The Frozen Sky delegation arrived exactly one week after the attack, as dawn painted the eastern sky in shades of amber and gold.
Lin Feng stood beside Patriarch Cloud Heaven at Celestial Dawn's main gates, watching the approaching group with mixture of anticipation and political awareness. This wasn't just diplomatic visit—it was security assessment, strategic consultation, and demonstration of Frozen Sky's commitment to their alliance.
The delegation was led by Grand Elder Bingxin herself, her Immortal Emperor Level 5 cultivation making the ambient spiritual energy feel suddenly more ordered. Accompanying her were three Level 7 cultivators, two formation specialists, and—to Lin Feng's pleased surprise—Yun Qingxue.
"We weren't expecting Grand Elder herself," Cloud Heaven murmured. "This represents considerably more attention than typical diplomatic mission."
"My advancement and the Elder Shadow threat must be more concerning than I realized," Lin Feng replied quietly.
The formal greetings were conducted with appropriate ceremony—bows exchanged, titles acknowledged, diplomatic pleasantries shared. But once the official protocols concluded and the delegation had been settled in honored guest quarters, the real conversations began.
Grand Elder Bingxin requested immediate private meeting with Lin Feng, Patriarch Cloud Heaven, and Yun Qingxue in a secure chamber.
"I'll be direct," Bingxin said once privacy formations were active. "Frozen Sky Sect is concerned about three developments: Lin Feng's accelerated advancement and unusual breakthrough circumstances, Elder Shadow's specific targeting of unique talents, and the broader implications for continental security if demonic cultivation continues expanding unchecked."
"All reasonable concerns," Cloud Heaven acknowledged. "What specific information or assistance does Frozen Sky require?"
"First, I need to examine Lin Feng's cultivation foundation personally. Combat breakthroughs are notoriously unstable even in best circumstances. His was achieved while spiritually depleted, mentally exhausted, and under active attack. That he survived without apparent damage is remarkable, but I want confirmation there are no hidden complications."
Lin Feng had expected this. He nodded agreement. "Of course, Grand Elder."
Bingxin extended her awareness toward him with practiced precision. Her Immortal Emperor level consciousness was vastly more powerful than anything Lin Feng had experienced before—like being examined by living formation that could perceive every detail of his spiritual energy network simultaneously.
The examination lasted perhaps five minutes of intense scrutiny before Bingxin withdrew with expression mixing scholarly fascination and professional concern.
"Your foundation is not just stable—it's optimized beyond what natural advancement should produce," she stated. "The breakthrough reorganized your meridian networks in ways that improve efficiency significantly. Combined with your perfect meridians and void cultivation advantages, you're operating at effectiveness level that exceeds typical Divine Domain Level 6 by perhaps thirty percent."
"Is that concerning?" Lin Feng asked.
"It's unprecedented. Which makes it both remarkable and potentially problematic." Bingxin created a formation displaying complex spiritual energy patterns. "Most combat breakthroughs create instabilities because power increases faster than the cultivator can properly integrate it. Your dao companion bond with Qingxue prevented that instability by providing external stabilization framework during the critical moments."
She gestured and the formation shifted. "But the bond also influenced how your cultivation reorganized. Your spiritual energy patterns now show increased resonance compatibility with ice element techniques—not replacing your void cultivation, but complementing it. That's direct result of Qingxue's stabilization during breakthrough."
"Is that a problem?" Cloud Heaven asked.
"It's a permanent enhancement. Your dao companion bond is now not just supportive relationship but fundamental part of Lin Feng's cultivation structure. Breaking the bond would damage both of you significantly—not just emotionally but spiritually." Bingxin's ancient eyes studied them both. "I assume you understand the implications?"
Lin Feng and Qingxue exchanged glances through their dao resonance, their consciousness streams touching briefly with shared understanding.
"We're committed to maintaining the bond regardless," Qingxue said firmly. "The enhancement benefits both our cultivations, and the personal relationship has depth beyond just tactical advantage."
