The investigation began at dawn with brutal efficiency.
Patriarch Cloud Heaven had assembled a discrete task force—himself, Liu Feng, Mei She, and Elder Wei—to examine the seventeen disciples and five elders who possessed both capability and opportunity to sabotage the formation network. Each would be interviewed under pretense of routine cultivation assessment, their spiritual energy signatures analyzed, and their recent activities documented without revealing the investigation's true purpose.
Lin Feng was excluded from the direct investigation despite being the target of the sabotage. His role was to maintain absolute normalcy—train, study, cultivate, and generally appear unaware that anything was wrong.
"Appearing ignorant is harder than actually being ignorant," Zhao Hai observed during their morning combat practice. "You keep glancing toward the administration building like you're expecting it to explode."
"Sorry," Lin Feng forced his attention back to the sparring match. "Difficult to focus when I know investigation is happening."
"Then don't think about investigation. Think about not getting hit." Zhao Hai launched a combination attack that forced Lin Feng into purely defensive response. "There. Better. Your tactical mind works best when you're not overthinking."
They continued sparring for another hour, and Zhao Hai was right—the physical immediacy of combat helped Lin Feng stop obsessing about the saboteur investigation. His consciousness fragmented into three streams naturally now: defense, tactical assessment, and counter-attack planning. The training with Mei She was showing results.
After combat practice, Lin Feng had scheduled formation session with Elder Wei. He approached the research chamber with slight trepidation, knowing Elder Wei was among the suspects being investigated. The formation specialist could be innocent colleague or sophisticated saboteur—and Lin Feng needed to interact normally without revealing any suspicion.
"Lin Feng," Elder Wei greeted warmly, showing no signs of stress or awareness that he was under investigation. "I've been analyzing your unified element theory further. The applications are even more extensive than I initially realized."
They settled into their work session, discussing geometric principles and formation architecture. Lin Feng watched carefully for any indication of guilt or deception, but Elder Wei seemed genuinely enthusiastic about the collaborative research.
Either he's innocent, Lin Feng thought, or he's exceptional actor who can maintain perfect composure while under investigation.
Two hours into the session, Elder Wei paused mid-demonstration. "May I ask you something personal?"
Lin Feng felt tension spike. "Of course."
"The capture contract. Are you frightened?" Elder Wei's expression showed genuine concern. "I've been teaching formation cultivation for forty years. I've seen many talented disciples, but I've never witnessed someone as young as you facing this level of external threat. That must be... difficult."
The concern seemed authentic. Lin Feng responded honestly. "Frightened isn't quite right. Anxious, certainly. Hyper-vigilant definitely. But I have good support—strong allies, enhanced security, and training that's preparing me as well as possible."
"That's mature perspective." Elder Wei resumed his demonstration formation. "Fear is natural response to genuine danger. Managing it productively is what separates survivors from casualties."
They concluded the session without incident, leaving Lin Feng more confused than before. Either Elder Wei was innocent, or he was remarkably skilled at maintaining deceptive appearances.
The afternoon brought consciousness division training with Mei She, who showed no interest in the investigation or Lin Feng's stress about it.
"Six streams today," she announced without preamble. "You'll maintain them for one hour while I create increasingly complex tactical scenarios. Begin."
The training was brutal. Six simultaneous awareness streams stretched Lin Feng's mental capacity to painful limits. His head pounded, his concentration wavered, and twice he nearly lost coherence entirely—consciousness streams colliding and interfering rather than maintaining independent operation.
"You're treating streams as burden rather than tool," Mei She criticized during a brief respite. "They should make processing easier by distributing cognitive load, not harder through added complexity."
"How is fragmenting my consciousness supposed to make thinking easier?"
"Because unified consciousness has processing bottlenecks. You can't simultaneously analyze three different threats at full capacity—you switch attention rapidly, creating inefficiency. But six independent streams can each focus completely on separate problems without interference." She created a complex scenario through spiritual energy projection. "Watch."
The scenario showed twenty simultaneous threats approaching from different directions, each requiring different tactical response. A unified consciousness would need to prioritize, possibly missing critical threats while focused on others.
"Now fragment into six streams and assign threat categories," Mei She instructed. "Two streams handle physical attacks, two manage formation disruption, one coordinates overall response, one monitors for unexpected developments. Each stream processes only its assigned category."
