The morning sky above Iron Spine Sect was calm.
Too calm.
Soft clouds drifted lazily across the blue horizon, and the wind moved gently through the pine forests along the mountain slopes.
But within the sect, tension filled the air.
Disciples whispered nervously.
Elders stood watching the distant mountain road.
Everyone had heard the same rumor.
She was coming.
The Arrival
At the southern entrance of Iron Spine Sect, a crimson carriage slowly rolled to a stop.
Four powerful cultivators stood around it like statues.
Each one radiated the aura of Foundation Establishment Realm experts.
But none of them were the true threat.
The door of the carriage opened.
A slender figure stepped out.
Lady Xue Mei.
Her long crimson hair flowed behind her like a flame. Her robes were dark red, embroidered with subtle silver patterns that shimmered under the sunlight.
Her beauty was striking.
But the aura surrounding her was far more terrifying.
Core Condensation Realm.
The ground beneath her feet cracked slightly as her spiritual pressure spread outward.
One of the sect guards swallowed nervously.
"That… that pressure…"
Inside the Sect
At the top of Iron Spine Peak, Lin Feng stood in the training yard.
He had been practicing Titan Step for hours.
Sweat ran down his back, but his movements had become smoother, faster.
A golden ripple flashed as he moved again.
WHOOSH.
Ten meters in an instant.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Titan Step Mastery: 42%
Impact Domain Stability: 60%
Lin Feng nodded with satisfaction.
"Getting better."
Then suddenly—
A crushing aura rolled across the mountain.
It wasn't subtle.
It was deliberate.
A wave of pressure spread through the entire sect.
Lin Feng froze.
"…Well."
He cracked his neck.
"I guess she's here."
The Elders' Reaction
Inside the Inner Sect Hall, Elder Zhao frowned deeply.
"That woman is reckless."
Another elder sighed.
"She's making a statement."
The doors opened as a disciple rushed in.
"She is already walking toward the inner courtyard!"
Elder Zhao stood immediately.
"Stop her at the gate."
But deep down, he already knew.
No one here could stop her.
A Calm Walk
Lady Xue Mei walked through the outer courtyard slowly.
Disciples stepped aside instinctively.
None dared block her path.
Her red eyes scanned the surroundings calmly.
"This sect feels weak."
One of her escorts spoke quietly.
"My lady, the Titan bearer should be here."
Xue Mei smiled faintly.
"Good."
"I came for him."
The First Meeting
Lin Feng stepped into the courtyard just as she arrived.
For a moment—
Everything went silent.
The two of them stood facing each other across the stone courtyard.
A golden ripple surrounded Lin Feng.
A crimson aura surrounded Xue Mei.
Two completely different forces.
Two rising monsters of their generation.
Xue Mei tilted her head slightly.
"So."
"You're the Titan bearer."
Lin Feng shrugged.
"That depends."
"Are you here to fight or flirt?"
Several nearby disciples nearly choked.
Xue Mei blinked once.
Then she laughed.
A soft, amused laugh.
"You're bold."
Lin Feng grinned.
"I get that a lot."
System Analysis
SYSTEM ALERT
Enemy Detected: Lady Xue Mei
Realm: Core Condensation — Early Stage
Combat Ability: Extremely High
Estimated Victory Probability: 19%
Lin Feng frowned.
"Only nineteen?"
Correction: 22% with Titan Step optimization.
"Much better."
The Challenge
Xue Mei stepped forward slowly.
Her aura expanded.
The ground cracked beneath her feet.
"I want to see it."
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow.
"See what?"
She smiled.
"The Titan power."
Lin Feng sighed.
"You could have just asked nicely."
He stepped forward.
Golden light began to ripple outward.
Impact Domain activated.
Five meters.
The courtyard stones vibrated violently.
Several disciples backed away in fear.
Xue Mei's eyes lit up slightly.
"Oh."
"That's interesting."
First Clash
She moved first.
Her speed was terrifying.
Faster than anything Lin Feng had faced so far.
Her crimson palm strike shot forward like lightning.
Lin Feng reacted instantly.
Titan Step activated.
WHOOSH.
He vanished from his position.
Her strike shattered the ground where he had stood.
BOOM.
Stone exploded upward.
Lin Feng reappeared behind her.
"Nice move."
He punched.
Shock Pulse detonated.
But—
Xue Mei twisted gracefully.
Her palm intercepted his fist.
CRACK.
The impact sent shockwaves across the courtyard.
Both of them slid back several meters.
The entire sect was silent.
Elder Zhao stared in disbelief.
"She blocked it…"
Mutual Recognition
Xue Mei looked at her slightly trembling hand.
Then back at Lin Feng.
Her smile widened.
"You're stronger than the reports said."
Lin Feng rolled his shoulder.
"You're not bad either."
SYSTEM ALERT
Titan Legacy reacting to opponent aura
Hidden synchronization: 33%
Lin Feng blinked.
"Wait… what?"
Xue Mei suddenly stepped forward again.
This time—
Her crimson aura exploded outward.
"Let's stop testing."
"Fight me properly."
Lin Feng grinned widely.
"Finally."
Cliffhanger
Golden and crimson energy erupted simultaneously.
Impact Domain expanded.
Crimson spiritual pressure collided against it.
The entire courtyard cracked as two monstrous forces clashed for the first time.
Elder Zhao shouted.
"Stop them before they destroy the sect!"
But it was too late.
Lin Feng launched forward with Titan Step.
Xue Mei met him head-on.
Two fists.
One punch.
About to collide.