Three days had passed since Xiao Lan's vibrant jade slip transmitted its concise message to Lin Feng's mind. Three days in which the Scarlet Cloud Sect buzzed with an excitement and fervor unseen in decades. Lin Feng, from the humble periphery of the outer disciples, watched and listened, a silent spectator to his unexpected ally's apotheosis.
During those seventy-two hours, Lin Feng had immersed himself in a dual existence. By day, he fulfilled his assigned duties—now, curiously, moved from the stinking stables to the slightly less degrading task of sweeping the outer courtyards of the Medicinal Herb Hall, perhaps a whim of some deacon who saw him return with Xiao Lan, or a subtle way to keep him visible yet contained. He endured the stares, which ranged from the usual disdain of his fellow outer disciples to a strange new mix of superstitious awe and barely concealed envy from some low-ranking inner disciples who had seen him near the sect's new "deity."
But it was the nights, and the precious moments stolen during dawn and dusk, that defined his true life. In the solitude of his dilapidated pallet, or in a forgotten corner behind the kitchens where the smoke from the hearths concealed his presence, Lin Feng delved into the silent universe of his Primordial Library. The "Chaotic Harmonization Meditation" was becoming increasingly familiar. It was no longer the terrifying struggle of his first attempts in the misty forest. Now, with the guidance of the principles he had begun to assimilate and the stabilization that the Triple Harmony Cultivation had granted him, he could reach that state of "active stillness" at the core of his Chaotic Heart for longer periods. He felt the dark, primordial energy within him begin to respond to his intent, not with obedience, but with less resistance, like a raging river that, though impossible to stop, could be subtly channeled.
Glob, ever-present and hidden beneath his robes, was a silent anchor in these practices. Lin Feng sometimes felt Glob's energy resonate with his own, helping to smooth out the most dangerous peaks of his chaotic power or absorbing the energetic impurities his body could not yet process. The creature also seemed to be growing; its presence against his skin was now a bit larger, its warmth more constant.
The third day dawned with an atmosphere of anticipation that permeated the entire sect. Today was the official ceremony. Today, Xiao Lan would be proclaimed "Heaven's Daughter of the Scarlet Cloud" and formally invested as a Sect Elder.
Lin Feng, along with all the other outer disciples, was summoned to the Grand Phoenix Ascension Plaza, the sect's largest ceremonial space, reserved for the most momentous events. A tide of gray robes stretched as far as the eye could see, contrasting with the sea of blue of the inner disciples, who were closer to the imposing white jade platform at the center. Upon the platform, Sect Master Ouyang Zhen and the five Grand Elders waited, their faces solemn but with a gleam of pride and anticipation they could not hide.
When Xiao Lan appeared, a collective gasp swept through the plaza. She walked with an ethereal grace, her dark blue robe now embroidered with subtle gold and amethyst threads that seemed to capture the light. Her beauty was breathtaking, but it was the aura of serene and profound power emanating from her—the unmistakable mark of the Golden Core Realm—that truly silenced the crowd and filled the air with an almost palpable reverence. Her face, as always, was a mask of cold composure, but her jade eyes shone with a light that seemed to contain the wisdom of the stars.
Lin Feng watched from the rear, his heart pounding with a mixture of emotions. Pride for Xiao Lan, yes, but also a pang of envy. She had reached heights he could only dream of, at least for now. However, he remembered their pact, the trust she had placed in him. That gave him hope. If she could achieve it, he could too, in his own way.
Sect Master Ouyang Zhen stepped forward. His voice, amplified by his Qi, resonated throughout the plaza. "Disciples of the Scarlet Cloud Sect! Today, we witness an event that will mark a new era for our honorable sect! An event that the heavens themselves have blessed!"
He paused dramatically, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before resting on Xiao Lan. "Our disciple, Xiao Lan, during the recent and arduous Spirit Beast Trial, not only demonstrated unparalleled courage and skill but, through heavenly fortune and an unyielding will, has achieved a breakthrough that defies all comprehension! She has reached the Golden Core Realm!"
A roar of astonishment and acclaim erupted from the plaza. Even the proudest inner disciples could not help but look at Xiao Lan with a mixture of envy and profound admiration.
"For this momentous achievement, for her talent that illuminates our sect like a rising sun," the Sect Master continued, "the Council of Elders and I have unanimously decided to bestow upon Xiao Lan the title of 'Heaven's Daughter of the Scarlet Cloud'!"
Another burst of cheers. Xiao Lan bowed her head gracefully, accepting the honor.
"Furthermore," Ouyang Zhen proceeded, "in recognition of her power and wisdom, Xiao Lan is formally invested as an Elder of the Scarlet Cloud Sect, and she is granted the Misty Dawn Peak as her personal residence and domain, along with unlimited access to the core resources and knowledge of our sect."
From the side, Lin Feng saw Jian Yue and her two companions. Jian Yue clenched her jaw, her eyes fixed on Xiao Lan with an intensity bordering on obsession. "She thinks she's untouchable now," she muttered to Feng Bin and Ma Yong. "But let's not forget there are still ways to undermine her position. We must be patient." Feng Bin nodded enthusiastically, while Ma Yong looked uncertain, a slight crack in his loyalty to Jian Yue.
