Dawn arrived cold and clear, frost patterns decorating Lin Feng's window like delicate artwork. He'd spent the night in meditation rather than sleep, preparing mentally for the journey ahead. His spiritual energy was fully recovered, his techniques refined, his mind focused with absolute clarity.
Today. The journey to Frozen Sky Sect territory begins.
Patriarch Cloud Heaven had arranged for Lin Feng to travel with a small diplomatic delegation—himself, Elder Yuan, and two senior disciples who would serve as witnesses and support. The group was deliberately small to avoid appearing presumptuous while still maintaining proper formality.
"Ready?" The Patriarch appeared at Lin Feng's quarters precisely at dawn, his Cloud Transformation Level 7 presence radiating calm authority. "We have a long journey ahead. The Frozen Sky Sect's territory is in the Northern Mountains—two days by flying formation, longer if we encounter spiritual beast interference."
"I'm ready, Patriarch."
They departed Celestial Dawn Sect as the sun cleared the eastern horizon, the flying formation carrying them northward with speed that made landscape blur beneath. Lin Feng had traveled by formation before but never this far or this fast—the Patriarch's personal formation was clearly superior to standard sect transportation.
"Nervous?" Cloud Heaven asked after they'd been traveling for an hour.
"Terrified and determined in equal measure." Lin Feng watched the landscape transition from familiar forests to increasingly mountainous terrain. "The evaluation will test everything I am. If I fail..."
"You won't fail. But even if you perform poorly, it won't define your worth." The Patriarch's tone carried reassurance mixed with pragmatism. "Lin Feng, I want you to understand something important. Your value to our sect doesn't depend on Frozen Sky Sect's approval. Whether they accept you or not, you remain Celestial Dawn's most promising disciple."
"Thank you, Patriarch. That means more than you know."
"However," Cloud Heaven continued, "their acceptance would provide opportunities we can't match. Resources, training access, political connections—all things that would accelerate your advancement significantly. So while failure won't diminish my opinion of you, success would benefit everyone involved."
"No pressure at all."
The Patriarch smiled slightly. "Pressure creates diamonds from coal. Consider this forging through pressure rather than burden."
They traveled through the day, stopping briefly at midpoint for rest and cultivation recovery. The landscape had transformed dramatically—temperate forests gave way to snow-covered peaks that jutted toward sky like frozen spears. The spiritual energy in the air changed too, becoming sharper, colder, more refined.
"We're entering the Frozen Sky Sect's sphere of influence," Elder Yuan explained, observing the environmental shifts. "The entire Northern Mountain range is saturated with their ice-element spiritual energy. Centuries of high-level cultivation have transformed the environment itself."
Lin Feng could feel it—the cold wasn't merely physical but spiritual, a manifestation of concentrated ice-element energy that had permeated everything. It was simultaneously beautiful and intimidating.
This is what it means to be a major sect. Not just powerful cultivators but environmental transformation that makes entire regions extensions of their power.
As evening approached, they stopped for the night at a way station maintained by the Frozen Sky Sect for travelers. The building was carved from what appeared to be solid ice—but ice reinforced with formation arrays that made it harder than steel and maintained comfortable internal temperature.
"Impressive architecture," Lin Feng observed, studying the formation work. "The ice is simultaneously structural material and spiritual energy conductor. Whoever designed this understood both principles deeply."
"The Frozen Sky Sect's formation masters are among the continent's best," Cloud Heaven confirmed. "Their ice-element specialization has led to innovation in formation theory that other sects struggle to replicate."
That night, Lin Feng cultivated in his assigned room, adjusting to the ambient ice-element spiritual energy. His void cultivation had no inherent weakness to ice—void could consume any element—but the sheer concentration required adaptation.
Through the Dao Thread, Yun Qingxue's presence suddenly intensified: You're close now. I can feel you through our bond more strongly than before.
We stopped at the northern way station. Should reach your sect tomorrow.
Good. I've been preparing reception arrangements. You'll be given guest quarters in the diplomatic residence—better accommodations than normal evaluates receive. My mother's decision. She wants you comfortable before assessment begins. Her emotions through the bond carried complicated mixture—pride that her mother was showing respect, anxiety about the evaluation itself.
