Month Ten, Day Twenty-Five
Grand Elder Bingxin's prediction about three weeks of diplomatic exhaustion proved conservative. Within five days of the announcement ceremony, Lin Feng had received formal inquiries from seven major sects, twelve mid-tier organizations, and approximately thirty individual cultivators expressing interest in various forms of alliance, cooperation, or recruitment.
Xiao Ling had organized the inquiries into three priority categories based on political significance and timeline urgency.
"Category One: Major sects requiring direct response within ten days," she reported during their morning coordination session. "Frozen Sky formally congratulates your advancement and requests confirmation that existing training arrangements continue unchanged. Silver Moon Sect—previously uninvolved in Central Valley matters—proposes exploratory discussion about potential alliance. Verdant Peak Sect indicates interest in observing Hollow Peak founding process with possible participation depending on philosophical compatibility."
"Category Two: Mid-tier organizations that can be addressed through standardized diplomatic response. Most are expressing general congratulations while positioning themselves for potential future cooperation. No immediate obligations but maintaining positive relationships serves long-term interests."
"Category Three: Individual cultivators and minor organizations. Xiao Ling recommends delegating these to automated response protocols unless specific individuals demonstrate exceptional strategic value."
Lin Feng's nine consciousness streams processed the comprehensive assessment, analyzing political implications from multiple angles simultaneously.
"Frozen Sky response is straightforward," he decided. "Existing training arrangements continue completely unchanged. My advancement doesn't alter our relationship—if anything, it validates Bingxin's training methodology."
"Agreed. I'll draft formal confirmation for your review."
"Silver Moon Sect is more complex," Lin Feng continued. "They're major power comparable to Azure Sky and Frozen Sky. Why the sudden interest now when they've ignored Central Valley politics for years?"
"Unknown," Xiao Ling admitted. "But timing suggests your Level 8 advancement triggered strategic reassessment. They may see Hollow Peak as potential ally worth cultivating early, or they may want to assess whether you represent threat to their regional interests."
"Schedule exploratory meeting for month eleven, after dimensional infrastructure completion. That gives us time to research Silver Moon's actual interests and strategic orientation."
"And Verdant Peak?"
"Philosophical compatibility assessment is reasonable request," Lin Feng said. "They practice nature-harmony cultivation similar to Wind Song principles. Invite their representatives to review Inverse Void Dao documentation and Central Valley coordination framework. If they see genuine alignment, we discuss potential cooperation. If not, we maintain cordial distance."
"Understood. I'll coordinate responses according to your direction."
Through his dao companion bond, Lin Feng felt Yun Qingxue's presence—she was conducting similar diplomatic triage in her quarters, managing inquiries directed specifically at her as newly-advanced Level 8 cultivator and Frozen Sky elite disciple.
Seven major sects, twelve mid-tier organizations, thirty individuals, Qingxue conveyed through the bond with mixture of exhaustion and dark humor. Bingxin undersold the political intensity.
She warned us it would be overwhelming, Lin Feng responded. We just didn't understand what 'overwhelming' meant in this context.
I'm receiving marriage proposals, Qingxue added. Apparently my Level 8 advancement makes me extremely attractive potential dao companion for ambitious cultivators who conveniently ignore that I'm already permanently bonded.
How are you handling those?
Xiao Ling created automated response: 'Yun Qingxue's dao companion bond with Lin Feng is permanent spiritual connection that cannot be dissolved or modified. Further proposals will not receive individual responses.' Efficient and brutally clear.
That will offend some people.
Good. They deserve offense for ignoring obvious reality in pursuit of political advantage.
Lin Feng smiled despite his diplomatic exhaustion. Qingxue's directness was refreshing contrast to the carefully calibrated responses his own inquiries required.
Month Ten, Day Twenty-Eight
The meeting with Silver Moon Sect representatives occurred in Celestial Dawn's primary diplomatic chamber. Patriarch Cloud Heaven attended as host, with Lin Feng and Yun Qingxue representing Hollow Peak interests despite the sect not yet being formally established.
