Morning light filtered through the paper windows into Lin Feng's small cabin. He had been sitting in meditation on his rush cushion for two hours. Unlike his previous cultivation practices, his breathing was now steady and gentle, the spiritual energy within his body no longer forcefully driven but flowing naturally like a stream. This was the seventh day since he had formed a spiritual contract with Yue Lian, and also the seventh day since his cultivation method had completely transformed.
"Your progress exceeds my expectations," Yue Lian said lazily as she lay on the bed, her purple eyes gleaming with approval. "Most cultivators need several months to truly understand the natural flow of spiritual energy, yet you've managed it in just one week."
Lin Feng slowly opened his eyes, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly. "It's all because I have a strict teacher constantly correcting my mistakes."
"Strict?" Yue Lian's tail swayed gently. "I'm known for my patience. Eight hundred years ago, when I taught a human prince to cultivate, he took three full years to master the techniques you've already learned."
Lin Feng stood up, stretching his slightly stiff shoulders. "What happened to that prince afterward?"
Yue Lian's gaze suddenly became distant. "He became a great king, unified seven kingdoms, and established peace that lasted three hundred years. Humans called him Emperor Mingde."
"Emperor Mingde?" Lin Feng's eyes widened in surprise. "The legendary one? It's said he could foresee natural disasters and guide rain to nourish drought-stricken lands..."
"That wasn't foresight," Yue Lian corrected him. "It was perception. Just like what you're learning now—perceiving the flow of spiritual energy in heaven and earth, understanding its patterns of change." She jumped down from the bed and stretched gracefully. "But today is not the time to discuss history. Didn't you say there's a preliminary selection for the sect competition today?"
Lin Feng nodded, beginning to change into the formal robe of an outer disciple. "Yes, the annual sect competition. The winners can qualify to enter the inner sect. But with my current cultivation level, it would be a miracle just to pass the preliminary selection."
"A miracle?" Yue Lian let out a light snort. "You underestimate your progress. Over this past week, the quality of your spiritual energy has improved by thirty percent. Although there might not be an obvious increase in quantity, quality is far more important than quantity."
Lin Feng fastened his belt and hung his sword at his waist. "I'll do my best, but don't have too high expectations. The talented disciples of Cloud Peak Sect won't easily make way."
"I don't need you to defeat everyone," Yue Lian jumped onto the windowsill. "Just show enough potential to catch the elders' attention. The resources of the inner sect would benefit us both."
Lin Feng smiled slightly, reaching out to gently stroke Yue Lian's head. "Us? It seems you've fully accepted this spiritual contract."
Yue Lian didn't avoid his touch, a closeness unimaginable a week ago. "Don't get carried away, little cultivator. I'm just being practical."
The arena of Cloud Peak Sect was situated on a platform halfway up the main peak, surrounded by mountains and shrouded in clouds and mist. At this moment, hundreds of outer disciples had gathered there, waiting for the preliminary selection to begin.
Lin Feng stood at the edge of the crowd, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding disciples. He recognized several familiar faces: Liu Mei was conversing quietly with a few female disciples; Huang Tao stood among a group of admirers, his expression arrogant; and his senior brother Zhang Jian, who had always been quite caring towards him, was preparing alone on the side, adjusting his breathing.
"Junior Brother Lin!" Liu Mei noticed him and waved for him to come over.
Lin Feng smiled and walked towards her. "Senior Sister Liu, how are your preparations?"
"I'm quite nervous," Liu Mei admitted. "I heard that the inner sect is only accepting ten people this year, making the competition fiercer than previous years." She lowered her voice, "But I heard you've been performing excellently in combat classes lately, even Elder Wei has taken notice?"
Lin Feng modestly shook his head. "Just good luck, that's all."
"Luck?" A disdainful voice interrupted their conversation. "I'd call it opportunism." Huang Tao had somehow approached them, his eyes full of contempt. "Lin Feng, don't think you can enter the inner sect with some little tricks. True cultivators rely on strength, not flashy techniques."
Lin Feng didn't argue, just calmly looked at Huang Tao. A week ago, such provocation would have made him angry and uneasy, but now, he could clearly sense the insecurity and jealousy behind Huang Tao's words.
"Senior Brother Huang is right," Lin Feng responded calmly. "In the end, it all comes down to strength. We'll see in the preliminary selection."
Huang Tao seemed not to have expected Lin Feng to be so calm. He snorted and walked away.
