Chapter 13: Shadows in the Mist

The morning mist clung to the training grounds like a ghostly veil. Lin Xuan's breath steamed in the cold air as he moved through his forms, his practice sword slicing through the haze. His muscles burned from the previous day's training, but he welcomed the ache. Each repetition brought him closer to the strength he needed.

Today, the threads of fate were quiet. He let them rest at the edges of his mind, trusting his instincts to guide him. His movements were fluid, each strike precise, each dodge deliberate. The clarity Li Feng had taught him still resonated, a steady rhythm in the chaos of his thoughts.

Footsteps crunched on the gravel behind him. He finished his form and turned to see Yu Lan, her face tight with worry. She clutched a scroll in her hand, the paper creased from her grip.

"Lin Xuan," she said, her voice low. "You need to see this."

He wiped the sweat from his brow and took the scroll. The seal was already broken. He unrolled it and scanned the contents, his eyes narrowing. It was a summons — an official one — for an assembly in the main hall. The reason was vague, but the implications were clear: something was wrong.

"This doesn't look good," he murmured.

Yu Lan nodded. "Rumors are spreading again. Some disciples say the elders are questioning your rise in strength. Others say Zhao Jing has been talking to influential people in the sect."

Lin Xuan's jaw clenched. Zhao Jing. Even after his defeat, he was still pulling strings in the shadows, twisting perceptions and poisoning minds.

"We need to get ahead of this," Yu Lan said. "If the elders turn against you—"

"I know." Lin Xuan's voice was calm, but inside, a storm brewed. "Let's go."

They moved quickly through the winding paths of the sect, the mist parting before them. The usually peaceful courtyards were alive with murmurs and suspicious glances. Lin Xuan felt the weight of those stares, the seeds of doubt Zhao Jing had sown taking root in fertile soil.

The main hall loomed ahead, its grand doors open. The scent of incense drifted on the air, a reminder of the solemnity within. Lin Xuan took a steadying breath and stepped inside. The hall was filled with disciples, their faces a mixture of curiosity, doubt, and hostility.

At the front of the hall, seated on an elevated platform, were several elders. Elder Yu sat among them, his expression stern but unreadable. To the side stood Zhao Jing, his eyes gleaming with barely concealed triumph. Lin Xuan's fingers curled into fists.

This snake never quits.

Elder Yu's voice cut through the murmur of the crowd. "Lin Xuan, you stand accused of deceit, dishonor, and using forbidden techniques to advance your strength. How do you plead?"

A hush fell over the hall. Lin Xuan's pulse pounded in his ears. He met Elder Yu's gaze steadily. "I plead not guilty, Elder. I have trained hard and fought fairly. I have used no forbidden techniques."

Zhao Jing stepped forward, his voice dripping with false humility. "Elders, I only seek the truth. How can an outer disciple, who struggled for years, suddenly surpass those who have trained diligently? It defies reason."

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd. Doubt hung in the air like a heavy fog.

Lin Xuan took a deep breath. He couldn't let Zhao Jing control the narrative. "Strength isn't just about talent or time. It's about resolve. It's about pushing beyond your limits and refusing to accept failure."

Zhao Jing laughed coldly. "Poetic words, but words mean nothing without proof. Perhaps you can explain how you managed to defeat a Thunderfang Wolf — a feat even some inner disciples would struggle with?"

Lin Xuan's mind raced. He couldn't reveal the spindle. The threads of fate were his secret, a power he couldn't risk exposing. But he needed to offer something — a truth that wouldn't give away everything.

He straightened his back, his voice clear. "I trained harder than ever before. I studied my opponents, learned their weaknesses, and trusted in my instincts. There's no shortcut to strength, only effort and will."

The hall was silent. The weight of his words hung in the air.

Elder Yu's eyes narrowed. "And yet, there are those who say your growth is unnatural. That you possess a power beyond what an outer disciple should have."

Lin Xuan's heart tightened. He knew this was a precipice. One wrong step, and everything he had worked for would collapse. He needed to choose his next words carefully.

"I possess no power beyond what any disciple can achieve through dedication," he said firmly. "If you doubt my strength, then test me."

A ripple of surprise passed through the hall. Zhao Jing's eyes widened, then narrowed into slits. He hadn't expected Lin Xuan to challenge him so boldly.

Elder Yu's expression was unreadable. After a long pause, he nodded. "Very well. You will face a trial. A duel against a senior outer disciple. If you prove your strength, the accusations will be dismissed. If you fail…"

He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to.

Lin Xuan bowed his head. "I accept the trial."

A murmur of excitement and tension filled the hall. The duel was set, the path unavoidable. Lin Xuan turned and met Yu Lan's gaze. Her eyes shone with worry, but also with unwavering faith.

"You can do this," she whispered. "I know you can."

He nodded, a steely determination settling in his chest. He would face whatever challenge came his way. The threads of fate twisted around him, uncertain and chaotic, but he felt the strength within himself to weave them into a future he could claim.

The storm was gathering, but he was ready.