Dawn arrived cold and overcast, clouds obscuring the three moons' final descent. Lin Feng stood at his window, watching the sect wake, and felt the weight of the coming confrontation settle on his shoulders.
Today I defend Xiao Ling. Today I challenge Elder Shadow publicly. Today I prove that attacking my allies has consequences.
Through the Dao Thread, he sensed Yun Qingxue was already awake, preparing for her own role in today's events. Her emotions filtered through their connection—determination mixed with nervous energy, love tempered by fear for his safety.
Be careful today. Elder Shadow is cornered and desperate. Desperate people make dangerous mistakes—but they also fight viciously.
I know. You be careful too. Li Xian will be watching to see how you react to my defense of Xiao Ling.
Let him watch. I'm tired of pretending I don't care what happens to you.
The warmth of that sentiment carried him through his morning preparations. He dressed in his formal outer disciple robes, the dark blue and silver marking his status as the Patriarch's direct student. The Robe of Thousand Stars maintained its concealment function, keeping his Divine Domain Level 2 cultivation masked as something more mundane.
But beneath the concealment, power coiled and ready.
The Grand Elder Council chamber was already filling when Lin Feng arrived. Unlike the public inquiry for Elder Shen, this was a more intimate setting—only the seven Grand Elders, the Patriarch, relevant witnesses, and those with direct interest in the case.
Xiao Ling stood in the center of the chamber, her hands still bound by suppression formations. She looked exhausted—clearly she hadn't slept well in detention—but her spine remained straight, her expression defiant rather than defeated.
When she saw Lin Feng enter, relief flooded her features. She was afraid I wouldn't come. Afraid I'd abandon her to save myself.
Never.
Elder Shadow occupied his position at the left of the council seats, a jade tablet of evidence before him. The other Grand Elders filed in—Elder Yuan with her characteristic stern efficiency, Elder Ming showing academic curiosity, Master Tie Shan's massive form radiating quiet strength, Elder Feng appearing thoughtful, Elder Liu from the Grand Library looking troubled, and Elder Shen giving Lin Feng an encouraging nod.
Finally, Patriarch Cloud entered and took his elevated throne. The ancient cultivator's expression was carefully neutral, but Lin Feng caught the slight tightness around his eyes—he was preparing for a difficult confrontation.
"This council convenes to review the case against Outer Disciple Xiao Ling," Patriarch Cloud announced formally. "Elder Shadow, present your evidence."
Elder Shadow stood smoothly, projecting his jade tablet's contents into the air for all to see. Images formed—records of treasury transactions, witness statements, spiritual signatures analyzed through formations.
"Honorable council, the evidence is straightforward. Five hundred low-grade spirit stones disappeared from the outer disciple resource allocation on the fifteenth day of the current month. Investigation revealed these stones hidden in Xiao Ling's quarters—specifically, concealed beneath her sleeping mat wrapped in cloth."
The projection showed the discovery—enforcement disciples lifting Xiao Ling's mat to reveal a cloth bundle, opening it to display neat stacks of spirit stones.
"Witness statements confirm Xiao Ling entered the treasury building on the fourteenth day, claiming to deliver messages from kitchen staff to the treasury administrator. She was observed near the resource storage area for approximately ten minutes before leaving."
Another projection—formation recordings showing Xiao Ling's movement through the building, time-stamped and clear.
"Furthermore, spiritual signature analysis shows her energy residue on the cloth wrapping the stolen stones." Elder Shadow's tone was matter-of-fact, almost sympathetic. "The evidence is overwhelming. Xiao Ling had opportunity, means, and the stolen goods were found in her possession."
Murmurs rippled through the assembled witnesses. On the surface, the case appeared airtight.
"Outer Disciple Xiao Ling," Patriarch Cloud addressed her directly, "how do you respond to these accusations?"
"I didn't steal anything, Patriarch!" Xiao Ling's voice was clear despite her fear. "I did go to the treasury building to deliver messages—that's part of my duties as kitchen staff. But I never entered the storage area. I gave the messages to Administrator Wei at the front desk and left immediately."
"And the spirit stones found in your room?" Elder Shadow pressed. "How did they arrive there if you didn't take them?"
