Chapter 3: Into the Fire
Lin Feng stepped out of the small hut, the cool morning air hitting his skin. The sunlight filtered through the tall trees surrounding the humble dwelling, casting long shadows across the ground. The world outside was still and quiet, as if waiting for something to stir. His mind was a whirlwind of questions—about the Azure Sky Sect, the hostile forces, and what kind of powers awaited him in this new world.
His feet moved instinctively, heading in the direction the man from earlier had pointed him toward—the training grounds. With every step, Lin Feng felt the weight of his new reality settling on his shoulders. The fact that he was a stranger in a strange world was no longer just an abstract thought. It was real.
As he walked through the forest-like grounds, Lin Feng's eyes scanned his surroundings, alert for any potential danger. He had no idea what kind of martial arts or cultivation techniques were practiced here, but he knew one thing: he needed to stay alive.
The path narrowed as he ventured deeper into the sect's grounds, the air thick with the scent of pine and earth. The distant sound of clashing weapons and shouting voices reached his ears. The training grounds were close.
After what seemed like an eternity, Lin Feng reached a large clearing. In front of him stood a massive courtyard surrounded by high wooden walls. Inside, disciples of various ages sparred with one another, their movements swift and precise. Some wielded swords, while others used bare fists. The sounds of their combat echoed in the air, a mixture of grunts, clangs of metal, and the occasional cheer.
At the far end of the courtyard, a large stone building loomed. The word "Azure" was carved into its surface, but the rest of the inscription was obscured by time and weather. The building seemed to pulse with an energy that Lin Feng couldn't quite understand, yet it called to him.
He wasn't sure what to expect, but he knew this was where he had to be.
As he stepped into the courtyard, a young man with a stern face approached him. His robes marked him as a disciple of the Azure Sky Sect, though his posture was rigid, almost military. His eyes were cold as he sized Lin Feng up.
"You're new," the man said flatly. "What's your name?"
"Lin Feng," he answered, trying to maintain a calm demeanor. "I was told to come here."
The disciple studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Good. If you're an outer disciple, you better prove yourself. This isn't a place for weaklings."
With that, the man turned and gestured toward a group of disciples who were practicing with swords. "Go join them. You'll learn the basics of the Azure Sky Sword Technique. We don't have time for pleasantries."
Lin Feng stood frozen for a moment. He had no idea what this "Azure Sky Sword Technique" was, but it sounded important. It seemed like everyone here was ready for combat, and he was still trying to wrap his head around what was going on.
"Move," the disciple barked again, his tone sharp.
Swallowing his unease, Lin Feng followed him toward the group. The disciples practicing with swords barely looked up as he approached. Some of them were in the midst of intense sparring, their blades flashing in the air with deadly precision. They moved fluidly, almost as if the sword was an extension of their bodies.
A grizzled old man with a white beard stood by the side, watching the sparring with narrowed eyes. He looked over at Lin Feng and raised an eyebrow.
"New blood," he muttered, his voice gravelly. "If you're here to train, then show me what you've got."
Lin Feng hesitated, his heart pounding. What did he know about swordplay? Nothing, really. His memories of Earth didn't include any formal martial arts training, and he had no idea how this world's techniques worked. But he had to try.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward. The other disciples stopped what they were doing and turned to watch him, some with curiosity, others with clear disdain.
The old man tossed Lin Feng a wooden practice sword. Lin Feng caught it awkwardly, his grip uncertain.
"Hold it like you mean it," the old man grumbled. "If you want to survive here, you'll need to learn fast."
Lin Feng nodded, his grip tightening on the hilt. He had to focus. The system had said he was a "fallen outer disciple." Maybe there was something inside him that could help him adapt to this world's martial arts, something he hadn't unlocked yet.
With no other choice, he took his first step forward. The other disciples stepped aside to give him space, their eyes on him with varying levels of interest.
"Don't hold back," the old man said, his voice cold. "If you die, it's your problem, not mine."
Lin Feng tensed. The weight of the practice sword felt strangely natural in his hand, as though it had always belonged there. His body, still unfamiliar, moved almost on instinct as he squared off with a young disciple who stepped forward to spar with him.
The disciple smirked, clearly amused by Lin Feng's hesitation. "Ready to die, new guy?" he taunted, drawing his own wooden sword.
Lin Feng took a deep breath, trying to center himself. The others around him were already waiting for him to make a move, their eyes filled with expectation. He could feel their gaze on him, pressing down like a heavy weight.
Suddenly, the voice of the Divine Path System echoed in his mind.
[Analyzing host's body and skills…]
[Ding! Host has unlocked the basic level of Azure Sky Sword Technique.]
[A unique martial technique based on precision, speed, and control. The technique emphasizes attacking with the tip of the sword for maximum impact.]
[Host has gained preliminary proficiency.]
Lin Feng didn't have time to fully absorb this information. His opponent lunged, aiming for Lin Feng's chest with a swift, confident strike.
Instinct kicked in. Lin Feng sidestepped with surprising agility, raising his sword just in time to block the attack. The wooden blades collided with a resounding crack. The force of the impact jarred Lin Feng's arm, but he quickly recovered, bringing his sword up for a counterstrike. His movements felt smoother, more controlled than he expected.
The disciple before him seemed momentarily thrown off by Lin Feng's quick reflexes. He tried again, this time with more force, aiming for Lin Feng's side.
But Lin Feng was faster.
With a quick step back, he parried the blow and twisted his wrist, delivering a precise strike aimed at the disciple's exposed side. His sword landed with a sharp thud.
The crowd fell silent.
Lin Feng's heart raced, but he remained calm, his breath steady. The disciple stepped back, stunned. He hadn't expected this new guy to be so quick, so precise. His smirk faltered as he looked Lin Feng over, his eyes narrowing.
"You've got potential," he muttered, clearly annoyed.
Lin Feng lowered his sword, his muscles still trembling from the rush of combat. He had no idea where that skill had come from, but it felt like he had just tapped into something deep within himself. The technique, the movements—they felt… right.
The old man's gravelly voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Not bad, kid. You've got the basics down. But if you want to survive here, you'll need to keep improving. Don't get cocky."
Lin Feng nodded, his mind racing. He had survived his first test, but this was just the beginning. In a place like this, every day would be a battle. And if he wanted to thrive in this world, he would need to master every technique, every skill he could.
With a determined breath, he raised his sword again.
The journey was just beginning.