The outer medicine garden of the Lin Clan was not meant for disciples like him.
A low stone wall encircled rows of meticulously tended spirit plants—Moonlit Orchid, Crimson Ginseng Root, Whispering Bellflower—each guarded by faint array lines that would sting intruders with paralyzing qi. Outer disciples were allowed only to water the outer rows or pull weeds under supervision. Picking anything without permission meant lashes or worse.
Lin Feng walked straight to the innermost bed.
He crouched beside a cluster of dusk-blooming Silver Veil Grass. The blades shimmered faintly purple in the dying light, releasing a cool, almost sorrowful fragrance. This herb was useless for ordinary cultivation—too delicate, too slow-acting—but when combined with three other rare ingredients and steeped in the blood of someone already marked for devouring…
It became something else entirely.
A slow poison that didn't kill. It eroded. Confidence. Pride. The illusion of safety.
He reached out.
The array line flared blue, ready to bite.
His fingertip brushed the edge of the grass. Black mist—thinner than breath—flowed from his skin and wrapped the array node like silk around a thorn. The blue light stuttered, then dimmed to nothing.
He plucked three blades. They came away without resistance.
No alarm. No shout from the patrolling outer elder.
He tucked the grass into his sleeve and stood.
That was when he heard the footsteps.
Soft. Deliberate. Not the heavy tread of a guard.
A girl emerged from the shadow of the garden's central pavilion.
She wore the pale violet robes of an inner disciple—higher status than anyone in the outer branch had any right to expect at her age. Long black hair fell in a single braid over one shoulder, tied at the end with a thin silver ribbon. Her face was calm, almost serene, but her eyes—clear gray, like winter sky over steel—carried a sharpness that made people look twice and then look away.
Yue Li.
Daughter of an outer elder who had died protecting the clan's secret vault three years prior. Granted inner status as compensation. Known for sword talent bordering on genius. Known also for never speaking unless she had something worth saying.
She stopped five paces away.
"You're not supposed to be here," she said. Voice quiet. Not accusing. Simply stating fact.
Lin Feng met her gaze without flinching.
"Neither are you," he replied. "Not at this hour."
A very small crease appeared between her brows. Surprise, quickly hidden.
Most people would have stammered excuses. Most people would have bowed and fled.
He simply waited.
After a long moment she tilted her head slightly.
"You took Silver Veil Grass."
"Yes."
"Why?"
He considered lying. Decided against it—not because he trusted her, but because the truth would cost him nothing yet.
"Because I need it."
Her eyes narrowed a fraction.
"For cultivation?"
"No."
She studied him then—really studied him. Not the way people usually did, with pity or contempt. Like she was trying to see past the label everyone else had already pasted on him.
"You're Lin Feng," she said. Not a question.
"I am."
"The one they call—"
"Trash," he finished for her. Flat. No self-pity. No anger. Just the word, laid bare.
Something flickered in her expression. Not pity. Not quite amusement either.
"Most people would deny it."
"Most people care what others think."
She exhaled once through her nose—almost a laugh, but softer.
"You don't?"
"I used to." He paused. "Then I stopped."
Silence stretched between them.
The last sliver of sun slipped below the wall. The garden lanterns began to glow, casting long shadows that danced across the spirit plants.
Yue Li took one step closer.
"If you're caught with that herb, they'll assume theft. Outer disciples have been expelled for less."
"I know."
"Then why risk it?"
He looked at her—really looked. Past the composure, past the sword-callused hands, past the guarded eyes. There was something there. A quiet hunger. Not for power exactly. For something purer. Recognition, perhaps. Or proof that the world could still surprise her.
"Because some things are worth more than safety," he said.
Her gaze held his for a heartbeat longer than necessary.
Then she turned her head slightly, looking toward the distant ancestral hall where the lanterns were still bright from the awakening ceremony.
"Lin Hao received high-grade metal root today," she said. "He's already boasting that he'll enter Azure Peak Sect's inner court within a year. He mentioned your name in passing. Called you… irrelevant."
Lin Feng's expression did not change.
But inside, the black thread coiled a little tighter.
Yue Li continued, quieter now.
"He also said something else. That if anyone showed you favor—anyone at all—he would make sure they regretted it."
A warning. Not for Lin Hao's sake. For hers.
Lin Feng tilted his head.
"And yet you're standing here."
"I'm not showing favor," she said. "I'm… curious."
Curious.
The word hung between them like smoke.
He took a single step forward—slow, deliberate. Not threatening. Just closing the distance enough that she could see the absolute lack of fear in his eyes.
"Curiosity can be dangerous," he murmured.
Her chin lifted a fraction.
"So can indifference."
Another beat of silence.
Then she reached into her sleeve and produced a small jade bottle—barely the length of her finger.
"Frost Dew Essence," she said. "One drop enhances the potency of Silver Veil Grass without changing its nature. Consider it… repayment for not wasting my time with lies."
She extended her hand.
Lin Feng looked at the bottle. Looked at her.
He took it—fingers brushing hers for the briefest instant.
Her skin was cool. Steady.
Neither of them pulled away immediately.
When he finally did, she stepped back.
"Don't get caught," she said.
"I won't."
She turned to leave.
Then paused.
Without looking back:
"If you survive whatever you're planning… find me at the outer sword platform tomorrow at dawn. I want to see if the rumors are entirely accurate."
She walked away then—back straight, braid swaying slightly.
Lin Feng watched her disappear through the garden gate.
Only when she was gone did he uncork the jade bottle and let one drop fall onto the Silver Veil Grass in his palm.
The blades shimmered brighter for a moment, then settled.
He closed his fingers around them.
[Ding! New Mark of Interest Detected — Target: Yue Li]
[Status: Neutral → Mild Curiosity]
[Hidden Emotional Resonance: 3%]
[Note: Emotional bonds may accelerate certain Devour Protocols at higher stages. Proceed with caution.]
Lin Feng's lips curved—just the faintest hint of something that wasn't quite a smile.
He slipped the enhanced grass into his sleeve and walked back toward his residence.
The first spatial tear in the sky above the continent was now visible to those with sharp enough eyes—a thin black scar against the twilight, bleeding faint violet mist.
Tomorrow would bring the first monster wave.
Tomorrow would also bring choices.
And consequences.
He didn't look up at the tear.
He looked instead at the place where Yue Li had stood moments ago.
And for the first time since returning, something inside him—something that wasn't hatred, wasn't calculation—stirred.
Very quietly.
Very dangerously.