The night was silent, save for the rustling of the leaves and the occasional croak of a distant frog. Lin Feng stood in the courtyard long after the figure had vanished into the shadows. His grip on his sword had loosened, but his mind was far from calm. The words the stranger had left behind continued to reverberate in his mind.
You are a piece in a much larger game.
It was a phrase that gnawed at his thoughts, unraveling everything he thought he knew about his path. Lin Feng had always believed his journey was his own, that his decisions, his actions, would shape the world around him. But now, the unsettling realization hit him: he wasn't in control. The Divine Path System had been steering him all along, and there were others, like him, who had been caught in this web of fate.
What is the real purpose behind this system? Lin Feng wondered. What game are they playing?
He walked slowly back to his room, his thoughts in turmoil. The image of the man, his pale face and glowing eyes, was burned into his memory. But what disturbed him more than the man's appearance was the implication that Lin Feng was part of something far larger and more dangerous than he had ever imagined. He wasn't just cultivating power to protect himself or to grow stronger—he was part of a larger plan, one orchestrated by forces beyond his understanding.
The doors to his room creaked as Lin Feng pushed them open, stepping into the dimly lit space. The air felt stale, but it offered a comfort of familiarity that he desperately needed. His bed, neatly made, stood in the corner. A small wooden desk held a few scrolls of cultivation techniques, and a lone candle flickered, casting long shadows against the walls.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing—like a piece of the puzzle had yet to be found. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Lin Feng closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to center himself. Focus. You have faced the darkness within. Now, you must face the truth.
The Divine Path System was still there, in the back of his mind, its presence like a pulse beneath his skin. He reached inward, seeking its guidance, hoping for clarity, but the system remained silent, its usual prompts absent.
What's happening? Lin Feng wondered, frustration building in his chest. Why won't it respond?
Suddenly, a strange sensation washed over him. It was as if the room itself had shifted, the air thickening around him. The walls seemed to close in, the temperature dropping. His breath became shallow, his heartbeat quickening.
Then, with a jolt, the system's voice suddenly rang in his mind.
Host… Host…
The voice was distant, fractured, as if it were struggling to communicate. Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat. This wasn't the usual cold, mechanical tone he was used to. This was something different—urgent, desperate, even… afraid.
System? Lin Feng's mind screamed. What's happening?
The host… must be careful… Something is coming… the voice stuttered, its usual calmness fractured by what seemed like fear. The Divine Path… is not… only a tool…
Lin Feng's eyes snapped open. He couldn't fully comprehend the gravity of the message, but one thing was clear: there was more to the Divine Path than he had ever realized. It wasn't just a cultivation system. It wasn't just a means to grow stronger. It was something far older, something far more dangerous.
The candlelight flickered and dimmed, casting the room into complete darkness. Lin Feng felt a chill crawl up his spine, and instinctively, he reached for his sword, his senses alert. Something wasn't right.
The voice of the system returned, its tone now more frantic.
Host… be cautious… the path ahead is fraught with danger. They are watching… watching you…
Before Lin Feng could process the information, the door to his room burst open with a loud crash, and two figures entered. Lin Feng's heart surged as he grabbed his sword, ready for whatever threat was to come. But when the figures emerged from the shadows, he froze.
It was Yan Li and Master Jian.
"Lin Feng," Master Jian's voice was stern, yet filled with an urgency Lin Feng had never heard before. "You need to come with us. Now."
"What's happening?" Lin Feng demanded, his voice tinged with both confusion and fear. "What's going on?"
Yan Li's expression was grim. "It's not safe here. We need to move quickly."
Lin Feng felt his pulse quicken, the confusion deepening. "Why? What's happening?"
Master Jian stepped closer, lowering his voice. "There's no time for explanations. Trust us, Lin Feng. The Divine Path… it's not what you think it is. You've been chosen, but not for the reasons you believe."
The words hit Lin Feng like a physical blow, the shock of them knocking the breath out of him. "What are you talking about?"
"We'll explain everything when we're safe," Master Jian said, his gaze sharp and filled with urgency. "But you have to trust us. Come with us now, and stay close."
Lin Feng hesitated. There was a part of him that wanted to demand answers, to understand what was happening. But another part of him, the part that trusted these two, urged him to listen.
"Alright," Lin Feng said, his voice quiet but resolute. "I'll follow you."
The three of them moved swiftly through the halls, their steps echoing in the empty corridors. Lin Feng's mind raced, but there was no time to ask more questions. His heart pounded in his chest as they made their way deeper into the sect, away from the rooms he had grown familiar with. The air seemed to grow colder with each step, the oppressive feeling that had plagued him earlier returning.
Eventually, they arrived at a hidden chamber, its entrance concealed by a series of complex runes etched into the stone walls. Master Jian muttered something under his breath, and the runes glowed faintly before parting to reveal a passage.
Inside the chamber, the atmosphere was thick with a palpable energy, as if the very air hummed with power. Several other disciples stood waiting, their faces tense and grim. Lin Feng didn't recognize most of them, but the sense of urgency in their eyes was unmistakable.
Yan Li motioned for Lin Feng to follow her inside. "We don't have much time. The path you are walking on is not as straightforward as it seems. You've been manipulated, Lin Feng. And now, they're coming for you."
Lin Feng's heart raced. "Who's coming for me?"
Master Jian stepped forward. "The true rulers of the Divine Path. And they won't stop until they have what they want."
Lin Feng's mind swirled with confusion and fear. The truth was beginning to unfold, but the pieces were still scattered. The Divine Path wasn't just a cultivation system—it was a force tied to something far older, something dangerous. And now, it seemed as if those who controlled it were coming for him.
He was no longer just a player in this game—he was the prize. And whoever controlled the Divine Path would stop at nothing to claim him.
The game was about to begin in earnest.