Lin Feng sipped his tea, allowing the question to settle in his mind. What does it mean to walk the path of void? Elder Tianxue watched him with patient attention, clearly interested in how he would approach such a fundamental philosophical inquiry.
"Void is not absence," Lin Feng began, choosing his words carefully. "That's the first misunderstanding most cultivators have. They think void means emptiness, nothingness, the space between things. But true void is potential—the state before manifestation, the canvas before the painting, the silence before the sound."
"Interesting distinction." Elder Tianxue's expression showed approval at his thoughtful response. "Continue."
"Ice cultivation, like your sect practices, is about mastery of form. Ice is water given structure, chaos made orderly through temperature manipulation and spiritual energy refinement." Lin Feng gestured to the frozen formations visible through the pavilion's windows. "Your cultivators impose their will on reality, creating beauty and power through controlled transformation."
"And void cultivation?"
"Void cultivation is about liberation from form entirely. Not destruction—liberation. The difference is crucial." He paused, searching for words to express concepts that felt more intuitive than verbal. "When I use void techniques, I'm not fighting against reality. I'm recognizing that reality itself is flexible, that constraints are often self-imposed, that what appears solid is actually just spiritual energy given temporary structure."
Elder Tianxue leaned forward slightly, her scholarly interest clearly engaged. "So void cultivation is fundamentally about freedom? Liberation from constraints?"
"Freedom and responsibility. Liberation without wisdom is just chaos." Lin Feng met her eyes directly. "The Inverse Void Dao teaches that true power comes not from imposing will on reality but from understanding reality's fundamental nature and working with it rather than against it."
"The Inverse Void Dao?" Her eyebrows rose. "That's an ancient path. Most modern void cultivators follow the Orthodox Void Dao or the Consuming Void Path. The Inverse approach is considered theoretical rather than practical."
"It's practical for those who understand it properly." Lin Feng recognized he'd revealed more than intended but decided honesty was better than evasion. "The Inverse Void Dao doesn't seek to consume or dominate. It seeks to liberate and harmonize. Every technique I've demonstrated during this evaluation reflects that principle—void used to free rather than destroy."
They discussed cultivation philosophy for the next hour. Elder Tianxue posed increasingly complex questions about dao comprehension, ethical implications of power, the relationship between individual advancement and collective responsibility. Each question was designed to probe not just intellectual understanding but character and wisdom.
Lin Feng drew on everything he'd learned—from the Patriarch's teachings, from Mei She's combat philosophy, from his own experiences advancing from servant to elite cultivator. He spoke about balance between ambition and humility, power and restraint, self-interest and duty to others.
"You have a mature perspective unusual for someone your age," Elder Tianxue finally observed. "Most young cultivators at your level are focused purely on personal advancement. You seem to understand that cultivation exists within social context, that power brings responsibility beyond just defending oneself."
"I've had good teachers. And personal experience with what happens when power is wielded without wisdom." Lin Feng thought briefly of Li Xian, of Elder Shadow, of the Crimson Empress's agents. "I've seen arrogance destroy talented cultivators and humility elevate modest ones."
"Final question for this assessment." Elder Tianxue's tone became more serious. "Why do you seek relationship with Lady Yun Qingxue? What does the Dao Companion bond mean to you beyond cultivation benefits?"
The question was clearly designed to probe his motivations—was he pursuing Yun Qingxue for love, for political advantage, for cultivation enhancement through their bond?
Lin Feng considered his answer carefully. This was perhaps the most important question of the entire evaluation.
"I don't seek relationship with Lady Yun. That relationship already exists through Dao Companion bond neither of us consciously chose." He kept his voice steady, honest. "The bond formed through cultivation resonance—our daos recognized compatibility before our conscious minds did. I could no more un-choose her than I could un-choose void cultivation."
"But you could choose to end the relationship despite the bond's existence."
"Theoretically, yes. Though it would damage both our cultivations and cause genuine suffering." Lin Feng shook his head. "But Elder, you asked what the bond means to me beyond cultivation benefits. The answer is—everything. Qingxue makes me better. Not just stronger, though she does that. She makes me wiser, more balanced, more aware of perspectives beyond my own experience."
