The morning fog lingered longer than usual around the Dragon Sect. A stillness hung in the air—one that even the beasts of the mountain dared not disturb.
From the east, a strange procession arrived at the foot of the newly raised Dragon Fortress. Black-robed figures, silent and cold, stood like statues.
[Alert: Detection Array Triggered – Identity Unknown. One Life Emperor Realm Cultivator Detected.]
Chen Fei stepped out of the Grand Hall, followed by Long Tian and Xue Lian.
A single figure emerged from the group, draped in a cloak that devoured light. He knelt on one knee, speaking with an eerie voice.
"I bring greetings… from the Iron Flame Sect."
The air grew colder. The King of Frost arrived in a silent flash of blue light. "You are no messenger. You are bait."
The envoy smiled. "Perhaps. But I carry a message nonetheless."
He held out a jade slip.
[Message Received: From Iron Flame Sect – Withdraw Your Construction or Face Erasure.]
Long Tian clenched his fists. "Threatening us now? So soon?"
Chen Fei waved his hand, and the jade slip shattered in midair.
"Iron Flame Sect thinks they can scare dragons with sparks?" Chen Fei said coldly. "Tell your master: we don't retreat. We burn brighter."
The envoy's smile widened—but his eyes dimmed. "So be it."
He rose and clapped once. In a flash, dark sigils spread across the ground.
[Ambush Detected: Forbidden Shadow Formation Activated! 8 Assassins Incoming.]
Before the formation fully took shape, a storm erupted. The King of Storm descended like a bolt of divine punishment, tearing the formation apart with a single sweep of his spear.
Xue Lian unleashed a flurry of ice petals, freezing one assassin mid-blink.
Long Tian's fists cracked bones, while Wei Jin joined with his blazing saber.
In seconds, six of the eight assassins were dead.
Chen Fei flicked his fingers.
[Skill Activated: Heaven's Gaze – Expose Hidden Intent.]
The last two assassins appeared, only to be crushed by the pressure of Chen Fei's aura.
The envoy, now standing alone, smirked. "You are impressive, Sect Master Chen Fei. But remember: Iron Flame is not the only one who fears your return. More will come."
Chen Fei's eyes gleamed. "Let them come. Each one adds to the legacy we build."
Later that evening, Elder Lei Mo reported damage to the fortress' eastern wall. The King of Frost was already directing repairs, integrating a new layer of defense with ice runes.
[Fortress Upgrade: Ice Vortex Layer – Reduces fire-based attack damage by 35%.]
Chen Fei stood atop the tower once more. His words echoed to every corner of the Sect:
"We have awakened an old fear in this world. Now, we show them why that fear was justified."
The Sect roared in reply. The banners flared in golden light.
The Dragon Sect had endured its first test—and emerged stronger.