The morning of the rest day dawned gray and overcast, clouds blocking the sun's warmth and casting everything in muted tones. Lin Feng stood in a private training courtyard reserved for tournament competitors, working through sword forms while his mind processed yesterday's revelations.
The Shadow Network's investigation. Unknown parties gathering intelligence. The increasing complexity of tournament politics. Each factor represented a thread in a web that was growing more tangled by the day.
Focus on what I can control, he reminded himself as his blade cut through morning air in precise patterns. Can't stop people from investigating. Can only make sure there's nothing to find that would truly compromise me.
"Your form is distracted," a voice observed.
Lin Feng turned to find Han Jie approaching—the Crimson Peak Sect cultivator he'd defeated in the first round. The man moved with the easy confidence of someone secure in their abilities despite tournament elimination.
"Thinking about tomorrow's match," Lin Feng replied, which was partially true. "Wu Chen is a challenging opponent."
"The Iron Mountain? Indeed he is." Han Jie settled onto a courtyard bench, apparently in no hurry to leave. "I fought him in a friendly match last year. My fire techniques, which can melt steel, barely scratched his defenses. He simply absorbed everything I threw at him and waited for me to exhaust myself."
"Any advice?"
"Don't try to break through his defenses directly. You'll waste spiritual energy accomplishing nothing." Han Jie's expression showed grudging respect for his fellow competitor. "Wu Chen's strategy is simple—become an immovable object and let opponents defeat themselves through futile assault. The only way to beat him is to attack what he can't defend."
"Which is?"
"That's the question everyone asks. And the reason he's advanced this far despite being 'only' Divine Domain Level 4." Han Jie smiled slightly. "Though I suspect you have advantages others lack. Your void techniques seemed particularly effective at bypassing conventional defenses."
They talked for another twenty minutes about Wu Chen's fighting style, known techniques, and potential vulnerabilities. Han Jie proved surprisingly forthcoming with information—apparently losing to Lin Feng hadn't created the grudge that defeats sometimes fostered. If anything, the Crimson Peak cultivator seemed genuinely interested in helping him succeed.
"Why share all this?" Lin Feng finally asked directly. "We were opponents. You don't owe me assistance."
"Because you defeated me honorably and showed respect after victory. Because watching you fight is instructive—your techniques are unique enough to be worth studying." Han Jie stood, preparing to leave. "And because I'd rather see you advance than Wu Chen. The Iron Mountain is technically impressive but philosophically boring. Defensive cultivation taken to its logical extreme."
After Han Jie departed, Lin Feng continued training with renewed focus. The conversation had provided useful tactical intelligence, but more importantly, it suggested he might be building reputation beyond just power level. Respect earned through conduct mattered in ways raw strength alone couldn't achieve.
The rest of the morning passed in productive cultivation. He refined his Shadow Veil technique, practiced Void Step variations, and worked on spiritual energy efficiency—critical for the attrition battle that tomorrow's match would likely become.
Around midday, Xiao Ling found him in the training courtyard with lunch and her characteristic directness.
"You need to eat. Also, Elder Yuan wants to see you this afternoon. Also, there are seven sect representatives who've requested meetings. Also, Zhao Hai fought this morning and won his third-round match—he's in the quarter-finals now, which is amazing for Foundation Establishment turned Divine Domain Level 1." She paused for breath. "Also, you look tired. Are you sleeping?"
"I'm cultivating, which is better than sleeping for energy recovery." Lin Feng accepted the food gratefully. "Seven sect representatives?"
"Six recruitment inquiries and one alliance proposal. Elder Yuan is handling most of them diplomatically, but some are insisting on personal meetings with you." Xiao Ling sat beside him, her own plate balanced carefully. "The recruitment offers are... extensive. Resources, training access, elevated status within their sects. The Azure Peak Sect is offering immediate inner disciple status with Elder mentorship. The Thousand Sword Sect is offering access to their legendary armory and personal instruction from their Sword Saint."
"Impressive offers."
"You don't sound impressed."
"Because accepting any of them means leaving Celestial Dawn. Abandoning the sect that took me in when I was nothing." Lin Feng ate mechanically, the food's spiritual energy content more important than its taste. "I owe loyalty that can't be dismissed just because better offers appear."
"The sect would understand if you advanced your cultivation through better opportunities. The Patriarch himself said you might outgrow what we can provide." Xiao Ling's voice carried complicated emotions—pride in his success mixed with sadness about potential departure. "We want you to succeed, Lin Feng. Even if that success takes you away from us."