He paused, making sure his next words carried appropriate weight. "I was a servant before void cultivation awakened. I spent fourteen years invisible, insignificant, watching others exercise power while I cleaned their floors. That experience taught me things privileged cultivators never learn. And Qingxue—despite being the Ice Goddess, despite her power and status—never treats me as lesser. She sees the person beneath the cultivation level."
"That's what the bond means? Mutual recognition?"
"That's what the bond means. And yes, there are cultivation benefits—our combined dao comprehension, our shared spiritual energy during dual cultivation, the way our techniques complement each other. But those are consequences of the bond, not its purpose." Lin Feng met Elder Tianxue's eyes directly. "I would choose her even without those benefits. Because she chose me when I was nothing and no one. That kind of loyalty deserves reciprocation."
Silence settled over the tea pavilion for several moments. Elder Tianxue studied him with expression that revealed nothing, then finally nodded.
"Your philosophical comprehension is sophisticated and your understanding of relationship dynamics shows genuine maturity." She stood, indicating the assessment was complete. "I will report favorably to the evaluation committee. Proceed to the final assessment location—the political simulation chamber. Elder Xuanbing will administer that evaluation personally."
Lin Feng's stomach tightened slightly at that information. Elder Xuanbing—the elder most hostile to his relationship with Yun Qingxue—would be conducting the final assessment. That seemed designed to create maximum difficulty.
"Thank you, Elder Tianxue. I appreciate your thoughtful questions and fair evaluation."
"Fair evaluation is all I promised. But Lin Feng—a word of advice?" She paused at the pavilion's entrance. "Elder Xuanbing will attempt to provoke you. He'll present scenarios designed to make you appear selfish, calculating, or unworthy. Don't let anger cloud your judgment. Political acumen includes emotional control under pressure."
"I understand. Thank you for the warning."
After she departed, Lin Feng sat alone for several minutes, centering himself before the final assessment. Through the Dao Thread, Yun Qingxue's presence carried concern and encouragement.
Elder Xuanbing is administering the political assessment. That's deliberate.
I know. Your mother wants to see how I handle hostile evaluator. Tests my composure under adversarial conditions. Lin Feng stood, preparing to leave the pavilion. How has the committee been responding to my performance so far?
Grand Elder Bingxin is fully convinced—she's already advocating for acceptance. The four undecided elders are leaning positive based on combat and foundation assessments. Elder Xuanbing's three allies are wavering—they can't justify rejection after your performance, but they're looking for any excuse in the final assessment.
And your mother?
Still calculating. She's impressed but withholding final judgment until political assessment concludes. Yun Qingxue's emotions through the bond were complicated. Lin Feng, just remember—Elder Xuanbing can't actually fail you based on personal bias. He needs to identify genuine deficiencies in political acumen. If you maintain composure and demonstrate sound judgment, he has nothing.
Easier said than done when facing someone actively trying to undermine me.
True. But you've faced worse. Li Xian's hostility, assassination attempts, tournament combat against superior opponents. This is just words and scenarios. You've survived actual death threats—you can survive political simulation.
The political simulation chamber was located in the Frozen Palace's administrative wing—a section dedicated to sect governance and diplomatic affairs. The room was configured like a formal negotiation space with elevated seating for evaluators and central area for the person being assessed.
Elder Xuanbing waited at the evaluator's seat, his expression showing barely concealed hostility. Two other elders flanked him—presumably his allies on the evaluation committee. The setup was clearly designed to create pressure through numerical disadvantage and hostile atmosphere.
"Lin Feng." Elder Xuanbing's tone was coldly formal. "This final assessment evaluates your political acumen, judgment under pressure, and suitability for navigating complex diplomatic situations. You will be presented with scenarios requiring decisions. Your choices and reasoning will be evaluated. Understood?"
"Yes, Elder."
