The sky stretched endlessly above the convoy of sword-lights cutting across the heavens. The emblem of the Sword Sovereign Sect gleamed proudly on every flying artifact — an image of a radiant blade piercing the clouds.
At the forefront, Lin Feng stood upon a sleek azure sword, his robes fluttering like the wings of a divine crane. The wind brushed against his face, but his eyes remained calm, unwavering.
Behind him, several disciples followed — among them, the Sect Master's daughter, Li Yuexin, who rode beside him atop a crystalline jade phoenix. Her long black hair danced in the wind, and the faint fragrance of lotus trailed around her.
She turned her head slightly, her eyes glimmering with amusement.
"You're unusually quiet today, Lin Feng. Are you nervous about meeting the other sects?"
Lin Feng smirked faintly. "Nervous? Not really. Just wondering how many enemies I'll make before we even arrive."
Li Yuexin giggled softly, a melodic sound that even the wind seemed to pause for. "Knowing you, I'd say… all of them."
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. "You sound oddly confident about that."
"I've seen how you treat arrogant geniuses," she said, giving him a sidelong glance. "I doubt the Duan Family or Martial Sect will appreciate your attitude."
"Then they'll just have to adjust their expectations," Lin Feng replied lightly, his tone laced with a quiet dominance that made her heartbeat quicken despite herself.
---
Arrival at the Duan Family Sect
The Duan Family Sect was a vast citadel built into the side of a mountain range. Massive golden statues of swordsmen lined the gates, each radiating a suppressed killing aura that would have cowed ordinary cultivators.
As the Sword Sovereign delegation descended, the disciples of the Duan Family Sect formed a line of welcome — though their eyes carried the faint arrogance of hosts greeting rivals.
"The Sword Sovereign Sect has arrived!" announced a voice.
At the front of the Duan family's welcoming party stood Duan Yun, the Martial Sect prodigy Lin Feng had once defeated in the Black Forest. His jaw tightened the moment their eyes met.
"So, you survived," Duan Yun said coldly.
Lin Feng smiled thinly. "I tend to make a habit of it."
A flicker of anger crossed Duan Yun's face, but before he could retort, a deeper, commanding voice echoed from within the grand courtyard.
"Let our guests enter. The council will begin shortly."
---
Inside the grand Duan Hall, the atmosphere was thick with spiritual pressure.
Seated upon raised platforms were representatives of the five major powers of the Eastern Continent — the Sword Sovereign Sect, Martial Sect, Ouyang family, Fire Pavilion, Jiang Family, and the host, Duan Family Sect itself.
Every sect had brought its finest geniuses. Familiar faces like Jiang Yun, still recovering from his wounds, and Yang Busi from Fire Pavilion were present. Their gazes met Lin Feng's, each reflecting a different emotion — caution, rivalry, and respect.
The Duan Patriarch rose to speak, his robe shimmering with golden inscriptions.
"As you all know, the Gathering of Lower Realm Geniuses draws near. Only five representatives from our continent will be allowed to enter the Central Continent. Today, we determine who among your sects shall earn that honor."
The hall rippled with murmurs. Pride and ambition filled every gaze.
---
The discussion began with formality but quickly turned sharp.
"The Sword Sovereign Sect may have improved, but sending a half-step Legend realm brat to represent us?" sneered a Jiang Family elder, glancing directly at Lin Feng.
Li Yuexin's voice cut through the noise like a blade. "That 'brat' you speak of defeated Duan Yun and Jiang Yun simultaneously. I don't recall any of your so-called geniuses managing that."
The elder flushed with embarrassment, but Duan Yun smirked. "A fluke of battle. Rank and bloodline determine true power — not luck."
Lin Feng leaned back lazily in his seat. "You're right. Rank and bloodline mean nothing if your bones are still buried in the same soil."
The air froze. Even the elders blinked. Li Yuexin pressed her lips together to hide a smile.
Duan Yun's aura flared, but the Duan Patriarch's voice halted him. "Enough. Save your fighting spirit for the tournament. Words won't decide who goes to the Central Continent — strength will."
---
As the formal meeting dispersed, the courtyard came alive with chatter. Young disciples from different sects mingled — some boasting, some watching, others calculating.
Li Yuexin stood beside Lin Feng as they gazed out over the martial arena where the duels would soon take place.
"I've never seen the sects so tense," she said softly. "Everyone knows the Gathering will decide our continent's standing in the next thousand years."
Lin Feng nodded. "The Eastern Continent has been mocked as the weakest for too long. That ends now."
Her eyes lingered on him for a moment. "You really believe you can change that?"
He turned to her, his expression calm but resolute. "Belief has nothing to do with it. I will."
For a moment, the world seemed to still. The confidence in his voice was neither pride nor arrogance — it was an inevitability.
Li Yuexin's heartbeat quickened. She looked away, pretending to focus on the distant sky. "You're impossible sometimes."
"And yet," Lin Feng said with a teasing smile, "you still decided to travel beside me."
Her cheeks flushed slightly. "That was Father's order…"
"Of course," Lin Feng murmured, though the glint in his eyes said otherwise.
---
The next day, the vast Duan Family Martial Arena was filled with roaring crowds and blinding light from countless spiritual formations. The air crackled with energy as disciples from all five sects prepared to battle for the five coveted seats to the Central Continent.
"Let the trials begin!" declared the Duan Patriarch.
The arena erupted in shouts as the first wave of battles began.
Fire Pavilion's crimson-robed disciples clashed with the icy techniques of the Jiang Family, while the Martial Sect's brutes met their match against the agile sword cultivators of the Sword Sovereign Sect.
But all eyes soon drifted toward one platform — the one where Lin Feng stood, his hands clasped calmly behind his back, waiting for his turn.
He could feel the tension, the killing intent, and the ambition radiating from every genius around him.
This wasn't just a tournament.
It was a declaration.
A promise that the Eastern Continent's fate would change today.
And when Lin Feng stepped onto that stage, the heavens themselves would bear witness.