The wind howled across the cliffs of the Eastern Continent, carrying the scent of salt, herbs, and danger. Lin Feng's chaotic qi threads coiled around his sword, sensing disturbances in the jagged canyon below. For days, rumors had led him here: a mysterious clan known for combining sword techniques with beast mastery—the Crimson Serpent Clan.
Chen Bo bounded ahead, reckless as ever, while Lin Feng's threads scanned the horizon. "Keep your energy stable," Lin Feng warned, voice low. "This isn't a casual fight. Clans here are cunning, and the terrain favors ambushes."
From the canyon's shadowed depths, a group of five agile cultivators emerged. Their movements were fluid, synchronized like a single organism. Their leader, a tall woman with fiery red hair and serpentine tattoos glowing faintly on her arms, stepped forward.
"You are Lin Feng," she said, eyes sharp and calculating. "We've heard of your chaotic qi threads. Few survive the journey here unscathed. State your purpose."
Lin Feng's threads expanded instinctively, forming a protective aura. "I seek knowledge and mastery. I do not wish conflict, but I will defend myself if necessary."
The woman smirked. "You claim peace, yet your presence is intrusion. The Crimson Serpent Clan respects strength—prove your worth in combat."
---
The battle began instantly. The canyon became a whirling storm of steel, qi, and chaos. Lin Feng's threads split and condensed as he countered multiple attacks, his sword movements a blend of unpredictable patterns and precise strikes.
Chen Bo's chaotic bursts created openings, knocking opponents off balance, while Lin Feng manipulated threads to redirect elemental traps the Serpent Clan had set along the rocky walls.
In the middle of combat, one of the Serpent disciples unleashed a serpent-shaped beast—a mystical creature wreathed in red flames and razor-sharp scales. Lin Feng's threads reacted instantly, wrapping around his sword and forming a protective net around the group. He struck decisively, condensing the threads into a single, spiraling strike that grazed the beast, forcing it to retreat.
The leader's eyes widened slightly. "You possess raw power and unpredictability. Few could counter our beast in a first encounter."
---
After the fight, Lin Feng and his companions were brought into the Crimson Serpent Clan's inner courtyard, an open area filled with winding pools, vibrant flora, and shadowed pavilions. The red glow of the clan's aura pulsed along carved channels in the stone.
The leader introduced herself properly: Xiao Yan, heiress of the Crimson Serpent Clan. Her gaze was sharp, assessing Lin Feng beyond combat skill—reading his energy, his threads, even his temperament.
"You've proven skill," Xiao Yan said. "But skill alone does not make one a master. Our clan values strategy, understanding of beasts, and adaptability in multi-threat scenarios. We can offer you knowledge if you show respect to our ways."
Lin Feng inclined his head. "I am eager to learn. My threads can adapt to many flows of qi, but your guidance in understanding beasts and elemental synergy would be invaluable."
Xiao Yan's smirk softened slightly. "Perhaps you are more than rumor. Follow me, and we shall see how far your chaotic qi can evolve."
---
The next day, Lin Feng trained under Xiao Yan's supervision. She introduced him to elemental beast synergy—a method of coordinating qi threads with natural beasts to enhance combat. Lin Feng quickly discovered he could condense his threads into singular strikes to guide beasts or reverse them to neutralize hostile attacks, an evolution of his chaotic Dao manipulation.
Meanwhile, Chen Bo tried to bond with the clan's younger disciples, his chaotic bursts unintentionally teaching them unpredictability in combat.
"Lin Feng," Xiao Yan said quietly, observing the threads coiling around him. "Your Dao is chaotic, but you are learning discipline. Condensation and reversal are the first steps toward true mastery. Soon, you will face trials that will test these skills in real battle, not controlled exercises."
---
That night, the courtyard was quiet except for the faint hum of energy. Lin Feng walked along the reflective pools, threads coiling gently around his form.
"You have grown strong quickly," Xiao Yan said from the shadows, stepping into the moonlight. Her presence was calm yet commanding. "Few could survive the journey here and still retain adaptability. Many underestimate chaotic qi—but I see potential in yours."
Lin Feng glanced at her. "I appreciate the guidance. But strength comes from experience, not instruction alone. I intend to push limits, even beyond what my threads can currently achieve."
A faint spark of curiosity crossed Xiao Yan's face. "Bold words. I'll be watching… and perhaps challenging you further."
---
The tranquility shattered at dawn. News arrived: a multi-clan war was brewing nearby, sparked by the theft of a Dao manual and the disappearance of a mysterious artifact. The Crimson Serpent Clan mobilized, and Lin Feng sensed disturbances across three nearby continents. The threads around him pulsed violently, detecting intercontinental energy fluctuations and rogue cultivator movements.
Chen Bo's grin returned. "Finally, real chaos!"
Lin Feng narrowed his eyes. "This isn't a skirmish—it's a precursor to a larger conflict. Every clan, every continent, and even the Underworld may be involved. We need strategy, speed, and precision. And we'll need allies."
Xiao Yan placed a hand on her sword. "Then let the trial begin. If you can survive this, your threads will evolve faster than any controlled exercise. The world doesn't reward hesitation—only action, cunning, and adaptability."