The Shadow of Li Yuan

As Lin Feng and his group pressed forward, the forest grew denser, and the landscape darker, as if the very earth itself was warning them of the dangers ahead. Each step brought them closer to Li Yuan's stronghold, a place steeped in fear and rumors. Yet, for Lin Feng, this journey wasn't just about completing the mission—it was about proving to himself that he was no longer the weakling he once was.

The night after their encounter with the rogue cultivators, Lin Feng lay awake under the canopy of trees, staring up at the moon through the gaps in the branches. The soft murmur of the river in the distance mixed with the rustling of leaves, and the air felt unusually still. Lin Feng's thoughts raced, reflecting on the growing power within him. The Heavenly Thunderstrike technique had been a revelation. But with power came responsibility—and consequences.

His hand rested on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. The system had promised him the tools to become stronger than any cultivator. But what if this power changed him? What if it made him no different from those who ruled with fear and cruelty?

Shaking off the thoughts, Lin Feng sat up and looked around. His guards had already set up a perimeter, their eyes scanning the surroundings. The tranquility of the night made him uneasy; it felt too calm. Even the chirping of insects seemed muted.

At that moment, a faint rustle from the shadows caught his attention. It was subtle, but Lin Feng's heightened senses immediately alerted him to the presence of someone—or something—nearby. His gaze sharpened, and without a word, he stood up and moved quietly toward the sound.

---

Lin Mei was at his side in an instant, her eyes narrowing. "We're not alone," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft sounds of the night.

"Stay alert," Lin Feng replied, his hand instinctively moving to the sword at his waist. The presence was too close for comfort, but it wasn't the type to reveal itself easily. They had been followed—and not by ordinary cultivators.

The night air grew colder, the oppressive feeling growing heavier by the second. It wasn't until a figure stepped from the shadows that Lin Feng understood the situation.

A man cloaked in black stood before them, his face hidden by the folds of his hood. He exuded a presence that was both familiar and unsettling. There was an air of danger about him—like a predator watching its prey.

"You've made it far, Lin Feng," the man's voice was calm, almost mocking. "But the road ahead won't be so easy."

Lin Feng tensed. The voice carried a weight of authority and confidence. His instincts screamed that this wasn't just any random cultivator—it was someone who knew him, or at least, knew of him.

"Who are you?" Lin Feng demanded, his voice sharp.

The man didn't immediately answer. Instead, he slowly pulled back his hood, revealing a face Lin Feng recognized from his recent training: Li Yuan.

His dark eyes gleamed with an unsettling mixture of amusement and malice. "I'm surprised you recognized me so quickly. Most would cower at the sight of me. But not you, Lin Feng."

Lin Feng's mind raced as he recalled the reports. Li Yuan, the rogue cultivator who had terrorized the southern regions for years. His name alone was enough to send shivers down the spine of any sect leader. And now, here he was, standing before him, unafraid and with the audacity to speak to him like they were equals.

"What do you want, Li Yuan?" Lin Feng asked, his voice steady despite the surge of adrenaline in his veins.

Li Yuan's lips curled into a dark smile. "I want to test you. Prove that you are more than just a puppet of the Lin family. You see, I have my reasons for interfering in your little journey. The Lin family thinks they can control everything in this region, but they are blind to the real power that exists in the world."

Lin Feng's eyes narrowed, realizing that Li Yuan wasn't here just to stop him—he was testing him, probing for weakness.

"You're here to kill me," Lin Feng said, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword.

Li Yuan chuckled darkly, his hand lifting slowly. "Oh, not yet. But don't worry, that will come soon enough. I just wanted to see if the rumors about you were true. So far, I must admit, I'm impressed. But you're still too weak to face me."

The words stung more than Lin Feng expected. Weak. The word echoed in his mind, a reminder of all the years he had spent in the shadows, overlooked and underestimated. But he wasn't that person anymore.

"I'm not weak," Lin Feng said firmly, his aura flaring to life. The Heavenly Thunderstrike was ready, and for the first time, Lin Feng could feel its power pulsing in his veins, eager to be unleashed. "And I will prove it to you."

Without warning, Lin Feng lunged, his sword cutting through the air with blinding speed. The technique flowed naturally, the thunderstrikes crackling with each swing. Lin Mei stood by, ready to assist, but she was cautious, waiting for an opening.

Li Yuan's eyes flickered with a mixture of amusement and surprise. He raised a hand lazily, and as if mocking Lin Feng's speed, he flicked his wrist. A barrier of dark energy materialized around him, blocking the thunderstrike with an effortless ease.

"You still don't get it," Li Yuan said softly. "Your strength is impressive, but it's still not enough to defeat me."

He waved his hand again, and Lin Feng's sword was suddenly repelled back with a shockwave of energy. Lin Feng staggered, his body momentarily thrown off balance.

Lin Mei stepped forward, ready to engage, but Lin Feng held up his hand to stop her.

"We're not here to fight yet," Lin Feng said, his eyes locked onto Li Yuan's. "But remember this: I'll be the one who defeats you."

Li Yuan's grin widened, and he disappeared into the shadows without another word, leaving Lin Feng standing in the clearing, his heart pounding.

As the silence descended, Lin Mei turned to him, her expression unreadable. "He's toying with you, Lin Feng. Be careful."

Lin Feng didn't respond immediately. The encounter had left him with more questions than answers. Li Yuan had come, not to kill him, but to test him. And in doing so, he had exposed just how far Lin Feng had yet to go.

"We'll be ready," Lin Feng muttered, his resolve hardening. "We will be ready."

---

As they continued their journey toward the stronghold, Lin Feng's thoughts lingered on the encounter. He knew that the true battle had only just begun.