"Good. Because I needed confirmation you both understood the permanence." Bingxin dissolved the formation. "Now, regarding Elder Shadow's threat—we have additional intelligence that complicates the situation."
She produced a jade slip containing extensive documentation. "Elder Shadow isn't operating independently. He's part of larger demonic cultivation network coordinated by the Crimson Empress. She's been systematically recruiting or corrupting cultivators with unique abilities across the continent, building specialized force for purposes we don't yet understand."
Lin Feng felt cold settle in his chest. "So his interest in me is both personal vendetta and strategic directive from higher authority."
"Correct. Which makes him more dangerous because he has significant resources backing his operations." Bingxin's expression turned grim. "The Crimson Empress has elevated you to priority target—not just for recruitment, but for elimination if recruitment proves impossible. Your void purification technique demonstrated capabilities that directly threaten demonic cultivation operations."
"That's why you came personally," Cloud Heaven realized. "This isn't just diplomatic visit—it's assessment of whether Celestial Dawn can adequately protect a target the Crimson Empress considers priority threat."
"Partially. But also to provide resources and training that will help Lin Feng survive what's coming." Bingxin turned to Lin Feng directly. "I'm authorized to offer you formal disciple status at Frozen Sky Sect—not replacing your Celestial Dawn affiliation, but adding advanced training access and protection that mid-tier sect cannot fully provide."
The offer hung in the air with significant weight. It was generous beyond normal political calculation—Grand Elder taking personal disciple was rare honor that would elevate Lin Feng's status considerably.
But it also represented political complication that would affect multiple relationships and organizational dynamics.
"I need time to consider," Lin Feng said carefully. "This is significant decision with implications beyond just my personal advancement."
"Of course. The offer remains open for consideration." Bingxin stood. "For now, let me conduct the broader security assessment I was sent to complete. Then we can discuss training arrangements regardless of your decision about formal disciple status."
The security assessment consumed the next three days as Grand Elder Bingxin and her accompanying specialists examined every aspect of Celestial Dawn's defensive formations, security protocols, and spiritual energy infrastructure.
"Your formations are adequate for typical threats," Bingxin reported to Cloud Heaven at the assessment's conclusion. "But vulnerable to sophisticated demonic cultivation infiltration. Chen Wei's sabotage demonstrated how easily proper defenses can be compromised by single corrupted insider."
"Recommendations?" Cloud Heaven asked.
"Enhanced monitoring formations that detect demonic spiritual energy signatures. Redundant security layers so single point failure doesn't compromise entire system. And—" she paused meaningfully, "—regular examinations of all disciples' spiritual energy patterns to identify corruption early."
"That last recommendation will be politically contentious. Disciples may view it as violation of privacy."
"Which is less important than preventing demonic infiltration that could kill them all." Bingxin's tone allowed no argument. "Frozen Sky implements mandatory monthly examinations for all disciples. Invasive but effective. We've prevented three infiltration attempts over past decade through early detection."
During the assessment period, Lin Feng continued his training regimen while also spending time with Yun Qingxue, who would be remaining at Celestial Dawn for the duration of her mother's delegation visit.
"How are you actually handling everything?" she asked during one of their synchronization sessions. "Not the diplomatic answer—the truth."
Overwhelmed but managing, Lin Feng sent through their mental connection. Every day brings new political complications or threat revelations. I miss when cultivation was just about getting stronger through training.
That was never really the case, Qingxue's presence reminded him gently. Even as servant, you were navigating political hierarchies and social dynamics. You just weren't important enough to notice the higher-level complications.
Ignorance was comfortable.
Ignorance was also powerless. You're stronger now—both in cultivation and political understanding. The complications are price of that advancement. She paused. Are you going to accept my mother's offer? Formal disciple status?
I don't know. What do you think?
I think it's strategically valuable but politically complex. You'd gain significant training access and protection. But you'd also become more visibly affiliated with Frozen Sky, which affects Celestial Dawn's reputation and your relationships here. Her mental touch carried complex mixture of hope and concern. Also, selfishly, I want you to accept because it means more time together and deeper integration of our cultivation development.
That's not selfish. That's honest about what you want.