The ceremony continued with more laudatory speeches and the symbolic presentation of an Elder's insignia to Xiao Lan. She received everything with an unperturbed calm that only served to heighten the aura of mystery and power around her.
After the public event, which lasted several hours, Lin Feng slipped away, returning to the relative anonymity of his duties. The entire sect was engrossed in its new "Heaven's Daughter." No one paid any attention to an insignificant sweeper.
That same afternoon, in a private chamber on the Sect Master's Peak, Ouyang Zhen and the five Grand Elders met with Xiao Lan. The atmosphere was different now, less ceremonial and more… calculating.
"Elder Xiao Lan," began the Grand Elder of the Hall of Techniques, the same one who had spoken with such fervor of her potential. "Your breakthrough has opened doors for our sect that were previously firmly shut. The Golden Wind Sect, upon learning of your achievement through their observers, has already sent a formal missive, not only of congratulations but also proposing a summit to discuss 'matters of mutual cooperation and the future of our young talents.'"
Another elder, in charge of the sect's finances, added, "The Hidden Sword Valley has also shown renewed interest in a trade route they previously denied us. Your power, Elder Xiao Lan, is now our most valuable bargaining chip."
Sect Master Ouyang Zhen nodded. "Indeed. We must be strategic. Your future, Elder Xiao Lan, is intrinsically linked to that of the sect. There are young geniuses in these major sects, comparable to you in talent, though perhaps not in the speed of your advancement. Alliances forged through strong bonds… could secure our position for generations." Though he didn't say it explicitly, the implication of a potential arranged marriage hung in the air.
Xiao Lan listened attentively, her face impassive. Though outwardly maintaining her composure, she couldn't help but think of Lin Feng. She knew her association with him, a mere outer disciple, could be seen as a weakness. But she also remembered the determination in his eyes and the hidden potential only she had glimpsed. She decided that, for now, she would keep their connection secret, not out of shame, but to protect him until he was ready. "I understand the importance of these alliances, Sect Master, Grand Elders. My priority is to strengthen my cultivation and serve the best interests of the Scarlet Cloud Sect. I will carefully analyze any proposals and offer my counsel." Her response was diplomatic, committing to nothing, yet acknowledging her new role.
She knew they were evaluating her, not just as a powerhouse, but as a political asset. And she knew that any continued association with Lin Feng, however discreet, would be seen as an eccentricity at best, or a dangerous weakness at worst.
Meanwhile, Lin Feng, oblivious to these high-level deliberations, was in his dilapidated hut, immersed in the universe of his Primordial Library. With the Chaotic Harmonization Meditation, he had achieved a newfound sense of inner peace, a finer control over the energy flow in his Chaotic Heart. Now, he was beginning to unravel the mysteries of the "Ephemeral Shadow Step."
It wasn't just physical movements. It was principles. The way to merge his intent with the ambient chaos, to become one with shadows not only physical but energetic. He discovered it required an intuitive understanding of the "voids" in the flow of Qi and light, and a way to project his own chaotic energy to create brief distortions that would deceive perception. It was incredibly difficult, and each attempt left him exhausted, but the promise of such an ability was too tempting.
Glob, now the size of a small cushion, rested at his feet, emitting a soft purple light. Sometimes, when Lin Feng practiced the visualizations of the Ephemeral Shadow Step, Glob seemed to mimic him, its form becoming slightly darker, harder to distinguish against the shadows of the hut. They were learning together, each in their own way.
The next two days passed in this strange duality for Lin Feng: monotonous work and the thinly veiled disdain of the sect during the day, and the secret, thrilling exploration of limitless power during the night. The anticipation for his meeting with Xiao Lan grew with each passing hour. She was his only link to someone who knew a fraction of his truth, his only ally in this game of shadows and power.
Finally, the eve of the third night after the new moon arrived. Lin Feng, after ensuring his roommates were snoring deeply, slipped out of the barracks. The sect was silent, bathed in the silvery light of the stars. From his position on the periphery of the outer disciples, he could see, far in the distance, the majestic outline of Misty Dawn Peak, now enveloped in a faint, almost imperceptible aura of golden and purple power.
Returning to his hut, Lin Feng was intercepted by an arrogant-looking inner disciple. "You think just because Xiao Lan paid you some attention once, you're someone important now?" the disciple spat. Lin Feng remained calm, knowing he couldn't reveal his true power. "I'm just doing my job," he replied, but his eyes glinted with a determination that made the disciple take a step back, confused. Lin Feng walked past, his mind already focused on the meeting with Xiao Lan.
He touched the pocket where Glob rested, small and discreet. A sense of calm and determination washed over him. The world saw him as an ignored shadow, a mistake of nature. But he knew he carried a legacy that could change the world. And tomorrow, at dawn, he would take the next step on that path, alongside the only person who had begun to glimpse the true depth of the chaos that resided within him.
"Tomorrow," he thought, a confident smile curving his lips in the darkness, "the real work begins. Our cooperation." The future was uncertain, fraught with danger, but for the first time in his life, Lin Feng didn't feel alone. And that feeling was more intoxicating than any power.