The journey to Azure Lotus Sect took three days by flying formation platform—a massive construct carrying the Celestial Dawn Sect's delegation across mountains and valleys at speeds that made the landscape blur below.
Lin Feng stood at the platform's edge, watching the world pass beneath, and felt the weight of what was coming. This wasn't just a tournament. It was his public debut as a legitimate cultivator, his chance to prove he belonged among the continent's elite disciples.
And it was an opportunity for enemies to strike.
"Stop brooding," Yun Qingxue said, appearing beside him. "You'll perform well. You've trained for this."
"I'm not worried about performance. I'm worried about everything else—the Blood Empress's agents, Li Xian's schemes, political complications from every sect watching."
"Those are valid concerns. But worrying doesn't help." She glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then briefly touched his hand. "We face this together. Just like everything else."
The gesture was small but meaningful. Their relationship remained officially private—the sect knew they were close, but not the full extent of their bond. Too soon after her broken engagement for public courtship.
But moments like this, stolen touches and shared glances, sustained them both.
The Celestial Dawn delegation numbered twenty disciples plus five elders as chaperones. Patriarch Cloud had remained at the sect to coordinate defenses, but Elder Yuan led the group with stern efficiency.
Zhao Hai was among the disciples—now an ally rather than enemy, he'd volunteered to compete in the Divine Domain bracket alongside Lin Feng. Their relationship had evolved into grudging respect, occasionally even friendship.
"Nervous?" Zhao Hai asked, joining them at the platform's edge.
"Cautiously optimistic," Lin Feng replied.
"Translation: terrified but hiding it well." Zhao Hai grinned. "Don't worry. The first tournament is always overwhelming. I competed two years ago, lost in the second round, and survived the humiliation."
"Encouraging."
"I try." Zhao Hai's expression grew more serious. "But seriously—watch out for the Crimson Peak Sect disciples. They're known for aggressive tactics that border on illegal. And the Stellar Dawn Sect has a prodigy named Feng Chen who's supposedly Divine Domain Level 5 at age twenty-three."
"That's our age. How is he already Level 5?"
"Rich family, perfect cultivation resources, probably some divine bloodline. You know—the usual genius cultivator package." Zhao Hai shrugged. "Point is, we're competing against the absolute best the continent has to offer. Even reaching the semifinals would be an achievement."
Through the Dao Thread: He's right. The competition will be intense.
Good. I've been fighting for my life for months. Tournament combat sounds almost relaxing by comparison.
You have a strange definition of relaxing.
On the third day, the Azure Lotus Sect came into view—a sprawling complex built around an enormous lake whose waters glowed with spiritual energy. Lotus flowers the size of houses floated on the surface, each bloom radiating enough power to be classified as a spiritual treasure.
The tournament grounds occupied the lake's shore—massive arenas, spectator pavilions, lodging complexes for visiting sects. Thousands of cultivators had already arrived, their various sect colors creating a tapestry of power and politics.
"Impressive," Xiao Ling breathed. The young cultivator had insisted on coming as part of the support staff, claiming someone needed to ensure Lin Feng ate properly.
"This is where the continent's future is shaped," Yun Qingxue said. "Winners here often become sect leaders, form powerful alliances, or attract recruitment from major powers. The political implications last decades."
The Celestial Dawn delegation was assigned lodging in the Western Pavilion complex—comfortable quarters befitting their sect's status. As they settled in, Elder Yuan called the competing disciples together.
"The tournament begins tomorrow with opening ceremonies. Actual competition starts the day after. You'll face elimination brackets—lose once, you're out. The prize for Divine Domain bracket winners is a Celestial Grade pill that can assist breakthrough to Transcendence Celestial realm."
Murmurs rippled through the disciples. Celestial Grade pills were extraordinarily valuable—worth more than most cultivators earned in a lifetime.
"But more importantly," Elder Yuan continued, "performance here reflects on our entire sect. Win or lose, conduct yourselves with honor. Make alliances where possible. And remember—you're being watched by powers far beyond this tournament."
After the briefing, Lin Feng explored the grounds with Yun Qingxue and Xiao Ling. The tournament complex was enormous, with multiple arenas for simultaneous matches, formation-protected practice areas, and even entertainment districts for off-hours.
