The spatial distortion took six hours to settle enough for proper investigation.
Lin Feng spent those six hours in forced recovery meditation, his consciousness slowly rebuilding spiritual energy reserves from their catastrophic depletion. Yun Qingxue remained at his side throughout, their dao companion bond providing resonant energy exchange that accelerated his recovery beyond what would normally be possible.
By the time Grand Elder Bingxin summoned him to the emergency council, Lin Feng had recovered to approximately forty percent spiritual energy—not full strength, but functional enough for strategic discussion.
The council chamber was crowded. Patriarch Cloud Heaven presided, looking exhausted but victorious. Grand Elder Bingxin stood beside him, her Immortal Emperor level cultivation showing no visible fatigue despite hours of coordinating defensive operations. Patriarch Zhang Tian represented Azure Sky's forces, his expression carefully neutral. The three commanders from Frozen Sky's deployed forces attended, along with Elder Wei, Mei She, and several other senior Celestial Dawn cultivators.
Lin Feng entered with Yun Qingxue, taking positions near the chamber's center where everyone could see them. Through the communication network that remained active, he could sense the mood throughout Celestial Dawn—exhausted relief mixed with nervous anticipation of the investigation's results.
"Casualty report first," Patriarch Cloud Heaven said without preamble. "Elder Wei?"
Elder Wei stepped forward with a jade slip containing compiled data. "Allied forces: Seventeen cultivators killed, thirty-eight wounded seriously enough to require extended recovery, sixty-three with minor injuries that won't prevent continued operation. All casualties from Celestial Dawn and Frozen Sky defenders—Azure Sky's rapid response force suffered no fatalities due to their tactical positioning and late arrival to the battle."
Seventeen dead. Lin Feng felt the weight of those numbers settle onto him. People who had died defending the sect while he fought the Crimson Empress. People whose families would mourn them, whose potential would never be realized, whose deaths had purchased strategic victory.
"Enemy casualties?" Patriarch Zhang Tian asked.
"Ninety-three demonic cultivators confirmed dead," Elder Wei continued. "Seven captured alive and currently detained for interrogation. The Crimson Empress's fate remains unknown pending investigation of the destroyed chamber. No other enemy forces detected within five hundred kilometers of Celestial Dawn."
Ninety-three dead out of one hundred attacking force. That was decisive tactical victory by any measure—the Crimson Empress's entire Eastern Continent operation destroyed in a single engagement.
"Has there been any communication from the Crimson Empress or her forces?" one of Frozen Sky's commanders asked.
"None," Patriarch Cloud Heaven confirmed. "Six hours of silence following the explosion. If she survived, she hasn't attempted any contact. If she died, her organization hasn't yet learned of her fate."
"The four other simultaneous assaults?" Grand Elder Bingxin asked.
"All repelled successfully," Patriarch Zhang Tian reported. "Frozen Sky defeated their assault force with minimal casualties—twelve demonic cultivators killed, thirty-eight captured. Azure Sky's defensive formations held perfectly, eliminating twenty-three attackers and capturing fourteen. The two smaller allied sects both survived with moderate casualties but enemy forces completely eliminated. Total across all five targets: One hundred sixty-eight demonic cultivators killed or captured out of approximately two hundred fifty deployed."
Lin Feng's consciousness processed these numbers. The Crimson Empress's entire multi-target operation had been a catastrophic failure. She had deployed three hundred fifty total cultivators across all five locations and lost over half of them while achieving none of her objectives.
That level of operational failure would severely damage her organization's capability for months or years.
If she had survived.
"The investigation team is ready to present findings," Patriarch Cloud Heaven said. "Grand Elder Bingxin, your assessment of the destroyed chamber?"
Grand Elder Bingxin moved to the center of the chamber, producing a jade slip with detailed spiritual recordings. "The explosion created spatial distortion equivalent to two Sovereign Monarch level cultivators releasing their full power simultaneously in confined space. The chamber itself was completely destroyed—walls vaporized, formations obliterated, reality temporarily fractured. Recovery required six hours for spatial stability to naturally reassert."
