The moon hung like a polished jade disc in the night sky, casting silver light across the ancient trees of the Verdant Forest. Inside the cave, the walls glowed with an ethereal luminescence, the intricate carvings depicting the Void Emperor's journey from mortal to immortal seeming to come alive under the spiritual radiance. Lin Feng's crimson eyes—now permanently altered by the dragon blood essence—glowed faintly in the dimness, reflecting the profound transformation that had reshaped his very essence.
Xia Qingyue stood frozen in his embrace, her cyan hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall of moonlight. Her sapphire eyes, wide with shock and confusion, searched his face as if seeking answers to questions she hadn't yet formed. The spiritual energy of the cave swirled around them, responding to the powerful cultivation base that now resided within Lin Feng's body.
She is trembling, Lin Feng observed inwardly. Not just from fear, but from something deeper—a recognition of the profound change that has occurred in me. Even without understanding cultivation realms, she can sense the power that now flows through my veins.
The Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus rotated steadily in his consciousness, absorbing the ambient luck that flowed between them. He could see it now—vivid threads of golden fortune that had once connected Xia Qingyue to Long Tian's destiny were slowly unraveling, their energy being drawn toward him instead. Each thread that broke strengthened his cultivation base by a fraction, expanding his meridians and deepening his comprehension of the Dao.
"Who...who are you truly?" Xia Qingyue whispered, her voice trembling despite her attempt at composure. "You're not the same person who intercepted that jade slip. You're not the same rootless orphan who graduated alongside us."
Lin Feng smiled, his expression softening as he cupped her face in his hands. The dragon bloodline coursed through his veins, enhancing not just his physical strength but his emotional perception. He could feel her confusion, her fear, but beneath it all, a growing curiosity—perhaps even longing.
"I am still Lin Feng," he said softly, his voice resonating with the power of the Void Emperor's inheritance. "But I have walked further along the cultivation path than most ever will. I have inherited wisdom that spans countless lifetimes, power that defies mortal comprehension, and a destiny that I forge with my own hands rather than receiving from the Heavenly Dao."
He leaned closer, their foreheads touching as spiritual energy flowed between them. "I see you, Xia Qingyue. Not as Long Tian's betrothed, not as the daughter of a powerful clan, but as you truly are—a cultivator with fire in her soul and strength in her spirit. I see your determination, your loyalty, your capacity for love. And I value all of it."
Xia Qingyue's breath hitched as tears welled in her eyes. No one had ever spoken to her this way—not her parents, not Long Tian, not anyone. Her entire life had been defined by others' expectations, by her betrothal to Long Tian, by her position as the "lesser sister" in her clan's hierarchy. Yet here stood Lin Feng, seeing beyond all that, seeing the woman she was rather than the role she was forced to play.
"I...I don't understand," she whispered. "Why would you care about me? I have nothing to offer you. I am not from a powerful family. I have no special cultivation talent. I am just...me."
Lin Feng's smile deepened. "In this world of cultivation, true power comes not from family connections or innate talent, but from the strength of one's will and the clarity of one's heart. You have both, Xia Qingyue. You have faced your spider phobia and overcome it. You have followed your heart even when it led you into danger. You have questioned the bonds that others take for granted. These are the marks of a true cultivator."
He gently wiped away her tears with his thumb, the simple gesture carrying profound meaning in the cultivation world. To touch another cultivator so intimately was to acknowledge their spiritual essence, to recognize their worth beyond mere physical form.
"I want to help you see yourself as I see you," Lin Feng continued. "I want to help you discover your own path, forge your own destiny, rather than walking one laid out for you by others. Together, we can uncover the truth about Long Tian and the world that created him. Together, we can reach heights neither of us could achieve alone."
Xia Qingyue looked down at her hands, then back at Lin Feng. "What about our original plan? What about exposing Long Tian's true nature?"
Lin Feng's expression grew serious. "That can wait. First, you must strengthen yourself. Only when you are strong enough to stand on your own can you make choices that are truly yours. Remember what I told you before about being a good cultivator? The same principle applies here. To be strong for others, you must first be strong for yourself."
He activated one of his recording orbs, the crystal sphere glowing softly as it began to capture their conversation. "I want to document our journey together. Not just for proof, but as a reminder of how far you've come. One day, when you look back at this moment, you will see how much you have grown."
Xia Qingyue watched the orb with curiosity. "Why do you record everything?"