"Someone must have planted them! I don't know how or when, but those stones weren't there before. I'm not stupid—why would I hide stolen goods in the first place someone would search?"
"Perhaps you believed you wouldn't be suspected. Perhaps you thought your friendship with Direct Disciple Lin Feng would protect you from investigation." Elder Shadow's gaze shifted to Lin Feng. "Which brings us to an interesting connection. The timing of the theft corresponds to Lin Feng's return from his mission. Several witnesses report seeing Xiao Ling visiting Lin Feng's quarters multiple times during that period. One must wonder—was she stealing on his behalf? Or with his knowledge?"
The trap was sprung. Link Xiao Ling's "guilt" to Lin Feng, force him to either defend her (and implicate himself) or abandon her (and appear ruthless).
"I invited Xiao Ling to my quarters," Lin Feng spoke up clearly. "She brought food, helped organize my belongings after the promotion to direct disciple, and kept me company as friends do. None of that is illegal, and none of it involved theft."
"Yet the timing is suspicious—"
"The timing is convenient," Lin Feng interrupted, his voice carrying an edge that made several elders look up sharply. "Convenient for someone wanting to frame Xiao Ling specifically because of her connection to me. Just as Elder Shadow's investigation of Elder Shen was 'conveniently' about someone who helped me. Just as every accusation somehow circles back to investigating me rather than the actual accused."
"That's a serious accusation, Direct Disciple Lin," Elder Shadow's voice went cold. "Are you suggesting I fabricated evidence?"
"I'm suggesting someone did. And I'm suggesting that investigating who benefits from Xiao Ling's guilt would be more productive than assuming the most convenient conclusion."
"Interesting deflection. But the evidence—"
"The evidence is circumstantial and easily manipulated." Lin Feng pulled out his own jade slip—one he'd prepared last night with Yun Qingxue's help. "I took the liberty of conducting my own investigation. May I present it to the council?"
Patriarch Cloud's eyebrows rose fractionally, but he nodded. "Proceed."
Lin Feng activated his jade slip, and new projections appeared alongside Elder Shadow's evidence. "First, let's examine the treasury security formations. They record not just who enters the building, but their spiritual signatures while inside. Here's Xiao Ling's signature during her visit."
The formation recording showed Xiao Ling's spiritual presence—Foundation Establishment Level 5, moving through the building in exactly the path she'd described. Crucially, her signature never appeared near the storage area where the stones were kept.
"As you can see, she never approached the restricted sections. The formation would have recorded if she had." Lin Feng switched to another projection. "Second, the cloth wrapping the stones. Elder Shadow says it carries Xiao Ling's spiritual signature. But look at the pattern."
He zoomed in on the energy analysis. "This signature is too clean. Too concentrated. When we handle objects normally, we leave trace energy—scattered, irregular, natural. This appears almost painted on, as if someone deliberately imprinted her signature onto the cloth."
Elder Ming leaned forward, her academic interest piqued. "That's... you're right. The signature pattern is unusually uniform. Almost artificial."
"Third," Lin Feng continued, "let's consider motivation. Xiao Ling earns 50 low-grade spirit stones monthly from her kitchen duties. Five hundred stones represents ten months of savings—significant, but not life-changing for someone with her cultivation level. What would she gain from such a theft that justified the risk?"
"Greed doesn't require logic," Elder Shadow countered.
"No, but it requires context. I examined Xiao Ling's spending records." Lin Feng displayed transaction logs. "She spends almost nothing. Saves diligently. Has over two hundred stones accumulated legitimately. If she needed five hundred stones urgently, she could have borrowed from me—I've offered before, she's always refused. Why steal when she had legitimate options?"
"Perhaps she wanted to avoid being indebted—"
"Or perhaps the entire scenario was constructed to frame her." Lin Feng's voice hardened. "Someone who knew her routines, knew she visited the treasury regularly, knew she was close to me. Someone who could access her quarters to plant evidence. Someone who would benefit from using her as leverage against me."
The implications hung in the air. Several elders were now looking at Elder Shadow with new suspicion.
"That's defamatory speculation without proof," Elder Shadow said coldly.
