Volume 9 — The First Bloom Awakens
The grove trembled under the presence of Hei Xu and the three new obsidian-robed figures. Lin Feng's knees wobbled, but Caiyi planted herself firmly in front of him.
"One at a time, please," Lin Feng muttered, trying to sound brave. "I can only deal with one existential threat per day."
Hei Xu's smirk widened. "Child, the Obsidian Root Palace does not play by your rules."
The three newcomers stepped forward. One had hair black as midnight, eyes glowing with cruel fire. She spoke:
"I am Elder Yao, Shadow Binder of the Palace. The host must be taken, the girl eliminated."
Caiyi raised her sword. "Not if I can help it."
Lin Feng swallowed hard. "I—uh… also say no!"
The Peach Spirit whispered: Resolve strengthens the flow.
Lin Feng groaned: Resolve is great, but I'd prefer running!
The shadows attacked simultaneously. Black vines erupted from the ground, trying to bind him. Lin Feng slashed them away, petals trailing behind his blade. Elder Yao flicked her fingers—more vines multiplied like living chains.
Hei Xu thrust his obsidian spear, forcing Lin Feng to dodge backward—straight into the path of another attacker, whose palms unleashed crushing gravity waves.
Lin Feng slammed to the ground, coughing. This is it… I'm done for…
Caiyi leapt to his side, slicing apart the gravity attack. "You're not fighting alone!"
Her determination sparked something within him. The Peach Spirit roared, flooding Lin Feng's body with energy. Petals swirled violently, forming a protective dome of shimmering light.
The three shadows recoiled. Hei Xu shielded his eyes. "Impossible… he's synchronizing with the spirit?"
The Peach Spirit's voice was calm but urgent: Host, you stand at the threshold of the First Bloom. Accept it, and your strength will multiply. Refuse… and we fall.
Lin Feng clenched his fists, looking at Caiyi, battered but unbroken beside him.
"Alright… First Bloom. Let's do this," he said.
The petals spun faster, the grove quaked, and a blinding explosion of peach-colored light erupted.
Hei Xu's shadowy power collided with the light—but Lin Feng's energy surged like a storm, wrapping the grove in a radiant, unstoppable bloom.
The awakening had begun.