Chapter 7: Veiled Threats

The air between Feng Lin and Jiang Yue grew thick with tension, the whispers of the Whispering Woods amplifying the unease that hung between them. Feng Lin stood his ground, his mind racing. Jiang Yue's words struck like a knife, probing at the fragile secret Feng Lin guarded so fiercely. The Primordia Chaos within him was a gift and a curse—something that could propel him to unimaginable heights or bring his downfall if exposed.

Jiang Yue's smirk deepened as he watched Feng Lin wrestle with his thoughts. "You don't have to say anything, Feng Lin," Jiang Yue said, circling him slowly. "I can see it in your eyes. You've changed. No longer the weakling the sect once dismissed, huh?"

Feng Lin tightened his grip on his spear, resisting the urge to strike. Every fiber of his being screamed caution, warning him that Jiang Yue was not someone to be underestimated. The older disciple had a reputation for his ruthless ambition, often manipulating others to his advantage. Now, Feng Lin was caught in his web.

"What do you want, Jiang Yue?" Feng Lin asked, his voice steady but his heart pounding. "I have no time for your games."

Jiang Yue paused, his expression darkening as he considered his next move. "It's simple," he said finally. "You and I... we could be allies. Think about it—two powerful cultivators, each with secrets, each seeking more. Or..." He let the word hang, his tone dripping with implied menace. "I could make your life very difficult."

Feng Lin's gaze sharpened. He knew that whatever alliance Jiang Yue was proposing would come with strings attached. "And if I refuse?" Feng Lin challenged, meeting Jiang Yue's gaze with defiance.

Jiang Yue chuckled, his eyes glinting with dangerous amusement. "You've always been stubborn, but don't mistake my offer for charity. Refuse, and I'll have no choice but to let the sect elders in on a little secret... something about forbidden power?"

The threat was clear. Jiang Yue didn't know the full extent of Feng Lin's connection to the Primordia System, but he knew enough to make things difficult. Feng Lin's thoughts churned. Jiang Yue's offer wasn't a mere request for partnership—it was blackmail, pure and simple.

Feng Lin took a deep breath, steadying himself. He had fought too hard to let someone like Jiang Yue control his fate. "I don't need your help," Feng Lin said coldly, his voice laced with the authority he had once commanded as an ancient god. "And I certainly won't be threatened by you."

Jiang Yue's expression shifted, his smile vanishing in an instant. "Bold words, Feng Lin. But let's see how long you can keep up this charade. I'll be watching."

With that, Jiang Yue turned, his figure fading into the shadows of the woods, leaving Feng Lin alone with his thoughts. The encounter had shaken him, not because of Jiang Yue's threats, but because it was a stark reminder that his newfound power came at a price. The sect was a dangerous place, filled with rivalries and hidden agendas, and Feng Lin's rise would not go unnoticed.

As night fell, Feng Lin returned to the sect, his mind weighed down by the encounter. He needed to grow stronger, and faster. Jiang Yue's words echoed in his ears, a constant reminder that he was being watched and that his every move was under scrutiny.

Entering his small, sparsely furnished room, Feng Lin sat cross-legged on the floor, closing his eyes and reaching into the depths of his chaotic core. The Primordia System responded instantly, displaying a series of new quests and upgrades available for his skills. But one notification stood out:

[New Quest: Surpass the Boundaries – Breakthrough to the Third Stage of Foundation Realm]

The task was clear, but the path ahead was treacherous. Feng Lin knew that he couldn't afford to stay stagnant—not with enemies like Jiang Yue lurking in the shadows. As he began to channel chaos energy, his room filled with a faint, pulsating light, the air crackling with power.

A sudden knock on his door snapped him out of his meditation. Feng Lin opened his eyes, the glow fading as he rose to answer. Standing at the threshold was a fellow disciple, one he recognized but rarely interacted with—Li Mei, a quiet and reserved cultivator known for her keen senses and insightful observations.

"Feng Lin," Li Mei said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I overheard something tonight... about you and Jiang Yue. You need to be careful. He's planning something."

Feng Lin's eyes narrowed. "What do you know, Li Mei?"

Li Mei glanced around nervously, her expression serious. "Not here. Too many ears. Meet me by the old training grounds tomorrow at dawn. There's more you need to hear."

Before Feng Lin could press her further, Li Mei slipped away into the night, leaving him with more questions than answers. He watched her disappear into the darkness, the weight of her warning heavy on his mind.