Volume 45 — The Awakening of Hidden Paths
The Core Archives hummed quietly, yet Lin Feng could feel a pulse far deeper than before. The petals of the First Bloom rotated slowly, radiating harmony from the third secret, but something ancient stirred beneath the palace's surface.
Caiyi's brow furrowed as she observed the subtle tremors in the chamber. "Lin Feng… it feels like the palace itself is alive, shifting. There's something… waiting for us."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed, petals spinning with a steady intensity. "I can feel it too. The third secret strengthened us, but the palace holds even deeper layers—something far older and more profound. The fourth ancient secret… it's calling."
Host, the Peach Spirit whispered, the fourth secret is unlike the others. It is the legacy of the palace's founders, testing understanding, insight, and intuition. Only those who harmonize fully with the palace can survive its trial.
Lin Feng's jaw tightened. "Then we prepare. This won't be about raw power or combat skill—it's about perception, awareness, and alignment with the palace's will. Everything we've learned will matter, but it won't be enough if we aren't in tune with the palace itself."
The palace responded to his words. Corridors shifted subtly, twisting into intricate patterns of crystal and energy. Sigils glimmered along the walls, forming sequences that almost seemed like a language, whispering secrets older than any cultivator alive. Energy currents pulsed unpredictably, guiding—and testing—their steps.
Caiyi stepped closer, her sword ready but held loosely. "These sigils… they're more than markings. They're… instructions, or maybe warnings."
Lin Feng's petals flared, the First Bloom spinning in perfect synchronization with the palace. "Exactly. This is the palace speaking to us. The fourth secret isn't just power—it's knowledge, strategy, and intuition. To awaken it, we have to understand its essence, not just claim it."
At the heart of the twisting corridors, a distant glow pulsed, radiating a sense of immense, ancient energy. Lin Feng's aura flared in anticipation, petals spinning faster.
"This is it," he whispered, determination blazing in his eyes. "The fourth ancient secret awaits… and the next stage of our journey begins."