Deceived ?

Mei Lin's grip on her sword tightened once more, her eyes narrowing into slits. "You dare mock me? Even if you truly were some great power in your past life, you're bound to this frail shell now—a Nascent Soul Realm body with a fractured foundation. Don't test my patience."

Xiao Ning raised his hands in placation, though internally he marveled at how quickly the woman cut through his bravado. This was no ordinary cultivator; her sharp mind and unyielding resolve spoke of years spent navigating treacherous waters. He needed to tread carefully.

"Peace," he said, lowering his voice to a respectful tone. "I meant no offense. You're right—I am limited by this body for now. But I assure you, I possess knowledge far beyond what most cultivators can even dream of. If you allow me, I can prove it."

Mei Lin's grip on her sword tightened at Xiao Ning's arrogance, but she didn't lash out. Instead, her piercing gaze seemed to bore into him, as if trying to uncover the truth behind his words. After a moment of tense silence, she spoke.

"Prove it," she demanded. "If you truly possess the strength and knowledge you claim, then show me something—something only a true powerhouse could offer."

Xiao Ning chuckled softly, almost amused by her skepticism. He extended a hand toward her, palm up, and summoned a faint glow from within himself. Slowly, an ancient scroll materialized in midair, its surface etched with intricate patterns that shimmered like stars against the darkness of the cavern.

"This is The Everlasting Nine Suns Sutra," he said, his voice carrying a weight that resonated with authority. "It's a cultivation technique from my previous life—one so advanced that even Divine Enlightenment Realm experts would kill to obtain it. Study it, and you'll see that I speak the truth."

Mei Lin stared at the scroll, her breath catching in her throat. Even from where she stood, she could feel the immense power radiating from it, a force so pure and primal that it made her knees tremble. Her eyes darted back to Xiao Ning, searching for any sign of deceit. But there was none—only confidence and sincerity.

"A cultivation method even Divine Enlightenment Realm masters would slaughter entire dynasties for," she said flatly. "And you offer it freely to a Nascent Soul cultivator with a broken core?"

Xiao Ning's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Consider it an investment. The Everlasting Nine Suns Sutra isn't merely a technique—it's a forge. It will burn away impurities, yes, but first it demands fuel." His gaze dropped meaningfully to the hairline fractures visible along her sword arm, remnants of the Qi Deviation that had shattered her meridians during Li Feng's failed assassination. "How fortunate we both have so much to burn."

The unspoken threat coiled between them. Mei Lin's spiritual sense brushed against the scroll's shimmering surface and recoiled—not from danger, but from revelation. Fragmentary visions flooded her mind: a phoenix carved from dying stars, roots drinking supernovae, nine suns colliding in a silent scream of light. Her damaged dantian ached.

"What do you want in return?" she asked cautiously, lowering her sword completely now.

"A deal," Xiao Ning replied evenly. "I will give you this technique, and more besides, if you agree to two conditions: First, you must swear absolute secrecy about my origins and identity. If word gets out that I am not Li Feng, it could bring disaster upon us both. Second, we shall work together to rebuild the Shadowclaw Sect and avenge Li Feng's death. You seek justice for your dao companion; I owe him a debt for allowing me use of his body. Together, we can achieve these goals."

Mei Lin considered his proposal carefully, weighing the risks and rewards. The promise of such powerful techniques was undeniably tempting, especially given the dire state of the sect. And yet, trusting someone who had essentially stolen another's body wasn't easy. But then again, what choice did she really have? Without help, the Shadowclaw Sect would crumble entirely, and her vengeance would remain unfulfilled.

"Very well," she finally said, stepping closer. "But understand this—I will hold you to your word. If you betray me or the sect, I will hunt you down and ensure your destruction, no matter how strong you claim to be."

Xiao Ning nodded solemnly. "Fair enough. Let us seal this agreement through the Dao System, binding our fates together."

He reached into his newfound sea of consciousness, drawing upon the residual energy left behind by the previous owner. A faint golden light began to emanate from his fingertips, forming a complex rune in the air between them. Mei Lin mirrored the gesture, her own dao affinity responding to the call. As their energies intertwined, the rune solidified into a glowing contract, hovering before them.

"I will keep your secrets," Mei Lin vowed aloud, her voice steady and resolute. "And you will aid mein restoring the sect and avenging Li Feng. This pact is unbreakable unless either party violates its terms."

"As agreed," Xiao Ning confirmed, his tone equally firm. The rune pulsed once, then dissolved into threads of light that vanished into their respective bodies, sealing the contract.

As their Dao vows solidified—Mei Lin studied the man wearing her dead lover's face. There was Li Feng's crooked nose from when she'd broken it during their first spar, Li Feng's scarred lip from the poisoned dagger he'd taken for her. But the way he held himself… No, this was a predator wearing a wolf's pelt, all wrong angles where there should have been familiar curves.

With the deal done, Mei Lin turned her attention back to the scroll still floating in front of Xiao Ning." This technique.. Are you certain it's safe for me to learn?"

Xiao Ning smiled faintly. "It is powerful, yes, but also adaptable. The Everlasting Nine Suns Sutra can be cultivated by anyone, regardless of their elemental affinity or cultivation base. It focuses on harnessing the power of the sun itself, refining it within the body to strengthen one's core and expand their dantian. With proper guidance, you'll find it surprisingly manageable."

He then proceeded to explain the basics of the technique, outlining the initial stages of cultivation and warning her of potential pitfalls. Mei Lin listened intently, her sharp mind absorbing the information with remarkable speed. Occasionally, she would ask a pointed question, testing his knowledge and probing for weaknesses in his explanation.

Each time, Xiao Ning responded calmly and thoroughly, his confidence growing as he witnessed her understanding deepen.

By the time he finished, the first rays of dawn were already painting the sky outside the cavern with hues of orange and gold.

Mei Lin stood there for a moment, digesting everything she had learned.

"That's about everything for now, I wish to cultivate on my own to stabilize this body and recover some strength," Xiao Ning said, suppressing a yawn. "It's been a long journey, and I need time to adjust to my new body."

"Very well, Rest and recover," Mei Lin said, her voice softer than before. "The sect is in turmoil, but we have time to plan our next move. When you are ready, we will discuss the future."

With a respectful nod, she turned and left

the cavern, leaving Xiao Ning alone with his thoughts.

He closed his eyes once more, this time focusing on the unfamiliar energy coursing through his meridians. The body of Li Feng was weak, its foundation riddled with micro-fractures from years of reckless cultivation.

With a thought a line of text appeared in front of his eyes.

[ Name: Li Fang]

[ Life Span: 450/567]

[Cultivation: Nascent Soul Realm (disabled)]

[Spirit Root: Dark and Earth Dual Spirit Root (damaged)]

Cultivation Techniques: Shadow Leaf True Scripture ( main), Myriad Shadow Thoughts Art, Shadow Teleportation Technique.....

Examining the standard cultivator's status panel, he narrowed his eyes. All the information appeared unremarkable. Had he been deceived in some way?