Chapter 4: Scheming Elders, Questionable Training, and a Library That Should Really Have Warning Signs
---
Qi Feng woke to the smell of herbal soup and the sharp scent of medicinal incense.
"Ugh," he groaned. "Did I die again? If I see one more reincarnation circle, I'm rioting."
"You're awake," came Jin Xian's smooth voice.
Qi Feng turned his head. Jin Xian sat beside the bed, folding a towel with military precision. He looked far too comfortable in a sickroom for someone who normally acted like Qi Feng's very existence caused him physical pain.
"What happened?" Qi Feng asked.
"You fainted after our duel."
"I collapsed dramatically," Qi Feng corrected.
"Onto your face."
"It was for effect!"
Jin Xian offered him a bowl of soup. "Drink. You overused your Qi."
Qi Feng narrowed his eyes suspiciously but drank. "Why are you being nice to me? Did someone swap your soul out while I was unconscious? Are you possessed?"
Jin Xian didn't answer. Just continued folding towels like some kind of emotionally constipated nursemaid.
Qi Feng watched him, then said, "You know, if you like me, you can just say it."
Jin Xian dropped the towel.
"I don't like you," he said stiffly.
"Oh?" Qi Feng raised a brow. "Then why are you taking care of me, feeding me soup, standing up for me at sect meetings—"
"It's called damage control," Jin Xian snapped. "You're a walking disaster. If someone doesn't supervise you, the sect will be in flames within a week."
"Two days, tops," Qi Feng said cheerfully.
---
Meanwhile, in the deepest chamber of the Sect's inner sanctum, the elders were gathered.
"His performance during the disciplinary trials was… unusual," said Elder Mu, stroking his long beard.
"He displayed speed and power beyond what his cultivation should allow," added Elder Fang. "And that black flame—we all saw it."
Elder Sun grunted. "I told you. That boy's not normal. I want him tested. Bloodline, Qi pattern, ancestral memory—everything."
"Qi Zheng won't agree," Elder Mu said. "It would humiliate the Sect Leader if his son is found to harbor forbidden lineage."
"Then we do it secretly."
There was a pause.
"Send him to the Meditation Pavilion," Elder Fang said slowly. "Tell him it's a reward for his 'growth.' There, we'll test him—subtly."
Elder Sun smirked. "Yes. Let the Pavilion reveal the truth."
---
Back in Qi Feng's quarters, a young disciple nervously knocked on the door.
"Um… Brother Qi Feng?"
"Yes, my legend?" Qi Feng called lazily.
"You've been… um… invited to the Meditation Pavilion. As a reward for, uh, not destroying more buildings."
"Wow," Qi Feng said. "Recognition at last."
"Senior Jin Xian will accompany you for safety."
"Safety?" Qi Feng blinked. "Is the Pavilion armed?"
"No, but… you are."
---
The Meditation Pavilion was a tall, mist-covered tower at the edge of the sect grounds. Silent. Serene. Allegedly filled with the echoes of sages and whispers of heaven.
Qi Feng stared up at it.
"It looks like a giant incense stick."
Jin Xian sighed. "Just go inside."
The Pavilion was quiet. Too quiet.
Qi Feng took one cautious step inside… and was hit with a wave of pressure.
It wasn't painful—but it wasn't comfortable either. It felt like being examined by the building itself.
He shuddered. "Okay, not creepy at all."
Jin Xian followed, unsheathing his sword.
"Is your weapon always out?" Qi Feng asked, eyeing the blade.
"I don't trust you."
"Rude."
---
The first chamber was filled with flickering candles and polished stone mats.
Qi Feng sat cross-legged, pretending to meditate.
In truth, he was mentally arguing with himself over whether he should steal one of the fancy cushions.
Ten minutes passed.
Then twenty.
Qi Feng fidgeted. "Is it working?"
"You're supposed to be meditating," Jin Xian muttered, eyes closed.
"I am. On inner peace. I've decided I hate it."
Suddenly, the floor beneath Qi Feng's mat lit up.
A strange humming began. Symbols danced beneath him—ancient glyphs crackling with golden light.
Jin Xian leapt to his feet. "Wait—those are soul-reading runes!"
"Excuse me?!" Qi Feng yelled. "I didn't sign up for a mind scan!"
Too late.
The runes activated.
A pulse of energy burst outward, rippling through the room and into Qi Feng's chest.
Qi Feng's eyes widened. He felt it stir—something deep inside him. The part he'd sealed. The core fragment of his original demonic soul.
"No—!"
The air shimmered.
A tear appeared in the space beside him—like someone had sliced the world open with a claw.
A low growl echoed.
Jin Xian pulled Qi Feng back just as something stepped through the crack.
It was… sort of a goat.
But it had six legs, flaming eyes, a mane of shadow, and teeth like shattered glass.
"Oh no," Qi Feng muttered. "Not him."
The creature blinked, then said in a rumbling voice, "LORD QI FENG, YOU... LONG LIVE?"
Jin Xian froze. "It knows you?"
Qi Feng laughed nervously. "Funny story—"
The beast bounded toward him, knocking over candles and a statue of the Great Sage of Patience.
"YOUR SERVANT HEEDS THE SUMMONS! SHALL WE BURN THIS PLACE TO ASH, MY LORD?"
"No!" Qi Feng hissed. "We're undercover!"
The beast paused. "Ah. Stealth. Yes. I shall devour them quietly."
"NO!"
Jin Xian jumped in, sword raised. "Step back, Qi Feng. This thing's dangerous."
"YOU DARE THREATEN MY MASTER?" the beast snarled, suddenly four times its size.
"Okay, that's enough," Qi Feng said quickly.
He raised a hand—and black light coiled from his palm. With a word of binding, he sealed the crack and banished the beast back into the shadow realm.
The room fell still again.
Jin Xian lowered his sword.
"You… controlled it."
Qi Feng sighed. "It's part of my soul. Or was. Long story. Reincarnation. Sealing. Misunderstandings. Can I lie down now?"
Jin Xian looked at him with narrowed eyes. "You're not just some weak disciple."
Qi Feng smiled tiredly. "Took you this long to figure that out?"
---
The elders were not pleased.
"The Pavilion failed to suppress him!" Elder Sun barked. "The runes reacted to him like he was an ancient demon!"
"I think runes had been ruined, otherwise why would it detect a seventeen year old mortal young boy as an ancient demon." Elder Mu scoffed.
"Either way, since we have our suspicion about this lad, we must find a way to control him… or better eliminate him." Another Elder said icily as he made a gesture of slicing neck.
---
That evening, Qi Feng sat by a pond with a lotus bun in one hand and a scroll in the other.
Jin Xian sat beside him, arms folded.
"So," Qi Feng said. "You still think I'm a harmless, bumbling cut-sleeve?"
"No."
"Good. Because I'm not."
"You're a threat."
"Maybe. But I'm your problem now."
Jin Xian sighed. "I should report you."
"Then do it."
Jin Xian looked at him for a long moment. "I won't."
Qi Feng blinked. "Why?"
Jin Xian stood, turning away. "Because something tells me… if the sect moves against you, it won't be you who gets destroyed."
Qi Feng grinned.
"For a cold prince," he said, "you're finally getting warm."