The second day in Azure Mist Valley passed in blissful tranquility.
No cultivation, as promised. Just exploration of the valley, swimming in crystal-clear streams, and long conversations about everything except politics and danger. Lin Feng learned that Yun Qingxue loved astronomy but had rarely had time to study the stars. She learned that he had an unexpected talent for cooking with spirit herbs—a skill developed during years as a servant.
They prepared meals together, laughed at shared jokes, and discovered what it meant to simply be with someone without agendas or expectations.
"I could stay here forever," Yun Qingxue said as evening approached on their second day. They sat by the waterfall, watching the sun paint the mist in shades of gold and crimson.
"We'd get bored eventually. Run out of things to talk about."
"Impossible. I've known you for months and still discover new things constantly." She leaned against him. "Did you know you hum when you're deep in thought? And you have a habit of touching your chest where the Twin Soul Pendant rests whenever you're worried?"
"I didn't know that." Lin Feng smiled. "Did you know you get this tiny crease between your eyebrows when you're concentrating? And you unconsciously create small ice crystals in your palm when you're nervous?"
"I do not—" She looked down at her hand to find a perfect snowflake crystallizing in her palm. "Oh. I suppose I do."
"It's endearing."
"It's a waste of spiritual energy."
"It's human. You're allowed to have unconscious habits." Lin Feng captured the snowflake before it could melt, using a tiny application of void energy to preserve it. "There. Proof that even the Ice Goddess has vulnerabilities."
She smiled at that—the genuine smile he'd worked so hard to earn, not the political mask she showed the world. Through the Dao Thread, he felt her contentment, deeper and more complete than anything she'd experienced in years.
This is what I want to protect. Not just her life, but her happiness. Her ability to smile like this.
"Tomorrow we should head back," she said reluctantly. "We've been gone three days including travel. Any longer and people will start worrying."
"Or assume we've eloped and are never coming back."
"Given recent events, some might actually believe that." She laughed. "The scandal would be tremendous. The Sacred Disciple running away with the mysterious outer disciple who defeated an inner disciple and exposed an Azure Sky conspiracy."
"Sounds like a terrible romance novel."
"Our lives have become a terrible romance novel. Complete with evil fiancés, political intrigue, and ancient enemies rising from the past."
"When you put it that way, it does sound rather absurd."
They sat in comfortable silence, reluctant to end their brief paradise but knowing reality awaited.
"Lin Feng," Yun Qingxue said quietly. "When we go back, things will change. We can't be as open about our relationship—not yet. My family is already furious about the broken engagement. If I immediately start openly courting someone else, especially you, the political fallout would be severe."
"I know. We discussed this."
"But knowing intellectually and accepting emotionally are different things." She turned to face him. "I don't want to hide what we are. But I'm also not ready to declare it openly and deal with the consequences. Does that make me a coward?"
"It makes you practical. There's a difference between hiding out of fear and being strategic about timing." Lin Feng took her hands. "We'll be discrete but not secretive. Spend time together without making it scandalous. Build toward a point where we can be open without it destroying everything you've worked for."
"How long will that take?"
"Months, probably. Maybe a year. Long enough for the sect to adjust to you being unengaged, for your family's anger to cool, for our own positions to solidify." He squeezed her hands gently. "I've waited fourteen years for power and freedom. I can wait a year to openly love you."
Through the Dao Thread, she felt his sincerity—patience born from long suffering, determination tempered by understanding.
"I don't deserve you."
"You deserve better than me. But you're stuck with me anyway, so we'll make it work."
She kissed him then—longer than before, less tentative, full of affection and promise and the quiet certainty that whatever complications awaited, they would face them together.
When they separated, the moons had risen—once again in perfect Trinity Mirror alignment.
"That's the third time we've seen the Trinity Mirror this month," Lin Feng observed. "They're supposed to align once every few months, but we've seen it three times in four weeks."
"Celestial omens are unpredictable. It could mean nothing, or it could mean the heavens are paying attention to us." Yun Qingxue's expression grew troubled. "The Void Emperor's records mentioned that Trinity Mirrors often occurred before major events. Tribulations, breakthroughs, catastrophes."
"Then let's hope it's indicating our breakthroughs, not incoming catastrophes."
"Hope is good. Preparation is better."
They spent their final night in the valley testing their new cultivation levels more rigorously—sparring without holding back, pushing their domains to clash and merge, exploring the limits of their synchronized power.
The results were startling. Together, with domains merged and the Dao Thread amplifying their coordination, they could manifest power equivalent to Sovereign Monarch Level 4 or 5. Alone, they were formidable. Together, they were genuinely dangerous to opponents far beyond their individual levels.
"The three traitors will still crush us," Yun Qingxue noted after one particularly intense exchange. "Demi-Gods are multiple realms above us. But at least we're not helpless."
