The cold winds of the Crimson Lotus Sect Inner Mountains whispered secrets as Jiang Yuefeng walked across the stone paths. His mind was sharp, his every step calculated. Even in the heart of the sect, surrounded by potential allies and rivals, he kept his guard high.
Trust? It's a luxury I can't afford.
After his brief encounter with Bai Xueyin, the atmosphere had shifted. His cultivation had increased—slightly—but more importantly, his relationship with the Moon-Ice Veins cultivator had deepened.
Yet, Yuefeng never allowed himself to forget that she was a tool. A powerful one, yes, but a tool nonetheless.
She was beautiful, talented, and in need of attention. A weapon that would serve him when the time came. But that didn't mean he was blind to her emotions or vulnerability.
She thinks I care. But it's just a means to an end.
He continued his training, staying focused on his goals. He spent hours perfecting alchemical techniques, practicing combat forms, and studying ancient texts from the sect's archives. His mind was a steel trap—anything less would be a fatal weakness in this brutal world.
The Moonlit Pavilion was an exclusive area within the sect, used for higher-level disciples. It was known for its tranquil beauty and spiritual resonance. Tonight, it was unusually quiet.
Yuefeng's steps were soft as he entered, finding Bai Xueyin already there, waiting for him. Her silvery hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her eyes glowed faintly under the pale moonlight.
"You've been avoiding me," she said, her voice a mixture of frustration and longing.
He stopped at the entrance, keeping his expression neutral. "I've been busy with cultivation. I need to be at my best."
She crossed her arms, looking up at him with an unreadable expression. "You don't need to lie to me."
"I'm not lying," Yuefeng said calmly, his eyes narrowing. "Trust is earned, not freely given."
Bai Xueyin's lips parted in surprise, and for a moment, he saw something flicker in her eyes. Hurt, perhaps. But it didn't matter. She was useful now, but emotions were a trap. His focus remained on the bigger picture.
She sighed, turning away. "I thought you were different."
He didn't respond, only watched her as she walked to the edge of the pavilion, her figure outlined against the night sky.
I'm different, alright. But not in the way you think.
The following day, the Sect Leader summoned the Inner Sect disciples for an important announcement. Yuefeng arrived at the grand hall, a quiet observer amongst the crowd.
The Sect Leader, a man with the aura of someone who had seen countless wars, stepped onto the platform. His voice rang out like thunder.
"Disciples, I have received word of an invasion from the Shadow Flame Sect. They plan to test the strength of our Inner Sect. Their forces will arrive within three days. Prepare yourselves."
The hall erupted in murmurs, but Yuefeng's focus sharpened. This was a perfect opportunity.
The Shadow Flame Sect… they're dangerous. But they're also ripe for manipulation.
As the meeting adjourned, Yuefeng's mind worked quickly. The Shadow Flame Sect wasn't known for their political finesse. Their strength came from their combat prowess, their fire cultivation techniques, and their brutal methods. But they lacked subtlety. This could be used to his advantage.
That night, after a day of intense training, Yuefeng received an unexpected visitor—Liu Feng, the arrogant core disciple who had been eyeing Bai Xueyin for some time.
Liu Feng was known for his brash personality and his deadly swordsmanship. He approached Yuefeng with the usual arrogance, his silver sword strapped to his back.
"You've been cozying up to Bai Xueyin," Liu Feng said with a sneer. "Don't think I didn't notice."
Yuefeng barely acknowledged him, his eyes scanning the room with cold calculation. "What do you want?"
Liu Feng's smirk deepened. "I don't like people who play with things they don't understand."
"I understand perfectly," Yuefeng replied, his voice low. "I'm not interested in playing."
Liu Feng's eyes narrowed. "You're a fool if you think Bai Xueyin is some easy prize. She belongs to me."
Yuefeng's lips curled into a smile, but there was no warmth behind it. "You misunderstand. She belongs to no one. She's merely a tool. And tools can be discarded."
Liu Feng's face contorted with anger, but he masked it quickly. "You'll regret underestimating me."
Yuefeng simply watched him, unmoving. "I don't underestimate anyone."
Liu Feng took a step forward, raising his hand to strike, but Yuefeng's gaze never wavered. The threat hung in the air, but Yuefeng wasn't concerned. Liu Feng was nothing more than a nuisance. A pawn in a game he had no idea he was playing.
Without another word, Liu Feng turned and left, his pride wounded but his temper in check.
The Shadow Flame Sect's Arrival
Three days later, the Shadow Flame Sect arrived at the outer perimeter of the Crimson Lotus Sect. Their disciples, dressed in black robes with red flame markings, marched forward like a storm. Their leader, a towering figure with flaming red eyes and a flaming sword, led the charge.
The battle was inevitable.
Yuefeng stood in the training grounds, observing from a distance. The sect elders were preparing defensive formations, while the inner disciples geared up for war. But Yuefeng's mind wasn't focused on the battle itself—it was focused on the opportunity the battle presented.
I can't trust anyone in this fight. No one but myself.
He had already sent subtle signals to several key figures within the sect, offering them power in exchange for allegiance. He'd already prepared several escape routes, just in case the battle didn't go as planned. And he had already begun mapping out how to manipulate the fallout of this invasion to further his goals.
Once the dust settles, I'll be in a prime position to move forward. And none of them will see it coming.
As the battle raged on, Yuefeng's suspicions about everyone around him only grew. The chaos of the battlefield was the perfect cover for betrayal. He had seen it before. People always looked out for themselves.
The Shadow Flame Sect's leader, Zhao Long, fought with ferocity. His sword blazed with flames that could burn through steel. Yet, Yuefeng remained unmoved, his eyes calculating every movement, his every step designed to keep him one step ahead.
In the end, the battle concluded with a narrow victory for Crimson Lotus Sect, but not without significant losses. Elder disciples were injured. Sect members were slain. And though the Shadow Flame Sect had retreated, it was clear that the war was far from over.
But Yuefeng wasn't focused on the victory. He was focused on what came next—the tactics he would employ to rise from this conflict unscathed.
End of Chapter 4