"I'm not leaving. Not yet, anyway. Not until circumstances make staying impossible." He met her eyes directly. "You're my friend, Xiao Ling. Zhao Hai too. Elder Yuan. The Patriarch. These connections matter more than cultivation resources."
"That's... really naive for someone as strategically minded as you." But she smiled despite the criticism. "Also kind of beautiful. Also definitely going to complicate your life going forward."
They finished lunch while discussing Zhao Hai's morning victory—apparently the young man had fought brilliantly, using terrain manipulation and tactical patience to defeat a technically superior opponent. Foundation Establishment advancing to tournament quarter-finals was remarkable enough to generate its own attention.
Our little sect is punching well above its weight class. Zhao Hai in quarter-finals. Me still advancing. Even the disciples who were eliminated fought honorably.
Maybe we don't need to be a major sect to matter. Maybe excellence from unexpected sources has its own value.
The afternoon meeting with Elder Yuan focused on tournament bracket analysis and political navigation. With third-round matches completing today and tomorrow, the quarter-finals bracket was becoming clear.
"If you defeat Wu Chen tomorrow, your quarter-final opponent will be either Feng Chen or Zhang Wei from the Silent Moon Sect." Elder Yuan displayed the tournament bracket on a formation diagram. "Zhang Wei is Divine Domain Level 5, extremely dangerous. But Feng Chen is Cloud Transformation Level 1—the tournament favorite for good reason."
"I'd rather face Feng Chen in quarter-finals than later rounds when he's had time to observe my techniques more thoroughly." Lin Feng studied the bracket carefully. "Though honestly, I'd rather avoid him entirely until I'm stronger."
"Unfortunately, the bracket makes that confrontation almost inevitable. Zhang Wei would need to pull an upset victory, which is possible but unlikely given the power difference." Elder Yuan's expression became more serious. "Lin Feng, if you face Feng Chen in the quarter-finals, you need to be realistic about your chances."
"Not good?"
"Cloud Transformation Level 1 versus Divine Domain Level 4 is a massive gap. Normally insurmountable. Your void cultivation provides advantages, yes, but there are limits to what technique superiority can overcome." The elder paused, choosing words carefully. "I'm not saying you'll definitely lose. I'm saying you need to enter that match with appropriate strategy. Don't try to win through direct confrontation. Look for weaknesses, exploit opportunities, and above all—survive long enough to learn from the experience."
"You're saying treat it as a learning opportunity rather than a winnable match."
"I'm saying accept reality while remaining open to possibility. Upsets happen. Favorites fall. But they fall to cultivators who understand their own limitations and fight accordingly." Elder Yuan's weathered face showed the wisdom of someone who'd seen many tournaments. "Though honestly, reaching quarter-finals as Divine Domain Level 4 is already exceptional achievement. Win or lose against Feng Chen, you've proven yourself at the highest levels."
They spent two more hours discussing tactics, reviewing intelligence on potential opponents, and planning contingencies for various bracket outcomes. By the time Lin Feng left the meeting, his head swam with strategic considerations and probability calculations.
Evening brought the third round's final matches. Lin Feng watched from the Celestial Dawn viewing section as remaining competitors battled for quarter-final spots.
Li Xian fought with controlled brutality, defeating his opponent—a Divine Domain Level 3 cultivator from a mid-tier sect—through overwhelming power and technical precision. The young Azure Sky master was clearly growing stronger through tournament pressure, his techniques more refined than they'd been even a few days ago.
He's advancing toward Divine Domain Level 4. Probably reach it within the next few matches. By the time we potentially face each other, he'll be at my displayed level.
Though he still doesn't know my real foundation. That information advantage might be the only edge I have if we meet.
Feng Chen's match was the evening's headline event—Cloud Transformation Level 1 against Divine Domain Level 5. The kind of matchup where power difference should determine outcome clearly.
It lasted four minutes.
Feng Chen didn't just win—he demonstrated why he was tournament favorite. His techniques operated on a completely different scale than Divine Domain competitors. When he manifested his domain—"The Eternal Wind"—the entire arena became subject to constant, overwhelming air pressure that made movement difficult and breathing laborious for his opponent.
Within that domain, Feng Chen moved with effortless grace, his sword strikes carrying enough force to shatter reinforced stone, his spiritual energy control so refined that every technique appeared both beautiful and devastating.
The Divine Domain Level 5 cultivator fought bravely, executed impressive techniques, and still lost decisively.