Silver Moon's delegation consisted of three cultivators: Matriarch Lunar Reflection (Cloud Transformation Level 6, sect leader), Elder Starlight (Cloud Transformation Level 3, strategic coordinator), and a younger representative named Chen Yue—no relation to Azure Sky's Chen Yue—who apparently specialized in cultivation philosophy assessment.
"Thank you for receiving us," Matriarch Lunar Reflection began with formal courtesy. "Silver Moon Sect has observed Central Valley developments with interest over the past year. Your coordination framework and planned sect founding represent innovative approaches to territorial management and cultivation philosophy."
"We appreciate Silver Moon's attention," Lin Feng replied carefully, his consciousness streams analyzing the Matriarch's spiritual presence for tactical information. She was powerful—possibly stronger than Patriarch Cloud Heaven—and carried herself with absolute confidence that came from centuries of leadership experience.
"Silver Moon's interest in Central Valley is relatively recent," Lin Feng continued. "What prompted your organization to engage with regional politics now after years of non-involvement?"
"Direct question deserves direct answer," Lunar Reflection said with apparent approval. "Silver Moon has traditionally focused on northern territories where our lunar-aspected cultivation techniques receive optimal environmental support. However, demographic pressure from expanding northern sects has made our traditional territories increasingly contested. We're exploring potential expansion opportunities in regions where our cultivation methods might prove compatible."
"And you believe Central Valley provides such opportunities?" Lin Feng asked.
"Potentially. But Silver Moon's approach to expansion emphasizes cooperation rather than conquest. We're not interested in displacing existing sects or creating territorial conflicts. Instead, we seek regions where our philosophical approach aligns with local cultivation communities, allowing integrated development rather than competitive displacement."
Elder Starlight produced detailed documentation. "We've reviewed your Inverse Void Dao principles and Central Valley coordination framework extensively. There appears to be philosophical resonance between your emphasis on accepting contradiction and our lunar cultivation philosophy of harmonizing opposing forces—light and dark, waxing and waning, manifestation and concealment."
Lin Feng accepted the documentation, reviewing it with three consciousness streams while maintaining conversation through his remaining six.
"Philosophical resonance is interesting starting point," he acknowledged. "But Silver Moon seeking expansion opportunities suggests specific territorial or resource interests. What would cooperation with Hollow Peak actually entail from your perspective?"
"Honest assessment," Matriarch Lunar Reflection said. "Silver Moon would like to establish satellite presence in Central Valley region—not full sect but cultivation outpost where our disciples could train in environment different from northern territories. In exchange, we would offer technological exchange, defensive alliance backing, and access to lunar-aspected cultivation resources that are rare in southern regions."
She paused to allow Lin Feng to process the proposal before continuing. "This arrangement would benefit Hollow Peak by providing additional alliance backing from major sect, enhancing your defensive capabilities, and giving your disciples access to specialized resources they couldn't obtain otherwise. It would benefit Silver Moon by establishing southern presence without triggering territorial conflicts with existing regional powers."
Lin Feng's consciousness streams worked through implications rapidly. The proposal was more sophisticated than simple alliance offer—Silver Moon was proposing integrated presence that would make them stakeholder in Central Valley stability while providing tangible benefits to Hollow Peak.
But it also meant accepting permanent Silver Moon presence in territory Hollow Peak hadn't even fully secured yet. Committing to that arrangement before establishing independent identity could compromise Hollow Peak's autonomy from its very founding.
"Your proposal has merit," Lin Feng said carefully. "However, Hollow Peak Sect won't be formally founded for another nine months. Committing to satellite presence arrangement before we've established baseline operations seems premature. I'd prefer to revisit this discussion six months after founding, once Hollow Peak has demonstrated sustainable operations and Silver Moon can assess whether our actual practices align with your philosophical expectations."
"That's reasonable timeline," Elder Starlight acknowledged. "Though I should note that Silver Moon is exploring multiple potential locations for southern satellite presence. Delaying decision means we may establish elsewhere if more favorable opportunities emerge."
