Morning sunlight bathed the Jade Lotus tournament grounds in golden light, transforming overnight dew into thousands of sparkling diamonds on the white marble tiles. Lin Feng observed this spectacle from the balcony of his temporary quarters, a cup of steaming tea between his hands.
A day of rest, he thought. Even immortals need to breathe between battles.
The tournament organizers had wisely scheduled a day's interval after the first round, allowing participants to rest, meditate, and most importantly, giving spectators time to digest yesterday's surprises. His victory against Han Jie had created ripples—not enough to place him among the favorites, but sufficient for his name to circulate in morning conversations.
"You should still be sleeping," a voice murmured behind him.
Lin Feng didn't turn around, but a smile touched his lips. The Dao Thread had signaled Yun Qingxue's arrival well before she entered through the window—a characteristic entrance for the Ice Goddess who preferred to avoid monitored corridors.
"I meditated for four hours. That's sufficient for today." He finally turned toward her, admiring how the morning light played through her raven-black hair. "You, on the other hand, look like you've been awake all night."
"I was cultivating." She approached the balcony, maintaining a respectable distance in case indiscreet eyes were watching. "And I attended a meeting of patriarchs that lasted until dawn."
Lin Feng frowned. "Bad news?"
"Complex." Yun Qingxue glanced toward the tournament grounds below, where early-rising disciples were already practicing in training areas. "The Patriarch convened the meeting after yesterday's matches revealed certain... patterns."
"What kind of patterns?"
"The kind involving the Crimson Empress's agents." Her ice-blue eyes held worry carefully concealed beneath layers of composure. "Three sects fielded competitors who displayed techniques inconsistent with their documented cultivation methods. Techniques that bore striking resemblance to Blood Path practices."
Lin Feng's hand tightened slightly on his teacup. "Infiltrators?"
"More likely recruits. The Crimson Empress doesn't need to place agents when she can simply corrupt existing disciples with promises of power." Yun Qingxue's voice dropped lower. "One of them faced Feng Chen in yesterday's evening matches. The fight lasted eleven seconds before Feng Chen completely dominated him. But in those eleven seconds, the competitor used a technique called 'Blood Sacrifice Strike' that temporarily boosted his power to Divine Domain Level 4."
"Temporarily?"
"The technique consumed his life force. He's currently in critical condition despite immediate medical intervention." She paused. "The Azure Lotus Sect has declared him disqualified and detained for investigation. His sect—the Flowing River Sect—is claiming ignorance and cooperation."
Lin Feng processed this information while watching the tournament grounds fill with morning activity. Vendors setting up stalls. Spectators claiming early seats. Disciples from various sects gathering in their designated areas.
"The Crimson Empress is testing boundaries. Seeing how much corruption she can introduce before organized resistance forms."
"That's the Patriarch's assessment as well." Yun Qingxue moved closer, close enough that he could feel the cool spiritual energy that always surrounded her. "He wants you to be especially careful today. You're on the rest schedule, so you won't fight until tomorrow's second round. But that also means you're vulnerable—no referee protection, no formation barriers, no witnesses required by tournament protocol."
"You think they'll try something during the off day?"
"I think they'll try something eventually. Whether it's today or later depends on how desperate they become." Her hand briefly touched his—a fleeting contact that carried more meaning than words. "The meeting lasted so long because several patriarchs argued for withdrawing from the tournament entirely. Too dangerous, too exposed, too many unknown factors."
"But you're all still here."
"Because withdrawing would be interpreted as weakness. Would embolden the Crimson Empress to press harder against sects she perceives as vulnerable." Yun Qingxue's expression hardened. "We're trapped in a game where leaving the board means losing by default."
Lin Feng set down his teacup and turned to face her fully. Through the Dao Thread, he could feel her genuine concern—not just for the political situation but for his personal safety. The bond between them had deepened over recent weeks, each shared cultivation session and quiet conversation strengthening the connection that the Inverse Void Dao had established.
"I won't be careless," he promised. "Today I'll stay in public areas. Training grounds, viewing sections, communal meditation chambers. Places where assassination would require too many witnesses."
"And tonight?"
"Tonight I'll set defensive formations around these quarters. Void-based detection arrays that will alert me to any spatial manipulation or forced entry." He smiled slightly. "One advantage of being a void cultivator—very few people understand how to circumvent void-based security."
Yun Qingxue relaxed fractionally, though tension remained in her shoulders. "The Patriarch also asked me to deliver a message. He wants to meet with you this evening. Private discussion in his temporary residence here at the tournament grounds."
"About?"