How is the political situation? Has Elder Xuanbing continued his opposition campaign?
Relentlessly. He's convinced three other elders to view you skeptically. But Grand Elder Bingxin has secured four supporters in your favor. The remaining four are undecided—they'll judge based on evaluation performance. She paused. Lin Feng, you need to understand—even one elder's strong opposition can complicate things. Complete unanimity isn't required for acceptance, but significant dissent creates political problems.
Then I'll have to be so impressive that even Elder Xuanbing can't justify rejection with credibility.
That's... ambitious. But also exactly the attitude you need.
They talked through the Dao Thread for an hour, discussing final preparations and strategy adjustments based on latest intelligence. Finally, as midnight approached, Yun Qingxue withdrew to let him rest.
Tomorrow night. You'll be here, in Frozen Sky territory. After that, the evaluation begins.
I'll be ready. I promise.
I know. You always are when it matters.
The second day of travel brought them into the heart of the Northern Mountains. The peaks here were impossibly tall, their summits lost in clouds, their slopes covered in eternal snow that sparkled like crushed diamonds in sunlight.
And then, as they crested a final ridgeline, the Frozen Sky Sect revealed itself.
Lin Feng's breath caught despite himself.
The sect occupied an entire valley system suspended impossibly between mountain peaks. Floating islands of ice and stone connected by bridges of frozen spiritual energy. Buildings that appeared carved from single crystals of ice, their surfaces reflecting light in rainbow patterns. Formations so complex and powerful that reality itself seemed different within their influence.
At the valley's center rose a palace of crystalline ice that defied description. Twelve stories tall, each level more magnificent than the last, the structure radiated power that Lin Feng could feel even from kilometers away.
"The Frozen Palace," Cloud Heaven said quietly. "Home of the Frozen Sky Patriarch and seat of sect authority. One of the most impressive architectural achievements on the entire continent."
"It's..." Lin Feng searched for words. "I've never seen anything like it."
"Few have. The Frozen Sky Sect is reclusive by design—they rarely allow outsiders into their inner territory." The Patriarch's expression became more serious. "Lin Feng, what you're about to experience represents privilege most cultivators never receive. Regardless of evaluation outcome, remember that being here at all is extraordinary honor."
They descended toward the sect's outer reception area—a platform designated for diplomatic visitors. As they landed, a delegation of Frozen Sky disciples waited to greet them. All wore robes in varying shades of ice-blue and white, their spiritual signatures radiating cold that made Lin Feng's breath visible despite formation protections.
The delegation leader stepped forward—a woman at Immortal Emperor Level 2, her presence commanding despite appearing only in her thirties. "Patriarch Cloud Heaven of the Celestial Dawn Sect. Welcome to the Frozen Sky Sect. I am Elder Shuangxue, responsible for diplomatic protocols."
"Elder Shuangxue. Thank you for receiving us." Cloud Heaven executed a formal bow which she returned with precise etiquette. "May I present my disciples—Elder Yuan, Inner Disciples Wei Ming and Liu Jian, and Outer Disciple Lin Feng."
Elder Shuangxue's eyes lingered on Lin Feng—assessing, calculating, forming first impressions. "Lin Feng. Your reputation precedes you. The void cultivator who reached tournament quarter-finals and pushed our continent's premier young talent to deploy genuine power."
"You honor me with your attention, Elder. My performance was adequate but far from exceptional." Lin Feng maintained humble tone while meeting her gaze steadily. First impressions mattered enormously.
"We shall see about that." Something like amusement flickered across her face. "Come. Accommodations have been prepared. You'll want to rest before tomorrow's evaluation begins."
They were escorted through the sect's outer territories toward the diplomatic residence. The journey itself was educational—everywhere Lin Feng looked, he saw evidence of exceptional cultivation and resources. Training grounds where disciples practiced ice-element techniques with precision that suggested years of specialized instruction. Meditation gardens where ambient spiritual energy was so dense it appeared as visible mist. Formation arrays operating at levels of complexity that made his head spin trying to analyze them.
This is what it means to be a major sect. Not just powerful individuals but complete infrastructure supporting cultivation at highest levels. Resources, instruction, environment—everything optimized for advancement.