"Understood," Lin Feng confirmed. "But making hasty commitment to avoid missing opportunity would be poor foundation for long-term cooperation. If Silver Moon establishes satellite presence elsewhere and later determines Hollow Peak would have been better choice, we can potentially negotiate then. If we commit prematurely and discover our approaches aren't actually compatible, we've created problematic entanglement that serves neither organization."
Matriarch Lunar Reflection studied him with expression that suggested impressed assessment. "You're remarkably disciplined about avoiding overcommitment for someone so young. Most cultivators your age would leap at opportunity for major sect backing without considering long-term implications."
"I've made enough tactical mistakes to learn from them," Lin Feng replied. "Overcommitment is strategic vulnerability that creates more problems than it solves. Better to maintain flexibility while exploring compatibility than lock into arrangements based on incomplete information."
"Inverse Void Dao principle applied to diplomacy," Chen Yue observed—the first time the philosophical specialist had spoken. "Accepting uncertainty rather than forcing premature resolution. That's consistent with your documented cultivation philosophy."
"Exactly," Lin Feng confirmed.
The meeting continued for another hour, with Silver Moon representatives probing various aspects of Hollow Peak's planned operations, philosophical foundations, and strategic orientation. By the end, both sides had developed clearer understanding of potential compatibility without making binding commitments.
"We'll maintain contact over the next year," Matriarch Lunar Reflection concluded. "Silver Moon remains interested in potential cooperation, but we respect your preference for establishing independent identity before major alliance commitments. If our paths align after Hollow Peak demonstrates sustainable operations, we'll revisit this discussion with better mutual understanding."
After the Silver Moon delegation departed, Patriarch Cloud Heaven observed with obvious satisfaction: "You handled that with impressive diplomatic sophistication. Silver Moon's proposal was genuine and potentially valuable, but accepting immediately would have compromised Hollow Peak's independence before you've even founded the sect."
"The challenge is balancing opportunity cultivation with autonomy preservation," Lin Feng replied. "Every major sect that offers alliance brings benefits and obligations. Too few alliances leaves us vulnerable. Too many creates unsustainable commitment burden. Finding optimal balance requires careful evaluation of each opportunity."
"That's mature strategic thinking," Cloud Heaven approved. "Many cultivators never develop that level of political awareness even after centuries of experience. You're demonstrating it at twenty-one."
Through his dao companion bond, Lin Feng felt Yun Qingxue's presence—she had been observing the meeting through formation-linked awareness, analyzing Silver Moon's proposal from her own tactical perspective.
That was well-handled, she conveyed. Silver Moon was testing whether you could be pressured into premature commitment through fear of missing opportunity. You recognized the test and responded appropriately.
They seemed to respect the refusal, Lin Feng observed.
Because it was principled refusal based on legitimate concerns rather than arbitrary rejection. You didn't insult them by dismissing the proposal—you acknowledged its value while explaining why timing wasn't optimal. That maintains relationship for potential future cooperation.
Diplomacy is exhausting.
Welcome to political significance. It doesn't get easier, just more complex.
Month Eleven, Day Two
The diplomatic intensity continued through the following week as additional organizations responded to the breakthrough announcement. Lin Feng maintained careful balance—engaging genuinely with serious inquiries while using standardized responses for less critical contacts.
Verdant Peak Sect's philosophical assessment process proved particularly interesting. Their representatives spent three days reviewing Inverse Void Dao documentation, Central Valley coordination framework materials, and observing Lin Feng's actual cultivation practices through controlled demonstration.
Elder Natural Flow, Verdant Peak's philosophical specialist, conducted the final assessment meeting.
"Inverse Void Dao and Verdant Peak's nature-harmony cultivation share fundamental principles," she concluded. "Both emphasize working with natural patterns rather than imposing artificial structures. Both value acceptance over force, harmony over domination, sustainable development over exploitation. There's genuine philosophical compatibility beyond superficial similarity."