"Is it? Then let's test it." Lin Feng turned to face him directly. "Elder Shadow, you have access to all areas of the sect including the detention cells. You oversee the Discipline Hall, which includes authority over evidence storage. You've been investigating me for weeks, learning my associates, mapping my connections. And you're the one who 'discovered' the stones in Xiao Ling's room. Isn't that correct?"
"I conducted a proper investigation—"
"Supervised by whom? What oversight ensured you didn't plant the evidence yourself?"
The chamber erupted in shocked whispers. Directly accusing a Grand Elder of fabricating evidence was extraordinary, potentially career-ending if Lin Feng couldn't back it up.
Elder Shadow's face went through several expressions—shock, outrage, and finally cold fury. "How dare you suggest—"
"I suggest nothing. I ask questions." Lin Feng's voice remained level. "Questions any thorough investigation should address. Who had means, motive, and opportunity? Xiao Ling had means but no clear motive. I had potential motive but no opportunity—I was under the Patriarch's supervision during the theft timing. But you, Elder Shadow..." Lin Feng let the implication speak for itself.
"This is outrageous! Patriarch Cloud, this direct disciple is accusing me of criminal conduct without evidence!"
"He's asking questions that should be answered," Patriarch Cloud said mildly, though his eyes held steel. "Elder Shadow, can you provide documentation of your investigation's supervision? Third-party verification of the evidence chain?"
For the first time, Elder Shadow hesitated. "The Discipline Hall operates with autonomy in routine investigations—"
"This isn't routine," Elder Yuan interrupted. "You're accusing a disciple of theft and potentially implicating the Patriarch's direct student in conspiracy. That requires oversight, Elder Shadow. Standard procedure."
"I... followed standard procedures..."
But the hesitation was damning. Elder Ming exchanged glances with Elder Feng. Master Tie Shan's expression had gone dark. Even Elder Liu looked troubled.
Patriarch Cloud stood, his presence filling the chamber. "Elder Shadow, I'm ordering a full review of your investigation methods. Elder Yuan will supervise. All evidence will be re-examined for tampering. If your investigation was conducted properly, you have nothing to fear."
"And if the review finds irregularities?" Elder Shadow's voice was tight.
"Then we'll address them appropriately." The Patriarch's tone left no room for argument. "But for now, given the questions raised about evidence integrity, I'm ruling that the case against Xiao Ling is insufficient for conviction. She will be released from detention immediately."
"Patriarch!" Elder Shadow stood abruptly. "This is highly irregular—"
"So is an investigation with no oversight that conveniently targets people connected to my personal disciple." Patriarch Cloud's voice carried absolute authority. "The decision is made, Elder Shadow. Unless you wish to challenge my authority directly?"
The two Immortal Emperors stared at each other, tension crackling like lightning between them. Then Elder Shadow bowed, his movement stiff and barely controlled.
"No challenge, Patriarch. I merely express concern about allowing potentially guilty parties to walk free."
"Your concern is noted. The investigation will continue under proper supervision. If evidence of actual guilt emerges through legitimate means, we'll address it then."
The suppression formations around Xiao Ling dissolved. She stumbled, Lin Feng moving quickly to catch her before she fell. Through the Dao Thread, he felt Yun Qingxue's fierce satisfaction from wherever she was observing.
Well done. You didn't just defend Xiao Ling—you put Elder Shadow himself under investigation.
He left himself open. Got too confident in his evidence.
Or too desperate. Desperation breeds mistakes.
As the council formally adjourned, Lin Feng helped Xiao Ling from the chamber. She was shaking, exhaustion and relief overwhelming her.
"Thank you," she whispered. "I thought... I was so afraid..."
"I told you I wouldn't abandon you." Lin Feng supported her weight as they walked. "Let's get you food and rest. And Xiao Ling? From now on, you have a formation expert friend install protective arrays in your quarters. No more surprise 'evidence' appearing."
She laughed weakly. "I don't know any formation experts."
"I do." He'd ask Elder Feng later—the formation master had looked sympathetic during the hearing. "Consider it done."
They emerged into daylight to find a small crowd waiting—disciples who'd heard about the hearing, curious about the outcome. And there, standing apart from the others with an expression of barely contained rage, was Li Xian.
