Ling Fei did not act like a guest.
From the moment she stepped into the Ji Xia Sect grounds, the very atmosphere shifted. Disciples who had been training moments ago slowed their movements, their gazes unconsciously drawn toward her presence. It wasn't just her beauty—though that alone was enough to steal attention—it was the calm authority she carried, as if she belonged wherever she chose to stand.
Li Fei was the first to approach, his pink flames flickering faintly around his hands.
"Master… who is she?"
Yan Fu stood with his staff resting lightly against his shoulder, watching Ling Fei as she walked along the training grounds, her golden eyes scanning everything with quiet judgment.
"She's… someone powerful," he replied.
Li Fei frowned slightly. "Stronger than me?"
Yan Fu glanced at him.
"Yes."
The answer came without hesitation.
Li Fei clicked his tongue but said nothing more. Instead, he looked toward Ling Fei again, a competitive spark igniting within him.
Zhao Tian approached next, his expression calm as always.
"She's dangerous."
Yan Fu nodded slightly.
"I know."
Zhao Tian's gaze lingered on Ling Fei for a moment longer before shifting back to Yan Fu.
"But… she didn't come as an enemy."
"No."
Yan Fu's eyes narrowed faintly.
"That's what makes her more dangerous."
In the distance, Ling Fei finally stopped.
She stood at the edge of the sect grounds, where the newly formed celestial barrier shimmered faintly in the air. Raising her hand, she gently touched it.
A ripple spread outward.
The barrier reacted instantly—golden light flaring as defensive formations activated.
For a brief moment—
The entire sect felt it.
Pressure.
Not overwhelming…
But testing.
Ling Fei lowered her hand slowly.
"…Not bad."
Her voice was soft, but it carried clearly.
Yan Fu stepped forward.
"It's still incomplete."
She turned her head slightly, glancing at him.
"Even so… it's enough to stop most."
A pause.
Then she added—
"But not me."
Yan Fu smirked faintly.
"I wasn't planning on stopping you."
A flicker of amusement crossed her eyes.
"Good."
Behind them, Vorath lay lazily near the courtyard, but his eyes remained half-open, observing everything.
"She's bold," he muttered.
Tianlong descended from the sky, landing nearby with a faint crackle of lightning.
"Bold… or confident."
Aetherion remained silent, though its presence subtly spread across the sect, calming the tension among the disciples.
The Eclipse Sovereign stood at a distance, unmoving, its gaze fixed on Ling Fei as if trying to understand something deeper.
Ling Fei stepped away from the barrier and walked back toward the center of the sect.
Her movements were slow, deliberate.
Every step carried weight.
When she stopped again, it was directly in front of Li Fei.
The young disciple stiffened slightly but didn't back down.
Ling Fei looked at him, her golden eyes piercing.
"You're talented."
Li Fei blinked, surprised.
"…Of course I am."
She tilted her head slightly.
"But undisciplined."
His expression stiffened.
"What did you say?"
Before he could react further—
She moved.
A single step.
A single motion.
Her hand flicked lightly toward him.
Li Fei's eyes widened as an invisible force struck his chest.
Not enough to injure—
But enough to send him sliding back several meters.
His flames flickered uncontrollably before stabilizing.
"You rely too much on raw power," Ling Fei said calmly.
"Control it."
Li Fei gritted his teeth.
"I wasn't even trying—"
"You were."
Her words cut him off instantly.
Silence followed.
For a moment, it looked like Li Fei would argue again.
But instead—
He lowered his gaze slightly.
"…Teach me."
Yan Fu raised an eyebrow.
Ling Fei paused.
Then—
A faint smile appeared.
"Maybe."
She turned away from him, as if the matter no longer interested her.
But the effect remained.
Li Fei clenched his fists, determination burning stronger than before.
Zhao Tian watched the entire exchange silently.
"…She understands people quickly," he murmured.
Yan Fu nodded.
"She sees through them."
As the sun began to set, a golden hue spread across the sect.
The disciples returned to their training, but with renewed focus.
Ling Fei stood alone near the edge of the courtyard, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
Yan Fu walked up beside her.
"You're thinking about something."
She didn't look at him.
"There are movements in the outer regions."
His expression shifted slightly.
"Enemies?"
"Not yet."
She paused.
"But they will be."
Her golden eyes narrowed faintly.
"You've drawn too much attention."
Yan Fu chuckled softly.
"I was planning to anyway."
She glanced at him.
"For someone rebuilding a sect… you're not very cautious."
"And for someone traveling alone…"
He met her gaze.
"You're not very concerned."
A brief silence.
Then—
She looked away again.
"…I don't run from things."
Yan Fu smiled faintly.
"Good."
Because neither did he.
The air grew cooler as night fell.
Stars began to appear in the sky above, their faint light reflecting off the celestial barrier surrounding the sect.
For a moment—
Everything felt calm.
But deep beneath that calm—
Something was moving.
Far beyond the Forest of Yin and Yang.
Within a distant mountain range—
A group of cultivators stood gathered.
Their robes burned with crimson energy.
At their center stood a young man, his aura sharp and oppressive.
"The Ji Xia Sect…"
His voice was low, cold.
"…so it really has risen."
An elder beside him bowed slightly.
"Yes, Young Master."
The man's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Good."
His eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"Then it's worth destroying."
The wind howled across the mountains.
And far away—
Within the Ji Xia Sect—
Yan Fu suddenly looked toward the horizon.
"…It's starting."
Ling Fei stood beside him, her golden eyes glowing faintly in the night.
"I know."
This time—
Neither of them smiled.
Because both understood—
The next storm would not be a test.
It would be war.