She activated the jade slip, projecting a three-dimensional image of the destroyed chamber into the air above the council. Lin Feng recognized the devastation—a crater approximately fifteen meters in diameter where the reinforced chamber had been, surrounding structures damaged by the explosion's propagation, defensive formations throughout that section of the sect triggered and partially depleted.
"Within the crater, we found no body, no remains, no physical evidence of the Crimson Empress," Grand Elder Bingxin continued. "However, we did find this."
She produced a small fragment of crimson fabric, its edges burned and partially dissolved by void energy. "This material matches the Crimson Empress's robes from Lin Feng's description. Spiritual analysis confirms it contains traces of Sovereign Monarch level cultivation energy, specifically attuned to blood-element and spatial manipulation techniques consistent with her known capabilities."
"A fragment of clothing doesn't confirm death," Patriarch Zhang Tian observed. "She could have evacuated before the explosion completed, leaving only that fragment behind."
"Correct," Grand Elder Bingxin acknowledged. "However, we also found residual death energy—the spiritual signature that remains when a cultivator's soul is destroyed rather than their body merely killed. The death energy signature is faint but detectable, suggesting that someone of Sovereign Monarch level died in that explosion."
The chamber fell silent. Death energy was difficult to fake—it resulted from fundamental dissolution of a cultivator's soul, leaving behind spiritual residue that persisted for days or weeks depending on the cultivator's power level.
But faint death energy could also result from a Sovereign Monarch's soul being injured rather than destroyed. A cultivator of the Crimson Empress's level might survive soul damage that would kill anyone weaker, escaping with critical injuries that left death energy signature without actually dying.
"Your conclusion?" Patriarch Cloud Heaven asked.
"Probability assessment: Sixty percent she died in the explosion, forty percent she escaped with critical injuries," Grand Elder Bingxin said. "The physical evidence suggests death, but absence of body and the faintness of the death energy signature allow for survival possibility. We won't know with certainty unless her organization responds in ways that indicate her survival or death."
"How long before we can reasonably expect such response?" Elder Wei asked.
"If she died, her organization will likely learn within days and begin succession struggles or operational restructuring," Patriarch Zhang Tian said. "If she survived but is critically injured, she'll need weeks or months of recovery before resuming operations. Either way, we should see organizational response within the next week—either new leadership announcing itself or the Crimson Empress demonstrating her continued control."
"Then we have one week of uncertain status," Patriarch Cloud Heaven concluded. "During which we maintain maximum defensive readiness while beginning recovery operations. Lin Feng, your tactical assessment?"
Lin Feng had been processing all this information through his consciousness streams, analyzing from multiple angles. His four-perspective awareness—exhausted from combat but still functional—examined the situation from different frameworks.
"The explosion resulted from Void Annihilation striking her hastily-raised defense at point-blank range," Lin Feng said carefully. "Void energy specifically targets spiritual structure, reducing it to emptiness. A perfect defense might have deflected the attack entirely. A failed defense would have been penetrated and she would have died instantly. But a partial defense—one that absorbed most of the attack's power but not all—would create exactly the outcome we observed."
"You're suggesting she survived but was critically injured?" Mei She asked.
"I'm suggesting that's the scenario consistent with the evidence," Lin Feng said. "If I were betting tactical resources on probability, I would assume she survived but is temporarily incapacitated. Which means she'll eventually return, angrier and more prepared than before."
"That assessment matches my own analysis," Grand Elder Bingxin said. "We should plan for her survival while hoping for her death."
The council continued for another two hours, working through recovery operations and defensive preparations for potential follow-up assault. By the time it concluded, they had comprehensive plans for multiple scenarios—how to respond if the Crimson Empress was confirmed dead, how to prepare if she was confirmed alive, how to maintain readiness during the uncertain interim.
As participants departed, Patriarch Cloud Heaven asked Lin Feng and Yun Qingxue to remain behind. When the chamber had cleared, leaving only the three of them, the Patriarch's expression shifted from controlled authority to genuine concern.
"You survived combat against a Sovereign Monarch level cultivator," Patriarch Cloud Heaven said quietly. "That shouldn't have been possible. Even with all your preparations, all your unique capabilities, the power differential was too great for survival to be likely."
