"Your spiritual energy circulation has improved," remarked Yue Lian, her voice carrying both praise and criticism. Her amber eyes studied Lin Feng intently as he practiced the cultivation technique she had taught him. "But you're still thinking too much. Feel the flow, don't try to control it."
Two weeks had passed since the nine-tailed fox, now reduced to just one tail, began teaching Lin Feng her unique method of spiritual cultivation. The bamboo grove around them swayed gently in the morning breeze, providing a secluded sanctuary for their training.
"Your spiritual energy circulation has improved," she remarked, her voice carrying both praise and criticism. "But you're still thinking too much. Feel the flow, don't try to control it."
Lin Feng opened his eyes, wiping sweat from his brow. "It's difficult to unlearn everything I've been taught for years."
"That's precisely why most cultivators plateau," Yue Lian replied, her single tail swishing behind her. "They become trapped in rigid patterns of thought. True mastery comes from understanding the natural flow of spiritual energy, not forcing it into artificial channels."
Lin Feng nodded, taking a deep breath before closing his eyes again. This time, he focused on the sensation of energy moving through his meridians. Instead of directing it as he had been taught at the Cloud Peak Sect, he simply observed its natural path, making subtle adjustments when he sensed resistance.
To his surprise, the spiritual energy began flowing more smoothly, creating a pleasant warmth that spread throughout his body. He could feel it circulating faster than ever before, nourishing every cell.
"Better," Yue Lian said, a hint of approval in her voice. "You're beginning to understand."
Three days later, Lin Feng stood before Elder Iron Sword in the main hall of the Cloud Peak Sect. The stern-faced elder looked down at him from his elevated seat, his expression as unyielding as his name suggested.
"Disciple Lin Feng, you have been assigned to gather spirit herbs from the eastern foothills," Elder Iron Sword announced. "The sect requires ten stalks of Azure Cloud Grass and five Moon Dew Flowers. You have until sunset."
Lin Feng bowed respectfully. "Yes, Elder."
As he turned to leave, Elder Iron Sword added, "And Lin Feng... be cautious. There have been reports of unusual activity in that area."
Lin Feng nodded, wondering what kind of "unusual activity" the elder was referring to. As he walked away from the main hall, he felt Yue Lian stirring within his consciousness. Through their spiritual contract, she could remain hidden within his spiritual space, observing the world through his senses.
"He's testing you," her voice echoed in his mind. "Azure Cloud Grass only grows in places with concentrated spiritual energy, and Moon Dew Flowers are notoriously difficult to find. Most disciples would need two days for this task, not half a day."
"Then I'll just have to prove I'm not like most disciples," Lin Feng replied silently, a determined smile forming on his lips.
The eastern foothills were a maze of rocky outcroppings and dense vegetation. Lin Feng had been searching for nearly two hours and had only found three stalks of Azure Cloud Grass. The sun was already high in the sky, and time was running short.
"This is hopeless," he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Use what I've taught you," Yue Lian's voice whispered in his mind. "Don't just look with your eyes. Feel the flow of spiritual energy in the environment."
Lin Feng took a deep breath and closed his eyes, extending his spiritual perception as Yue Lian had taught him. At first, he sensed nothing unusual, but then he began to notice subtle currents of energy flowing through the landscape. Some areas were dense with spiritual energy, while others were relatively barren.
Following these currents, he made his way to a small clearing hidden behind a cluster of rocks. There, bathed in dappled sunlight, was a patch of Azure Cloud Grass, their blue-tinged leaves shimmering with spiritual energy.
"Incredible," Lin Feng whispered, carefully harvesting the plants.
"The Moon Dew Flowers will be near water that reflects moonlight, even during the day," Yue Lian instructed. "Look for small pools in shaded areas."
With his newfound sensitivity to spiritual energy, Lin Feng was able to locate a hidden grotto where the Moon Dew Flowers grew around a small, crystal-clear pool. Their silver petals seemed to glow with an inner light, even in the shadows.
By midday, he had collected all the required herbs and was making his way back to the sect when he sensed a disturbance in the spiritual energy around him. Something—or someone—was disrupting the natural flow.
"We're being watched," Yue Lian warned, her mental voice tense.
Before Lin Feng could respond, a massive beast burst from the underbrush—a Spine-Backed Boar, its tusks gleaming and its back bristling with sharp quills. Such creatures were known for their aggression and thick hides that could repel ordinary weapons.
"A third-rank beast," Lin Feng muttered, quickly assessing his options. As an outer disciple with modest cultivation, he would normally avoid such an encounter or seek help.
"Remember what I taught you," Yue Lian urged. "Its strength is also its weakness. Those quills channel its spiritual energy."