The Azure Sky young master's eyes locked onto Lin Feng with pure hatred. Through enhanced senses, Lin Feng felt killing intent radiating from him—barely controlled, violence restrained only by circumstance and audience.
He watched the hearing. Saw me challenge Elder Shadow successfully. Realized I'm more dangerous than he thought.
But Li Xian couldn't act here, surrounded by witnesses and sect authority. Instead, he turned and stalked away, his attendants following.
Through the Dao Thread, Yun Qingxue's warning came sharp: He's going to do something reckless. Li Xian doesn't handle humiliation well.
Neither does Elder Shadow. We've made powerful enemies angrier.
Good. Angry enemies make mistakes.
Lin Feng got Xiao Ling settled in the kitchen area, where other servants fussed over her and brought food. Once he was certain she was safe and cared for, he made his way to his own quarters, exhaustion from the morning's tension finally catching up.
He'd just entered his room when a presence materialized—so suddenly and silently that even his enhanced Divine Domain senses barely detected it.
Fan Wu, the Lucky Wanderer, sitting on his meditation cushion with his gourd in hand.
"Impressive performance this morning," Fan Wu said conversationally. "You've got political instincts developing nicely. The Void Emperor would be proud—or possibly worried, since political skill is what led to his betrayal."
"How did you get in here?"
"Through the door. Then through the window when that was locked. Then I just sort of... appeared when probability aligned favorably." Fan Wu took a drink. "The benefits of Heavenly Fortune Body. I'm wherever I need to be, even when that should be impossible."
Lin Feng activated privacy formations and sat across from him. "You have news?"
"Indeed. Your performance this morning accelerated certain parties' timelines." Fan Wu's casual demeanor dropped, revealing sharp intelligence beneath. "Li Xian and Elder Shadow met immediately after the hearing. I was fortunately nearby—fell through a ceiling panel into a storage room adjacent to their meeting chamber. Very lucky positioning."
"What did they discuss?"
"They're panicking. You've proven more capable and politically savvy than expected. Elder Shadow is now under investigation, which limits his ability to move against you openly. And Li Xian fears the wedding might not happen if you continue building support." Fan Wu's expression grew serious. "They've decided to accelerate their plans. The Void Anchor Array construction is being rushed—they're bringing in more formation specialists to complete it in two weeks instead of three months."
Lin Feng's blood ran cold. "Two weeks? That doesn't give us time to—"
"That's the point. They're sacrificing subtlety for speed. The array won't be as powerful or well-hidden, but it'll be functional." Fan Wu leaned forward. "However, this creates an opportunity. Rushing construction means more workers, more materials, more chances for things to be noticed. I can accelerate my 'accidental discovery' to this weekend. Give the sect four days to respond before the array becomes operational."
"This weekend? That's in three days."
"Yes. Which means you have three days to prepare for the confrontation that will follow the discovery. Because Lin Feng, once that array is exposed, everything escalates. Li Xian will be forced to act openly. Elder Shadow will have nothing left to lose. And the Azure Sky Family will decide whether to back down or double down on eliminating you."
"In other words, three days until everything explodes."
"Precisely." Fan Wu stood, his gourd somehow never spilling despite his movements. "Use those three days well. Cultivate. Prepare. Coordinate with your allies. Because after this weekend, there's no more subtle maneuvering. It becomes direct confrontation."
"What about the wedding timeline? If we expose the array, does that break the engagement?"
"That depends on how the exposure plays out. If we can prove the array was built specifically to assassinate you during the ceremony, it becomes attempted murder and betrayal of sect hospitality. That's grounds for severing all alliances." Fan Wu moved toward the window. "But if they spin it as 'security measures' or 'precautions against unknown threats,' they might weather it. That's why the presentation matters as much as the discovery."
"We need irrefutable proof of hostile intent."
"Exactly. Which is why I'll be very thorough in my accidental documentation. Formation diagrams, construction notes, anything that clearly shows this array targets void cultivation specifically." Fan Wu paused at the window. "Oh, and one more thing—Venerable Nie, the soul examiner, has been asking questions. She's suspicious about how easily you passed her examination. She may request a second, more thorough examination."