"That suggests potential cooperation," Lin Feng said.
"With appropriate boundaries," Elder Natural Flow clarified. "Verdant Peak isn't seeking alliance obligations or territorial presence. What we propose is cultivation exchange program—your disciples could train at Verdant Peak to learn nature-harmony techniques that complement void cultivation, our disciples could study Inverse Void Dao principles that might enhance their understanding of acceptance and non-force."
"Mutual enrichment through philosophical exchange rather than political alliance," Lin Feng recognized.
"Exactly. No defensive pacts, no resource sharing agreements, no complicated obligations. Just recognition that both sects benefit from disciples understanding complementary cultivation approaches."
The proposal was refreshingly straightforward compared to Silver Moon's sophisticated territorial interests or Azure Sky's strategic integration offer. Verdant Peak simply wanted cultivation knowledge exchange based on genuine philosophical compatibility.
"I'm interested in this arrangement," Lin Feng confirmed. "But again, timing is constrained by Hollow Peak not being formally founded yet. Could we establish exchange program starting approximately one year from now, after Hollow Peak has completed first founding year and has disciples ready for external training?"
"That timeline works perfectly," Elder Natural Flow said. "Verdant Peak's cultivation exchange programs typically begin after sects have established baseline operations and developed teaching curricula. We'll formalize agreement for exchange program commencing approximately month twenty-five—one year after your planned founding."
"Agreed. Xiao Ling will coordinate documentation and specific program details as founding approaches."
The Verdant Peak arrangement represented exactly the kind of cooperation Lin Feng wanted for Hollow Peak—mutually beneficial, philosophically grounded, without excessive political entanglement. It enhanced capabilities without compromising autonomy.
Month Eleven, Day Eight
By the second week of month eleven, the diplomatic storm had begun settling into manageable routine. Xiao Ling had developed efficient protocols for categorizing and responding to inquiries. Most organizations had received initial responses and were either waiting for follow-up meetings or had accepted that more detailed cooperation would wait until after Hollow Peak founding.
The most significant remaining diplomatic engagement was coordination meeting with Frozen Sky, Azure Sky, and Celestial Dawn—the three core alliance partners who would provide primary backing during Hollow Peak's founding and initial operations.
The meeting occurred in neutral territory—a formation-shielded chamber that Frozen Sky had established specifically for sensitive alliance discussions. Patriarch Cloud Heaven represented Celestial Dawn. Patriarch Zhang Tian attended for Azure Sky. Patriarch Bingfeng—Yun Qingxue's mother and Frozen Sky's sect leader—participated directly rather than delegating to Grand Elder Bingxin, indicating the meeting's significance.
Lin Feng and Yun Qingxue attended as Hollow Peak representatives despite the sect's technical non-existence.
"Your breakthrough announcement generated more continental attention than we anticipated," Patriarch Bingfeng began without preamble. "Divine Domain Level 8 at twenty-one years old is remarkable enough to attract interest from organizations we haven't interacted with for decades. That creates both opportunities and challenges for Hollow Peak's founding."
"We've been managing diplomatic inquiries carefully," Lin Feng replied. "No major commitments beyond existing cooperation arrangements. Several potential alliances identified for consideration after founding stabilizes."
"Silver Moon's expansion interest is notable development," Patriarch Zhang Tian observed. "They're not typically expansionist, which suggests genuine strategic calculation rather than opportunistic territorial grab. That's either positive sign of your diplomatic credibility or concerning indication that Central Valley is becoming more valuable than regional consensus previously recognized."
"Probably both," Lin Feng said. "Our coordination framework demonstrated that Central Valley can be managed cooperatively rather than competitively. That makes the region more attractive to organizations seeking stable expansion opportunities."
"Which means Hollow Peak founding will attract more attention—and more potential interference—than originally projected," Patriarch Bingfeng continued. "The three alliance partners need to coordinate our backing more carefully to ensure you're protected during vulnerable founding period."
