Chapter Seventy-Five: Becoming a Disciple

“Wuzhui, help me remember—don’t forget anything, this house is to be returned. I can’t help feeling a bit reluctant,” Lin Feng said as he bundled up his clothes and valuables, placing them on the table. Wuzhui watched from the side, holding a large chunk of braised beef, eating with gusto.

The large items like the Plum Blossom Spear and the Demon Flood Dragon Bow were easy enough to handle, but things like the Jadeite Iron Ore, the “Sandalwood Sutra,” and the Ice-Fire Talismans needed careful sorting. The room was cramped, so Lin Feng took off his outer robe, laying out his close-held treasures—Stone Tiger, Green Jade Slip, Golden Leaf—on the small table.

“Right, there’s also that useless thing—I wonder if it’ll be of any use. Might as well take it.” Lin Feng remembered the trashy ice stone he’d picked out from the Xuan Cang Pavilion, which had been tucked beneath his pillow. He reached under, pulled it out, and tossed it onto the table.

Clink! The ice stone struck the Stone Tiger, emitting a clear, ringing sound. Buzz! Both items vibrated with a bee-like hum, lingering without fading, as if resonating with each other.

“Huh? What’s this?” Lin Feng and Wuzhui noticed the anomaly at the same time.

“Could there be a hidden treasure inside?” Delighted, Lin Feng clasped both items in his hands, intending to examine them further, but—boom! His mind was struck as if by a hammer. Scenes flashed before his eyes, the images transformed abruptly, lightning-like, one after another searing deep into his consciousness: blood-soaked battlefields, colossal monsters, thousands of flying swords in fierce combat… Everywhere was destruction and terror. The explosive energy overwhelmed him; Lin Feng cried out in agony, lost all awareness, and collapsed to the floor.

The terrifying mental assault was far more lethal than any physical attack!

“Big Brother!” Wuzhui hurriedly propped him up, seeing Lin Feng’s face drenched in cold sweat, his brow twitching uncontrollably.

“Don’t touch that stone. Just lay him on the bed,” Li Chi’s voice suddenly sounded, a note of barely restrained excitement in his tone.

Dubious but obedient, Wuzhui placed Lin Feng on the bed. Within the time it takes half a stick of incense to burn, Lin Feng awoke.

“Big Brother, are you alright? What happened just now?” Wuzhui offered him a bowl of water.

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Lin Feng tried to recall the experience, but could not grasp a single clear image. He only knew it was an unimaginably fierce battle—one, or countless ones—yet who fought whom, he could not tell.

“Until your cultivation is higher, I suggest you don’t keep those two items together,” Li Chi suddenly advised.

“You know the origin of the ice stone?” Lin Feng’s face lit up, grabbing him anxiously for answers.

“Of course. Who gave you that Stone Tiger?” Li Chi retorted.

Lin Feng’s gaze flickered, remembering Uncle Liang’s instructions. After a pause, he said, “I can’t say.”

Li Chi chuckled, “Keeping secrets for others? Then keep on guarding it. I don’t care.”

Lin Feng was embarrassed to press further. He jumped off the bed, holding the Stone Tiger, inspecting it closely, thinking, “Uncle Liang would never harm me. What secret are this Stone Tiger and ice stone trying to reveal?”

“Big Brother, what’s wrong?” Wuzhui noticed Lin Feng’s troubled expression and asked cautiously.

“I’m wondering what secret these two items hide. The ice stone was originally from the Xuan Cang Pavilion, but none of the elders noticed its value. Strange, isn’t it…”

“Oh…” After a long inspection, neither could find anything unusual, so they gave up. Lin Feng wrapped the ice stone in his Silver Crystal Gloves, placed the Stone Tiger in the other glove, and finally felt at ease.

The next morning, Du Song Song came early to bid them farewell, only to find the place empty. Hanging on the door was a note: “Little Songzi, cultivate well. We’ll come visit when we can. Please take care of Chi Feng for me.”

“They’re gone… all gone…” Du Song Song, holding a bag of food, gazed toward the distant mountains, his face tinged with melancholy.

In the midst of Mount Qi Yun, a peak soared straight into the heavens like a flagpole—the towering Tianzhu Peak, ruled by Yan Dongjue.