"You've changed," Liu Mei looked at Lin Feng in surprise. "In the past, when Huang Tao provoked you like this, you would always get nervous or angry."
Lin Feng smiled. "Perhaps I've gained some insights from recent cultivation."
Just then, the sound of a bell rang out, announcing that the preliminary selection was about to begin. Several elders of Cloud Peak Sect appeared on the high platform of the arena, led by Elder Wei, who was in charge of the outer disciples.
"Disciples," Elder Wei's voice, enhanced by spiritual energy, spread throughout the entire arena, "Today is the day of the preliminary selection for the sect competition. The rules are as usual: you will be divided into ten groups, with the winner of each group advancing to the next round, ultimately determining twenty disciples who will participate in the formal competition a week from now."
Lin Feng noticed that Elder Wei mentioned twenty disciples, not the ten that Liu Mei had mentioned. It seemed there would be another round of selection after passing the preliminaries.
"The rules of the competition are simple: points only, no fatal injuries. Once your opponent surrenders or is knocked out of the arena, the match ends." Elder Wei looked around at everyone, "Now, please divide into groups according to the roster."
Lin Feng was assigned to the seventh group, along with twenty-nine other disciples. He scanned his opponents, didn't see Huang Tao, but noticed several senior brothers and sisters with considerable strength.
"Group Seven, prepare!" an official announced loudly.
Lin Feng took a deep breath and walked onto the competition ground. His first opponent was a female disciple who used a sword, with cultivation level equal to his, both at the third level of Qi Condensation.
"Please advise," the female disciple cupped her hands in salute, then drew her sword.
Lin Feng returned the salute and likewise drew his sword. The moment their sword tips faced each other, he sensed the flow of his opponent's spiritual energy—like a rushing river, powerful but flowing in a single direction.
The female disciple made the first move, her sword wrapped in fierce spiritual energy, thrusting directly at Lin Feng's chest. To onlookers, this thrust was incredibly swift, almost impossible to dodge.
However, in Lin Feng's perception, this stream of spiritual energy was like a mark drawn on still water, clearly visible. He no longer confronted it head-on as he would have in the past, but slightly shifted his body while simultaneously tapping his opponent's blade at a tricky angle with his sword.
"Ding!" A crisp sound of metal collision rang out. The female disciple's sword deviated from its original trajectory, while Lin Feng's sword tip had already stopped three inches from her throat.
"I concede," the female disciple said in surprise, clearly not expecting to be defeated so quickly.
Lin Feng sheathed his sword and saluted again. He noticed Elder Wei watching him thoughtfully from the sidelines, and inwardly cautioned himself—he must be careful not to appear too unusual.
In the next few matches, Lin Feng adopted a similar strategy: not actively attacking, focusing on sensing the flow of his opponent's spiritual energy, and looking for the best moment to counter precisely. This fighting style was extremely efficient in conserving spiritual energy, yet remarkably effective. By the end of the fifth match, he still maintained abundant energy, while other disciples who had won consecutive matches showed signs of fatigue.
"Final match of Group Seven: Lin Feng versus Zhang Jian!" the official announced.
Lin Feng tensed. Zhang Jian was at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, one small realm higher than him, and his swordsmanship ranked among the top among outer disciples. More importantly, Zhang Jian had always been quite caring towards him, and they had a good personal relationship.
"Junior Brother Lin," Zhang Jian walked onto the field with a smile, "I didn't expect to meet you here. It seems I need to take this seriously."
Lin Feng returned the smile but quickly considered his strategy. He knew Zhang Jian's strength well; in a direct confrontation, he had absolutely no chance of winning. But if he used his newly mastered perception ability...
"Please advise!" Both saluted simultaneously, then drew their swords and stood ready.
Zhang Jian didn't rush to attack, but slowly moved his feet, testing Lin Feng's reactions. Lin Feng remained vigilant, fully concentrating on sensing the flow of his opponent's spiritual energy.
Suddenly, Zhang Jian moved! His form was like lightning, his sword like rain, instantly thrusting three times. This was the basic sword technique of Cloud Peak Sect, "Three Styles of Cloud Peak," but performed by Zhang Jian, the speed was more than doubled.
Lin Feng remained calm, his body swaying slightly, avoiding the first two thrusts perfectly while sensing the spiritual energy fluctuations in the third thrust. Just as Zhang Jian's third thrust was about to hit, Lin Feng's sword lightly flicked up, not a hard block, but cleverly guiding the opponent's spiritual energy to the side.
