The return should have been triumphant. But when Lin Feng and Han Yu stepped through the mist-rimmed boundary of the Spiritbone Vale… no one was there to greet them.
No cheers. No crowd.
Just a handful of inner sect stewards, all expressionless, waiting in silence. They carried no scrolls, wore no medals, and did not speak Lin Feng's name. Instead, one of them stepped forward and bowed lightly.
> "You are requested. Immediately."
> "By who?" Han Yu asked.
> "The Twilight Pavilion," the steward said.
That name didn't exist in the records, But Han Yu tensed beside him.
> "A hidden faction," he whispered. "They only show themselves when the sect senses… anomalies."
---
They followed in silence, leaving behind the veil that had almost devoured them. The stewards led them not through the outer sect, but up narrow, winding paths that climbed the mountain's hidden face — a path most disciples never knew existed.
> "They're afraid," Han Yu said.
> "Of what?"
> "Not of us. Of what noticed us."
---
Twilight Pavilion – The Chamber of Echoes
The structure was built into the cliffs — all stone and shadow. Lanterns burned with pale blue flames that made no heat.
Inside, a dozen robed figures sat behind veils, identities concealed. One of them — cloaked in dark crimson — spoke first....> "You touched the gate."
> "And it touched back," another said.
> "Do you remember anything?" a third asked.
Lin Feng didn't answer. Because he remembered everything… and yet nothing that he could explain.
Instead, he asked:...> "Was that trial made to test me?"
Silence.
Then the crimson-robed one spoke again....> "It was made to contain what you carry."
> "And did it fail?" Lin Feng asked.
Another pause.
> "It began to."
---
Meanwhile – Lan Xueyin stood atop a cold terrace, overlooking the now-quiet arena. Her fingers ran slowly over a jade token glowing faintly in her hand — a token from the Hidden Moon Pavilion.....> "He came back alive," she whispered.
> "That doesn't surprise me," came a voice from the shadows. Her master stepped forth, eyes unreadable.
> "You fear him now?"
> "No," Lan Xueyin said softly. "I fear what chose him."
> "Do you think he'll survive what comes next?" She watched the horizon where mist once danced.
> "I think... the real trial hasn't even begun."
---
Back at the Pavilion – The veiled figures concluded the questioning. One by one, they stood.
> "You are not to speak of what you saw," said the crimson figure.
> "Not to friends. Not to enemies. Not even to yourself," said another.
One stepped forward and handed Lin Feng a scroll....> "Inside this is your new status. You are no longer of the outer sect."
> "Then what am I?"he asked
> "A variable."...They turned and disappeared into the darkness of the hall.
Only the scroll remained glowing in his hand.
---