"That's what you'll be facing if you reach quarter-finals," Zhao Hai murmured beside Lin Feng. "How do you fight someone who operates on an entirely different level?"
"Very carefully. Very cleverly. Or very desperately." Lin Feng watched Feng Chen accept his victory with gracious humility—the tournament favorite showed none of the arrogance that often accompanied overwhelming power. "But I have advantages he doesn't know about. And underestimation is itself an advantage."
Through the Dao Thread, Yun Qingxue's presence carried concern: Feng Chen is stronger than even his reputation suggests. That domain control is Cloud Transformation Level 2 quality despite being Level 1 cultivation. He's refined his techniques to exceptional levels.
I noticed. Any weaknesses you observed?
None that Divine Domain Level 4 cultivation could exploit. I'm sorry, Lin Feng. Against Feng Chen, you'll need everything you have and more.
Then I'll find 'more.' Somehow.
That night, Lin Feng cultivated with focused intensity. Tomorrow brought Wu Chen and the Iron Mountain defense. Victory would advance him to quarter-finals. To potential confrontation with Feng Chen. To testing himself against someone genuinely superior in cultivation level.
The Inverse Void Dao specializes in overcoming superior opponents. Void conquers all elements. Liberation from constraints means power levels become suggestions rather than absolutes.
But theory and reality often diverge. Feng Chen isn't just higher cultivation—he's exceptional talent with superior resources and training. Underestimating him would be fatal.
First Wu Chen. Prove I can win wars of attrition against defensive specialists. Then worry about fighting legends.
Sleep was impossible, so Lin Feng didn't try. He cultivated through the night, refining spiritual energy patterns, preparing techniques, and mentally rehearsing strategies for the battle ahead.
Dawn arrived with clearing skies—the previous day's overcast giving way to brilliant sunshine. Perfect weather for perfect combat. The tournament grounds awakened to the final day of third-round matches.
Lin Feng's bout was scheduled for early afternoon in Arena Two. He spent the morning in light training and meditation, keeping his body limber and his mind focused. Xiao Ling provided breakfast with strict nutritional requirements. Elder Yuan offered final tactical advice. Zhao Hai provided encouragement with characteristic enthusiasm.
And through it all, Lin Feng felt the weight of approaching confrontation. Wu Chen represented more than just another opponent. He was the gatekeeper between current achievement and quarter-finals. Between proven capability and elite recognition.
Win this match. Advance to quarter-finals. Face whatever comes next with confidence that I belong at these levels.
Lose, and prove the skeptics right—that void cultivation genius is still limited by cultivation level against true specialists.
The announcement echoed across tournament grounds: "Third round, Arena Two: Lin Feng of Celestial Dawn Sect versus Wu Chen of Iron Mountain Sect. Competitors report to preparation areas."
Lin Feng stood, checked his sword one final time, and began the walk toward Arena Two.
Through the Dao Thread, Yun Qingxue sent wordless support—not advice, not strategy, just pure encouragement.
I'm with you. Always.
I know. That's why I can do this.
Arena Two held ten thousand spectators, all eager to see whether the mysterious void cultivator could overcome the legendary Iron Mountain defense. The crowd's energy was electric—this was considered one of the day's most interesting matchups.
Wu Chen waited at the arena's far side, and Lin Feng's first impression was of solidity. The Iron Mountain Sect cultivator wasn't particularly tall or muscular, but his presence radiated immovability. Divine Domain Level 4 like Lin Feng's displayed level, but his spiritual signature felt heavier, denser, more consolidated through years of defensive training.
"Lin Feng," Wu Chen's voice was deep and steady. "Your void techniques are renowned. I look forward to testing my Iron Mountain Body against them."
"And I look forward to learning from your defensive cultivation, Senior Brother Wu." Lin Feng settled into ready stance. "May this be an instructive match for us both."
The referee stepped between them. "Standard tournament rules. Begin on my signal."
Here we go. Void against iron. Mobility against immovability. This will be interesting.
"Ready!"
Both competitors assumed their positions.
"Begin!"
Wu Chen didn't move. Didn't attack. Simply activated his signature technique—"Iron Mountain Immortal Body!"
His skin transformed, taking on metallic luster that looked like polished steel. His spiritual signature intensified, becoming so dense it was almost visible. And around him, defensive formations manifested—layer upon layer of earth-element spiritual energy creating concentric shells of protection.
He stood there like a fortress. Waiting. Daring Lin Feng to try breaking through.
