Three days had passed since Lin Feng's awakening with the Supreme Dual Cultivation System. The morning sunlight filtered through his window as he sat in meditation, watching the familiar notification appear in his vision.
[DING! Daily Mission Complete!][Mission: Cultivate for 2 hours with partner][Reward: 15 System Points, Relationship progression with Xiao Yun][Total System Points: 45]
Lin Feng opened his eyes to find Xiao Yun sitting across from him, her own cultivation session coming to an end. The change in her over the past few days was remarkable—where once she had been a timid servant girl, she now carried herself with quiet confidence. Her cultivation had stabilized at the 2nd Stage of Mortal Realm, a level that most disciples took months to achieve.
"Young Master," she said softly, "I still can't believe this is real. Yesterday I was nobody, and now..."
"Now you're my most important ally," Lin Feng finished, reaching out to take her hand. The moment their fingers touched, he felt the familiar warmth of their qi connection.
[DING! Dual Cultivation Bonus Active][Shared Cultivation Speed: +150%][Partner Loyalty: Xiao Yun - 100%][New Ability Unlocked: Qi Resonance]
"System, what's Qi Resonance?" Lin Feng asked mentally.
[Qi Resonance: When in close proximity to trusted cultivation partners, combat effectiveness increases by 25%. Partners can share techniques and insights telepathically.]
"Xiao Yun," Lin Feng said, his eyes lighting up. "Try to focus your qi and think about the Harmony Palm technique I showed you."
She closed her eyes and concentrated. Suddenly, Lin Feng felt a gentle probing sensation in his mind—not invasive, but like a warm presence seeking connection.
"I can... I can feel your understanding of the technique," she gasped, opening her eyes. "It's like you're teaching me directly through our bond!"
Before Lin Feng could respond, urgent knocking echoed from his door.
"Young Master Lin Feng!" The voice belonged to Lin Wei, one of his father's personal attendants. "The Patriarch requests your immediate presence in the main hall!"
Lin Feng and Xiao Yun exchanged glances. His father rarely summoned anyone to the main hall unless it was a matter of significant importance.
"Come," Lin Feng said, standing and straightening his robes. "Let's see what father wants."
The Lin Family's main hall was an impressive structure, its pillars carved with dragons and phoenixes, symbols of imperial favor from centuries past. As Lin Feng entered, he was surprised to find not just his father, but also several family elders and a stranger—a middle-aged man in azure robes with the distinctive cloud pattern that marked him as a member of the Celestial Cloud Sect.
[DING! Significant Character Detected][Name: Elder Zhang Wuxian][Cultivation: Foundation Establishment - 5th Stage][Affiliation: Celestial Cloud Sect - Outer Elder][Threat Level: High][Recommendation: Caution advised]
Lin Feng's father, Lin Tianyu, gestured for him to approach. "Lin Feng, this is Elder Zhang from the Celestial Cloud Sect. He has come with an... interesting proposal."
Elder Zhang studied Lin Feng with sharp eyes. "So you're the young man who defeated Lin Hao so decisively three days ago. Your combat technique was quite impressive for someone of your age and cultivation level."
"Elder Zhang honors me with his praise," Lin Feng replied with a respectful bow, though he remained alert. The system's warning about the man's threat level hadn't gone unnoticed.
"I'll be direct," Elder Zhang continued. "The Celestial Cloud Sect holds recruitment trials every three years. Based on reports of your recent... improvement... I'm here to offer you a chance to participate."
Murmurs rippled through the hall. Being invited to sect trials was an honor that most families could only dream of.
[DING! Major Choice Detected][Option 1: Accept sect invitation immediately][Reward: Sect resources, advanced techniques][Risk: Separation from Xiao Yun, unknown dangers]
[Option 2: Negotiate terms][Reward: Better conditions, potential to bring Xiao Yun][Risk: Offending the elder]
[Option 3: Decline politely][Reward: Maintain current situation][Risk: Missing opportunity, potential sect enmity]
Lin Feng considered his options carefully. "Elder Zhang, I'm deeply honored by this invitation. However, I have one condition."
The elder's eyebrows rose. "A condition? You're hardly in a position to make demands, young man."
"I require that my cultivation partner, Xiao Yun, be allowed to accompany me to the trials."
The hall fell silent. Lin Tianyu's expression showed surprise and concern—his son was taking a significant risk by making demands of a sect elder.
Elder Zhang looked over at Xiao Yun, who had been standing quietly near the wall. "Your servant girl? What possible value could she have to the sect?"
[DING! Relationship Challenge Detected][Defending Xiao Yun will increase loyalty and unlock new abilities][Warning: This action may have consequences]
Lin Feng's voice carried a steel that surprised everyone present. "She is not my servant. She is my cultivation partner, and her progress in the past three days has been remarkable. Any sect that cannot recognize potential when it sees it is not worthy of my time."
The temperature in the hall seemed to drop several degrees. Elder Zhang's cultivation aura flared slightly, pressing down on everyone present.
"You dare to question the judgment of the Celestial Cloud Sect?" he said, his voice dangerously low.
But Lin Feng stood firm, his own aura rising to meet the challenge. The system's power flowed through him, and he felt Xiao Yun's supportive presence strengthening his resolve.