"In the cultivation world, evidence is power," Lin Feng explained. "But more importantly, memories shape who we are. I want to help you build new memories—memories of strength, independence, and self-discovery. These will be the foundation stones of your new path."
He deactivated the orb and tucked it away. "But enough talk. Let's begin your training. The first lesson is simple: trust yourself. Your instincts brought you here, following me into the forest despite the dangers. Trust that they know what you truly need."
Xia Qingyue nodded slowly, a new determination dawning in her eyes. "Show me."
The night deepened as Lin Feng and Xia Qingyue sat beneath the stars, the spiritual energy of the Verdant Forest flowing around them like an invisible river. Lin Feng had built a small campfire, its flames dancing in time with the rhythmic pulse of the forest. The fire's light reflected in Xia Qingyue's eyes, illuminating the uncertainty and hope warring within her.
"Tell me about your cultivation journey," Lin Feng said, offering her a cup of tea infused with spirit herbs. "Your memories, your struggles, your dreams."
Xia Qingyue accepted the cup, her hands trembling slightly. "Why should I tell an outsider like you these things?"
Lin Feng chuckled. "We're hardly outsiders anymore. You followed me into this forest, risked everything to confront me. And I've shown you my greatest secret—the Void Emperor's inheritance. I think we've moved beyond the boundaries of 'outsider' and 'insider.'"
Xia Qingyue looked away, her eyes reflecting the firelight. "My parents...they never truly understood my cultivation potential. My younger sister received all the attention, all the resources for cultivation. I had to fight for every scrap of recognition. When I met Long Tian as children, he was the first person who saw potential in my fire attribute cultivation."
Her voice grew softer, more vulnerable. "He protected me from bullies, shared his cultivation insights with me, made me feel valued for my strength rather than just my connections. I know what you said about obsession. But how can I not cling to the only person who ever made me feel valued for my cultivation talents?"
Lin Feng placed a hand over hers, the warmth of his touch contrasting with the cool night air. "Because you deserve more than to be someone's second choice. Because you are stronger than you realize. Because the person who truly values your cultivation talents is sitting right here."
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I see you, Xia Qingyue. Not as Long Tian's betrothed, not as the daughter of an important clan, but as you truly are—a talented cultivator with fire in her soul and strength in her spirit. I see your determination, your loyalty, your capacity for growth. And I value all of it."
Xia Qingyue's breath caught in her throat. The tears she had been holding back finally spilled over, tracing paths down her cheeks. "No one has ever spoken to me this way. No one has ever seen me for my cultivation potential rather than my family connections."
Lin Feng reached out and wiped them away, his thumb brushing gently against her skin. "Don't cry. These tears are for the past. The future is yours to write with your own cultivation path."
He stood and extended his hand to her. "Come. I want to show you something that will change how you see yourself forever."
Xia Qingyue hesitated for only a moment before taking his hand. Together, they walked to a small clearing where a spirit spring bubbled up from the earth, its waters glowing with pure spiritual energy.
"This is a Moonlight Spring," Lin Feng explained. "Its waters have special properties—they reflect not your physical form, but your spiritual essence. Look into it, and you will see your true cultivation potential."
Xia Qingyue knelt by the spring, her reflection shimmering in the glowing water. At first, she saw only her physical form—her cyan hair, her delicate features, her cultivation robes. But as she gazed deeper, the water began to shift, revealing her spiritual essence.
Her reflection transformed, showing a figure wreathed in flames—not the golden aura of heavenly luck that surrounded Long Tian, but a deep blue flame that pulsed with inner strength. This was her true potential, her authentic self—the cultivator she could become if freed from the chains of others' expectations.
Lin Feng knelt beside her. "Do you see? This is who you truly are. Not Long Tian's betrothed, not your clan's second choice, but Xia Qingyue—the cultivator who commands the flames of heaven and earth. Your fire attribute is not mediocre—it is profound. With proper guidance, you could master the Blue Phoenix Flame Technique, one of the most powerful fire cultivation methods known to our world."
Xia Qingyue reached out, her fingers brushing the surface of the water. The reflection shifted again, showing her standing tall and confident beside Lin Feng, their auras intertwined like two dragons ascending to the heavens.
"I...I never knew," she whispered. "I never saw myself this way."
Lin Feng placed a hand on her shoulder. "That's because you've been looking through others' eyes. Today, you begin to see through your own. The path of cultivation is not about following others' expectations—it's about discovering your own truth and forging your own destiny."