"He didn't specify. But I suspect it involves your advancement." Her eyes flickered to his chest, where she could presumably sense through the Dao Thread how close his spiritual energy was to breakthrough. "You're nearly at Divine Domain Level 4. That advancement will be difficult to hide during a tournament match."
Lin Feng had been thinking about this problem. Divine Domain Level 4 represented a significant power threshold—the point where cultivators could begin manifesting more complex domain effects and their spiritual signatures became distinctly stronger. Hiding such an advancement during intense combat would require exceptional control.
"I might not hide it," he said slowly. "Or rather, I might reveal Level 4 while keeping Level 3 hidden. Let people think I broke through between first and second round matches. Tournament combat breakthroughs aren't uncommon for young cultivators under pressure."
"That could work. It would explain improved performance without raising suspicions about your real capabilities." Yun Qingxue considered this strategy. "Though it would also paint an even larger target on your back. Divine Domain Level 4 at your age is exceptional even by major sect standards."
"I'm already a target. Better to be a strong target than a weak one."
They stood together in comfortable silence for several minutes, watching the tournament grounds awaken to the new day. Somewhere below, Zhao Hai was probably already training despite yesterday's hard-fought victory. Xiao Ling would be coordinating support staff activities with characteristic efficiency. Elder Yuan would be reviewing second-round matchup possibilities and preparing tactical advice.
Life continued forward, tournament or not, threats or not.
"I should go," Yun Qingxue finally said. "If I'm seen leaving your quarters during morning hours, rumors will complicate things we're not ready to make public."
"When will we be ready?"
The question hung between them—not challenging, just curious. Their relationship existed in a strange liminal space, acknowledged between them and a few trusted confidants but hidden from the broader cultivation world. The Dao Companion bond was real and deepening, yet publicly they maintained careful distance.
"When you're strong enough that my choosing you can't be interpreted as weakness or poor judgment." Her answer was honest if painful. "The Ice Goddess of the Frozen Sky Sect cannot appear to choose a partner based on emotion alone. There must be strength, accomplishment, status sufficient to justify the decision politically."
"I understand."
"I know you do. That's one reason why..." She trailed off, then shook her head. "This conversation is for another time. When we're somewhere truly private."
She moved toward the window, but Lin Feng caught her hand—briefly, carefully, but with genuine warmth. "Qingxue. Thank you for worrying about me. For coming here despite the risk. For being present even when we can't acknowledge what we are to each other."
Her ice-blue eyes softened. "Lin Feng. When this tournament is over, when immediate threats are managed, we need to have a serious discussion about our future. The Dao Companion bond will continue strengthening. Eventually it will become obvious to anyone with spiritual perception. We need plans for that inevitability."
"I know. And I'll be ready for that conversation."
She departed as silently as she'd arrived, leaving through the window with movements so graceful they seemed almost flight. Lin Feng watched her spiritual signature fade into the distance before returning his attention to the tournament grounds.
Divine Domain Level 4. Public acknowledgment of that advancement would change everything. More attention, more opportunities, more danger. But also more credibility, more resources, more ability to openly demonstrate capability.
Is it time? Am I ready for that escalation?
The Heart of Void pulsed quietly in his chest, responding to his contemplation with wordless assurance. Power hidden was power wasted if the hiding prevented necessary action. But power revealed prematurely was vulnerability exposed.
The eternal balance he lived with.
Lin Feng finished his tea and began preparing for the day. First, morning cultivation—pushing toward but not forcing the Level 4 breakthrough. Then breakfast with Celestial Dawn sect members to maintain appearances. Followed by observation of morning matches to study potential future opponents.
This evening, the meeting with Patriarch Cloud Heaven. Whatever the Patriarch wanted to discuss in private was surely important.
And tomorrow, the second round would begin.
Through his window, activity intensified across the tournament grounds as the rest day officially commenced. Some competitors chose to rest genuinely, sleeping late or engaging in light recreation. Others, like him, recognized rest days as opportunities for preparation, cultivation, and strategic positioning.
The tournament is more than combat. It's politics, perception, positioning for future conflicts. Every interaction matters. Every word carries weight.
But underneath all the complexity, one truth remains simple: I must become stronger. Strong enough to protect what matters. Strong enough that hiding becomes choice rather than necessity.
Divine Domain Level 4 is just the next step on that path.
Lin Feng closed his eyes and settled into meditation posture, drawing on the Inverse Void Dao, feeling void energy circulate through his perfect meridians.
The breakthrough was so close he could taste it.
Tomorrow's match would likely be the catalyst.
He was ready.