It's both. Warmth flooded through their connection. I care about your advancement and safety. But I also just want you closer. The dao companion bond makes separation increasingly difficult.
They continued meditation in comfortable mental proximity, their cultivation resonance deepening naturally. Lin Feng felt his Level 6 foundation continuing to consolidate, spiritual energy patterns optimizing, consciousness streams integrating more smoothly.
On the fourth day of the delegation visit, Grand Elder Bingxin invited Lin Feng to private training session in one of Celestial Dawn's advanced cultivation chambers.
"Regardless of whether you accept formal disciple status, I'm going to provide instruction while I'm here," she explained. "Your void cultivation has immense potential but lacks systematic development framework. I want to give you theoretical foundation that will serve you for decades."
She created a complex formation displaying cultivation advancement pathways. "Most cultivators advance linearly—Level 1 through 9 in each realm, then breakthrough to next realm. But exceptional cultivators—those with perfect meridians, unique cultivation methods, or unprecedented techniques—can develop auxiliary capabilities that enhance their primary advancement."
"Like consciousness division?" Lin Feng suggested.
"Exactly. That's auxiliary capability that enhances your primary void cultivation without replacing it. You've stumbled into it through necessity and talent. I want to show you other auxiliary paths that could benefit you specifically."
Over the next several hours, Bingxin introduced three potential auxiliary development paths:
1. Spatial Mastery Beyond Basic Manipulation "Your void cultivation already provides spatial awareness and manipulation. But you could develop this into true spatial mastery—instantaneous teleportation across kilometers, creation of pocket dimensions for storage, even temporal distortion at highest levels."
She demonstrated with casual gesture, space itself bending to her will in ways that made Lin Feng's basic void techniques seem primitive by comparison.
"This path requires decades of dedicated study and probably won't reach its full potential until you achieve Sovereign Monarch realm. But starting the foundation now means you'll advance faster when you reach appropriate cultivation level."
2. Formation Creation Rather Than Just Deployment "You're exceptional at deploying and modifying existing formations. But you rely on techniques others have created. True formation mastery means designing original formations for specific purposes—creating new geometric patterns that achieve effects no existing formations can replicate."
Bingxin created formation that seemed to exist in more than three dimensions, its geometry twisting through spatial configurations that shouldn't be possible.
"Your hybrid ice-void formation at the tournament was instinctive creation. This path would make that creativity systematic rather than accidental."
3. Consciousness Expansion Beyond Just Division "You've developed consciousness division impressively. But there's deeper capability—consciousness expansion where you don't fragment into separate streams but enlarge your awareness to encompass multiple perspectives simultaneously. Different from division because you remain unified while perceiving from many viewpoints at once."
She didn't demonstrate this one. "It's too advanced for direct observation to be useful at your level. But the foundational practices I can teach will prepare you for eventual expansion when your cultivation reaches appropriate level."
Lin Feng absorbed the information with growing excitement. These weren't just techniques—they were entire development paths that could define his cultivation trajectory for decades.
"How do I choose which path to focus on?" he asked.
"You don't choose one exclusively. You develop all three in parallel, but emphasize whichever proves most naturally compatible with your void cultivation instincts." Bingxin smiled slightly. "That's advantage of perfect meridians—you have spiritual energy capacity to pursue multiple auxiliary paths simultaneously. Most cultivators must specialize because they lack resources for parallel development."
She produced three jade slips. "These contain foundational exercises for each path. Practice them daily alongside your primary cultivation. Over months and years, you'll discover which paths resonate most strongly with your natural talents."
After the training session, Lin Feng spent the evening reviewing the jade slips, his mind racing with possibilities. Each auxiliary path represented decades of potential development—systematic frameworks for advancing capabilities he'd been approaching through instinct and necessity.
This is what systematic high-level cultivation looks like, he realized. Not just more power, but deliberate development of complementary abilities that enhance primary cultivation.
The next morning brought formal ceremony where Patriarch Cloud Heaven, Grand Elder Bingxin, and the assembled disciples of both sects gathered to acknowledge the strengthened alliance between Celestial Dawn and Frozen Sky.
