The next morning, Lin Feng received a mysterious summons from the Azure Cloud Sect's Outer Court, a place usually reserved for elite disciples.
"What's going on?" he muttered, glancing at the gilded gates.
Inside, he found an old man leaning against a pillar, a faint smile on his face. His aura was calm yet incomparably deep, radiating a sense of ancient mastery.
"You are Lin Feng," the old man said. "I've been observing you. Your potential… is far greater than anyone realizes."
Lin Feng stiffened. "Who are you?"
"I am Elder Yun, a recluse of the Azure Cloud Sect. I seldom intervene in sect affairs, but your progress has caught my attention. I will take you as my disciple—but under one condition: you must surpass your limits, even if it means facing death itself."
Lin Feng bowed deeply. "I will not fail, Elder Yun."
The training began in secret. Elder Yun's methods were harsh and unorthodox—combining spiritual pressure with rigorous meditation and combat exercises. Lin Feng often found himself pushed to the brink, his body and mind trembling, yet every day, he grew stronger.
Weeks passed, and Lin Feng began to notice changes in himself. His reaction speed increased, his spiritual perception sharpened, and the warmth of his Qi could now be condensed into offensive strikes.
[System Update: Mentor Guidance Unlocked. Attribute Bonus: +50 Strength, +50 Agility. New Quest: Complete Elder Yun's Secret Training.]
By the time Lin Feng returned to the Outer Court, even the senior disciples who had laughed at him earlier sensed a faint aura of dominance surrounding him.