[DING! Qi Resonance Activated][Combat Effectiveness: +25%][Partner Support: Xiao Yun's faith increases your resistance to pressure]
"I question any organization that judges worth based on birth rather than ability," Lin Feng replied calmly. "Xiao Yun has advanced from unable to cultivate to the 2nd Stage of Mortal Realm in three days. How many of your sect's prized disciples can claim such rapid progress?"
Elder Zhang's eyes narrowed as he focused on Xiao Yun. After a moment, his expression shifted to one of surprise.
"2nd Stage? In three days?" He extended his spiritual sense toward her, and his surprise deepened. "Her foundation is incredibly solid, and her qi is remarkably pure. How is this possible?"
[DING! Opportunity Detected][Elder Zhang's interest is piqued. Demonstrate your unique cultivation method?][Reward: Increased sect interest, potential better terms][Risk: Revealing system secrets]
"Elder Zhang," Lin Feng said, "would you be willing to witness a demonstration of our cultivation method?"
The elder's curiosity was clearly aroused. "Very well. Show me what makes your partnership so special."
Lin Feng and Xiao Yun moved to the center of the hall. They sat facing each other and began the dual cultivation technique the system had taught them. As their qi began to harmonize, a visible aura of balanced energy surrounded them both.
The watching elders gasped as they felt the quality of the energy being generated. It was purer and more stable than anything they had experienced from cultivators at the Mortal Realm level.
[DING! Demonstration Successful][Observers are impressed by your unique cultivation method][Elder Zhang's assessment: Intrigued → Eager]
"Fascinating," Elder Zhang murmured, his earlier hostility replaced by genuine interest. "This is a form of dual cultivation I've never seen before. The harmony you've achieved is remarkable."
He was quiet for a long moment, clearly weighing something in his mind. Finally, he spoke.
"Very well, Lin Feng. I will make an exception. Both you and your partner may attend the trials. However," his voice grew stern, "you will both be held to the same standards. If either of you fails to meet the sect's requirements, both will be rejected."
[DING! Quest Update][Quest: Survive the Celestial Cloud Sect trials][Difficulty: High][Reward: 200 System Points, Sect membership, Advanced cultivation resources][Partner Quest: Protect Xiao Yun during trials][Bonus Reward: Relationship advancement, Joint cultivation techniques]
"When do the trials begin?" Lin Feng asked.
"In one month. Use this time to prepare—the trials are not for the weak or unprepared. Many who enter do not survive." Elder Zhang's expression was grave. "I will send detailed information about what to expect."
As the elder prepared to leave, he paused and looked back at Lin Feng. "One more thing, young man. Your cultivation method is unique, but uniqueness can be as much a curse as a blessing. Be careful who you trust with your secrets."
After Elder Zhang departed, Lin Feng's father approached him.
"Son," Lin Tianyu said, his voice containing a mixture of pride and concern, "you've changed more in the past few days than in the previous eighteen years. Are you certain you're ready for this path?"
"Father," Lin Feng replied, "I've spent eighteen years being weak and insignificant. I won't waste another day being anything less than what I can become."
[DING! Relationship Status Update][Father - Lin Tianyu: Interested → Proud][Family Status: Rising Star → Sect Candidate]
Later that evening, Lin Feng and Xiao Yun sat in the garden where his journey had begun. The moon cast silver light over the spirit oak, and the peaceful setting belied the momentous changes happening in their lives.
"Young Master," Xiao Yun said softly, "are you sure about bringing me to the sect trials? I don't want to be the reason you fail."
Lin Feng took her hand, feeling the familiar warmth of their connection. "Xiao Yun, you're not a burden—you're my greatest strength. The system showed me that cultivation isn't about standing alone at the top. It's about finding others who can walk the path with you."
[DING! Daily Mission Preview][Mission: Research Celestial Cloud Sect trials preparation][Reward: 20 System Points, Trial preparation knowledge][Accept?]
"Accept," Lin Feng said.
[DING! New System Shop Items Unlocked][Trial Preparation Package: 100 System Points][Partner Protection Talisman: 50 System Points][Advanced Dual Cultivation Technique: 150 System Points][Current System Points: 45]
"System, what's the most efficient way to earn points before the trials?" Lin Feng asked mentally.
[DING! Special Event Unlocked][Monthly Challenge: Defeat 10 opponents above your cultivation level][Reward: 500 System Points, Combat mastery upgrade][Time Limit: 30 days][Accept?]
Lin Feng's eyes gleamed with determination. "Accept."
As he looked toward the distant mountains where the Celestial Cloud Sect lay, Lin Feng felt a familiar excitement building within him. The trials would be dangerous, but they were also an opportunity to prove that his path of dual cultivation was not just different—it was superior.
"Tomorrow, we begin intense training," he told Xiao Yun. "The sect trials will test everything we've learned and more. But I have confidence in us."
[DING! Partner Response: Xiao Yun's determination increases][New Ability Unlocked: Shared Resolve][When facing challenges together, both partners gain +50% resistance to fear and intimidation]
"Whatever comes," Xiao Yun said, her voice steady despite the magnitude of what lay ahead, "we'll face it together."
Lin Feng smiled, feeling the truth of her words in his heart. The system had given him power, but Xiao Yun had given him purpose. Together, they would show the cultivation world that there was more than one path to the supreme heights.
The trials of the Celestial Cloud Sect awaited, and with them, the next stage of their journey toward ultimate power.