Lin Feng fragmented his awareness and organized the streams as directed. Suddenly the overwhelming scenario became manageable—each stream handling its specific responsibility without worrying about the others. The cognitive load didn't increase; it distributed.
"Better," Mei She acknowledged. "That's how consciousness division provides tactical advantage. Not through raw processing power, but through organizational efficiency."
They continued training until Lin Feng could maintain six streams for extended periods without the headache becoming debilitating. It was progress, though he was nowhere near the ten-stream competency Mei She considered adequate.
Evening brought dao synchronization with Yun Qingxue and welcome mental rest after the day's intense training.
"You're exhausted," she observed through their connection once their consciousness streams had intertwined. "More than usual."
Six-stream consciousness division training, Lin Feng sent back. My brain feels like it's been reorganized from the inside.
That's essentially accurate. Her presence in his consciousness felt soothing. You're rebuilding neural pathways to support simultaneous independent processing. It's mentally exhausting but permanent enhancement once established.
They meditated in comfortable mental proximity while their cultivation resonance enhanced both their advancements. Lin Feng felt his spiritual energy capacity expanding fractionally, meridians refining, dantian deepening. The consistent progress toward Divine Domain Level 6 was tangible now—perhaps eight more days at this pace.
The investigation found something, Qingxue sent after a while. One of the inner disciples showed unusual spiritual energy patterns during interview—signs of external influence that suggest either coercion or possession.
Which disciple?
Disciple Chen Wei. Earth element specialist, inner disciple for six years, generally unremarkable record. Her mental presence carried grim certainty. They're conducting deeper examination tonight to determine if he's the saboteur or if someone used him as unwitting tool.
That's disturbing either way.
Yes. Demonic cultivation can subvert people without their awareness. Plant compulsions, modify memories, create false motivations that feel genuine to the victim. She paused. This is exactly the kind of sophisticated infiltration the Crimson Empress specializes in.
The implications were chilling. If Chen Wei had been compromised without knowing it, anyone else could be similarly affected. The sabotage might extend beyond just formation modifications into broader corruption throughout the sect.
What happens to him?
Depends what they find. If he's willing participant in demonic cultivation, he'll be detained and potentially executed depending on severity. If he's victim of external influence, they'll attempt to break the compulsion and restore his normal consciousness.
And if they can't restore him?
Qingxue's mental presence carried sadness. Then he's too dangerous to remain free and too corrupted to be trusted. Detention becomes permanent, or...
She didn't finish the thought. She didn't need to.
After their synchronization concluded, Lin Feng spent the evening in meditation that was more anxiety management than cultivation practice. The sabotage, the investigation, the possibility of demonic infiltration throughout the sect—all of it weighed heavily despite his attempts at strategic detachment.
A soft knock interrupted his troubled thoughts. Han Shu's spiritual energy signature—the bodyguard rarely initiated contact except for security matters.
"Enter," Lin Feng called.
The massive cultivator stepped inside, his expression even more grave than usual. "Development requires your awareness. Disciple Chen Wei attempted to flee the sect during examination. Liu Feng intercepted him at the perimeter. He's now in secured detention."
"What did they find?"
"Demonic cultivation influence. Sophisticated compulsion formation embedded in his consciousness that triggered when investigators began examining him too closely." Han Shu's tone was flat, professionally neutral. "The formation made him attempt escape and, failing that, self-destruct to prevent interrogation."
Lin Feng felt cold settle in his chest. "Is he...?"
"Alive but unconscious. The self-destruct was interrupted before completion, but his consciousness is severely damaged. They're attempting to extract information about who placed the compulsion and what other sabotage might exist."
"This is more serious than just mercenary capture attempt."
"Significantly more serious. Demonic cultivation infiltration suggests either Crimson Empress direct involvement or major faction with similar capabilities." Han Shu paused. "Patriarch Cloud Heaven requests your presence for emergency council meeting in one hour. All senior disciples and elders will attend."
The council chamber was tense with controlled urgency when Lin Feng arrived. Every elder was present along with senior inner disciples including Zhao Hai and Xiao Ling. Yun Qingxue stood beside her mother's representative—a Level 7 cultivator Frozen Sky had sent as formal observer.
Patriarch Cloud Heaven waited until everyone had assembled before speaking.
