Three days had passed since his encounter with the third-grade spine-backed boar—an incident that had earned him both recognition and suspicion within the Cloud Peak Sect. Now, Elder Iron Sword had assigned him a new task: investigating reports of a minor beast disturbing a small village at the edge of their territory.
"Remember to stay alert," Yue Lian's voice echoed in his mind through their spirit contract. "The Crimson Fang Sect's spies could be anywhere."
"I know," Lin Feng replied mentally. "But we still need to complete sect missions. Otherwise, we'll draw even more attention."
He felt Yue Lian's reluctant agreement through their bond. Over the past weeks, their connection had grown stronger, allowing them to communicate with increasing clarity. The nine-tailed fox, though still possessing only one tail, had been gradually recovering her strength through Lin Feng's cultivation progress.
"Your spiritual energy circulation has improved significantly," she commented. "The way you now perceive rather than force the flow is becoming more natural."
Lin Feng smiled. "All thanks to your guidance."
As he descended toward the village, a flash of movement caught his attention. His newly enhanced senses—a benefit of Yue Lian's training—detected a surge of spiritual energy nearby. Someone was practicing a sword technique in the clearing ahead.
Cautiously, Lin Feng approached. Through the trees, he saw a young woman executing a series of precise sword movements. Each strike created ripples in the surrounding spiritual energy, demonstrating exceptional control. Her long black hair was tied back in a simple ponytail, and her Cloud Peak Sect uniform marked her as a fellow disciple, though clearly of higher rank than himself.
"That's Su Yuqing," Yue Lian whispered in his mind. "The prodigy of Cloud Peak Sect. Be careful—she's at the fifth level of Qi Condensation, far beyond your current abilities."
Lin Feng nodded, impressed by the fluidity of Su Yuqing's movements. Her sword technique seemed to blend with the natural flow of spiritual energy in a way that reminded him of what Yue Lian had been teaching him—though applied to combat rather than cultivation.
Suddenly, Su Yuqing paused mid-strike and turned toward him. "How long do you plan to hide there, junior brother?"
Lin Feng stepped out from behind the trees, bowing respectfully. "Forgive me, Senior Sister Su. I was on my way to Willow Village and happened to notice your practice. Your sword technique is remarkable."
Su Yuqing sheathed her sword, studying him with sharp eyes. "You're Lin Feng, aren't you? The one who single-handedly subdued a third-grade spine-backed boar last week."
"News travels fast," Lin Feng replied, surprised that someone of her status would know his name.
"Elder Iron Sword mentioned it during the inner disciples' meeting." She approached him, her gaze analytical. "He said your spiritual energy moved in unusual patterns during combat. Not like anything taught in our sect."
Lin Feng felt Yue Lian's alarm through their bond. "I simply followed my instincts," he said carefully.
"Instincts don't explain how a fourth-layer disciple defeated a beast that should have been beyond his capabilities." Su Yuqing circled him slowly. "There's something different about your spiritual energy. I can sense it even now—it flows more... naturally."
Before Lin Feng could respond, a distant scream echoed from the direction of the village. Both cultivators turned toward the sound.
"That must be the beast I was sent to deal with," Lin Feng said, grateful for the interruption.
"What a coincidence. I'm also heading to Willow Village on a mission." Su Yuqing's eyes gleamed with interest. "Let's go together. I want to see these 'instincts' of yours in action."
As they raced toward the village, Yue Lian's voice filled Lin Feng's mind: "Be careful what you reveal. She's too perceptive."
When they arrived at Willow Village, chaos greeted them. Villagers fled from a creature that resembled a large wolf, but with scales covering parts of its body and two serpentine tails lashing behind it.
"A second-grade hybrid beast," Su Yuqing identified it. "Wolf-serpent crossbreed. Rare in these parts."
The beast cornered a group of children against a stone wall. Lin Feng moved without hesitation, drawing his sword and channeling spiritual energy as Yue Lian had taught him—feeling the natural currents rather than forcing them.
"Wait—" Su Yuqing began, but Lin Feng was already engaging the beast.
He didn't attack directly as Cloud Peak Sect techniques would dictate. Instead, he moved like water around the creature, redirecting its lunges and using its own momentum against it. Each time the beast attacked, Lin Feng seemed to anticipate its movements, positioning himself perfectly to counter.
Su Yuqing watched with growing fascination before joining the battle. Her sword flashed like lightning, precise and powerful. Together, they coordinated their attacks without speaking—Lin Feng creating openings with his flowing movements, Su Yuqing delivering powerful strikes at critical moments.
When the beast finally collapsed, subdued but not killed, Su Yuqing turned to Lin Feng with new respect in her eyes.
"That was not Cloud Peak Sect's Rigid Sword technique," she stated. "Your movements... they remind me of ancient texts describing the Flowing Water method, lost centuries ago."
Lin Feng wiped sweat from his brow. "I've been experimenting with different approaches to spiritual energy manipulation."
"Experimenting?" Su Yuqing raised an eyebrow. "What you're doing goes against everything our sect teaches about controlling spiritual energy through discipline and force of will. Yet it's undeniably effective."
As they secured the beast for transport back to the sect, Su Yuqing continued to observe Lin Feng. "Your technique has flaws—your energy efficiency could be improved, and your defensive positioning needs work—but the fundamental approach is... intriguing."
Lin Feng felt both pride and concern at her assessment. "Thank you for your insights, Senior Sister."
"I have a proposition," Su Yuqing said suddenly. "I'm researching ancient cultivation methods for my advancement to the Foundation Establishment realm. I'd like to exchange techniques—I can help refine your combat skills, and you can share your... experimental approach to energy circulation."
"Be careful," Yue Lian warned in his mind. "But this could be advantageous. Having an ally of her status would provide protection."
Lin Feng considered carefully before responding. "I would be honored, Senior Sister. Though I'm not sure how much help I can be to someone of your caliber."
"Don't underestimate yourself," Su Yuqing replied with a rare smile. "Sometimes the most valuable insights come from unexpected sources."
As they walked back toward the sect, Lin Feng noticed something unusual about Su Yuqing's sword technique. During the battle, her movements had occasionally shifted from the rigid, power-focused style of Cloud Peak Sect to something more fluid—almost as if she, too, was experimenting with alternative methods.
"Your sword technique," he ventured. "There were moments when it seemed different from standard Cloud Peak forms."
Su Yuqing glanced at him sharply. "You have good eyes, Junior Brother. Few would notice such subtleties." After a pause, she added, "My mother came from the Eastern Sea Sword Sect before joining Cloud Peak. I've incorporated some of their flowing techniques into my practice—though it's not something I advertise widely."
Lin Feng nodded, understanding the unspoken message. They both had secrets—techniques that diverged from orthodox teaching.
As the sect's towers came into view, Su Yuqing spoke one last time. "Meet me at the East Practice Field tomorrow at dawn. And Lin Feng... be prepared to explain exactly how you're circulating your spiritual energy. I won't accept vague answers about 'instincts.'"
With that, she increased her pace, leaving Lin Feng behind with his thoughts.
"What do you think?" he asked Yue Lian mentally.
"She could be a valuable ally or a dangerous complication," the fox spirit replied. "But one thing is certain—our secret won't remain hidden for long. We need to decide how much to reveal."
Lin Feng watched Su Yuqing's retreating figure, wondering if he had just made a powerful friend or a dangerous enemy. Either way, the path ahead had become considerably more complex.
As the sun set behind Cloud Peak Mountain, casting long shadows across the sect grounds, Lin Feng couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter marked a turning point in his journey—one that would have far-reaching consequences for both himself and Yue Lian.