The moment Lin Feng stepped off the platform—
The air changed.
Not gradually.
Not subtly.
Instantly.
A pressure descended.
Not crushing.
Not overwhelming.
But absolute.
Every movement in the hall slowed.
Every voice disappeared.
Every presence—
Paused.
Lin Feng stopped mid-step.
Not because he wanted to.
But because something deeper—
Instinct—
Told him to.
"…So this is it."
Above—
That presence finally revealed itself.
Not fully.
Not visibly.
But enough.
The space at the center of the hall distorted slightly.
Like the air itself was bending.
And then—
A figure appeared.
No dramatic entrance.
No burst of power.
Just—
Existence.
And that alone—
Was enough.
Lin Feng's eyes locked onto him.
An older man.
Simple robes.
Unremarkable appearance.
But the moment he stood there—
Everything else faded.
Not visually.
But in importance.
Because nothing in that room—
Came close.
"…Yeah," Lin Feng thought.
"That's the top."
No one spoke.
Not the faction leaders.
Not the fighters.
Not even the man who had been leading the gathering.
Because this—
Was someone above all of them.
The man looked around slowly.
Not inspecting.
Not judging openly.
But—
Understanding.
Then—
His gaze landed on Lin Feng.
And stayed there.
No pressure spike.
No sudden force.
But—
Clear attention.
Lin Feng didn't look away.
Didn't lower his gaze.
Didn't react.
Because something told him—
This mattered.
More than anything so far.
A long silence passed.
Then—
"You."
Just one word.
Directed.
Clear.
Lin Feng exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah?"
A few people in the hall stiffened slightly.
But the man—
Didn't react.
Instead—
"Step forward."
No command.
But not a suggestion either.
Lin Feng didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward.
Each step—
Measured.
Not because he was careful—
But because the air itself felt heavier.
Denser.
More real.
He stopped a few meters away.
Close enough.
But not too close.
The man observed him.
Not just physically.
But completely.
Lin Feng felt it.
Like nothing was hidden.
Not his strength.
Not his thoughts.
Not his potential.
"…That's new," he thought.
Then—
"You fought well."
Simple.
Direct.
Lin Feng shrugged slightly.
"Could've done better."
A brief pause.
Then—
A faint shift.
Not quite a smile.
But close.
"Confidence without blindness."
Lin Feng smirked.
"…I try."
Silence again.
But not empty.
Focused.
Then—
"What do you want?"
The question came out of nowhere.
No context.
No buildup.
Just—
That.
Lin Feng blinked once.
Then chuckled lightly.
"…That's a big question."
"No," the man replied calmly.
"It is a simple one."
Lin Feng thought for a moment.
Not long.
Then—
"To get stronger."
No hesitation.
No extra words.
Just truth.
The man nodded slightly.
"Why?"
Lin Feng tilted his head.
"…Does it need a reason?"
"Yes."
A pause.
Then—
"Because strength without direction…"
"…becomes waste."
The words landed quietly.
But heavily.
Lin Feng didn't answer immediately.
Because—
For the first time—
He actually thought about it.
Not just instinct.
Not just desire.
But—
Purpose.
Then—
"To win."
A pause.
"To not lose."
Another pause.
"And to see how far I can go."
Silence.
The man watched him.
Then—
"Good."
One word.
But this time—
It carried approval.
Not full.
But enough.
Then—
"You will be given a chance."
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…What kind of chance?"
The man didn't answer directly.
Instead—
"Blackstone City is small."
A pause.
"You are not."
Lin Feng smirked slightly.
"…I like the sound of that."
The man continued.
"There are places beyond this city."
"Where strength matters more."
"Where failure…"
"…means death."
Lin Feng's smile didn't fade.
"…Sounds about right."
Another brief silence.
Then—
"When the time comes…"
"You will be called."
No explanation.
No detail.
But the meaning—
Clear.
Lin Feng nodded slowly.
"…I'll be ready."
The man looked at him for one last moment.
Then—
He stepped back.
And just like that—
The pressure lifted.
Not completely.
But enough.
The hall breathed again.
People moved.
Spoke.
But quieter now.
More careful.
Because something had just happened.
Something important.
Lin Feng turned slightly.
Already knowing—
Everything had changed.
Cliffhanger
Across the hall—
Su Yao stood still.
Watching.
Not surprised.
Not confused.
But—
Certain.
As if—
She had expected this all along.
And somewhere deep within Blackstone City—
Something else stirred.
Not part of the gathering.
Not under control.
But aware.
Because when someone like that man makes a move—
The world responds.
And Lin Feng—
Had just been marked by it.