"There." Yun Qingxue gestured toward a pavilion flying Azure Sky Family colors. "Li Xian's delegation."
Lin Feng's enhanced senses detected familiar spiritual signatures. Li Xian, now Divine Domain Level 3 as Fan Wu had reported. Chen Hong, ever-present. And several others, all radiating hostility barely contained by tournament neutrality rules.
Li Xian's gaze found them across the crowd. Even from a distance, Lin Feng felt the hatred—pure, burning, obsessive. The young master hadn't forgiven his humiliation.
Through the Dao Thread: He's going to try something.
Let him try. We're ready.
Are we? He's advanced faster than expected. And he has resources we don't.
But we have each other. And that's worth more than resources.
The opening ceremonies began at noon the next day. Twenty thousand spectators packed the grand arena—a massive circular structure that could comfortably hold Sovereign Monarch level combat.
Sect delegations entered in order of prestige, banners flying, disciples marching in formation. The Celestial Dawn Sect entered fifth—respectable but not dominant. The Azure Sky Family entered second, Li Tianlong himself leading their delegation with Sovereign Monarch presence that made the air heavy.
When the Azure Lotus Sect—as hosts—entered last, the crowd erupted in applause.
"Welcome!" The tournament master's voice boomed across the arena, amplified by formations. "Welcome to the 217th Jade Lotus Tournament! For five glorious days, the continent's finest young cultivators will compete for glory, prizes, and the honor of their sects!"
The crowd roared approval.
"Tomorrow, competition begins in four brackets: Foundation Establishment, Core Condensation, Golden Transformation, and Divine Domain! Each bracket will crown a champion! Each champion will bring honor to their sect and power to themselves!"
More cheering, disciples pumping fists, spectators placing bets with enthusiastic abandon.
"But tonight—tonight we feast! Let all sects mingle as friends, for tomorrow we are rivals, but today we are fellow cultivators on the great Dao!"
The opening banquet was political theater at its finest. Long tables loaded with spirit-infused dishes, wine that enhanced cultivation, and enough social maneuvering to fill a library.
Lin Feng found himself cornered by a representative from the Stellar Dawn Sect—a cheerful woman named Liu Mei who seemed genuinely interested in his background.
"So you're the mysterious Void Emperor's heir everyone's whispering about!" She said it like they were discussing weather, not earth-shaking secrets.
"I wouldn't say heir, exactly. I found an ancient inheritance—"
"Same thing! Oh, you'll have to meet our senior brother Feng Chen. He's fascinated by ancient cultivation methods. Probably try to befriend you or fight you or both!" Liu Mei laughed. "He's a bit intense, but in a good way."
Before Lin Feng could respond, a new presence approached—commanding enough that conversations nearby died.
A young man in silver robes embroidered with stars. Divine Domain Level 5 spiritual energy radiating like a physical aura. Eyes that held intelligence and intensity in equal measure.
Feng Chen.
"Junior Brother Lin," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle for someone radiating so much power. "I've heard fascinating things about your techniques. Would you honor me with a conversation about cultivation theory?"
It wasn't really a question. This was the tournament favorite, a prodigy from one of the continent's most powerful sects, showing interest. Refusing would be politically disastrous.
"Of course, Senior Brother Feng."
They moved to a quieter corner of the banquet hall. Feng Chen's demeanor was friendly, but Lin Feng felt the assessment happening—this man was analyzing him, measuring his worth.
"Your void cultivation," Feng Chen began directly. "It's unusual. Not demonic, but not orthodox either. I'm curious about its theoretical foundation."
"It's based on ancient techniques recovered from—"
"The Void Emperor's legacy. Yes, I know." Feng Chen's eyes gleamed. "One hundred thousand years ago, he developed techniques that challenged fundamental cultivation principles. I've studied what little survived in historical records. Tell me—does his method truly invert standard energy flow?"
The conversation became technical quickly. Feng Chen's knowledge was impressive, his questions insightful. Lin Feng found himself genuinely engaged, discussing cultivation theory with someone who understood at a level most disciples didn't.
"Fascinating," Feng Chen said after an hour. "Your understanding suggests the Void Emperor's research went further than historical records indicate. I'd very much like to spar with you during the tournament—not to win, but to observe these techniques in practice."