Zhang Jian's offensive was neutralized, but he wasn't surprised; instead, he showed an approving smile. "Not bad, Junior Brother Lin. Your swordsmanship has gained new insights."
The following exchange was even more intense. Zhang Jian's attacks came like surging tides, while Lin Feng was like a small boat, always finding a safe passage at the most dangerous moment. The watching disciples began to discuss among themselves, clearly not expecting Lin Feng, with his lower cultivation level, to fight Zhang Jian so evenly.
However, the difference in realms was an objective reality. As the battle extended, Lin Feng's spiritual energy consumption grew larger and larger, while Zhang Jian still seemed at ease.
"Junior Brother Lin," Zhang Jian said softly after one exchange, "you've already performed excellently. This match doesn't mean much to you, why not concede now and conserve your strength?"
Lin Feng knew Zhang Jian meant well. In his current state, it was indeed difficult to defeat his opponent. But just as he was considering whether to accept the suggestion, he felt an unusual flow of spiritual energy within his body—that was a bit of support from Yue Lian, transmitted to him through their spiritual contract.
"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother," Lin Feng smiled, "but I want to see how far I can go."
Zhang Jian nodded, a flash of appreciation in his eyes. "Then come on!"
He suddenly increased his spiritual energy output, the spiritual light wrapped around his sword blade becoming more dazzling. If this sword hit, even if it was just a touch, it would be enough to make Lin Feng lose his fighting ability.
Lin Feng took a deep breath, no longer suppressing that strange yet familiar power within him. He felt his perception become unprecedentedly acute, as if he could see clearly every strand of spiritual energy flowing in the air. Zhang Jian's attack appeared slow and clear in his eyes, like a static image.
Just as Zhang Jian's sword was about to touch his chest, Lin Feng made a move that no one present had anticipated—he didn't block, didn't dodge, but slightly shifted his body while simultaneously tapping Zhang Jian's wrist with his sword at an incredible angle.
This tap seemed gentle, yet precisely hit a spiritual energy node on Zhang Jian's wrist. Zhang Jian's sword momentum instantly collapsed, his sword flying out of his hand, drawing an arc in the air before finally embedding itself at the edge of the field.
The entire arena fell silent.
Zhang Jian stood stunned, looking at his empty palm in disbelief. Then, his expression changed from shock to joy. "Junior Brother Lin wins!"
The watching disciples erupted in applause and discussion. Lin Feng stood somewhat dazed; he himself hadn't expected to win so cleanly and decisively.
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Lin," Zhang Jian walked forward and sincerely said, "your progress is surprising. It seems I, as your senior brother, need to work harder."
Lin Feng came to his senses and hurriedly returned the salute. "Thank you for your generosity, Senior Brother. It's your daily guidance that has allowed me to make progress."
They smiled at each other, but both understood that today's match had changed the relationship between them. It was no longer simply the friendship between senior and junior disciples, but had added a mutual respect between fellow practitioners of the Way.
"Winner of Group Seven: Lin Feng!" the official announced loudly, drawing another round of applause.
Lin Feng walked off the field, feeling countless gazes focused on him. Some were surprised, some appreciative, and some envious. Among them, Huang Tao's gaze was particularly gloomy. As the winner of Group Three, he clearly hadn't expected Lin Feng to reach this stage as well.
"Junior Brother Lin," Liu Mei excitedly ran over, "that was brilliant! How did you do it? That sword move left me stunned!"
Lin Feng smiled modestly. "Just good luck. Senior Brother Zhang might have held back."
"Held back?" Liu Mei shook her head, "I think Senior Brother Zhang really gave it his all. Do you know, even Elder Wei stood up!"
Lin Feng was startled and looked up at the platform. Indeed, Elder Wei was looking at him thoughtfully, his eyes flashing with an inscrutable light.
Just then, an inner disciple approached Lin Feng. "Junior Brother Lin, Elder Wei requests your presence."
Lin Feng nodded, bid farewell to Liu Mei, and followed the inner disciple to a quiet room at the side of the platform. Elder Wei was already waiting there.
"Lin Feng," Elder Wei got straight to the point, "you've changed a lot recently."
Lin Feng respectfully saluted. "Disciple has just been diligently cultivating, with some small insights."
"Small insights?" Elder Wei chuckled, "Defeating a disciple of the fourth level of Qi Condensation from the third level, and in such an exquisite manner, this can't be explained by 'small insights.'"
Lin Feng remained silent, waiting for the elder to continue.