Lin Feng smiled slightly. This was going to be exactly as advertised—a war of attrition.
He began with probing attacks.
Spatial blades that struck the outer defensive layers and dispersed against superior density. Void-enhanced sword strikes that cut through the first layer but stopped at the second. Shadow Veil manipulation attempting to penetrate internal defenses from unexpected angles.
Each attack was carefully measured, designed to gather information while conserving spiritual energy. And each attack confirmed what Han Jie had warned about—Wu Chen's defenses were genuinely exceptional. Not impenetrable, but approaching it for most attack methods.
Five minutes passed. Lin Feng had tested conventional assault, spatial manipulation, direct void strikes, and combination techniques. Wu Chen had simply stood there, absorbing everything, his defenses barely scratched.
The crowd began murmuring. This wasn't the exciting combat they'd anticipated.
Through the Dao Thread: He's baiting you into frustration. Wants you to overcommit trying to break his defenses and exhaust yourself. Don't take the bait.
I won't. But I need to show the crowd something impressive or they'll think I'm helpless. Tournament politics requires performance, not just tactical soundness.
Lin Feng changed strategy. Instead of trying to break through Wu Chen's defenses, he began attacking the space around them. Using void manipulation not to strike directly but to alter the spatial properties of the battlefield itself.
He created void pockets that disrupted spiritual energy flow. Manifested spatial distortions that made distance judgment difficult. Employed Shadow Veil to reduce visibility and create confusion about attack angles.
The arena itself became his weapon, slowly transformed into terrain that favored mobility over stability.
Wu Chen's expression flickered—first hint of concern. His defenses were absolute, yes. But if the battlefield itself became hostile, even perfect defense had limitations.
"Interesting strategy," Wu Chen acknowledged. "But ultimately futile. The Iron Mountain doesn't care about terrain. It simply exists."
He demonstrated by channeling earth-element spiritual energy into the arena floor, creating his own domain space—"Unyielding Foundation!"—that stabilized reality around him, countering Lin Feng's void manipulation through sheer density of spiritual energy output.
The crowd erupted in appreciation. This was the high-level technique showcase they'd come to see.
Lin Feng felt the pressure of Wu Chen's domain—heavy, oppressive, resistant to manipulation. Fighting within this space would be like moving through thick mud while his opponent enjoyed perfect mobility.
Time to escalate. Show something that will satisfy spectators while setting up for real strategy.
He manifested his own domain—not the full Eternal Void, but a constrained version called "Void Severance Field!"
The space around him became subject to void principles—attacks could be nullified, spiritual energy could be disrupted, distance became flexible rather than fixed. The two domains clashed where they met, void against earth, mobility against stability.
The resulting spiritual energy conflict was visible even to mortal eyes—reality itself seemed to shimmer and distort where the domains intersected.
For ten minutes, they fought domain against domain. Wu Chen tried to expand his Unyielding Foundation and crush Lin Feng's Void Severance Field through superior density. Lin Feng used void principles to erode and destabilize the earth-element domain where it overextended.
Neither gained decisive advantage. Both consumed spiritual energy at rates that made extended combat unsustainable.
The crowd loved it. This was high-level domain warfare, the kind of combat that demonstrated true cultivation mastery.
But Lin Feng recognized the problem: he was getting nowhere. Wu Chen's defenses remained intact. His spiritual energy reserves seemed bottomless. And time was working against the attacker—eventually tournament officials would declare stalemate or judge based on demonstrated superiority.
Need to try something radical. Something he won't expect because it seems too desperate.
Time to reveal a technique I've been holding back.
Lin Feng suddenly collapsed his Void Severance Field, pulling all that spiritual energy back into himself. To observers, it looked like surrender—like he was giving up domain warfare as futile.
Wu Chen's expression showed satisfaction. This was the pattern he expected. Opponents tried various approaches, failed to break his defenses, and eventually exhausted themselves.
But Lin Feng wasn't exhausted. He'd just freed up massive amounts of spiritual energy for concentrated assault.
He channeled everything into a single technique—one he'd developed specifically for opponents who thought defense was absolute.
"Void Heart Strike!"
This wasn't an external attack. It was internal manipulation—using void principles to bypass all external defenses and strike directly at Wu Chen's spiritual energy core. The technique created a momentary void corridor through space itself, allowing Lin Feng's attack to manifest inside the Iron Mountain Body's protective layers.