"If we face each other, I'd be honored."
"Oh, we'll face each other. I've already arranged it with the tournament organizers." Feng Chen smiled at Lin Feng's surprise. "The favorite always gets some input on matchings. I requested you specifically for the semifinals—assuming we both reach that far."
"That's... unusual."
"I'm unusual. You're unusual. Why not make the tournament interesting?" Feng Chen stood. "I look forward to our match, Junior Brother Lin. May the best cultivation theory prove superior."
After he left, Zhao Hai appeared at Lin Feng's elbow. "Did Feng Chen just arrange to fight you in semifinals?"
"Apparently."
"That's both flattering and terrifying. He's the favorite for good reason—his stellar cultivation techniques are ridiculously powerful." Zhao Hai's expression was troubled. "Lin Feng, be careful. Feng Chen is friendly now, but in combat he's ruthless. Doesn't kill, but he's put several opponents in medical treatment for months."
Through the Dao Thread: This tournament just got more complicated.
Everything with you gets complicated. I'm starting to think it's your natural state.
Probably accurate.
The banquet continued into evening, political connections forming, rivalries solidifying, the groundwork for five days of competition being laid through wine and conversation.
Lin Feng found himself approached by several other sect representatives—some curious about his cultivation, others clearly assessing him as a threat, a few making friendly overtures that felt like recruitment pitches.
Through it all, he felt eyes watching from various corners. Li Xian's delegation monitoring constantly. Unknown cultivators whose spiritual signatures felt wrong—possibly the Blood Empress's agents. And others, harder to identify, their interest unclear.
Everyone wants something from me. Information, alliance, recruitment, elimination. I'm not just a tournament participant—I'm a political piece.
Late in the evening, as the banquet wound down, a servant delivered a sealed message to Lin Feng. The seal was unfamiliar—a serpent coiled around a lotus.
He opened it in private:
"Three agents present. Two at Grand Pavilion (Eastern), one at Diamond Hall (Southern). All three wearing Crimson Peak Sect colors as disguise. The Immortal Emperor is the tall woman with jade earrings. She's been watching you all evening. Be vigilant. - M.S."
Mei She's intelligence network operating even here. Lin Feng committed the information to memory and burned the message with a touch of void energy.
They're here. Blood Empress's agents, watching, assessing, planning.
He reached out through the Dao Thread: The agents are here. Mei She identified them.
Already? The tournament hasn't even started!
They're not here for the tournament. They're here for me.
Then we'll deal with them. Together.
Together.
That night, Lin Feng stood on his quarters' balcony, watching the tournament grounds slowly quiet. Thousands of cultivators sleeping, preparing for tomorrow's competition.
And among them, enemies. Hidden, patient, waiting for opportunity.
The Trinity Mirror moons rose—sixth time in seven weeks. The heavens were definitely paying attention.
Tomorrow, competition began. Elimination brackets, public combat, political theater disguised as sport.
But beneath that surface, a different game played out. Agents versus heir. Enemies versus allies. The future being shaped through violence both open and hidden.
Lin Feng drew on the Inverse Void Dao, cultivating even as others slept. Every hour of advancement mattered. Every technique refined could mean survival.
Divine Domain Level 4 was so close now—another few days of intensive cultivation. The tournament might even push him there through combat pressure.
The Void Emperor competed in similar tournaments, according to the memories. He won every one he entered. Used them to build reputation, attract allies, identify threats.
Can I do the same? Win while keeping secrets, advance while staying safe, navigate politics while enemies hunt me?
Through the window, he saw lights in the Grand Pavilion where the agents stayed. They weren't even hiding—confident in their disguise, secure in their power.
Sovereign Monarch Level 3 and Immortal Emperor Level 2. Against my Divine Domain Level 3.
Impossible odds. Unless...
Unless I don't fight alone. Unless I'm smart enough to turn their confidence into weakness.
The night deepened. Tomorrow would bring challenges both expected and surprising.
But tonight, Lin Feng prepared.
One technique at a time.
One strategy at a time.
One step closer to strength that no enemy could threaten.
The tournament was beginning.
But so was something much bigger.
END OF CHAPTER 23
TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 24: THE FIRST MATCH