"Can she do that?"
"Technically no, without new evidence. But Li Tianlong has influence. If he pushes hard enough, the Patriarch might have to allow it to maintain political balance." Fan Wu's expression was sympathetic. "Just be prepared for that possibility."
He vanished through the window with impossible grace, leaving Lin Feng alone with strategic calculations.
Three days until Fan Wu exposes the Void Anchor Array. Unknown timeline on a potential second soul examination. Two weeks until the array becomes functional if not discovered. Three months until the original wedding date, though that may no longer matter.
Too many timelines converging too quickly.
Through the Dao Thread, Lin Feng reached out: We need to meet. Fan Wu says everything accelerates this weekend.
Yun Qingxue's response came immediately: I know. I've been monitoring Azure Sky communications. They're definitely rushing something. Can you come to the Patriarch's cultivation chamber tonight? I've asked him to allow us a private training session.
'Training session.'
Among other things. We need to discuss strategy where no one can overhear. And...
He felt hesitation through their bond.
And what?
And I need to tell you something I learned about my family's history with the Void Emperor. Something that might change everything.
The weight of that statement settled heavily. Good or bad?
I don't know yet. That's what scares me.
They agreed to meet after evening meal, leaving Lin Feng with hours to contemplate what new complication had emerged.
He spent the afternoon in meditation, consolidating his Divine Domain Level 2 cultivation while beginning to probe toward Level 3. The Law of Liberation had become second nature now—he could feel constraints on reality and instinctively knew how to challenge them.
But Level 3 required more than just refining his law. It required expanding his domain's reach, projecting the Eternal Void beyond his immediate surroundings. That took power and control in measures he hadn't yet achieved.
One month to Level 3 under normal circumstances. Can I compress that to three days if necessary?
The Void Emperor's memories suggested it was possible but extremely dangerous. Forced advancement could crack foundations, cause cultivation deviation, or even shatter the dantian entirely.
But if the alternative is facing Li Xian and his array without adequate power...
Evening came quickly. Lin Feng made his way to the Patriarch's cultivation chamber, the pocket dimension that had become his primary training ground. Inside, he found both Yun Qingxue and Patriarch Cloud waiting.
"Thank you for allowing this, Patriarch," Lin Feng said, bowing.
"Thank you for defending Elder Shen's and now Xiao Ling's honor, even at personal risk," the ancient cultivator replied. "You're proving that power without compassion is tyranny. That lesson took me centuries to learn—you're grasping it in months."
"The situation forces rapid growth."
"Indeed." Patriarch Cloud's expression grew serious. "Yun Qingxue has shared information that requires discussion. It concerns the Void Emperor's death and your inheritance."
Lin Feng felt tension spike. "What information?"
Yun Qingxue stepped forward, her expression troubled. "I accessed my family's sealed archives—records kept by my grandmother before she ascended. She was alive during the era when the Void Emperor died, though she was only a Golden Core cultivator at the time."
"What did the records say?"
"That the Void Emperor's betrayal wasn't random. It was orchestrated by someone who understood his techniques intimately—someone who had studied void cultivation themselves." Yun Qingxue's voice dropped. "Lin Feng, one of the three traitors who killed the Void Emperor wasn't just his sworn sibling. She was his former Dao Companion."
The revelation hit like a physical blow. "The Blood Immortal Empress?"
"Yes. According to the records, she and the Void Emperor were bonded through the Dao Thread, just like we are. They cultivated together, loved each other, planned to face the heavens together." Yun Qingxue's hands clenched. "But she chose power over love. When the opportunity came to steal his cultivation methods and advance to Demi-God level, she took it. Killed the man she loved and severed the Dao Thread forcibly."
"That should have destroyed her cultivation—"
"It nearly did. The records say she went into seclusion for fifty years to recover from the backlash. But she survived by consuming his life essence during the betrayal. Used his death to fuel her own advancement." Yun Qingxue's eyes met his. "Lin Feng, if she learns that not only has the Void Emperor's inheritance resurfaced, but his heir has formed a new Dao Companion bond..."
"She'll come for us both. Either to steal our cultivation through the same method, or to eliminate us as threats to her power."
"Exactly."
