Dawn broke red and gold over Dawnmist Peak, light shimmering through the mist like quiet fire. Birds returned to the treetops, chirping hesitantly, as if unsure the mountain was safe again.
But Luo Feng wasn't watching the sunrise.
He stood in the training courtyard, arms crossed, staring at the path winding up from the base.
"They're late," Bai Xueyin murmured, stepping beside him. She had already trained for an hour that morning—her breath still misted faintly from cold qi cycling through her system.
"They're watching," Luo Feng said. "Measuring."
"Still."
He nodded.
"Still."
A-Yan came running from the hut, scroll in hand, hair tangled.
"They're here!" she said, breathless. "Two—no, three—sect officials. One of them has gold trim!"
"Inner Court," Bai said.
"And ceremonial robes," A-Yan added. "I think this is official."
Luo Feng didn't reply.
Not yet.
They arrived as the sun cleared the horizon—three cultivators in flowing white and silver robes, each bearing the Celestial Dawn Sect's Phoenix Crest stitched into the chest.
The leader was tall, elegant, with silver-gray hair and a face like carved jade. His presence was smooth—not arrogant, but practiced. Calculated.
He bowed slightly at the peak's edge.
"Luo Feng. It's been some time."
Luo Feng inclined his head but did not bow. "Elder Ji."
Elder Ji's smile was faint. "I've come not as a judge, but as a bridge."
He stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back.
"You've caused a great deal of stir. Rejected exile. Defied our assessments. Resisted the Silent Needle."
"I taught," Luo Feng said simply.
"Yes. And that is what worries some of us."
Ji turned and motioned. One of the others stepped forward and opened a scroll.
"By decree of the Inner Council," Ji said, "you are offered recognition as a sanctioned Independent Hall under the Celestial Dawn Sect."
The scroll unrolled—gold letters glowing faintly.
It was real.
"A Hall of your own," Ji continued. "Resources. An outer disciple budget. Authority to accept, reject, or punish those within your domain. Land grants—four peaks to the south. A stipend for training materials."
Luo Feng didn't move.
"And," Ji added, "your name, officially restored to the Elder Registry. You will no longer be known as the Coward of Dawnmist Peak. You will be… Mentor Luo."
Silence.
Even Bai and A-Yan looked stunned.
Ding! System Notification: Optional alignment shift available.If Host accepts Sect Hall Recognition, certain techniques may receive boosted resources.Warning: Alliance perks may restrict access to future "Legacy" pathways.System Note: Binding to authority may limit Mentor independence.
Luo Feng folded his arms.
"And the leash?"
Elder Ji's brow rose slightly. "Leash?"
"Every offer like this has conditions. So let's save time. What are they?"
Ji smiled—but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Minor ones. Quarterly reports. Attendance at annual conclaves. Access to any disciples you recruit with exceptional constitutions."
A pause.
"And a cooperative stance in upcoming political matters."
There it was.
The leash.
"You want my name, my strength, and my teachings… but only on your terms."
Ji gave a small shrug. "It's not so different from what you once accepted. When you wore the Sect's robes."
"I wore them," Luo Feng said. "But they never fit."
Behind him, Bai stepped closer.
"We don't need their coin," she said softly.
A-Yan nodded, arms crossed. "We already have a Hall."
Ji studied them both, then looked back at Luo Feng.
"You're creating something outside the established structure," he said. "That's dangerous."
"For who?"
Ji said nothing.
"You want to control what I teach," Luo Feng continued. "But that's not how teaching works. My disciples aren't soldiers. They're people."
"People become threats."
"And so you offer a pretty cage."
Ji's expression finally hardened. "Refuse this, Luo Feng, and you refuse the Sect. You reject its authority."
"I never rejected its authority," Luo Feng said. "It rejected me."
He turned, back to the scroll, and walked toward the courtyard.
"I don't need four peaks. I have one."
He motioned to the stone beneath his feet.
"And I don't need a Hall."
He looked at Bai and A-Yan.
"I have a family."
Ding! Choice registered: Sect Alignment – Rejected.Path of Independent Legacy confirmed. Mentor Sovereignty activated.New reward unlocked: "Silent Summit Charm" – resists scrying, sealing, and spiritual surveillance for 72 hours.Passive bonus: Loyalty of all current disciples increased.
Ji exhaled.
"I warned them this would be your answer."
"You did," Luo Feng said. "And I'm glad you came yourself. You're one of the few left who still believes in words."
Ji hesitated—then inclined his head again.
"I sincerely hope you're right, Luo Feng. Because from here… things may no longer be quiet."
He turned.
And with a sweep of his sleeve, vanished in a shimmer of golden light.
After they were gone, Bai looked at him. "That was real power they offered."
"I know."
"And real protection."
"I know."
"Are you sure?"
Luo Feng exhaled slowly.
"No."
Bai blinked.
"I'm not sure," he said. "But I've seen what happens when power is given in exchange for silence. I won't be silent."
A-Yan looked up at him. "So what now?"
He smiled faintly.
"Now we build something better."
That night, Luo Feng carved a new plaque and hung it above the door.
Dawnmist HallFounded on freedom. Forged by fire. Guided by faith.
His disciples stood with him in the torchlight.
They didn't cheer.
They just stood taller.
In the inner sanctum of the Celestial Dawn Sect, Elder Mo watched the message orb crackle.
"He refused," the voice whispered.
Mo's face twisted. "Then we proceed. No more offers."
"He has allies now."
"Then we burn them, too."