Chapter 5 Father's discipline

**Chapter 5: Encounter with Her Father's Disciple**

With her newfound power and the secrets of the Celestial Flame Library in her grasp, Feng Ruoyan knew that she could not remain hidden in her magical space forever. She needed to enter the world, refine her abilities, and test the limits of her transformed Dragon Fire Root. More importantly, she had to step into the sect where her father once held great influence.

The Rising Sun Sect was one of the ten great sects in the cultivation world, revered for its elite disciples and powerful cultivation techniques. It was also where her father, Feng Zhiwei, had once been an esteemed elder. As she stepped through the towering gates, the weight of expectations and history pressed down upon her.

As soon as she entered the inner courtyard, murmurs spread among the disciples. Though she was unknown to most, her striking presence and the faint golden-red aura of dragon fire surrounding her made many pause in awe.

"Who is she?" one disciple whispered.

"She looks like Elder Feng… Could she be—?"

Before anyone could piece together their thoughts, a strong presence descended upon the courtyard. A tall, broad-shouldered man with piercing eyes and a dignified bearing strode toward her. He was clad in deep crimson robes embroidered with fire patterns, marking him as one of the top disciples of the sect. More importantly, Feng Ruoyan recognized him instantly—Jiang Tian, her father's most devoted disciple and a rising star in the sect.

Jiang Tian was not just any disciple—he was the direct heir of the Jiang family, one of the prominent noble families aligned with the Rising Sun Sect. Known for their formidable combat techniques and their control over fire-based cultivation arts, the Jiang family held considerable influence. As the eldest son, Jiang Tian was destined for greatness, carrying the expectations of both his family and the sect's elders. He was not only a disciple but also a candidate for the next Sect Master, should he prove himself worthy. His father, Jiang Zhong, was an elder in the sect, respected for his wisdom and battle prowess, making the Jiang family a formidable force within the Rising Sun Sect.

Jiang Tian stopped before her, his eyes scanning her face with a mixture of shock and curiosity. "You… you are Feng Ruoyan, aren't you?"

Ruoyan inclined her head. "Indeed. And you must be Jiang Tian, my father's disciple."

His expression flickered with emotions she couldn't quite decipher—relief, regret, and something akin to cautious hope. But behind that, she saw pain—deep and unresolved. His fists clenched at his sides as he took a slow breath.

"I never thought I'd see you again. Your father spoke of you often, but after… everything, we thought—" He cut himself off, as if unwilling to bring up painful memories.

Ruoyan met his gaze steadily. "I am here now. And I am ready to reclaim what was lost."

Jiang Tian's jaw tightened. Memories flashed through his mind—memories of blood-soaked robes, of watching his master fight desperately to protect the sect, only to be betrayed from within. He recalled the day he found out that Ruoyan had been declared dead, the way the flames of the funeral pyre had burned as he stood in silent mourning. Guilt settled deep within him, guilt for surviving when his master and his master's family had perished.

His voice was softer when he spoke again. "Your father was a great man. He believed in you… in a future where you would surpass even him." He took a deep breath before his usual composure returned. "Then prove it. The sect is not a place for sentimentality. If you wish to walk this path, you will need strength."

She smirked. "Then let me show you."

With that, she ignited her dragon flames, and the courtyard was instantly ablaze with golden-red fire, sending waves of heat through the air. The onlooking disciples gasped in shock, but Jiang Tian merely smiled.

Before he could say anything further, an older man in the robes of an elder approached swiftly, his gaze sharp. "Enough!" he commanded, eyeing Ruoyan with suspicion. "Where did you learn such flames?"

Jiang Tian turned to the elder, his expression grim. "She is Feng Ruoyan, daughter of Elder Feng Zhiwei."

The elder's eyes widened, flickering with disbelief before narrowing. "Impossible. Feng Zhiwei and his wife perished years ago."

Ruoyan held her expression firm, showing no indication of the truth. "That's what the world believes." She met his gaze steadily, offering no further explanation.

Jiang Tian inhaled sharply, his fingers trembling. "Then their legacy must continue." His voice carried an unspoken weight, but he did not press the matter further.

Deep in her heart, Ruoyan knew she could never reveal the truth—not yet. If the world discovered that her parents were alive, the forces that sought their downfall would rise once more. Until she was strong enough, their survival had to remain a secret.

As she stood there, memories surged in her mind—fragments of the past she had desperately clung to. She remembered the dim glow of a secluded cave, where her parents had last spoken to her. Their figures, weary yet determined, had stood before her as her mother pressed a jade storage ring into her palm.

"Ruoyan, listen carefully," her father had said in a hushed but firm voice. "The world believes we are dead, and it must remain that way. We have gone into seclusion to cultivate and recover. If anyone finds out the truth, our enemies will not hesitate to strike again."

Her mother had knelt before her, cupping her face gently. "Take these cultivation resources. They will help you grow stronger. But no matter what, do not seek us out before you are ready. You must survive… and one day, take back everything that was stolen from you."

Tears had threatened to fall, but Ruoyan had nodded, her heart steeled by their resolve.

As the memory faded, her grip on her robes tightened. She would not fail them. She would rise, stronger than ever, and ensure that when the time came, no force in the world would be able to harm her or her family again.

Jiang Tian's expression was unreadable, but deep within his eyes, a flicker of hope ignited alongside the flames dancing around Ruoyan.

"The bloodline of the Fire Dragon… Your journey will be difficult, Feng Ruoyan," he said at last. "But I look forward to seeing how far you can go."