At dawn, a few figures stood quietly in the grand hall of Tianzhu Peak. Yan Dongjue sat in the chief seat, his gaze occasionally sweeping toward the door. The other seven wore varied expressions, all maintaining a silence.

Soft footsteps sounded; everyone turned toward the entrance.

“Ahem! Ahem!” Yan Dongjue deliberately coughed, prompting the disciples to quickly turn their heads away.

Dressed in blue, Fang Xiaotian led the way, followed by Lin Feng and Wuzhui, who looked around curiously. The Hongyu Hall, built of bluish stone and white tiles, supported by wooden columns painted in red lacquer, was simple yet dignified.

Fang Xiaotian entered first, bowed, and reported, “Master, Junior Lin Feng has arrived.”

Yan Dongjue nodded, “Very well. Let’s begin.”

Xiaotian turned, signaling Lin Feng with a nod. On the way, he had explained the initiation process in detail.

Before Lin Feng could properly observe his senior brothers, he stepped forward, knelt respectfully, and knocked his head three times on the floor. Raising his head at last, he called out loudly, “Disciple Lin Feng, pays respects to Master.”

“Rise,” Yan Dongjue said impassively, waving his hand.

A young man in brocade with heavy brows and large eyes stepped forward, holding a teacup in both hands. “Junior Brother, offer tea to Master.”

“Yes, Senior Brother.” Lin Feng took the cup, walked to Yan Dongjue’s seat, bowed his head, and respectfully said, “Master, please enjoy your tea.”

Yan Dongjue glanced at him, lifted the cup, then suddenly asked, “Do you still bear a grudge over what happened that day?”

“N-no. I would never dare bear a grudge against Master,” Lin Feng replied, startled and caught off guard, his words stumbling out.

“Hmph, so you’re still not convinced?” Yan Dongjue snorted coldly. “Remember—once you join my sect, not a single trace of defiance is permitted. Even if you’re not convinced, you must swallow it. Understood?”

Lin Feng lowered his head, murmuring softly.

Yan Dongjue was finally somewhat satisfied. He drank the apprentice’s tea and waved a hand, “Xiaotian, Lin Feng will stay with you for now. Arrange his lodging and meals. His cultivation is shallow—teach him the sect’s rules, laws, and entry techniques in detail.”

“Yes, Master.” Fang Xiaotian answered, beckoning Lin Feng, “Junior Brother, let’s introduce you to the senior brothers.”

Lin Feng hurried over. Seven stood below; the brocade-clad man was Senior Brother Cang Bailang, whom Fang Xiaotian had mentioned. Next in line were Qian Cai, Su Shenwu, Zhou Kuigang, Wei Zhi, Zhao Liu, and Song Qing.

Qian Cai, hair tied in a Daoist knot, stroked his beard and grinned, “Junior Brother, we meet again.”

Lin Feng smiled, “Greetings, Second Brother.”

“Good, good.” Qian Cai glanced at Zhou Kuigang, whose face was icy, his eyes narrowed to slits.

“Junior Brother, this is Senior Brother Zhou Kuigang.” At this introduction, Wuzhui, who’d been standing by the door, suddenly let out a wild roar and lunged at Zhou Kuigang, his eyes red as blood.

“Stop him!” Yan Dongjue shouted urgently.

Zhao Liu and Song Qing, standing at the end of the line, acted swiftly. Blue and white rays fell, trapping Wuzhui securely.

“Roar—” Wuzhui, his face contorted, howled toward the ceiling, pounding out punches that sent dust flying.

“Beast! How dare you rampage in the main hall!” Yan Dongjue’s face was thunderous. A long sword appeared in his hand, its clear light chilling, murderous intent surging.

“Master, please spare him! Last year, Senior Brother Zhou killed Wuzhui’s kin. This is why his nature is revealed. Senior Brother Qian Cai can vouch for this,” Lin Feng cried, darting to kneel before Yan Dongjue in anguish.

The azure sword in Yan Dongjue’s palm shrank and vanished. His anger, however, did not subside. He barked, “Such a fiend—if not under my control, he’d cause catastrophe! From today, he’ll be confined to the Rainbow Cave. Without my explicit order, no one is to approach!”