She produced comprehensive documentation. "We propose formalized three-sect defensive arrangement specifically for Hollow Peak's first operational year. Not permanent alliance that compromises your independence, but temporary enhanced protection during establishment phase when you're most vulnerable to disruption."
Lin Feng reviewed the documentation with his nine consciousness streams. The proposal was genuinely protective rather than controlling—the three sects would maintain coordinated rapid-response capability for twelve months after Hollow Peak founding, intervening only if external threats exceeded Hollow Peak's independent defensive capacity.
"This arrangement provides security without ongoing obligation after first year?" Lin Feng verified.
"Correct," Patriarch Cloud Heaven confirmed. "After twelve months, Hollow Peak will have established baseline operations, demonstrated sustainability, and developed enough independent capability that you won't need special protection. At that point, relationships transition to standard alliance cooperation based on mutual interests rather than protective backing."
"That seems reasonable," Lin Feng said. "My concern with extensive alliance commitments has been avoiding permanent obligations that compromise long-term autonomy. Temporary enhanced protection during founding year addresses genuine vulnerability without creating unsustainable long-term entanglement."
"We anticipated that concern," Patriarch Bingfeng said with slight smile. "You've made your preference for independence quite clear through every diplomatic interaction. This arrangement respects that preference while providing practical support you'll need during founding."
The meeting continued for several hours, working through specific protocols for coordination, response triggers that would activate alliance backing, and communication systems for managing potential crises. By the conclusion, they had comprehensive framework that balanced protection with autonomy—exactly what Lin Feng needed for successful founding.
After the formal meeting concluded, Patriarch Bingfeng requested private conversation with Lin Feng and Yun Qingxue.
"Your advancement to Level 8 has been... educational for Frozen Sky's elder council," Bingfeng said once they had privacy. "Half the elders are impressed by your achievement. The other half are concerned about what it means for Qingxue's future position within Frozen Sky."
"Concerned how?" Qingxue asked.
"You're my daughter and elite disciple with clear path toward eventual sect leadership succession," Bingfeng explained. "Your dao companion bond with Lin Feng creates question: does your future lie with Frozen Sky's leadership or with Hollow Peak Sect that Lin Feng is founding?"
"Both," Qingxue said firmly. "My dao companion bond doesn't require abandoning Frozen Sky. Lin Feng and I can maintain dual positions—I can serve Frozen Sky's interests while supporting Hollow Peak's development. The two roles aren't incompatible."
"That's my position as well," Bingfeng confirmed. "But some elders argue that dao companion bonds inevitably create priority conflicts. They worry that if Frozen Sky's interests and Hollow Peak's interests ever diverge, your loyalty will be divided in ways that compromise your effectiveness for Frozen Sky."
"Those elders are assuming conflict is inevitable," Lin Feng observed. "Our entire diplomatic approach emphasizes cooperation over competition. We've deliberately cultivated relationships where interests align rather than diverge. Qingxue's dual position strengthens both organizations by creating personal integration between our strategic orientations."
"I agree," Bingfeng said. "But I wanted you both to understand the political undercurrent within Frozen Sky. Some elders will be monitoring Qingxue's divided loyalties carefully, looking for evidence that dao companion bond compromises her commitment to Frozen Sky. Managing that perception will require ongoing attention."
"Understood," Qingxue confirmed. "I'll maintain clear demonstration of continued Frozen Sky commitment while supporting Hollow Peak development. The two roles can coexist if I'm sophisticated about managing both."
Through his dao companion bond, Lin Feng felt Qingxue's mixture of frustration and determination. She understood the political necessity of proving her continued Frozen Sky loyalty, but she resented needing to prove what should be obvious—that loving someone didn't mean abandoning her sect.
We knew dual positions would create complications, Lin Feng conveyed through the bond. This is just specific manifestation of anticipated challenges.
Knowing abstractly and experiencing concretely are different, Qingxue responded. I'll handle it. But I don't have to enjoy the political performance.
No one expects you to enjoy it. Just to manage it effectively.