Patriarch Cloud's voice was grave. "This changes the threat assessment significantly. The Blood Immortal Empress isn't just hunting the Void Emperor's legacy—she's hunting Dao Companion bonds associated with void cultivation. She may already have agents monitoring for such connections."
"How would she detect it?" Lin Feng asked. "The Dao Thread is subtle, hard to sense unless you know what to look for."
"Under normal circumstances, yes. But you two have been cultivating together, synchronizing your domains. That creates spiritual resonance that specialized formations can detect across vast distances." The Patriarch looked between them. "I hate to say this, but the safest course would be to suppress your bond. Minimize contact, avoid joint cultivation, keep the Dao Thread dormant."
Through their connection, Lin Feng felt Yun Qingxue's immediate rejection of that idea, mirroring his own.
"No," they said simultaneously.
"Patriarch, I understand the risk," Lin Feng continued. "But suppressing the Dao Thread would weaken both of us. Our joint cultivation accelerates our advancement significantly. And more importantly..." He looked at Yun Qingxue. "I won't sacrifice our connection out of fear. The Void Emperor made that mistake—let paranoia and isolation define his path. I won't repeat it."
"Even if it costs you both your lives?"
"Even then." Lin Feng's voice was firm. "Because a life lived in fear, constantly suppressing who you are and who you love, isn't really living. And I'd rather die on my feet fighting for something real than survive by hiding from everything that matters."
Yun Qingxue moved to stand beside him, their hands finding each other naturally. "I agree with Lin Feng. The Blood Immortal Empress chose power over love and became a monster. We'll choose differently."
Patriarch Cloud studied them for a long moment, his ancient eyes seeing far more than their words. Finally, he sighed.
"You're both incredibly brave and incredibly foolish. Which, historically, describes most legendary cultivators." A slight smile touched his lips. "Very well. We won't suppress the Dao Thread. But we will be strategic about it. Your joint cultivation sessions will be here in my chamber, protected by formations that prevent external detection. Outside these walls, you minimize obvious displays of your bond."
"Thank you, Patriarch."
"Don't thank me yet. I'm enabling you to walk a path that may lead to your deaths." His expression grew distant. "But I'm also too old to believe safety is the highest virtue. Sometimes the right path is the dangerous one."
He gestured to the chamber's vast space. "Now, you mentioned needing private discussion. I'll maintain external formations but give you internal privacy. Use the time well. And Lin Feng?"
"Yes, Patriarch?"
"In three days, when Fan Wu exposes the Void Anchor Array, everything changes. Prepare accordingly."
The ancient cultivator activated additional formations, creating a privacy bubble around Lin Feng and Yun Qingxue before settling into meditation at the chamber's far end—present for protection but giving them space.
Alone within the bubble, surrounded by swirling cosmos and void-black floor, they stood holding hands and processing everything they'd learned.
"The Blood Immortal Empress," Yun Qingxue said quietly. "A former Dao Companion who became a monster. That's what we could become if we choose wrong."
"Or we become proof that love makes you stronger, not weaker." Lin Feng pulled her closer. "The Void Emperor and the Empress failed because one chose isolation and the other chose power. We're choosing each other. That's different."
"Is it? Or are we just naive children convincing ourselves we're special?"
"Maybe both. Maybe that's okay." He smiled slightly. "Yun Qingxue, in three days, everything explodes. We'll be fighting for our lives, our freedom, our future. But right now, for just a few hours, can we pretend the world isn't about to end? Can we just... be together?"
She looked up at him, her ice-blue eyes holding emotions she rarely showed anyone—fear, hope, love, determination all mixed together.
"Yes," she whispered. "We can do that."
They cultivated together, the Dao Thread pulsing between them with golden light. Their domains merged—the Eternal Void meeting the Ice Phoenix Domain—creating that gray equilibrium space where two souls could touch directly.
And for a few precious hours, the threats receded. There was only power shared, understanding deepened, and the growing certainty that whatever came next, they would face it together.
The calm before the storm.
The last peace before war.
Three days until everything changed.
But tonight, in the space between heartbeats, they had each other.
That was enough.
END OF CHAPTER 18
TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 19: THE DISCOVERY