The message arrived during morning training, delivered by a Frozen Sky messenger whose urgency was evident before he'd even spoken. Lin Feng read the brief note from Patriarch Bingfeng with growing concern.
Lin Feng,
Situation requires immediate discussion. Come to Frozen Sky as soon as possible. Bring Qingxue.
—Bingfeng
The terseness was unusual for Patriarch Bingfeng, whose communications typically included context and reasoning. Lin Feng glanced at Qingxue, who'd read the message through their bond almost as quickly as he had.
"Sun Wei," Lin Feng called out, interrupting the training scenario. "You're coordinating for the remainder of today's session. Elder Yun and I need to address urgent sect business."
Sun Wei nodded without hesitation, already shifting into organizational mode. The other disciples looked curious but didn't question—they'd learned that sect leadership sometimes required abrupt schedule changes.
Within minutes, Lin Feng and Qingxue were traveling toward Frozen Sky Sect, spatial manipulation accelerating their journey considerably. The flight gave them time to speculate about what had prompted such urgent summons.
"Father rarely uses this tone," Qingxue said, her concern matching Lin Feng's. "Whatever the situation is, it's significant."
"Political complication with one of the alliance partners?" Lin Feng suggested. "Or external pressure from a sect we haven't engaged with yet?"
"Possibly. Or something related to the Crimson Empress's organization. We assumed she died in the pocket dimension collapse, but we never confirmed it definitively."
That thought created cold unease. Lin Feng had been operating under the assumption that the Crimson Empress threat had ended. If she'd somehow survived...
They arrived at Frozen Sky to find not just Patriarch Bingfeng waiting, but also Patriarch Cloud Heaven from Celestial Dawn and Sect Leader Ming from Azure Sky. The presence of all three core alliance partners signaled the severity of the situation.
"Thank you for coming quickly," Patriarch Bingfeng said, gesturing them into his private reception chamber. "We've encountered a development that affects Hollow Peak's founding directly."
"What kind of development?" Lin Feng asked, settling into the offered seat with Qingxue beside him.
"Three days ago, Iron Peak Sect lodged formal complaint with the Regional Sect Council," Patriarch Cloud Heaven said, his expression grim. "They're challenging the legitimacy of the Central Valley coordination framework."
Lin Feng felt sharp surprise. "Iron Peak agreed to that framework. We negotiated extensively, demonstrated mutual benefit through economic modeling. They committed to cooperation."
"They committed," Sect Leader Ming agreed. "But sect commitment isn't always uniform across all internal factions. It appears that Iron Peak's elder council includes members who opposed the coordination agreement and have been working to undermine it."
"What's their specific complaint?" Qingxue asked, her tactical mind already analyzing the situation.
"They claim the coordination framework grants Hollow Peak inappropriate authority over contested territory before your sect has achieved formal recognition," Patriarch Bingfeng explained. "They're arguing that allowing an unfounded sect to serve as neutral enforcer sets dangerous precedent and violates established protocols for territorial disputes."
"That's technically accurate," Lin Feng admitted reluctantly. "Hollow Peak isn't formally founded yet. We've been operating on the assumption that our pending establishment was sufficient basis for the coordination role."
"The Regional Sect Council is debating the complaint now," Sect Leader Ming said. "Initial signals suggest they're taking it seriously. If they rule against the coordination framework, the entire Central Valley arrangement collapses."
"Which means Hollow Peak loses territorial foundation," Qingxue concluded, seeing the implications immediately. "We can still found the sect, but without the Central Valley coordination role, we're significantly diminished."
"Worse than that," Patriarch Cloud Heaven said. "If the Council rules that unfounded sects cannot hold coordination authority, it establishes precedent that might be applied retroactively to other arrangements we've made. Some of our defensive agreements, resource sharing protocols—they all depend on recognition that Hollow Peak's pending founding carries weight."
Lin Feng processed the cascading implications. This wasn't just about Central Valley. This was a direct challenge to Hollow Peak's legitimacy before formal founding had even occurred.
"Who's backing Iron Peak?" he asked. "They're a mid-tier sect. They wouldn't lodge formal complaint with Regional Council without support from larger organizations."
The three patriarchs exchanged glances, some silent communication passing between them.