"I know," Lin Feng said. "I was fortunate. She underestimated how my spatial anchoring could be used offensively. If she hadn't been focused on her own attack preparation, she would have detected my technique before I could activate it."
"Fortunate and brilliant," Patriarch Cloud Heaven corrected. "That spatial anchor gambit was inspired tactical thinking under extreme pressure. But Lin Feng—you cannot rely on such desperate gambits repeatedly. Eventually, your luck will fail or your opponents will be too skilled to fool even momentarily."
"I understand," Lin Feng said. "Which is why I need to advance my cultivation as rapidly as possible. Divine Domain Level 7 versus Sovereign Monarch Level 6 is barely survivable even with perfect tactics. I need to reach Level 8, then Level 9, then Cloud Transformation as quickly as my foundation allows."
"That level of advancement requires years, not months," Patriarch Cloud Heaven said. "Even with your perfect meridians and dao companion bond acceleration, you're looking at minimum two years to reach Cloud Transformation Level 1. And if the Crimson Empress survived, she won't wait that long before attempting retaliation."
"Then I need to make those two years count," Lin Feng said. "And I need to develop additional capabilities that don't depend on cultivation level—techniques like spatial anchoring and consciousness-anchored formations that provide tactical advantages even against higher-level opponents."
Patriarch Cloud Heaven studied him for several long seconds, his expression showing mixture of pride and worry. "You've grown tremendously since I first discovered you in the archives. From invisible servant to inner disciple who can fight Sovereign Monarchs. But growth has costs, Lin Feng. The visibility you've gained makes you a target for every ambitious cultivator who sees you as threat or opportunity."
"I'm aware," Lin Feng said. "The Crimson Empress was just the most immediate threat. There will be others."
"Which is why Celestial Dawn cannot hold you much longer," Patriarch Cloud Heaven said, and Lin Feng felt surprise ripple through his consciousness at this statement. "You've outgrown what a mid-tier sect can provide. Your capabilities require resources and training that only major sects or independent cultivation can offer."
"Are you suggesting I leave Celestial Dawn?" Lin Feng asked carefully.
"I'm suggesting that within six months to a year, you'll need to make that choice yourself," Patriarch Cloud Heaven said. "Celestial Dawn will always be your home, always welcome your return. But your path forward requires either accepting formal position at Frozen Sky or Azure Sky, or eventually establishing your own sect. Remaining as inner disciple at mid-tier sect will limit your development more severely than sect loyalty justifies."
Through their dao companion bond, Lin Feng felt Yun Qingxue's complicated emotions—she had known this was coming, but hearing it stated explicitly still created anxiety about their future together.
"That's a decision for later," Lin Feng said. "For now, my priority is recovering from this battle and preparing for whatever comes next."
"Agreed," Patriarch Cloud Heaven said. "You have at least six months before that choice becomes urgent. Use that time to consolidate your cultivation, develop your auxiliary paths, and decide what you truly want your future to look like. The impossible-made-possible has served you well so far. But eventually, you'll need to build something sustainable rather than constantly overcoming impossible odds."
After leaving Patriarch Cloud Heaven's chamber, Lin Feng and Yun Qingxue walked through Celestial Dawn's grounds in contemplative silence. The sect showed visible damage from the battle—scorched earth where formations had triggered, buildings partially destroyed by stray techniques, defensive arrays needing repair or replacement.
But it was still standing. Still functional. Still home.
"He's right about needing to leave eventually," Qingxue said quietly through their bond. "You've advanced too far, too fast. Celestial Dawn cannot provide the resources you need for further growth."
"I know," Lin Feng responded. "But leaving feels like betraying the place that gave me everything when I had nothing."
"It's not betrayal to outgrow where you started," Qingxue said. "Celestial Dawn will be proud of your advancement, not resentful that you needed to seek greater opportunities. And you'll always maintain connections here—Zhao Hai, Xiao Ling, Patriarch Cloud Heaven. Those relationships don't end because you physically relocate."
