The journey back to the Sword Sovereign Sect was long, but for Lin Feng, it felt strangely quiet.
The victories at the Duan Family Sect had shaken the entire Eastern Continent.
His name now echoed like thunder across sects and kingdoms — the youngest Legend Realm cultivator in a century, the slayer of Ouyang Yin, the dragon-blooded prodigy who humbled the geniuses of every major power.
But despite the fame, Lin Feng's mind was calm.
He could feel it — a pressure building in the air, a tension that whispered of the coming storm.
The Gathering of Lower Realm Geniuses was no longer a distant tale.
It was upon them.
---
Returning to the Sect
When Lin Feng descended through the clouds, the Sword Sovereign Sect stretched before him like a sea of silver peaks and floating islands wrapped in sword qi. Countless disciples stopped their training, staring in awe as his aura swept through the mountain.
"Senior Brother Lin Feng is back!"
"I heard he defeated the entire Ouyang delegation!"
"Even Duan Yun and the others couldn't stand against him—he's like a legend come to life!"
Lin Feng landed softly atop the First Elder Peak. His master was waiting — arms crossed, eyes twinkling with pride and relief.
"So the brat actually came back alive," the old man said with a grin.
Lin Feng smiled faintly. "You don't sound too surprised, Master."
"Hmph. I knew you wouldn't die that easily. But you sure stirred up the world this time — Ouyang Family, Duan Sect, all looking for your head."
"Then I'll make them wait," Lin Feng replied calmly.
The First Elder chuckled. "You remind me of myself when I was young. But listen, the journey to the Central Continent won't be the same as fighting here. That place... it's where the true monsters of the Lower Realm gather — geniuses born from immortal bloodlines and ancient clans."
"I know," Lin Feng said, his expression steady. "That's why I'm going."
His master's eyes softened slightly. "You've grown, brat. You're no longer the reckless boy I met two years ago."
"Maybe," Lin Feng said with a faint smirk. "But I'll always be your disciple."
The First Elder laughed heartily and tossed him a small jade ring. "Take this. It's a Sword Spirit Ring — it can store sword qi and release it during battle. You might need it where you're going."
Lin Feng caught it with a slight bow. "Thank you, Master."
---
That night, the sect was alive with preparation. The delegation for the Eastern Continent — a group of fifteen of its brightest talents — would leave at dawn to represent their homeland in the Gathering.
Banners fluttered, teleportation arrays glowed, and disciples gathered to see them off.
In the courtyard below Lin Feng's peak, Sun Mei and Fatty were waiting.
Fatty's usually playful expression was unusually serious. "Boss, are you sure you have to go? I heard only one in ten comes back alive from that place…"
Lin Feng smiled lightly. "Then I'll just make sure I'm that one."
Fatty scratched his head, looking away to hide the emotion in his eyes. "Don't go acting all heroic and leave me to handle the ladies here, alright?"
"I'm trusting you to do that," Lin Feng said teasingly.
Fatty burst out laughing, the tension easing for a moment.
Sun Mei stepped forward, her blue robes fluttering in the night breeze. Her expression was calm, but her eyes trembled slightly.
"Senior Brother… take care of yourself," she said softly. "You always rush into danger as if you're immortal."
Lin Feng looked at her quietly for a moment, then reached into his sleeve.
He handed her a small crystal talisman, glowing faintly with dragon qi.
"This is a Dragon Soul Talisman. If you ever face danger, crush it. No matter where I am, I'll sense it."
Sun Mei's lips parted slightly. "You—"
He smiled faintly. "Don't refuse. You're my junior sister. That's what brothers do."
Sun Mei lowered her gaze to hide the warmth in her eyes. "…Thank you, Senior Brother."
"Take care of Fatty," Lin Feng said with a grin. "He tends to find trouble faster than I do."
Fatty protested immediately. "Boss! That's not fair—"
But the laughter between them was light, genuine — a moment frozen in time.
---
At dawn, the grand teleportation platform on Sword Sovereign Peak erupted in light. Dozens of formations overlapped as the delegation gathered.
Standing at the forefront was Lin Feng, clad in new azure robes, his sword — Azurebane — resting at his back, humming faintly.
Beside him stood Li Yuexin, the Sect Master's daughter, her crimson hair bound by a jade crown, her aura sharp and cold as a winter blade.
She glanced at him, her tone soft but teasing. "You look unusually serious today."
"I'm about to step into the unknown," Lin Feng replied. "I'd rather not make a fool of myself in front of the other continents."
She chuckled. "With your arrogance, that's unlikely."
The Sect Master, standing behind them, raised his voice.
"Lin Feng, Li Yuexin — as representatives of the Sword Sovereign Sect, you carry our pride and our future. The Central Continent is not a place of mercy. Trust no one outside our sect — not even allies from the East."
"Yes, Sect Master," they both said.
The formations flared to life, pillars of light rising toward the sky. The sound of roaring winds filled the air as the space itself began to distort.
"Lin Feng!"
A familiar voice shouted from below.
It was Sun Mei, waving from the crowd.
Her voice trembled. "Come back alive!"
Lin Feng looked down, his eyes softening. "I will."
Then the formation erupted.
A brilliant flash swallowed the entire group — and in an instant, they were gone.
---
The Central Continent
The world twisted and reformed. The sky above them turned silver-blue, filled with floating islands and boundless mountain ranges that pierced the heavens. Rivers of spiritual energy flowed through the clouds like dragons in flight.
The pressure in the air was overwhelming — so dense it made even Legend Realm experts tremble.
They had arrived in the Central Continent.
"This… is the heart of the Lower Realm," Li Yuexin whispered, awe flickering in her eyes.
Around them stood delegations from the Western, Northern, Southern, and Central continents. Each group radiated terrifying auras.
A young man from the Western Continent — golden-haired, clad in light armor — smirked as he glanced toward Lin Feng. "So these are the famed Eastern geniuses? I thought they'd be taller."
A ripple of laughter followed.
Li Yuexin's eyes narrowed, but Lin Feng merely smiled faintly.
"Don't worry," he said softly. "They'll laugh differently after the first battle."
His calm tone carried a quiet confidence that silenced even the mockers nearby.
A booming voice echoed across the sky — ancient and commanding.
> "Welcome, geniuses of the Lower Realm.
The Gathering of the Thousand Continents begins in seven days.
Prove your worth — and the heavens shall open their gate."
Lightning danced across the horizon as golden runes ignited in the sky.
Li Yuexin glanced at Lin Feng. "You really think you can take on all of them?"
Lin Feng gazed upward, the wind tugging at his robes, his eyes reflecting the burning heavens.
"Not think," he said softly. "I know."