"We believe Silver Moon Sect is involved," Patriarch Bingfeng said finally. "Not openly—they're too sophisticated for direct confrontation. But Iron Peak has been receiving increased cultivation resources from northern sources recently, and Silver Moon is the most prominent northern sect with interest in southern expansion."
"Silver Moon approached us for potential alliance," Lin Feng said, remembering the diplomatic meeting from months ago. "We declined because the timing wasn't appropriate. This could be their response—if they can't ally with Hollow Peak, they'll undermine our foundation through proxy challenges."
"That's our assessment as well," Sect Leader Ming confirmed. "Silver Moon wants southern presence. They'd prefer cooperation with rising power like Hollow Peak, but they'll settle for weakening potential competition if cooperation isn't available."
"What are our options?" Qingxue asked.
"Formally, we wait for Regional Council ruling," Patriarch Bingfeng said. "That could take weeks or months depending on how thoroughly they investigate the complaint. Informally, we can engage in diplomatic maneuvering to influence the outcome."
"The three of us will be advocating on Hollow Peak's behalf," Patriarch Cloud Heaven assured them. "Our alliance partnerships carry weight with Council members. But Lin Feng, you'll need to make your own case as well. The Council will want to hear directly from Hollow Peak's leadership about why the coordination framework should stand despite technical irregularity."
"When?" Lin Feng asked.
"Preliminary hearing is scheduled for eight days from now," Sect Leader Ming said. "Full formal presentation, multiple Council members attending. Your performance there will significantly influence the final ruling."
Eight days. Lin Feng's mind immediately shifted toward preparation mode—researching Council procedures, developing arguments, anticipating counterpoints.
"There's another complication," Patriarch Bingfeng added, his tone becoming heavier. "The complaint specifically names you, Lin Feng. Not just as Hollow Peak's pending sect leader, but as individual cultivator whose rapid advancement and unconventional methods raise concerns about stability and reliability."
That landed with particular force. This wasn't just challenging sect legitimacy—it was challenging Lin Feng's personal credibility.
"They're questioning my character?" he asked, keeping his voice level despite the anger stirring beneath.
"They're questioning whether someone who advanced from servant to Divine Domain Level Eight in less than two years can be trusted with significant coordination authority," Patriarch Cloud Heaven said bluntly. "They're implying your advancement was either illegitimate or unstable, and therefore your judgment is suspect."
"That's a personal attack disguised as procedural concern," Qingxue said, her ice techniques manifesting subtly as her anger crystallized the air around her.
"It's effective rhetoric," Sect Leader Ming said pragmatically. "Lin Feng's advancement is unprecedented. To people unfamiliar with his actual capabilities and character, it can be framed as suspicious rather than impressive. Iron Peak is exploiting that ambiguity."
Lin Feng forced himself to think tactically rather than emotionally. Anger wouldn't help here—strategic response would.
"What evidence would the Council find persuasive?" he asked.
"Testimony from respected sect leaders—which we'll provide," Patriarch Bingfeng said. "Documentation of your actual capabilities and achievements. Evidence of stable cultivation rather than reckless advancement. Character references from people they respect."
"Grand Elder Bingxin's endorsement would carry considerable weight," Sect Leader Ming suggested. "She's Immortal Emperor level, has centuries of experience evaluating cultivators, and she's your formal teacher. Her assessment would be difficult to dismiss."
"I'll speak with her," Qingxue said immediately. "She'll support us—she wouldn't have accepted Lin Feng as formal disciple if she doubted his character or stability."
"You'll also need to present yourself well at the hearing," Patriarch Cloud Heaven said, looking at Lin Feng directly. "Not just arguments about why the coordination framework should stand, but demonstration that you're mature, responsible leader worthy of trust. Some Council members will be predisposed to see you as upstart who advanced too quickly. You need to counter that perception through how you present yourself and respond to questioning."
"Understood," Lin Feng said, though internally he felt the weight of the challenge. He could handle tactical scenarios, philosophical discussions, even diplomatic negotiations. But performing before Council specifically evaluating his character and stability felt different—more personal, more exposing.
"We have eight days," Qingxue said, her hand finding his under the table in gesture of support that the patriarchs politely ignored. "That's enough time to prepare thoroughly."
