am Immortal Emperor Level 3, Patriarch of this sect, on my own territory." Patriarch Cloud's presence intensified further, making even distant disciples step back. "Your rank means nothing here, boy. You plotted murder under my roof. Be grateful I'm allowing you to leave alive."
Li Tianlong placed a hand on his son's shoulder—restraining or warning, Lin Feng couldn't tell which. "Patriarch Cloud. This incident will have consequences. The Azure Sky Family does not forget insults."
"Neither do we. And attempting to murder my disciple is more than an insult—it's an act of war." The ancient cultivator's voice dropped to dangerous quiet. "Take your delegation and leave. If you have grievances, address them through proper diplomatic channels. But know this: Lin Feng is under my personal protection. Any further attempts on his life will be met with direct retaliation against your family."
The two patriarchs stared at each other, wills clashing invisibly. Sovereign Monarch versus Immortal Emperor, political power versus territorial authority.
Finally, Li Tianlong bowed—stiffly, barely, but enough to acknowledge the situation. "We will depart by sunset. But Patriarch Cloud—this matter is far from over."
"I expect not. But the next move is yours to make, and you'll make it away from my sect." Patriarch Cloud turned to Elder Feng. "Dismantle the Void Anchor Array completely. Document everything for the records. And Elder Yuan—conduct a full investigation into Elder Shadow's involvement with this conspiracy."
Elder Shadow, who had been conspicuously silent during the entire confrontation, finally spoke: "Patriarch, I can explain—"
"You can explain to the Discipline Hall after the Azure Sky delegation departs. Until then, you're confined to your quarters under guard." The Patriarch's gaze was hard as diamond. "I trusted you, Shadow. For six hundred years, I trusted you. This betrayal cuts deep."
"I was trying to protect the sect—"
"By conspiring to murder my disciple? By working with outsiders to build assassination arrays on sect grounds?" Patriarch Cloud's voice carried more hurt than anger. "You'll have chance to present your side during investigation. But for now, you're relieved of all duties pending review."
Formation specialists moved to escort Elder Shadow away. The elder's expression cycled through shock, anger, and finally resignation. As he was led past Lin Feng, their eyes met briefly.
In that gaze, Lin Feng saw not just hatred, but something else—almost relief, as if a burden had been lifted. As if playing political games had been exhausting, and now that the mask was off, Elder Shadow could finally stop pretending.
The crowd began dispersing, disciples whispering excitedly about what they'd witnessed. The Azure Sky delegation retreated toward their quarters to pack, Li Xian's rage palpable even from a distance.
Yun Qingxue remained near the ceremony hall, her expression carefully neutral despite the emotional storm Lin Feng felt through their bond. She couldn't show relief or joy yet—not in public, not with so many watching.
But through the Dao Thread: We did it. We actually did it. I'm free.
You're free, Lin Feng confirmed, allowing himself a moment of genuine happiness. The engagement is broken. Li Xian is expelled. You're safe.
We're safe. For now.
The qualification was necessary. As Master Tie Shan had noted when he approached Lin Feng after the crowd thinned: "This is a victory, boy. But victories in cultivation politics often breed worse problems than defeats."
"What do you mean, Master Tie?"
The legendary blacksmith's expression was troubled. "Li Tianlong's threat wasn't empty. The Azure Sky Family will retaliate—maybe not immediately, but eventually. And expelling them means we've lost a powerful ally. Other sects will take note, and some will see opportunity in our weakened position."
"So we traded one set of problems for another?"
"That's how it always works at this level. You solve immediate threats by creating future complications." Master Tie Shan clapped Lin Feng on the shoulder with enough force to stagger a normal cultivator. "But you're alive, the girl is free, and your enemies are in retreat. That's worth celebrating before the next disaster arrives."
"Wise words, Master Tie."
"I've had twelve hundred years to get wise. Still not sure I've succeeded." The massive cultivator smiled. "But I know this much—you've got real courage, boy. Standing up to powers far beyond your current level, refusing to sacrifice principles for convenience. The Void Emperor would be proud."
The mention of the Void Emperor drew Lin Feng's attention. "Master Tie, did you know him? The Void Emperor, I mean."
"Met him once, briefly, two thousand years ago when I was still advancing toward Transcendence Celestial. He visited the sect—back when it was much smaller—looking for formation knowledge." Master Tie Shan's expression grew distant with memory. "Impressive man. Powerful beyond measure, but carrying sadness like a physical weight. He told me once that the hardest part of great power was the isolation it brought."
"Isolation?"
"When you become strong enough, everyone either fears you or wants to use you. Genuine connection becomes nearly impossible. That's what killed him in the end—not lack of power, but lack of people he could truly trust." The blacksmith's eyes focused on Lin Feng. "Don't make his mistake. You're building something better—real allies, genuine relationships. Hold onto that, even when power makes isolation seem safer."
"I will, Master Tie. Thank you."
After the blacksmith left, Lin Feng made his way toward his quarters, exhaustion finally catching up with him. The morning's tension, the discovery's drama, the political explosion—all of it had drained him more thoroughly than any cultivation session.
But he'd only gone halfway when a presence manifested beside him. Fan Wu, appearing from nowhere with his characteristic fortune.