As the boar charged, Lin Feng didn't retreat as his training would dictate. Instead, he stood his ground, focusing on the flow of spiritual energy within the beast. He could see it now—how the energy concentrated in the creature's quills before being released in its charge.
Just as the boar was about to reach him, Lin Feng sidestepped with unprecedented grace, his hand reaching out to touch one of the quills as the beast passed. Using the technique Yue Lian had taught him, he disrupted the flow of spiritual energy in the quill, causing a cascade effect through the beast's body.
The boar stumbled, its charge faltering as its own spiritual energy turned chaotic. It shook its massive head in confusion, then turned to face Lin Feng again, but with less certainty in its stance.
Lin Feng seized the opportunity, drawing his sword and channeling his spiritual energy through it—not in the forceful manner taught by the sect, but in the flowing, adaptive way Yue Lian had shown him. The blade glowed with a soft blue light as he struck precisely at the point where the beast's spiritual energy was most disrupted.
The Spine-Backed Boar let out a pained squeal before collapsing to the ground, not dead but subdued, its spiritual energy temporarily scattered.
Lin Feng stood over the beast, breathing heavily but exhilarated. He had never defeated such a powerful creature on his own before.
"Well done," Yue Lian's voice held genuine approval. "But we should leave quickly. This encounter was no accident."
"What do you mean?"
"I sense a familiar energy signature," she replied, her mental voice growing cold. "Crimson Fang Sect. They have scouts in the area."
Lin Feng's blood ran cold at the mention of the sect that had captured and tortured Yue Lian. "Are they looking for you?"
"Perhaps. Or perhaps they're simply expanding their territory. Either way, we should return to the safety of your sect."
With a final glance at the unconscious boar, Lin Feng sheathed his sword and hurried back toward Cloud Peak Sect, the precious herbs secure in his pouch.
Elder Iron Sword's eyebrows rose slightly as Lin Feng presented the herbs—all ten stalks of Azure Cloud Grass and five Moon Dew Flowers—well before sunset.
"You completed the task more quickly than expected," the elder remarked, examining the quality of the herbs. "And these are exceptionally fine specimens."
"Thank you, Elder," Lin Feng replied with a respectful bow. "I was fortunate in my search."
"Hmm." The elder's piercing gaze seemed to look through him. "I also received a report that you encountered and subdued a third-rank Spine-Backed Boar. Is this true?"
Lin Feng hesitated, surprised that news had traveled so quickly. "Yes, Elder. It attacked me while I was returning with the herbs."
"And you defeated it alone? Without assistance?"
"I... was able to disrupt its spiritual energy and subdue it, yes."
Elder Iron Sword's expression remained impassive, but his eyes narrowed slightly. "Interesting. Such tactics are not typically taught to outer disciples."
Lin Feng felt a flutter of anxiety. Had he revealed too much of Yue Lian's teachings?
"I've been... experimenting with different approaches to spiritual energy manipulation," he explained carefully.
"I see." The elder studied him for a long moment before continuing. "Your progress will bear watching, Disciple Lin Feng. You may go."
As Lin Feng left the hall, he could feel the elder's gaze following him. Within his spiritual space, Yue Lian remained silent, but he could sense her concern.
"He suspects something," Lin Feng thought to her once they were alone in his quarters.
"Of course he does," she replied. "You've improved too quickly to go unnoticed. But that may not be our most pressing concern."
"The Crimson Fang Sect scouts?"
Yue Lian's mental voice was grim. "Yes. I can sense them even from here, circling the perimeter of your sect's territory. They're searching for something—or someone."
"For you?"
"Possibly. Or perhaps they're simply scouting for weaknesses in Cloud Peak Sect's defenses. Either way, we must be vigilant."
Lin Feng nodded, his expression determined. "Then we'll continue training. I need to become stronger—strong enough to protect both of us."
"Indeed," Yue Lian agreed, her amber eyes glowing within his mind. "And judging by today's performance, you're making excellent progress. But remember, true strength lies not in power alone, but in understanding the flow of energy—both within yourself and in the world around you."
As night fell over Cloud Peak Sect, Lin Feng sat in meditation, practicing the techniques Yue Lian had taught him. Unknown to him, in his private chambers, Elder Iron Sword was also deep in thought, pondering the unexpected abilities displayed by a previously unremarkable disciple.
And beyond the sect's boundaries, shadows moved through the forest—scouts from the Crimson Fang Sect, their eyes gleaming with purpose as they searched for traces of a power that had escaped their master's grasp.
The pieces were being set in motion, and Lin Feng's quiet life as an ordinary disciple was quickly becoming a thing of the past.