"We're also advancing faster than anyone expects. At this rate, I could reach Transcendence Celestial in a year or two. You'll be there even sooner."
"That's still far from Demi-God."
"But it's closer than yesterday. Every day we get stronger is a day closer to being able to defend ourselves." Lin Feng dismissed his domain, exhaustion catching up. "And every day they don't come is a day we have to prepare."
They slept that night under the Trinity Mirror's silver light, the Dao Thread pulsing softly between them, both reluctant to leave but knowing they must.
Dawn arrived too quickly. They packed their minimal belongings, dismantled the formations, and prepared for the journey home.
"Ready to return to politics and danger?" Lin Feng asked.
"Never. But let's go anyway."
The return journey was faster than the outbound trip—they knew the route now and pushed their movement techniques harder. By late afternoon, the Celestial Dawn Sect's nine peaks appeared on the horizon.
As they approached the eastern gate, Lin Feng's spiritual sense detected something unusual. The sect's formations were more active than normal, pulsing with what felt like heightened alert status.
"Something's wrong," he murmured.
Yun Qingxue extended her own senses. "The defensive arrays are fully active. That only happens during emergencies or when expecting hostile visitors."
They accelerated, reaching the gate to find it heavily guarded—far more disciples than normal, all at Foundation Establishment or above. The guards' expressions showed tension and barely concealed fear.
"Sacred Disciple! Direct Disciple Lin!" One guard rushed forward. "You've returned! The Patriarch has been trying to reach you—"
"What happened?" Yun Qingxue demanded.
"Elder Shadow escaped custody three days ago. He killed two guards and fled the sect." The guard's voice was grim. "But that's not all. Yesterday, a delegation arrived from the Demonic Continent. They're claiming to be diplomatic envoys, but..." He hesitated.
"But what?"
"But their leader is Immortal Emperor Level 6, and she's demanding to meet with 'the one who carries the Void Emperor's legacy.' The Patriarch is holding her in the Grand Reception Hall under guard, but she insists she'll wait as long as necessary."
Lin Feng felt ice settle in his stomach. "What's her name?"
"She calls herself the Poison Serpent Lady. Venerable Mei She."
Through the Void Emperor's memories, Lin Feng felt recognition—and complicated emotions. Mei She had been mentioned in the memories, but not as an enemy. She'd been... something else. An ally? A rival? The memories were fragmentary on this point.
"We need to see the Patriarch immediately," Lin Feng said.
"He's expecting you. This way."
They were escorted through the sect at rapid pace, disciples parting to let them pass. Whispers followed in their wake—speculation about where they'd been, what they'd been doing, whether their return had something to do with the mysterious visitor.
The Grand Reception Hall was designed for hosting powerful guests—spacious, elegant, and covered in formations that could contain even Sovereign Monarch level violence if necessary. As Lin Feng and Yun Qingxue entered, they found it packed with sect leadership.
Patriarch Cloud sat on his throne, flanked by all the Grand Elders except Elder Shadow. Master Tie Shan stood ready for combat, his massive form radiating barely contained power. Elder Yuan looked severe, Elder Ming fascinated, Elder Feng calculating.
And at the center of the hall, seemingly unconcerned by the hostile atmosphere, stood the Poison Serpent Lady.
She was striking in an unsettling way—appearing as a beautiful woman in her thirties, with long black hair that seemed to move independently like living snakes. Her eyes were vertical slits like a serpent's, her skin had a faint scale pattern, and her spiritual presence radiated danger and toxicity in equal measure.
Immortal Emperor Level 6. Far stronger than anyone in the room except potentially the Patriarch.
Her gaze found Lin Feng immediately, and her serpentine eyes lit with interest.
"Ah! There you are! The Void Emperor's heir, finally returned from wherever you've been hiding." Her voice was melodious but carried an edge like poisoned honey. "I've been waiting three days. Very rude to keep a guest waiting, young man."
"I wasn't aware I had a guest," Lin Feng replied carefully. "Or that I was expected."
"Oh, you weren't. I simply decided to visit after receiving fascinating information about certain void cultivation signatures appearing in this region." She smiled, revealing slightly pointed teeth. "Information that suggests the Void Emperor's inheritance has resurfaced after one hundred thousand years. Naturally, I had to investigate."
"Naturally." Lin Feng kept his voice neutral despite the danger radiating from this woman. "And what do you intend to do with this information?"
"That depends entirely on you, dear boy. You see, I knew the Void Emperor rather well. We had..." She paused thoughtfully. "A complicated relationship. He saved my life once. I helped him with certain research projects. We were never quite friends, but we weren't enemies either."
Through inherited memories, Lin Feng felt fragments of truth in this—the Poison Serpent Lady had indeed helped the Void Emperor with studies of void-related phenomena. She'd been one of the few who could work with void energy without being consumed by it, thanks to her unique constitution.