Wu Chen's eyes widened in genuine shock as he felt the attack materialize within his defenses. For the first time in the match, he showed real pain—his Iron Mountain Body was designed to defend against external assault, not internal disruption.
But he wasn't defeated. His cultivation wasn't ordinary. He'd trained for scenarios exactly like this.
"Earth Rebound!"
Wu Chen's entire body pulsed with earth-element spiritual energy, essentially resetting his internal state and ejecting foreign energy. The technique was brutally effective—Lin Feng's Void Heart Strike was expelled along with significant portions of Wu Chen's own spiritual energy.
Both cultivators staggered. Both had taken genuine damage. Both were breathing hard.
The crowd went absolutely wild. Finally, real blood in the water.
"Impressive," Wu Chen gasped, his Iron Mountain Body showing cracks for the first time. "You're the first opponent to actually hurt me through my defenses this tournament."
"You're the first opponent to survive Void Heart Strike," Lin Feng replied, equally exhausted. "Your rebound technique is remarkable."
They faced each other across the damaged arena, both wounded, both depleted, both knowing the next exchange would likely decide the match.
Wu Chen attacked first—abandoning pure defense for aggressive offense. He charged with earth-enhanced physical strikes, each blow carrying enough force to crater stone. The Iron Mountain moving was terrifying in ways the Iron Mountain stationary never was.
Lin Feng met the assault with Void Step and spatial manipulation, dodging where possible, deflecting where necessary, and counter-attacking whenever openings appeared. The combat became close-quarters and vicious—no more domain warfare or technique showcases, just two exhausted cultivators fighting with everything they had left.
A spectator counting techniques would have lost track. Both fighters operated on instinct and training, moves flowing into counter-moves flowing into desperate improvisations.
The match had lasted twenty-three minutes—far longer than most tournament bouts.
Finally, Lin Feng saw his opening. Wu Chen overextended on a power strike, committing too much weight forward. For just a fraction of a second, his defensive formation showed a gap.
Lin Feng didn't hesitate. He used Spatial Lock to freeze that moment, then struck through the gap with void-enhanced blade aimed not at Wu Chen's body but at the spiritual energy matrix sustaining his Iron Mountain Body.
The technique shattered. Wu Chen's defenses collapsed. And Lin Feng's sword edge pressed against his throat.
"Yield," Lin Feng gasped.
Wu Chen, beaten for the first time in years, showed the grace to accept reality. "I yield."
The referee's hand came down. "Victory: Lin Feng of Celestial Dawn Sect!"
The crowd's roar was deafening. They'd witnessed something special—a match where both competitors pushed themselves to absolute limits and beyond.
As they helped each other to the medical area—both needing genuine treatment—Wu Chen spoke quietly: "That internal strike technique. I've never seen anything like it. Where did you learn void cultivation that advanced?"
"Ancient texts and desperate practice," Lin Feng replied honestly. "Your defensive cultivation is equally impressive. You forced me to my limits."
"Apparently not quite your limits." Wu Chen smiled despite the pain. "You still won. Which means you're in the quarter-finals now."
"Against either Zhang Wei or Feng Chen."
"Most likely Feng Chen. Which means your real test is still ahead." Wu Chen's expression became serious. "Lin Feng, you fought brilliantly today. But Cloud Transformation is a different world from Divine Domain. Don't let today's victory make you overconfident about tomorrow's challenge."
"I won't. But I'll still try my best."
"That's all anyone can ask."
In the medical area, cultivators tended their injuries. Lin Feng had depleted his spiritual energy dangerously low—not critically, but enough to require rest before he'd be ready for quarter-finals. Wu Chen's internal damage from the Void Heart Strike needed careful treatment.
Through the Dao Thread, Yun Qingxue's presence flooded with relief and pride: That was incredible. Exhausting to watch but incredible. You're through to quarter-finals.
Barely. Wu Chen nearly beat me.
But he didn't. You won. Now you rest, recover, and prepare for Feng Chen.
Is it definitely Feng Chen?
His match is happening now. Zhang Wei is fighting bravely, but the power gap is too large. It will be Feng Chen in the quarter-finals.
Then I have two days to figure out how to fight someone who operates on an entirely different level.
We'll figure it out together. Rest now. We'll plan tomorrow.
Lin Feng closed his eyes, letting medical disciples work while his body began the slow process of recovery.
Quarter-finals. Against Feng Chen. Against Cloud Transformation Level 1.
The greatest challenge he'd faced yet.
And somehow, he'd need to find a way to survive it.
TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 30: PREPARING FOR LEGENDS