After the shocking incident where Lin Feng accidentally dueled the Sect Leader for lunch and won, the Azure Sky Sect wasn't sure whether to promote him or exile him to a distant mountain where nothing flammable existed.
Lin Feng, however, was on a roll.
"I think I'm finally gaining respect around here!" he announced proudly, while accidentally pouring spiritual soup into his boot instead of his bowl.
Even the Flame Duck, now his loyal companion (or freeloading food sponge), gave him a pitying look.
---
Three Days Later…
Azure Sky Sect was hosting its annual "Inter-Sect Exchange Week," where disciples could temporarily visit other sects to "promote harmony" (read: show off and cheat in friendly competitions).
Lin Feng, naturally, misunderstood the sign-up sheet.
"Inter-Sect Cosplay Club Trip?" he read aloud. "Sounds fun!"
Senior Sister Bai Xue blinked. "That says Infernal Sect Exchange Trip."
But it was too late. Lin Feng had already signed in bold, flowery calligraphy.
---
At the Infernal Demon Sect Headquarters
Dark mountains. Thunderclouds. Crows screaming in stereo.
Lin Feng arrived with a spring in his step, dressed in his Azure Sky robes, and carrying a tote bag that said Live, Laugh, Lingshi.
A group of black-robed, pale-faced demon cultivators stared at him.
He waved cheerfully. "Hi! I'm Lin Feng! Love the aesthetic. Very spooky chic!"
The leader, a grim man with red eyes and facial tattoos that looked like angry worms, narrowed his gaze. "...Are you… here to offer your soul?"
"Haha! You guys stay in character so well!" Lin Feng grinned. "I like this whole edgy roleplay vibe. Very immersive."
The demon cultivators exchanged confused glances.
One leaned over. "I think he's… too dumb to be a spy."
Another whispered, "Or too brilliant. He could be a reverse-reverse spy."
The leader coughed. "Fine. Since you are... clearly one of us—"
Lin Feng gave a thumbs up.
"—you may begin your orientation. Start by feeding the Soul-Reaping Serpents."
Lin Feng blinked. "Is that like a noodle dish?"
---
Fifteen Minutes Later
Lin Feng stood in front of a giant pit full of writhing, hissing shadow-serpents with glowing red eyes and fangs like daggers.
He held a wooden spoon.
"So… they just eat porridge, right?"
"No," said a demon cultivator, smirking. "They eat fear."
Lin Feng looked into the pit. "Hey, uh… I'm on a fear-free diet right now. Gluten intolerance and all."
The snakes hissed louder. One launched toward him.
In panic, Lin Feng threw his spoon.
It bounced off the snake's head, ricocheted off a rock, and hit a sacred demonic gong.
BOOOONG!
Every demon within a mile turned.
"WHO DARES RING THE SACRED GONG OF BLOOD CONTRACTS?!"
Lin Feng raised his hand. "Sorry, it slipped. Also… what's a Blood Contract?"
Suddenly, the ground cracked. A giant skeletal hand emerged, followed by a grumpy demon elder who looked like he hadn't had coffee in 600 years.
"YOU HAVE ACTIVATED THE TRIAL OF DARKNESS. PREPARE YOUR SOUL."
Lin Feng: "Wait, can I get a refund? I thought this was a club event—"
But it was too late.
---
In the Trial Realm
Lin Feng stood alone in a shadowy void. His only companions were floating eyeballs whispering spooky things like "Despair…" and "No Wi-Fi…"
Suddenly, a shadowy figure materialized.
It looked like Lin Feng—but with glowing red eyes, a cooler hairstyle, and significantly more abs.
"Who are you?!" Lin Feng gasped.
"I'm your inner darkness," the clone said. "The part of you that seeks power, chaos, and late-night spicy noodles."
"…Respect," Lin Feng muttered.
The clone attacked!
Lin Feng panicked and threw a talisman. It stuck to the clone's face.
Nothing happened.
"…You threw a laundry tag at me," the clone said dryly.
"Oops! Wrong pocket."
But just then, Lin Feng tripped—again—and fell into a hidden trap door inside the trial realm, landing squarely on the trial core.
With a loud ZAAAAAAP, the trial shattered.
Back in the real world, demon cultivators stared at the cracked summoning altar.
The demon elder blinked. "How did he… break the trial?"
Lin Feng stood up, brushing dust off his robe. "Well… the floor attacked me first."
The leader of the Demon Sect stared at him for a long moment. Then clapped.
"Such bold idiocy… I mean, power! This disciple is clearly touched by madness! He shall be honored!"
---
Back at Azure Sky Sect
Lin Feng returned with a medal made of obsidian skulls, a demonic duckling that kept trying to bite people's toes, and a recipe for soul porridge.
Bai Xue stared. "How are you alive?!"
Lin Feng grinned. "Turns out cosplay clubs are way more intense than I thought."
The Flame Duck nodded solemnly.