"Why are you here, Venerable Mei?" Patriarch Cloud asked, his tone formal but carrying warning.
"Three reasons, Patriarch. First, curiosity—I wanted to see if the Void Emperor's heir was worthy of the legacy. Second, information—I have knowledge about certain individuals hunting this boy that might prove useful. Third..." Her smile widened. "I'm looking for entertainment. The Demonic Continent has become dreadfully boring. All the interesting cultivators have either died, ascended, or become too paranoid to engage in fascinating projects."
"You want to study my void cultivation," Lin Feng said flatly.
"Study, assist, observe, collaborate—all of the above! The Void Emperor's techniques were extraordinary, and he died before completing his ultimate research. If his heir has that research..." Her serpentine eyes gleamed. "Well, that would be invaluable to my own studies."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I'd be terribly disappointed but wouldn't force the issue. I'm many things, but I'm not a brute who takes by force what should be given freely." Mei She's expression grew more serious. "However, I should mention that I'm not the only one who received information about your void signature. The Blood Immortal Empress has dispatched agents to investigate. The Eternal Light Lord is mobilizing resources. And the Inverse Karma Sage..." She paused. "Well, no one knows what he's doing, but he's the most dangerous of the three precisely because he's unpredictable."
The room went silent at the mention of the three traitors.
"They're coming," Lin Feng said quietly.
"Oh yes. Not immediately—they're cautious and powerful enough to take their time. But within a year, certainly. The Blood Immortal Empress will likely send agents first—she's obsessive about Dao Companion bonds associated with void cultivation. Given that you've formed such a bond..." Her gaze shifted to Yun Qingxue. "She'll be particularly interested in both of you."
Through the Dao Thread, Lin Feng felt Yun Qingxue's spike of fear, quickly suppressed.
"You seem remarkably well-informed," Patriarch Cloud observed. "How do you know all this?"
"I maintain contacts across multiple continents and factions. Part of being a successful researcher is having good intelligence networks." Mei She produced a jade slip from her robes. "Speaking of which, this contains everything I know about the three traitors' current activities, locations, and probable plans. Consider it a gift."
"And what do you want in exchange?" Lin Feng asked, knowing there had to be a price.
"Nothing immediate. But someday, when you're strong enough to survive such things, I'd like to collaborate on void research. The Void Emperor and I were working on something fascinating before his death—a technique that would allow void energy to influence soul structures. If completed, it could revolutionize cultivation advancement."
"That sounds incredibly dangerous."
"The best research usually is." Her smile was genuine. "But that's for the future. For now, I'm simply offering information and, if you wish, my temporary protection. An Immortal Emperor Level 6 makes a decent deterrent against assassination attempts."
"At what cost?" Patriarch Cloud's voice was sharp. "Protection always has a price."
"The cost is allowing me to observe. I'll stay in your sect as a guest—not interfering, not studying without permission, just watching how the Void Emperor's heir develops. Think of me as a very powerful, morally ambiguous guardian who happens to have research interests aligned with the subject she's guarding."
The offer was tempting and terrifying in equal measure. Mei She was clearly powerful enough to deter most threats. But having someone of her level and moral flexibility in the sect, watching constantly...
"I need to discuss this with my advisors," Lin Feng said.
"Of course! Take your time. I'm in no rush." Mei She settled gracefully onto a cushion that appeared from nowhere. "I'll just wait here. I've gotten quite good at waiting over the centuries."
Patriarch Cloud gestured, and formations activated—creating a privacy bubble around the sect leadership, excluding Mei She.
"Your thoughts?" the ancient cultivator asked immediately.
"She's dangerous," Elder Yuan said. "Immortal Emperor Level 6, morally flexible, and clearly has her own agenda beyond simple protection."
"But she's also offering valuable intelligence and deterrence," Elder Ming countered. "If the three traitors are truly mobilizing, we need every advantage."
"Can we trust her?" Master Tie Shan asked.
All eyes turned to Lin Feng—it was his decision, ultimately.
Through the Void Emperor's memories, Lin Feng searched for understanding of Mei She's character. The memories showed her as brilliant, amoral in her research ethics, but surprisingly honorable in her personal dealings. She kept her word once given, valued knowledge above power, and had genuinely mourned the Void Emperor's death.
"I think... we can work with her," Lin Feng said slowly. "Not trust her completely, but accept her offer with appropriate precautions. She's right that we need intelligence on the three traitors, and having an Immortal Emperor Level 6 as a deterrent buys time for advancement."
"You're certain?" Patriarch Cloud asked.
"No. But I'm certain that facing the three traitors without any allies beyond the sect would be suicide. Mei She is offering to be an ally, however unconventional. We should take that offer."
