Chapter 24: Taking It One Step at a Time (Bonus Chapter for Surpassing 200 Bookmarks!)

On the broad-bellied boat, a new day had dawned. The vessel had long since left behind the city of Northern Firmament and now glided serenely upon the open sea. The sky was a boundless blue, unmarred by even a wisp of cloud; the water below was tranquil as glass. Though such a scene might seem ordinary to some, to Zhang Ning it was a rare and precious beauty. After a morning devoted to cultivation, his studies of the common Dryan tongue of the Azure World, and a terse interrogation of Su Ye’s progress, fatigue overtook him. Deciding to indulge in a midday nap amid this idyllic setting, he gave the order without hesitation.

At once, a parasol was raised to shield him from the sun. A reclining chair was set out, with a small table at his side bearing his beloved coconut juice; attentive hands had even placed lush green plants nearby. He felt as if he were lounging on a Hawaiian beach, and so, utterly at ease, he drifted into a deep sleep, certain that nothing could disturb his peace.

Yet while some enjoyed tranquil leisure, others were restless and uneasy.

In a room on the middle deck, a young man crouched in the corridor. Isolated from the world aboard this ship, he had found a blade of grass from somewhere to chew on, but the bitterness on his face spoiled any hint of his usual nonchalance. Worse still, he was rubbing his own cheeks with a rough, agitated hand. This was Lin Feng—whose talent, when tested, had seemed merely average, but whose insight startled all and made him a dark horse in the competition.

Upon realizing that Zhang Ning, so precocious and sharp, was not one to be easily served, Lin Feng had resolved to let himself be eliminated. His methods were unorthodox—despite Zhang Ning’s specialized talismans and the support of Water Blue Star, Lin Feng had managed to muddle through undetected. Such boldness and cunning would be beyond even those several ranks above him, yet Lin Feng himself thought little of it.

He had filled out a test paper with answers that no true disciple of the demonic path would ever choose, fully expecting to be disqualified. To his astonishment, he was accepted.

Lin Feng could not fathom what use Zhang Ning saw in recruiting someone like him; the admission standards were a complete mystery. Having been swept up by Zhang Ning’s unpredictable maneuvers, Lin Feng could only stew in disappointment with himself. Once he completed his martial studies, entry to the Grand Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect would be certain—and so, burdened with worry, he sat dejected in the doorway during the midday break, unable to sleep.

Just then, an arrogant voice cut through his thoughts. A handsome, androgynous youth in sapphire-blue robes approached.

“Lin Feng, have you lost faith in the afternoon’s training? You should, you know. Even with your petty tricks, you’re destined to be weeded out and end up an ordinary disciple!” The speaker was Liang Si, the youth who had ranked just ahead of him in the initial test, only to be surpassed by Lin Feng’s surprising results. Once, the elder had favored Liang Si, but after Lin Feng’s performance, Liang Si was ignored. Why did this keep happening to him? All his life, he had craved a single look of recognition—why was it denied him now?

“You should have quit while you had the chance! I don’t know what tricks you used to pass the final test!” Liang Si’s eyes were full of resentment.

Though Lin Feng had anticipated such a scene and tried to restrain himself, he could not hold back. “Fine, you’re not convinced? Then let’s settle it in the ‘Hall of Contest’ this afternoon!”

A look of disdain—and even wounded pride—flashed across Liang Si’s face. “You? Worthy to challenge me in the Hall of Contest? Very well, let’s show the elders that an impostor has slipped in among us!”

“Yes, let’s show them there really is someone unworthy among us!” a deep, sonorous voice chimed in. Lin Feng looked up and saw that it was the chubby Chen Baishu, concern in his eyes and indignation written plainly on his face.

For someone as timid and conflict-averse as Chen Baishu, this was uncharacteristic. Lin Feng was unexpectedly moved, though inwardly he cried, Not again, not again!

Ever since five years ago, Lin Feng felt his luck had soured. Once a young prodigy in his family, well-liked among his peers, and never one to seek trouble, his life had changed when, without cause, he lost his cultivation. From then on, he suffered suppression and humiliation at every turn.

It was baffling. The Lin family was a leading clan in his city; both his parents had died in battle for the clan. By rights, even if he ended up a wastrel, the family would have cared for him if only as a symbol—to show that the children of fallen heroes received due honor. Wasn’t that a good example for all? And yet, they insisted on bullying him, which defied all reason.

Nor was that the end of his misfortunes. His fiancée inexplicably broke off their engagement—a mystery that left him more puzzled than angry. Had they married, they could have lived as most noble families did, each going their own way in comfort. The union was beneficial to both families; did she see marriage only as the joining of man and woman, enjoying the family’s support without responsibility or reciprocation? Yet she insisted on dissolving the betrothal. Out of respect, Lin Feng acquiesced peacefully, but from then on his family looked down on him as though he belonged to the other house.

Still stranger events followed. His cultivation was unexpectedly restored, and from a keepsake left by his mother emerged the spirit of an old man, claiming to be a fallen master and demanding Lin Feng as his disciple. Lin Feng smashed the ring at once, and the old man never appeared again.

His life seemed scripted—as if, even when he despaired enough to leap off a cliff, he would stumble upon some hidden treasure. Day after day, people looked down on him, expecting him to cower, yet he could not restrain his temper and had to argue back. He freely admitted his own stubbornness.

But could it be his fault that beautiful women, each for her own reasons, kept getting involved with him, and that the young lords from great families pursued him out of jealousy? He simply could not understand. Were all the noble heirs of the great clans conspiring to act insane together?

Disgusted, confused, and more than a little afraid, Lin Feng could see no way out. All he wanted was to find someone influential to rely on, so these demons and monsters would leave him be. He had set his sights on the Third Prince of the Grand Freedom Heavenly Demon Sect, Zhuge Yi, who was rumored to be a strict master.

That would be perfect. He longed for someone to finally take him in hand.

But by some twist of fate, he was instead recruited by the Fifth Prince, who left his mark upon Lin Feng. Now, he could only take things one step at a time.