"What about us?" Lin Feng asked through the bond. "If I join Frozen Sky formally or establish my own sect, what happens to our relationship?"
"I come with you," Qingxue said simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "We're dao companions, Lin Feng. That bond transcends sect affiliation or physical location. Where you go, I go. What you build, I help build. We're in this together, permanently."
Lin Feng stopped walking, pulling her into an embrace that deepened their bond beyond the constant baseline connection. "Thank you," he said aloud. "For everything. For maintaining the anchor during the battle. For accelerating my recovery. For being willing to follow wherever this path leads."
"Always," Qingxue said. "Now come—we both need proper rest, not just meditation. You fought a Sovereign Monarch. I maintained spatial anchor across extreme combat conditions. We've earned actual sleep."
They returned to their shared cultivation chamber, and for the first time in weeks, Lin Feng allowed himself to sleep without maintaining consciousness streams on alert. The battle was over. The immediate threat had passed. For now, he could rest.
Three days later, the first intelligence about the Crimson Empress's fate arrived.
Lin Feng was in the training grounds, practicing real-time formation deployment to rebuild his depleted spiritual energy reserves through active technique refinement, when Zhao Hai found him with urgent message.
"Azure Sky's intelligence network has detected movement," Zhao Hai said without preamble. "The Crimson Empress's organization is in chaos. Multiple factions fighting for control, conflicting orders being issued from different regional commanders, total breakdown of coordinated operations."
"Which suggests her death," Lin Feng said, his consciousness immediately analyzing the implications. "If she were alive and merely injured, she would maintain control from wherever she was recovering. Organizational chaos means no one is in charge."
"That's Azure Sky's assessment too," Zhao Hai confirmed. "Patriarch Zhang Tian sent formal message saying they estimate ninety percent probability that the Crimson Empress died in your explosion. The remaining ten percent accounts for possibility that she's so critically injured she cannot communicate even to maintain organizational control."
Lin Feng absorbed this information, feeling complex mixture of relief and residual uncertainty. Ninety percent probability was high, but ten percent chance of survival meant he couldn't completely dismiss the possibility of her eventual return.
"What about the succession struggle?" Lin Feng asked. "Who's likely to emerge as new leadership?"
"Unknown currently," Zhao Hai said. "The organization had no clear successor designated, suggesting the Crimson Empress either didn't anticipate dying or deliberately prevented anyone from accumulating enough power to challenge her authority. The succession struggle will probably take months to resolve, during which their operational capability will be minimal."
That was excellent strategic outcome. Even if the Crimson Empress's organization eventually recovered under new leadership, months of internal conflict meant the Eastern Continent would be free from their operations for extended period.
"Thank you for the information," Lin Feng said. "Anything else?"
"Just that people are calling you the 'Crimson Slayer' now," Zhao Hai said with slight smile. "The cultivator who killed a Sovereign Monarch at Divine Domain Level 7. Your reputation has increased considerably."
Lin Feng grimaced. Another impressive title, another increase in his visibility and target priority. But he supposed that was inevitable given the battle's outcome and his role in it.
After Zhao Hai departed, Lin Feng returned to his formation practice, but his consciousness was processing the strategic implications of the Crimson Empress's probable death.
If she was truly dead, he had eliminated the immediate threat that had dominated his tactical planning for months. The breathing room would allow him to focus on cultivation advancement without constant pressure of impending assassination attempts.
But it also meant he had killed—or at least caused the death of—a Sovereign Monarch level cultivator. That achievement would attract attention from people and organizations throughout the cultivation world. Some would see him as valuable potential ally. Others would see him as dangerous threat to be eliminated before he grew more powerful.
His visibility had just increased dramatically, and with it, his vulnerability.
Through their dao companion bond, Yun Qingxue sensed his turbulent thoughts. You're worried about the attention this will bring.
Among other concerns, Lin Feng confirmed. I just wanted to protect my sect and advance my cultivation in peace. Instead, I'm apparently the "Crimson Slayer" who people will either try to recruit or eliminate.