Yun Qingxue added her voice: "I agree with Lin Feng. The danger she represents is known and manageable. The danger from the three traitors is existential. Choose the lesser risk."
Patriarch Cloud considered for a long moment, then nodded. "Very well. We accept her offer, with conditions." He deactivated the privacy formation. "Venerable Mei, the Celestial Dawn Sect accepts your offer of protection and information. You may remain as our guest under the following conditions: First, you will not conduct unauthorized research on any sect members. Second, you will not interfere in sect politics or operations. Third, you will inform us immediately if you detect any threats from the three traitors or their agents."
"Acceptable," Mei She agreed immediately. "I'll be the perfect guest. Quiet, unobtrusive, barely noticeable."
Given her Immortal Emperor Level 6 presence, "barely noticeable" seemed unlikely. But Lin Feng appreciated the gesture.
"There's one more matter," Patriarch Cloud said, his expression darkening. "Elder Shadow's escape. We've been unable to track him—he had help from someone outside the sect, someone powerful enough to mask his spiritual signature. Venerable Mei, do you have any information about this?"
"Ah yes, the escaped elder. He fled to the Azure Sky Family's territory, unsurprisingly. Li Tianlong has given him sanctuary, probably planning to use him against you somehow." Mei She pulled out another jade slip. "Tracking information included in my gift. You're welcome."
"The Azure Sky Family is harboring a fugitive from our sect," Elder Yuan said, her voice tight with anger. "That's grounds for conflict."
"It's grounds for political maneuvering," Patriarch Cloud corrected. "Direct conflict with a Sovereign Monarch would be costly. But we can make their harboring of Elder Shadow politically expensive through other means."
The discussion continued, but Lin Feng's attention drifted. Three days ago, he'd been peacefully cultivating in Azure Mist Valley. Now he was back in the storm—escaped traitors, visiting Immortal Emperors, the three ancient enemies mobilizing.
So much for peace lasting more than a few days.
Through the Dao Thread: Are you alright?
Overwhelmed. Terrified. But managing. Yun Qingxue's mental voice was strained. Everything just got much more complicated.
When has it ever been simple?
Fair point.
The meeting concluded with Mei She being assigned quarters in the Azure Guest Hall—ironically, the same building that had housed Li Xian's delegation. Master Tie Shan volunteered to act as her primary liaison, his blunt nature suited to dealing with someone as unconventional as the Poison Serpent Lady.
As the crowd dispersed, Lin Feng found himself face to face with Mei She, who had approached with serpentine grace.
"One piece of advice, Void Emperor's heir," she said quietly enough that only he could hear. "The Blood Immortal Empress killed her Dao Companion to advance. When she comes for you and your bonded one, she'll try to recreate that scenario—force one of you to betray the other. Don't let her manipulate you into repeating history."
"How do we prevent that?"
"By being so united that no manipulation can crack you. By trusting each other absolutely. By choosing love over power every single time." Her serpentine eyes held unexpected sympathy. "The Void Emperor chose isolation for safety and died alone. Choose connection despite danger, and you might survive what he couldn't."
She glided away before Lin Feng could respond, leaving him with those words echoing in his mind.
Choose connection despite danger. Trust absolutely. Choose love over power.
Can we do that? When the Blood Immortal Empress comes with all her Demi-God power, with techniques designed specifically to shatter Dao Companion bonds, can we stand firm?
Through the Dao Thread, he felt Yun Qingxue's presence—her strength, her determination, her love.
Yes, he decided. We can. Because the alternative is becoming the very thing we're fighting against.
Evening fell over the Celestial Dawn Sect. The Trinity Mirror moons rose once again—fourth time this month, far more frequent than natural.
In his quarters, Lin Feng stood at the window and watched them, feeling the weight of destiny settling like a mantle.
The three traitors were mobilizing. Elder Shadow had become an enemy with nothing to lose. The Poison Serpent Lady was an ally of uncertain reliability. And somewhere in the shadows, other forces were moving—pieces on a board Lin Feng was only beginning to understand.
But he wasn't alone. He had Yun Qingxue, the Patriarch, his friends and allies. He had power growing daily, techniques improving constantly, understanding deepening with each challenge.
The Void Emperor faced his end alone, betrayed by those he loved.
I face mine connected, loved by those who know my truth.
That has to be enough.
That has to be what lets me succeed where he failed.
The moons reached their apex. The sect slept, unaware of the gathering storms on distant horizons.
And Lin Feng cultivated, drawing on the void, preparing for wars he knew were coming.
One day at a time. One breakthrough at a time. One choice at a time.
Until the day he was strong enough that no one—not Demi-Gods, not traitors, not fate itself—could dictate his story.
That day was coming.
He just had to survive long enough to reach it.
END OF CHAPTER 21
TO BE CONTINUED...