Chapter 25: Whispers in the Wind

The dueling platform still trembled from the aftermath of Lin Feng's victory.

And yet, in the silence that followed, the sound that echoed loudest wasn't the rumble of shattered stone—but the gasps and murmurs of hundreds of disciples, like whispers carried by a restless wind.

"Did you see that?"

"He didn't use a weapon... not even a technique scroll."

"He disabled Gu Kai's spiritual flow with a single strike."

"Who is he really?"

Those in the outer sect watched with wide-eyed wonder. The inner disciples, however, now watched with something closer to dread—masked with disdain. They could no longer ignore the name, even if they spat it with bitterness:

Lin Feng.

The boy who was supposed to be nothing.

Now, he stood in the center of the arena like an unpolished star—blazing far too brightly for the elders to overlook.

Above the Arena – The Core Pavilion

Behind a curtain of spirit mist and shielding formations, the core elders watched in silence.

Elder Jian, a silver-robed man with sword calligraphy embroidered into his sleeves, narrowed his eyes as Lin Feng stepped off the dueling stage. "A strange talent," he muttered. "But his movements… they're not taught by any sect manual I've ever seen."

"Indeed," said another—Elder Yu of the Alchemy Hall. "The precision of his qi control, the refinement of his strikes… and that blue flame, did you notice?"

Elder Mo, the Head of the Inner Sect, remained quiet for a moment longer before finally speaking.

"There's something guiding him. But it's not purely intuition or talent." His gaze turned sharp. "Watch him. Closely."

Stage Two – The Second Duel

"Next match: Lin Feng versus Xu Tao."

Xu Tao was the son of an elder, a high-ranked inner disciple with years of cultivation behind him. He wielded twin crescent blades and was known for his lightning-step movement techniques—making him a hard target to land a hit on.

He stepped into the ring with a scowl.

"You humiliated Gu Kai. Don't expect me to go easy on you."

Lin Feng didn't reply.

He simply bowed, palms together in the ancient salute of challenge.

Elder Qian raised a hand. "Begin."

Xu Tao struck first.

Blue-white arcs of lightning erupted from his feet as he zipped across the platform, appearing behind Lin Feng in the blink of an eye. The first blade sliced toward Lin Feng's shoulder—the second followed a split second later toward his thigh.

A clean, crippling combo.

Lin Feng shifted his weight to the side, letting both blades whistle past him.

[Comet Step – Double Pulse]

With a burst of spiritual force, he accelerated sideways and then forward, passing through Xu Tao's defensive zone.

Then his palm flicked upward—striking not the disciple's body, but the blades themselves.

Clang!

A jolt of force disarmed Xu Tao instantly. One blade flew into the air.

Lin Feng caught it mid-spin.

And pressed the cold steel gently against Xu Tao's neck.

"Round one—Lin Feng."

The crowd lost its mind.

Xu Tao snarled and powered up again, summoning lightning qi that danced around his skin like a storm given form.

"I won't lose to an outer disciple!"

He shouted, sending bolts flying from his palms.

Lin Feng dodged—barely—his robes singed.

Xu Tao followed, chaining attacks, faster than most could track.

But Lin Feng closed his eyes.

Breathed.

And focused.

[System Alert: Passive Activated – Astral Perception]

The world slowed.

Each movement, each step Xu Tao took, was visible in the flow of spiritual currents.

He saw the faint tremor in Xu Tao's knees, the twitch in his right wrist before a strike.

He moved—one smooth step to the left, sidestepping the lightning like flowing water.

Then he struck with a single-pointed jab—aimed at the solar plexus.

A burst of wind blew outward as Xu Tao flew back and landed flat on his back, unconscious.

"Round two—Lin Feng. Match complete."

Another victory.

Another wave of stunned silence.

Outside the Arena – A Different Kind of Fight

While Lin Feng's name spread like wildfire, it drew attention not just from the elders and disciples—but also from forces beyond the sect's boundaries.

Deep in a forest far from the Azure Sky Mountains, a figure knelt beside a smoldering brazier. Cloaked in black, their face hidden behind a silver mask etched with ancient runes.

A raven descended, dropping a scroll bound in red string.

The figure opened it.

One name was written inside.

Lin Feng – Azure Sky Sect. Eliminate.

The figure stood.

And vanished into the wind.

Later that Evening – Outer Disciple Courtyard

Lin Feng returned to the quiet courtyard that had once felt so small, so suffocating. Now, it felt like a memory—a shell left behind by someone who no longer lived there.

Su Xue met him at the gate, her eyes red-rimmed from excitement.

"You did it," she whispered. "You really did it."

He smiled softly. "It's only the second stage. There's still one more."

"You've already changed everything." Her voice wavered. "Everyone's talking about you. Even the sect elders are taking notice."

Lin Feng looked up at the stars.

"I didn't do it to be noticed."

She stepped closer. "Then why?"

He didn't answer at first.

Then finally, with quiet certainty:

"I want the power to choose my path. Not to be defined by what I lack—or what they say I am."

Su Xue looked at him with something like awe. "Then you'll become something none of them can control."

Lin Feng nodded. "That's the plan."

Core Disciple Quarters – Midnight

Elsewhere, a figure watched Lin Feng through a scrying crystal.

He was young, his face coldly handsome, robes marked with golden embroidery—clear symbols of the core disciple hierarchy.

Shen Yao, ranked third among the core disciples.

He sneered.

"So… you're the one making noise."

He clenched his hand.

"The next round will silence you."