Chapter 7: A Shadow in the Dark

The night had fallen over the Lin family estate, and the sounds of the bustling courtyard had quieted to a distant murmur. Lin Yun lay awake in his chambers, staring out the window at the stars. His body ached from the duel with Zhang Wei earlier, but there was a fire burning within him that wouldn't let him rest. He had proven something today—not just to Zhang Wei, but to himself. Despite the broken Qi Core, he had stood his ground.

But that wasn't enough. Lin Yun knew that, deep down. He couldn't keep relying on the strength of his body alone, not if he wanted to truly ascend to the heights he once dreamed of. Without Qi, without cultivation, he was nothing more than an ordinary martial artist. And that wasn't enough.

He pushed himself up from the bed, his mind racing with possibilities. There had to be a way. There had to be something that could restore his Qi Core—or at least allow him to tap into the true potential of his martial arts.

A soft knock on the door broke his concentration.

"Come in," he called, not turning around.

The door creaked open, and Lin Mei stepped inside, her silhouette framed by the light from the hallway. Her expression was one of concern, but there was something else in her eyes, something that spoke of uncertainty.

"Yun, you should rest," she said softly. "You pushed yourself too hard today."

Lin Yun glanced back at her, offering a small smile. "I'll be fine. Just thinking."

"Thinking about what?" she asked, walking further into the room and sitting down beside him.

He hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to share his thoughts. But Lin Mei had always been there for him, even when things were difficult. Perhaps it was time to be honest with her, even if just a little.

"I can't keep going like this," he admitted quietly. "Fighting with nothing but my body... it's not enough. I need my Qi. I need something to help me climb higher."

Lin Mei's gaze softened, and she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Yun, I know it's hard. But don't forget that you still have us. The Lin family isn't abandoning you."

"It's not about the family," Lin Yun said, his voice low. "It's about me. My future. My strength. I can't be a shadow of what I was... or what I could be."

She was silent for a moment, considering his words. "You're not the only one who has struggled, Yun. Our family has always faced challenges. But we've overcome them because we didn't give up."

Lin Yun looked out the window again, the weight of his sister's words sinking in. She was right, of course. He wasn't alone. But in his heart, he couldn't shake the feeling that he needed something more than just family ties or moral support.

"I've heard rumors," Lin Mei continued softly, breaking the silence. "Rumors about a hidden master in the mountains to the north. A hermit who specializes in ancient techniques—martial arts and cultivation. They say he can help those who have lost their way."

Lin Yun turned to her, his eyes narrowing. "A hidden master? Where did you hear this?"

"From one of the guards," she replied. "They've spoken of this hermit before, but no one dares approach him. He's... different. They say his martial arts go beyond what any of us can understand. Even the greatest masters fear him."

Lin Yun stood up abruptly, the thought of a hidden master sparking something inside him. "If he's real, I'll find him."

"Yun—" Lin Mei began, but her brother was already moving toward the door. He paused for a moment, glancing back at her.

"I have to try, Mei. I can't wait for help that may never come. I'll be back soon, I promise."

With that, Lin Yun left the room, determination coursing through him like never before. The Lin family had always been a strong force in the martial world, but it was clear to him now that his own path lay elsewhere. If there was even a sliver of hope that this hidden master could restore his Qi or teach him a technique that could bypass his broken core, he had to take it.

The journey to the northern mountains took Lin Yun three days. The further he traveled, the more isolated the land became. His path led him through dense forests, over rocky cliffs, and across cold rivers. The air grew thinner, and the shadows longer. Lin Yun was used to the trials of the Murim world, but even he couldn't help but feel the weight of the wilderness pressing in on him.

On the fourth day, he reached the base of the mountain range where the hermit was said to reside. The steep peaks loomed overhead, covered in mist and darkness. The legend of the hidden master had grown over the years, each retelling adding more mystery to the tale. Some said he was immortal, others that he had never been seen by anyone who had returned. But Lin Yun was determined.

He began his ascent, the mountain path treacherous and winding. With each step, the silence around him deepened. His body was growing tired, and his thoughts were growing heavier. Had he made a mistake? Was this all just a foolish hope?

But as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow across the mountain, Lin Yun saw something that made his heart race—a flicker of movement among the trees ahead. It was too fast for his eyes to catch, but it was unmistakable. Someone, or something, was watching him.

He didn't hesitate. Drawing on his body's refined strength, Lin Yun sprinted forward, following the strange figure.

By the time he reached the clearing, the figure had vanished, but Lin Yun didn't stop. He could feel it now—there was something here, something beyond the natural world. He took a deep breath and called out.

"Who's there? I know you're watching me."

A voice, cold and ethereal, echoed from the shadows. "So, you've found me, young one. But the question is, are you truly ready to see what lies beyond?"

Lin Yun's heart skipped a beat. This was it. The hidden master was real.