"We have confirmed demonic cultivation infiltration within Celestial Dawn Sect," he announced without preamble. "Disciple Chen Wei was compromised through sophisticated compulsion formation that we believe was placed approximately three weeks ago. He was used as unwitting tool to sabotage our defensive formations in preparation for external attack."
Murmurs of concern rippled through the assembled cultivators.
"The attack is likely imminent—possibly within the next 48 hours based on the sabotage timing and mercenary reconnaissance patterns we've observed." Cloud Heaven's expression was grim. "We're implementing emergency protocols immediately. All disciples are restricted to sect territory. Combat-capable cultivators will maintain elevated alert status. Formation networks are being completely audited and repaired."
"What's the target?" one of the elders asked, though everyone already knew the answer.
"Lin Feng," Cloud Heaven confirmed. "The entire operation appears designed to facilitate his capture. However, we're treating this as potential threat to the entire sect rather than isolated incident. Demonic cultivation infiltration suggests larger strategic objectives beyond single capture contract."
He outlined the defensive measures being implemented—enhanced patrols, emergency response protocols, formation reinforcement, and contingency plans if the compound was breached. It was comprehensive security overhaul that would transform Celestial Dawn into fortified position within hours.
"For those asking why we don't simply relocate Lin Feng to safer location," Cloud Heaven added, "we considered it. But moving him creates vulnerability during transport that's arguably greater than remaining in fortified position with known defensive arrangements. Additionally, allowing successful infiltration without consequence invites future attempts. We need to demonstrate that attacking Celestial Dawn Sect carries unacceptable cost."
After the general briefing, Cloud Heaven called smaller meeting with just Lin Feng, the elders, Han Shu, Liu Feng, and Yun Qingxue.
"Direct question," Cloud Heaven said once privacy formations were active. "Lin Feng, how close are you to Divine Domain Level 6 breakthrough?"
"Eight days at current pace. Possibly faster if I push harder or if combat pressure accelerates advancement."
"Combat breakthrough during attack would be extremely dangerous but also potentially decisive tactical advantage." Cloud Heaven looked to Mei She. "Assessment?"
"Possible but risky. He's been pushing consciousness division training hard, which creates mental fatigue that complicates breakthrough stability. If combat pressure forces advancement while his mind is already strained..." She shrugged. "Fifty-fifty chance of successful breakthrough versus cultivation deviation that could damage his foundation permanently."
"What if we delay the attack?" Elder Wei suggested. "Complete the formation repairs, let Lin Feng advance naturally to Level 6, then handle the infiltration from position of strength?"
"They won't wait," Liu Feng said flatly. "The moment we started investigating, we started a countdown. Either they attack soon while their sabotage still provides advantage, or they abandon the operation entirely and regroup for future attempt. Based on the resources they've invested, abandonment seems unlikely."
"Then we prepare for imminent attack while hoping Lin Feng doesn't breakthrough under worst possible circumstances," Cloud Heaven concluded. "Enhanced security around his quarters, combat-ready response teams on standby, and contingency plans for every scenario we can anticipate."
"What do you need from me?" Lin Feng asked.
"Continue normal routine as much as possible. Train, cultivate, rest. Let your bodyguards handle security concerns." Cloud Heaven's expression softened slightly. "I know that's difficult when you're the target, but genuinely the most helpful thing you can do is maintain your own advancement rather than trying to participate in defensive preparations."
After the meeting concluded, Lin Feng returned to his quarters feeling the weight of being simultaneously protected asset and vulnerable target. Han Shu and Liu Feng immediately established enhanced perimeter, their Level 7 cultivations making the ambient spiritual energy around his rooms feel almost oppressively secure.
Zhao Hai arrived shortly after with food and attempted normalcy.
"So," he said while they ate. "Demonic cultivation infiltration, imminent attack, and possible combat breakthrough under worst circumstances. How are you feeling about all that?"
"Anxious. Frustrated that I can't do more to help. Guilty that the entire sect is mobilizing to protect me." Lin Feng picked at his food. "Also somewhat numb from processing too much concerning information too quickly."
"That's reasonable emotional state for unreasonable situation." Zhao Hai's humor faded into seriousness. "For what it's worth, no one sees this as burden of protecting you specifically. We see it as defending against demonic cultivation infiltration that happens to be targeting you currently but could target anyone next. This is about Celestial Dawn's security generally, not just one person."
"That's politically generous framing."