"It has to be," Lin Feng said.
The return journey to Hollow Peak was quieter than the outbound flight. Lin Feng's mind churned through implications, complications, potential strategies. Qingxue's presence through their bond provided steady grounding, but he could feel her own concern beneath the surface calm.
"This is what I was worried about," Lin Feng said finally. "External pressure emerging before we're established enough to withstand it. If we'd founded Hollow Peak six months ago without proper preparation, we'd be completely vulnerable. But even with preparation, we're still exposed."
"We're exposed because we're threatening," Qingxue corrected. "Silver Moon wouldn't bother undermining us if they didn't see Hollow Peak as significant potential power. This attack is actually validation that we're building something substantial."
"Validation that comes with risk of destroying what we're building before it's complete."
"Yes," Qingxue agreed. "But think about what you've accomplished with impossible situations before. Every major challenge you've faced—tournaments against superior opponents, Elder Shadow's assault, breakthrough to Divine Domain Level Eight, Crimson Empress confrontation—they all seemed impossible until you'd prepared thoroughly and executed intelligently. This is the same pattern at larger scale."
Lin Feng recognized the truth in that. His entire cultivation journey had been series of seemingly impossible challenges transformed into accomplished reality through preparation and tactical thinking.
"Eight days," he said. "I need to research Regional Council procedures, understand their decision-making framework, identify which Council members are likely to be sympathetic versus hostile. I need to prepare arguments that address both procedural concerns and personal credibility questions. And I need to do all of this while maintaining disciple training and translation work for Golden Lotus."
"You need to delegate more aggressively," Qingxue said. "Sun Wei, Liu Mei, Wang Feng, and Li Chen can handle daily training coordination. Scholar Feng can wait on translation updates. Xiao Ling can manage all administrative details. You need to focus entirely on Council hearing preparation."
"That feels like abandoning responsibilities."
"That's recognizing priorities," Qingxue countered. "If the Council rules against us, Hollow Peak's foundation crumbles regardless of how well training proceeds. The hearing is the critical path element right now. Everything else is secondary."
Lin Feng knew she was right, but releasing control still felt uncomfortable. His instinct was always to maintain direct oversight, ensure nothing slipped through gaps in attention.
"I'll brief the senior disciples tonight," he decided. "Full situation disclosure, clear delegation of authority, explicit permission to make decisions without consulting me. One week of autonomous operation while I prepare for the hearing."
"Good," Qingxue approved. "And I'll coordinate with Grand Elder Bingxin, gather character references, compile documentation of your achievements. We approach this as team effort, not individual burden."
That evening's gathering with senior disciples was sobering. Lin Feng explained the situation without softening the stakes—they deserved to understand the threat Hollow Peak faced.
"So basically," Liu Mei said after hearing the complete explanation, "if this hearing goes badly, everything we've been building could become meaningless."
"Not meaningless," Lin Feng corrected. "But significantly compromised. We could still found Hollow Peak, but without territorial foundation or coordination authority, we'd be starting from much weaker position."
"What do you need from us?" Sun Wei asked, his practical focus cutting through the anxiety.
"Complete training autonomy for the next week," Lin Feng said. "I won't be available for daily coordination or individual guidance. You four will need to manage all training activities, handle discipline issues if they arise, and maintain cohort cohesion without my direct involvement."
"We can do that," Wang Feng said with quiet confidence. "We've been coordinating informally for weeks. Making it formal and explicit won't change the actual work."
"Li Chen, I need you to take over the philosophical discussion sessions entirely," Lin Feng continued. "No abbreviated versions or simplified content. Full depth, same standards I would apply."
Li Chen looked startled, then determined. "I won't let you down."
"I know you won't," Lin Feng said, and meant it. "You all have the capabilities for this. I'm not asking you to become perfect leaders overnight—I'm asking you to maintain functional operation for one week while I address external crisis. That's within your demonstrated abilities."
"What about the other disciples?" Liu Mei asked. "Should we tell them about the Regional Council situation?"
Lin Feng considered. Transparency versus avoiding anxiety—both had merit.
"Brief explanation," he decided. "Don't hide that there's external challenge, but don't catastrophize either. They should know that sect founding involves navigating political complexity, not just completing training milestones. Frame it as normal aspect of establishment process rather than existential crisis."
