The mountain path looked like a battlefield after a natural disaster.
Broken trees lay scattered along the slope. The earth was cracked and dented in several places where Lin Feng's Impact Domain had compressed the ground. Weapons were shattered, and the defeated Crimson Enforcers lay unconscious across the forest floor.
Lin Feng stood at the center of the destruction, dusting dirt off his robes.
"Okay," he muttered. "Maybe that got a little out of hand."
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Combat Completed
XP +1,120
Fist Points +860
Titan Legacy Progress: 31%
Impact Domain Stability: 56%
Lin Feng stretched his shoulders.
The new power flowing through him felt incredible. Core Resonance had made his body feel lighter yet denser at the same time. Even the surrounding air seemed to respond to his presence.
He glanced at the unconscious Crimson Enforcer leader lying several meters away.
"System, should I finish them?"
Recommendation: Not necessary.
Strategic Value: Information will spread through enemy factions.
Lin Feng smiled faintly.
"Good. Let them talk."
A Silent Observer
High in the branches of a tall pine tree nearby, Jian Luo watched quietly.
His calm eyes swept across the battlefield.
Four Crimson Enforcers defeated.
All by one person.
Even for someone who cultivated the sword with perfect discipline, Jian Luo could not ignore the raw, overwhelming physical dominance Lin Feng displayed.
"That domain," Jian Luo murmured.
"It's not simply pressure."
He closed his eyes briefly.
"It's control."
After a moment, he turned and vanished into the forest.
He had a message to deliver.
Return to the Sect
When Lin Feng finally returned to Iron Spine Sect, the atmosphere had changed completely.
Disciples gathered in small groups, whispering.
Some looked at him with awe.
Others with fear.
A few with envy.
Outer disciples quickly stepped aside to clear the path as he walked through the courtyard.
One whispered nervously.
"That's him."
"The one who defeated the Crimson Enforcers."
Lin Feng scratched his head.
"Why do they look like I just robbed their houses?"
Elder Council
Inside the Inner Sect Hall, several elders were already waiting.
Elder Zhao stood at the front.
Beside him were two others Lin Feng had never seen before—both with powerful auras.
Core Condensation Realm cultivators.
One of them spoke first.
"Lin Feng."
His voice was deep and calm.
"You have caused quite the disturbance."
Lin Feng shrugged.
"They attacked first."
The elder nodded slowly.
"That is not the problem."
He folded his arms.
"The problem is that the Crimson Demonic Valley will not accept humiliation."
Elder Zhao added quietly,
"They will send someone stronger."
Lin Feng smiled.
"Good."
The room went silent.
System Update
Lin Feng quietly opened his status screen.
FIST GOD SYSTEM — HOST STATUS
Name: Lin Feng
Realm: Core Resonance — Initial Stage
Titan Legacy: 31%
Impact Domain: 56% Stabilized
Shock Pulse: Lv3
Titan Step: Lv1
Fist Points: 3,500
Next Titan Ability Unlock: 35%
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Almost there."
A Warning from Heaven
Just then—
A disciple rushed into the hall.
"Elders!"
He bowed quickly.
"A messenger from Heavenly Sword Pavilion has arrived."
Moments later, Jian Luo walked inside calmly.
His presence instantly drew attention.
Even the elders showed respect.
Jian Luo bowed slightly.
"I bring a warning."
Elder Zhao's expression darkened.
"Speak."
Jian Luo's gaze shifted toward Lin Feng.
"The Crimson Demonic Valley has mobilized one of their core disciples."
Silence filled the room.
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow.
"Core disciple?"
Jian Luo nodded.
"Lady Xue Mei."
Even the elders' expressions changed.
One of them whispered under his breath.
"That woman…"
The Name That Changed the Room
Jian Luo continued.
"She is a Core Condensation Realm cultivator."
"And one of the strongest in her generation."
Lin Feng tilted his head.
"Strongest?"
Jian Luo met his gaze directly.
"She has killed cultivators two realms above her."
The hall went quiet again.
Lin Feng scratched his cheek.
"Sounds exciting."
Elder Zhao sighed heavily.
"Lin Feng… this is not a competition."
"It is survival."
Preparing for the Storm
After the meeting ended, Lin Feng walked outside into the courtyard.
The evening sky was turning orange and purple.
He clenched his fists slowly.
The Titan Core inside his chest pulsed with heavy rhythm.
SYSTEM ALERT
Major Enemy Approaching
Estimated Arrival: 48 Hours
Threat Level: Extreme
Lin Feng smiled.
"Two days, huh?"
He turned toward the training yard.
"Well then."
"Time to train."
Training Begins
Lin Feng stepped into the center of the stone courtyard.
He activated Impact Domain.
Golden ripples spread outward.
Four meters.
Then he compressed it.
Three.
Two.
The pressure increased rapidly.
Dust lifted from the ground.
Small cracks formed beneath his feet.
Impact Domain Mastery: Increasing
Titan Step Integration: In Progress
Lin Feng suddenly moved.
WHOOSH.
In a blink, he appeared ten meters away.
Titan Step.
Fast.
Ridiculously fast.
He laughed.
"Oh, that's fun."
The True Threat
Far away in the southern mountains—
A crimson carriage moved slowly along a narrow road.
Four powerful cultivators escorted it.
Inside the carriage sat a beautiful woman with long crimson hair.
Her eyes were closed.
A faint demonic aura surrounded her.
Lady Xue Mei.
One of the most feared young cultivators in the Southern Realm.
A messenger knelt beside the carriage.
"My lady."
"The Titan bearer defeated four enforcers."
Her eyes opened slowly.
A faint smile appeared.
"Good."
She stood.
Her aura flared briefly.
Core Condensation Realm.
Terrifying.
"I was worried he might be boring."
She stepped out of the carriage.
"Let's go meet him."
Cliffhanger
Back at Iron Spine Sect—
Lin Feng finished another training strike.
The ground shattered beneath his fist.
He exhaled slowly.
"System."
Yes, Host.
"If she's really that strong…"
Probability of victory: Unknown.
Lin Feng grinned.
"Perfect."
He cracked his knuckles.
"I hate predictable fights."