"Congratulations on not dying today," the Lucky Wanderer said cheerfully. "Though technically the day isn't over, so perhaps premature congratulations. Still, you're doing well for someone targeted by Sovereign Monarchs and conspiracy-prone elders."
"Thank you for the discovery. Your timing was perfect."
"My timing is always perfect—that's the constitution's whole function." Fan Wu took a drink from his gourd. "But Lin Feng, we need to talk about what happens next."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean Li Tianlong isn't the type to accept defeat gracefully. And more importantly..." Fan Wu's usual humor faded completely. "While examining the Void Anchor Array, I found something troubling. A second formation, hidden within the first. This one wasn't designed by Azure Sky Family methods."
Lin Feng's blood chilled. "What kind of formation?"
"Soul beacon. Specifically designed to transmit information about void cultivation signatures across vast distances." Fan Wu's expression was grave. "Someone has been monitoring your spiritual energy through the array. And based on the transmission patterns I detected, that information has been sent to at least three different locations."
"Three locations."
"Yes. I can't identify the exact destinations—the formation used sophisticated masking—but the distances suggest different continents. One west, one south, one in the demonic territories."
The implications hit Lin Feng like a hammer blow. "The three traitors. They've been watching."
"That would be my guess. Someone tipped them off that the Void Emperor's inheritance had resurfaced. Now they know where you are, what level you've reached, probably even that you've formed a Dao Companion bond." Fan Wu's voice was sympathetic. "Lin Feng, today's victory may have just painted a target on your back that no political maneuvering can remove."
Through the Dao Thread, Yun Qingxue sensed his spike of alarm: What's wrong?
The array. It was also a beacon. The traitors know about us now.
Her terror flooded through their connection, quickly suppressed but unmistakable.
"How long until they act?" Lin Feng asked Fan Wu.
"Unknown. Could be weeks, could be months. Depends on their current cultivation projects, political situations, how much of a threat they perceive you to be." Fan Wu's expression was unusually serious. "But they will come eventually. The Void Emperor's heir, alive and advancing? That's existential threat to them. They'll eliminate you when they're ready."
"Then I need to advance faster. Get strong enough to face them or at least survive their initial attacks."
"That's the spirit—plan to survive rather than win. Much more realistic." Fan Wu's humor returned slightly. "In the meantime, I suggest you take advantage of your newfound freedom. The engagement is broken, Elder Shadow is removed, Li Xian is expelled. You have a window—maybe a few months—before the next crisis hits. Use it well."
"Any suggestions?"
"Train. Cultivate. Spend time with your Dao Companion now that you don't have to hide quite so carefully. Build your foundation—not just cultivation foundation, but personal foundation. The relationships and resources that will sustain you when everything else fails."
Fan Wu began to fade into that impossible way he moved, probability itself bending around him.
"Oh, and Lin Feng? One more thing." He paused, half-present. "The Void Emperor died alone, betrayed by those he loved. You're building something different. That gives you advantages he never had. But it also creates vulnerabilities. Be careful who you trust with your full truth. Even people with good intentions can become weapons in the wrong hands."
Then he was gone, leaving Lin Feng alone in the corridor with far too many thoughts.
The traitors know. They're coming. Everything we've fought for—breaking the engagement, removing immediate threats—none of it matters if Demi-Gods decide to eliminate me.
Unless I become strong enough that even they hesitate.
Through the Dao Thread: Are you okay?
No, Yun Qingxue admitted. I'm terrified. But I'm also free from Li Xian, and you're alive, and we have time we didn't have before. That has to count for something.
It counts for everything. We'll face whatever comes together.
Together. I like the sound of that more every day.
Lin Feng reached his quarters as the sun began setting—the deadline for Azure Sky departure. Through his window, he could see the delegation assembling at the eastern gate, loads packed, faces showing various degrees of anger and humiliation.
Li Xian stood apart from the others, his expression murderous as he stared back at the sect. Even from this distance, Lin Feng felt the killing intent radiating from him.
That one will be back. Not officially, but through assassins or schemes. He won't let this humiliation stand.
But that was a problem for another day. Today's victory was real, even if temporary.
As the Azure Sky delegation departed and darkness fell over the sect, Lin Feng settled into meditation. The Inverse Void Dao welcomed him into its infinite darkness, and for a few hours, complications receded.
There was only power, cultivation, and the steady progress toward strength that would eventually let him face even Demi-Gods without flinching.
Three traitors coming. Unknown timeline. Unknown methods. But definitely coming.
I need Divine Domain Level 5 minimum to survive their initial attacks. Transcendence Celestial to truly fight back. That's months or years of cultivation compressed into weeks if possible.
The Void Emperor took millennia to reach Demi-God level. I need to do it in decades—maybe less.
Impossible by any standard. But I've been doing impossible things since I touched that jade tablet.
Time to do another impossible thing.
Time to become strong enough that the monsters hunting me learn to fear their prey.
In the void, Lin Feng's determination crystallized into purpose.
The gathering storm had broken. The next one was building.
And when it arrived, he would be ready.
END OF CHAPTER 19
TO BE CONTINUED...