He helped her stand. "The path ahead won't be easy. There will be challenges, setbacks, moments of doubt. But you won't face them alone. I will be with you, every step of the way, guiding you toward your true potential."
Xia Qingyue turned to face him, her eyes blazing with newfound determination. "Teach me. Show me the true path of cultivation. Help me become the person I saw in the spring."
Lin Feng's smile widened. "The first step is trust. Trust yourself, trust me, trust the path we walk together. Only then can you truly begin to grow."
As they returned to the campfire, Lin Feng activated another recording orb. "This moment is important. It marks the beginning of your transformation from a follower to a true cultivator. One day, when you look back, you will see how far you've come."
Xia Qingyue watched the orb with wonder. "In all my years of cultivation training, no one ever recorded my progress. They only cared about results, not the journey."
Lin Feng's eyes glowed faintly with dragon energy. "The journey is everything, Xia Qingyue. The destination is merely a point on the path. True cultivation is about the constant process of refinement, of becoming more each day than you were the day before."
He reached into his storage ring and withdrew a small jade tablet. "This contains the fundamentals of spiritual perception. It's the first step in understanding not just the external world, but your internal cultivation realm. Study it tonight. Tomorrow, we will begin practical training."
Xia Qingyue accepted the tablet with reverence, her fingers trembling slightly. "Thank you, Lin Feng. No one has ever given me cultivation resources like this before."
Lin Feng waved off her gratitude. "This is not charity. This is an investment in a fellow cultivator. In the cultivation world, we must support each other. Only through mutual growth can we reach the highest realms of power."
He prepared a simple meal of spirit-infused rice and vegetables, the food radiating with gentle spiritual energy that would aid their cultivation. As they ate, Lin Feng shared stories of ancient cultivators who had carved their own paths to immortality, defying heavenly expectations and forging their own destinies.
"The greatest cultivators were never those blessed by the Heavenly Dao," Lin Feng explained. "They were those who recognized their own potential and refused to be bound by others' limitations. They understood that true power comes not from external blessings, but from internal cultivation."
Xia Qingyue listened intently, her eyes bright with understanding. "So you believe Long Tian's luck is actually a limitation?"
Lin Feng nodded. "His golden aura of heavenly fortune is not a blessing—it's a chain that binds him to a predetermined path. He cannot deviate from his role as the protagonist, cannot choose his own destiny. He is bound by the expectations of the Heavenly Dao. But I...I am free. I forge my own path, make my own choices, and claim my own destiny."
Xia Qingyue looked down at her hands, then back at Lin Feng. "What about me? Am I free?"
Lin Feng cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You can be. But first, you must break your chains. You must stop defining yourself through Long Tian's eyes and start seeing yourself as you truly are—a talented cultivator with her own strengths, her own desires, her own destiny."
He released her and stepped back. "I have a proposition for you. Stay with me. Train with me. Let me teach you the true path of cultivation—not just physical strength, but wisdom, comprehension, and self-mastery. In return, you will help me uncover Long Tian's secrets."
Xia Qingyue hesitated, her mind clearly torn between her past and her future. "What about our original plan? What about exposing Long Tian's true nature?"
Lin Feng smiled. "That can wait. First, you must strengthen yourself. Only when you are strong enough to stand on your own can you make choices that are truly yours. Remember what I told you about being a good cultivator? The same principle applies here. To be strong for others, you must first be strong for yourself."
He activated one of his recording orbs, capturing their conversation. "I want to document our journey together. Not just for proof, but as a reminder of how far you've come. One day, when you look back at this moment, you will see how much you have grown."
Xia Qingyue watched the orb with curiosity. "Why do you record everything?"
Lin Feng's smile turned enigmatic. "In the cultivation world, evidence is power. But more importantly, memories shape who we are. I want to help you build new memories—memories of strength, independence, and self-discovery."
He deactivated the orb and tucked it away. "But enough talk. Let's begin your training. The first lesson is simple: trust yourself. Your instincts have guided you here. Trust that they know what you truly need."
Xia Qingyue nodded slowly, a new determination dawning in her eyes. "Show me."
As the fire crackled and the night deepened, Lin Feng knew that the cultivation world would soon learn the name of Lin Feng, and it would tremble before his power. The path to becoming the strongest cultivator under the heavens had truly begun, and he would walk it with his own two feet, without relying on any cheat system or divine blessing.