Celestial Dawn can't compete with this. We're successful for our size, but this... this is different magnitude entirely.
The diplomatic residence was building of ice and stone overlooking a meditation lake. Smaller than the main palace but still magnificent by any standard. They were shown to their respective quarters—Lin Feng's room was surprisingly spacious, with windows providing spectacular views of the valley and formation arrays maintaining comfortable temperature.
"Rest tonight. Eat the food provided—it's specially prepared to help adjust to our sect's spiritual energy." Elder Shuangxue's instructions were polite but firm. "Tomorrow morning, evaluation begins. You'll be summoned at dawn. Dress formally and bring only your sword. Everything else will be provided."
After she departed, the Celestial Dawn delegation gathered in the residence's common area to discuss strategy and final preparations.
"First impressions have been made," Elder Yuan observed. "Elder Shuangxue seemed neutral-to-positive in her assessment. That's good starting point."
"The real test begins tomorrow," Cloud Heaven reminded them. "Lin Feng, review everything we've prepared. Get proper rest tonight—exhaustion will undermine performance. And remember—you're here because you've earned this opportunity. Don't let their grandeur intimidate you into underperformance."
"I won't, Patriarch."
That evening, alone in his quarters, Lin Feng opened the package Mei She had given him. Inside was a jade slip and brief note:
"This technique is called 'Void Mirror.' It allows you to reflect any single attack back at the attacker with enhanced power. Use it once during combat evaluation for maximum impact. Don't practice beforehand—the first usage should be in actual combat for genuine surprise. Trust your instincts. - M"
Lin Feng channeled spiritual energy into the jade slip, absorbing the technique. It was remarkably sophisticated—using void principles to create a momentary spatial mirror that caught attacks and reversed their trajectory with additional void energy enhancement.
Risky technique. No practice means no certainty it will work correctly. But the surprise factor could be decisive.
Mei She wouldn't give me something useless. Trust the technique. Trust the training.
He spent the evening in careful meditation, adjusting to the Frozen Sky Sect's ambient spiritual energy, refining his techniques, and mentally preparing for tomorrow's challenges.
Through the Dao Thread, Yun Qingxue's presence touched his consciousness: You're here. In my sect's territory. Tomorrow we begin proving to everyone what I already know—that you're worthy.
What if I'm not? What if I fail the evaluation?
Then we find another path forward. Together. Our Dao Companion bond isn't conditional on my sect's approval. Her emotions through the connection carried fierce determination. But you won't fail. You're going to be brilliant.
I hope you're right.
I'm always right about important things. Haven't you learned that yet?
Despite anxiety about tomorrow, Lin Feng smiled at her confidence. They talked for another hour through the Dao Thread—not about evaluation strategy but about lighter topics. Memories from the tournament. Plans for after the evaluation. Dreams about their future together.
Finally, as midnight approached, they said goodnight.
Sleep well, Lin Feng. Tomorrow you show them what the Ice Goddess's Dao Companion is capable of.
Sleep well, Qingxue. Tomorrow you watch me prove you made the right choice.
Lin Feng settled into meditation-that-was-almost-sleep, allowing his body rest while his mind remained alert. Outside his windows, the Frozen Sky Sect glowed with formation lights, beautiful and intimidating in equal measure.
Dawn will bring the evaluation. Combat assessment, foundation examination, philosophical discussion, political acumen testing. Everything I am will be judged by twelve elders from one of the continent's most powerful sects.
No pressure at all.
The Heart of Void pulsed with steady rhythm, as if the ancient artifact recognized tomorrow's importance and offered wordless encouragement.
Lin Feng drew on the Inverse Void Dao, feeling void energy circulate through perfect meridians, preparing for the challenges ahead.
Ready or not, tomorrow comes.
And when it does, I'll show them exactly what a void cultivator with perfect foundation can achieve.
For myself. For my sect. For Qingxue.
For everyone who believes in me despite impossible odds.
He cultivated through the night, balanced on the edge of tomorrow, waiting for dawn and the evaluation that would determine so much about his future.
The Frozen Sky awaited.
And Lin Feng was ready to face it.
TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 36: THE FIRST TEST