Political speeches were delivered emphasizing mutual benefit, strategic cooperation, and shared commitment to resisting demonic cultivation threats. Resources were formally allocated—Frozen Sky providing advanced cultivation materials, Celestial Dawn offering strategic positioning and intelligence about regional developments.
And at the ceremony's conclusion, Lin Feng made his decision.
"I accept Grand Elder Bingxin's offer of formal disciple status at Frozen Sky Sect," he announced publicly, "while maintaining my primary affiliation with Celestial Dawn Sect where I awakened my cultivation and found my first teachers. I hope to serve as bridge between our allied organizations, learning from both while contributing to our mutual advancement."
The diplomatic phrasing had been prepared with Patriarch Cloud Heaven's advice, but the sentiment was genuine. Lin Feng wanted the training and protection Frozen Sky offered without abandoning the sect that had supported him from nothing.
Applause rippled through the assembly—some genuine, some politically calculated, all acknowledging the significance of a mid-tier sect's disciple receiving formal recognition from major organization's Grand Elder.
After the ceremony concluded, Zhao Hai cornered Lin Feng with his characteristic directness.
"So you're fancy now," he observed cheerfully. "Grand Elder's formal disciple, dao companion to the Ice Goddess, recognized formation prodigy, and target of continental demonic cultivation network. How does it feel?"
"Exhausting," Lin Feng replied honestly. "I wanted to cultivate and get stronger. Instead I'm navigating politics I barely understand while preparing for threats I'm not sure I can survive."
"That's what happens when you're exceptional. Mediocre cultivators get to just train without complications. Elite cultivators get complicated whether they want to or not." Zhao Hai's humor faded into seriousness. "But you're handling it well. Better than I would in your position. And you have good people supporting you—that counts for more than you might realize."
That evening, Lin Feng sat with Yun Qingxue in the meditation gardens, watching sunset paint the sky in shades of gold and crimson.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "For stabilizing my breakthrough, for supporting me through the political complications, for being honest about what you want while respecting my choices."
"That's what dao companions do," Qingxue replied, echoing her words from weeks before. "We enhance each other's cultivation and lives. The bond isn't burden—it's partnership that makes both of us stronger."
"Even when that partnership comes with political complications and continental threats?"
"Especially then. Because facing those challenges alone would be considerably worse." She leaned against his shoulder—rare public physical contact that demonstrated how comfortable their relationship had become. "Besides, I like you. Politics and threats aside, I genuinely enjoy your company and respect your cultivation approach. That's worth the complications."
They sat in comfortable silence as darkness settled over Celestial Dawn Sect. The delegation would be departing in two days, taking Qingxue back to Frozen Sky for her own advanced training. But the alliance had been strengthened, resources had been allocated, and Lin Feng's development path had been clarified through Grand Elder Bingxin's instruction.
Six months to Level 7, Lin Feng thought while the first stars emerged overhead. Six months until planned confrontation with Elder Shadow. Six months of intensive training with clear development framework.
It was ambitious timeline. But Lin Feng specialized in accomplishing what seemed impossible through combination of systematic preparation and desperate improvisation when necessary.
And now he had better preparation resources than ever before—Grand Elder's instruction, auxiliary development paths, enhanced security, and dao companion bond that enhanced everything.
Let Elder Shadow prepare his forces, Lin Feng thought with quiet determination. I'll be ready when the confrontation comes.
The immediate crisis had passed. The alliance was stronger. The training framework was established.
Now came the long preparation for inevitable conflict with demonic cultivation that wanted either to corrupt him or eliminate him.
Lin Feng settled into meditation beside Qingxue, their consciousness streams intertwining naturally, their cultivation resonance enhancing both their advancements while the night deepened around them.
Six months to transform from Divine Domain Level 6 to Level 7 while developing auxiliary capabilities and preparing for Sovereign Monarch level threat.
Impossible timeline, a small voice in his mind suggested.
Perfect, he replied to himself. I specialize in impossible.
End of Chapter 59