That's the price of being exceptional, Qingxue observed. You could have remained an invisible servant, cultivating slowly in obscurity. But you chose to pursue your potential fully. That choice comes with consequences—some good, some dangerous.
I know. I just wish the dangerous consequences were less immediately life-threatening.
Then advance your cultivation as rapidly as possible, Qingxue said practically. The stronger you become, the fewer people can threaten you directly. Eventually you'll reach a level where your reputation protects rather than endangers you.
She was right, of course. The solution to being targeted by powerful cultivators was becoming powerful enough that such targeting was no longer viable.
Which meant dedicating himself to cultivation advancement with the same intensity he had brought to combat preparation.
Divine Domain Level 7 currently. Level 8 was achievable within three to four months with intensive synchronized cultivation. Level 9 perhaps six months after that. Cloud Transformation Level 1 within a year if everything went perfectly.
That timeline would make him one of the fastest-advancing cultivators on the Eastern Continent—possibly in the entire cultivation world. But it would also require maintaining the same brutal training schedule that had brought him this far.
Lin Feng made his decision. Six months of intensive cultivation to reach Divine Domain Level 9. One year total to achieve Cloud Transformation Level 1. At that point, he would formally establish his own sect based on Inverse Void Dao principles, create a sanctuary where he could develop his capabilities without constant external pressure.
The impossible made possible, one advancement at a time.
Two weeks after the battle, formal recognition ceremonies were held throughout the alliance. Celestial Dawn honored its defenders, providing compensation to families of the fallen and advancement opportunities for those who had distinguished themselves. Frozen Sky recalled most of its deployed forces, leaving only twenty cultivators as permanent garrison to strengthen future defensive capability.
Azure Sky held a ceremony recognizing Lin Feng specifically as key contributor to the operation's success. Patriarch Zhang Tian presented him with a jade token marked with Azure Sky's seal—formal recognition as "Friend of Azure Sky" with all the diplomatic privileges that designation provided.
"This doesn't obligate you to join Azure Sky," Patriarch Zhang Tian said during the private presentation. "But it does mean that if you ever need Azure Sky's assistance, this token grants you immediate access to our resources. We protect our friends, Lin Feng. And you've proven yourself a valuable friend."
"Thank you," Lin Feng said, accepting the token. "I hope circumstances never require me to call on that assistance, but I appreciate having it available."
"We hope the same," Patriarch Zhang Tian said. "Though your talent for attracting impossible situations suggests you'll probably need our help eventually."
After the ceremonies concluded and life began returning to normal rhythms, Lin Feng finally had time to process everything that had occurred over the past months.
From invisible servant to inner disciple. From mortal to Divine Domain Level 7. From unknown cultivator to "Crimson Slayer" recognized across the Eastern Continent. From solitary practitioner to dao companion with Yun Qingxue, formal disciple of Grand Elder Bingxin, friend of multiple major sects.
The trajectory had been extraordinary. Unprecedented advancement speed, impossible achievements, survival against overwhelming odds.
But Patriarch Cloud Heaven's words echoed in his consciousness: Eventually, you'll need to build something sustainable rather than constantly overcoming impossible odds.
Lin Feng was ready for that transition. Ready to shift from reactive survival to proactive development. Ready to establish foundations that would carry him not just through immediate crises but through decades of continued cultivation.
The Inverse Void Dao—his philosophy of liberation through emptiness, strength through not requiring specific conditions—could become more than personal cultivation method. It could become the foundation for an entire sect, a complete cultivation system that others could follow.
But that was a project for the future. For now, he had simpler priorities:
Recover completely from the battle's spiritual depletion. Consolidate his Divine Domain Level 7 foundation. Continue developing his three auxiliary paths. Advance toward Level 8 through synchronized cultivation with Yun Qingxue. Prepare for whatever came next.
Because something would always come next. That was the nature of cultivation—constant challenges, endless advancement, perpetual growth or stagnation.
Lin Feng chose growth.
And through their dao companion bond, he felt Yun Qingxue's absolute commitment to supporting that choice, no matter where it led them.
Together, they would continue making the impossible possible.
One advancement at a time.
End of Chapter 70
To be continued in future chapters...