Chapter 4 - The Enigmatic Mentor

Lin Feng tossed and turned in his bed, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and questions. The encounter with the cult member and the mysterious shadowy figure in the abandoned building had left him shaken, but also more determined than ever to uncover the secrets of the jade pendant and prevent the cult from achieving their sinister goals. As dawn broke, sunlight filtered through the cracks in his curtains, casting a pale glow over the room. Lin Feng rose from his bed, his resolve firm. He knew he needed to find a way to contact the woman whose voice had saved him in the hidden library. But how? He decided to return to the hidden library, despite the obvious danger. Perhaps there were more clues there that he had missed, or a way to communicate with the mysterious voice. As he made his way back to the overgrown area of the campus, he kept a vigilant eye out for any signs of the cult members. When he reached the small, rusted door, he pushed it open cautiously. The long, dark corridor was just as he remembered it, the strange symbols on the walls glowing faintly. He made his way down the corridor, his heart pounding in his chest. As he entered the circular room, he called out, "Hello? Is anyone there? I need your help." For a moment, there was silence. Then, the soft, melodious voice echoed through the room. "You are a brave one, Lin Feng, to return here. But you are also in great danger. The cult members will be watching this place closely." Lin Feng replied, "I know, but I don't know where else to turn. I need to find the other two artifacts, and I don't have any clues. Can you help me?" The voice was silent for a while. Then it said, "I can offer you some guidance, but it will not be easy. The other artifacts are hidden in places protected by powerful magic. You will need to learn how to use the power of the jade pendant to overcome these obstacles." Lin Feng was eager to learn. "Please, teach me. I'll do whatever it takes." The voice began to explain. "The jade pendant has the power to sense the presence of other related artifacts. But you must first attune yourself to its energy. Sit cross - legged on the floor and hold the pendant in your hands. Close your eyes and focus your mind. Let your thoughts flow freely, but keep your attention centered on the pendant." Lin Feng followed the instructions. As he sat there, he could feel a faint warmth spreading from the pendant through his hands. He focused on the feeling, trying to let go of his other thoughts. After what seemed like hours, he began to sense a faint pull, as if the pendant was trying to lead him in a certain direction. He opened his eyes, excited. "I think I feel something! But what does it mean?" The voice replied, "It means you are on the right track. The pendant is guiding you towards one of the artifacts. But beware, there will be traps and guardians along the way. You must be prepared." Lin Feng stood up, ready to set off. But before he could leave, the voice said, "There is one more thing. You need a mentor, someone who can teach you the ways of cultivation in the real world. There is an old hermit who lives in the mountains on the outskirts of the city. His name is Master Wu. He is a powerful cultivator who has chosen to live in seclusion. Seek him out. He may be able to help you." Lin Feng thanked the voice and made his way out of the hidden library. He knew that the journey ahead would be long and dangerous, but he was filled with new hope. He decided to first find Master Wu before following the pendant's lead. He packed a small bag with some essentials and set off for the mountains. The journey was long and arduous. The mountain paths were narrow and winding, and the terrain was rugged. As he climbed higher, he began to feel a strange energy in the air, a sense of peace and power. After hours of hiking, he came across a small, humble cottage nestled among the trees. Smoke was rising from the chimney, indicating that someone was home. Lin Feng approached the cottage cautiously and knocked on the door. After a moment, the door opened, and an old man with a long, white beard and a kind face appeared. "Who are you, young man, and what brings you to this remote place?" the old man asked. Lin Feng introduced himself and explained his situation, from the jade pendant to the cult's pursuit and his need for a mentor. Master Wu listened intently, his eyes showing a glimmer of interest. When Lin Feng finished, Master Wu said, "I have heard rumors of the cult and their search for powerful artifacts. It is a dangerous business you've gotten yourself into, young lad. But I see a spark of determination in you. I will teach you, but you must be willing to work hard and follow my teachings." Lin Feng nodded eagerly. "I will, Master Wu. Thank you so much." Over the next few days, Master Wu began to teach Lin Feng the basics of cultivation. He taught him how to control his inner energy, how to sense the spiritual energy around him, and how to use it for various purposes. Lin Feng was a quick learner, but the training was grueling. One day, as Lin Feng was practicing his energy control, he felt a sudden, intense pain in his chest. He gasped and fell to the ground. Master Wu rushed to his side. "What happened, Lin Feng?" Lin Feng struggled to speak. "I... I don't know. It just came out of nowhere." Master Wu examined him closely. "It seems that the power of the jade pendant is reacting to something. You must be getting closer to one of the artifacts. But this is also a sign that the cult may be nearby. They may be able to sense the same energy fluctuations." Lin Feng knew that time was running out. He had to master his new - found skills quickly and find the artifact before the cult did. But as he resumed his training, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Master Wu was a kind and knowledgeable teacher, but there were times when he caught the old man looking at him with a strange, almost calculating expression. Was there more to Master Wu than met the eye? As the days passed, Lin Feng's skills improved. He could now sense the spiritual energy around him more clearly and even use it to perform simple feats. But the closer he got to mastering these abilities, the more he wondered about Master Wu's true motives. And with the cult closing in, he knew that he couldn't afford to make any mistakes. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of training, Lin Feng felt ready. The pendant was pulling him strongly in a particular direction, and he knew it was time to follow its lead. But as he prepared to leave, Master Wu handed him a small, carved wooden box. "This is a gift for you, Lin Feng. It may come in handy on your journey." Lin Feng thanked him and took the box. But as he walked away from the cottage, he couldn't help but wonder what was inside the box and why Master Wu had given it to him. And what secrets was the old hermit hiding? As he descended the mountain, following the pendant's pull, he knew that he was walking into a world of unknown dangers. The cult was out there, waiting for their chance to steal the artifact. And he still had so many questions about Master Wu and the mysterious voice in the hidden library. What new perils and revelations awaited him as he got closer to the first of the other artifacts? And could he trust those who were supposed to be helping him?