"It's also accurate. Demonic cultivation doesn't stop with one successful operation—it expands. Letting them succeed here would invite escalation." Zhao Hai paused. "Besides, you're our friend. Of course we're going to help protect you. That's what friends do."
The simple statement carried more weight than elaborate political reasoning. Lin Feng felt gratitude settle alongside the anxiety.
They spent the evening in comfortable companionship—not discussing strategy or threats, just existing together while the sect mobilized around them. Eventually Zhao Hai departed to join the patrol rotations, leaving Lin Feng alone with his thoughts and bodyguards.
He attempted meditation but found concentration difficult. His consciousness kept fragmenting into awareness streams without deliberate intent—a sign that the training was becoming instinctive but also that his mental state was unstable.
This is what Mei She warned about, he realized. Mental fatigue from consciousness division training making stable meditation difficult.
He forced his awareness streams back into unified consciousness and focused on simple breathing exercises rather than complex cultivation techniques. Sometimes the most effective preparation was basic self-regulation.
Near midnight, Lin Feng felt subtle shift in the ambient spiritual energy—not hostile, but notable. His defensive formations remained undisturbed, but something had changed in the sect's overall energy network.
He extended his awareness cautiously and recognized the signature: Yun Qingxue, moving through the sect despite the late hour.
Moments later, she knocked on his door.
"Couldn't sleep either?" he asked when she entered.
"I can sleep. I chose not to." She settled into position across from him. "You're too agitated for effective meditation. We're doing synchronization session instead."
"It's past midnight."
"And you're the target of imminent attack who needs to maintain optimal cultivation status. Sleep can wait." Her ice-blue eyes held determination. "Besides, our bond provides more effective rest than regular sleep when properly utilized."
She wasn't wrong. They settled into meditation and their consciousness streams intertwined naturally, finding the comfortable resonance they'd developed over months of practice.
Better, Qingxue observed through their connection. Your awareness is fragmenting but your core consciousness is stable. That's good—means the division training is integrating properly.
Doesn't feel properly integrated. Feels chaotic.
Chaos before order is normal for consciousness development. Your mind is reorganizing to support new capabilities. It will stabilize. Her mental presence carried soothing certainty. Focus on our resonance rather than your internal state. Let the dao companion bond provide anchor.
Lin Feng followed her guidance, letting his attention rest on their shared consciousness rather than his individual fragmentation. The effect was immediately calming—their bond created framework that organized his chaotic awareness streams naturally.
That's better, he sent. Thank you.
This is what dao companions do. We stabilize each other when individual stability becomes difficult.
They remained in synchronized meditation for two hours, neither speaking externally but maintaining constant communication through their mental connection. It was intimate in ways that had nothing to do with physical proximity—souls touching directly, sharing not just thoughts but fundamental essence.
When they finally separated, Lin Feng felt genuinely rested despite not sleeping.
"Three things before I go," Qingxue said, standing gracefully. "First: you're now seven days from Level 6 threshold at current pace. Our synchronization accelerated your advancement slightly."
"That's good news."
"Second: the formation repairs are ninety percent complete. By tomorrow afternoon, the sabotage will be fully neutralized."
"Also good."
"Third: Liu Feng believes the attack will come tomorrow night. The mercenaries have been positioning themselves over the past eight hours in patterns consistent with assault preparation." Her expression turned fierce. "So rest now while you can. Tomorrow will be... eventful."
After she departed, Lin Feng lay awake for perhaps another hour, processing everything. Demonic infiltration. Imminent attack. Possible combat breakthrough under dangerous circumstances. Seven days to Level 6 assuming nothing catastrophic intervened.
So many variables, he thought. Any of which could result in disaster.
But he'd faced impossible situations before. Wei Chen shouldn't have been defeatable through endurance. Sun Bing shouldn't have been forceable to draw. Shen Long shouldn't have required his ultimate technique.
I specialize in outcomes that shouldn't be possible, Lin Feng reminded himself. Tomorrow will just be another impossible situation that somehow becomes survivable through tactical intelligence and desperate improvisation.
The thought was oddly comforting.
He finally slept near dawn, his consciousness settling into rest while bodyguards maintained watch and the sect prepared for battle.
Tomorrow would bring violence, danger, and possibly advancement forced through combat necessity.
But tonight—rest, recovery, and trust that the preparations would prove sufficient when tested.
End of Chapter 56