Elder Wei scrutinized him, his gaze piercing. "Your sword technique has changed, no longer following Cloud Peak Sect's path. It's more like... the methods of the Perception School."
Lin Feng tensed inwardly. The Perception School was a niche faction in the cultivation world, known for excelling in perceiving the flow of spiritual energy, which indeed had similarities to what Yue Lian had taught him.
"Disciple is just trying different ways of understanding," Lin Feng carefully answered. "Cloud Peak Sect's sword techniques are profound and extensive. Due to my limited talent, I can only seek alternative paths."
Elder Wei was silent for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject. "Do you know why I accepted you as a disciple?"
Lin Feng was taken aback. Five years ago, it was Elder Wei who discovered him in the market at the foot of the mountain and brought him into the sect. At that time, he was just an ordinary farmer's son, knowing nothing about cultivation.
"Disciple does not know."
"Because of your spiritual root." Elder Wei slowly said, "You have a rare spiritual root—the Perception Root. This type of spiritual root has no advantage in the early stages of cultivation and might even be mistaken for an inferior root. But once the right cultivation method is found, progress can be much faster than ordinary people."
Lin Feng looked at Elder Wei in shock. He had never heard that he had any special spiritual root.
"But, Master, you never mentioned this before."
Elder Wei sighed. "Cloud Peak Sect primarily focuses on sword cultivation, emphasizing the condensation and explosion of spiritual energy. The Perception Root is difficult to utilize its advantages under this cultivation system. I had planned to tell you after you established your foundation, letting you choose whether to switch to other cultivation methods."
He looked at Lin Feng meaningfully. "But now it seems you've already found a path suitable for yourself."
Lin Feng didn't know how to respond. He couldn't tell Elder Wei about Yue Lian, but he also didn't want to lie to his benefactor.
"Disciple has indeed had some insights recently," he said cautiously, "about the flow and perception of spiritual energy."
Elder Wei nodded, seeming to accept this explanation. "No matter how you came to understand it, this is a good thing. Cultivators with the Perception Root, if they can find the right path, have limitless future achievements."
He stood up and patted Lin Feng's shoulder. "You've already passed the preliminary selection. For the formal competition a week from now, I look forward to your performance. If you can enter the top ten, you'll qualify to advance to the inner sect."
Lin Feng respectfully saluted. "Disciple will certainly do his utmost."
Walking out of the quiet room, Lin Feng let out a long breath. This conversation was both unexpected and reasonable. He now understood why Yue Lian had chosen him—not only because of his attitude towards cultivation but also because he was naturally suited for the cultivation method she taught.
Returning to his quarters, Yue Lian had been waiting for some time. "How did it go?" she asked eagerly.
Lin Feng told her about the competition and his conversation with Elder Wei. After listening, Yue Lian's purple eyes sparkled with excitement.
"The Perception Root!" she said softly, "No wonder you learn so quickly. This type of spiritual root is extremely rare among humans, but quite common in our Nine-Tailed clan."
"Is this a coincidence?" Lin Feng asked.
Yue Lian shook her head, her tail swaying gently. "There are no true coincidences in the world, only causes and effects we have yet to understand. Perhaps it was the resonance of this spiritual root that allowed me to sense your presence in the bamboo forest."
Lin Feng pondered. "Elder Wei said that cultivators with the Perception Root, if they find the right path, have limitless future achievements."
"He's right," Yue Lian agreed. "The greatest advantage of the Perception Root lies in its adaptability and growth potential. The spiritual energy of ordinary cultivators is like a fixed river, while cultivators with the Perception Root are like sources that can continuously open new river channels. As long as the method is correct, the potential is almost infinite."
She jumped onto Lin Feng's shoulder and whispered, "The competition a week from now will be your real opportunity to showcase yourself. However, we need to be more cautious. Your performance today has already attracted attention; from now on, we should appropriately restrain ourselves and not expose our full strength too early."
Lin Feng nodded in understanding. He knew that today was just a beginning. The real challenges still awaited him ahead.
Meanwhile, in a secret chamber somewhere in Cloud Peak Sect, an elder dressed in red robes was gazing at a water mirror, which displayed the scene of Lin Feng's match with Zhang Jian.
"Interesting," the red-robed elder murmured, "this way of using spiritual energy... it's very similar to that fox spirit's methods."
He waved his hand to dispel the water mirror, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "It seems our little fox didn't die in Red Fang Sect's prison. How... interesting."