"Understood," Sun Wei said, and Lin Feng saw the four senior disciples exchanging glances, some silent agreement forming between them.
"One more thing," Qingxue added. "If you encounter problems you genuinely can't resolve, don't hesitate to interrupt Lin Feng's preparation. Better to address small issues immediately than let them compound into larger crises because you were trying to handle everything independently."
"How do we know the difference between problems we should handle versus problems that need escalation?" Wang Feng asked.
"If someone is injured or if there's conflict you can't mediate, escalate immediately," Lin Feng said. "If it's routine training coordination or normal interpersonal friction, handle it yourselves. When in doubt, consult among the four of you first—collective judgment is usually more reliable than individual assessment."
After dismissing the senior disciples, Lin Feng returned to his private chamber where he'd already begun assembling research materials. Regional Council procedures, historical rulings on territorial disputes, precedents for sect founding challenges, profiles of current Council members—all the information he could gather about the environment he'd be operating in.
Qingxue found him hours later, surrounded by documentation and formation-displayed notes.
"You need to sleep," she said gently. "Exhausting yourself through preparation defeats the purpose."
"I know," Lin Feng said, but didn't immediately stop working. "I just keep thinking about everything that depends on this hearing. The disciples who've invested three months of intensive training. The alliance partners who've committed resources and reputation. The coordination framework that took months to negotiate. All of it could collapse because I can't effectively defend our legitimacy."
"Or all of it could strengthen because you successfully navigate this challenge," Qingxue countered. "You're catastrophizing, which isn't like you. What's really concerning you?"
Lin Feng paused, recognizing she was right to push past surface anxiety toward underlying fear.
"The personal attack," he admitted. "Questioning my advancement, my stability, my character. Those aren't tactical problems I can solve through clever strategy. Those are direct challenges to who I am. And part of me worries they're right—that my advancement was too fast, too unusual, too dependent on perfect meridians and void cultivation inheritance I didn't earn through conventional cultivation."
"You're doubting yourself," Qingxue said, her tone shifting toward something fiercer. "After everything you've accomplished, every impossible challenge you've overcome, every time you've proven yourself through actual achievement rather than inherited status—you're letting Iron Peak's rhetoric create doubt?"
"I'm recognizing that their rhetoric will resonate with people who don't know me personally," Lin Feng clarified. "Council members who only see the statistics—servant to Divine Domain Level Eight in less than two years—without understanding the work behind those numbers. To them, I might genuinely look unstable or suspicious."
Qingxue was quiet for long moment, then sat beside him with deliberate focus.
"Then you show them the work," she said. "You don't just argue that your advancement was legitimate—you demonstrate the understanding that advancement created. You don't just claim stability—you embody it through how you present yourself under pressure. You make it impossible for them to dismiss you as suspicious anomaly by forcing them to engage with you as thoughtful, competent leader."
"And if that's not enough?"
"Then we adapt and continue building despite the setback," Qingxue said firmly. "But you don't defeat yourself before the challenge even begins by accepting their framing. Your advancement was unprecedented because you're exceptional, not because you're unstable. Your methods were unconventional because conventional paths weren't available to you, and you succeeded anyway. That's strength, not weakness."
Lin Feng felt some of the anxiety loosen its grip. Qingxue's absolute confidence in him wasn't blind faith—it was based on repeated observation of his actual capabilities.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "For the perspective and the support."
"That's what dao companions do," Qingxue said. "We keep each other grounded when external pressure creates internal doubt. Now, you're going to sleep. Tomorrow you can resume preparation with clearer mind and more realistic assessment of the challenge."
Lin Feng set aside the documentation, recognizing she was right. Exhaustion wouldn't improve his preparation—it would degrade his judgment.
As they settled into rest, formation lights dimming to night-cycle darkness, Lin Feng felt the weight of the approaching hearing but also the strength of the foundation he'd built. Not just his own capabilities, but the network of support around him—Qingxue's unwavering partnership, the alliance leaders' advocacy, the disciples' growing competence, Xiao Ling's organizational precision.
Eight days to prepare. Significant challenge, but not impossible.
He'd faced impossible before. This was just the next iteration.