"First scenario." Elder Xuanbing activated a formation that projected images into the chamber's center—visual representation of the hypothetical situation. "You are ambassador for Celestial Dawn Sect, negotiating alliance with a major sect. During negotiations, you discover that accepting their terms would benefit your sect significantly but would require betraying a minor sect ally. The major sect makes clear—accept their terms and abandon your ally, or reject the alliance entirely. What do you do?"
Lin Feng recognized the trap immediately. This was designed to make him appear either disloyal (if he chose the major sect) or politically naïve (if he rejected beneficial alliance for principle).
"I would attempt to negotiate modified terms that don't require betraying the ally," Lin Feng responded carefully.
"The major sect refuses modification. They say terms are non-negotiable. Choose—benefit your sect or maintain loyalty to minor ally who provides minimal strategic value."
"Then I reject the alliance."
Elder Xuanbing's expression showed satisfaction, as if Lin Feng had walked into exactly the response he wanted. "So you would sacrifice your sect's significant benefits for principle? That's not political acumen—that's idealistic foolishness. Sects advance through pragmatic decisions, not sentimental loyalty."
"With respect, Elder, I disagree." Lin Feng kept his tone measured despite the provocation. "Short-term benefits gained through betrayal create long-term costs. If I betray one ally to gain another, what message does that send? That my sect's word means nothing? That we'll abandon commitments when convenient? Such reputation destroys diplomatic relationships faster than refusing single alliance."
"Pretty words. But in real politics, power matters more than reputation."
"Power without trustworthiness is unstable. History is full of powerful sects that collapsed because allies abandoned them when crisis came, knowing they'd been betrayed before." Lin Feng met Elder Xuanbing's hostile gaze steadily. "I would reject the alliance and seek alternative arrangements that don't compromise integrity. Perhaps find different major sect ally. Perhaps strengthen existing minor sect relationships into collective that rivals major sect influence."
One of Elder Xuanbing's allied evaluators spoke: "That's naive. Minor sects cannot rival major sect resources through cooperation."
"The Jade Lotus Tournament suggested otherwise. Celestial Dawn Sect—a minor sect—produced a quarter-finalist who pushed the tournament favorite harder than any other competitor. Combined minor sect resources often exceed individual major sect capabilities if properly coordinated."
Elder Xuanbing's expression darkened. Lin Feng was refusing to fall into the traps being set, instead providing reasoned responses that demonstrated both principle and pragmatic thinking.
"Second scenario." The elder's tone became more hostile. "You are betrothed to Lady Yun Qingxue through Dao Companion bond. Another major sect offers you extraordinary cultivation resources, personal instruction from Sovereign Monarch level masters, and guaranteed advancement to Cloud Transformation within ten years. The condition—you must leave Celestial Dawn Sect, sever relationship with Lady Yun, and dedicate yourself purely to cultivation advancement. Do you accept?"
The scenario was blatantly designed to force either selfish choice (accept the resources) or appear to value relationship over cultivation advancement—both outcomes allowing Elder Xuanbing to criticize the decision.
Lin Feng took a breath, recognizing this was the critical moment. His answer here would define whether the hostile evaluators could justify rejection.
"I reject the offer entirely."
"Because of sentiment toward Lady Yun?"
"Because the offer's fundamental premise is flawed." Lin Feng kept his voice steady. "The scenario assumes cultivation advancement and relationship with Qingxue are mutually exclusive. They're not. Our Dao Companion bond enhances both our cultivations. Severing it would damage my foundation, not strengthen it."
"You could form new dao bonds after advancing—"
"No, Elder. The Inverse Void Dao and the Ice Phoenix Dao have complementary resonance. That compatibility is rare—perhaps unique in our generation. Destroying that bond for generic cultivation resources is strategically foolish regardless of emotional considerations."
Lin Feng leaned forward slightly, conviction clear in his voice. "But more fundamentally—the scenario reveals the offering sect's values. They want me to abandon commitments for personal benefit. If I accepted, proving I'm willing to betray relationships for resources, why would they trust my loyalty to them? They'd know I'd abandon them too if better offer appeared."