I will become the true protagonist of this story, Lin Feng vowed silently. I will claim these beauties, seize these treasures, and break through the heavens themselves.
The moon was high in the sky as Lin Feng and Xia Qingyue prepared to rest for the night. Their journey back to the city would begin at dawn, but for now, they sat beneath the stars, the first threads of a new destiny weaving around them.
Long Tian, you have no idea what awaits you, Lin Feng thought with a smile that would have chilled the bones of any who saw it. Your heavenly fortune will soon become my stepping stone to immortality. And your beautiful companions...they will stand by my side as I challenge the heavens themselves.
The night was young, and Lin Feng's journey had only just begun. With the Void Emperor's inheritance, the Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus, and the dragon bloodline flowing through his veins, he was ready to face any challenge that came his way.
The path to becoming the strongest cultivator under the heavens has truly begun, Lin Feng thought as they settled down to sleep. And I will walk this path with my own two feet, without relying on any system or divine blessing.
His eyes gleamed with determination in the firelight, already calculating his next move against Long Tian and his remaining companions. The cultivation world would soon learn the name of Lin Feng, and it would tremble before his power.
I will become the true protagonist of this story, Lin Feng vowed silently. I will claim these beauties, seize these treasures, and break through the heavens themselves.
The moon was high in the sky as Lin Feng and Xia Qingyue finally drifted to sleep, the first embers of a new destiny glowing brightly between them. The path ahead was long and dangerous, filled with powerful enemies and cunning opponents. But Lin Feng was no longer the same man who had arrived in this world with nothing but his wits and determination. He was now a cultivator with the inheritance of an emperor, the bloodline of a dragon, and the power to shape destinies.
And he would use all of it to reach the pinnacle of power.
As the first light of dawn filtered through the trees, Lin Feng awoke to find Xia Qingyue already practicing the spiritual perception techniques from the jade tablet. Her focus was intense, her movements precise. He watched with satisfaction as she gradually found her rhythm, her spiritual energy responding to her will.
"You're a natural," he said softly, not wanting to break her concentration.
Xia Qingyue smiled, a genuine expression of joy that transformed her face. "The techniques are difficult, but they make sense. Like pieces of a puzzle finally clicking into place."
Lin Feng nodded. "That's the mark of a true cultivator—when the techniques feel natural, when the cultivation path resonates with your spirit. This is where your true journey begins."
He reached out and gently adjusted her stance. "Remember, cultivation is not just about techniques and power. It's about understanding the balance between heaven, earth, and humanity. Only when you understand this balance can you truly master the Dao."
Xia Qingyue looked up at him, her eyes shining with understanding. "I think I'm beginning to see what you mean. All my life, I've been focused on external validation—Long Tian's approval, my parents' recognition, my clan's status. But true cultivation comes from within."
Lin Feng smiled, his heart swelling with pride at her insight. "Exactly. The strongest cultivators are those who cultivate not just their bodies and techniques, but their hearts and minds. They understand that true power comes from harmony with the universe, not domination over it."
As they packed their belongings and prepared to return to the city, Lin Feng felt the Luck-Devouring Divine Lotus in his consciousness rotating faster. The bond between him and Xia Qingyue was strengthening, their spiritual energies intertwining like vines climbing toward the heavens.
The first piece of Long Tian's harem has fallen, Lin Feng thought with satisfaction. His luck has been weakened, and I have grown stronger without his knowledge. But this is only the beginning. Su Wan'er and Bai Luoyan will follow, each piece of his fortune becoming mine.
He glanced at Xia Qingyue, who was now walking beside him with a new confidence in her posture. And she...she will become more than just a tool to weaken Long Tian. She will become my ally, my companion, perhaps even...more.
The sun was high in the sky as they began their journey back to the city, but Lin Feng's mind was already racing ahead to the battles that awaited him there. The cultivation world would soon learn the name of Lin Feng, and it would tremble before his power.
I will become the true protagonist of this story, Lin Feng vowed silently. I will claim these beauties, seize these treasures, and break through the heavens themselves.
The path ahead was long and dangerous, filled with powerful enemies and cunning opponents. But Lin Feng was no longer the same man who had arrived in this world with nothing but his wits and determination. He was now a cultivator with the inheritance of an emperor, the bloodline of a dragon, and the power to steal destinies.
And he would use all of it to reach the pinnacle of power.