Morning at Iron Spine Sect did not feel peaceful.
It felt tense.
Whispers followed Lin Feng the moment he stepped into the inner courtyard.
"He broke through last night."
"I heard the shockwave cracked three buildings."
"Crimson Demonic Valley already sent someone…"
Lin Feng stretched lazily.
"Why does everyone look like I owe them money?"
He rolled his shoulders.
Something had changed.
The air around him no longer simply compressed.
It subtly obeyed.
System Status
"Status."
FIST GOD SYSTEM — HOST STATUS
Name: Lin Feng
Title: Cataclysm Breaker | Blood Initiate
Realm: Core Resonance — Initial Stage
Titan Legacy: 25%
Impact Domain: 52% Stabilized
Force Multiplier (Domain): 220%
Shock Pulse: Unlocked (Lv1)
Fist Points: 2,640
Warning: Sword Intent approaching (High Precision Threat)
Lin Feng blinked.
"Sword Intent?"
He turned.
At the far end of the courtyard—
A young man in white robes stood calmly.
Sword at his waist.
Eyes like still water.
No killing intent.
No arrogance.
Just presence.
Jian Luo.
Heavenly Sword Pavilion.
The Introduction
Elder Zhao stood nearby, arms crossed.
"Lin Feng."
"This is Jian Luo of Heavenly Sword Pavilion."
The courtyard quieted.
Heavenly Sword Pavilion.
One of the top forces in the Southern Realm.
Jian Luo stepped forward slightly and inclined his head.
"I came to confirm something."
Lin Feng grinned.
"If it's whether I broke your sect's roof, the answer is no."
Jian Luo's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
"I came to test your domain."
Direct.
Honest.
No insult.
Lin Feng liked him immediately.
"Friendly test?"
"Yes."
Elder Zhao hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Limit yourselves."
Both young cultivators stepped into the center.
Sword vs Fist
Jian Luo's hand rested lightly on his sword.
He did not draw it immediately.
Instead—
A faint ripple spread from him.
Thin.
Sharp.
Invisible pressure like the edge of a blade grazing skin.
SYSTEM ALERT
Sword Intent Detected.
Precision Amplification Type.
Recommended Response: Impact Domain + Controlled Shock Pulse.
Lin Feng activated Impact Domain.
Golden ripple expanded.
Three meters.
The courtyard stones vibrated.
Jian Luo's brows lifted slightly.
"So this is it."
He stepped forward.
The moment he crossed into the domain—
His robes fluttered violently.
Air thickened.
But instead of resisting—
He adapted.
His Sword Intent sharpened.
Condensed.
Like a needle piercing through heavy cloth.
Lin Feng's eyes lit up.
"Oh."
"You're good."
First Exchange
Jian Luo finally drew his sword.
A clean silver arc flashed.
Not wide.
Not explosive.
Just precise.
It sliced toward Lin Feng's shoulder with terrifying accuracy.
Lin Feng raised his fist.
The blade met compressed air inside the domain—
And slowed.
Just slightly.
Enough.
Lin Feng countered with a straight punch.
Jian Luo twisted, blade deflecting.
Steel met fist.
This time—
The sword did not shatter.
Instead—
Sparks exploded as Sword Intent clashed against Titan force.
Both stepped back simultaneously.
The courtyard erupted in murmurs.
Mutual Recognition
Jian Luo's eyes sharpened.
"You are not using Qi properly."
Lin Feng grinned.
"I don't like sharing."
Jian Luo nodded once.
"Then I will escalate."
His Sword Intent intensified.
The air around his blade began humming audibly.
Fine cracks appeared on nearby tiles.
SYSTEM WARNING
Sword Intent Condensing.
Probability of Domain Penetration: 47%.
Lin Feng rolled his neck.
"Finally."
He compressed the Impact Domain inward—
From three meters…
To two.
Pressure skyrocketed.
Jian Luo stepped inside again.
This time—
His movement slowed visibly.
But his sword shone brighter.
He thrust forward.
Not wide.
Not flashy.
Just—
Perfect.
The blade pierced through compressed air and grazed Lin Feng's sleeve.
A thin line of blood appeared on his arm.
Silence.
Lin Feng looked at the cut.
Then laughed.
"Good."
He activated Shock Pulse.
Shock Pulse Unleashed
Golden force condensed around his fist.
Not outward.
Inward.
Then—
He released it.
A contained shockwave exploded within the two-meter domain.
Jian Luo's eyes widened.
He crossed his blade defensively—
BOOM.
He was blasted backward across the courtyard, sliding several meters before stabilizing.
His sword trembled.
But did not break.
Lin Feng lowered his fist.
Breathing slightly heavier.
The courtyard was cracked.
Dust hung in the air.
Elder Zhao stared in shock.
Two Core Resonance-level forces colliding like this…
And both still standing.
The Outcome
Jian Luo sheathed his sword calmly.
"I am satisfied."
Lin Feng blinked.
"That's it?"
Jian Luo nodded.
"You are not corrupted."
"What?"
Jian Luo's gaze sharpened.
"The Titan fluctuation."
"It is stable."
He stepped closer.
"Crimson Demonic Valley will not stop at one assassin."
Lin Feng shrugged.
"I figured."
Jian Luo looked toward the distant mountains.
"They are already moving."
System Alert — Multiple Threats
SYSTEM ALERT
Three hostile signatures detected.
Foundation Establishment Realm — Mid Stage.
Estimated Arrival: 2 hours.
Objective: Capture / Eliminate Host.
Lin Feng cracked his knuckles.
"Well."
"That's efficient."
Elder Zhao's face darkened.
"They dare attack within sect territory?"
Jian Luo's voice remained calm.
"They will not attack the sect."
He looked at Lin Feng.
"They will lure him outside."
Lin Feng smiled slowly.
"Then I won't make them wait."
Cliffhanger
As clouds gathered above Iron Spine Peak—
Three cloaked figures stopped at the forest's edge.
Their auras suppressed.
Their killing intent cold.
Leader's voice low:
"Capture the Titan bearer."
"Alive if possible."
Inside the sect—
Lin Feng walked toward the mountain path alone.
Golden ripples faintly distorting the air around him.
Jian Luo watched silently.
Murmuring to himself:
"The Southern Realm is about to change."