Chapter 5: Sparring, Surprises, and Strength

The First Lesson in Power

The air around the Supreme Sect was thick with tension. Lin Feng stood before his three new disciples—Zhang Wei, Mei Ling, and Chen Bo—all of them eager yet nervous about the upcoming sparring. Yan Qing stood off to the side, watching with a mixture of amusement and concern.

"So," Lin Feng said with a wide grin, "this is your first test of strength as members of the Supreme Sect. If you can't even defeat each other in a friendly match, how do you expect to climb through the ranks and become true cultivators?"

Mei Ling, the quiet girl with an affinity for poison techniques, raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by 'friendly match'? Are we fighting to the death?"

Lin Feng waved his hand dismissively. "Nothing so dramatic. But I want to see your basic skills and how you use them in a real situation. We'll hold back a bit, but don't go easy on each other."

Chen Bo grinned, his large frame bulging with muscles. "Finally! I've been itching for a good fight!"

Zhang Wei, the timid one, shuffled his feet nervously. "I-I've never really sparred before..."

Yan Qing snickered from the sidelines. "This'll be fun. Let's see if Sect Leader can actually teach them something."

Lin Feng shot him a glare. "Don't underestimate my ability to teach, Yan Qing."

[Ding! New mission unlocked: Lead your disciples to victory in sparring. Reward: Sect morale boost!]

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Round 1: Zhang Wei vs. Mei Ling

The first match was between Zhang Wei and Mei Ling. Lin Feng stepped back, watching them carefully.

Zhang Wei took a deep breath, then charged forward, attempting a basic Qi punch aimed at Mei Ling's chest. Mei Ling, however, sidestepped effortlessly, a graceful movement that seemed to flow with the wind. She raised a hand, and a faint green light emanated from her palm—her poison affinity.

"Poison Needle Technique!" Mei Ling whispered as a thin needle of poison shot toward Zhang Wei.

Zhang Wei's eyes widened as the needle neared his arm. He quickly blocked it with his own Qi, forming a protective shield. The needle bounced off harmlessly, but the power of Mei Ling's technique had left a small mark on his defenses.

"Not bad," Lin Feng commented, nodding with approval. "But Zhang Wei, you can't just rely on raw strength. You need to be more adaptable, like Mei Ling here."

Zhang Wei scowled, wiping his forehead. "I'm still getting the hang of it."

"Get used to it," Lin Feng said. "The battlefield is never as simple as 'punch and win.'"

Zhang Wei nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Got it."

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Round 2: Chen Bo vs. Yan Qing

Next up was the match between the loud, boisterous Chen Bo and the somewhat more serious Yan Qing.

"I'll make this quick!" Chen Bo boomed, cracking his knuckles. He charged forward, his body like a battering ram as he aimed to knock Yan Qing off his feet.

But Yan Qing, despite his ragged appearance, was fast. With a swift sidestep, he avoided Chen Bo's charge and raised his hand. "Shadow Strike!"

A burst of Qi shot from his palm, leaving a trail of shadows behind it. The technique was deceptively fast. Chen Bo barely had time to react before the attack struck his shoulder, sending him stumbling back.

"Hah! That was too easy!" Yan Qing said with a grin, looking smug.

Chen Bo growled but wiped away the smirk. "Okay, okay, not bad. You got me."

Lin Feng grinned, watching the match unfold. "Not bad at all, Yan Qing. You're improving."

Yan Qing smirked. "I told you I wasn't just some ghost."

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Round 3: Lin Feng vs. His Disciples

The real test came when Lin Feng stepped forward, cracking his neck and stretching his arms. His disciples looked at him with mixed curiosity and apprehension.

"Now, it's my turn," Lin Feng said. "I'll be sparring against all of you at once."

"What?!" Zhang Wei's eyes widened. "All three of us against you?"

Lin Feng nodded confidently. "I'm the Sect Leader, after all. If I can't handle a few beginners, what kind of leader would I be?"

Mei Ling stepped forward hesitantly. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Lin Feng smirked. "I'll go easy on you, of course. You're my disciples, after all."

[Ding! Mission Update: Defeat your disciples in sparring. Reward: Sect Reputation Boost.]

The match began.

Immediately, Chen Bo rushed at Lin Feng, swinging his massive fists. Zhang Wei and Mei Ling flanked him, trying to strike from the sides. Lin Feng, however, was a blur.

He sidestepped Chen Bo's punches and countered with a quick palm strike to the chest, sending the large cultivator stumbling back. Then, before Mei Ling could react, Lin Feng ducked under her poison needle technique and spun around, sweeping her feet out from under her with a simple but effective move.

Zhang Wei hesitated, unsure of how to approach, but Lin Feng didn't give him time to think. With a quick flick of his wrist, he created a small wind-based technique that sent Zhang Wei flying backward.

"You're too slow," Lin Feng said with a grin, dusting his hands off. "That's your first lesson—speed is just as important as strength."

Zhang Wei, Mei Ling, and Chen Bo all lay on the ground, gasping for breath. They couldn't help but look up at Lin Feng in awe.

"You…" Mei Ling gasped. "You're really that strong?"

Lin Feng chuckled, looking down at his disciples. "I told you, didn't I? As your Sect Leader, I have to be strong."

[Ding! Mission complete: Defeated disciples in sparring. Reward: Sect Reputation Boost +2]

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The First Taste of Victory

As the sun began to set, the disciples gathered around the campfire, nursing their bruises but grinning nonetheless. Lin Feng, though exhausted, felt a deep satisfaction at their progress.

"You all did well today," Lin Feng said, looking at each of them. "The first lesson is simple: Strength isn't just about power. It's about using your skills wisely, thinking on your feet, and adapting. If you fail, don't take it personally—learn from it."

Chen Bo, rubbing his shoulder, grinned. "I've learned that if I'm gonna fight you, I should probably bring more than just my fists."

Zhang Wei laughed nervously. "I definitely need to learn how to dodge better."

Mei Ling's quiet smile was the only sign of satisfaction. "I'll need to work on my technique. I felt like my poison wasn't effective enough."

Lin Feng nodded. "Good. The first step to becoming a true cultivator is knowing where you need to improve. Now, let's rest tonight. Tomorrow, we begin our next phase."

Yan Qing stood up, stretching. "And what exactly is that, Sect Leader?"

Lin Feng grinned. "We start taking down some of the smaller sects in the area. We've got to make a name for ourselves, and we'll do it by showing the world just how strong the Supreme Sect can be!"

[Ding! New mission unlocked: Destroy a nearby rival sect. Reward: Sect Growth!]

Yan Qing raised an eyebrow. "You're not wasting any time, huh?"

Lin Feng winked. "Why wait? We're already on our way to greatness."

As the fire crackled, the disciples gathered around, ready for whatever came next. The Supreme Sect was just getting started, and Lin Feng could fe

el the winds of destiny pushing them forward.

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End of Chapter 5