"You're overthinking—"
"I'm thinking exactly enough. Political acumen isn't about choosing maximum immediate benefit. It's about understanding incentive structures, building lasting relationships, and recognizing when offers are tests rather than genuine opportunities." Lin Feng met Elder Xuanbing's eyes directly. "That scenario isn't testing whether I love Lady Yun more than cultivation. It's testing whether I understand loyalty has strategic value beyond sentiment."
Silence filled the chamber. The two allied evaluators exchanged glances, clearly recognizing Lin Feng had not only avoided their trap but turned it into demonstration of sophisticated political understanding.
Elder Xuanbing's expression showed frustrated recognition—his scenarios were being systematically dismantled through responses that demonstrated both principle and pragmatic thinking.
"Third scenario—"
"Enough." A new voice interrupted from the chamber's entrance.
Patriarch Bingfeng entered, her Cloud Transformation Level 8 presence commanding immediate attention and silence. Behind her, Grand Elder Bingxin and the other evaluation committee members filed in.
"This assessment has concluded," the Patriarch announced. "Elder Xuanbing, your scenarios have been evaluated. Lin Feng, your responses have been recorded and analyzed."
She moved to the center of the chamber, her ice-blue eyes studying Lin Feng with intensity that felt like physical pressure.
"The evaluation committee will now deliberate and render final judgment. Lin Feng of Celestial Dawn Sect—you may return to guest quarters and await our decision. It will be delivered before sunset."
Lin Feng executed a formal bow. "Thank you, Honored Patriarch. I accept the committee's judgment with respect regardless of outcome."
As he left the political simulation chamber, he felt the weight of twelve elders' gazes on his back. Everything now depended on their deliberations—whether his performance had been sufficient, whether the hostile evaluators could justify rejection, whether Patriarch Bingfeng would support or oppose his relationship with her daughter.
Through the Dao Thread, Yun Qingxue's presence flooded with pride: You were magnificent. Those responses to Elder Xuanbing—he looked ready to explode. You turned every scenario into demonstration of exactly what he was trying to prove you lacked.
Think it was enough?
I think you did everything possible. Now we wait for their decision.
I hate waiting.
I know. But at least you can wait knowing you performed brilliantly. Whatever they decide, you proved yourself worthy. I already knew it. Now they know it too.
Lin Feng returned to the diplomatic residence where Patriarch Cloud Heaven and Elder Yuan waited anxiously for news.
"How did it go?" the Patriarch asked immediately.
"Combat assessment—decisively successful. Foundation examination—exceeded expectations. Philosophical assessment—favorable. Political assessment—hostile evaluator tried to trap me into bad responses, but I think I avoided the worst pitfalls."
"Elder Xuanbing administered political assessment?" Elder Yuan's expression showed concern. "That's unusual. Normally they use neutral evaluator for final component."
"Patriarch Bingfeng wanted to test my composure under adversarial conditions. At least that's my interpretation."
They spent the afternoon reviewing Lin Feng's responses, analyzing potential committee reactions, and preparing for multiple outcome scenarios. The Celestial Dawn delegation couldn't directly influence the evaluation, but they could prepare for its aftermath regardless of decision.
As sunset approached, Elder Shuangxue appeared at the diplomatic residence with formal summons.
"Lin Feng. The evaluation committee has reached decision. Your presence is requested in the Judgment Hall immediately."
This was it. Four assessments completed. Performance delivered. Now came the verdict that would determine so much about his future.
Lin Feng stood, checking his robes and composure one final time.
"Whatever happens," Patriarch Cloud Heaven said quietly, "you've honored our sect and proven your worth. Remember that."
"Thank you, Patriarch."
The walk to the Judgment Hall felt simultaneously endless and instantaneous. The building was smaller than the Frozen Palace but no less impressive—ice and crystal construction that seemed to glow with internal light as evening darkened around it.
Inside, the twelve elders sat in formal arrangement. Patriarch Bingfeng occupied the central position of judgment. Grand Elder Bingxin sat to her right, expression carefully neutral. Elder Xuanbing to her left, looking frustrated but resigned.
And at the hall's far side, visible through the ice-crystal pillars, Yun Qingxue stood watching with expression that mixed hope and anxiety.