Month Eleven, Day Fifteen
The diplomatic intensification began subsiding by mid-month as organizations received responses to their inquiries and settled into wait-and-see positioning regarding Hollow Peak's actual founding. Lin Feng's careful avoidance of premature commitments meant most discussions concluded with "revisit after founding" framework rather than immediate obligations.
Xiao Ling compiled comprehensive summary during their regular coordination session.
"Diplomatic engagement update," she reported. "Formal relationships established or maintained: Frozen Sky, Azure Sky, Celestial Dawn as core alliance partners with enhanced protection arrangement for first operational year. Verdant Peak philosophical exchange program formalized for year two. Silver Moon maintaining exploratory contact for potential cooperation evaluation. Wind Song expressing ongoing interest in Central Valley coordination observation."
"Declined or deferred: Seventeen mid-tier sects seeking alliance commitments before Hollow Peak establishment. Twelve organizations proposing resource-sharing arrangements that would compromise independence. Eight individual cultivators requesting training positions without adequate qualification demonstration."
"Current diplomatic status: Manageable routine engagement replacing initial storm. No critical decisions required for next several months. Primary focus can shift back to founding preparation rather than diplomatic management."
"Excellent," Lin Feng said with genuine relief. "I appreciate efficient diplomatic handling, but I'm more comfortable with cultivation advancement and organizational preparation than political maneuvering."
"The irony is that your discomfort with political maneuvering makes you better at it than cultivators who enjoy the process," Xiao Ling observed. "You treat diplomacy as necessary task to be managed efficiently rather than opportunity for power games. That straightforward approach builds more trust than sophisticated political performance."
"Accidental diplomatic competence through genuine preference for simplicity," Lin Feng said with slight smile.
"Whatever works."
Through his planning chamber windows, Lin Feng watched late autumn afternoon settling over Celestial Dawn. Month eleven was halfway complete. Two hundred seventy-eight days remained until Hollow Peak Sect founding.
He reviewed the comprehensive status across all preparation streams:
Cultivation advancement: Divine Domain Level 8 achieved, significant capability enhancement integrated
Documentation: Fifty-seven percent complete, back on schedule after recovery-period delay
Dimensional infrastructure: Starfall Valley specialists report ninety percent construction completion, final integration scheduled for month twelve
Central Valley coordination: All three sects maintaining schedule adherence, framework functioning as designed
Alliance relationships: Three core partners formalized enhanced protection arrangement, several potential secondary alliances identified for post-founding consideration
Founding disciples: Eight committed through alliance backing, recruitment for additional disciples to begin month twelve
Diplomatic environment: Initial intensity subsiding, ongoing relationships manageable through established protocols
Resource acquisition: 174,000 spiritual stones accumulated, adequate for timeline through founding
Every element was progressing toward convergence. Some faster than originally planned, some requiring adjustment, but all remaining viable for month nineteen founding date.
The impossible timeline remained barely possible.
Through his dao companion bond, Lin Feng felt Yun Qingxue's presence—she was reviewing similar status assessments in her quarters, analyzing their progress from slightly different analytical framework.
Two hundred seventy-eight days, she conveyed through the bond.
Nine months and eight days, Lin Feng specified.
Until we transform theoretical possibility into operational reality.
The impossible made possible through systematic preparation, diplomatic sophistication, and relentless forward progress despite constant complications.
That should be Hollow Peak Sect's motto, Qingxue suggested with dry humor. 'Making the Impossible Possible Since Month Nineteen.'
Accurate but not particularly inspirational.
Truth rarely is.
Lin Feng smiled despite the exhaustion from weeks of diplomatic intensity. They had survived the Level 8 breakthrough ordeal. Managed the political storm that followed. Maintained all preparation timelines despite significant disruptions. Secured enhanced alliance backing for founding period. Identified potential secondary partnerships for future consideration.
Everything was still on track.
The countdown continued.
End of Chapter 92
Next: Chapter 93 - Dimensional Completion