The gathering ended quietly.
No celebration.
No formal farewell.
People simply… left.
One by one.
Like shadows disappearing before dawn.
Lin Feng walked out of the hall slowly, hands in his pockets, his expression calm.
But inside—
His mind was moving.
Blackstone City is small.
You are not.
Those words stayed with him.
Not because they sounded impressive.
But because the man who said them—
Meant them.
The night air outside felt colder than before.
Or maybe—
Sharper.
Lin Feng stepped into the empty street, exhaling slowly.
"…Called, huh."
He looked up toward the dark sky above the city.
"…Guess things are getting bigger."
"You finally noticed."
The voice came from nearby.
Calm.
Familiar.
Lin Feng didn't even turn immediately.
"…You really enjoy appearing out of nowhere."
The man from the shadows stepped out from beside a stone pillar, hands behind his back as always.
"Old habits."
Lin Feng smirked.
"You've got weird habits."
The man chuckled softly.
"And you attract dangerous attention."
Lin Feng glanced at him.
"…So that guy was a big deal."
For the first time in a while—
The man's expression became more serious.
"A bigger deal than you understand."
That answer alone said enough.
Lin Feng leaned lightly against the wall nearby.
"So who is he?"
The man was quiet for a moment.
Then—
"Someone even this city answers to."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…That strong?"
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No exaggeration.
Just certainty.
Lin Feng looked back toward the building they had just left.
"…Interesting."
The man studied him briefly.
"You're calmer than expected."
Lin Feng shrugged.
"What's the point of panicking?"
"Most people would."
"Most people aren't me."
A faint smile appeared again.
"…Clearly."
Silence settled between them for a moment.
But unlike before—
It wasn't tense.
Then the man spoke again.
"You were noticed tonight."
Lin Feng smirked slightly.
"Yeah, I figured that part out."
"No."
The man's gaze sharpened.
"You were chosen."
That word hit differently.
Lin Feng straightened slightly.
"…There's a difference?"
"A massive one."
The night suddenly felt quieter.
The man continued.
"People get noticed all the time."
"Talented fighters."
"Promising cultivators."
"Useful tools."
"But being chosen…"
He paused.
"…means someone believes your future matters."
Lin Feng stayed silent.
Not because he was intimidated.
But because he understood.
That kind of attention—
Could change everything.
Or destroy everything.
"So what now?" he asked.
The man looked toward the city.
"Now people move."
Lin Feng smirked.
"They weren't already?"
"They were testing you before."
A brief pause.
"Now they'll start planning around you."
That made Lin Feng laugh softly.
"…That sounds annoying."
"It will be."
"Good."
The man shook his head slightly, almost amused.
"You really don't fear consequences."
Lin Feng pushed himself off the wall.
"I just don't like standing still."
Another silence.
Then—
"You should leave the city for a while."
Lin Feng blinked once.
"…That sudden?"
"Yes."
No explanation.
No hesitation.
Just certainty again.
Lin Feng's expression sharpened slightly.
"…Something's happening."
The man didn't answer directly.
Which—
Was answer enough.
"The city's balance changed tonight," he said calmly.
"And balance like this…"
"…never breaks quietly."
Lin Feng looked back toward the distant lights of Blackstone City.
The streets.
The factions.
The hidden power beneath it all.
Then he smiled slightly.
"…And here I was starting to enjoy it."
"You still can."
Lin Feng glanced sideways.
"…You say that like trouble follows me."
The man's expression remained calm.
"It does."
Lin Feng laughed.
Fair enough.
Then—
A sudden sensation passed through the air.
Sharp.
Brief.
Dangerous.
Both of them noticed instantly.
The man's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Too soon."
Lin Feng straightened fully.
"…What was that?"
No answer came immediately.
Then—
Far away—
A dull explosion echoed through the night.
The sound was distant.
But powerful enough to shake the air.
A second later—
Another followed.
People in the streets froze.
Voices rose.
Movement spread through the city.
Lin Feng's smile slowly disappeared.
"…Well."
The man beside him exhaled quietly.
"So much for balance."
A third explosion erupted somewhere deeper within the city.
This one closer.
Stronger.
And then—
The pressure came.
Not from one person.
From many.
Multiple powerful auras rising at once.
Colliding.
Expanding.
Conflict.
Real conflict.
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened instantly.
The excitement returned almost immediately.
"…Now this feels more familiar."
The man looked at him carefully.
"…You're smiling."
Lin Feng cracked his neck lightly.
"Yeah."
Because deep down—
This was what he understood best.
Chaos.
Cliffhanger
Then—
A figure appeared at the far end of the street.
Moving fast.
Directly toward them.
Lin Feng recognized her instantly.
Su Yao.
But this time—
She wasn't calm.
Her expression was sharp.
Urgent.
And the moment she stopped in front of them—
She spoke immediately.
"They've started."
Lin Feng's smile widened slightly.
"…Who?"
Su Yao's answer came without hesitation.
"The war."