Lin Feng approached the judgment platform and knelt in the position of formal evaluation—not submission but respect for their authority and process.
"Lin Feng of Celestial Dawn Sect." Patriarch Bingfeng's voice carried across the hall with absolute clarity. "The evaluation committee has deliberated extensively regarding your assessment results. We have reached unanimous decision."
Unanimous. That word stood out. Not majority decision but complete agreement among all twelve elders including Elder Xuanbing.
"You have demonstrated exceptional combat capability, perfect meridian foundation, sophisticated philosophical comprehension, and sound political judgment." The Patriarch's tone remained neutral, revealing nothing of the actual decision. "Your performance exceeded expectations in every assessment component."
Lin Feng's heart was pounding but he maintained composed appearance.
"However, several concerns have been raised. Your age and cultivation level, while impressive for your circumstances, remain modest by major sect standards. Your background as former servant creates political complications that cannot be ignored. Your relationship with our sect's Ice Goddess carries implications beyond personal choice."
Here it comes. The rejection phrased as reasonable concern about complications.
"Therefore, the Frozen Sky Sect's evaluation committee has determined—"
Patriarch Bingfeng paused, and in that silence, Lin Feng felt the weight of his entire future balanced on knife's edge.
"—that Lin Feng of Celestial Dawn Sect is worthy of recognition as Lady Yun Qingxue's Dao Companion. The relationship is hereby formally acknowledged and approved by sect authority."
For a moment, Lin Feng couldn't process what he'd heard. Approved? Not rejected despite concerns but actually accepted?
"Furthermore," the Patriarch continued, "the evaluation committee extends invitation for Lin Feng to train within Frozen Sky Sect territory as guest disciple. Six months residency with access to cultivation resources, technique libraries, and instruction from sect elders. This invitation is extended regardless of Dao Companion relationship—Lin Feng has demonstrated potential worthy of investment independent of personal connections."
Grand Elder Bingxin spoke then, her ancient voice carrying warmth: "Welcome to the Frozen Sky Sect's extended family, young cultivator. You have earned this recognition through merit and character."
Even Elder Xuanbing, despite clear reluctance, acknowledged: "Your performance was adequate to satisfy evaluation requirements. The committee's decision is unanimous as required by protocol."
Lin Feng bowed deeply, emotion threatening to overwhelm composure. "Thank you, Honored Elders. I accept your judgment with gratitude and will strive to prove worthy of this recognition."
"You may rise." Patriarch Bingfeng's expression remained neutral but something like approval flickered in her eyes. "Formal announcement will be made tomorrow. Tonight, you may inform your sect delegation of the outcome. And Lin Feng—my daughter is waiting outside. You should speak with her."
He was dismissed then, walking from the Judgment Hall in daze of relief and triumph. They'd approved. Not just accepted but actively invited him for advanced training. The hostile evaluators had been unable to justify rejection, forced into unanimous approval by his performance.
I did it. Proved myself worthy. Made them acknowledge the relationship despite political complications.
Outside the hall, Yun Qingxue waited. The moment she saw his expression, understanding dawned and she ran to him—propriety abandoned in moment of genuine emotion.
They embraced there in the open, unconcerned about observers or political implications. The relationship was formally recognized now. No more hiding, no more careful distance.
"You did it," she whispered against his shoulder. "They approved. You're officially recognized as my Dao Companion."
"We did it. Together." Lin Feng held her close, feeling the Dao Thread between them pulse with joy and relief. "Your bond chose well when it selected me."
"I know. I always knew."
They stood together as evening darkness settled over the Frozen Sky Sect, two young cultivators whose relationship had just received formal blessing from one of the continent's most powerful organizations.
The future remained complicated. Challenges awaited. Enemies plotted. Dangers lurked.
But tonight, in this moment, none of that mattered.
Tonight, they'd won something precious—recognition, acceptance, and the freedom to pursue their path together without sect politics standing in the way.
Tomorrow would bring new responsibilities and challenges.
But tonight belonged to them.
END OF CHAPTER 37
TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 38: NEW BEGINNINGS