---
## Chapter Two: The Looming Invitation
The usual sleepy hum of Azure Cloud Village was starting to get buzzy. Whispers, light as morning dew, began to spread, growing louder by the day: **the Immortal Sects were coming.** This wasn't just old folks' tales anymore; it was real. Every few decades, powerful folks from big cultivation sects flew down from their mountain homes, looking for young talent to join them.
Lin Feng, with all his past life memories, knew exactly which sect was heading their way. It was the **Crimson Lotus Sect**, one of the top ten in the whole land. They were known for being flexible and smart in their ways of cultivation. And Lin Feng knew, deep down in his calculating heart, that Yan Zhen was definitely getting picked. Yan Zhen had a pure spirit, super bright, and he picked up on things fast. All the signs of a future star, just what the Crimson Lotus Sect wanted.
His ten years in Azure Cloud weren't wasted. He didn't just grow up; he grew *into* the village life. He learned all about the folks here, Yan Zhen's kind but simple family, and most important, Yan Zhen himself. Lin Feng knew what Yan Zhen hoped for, what little things worried him, and where he was a bit blind. He carefully made Yan Zhen's natural kindness grow into a trusting, almost naive way of seeing the world. Yan Zhen always believed the best in people, which Lin Feng knew would be a huge weakness later on. By sharing every adventure, whispering secrets under the stars, and always being there for each other, Lin Feng made himself completely necessary to Yan Zhen. He was the best friend, the quiet listener, the one Yan Zhen always looked to for advice, never guessing the thoughts hidden behind Lin Feng's bright smile.
One crisp morning, the air smelling of pine, Yan Zhen found Lin Feng by their usual stream. Lin Feng was busy, making pebbles skip like crazy across the water, giggling each time one bounced further than the last.
"Lin Feng!" Yan Zhen yelled, his voice buzzing with excitement. "Did you hear? Old Man Li saw Elder Wei's flying thing way up high! He's from the **Crimson Lotus Sect**! My dad says he's super strong, a real immortal! And he only picks the very best!"
Lin Feng stopped skipping stones, his face lighting up with mock seriousness. "Whoa! Really? That's wild, Zhen! Imagine flying on a giant whatever-that-was! But, man, that also sounds kinda scary, right? Like, cultivation is probably super hard. Not everyone's cut out for that tough life." He looked at Yan Zhen, eyes wide with exaggerated concern. "Lots of kids are probably gonna get rejected, huh?"
Yan Zhen's bright face fell a little. "Yeah, I know. My dad said there are big tests. But I gotta try! I wanna get strong, strong enough to protect our village, protect everyone! You're coming too, right? We swore we'd always face everything together!"
Lin Feng's grin returned, wide and enthusiastic, a perfect mirror of Yan Zhen's youthful energy. "Duh, Zhen! Of course, I'm coming! Where you go, I go! We're best friends forever!" He clapped Yan Zhen on the back. "You're probably gonna be awesome, Zhen! You're super strong! My brain just works in weird ways sometimes, you know? Like, I think too much, while you just *do* stuff. That's why you're the hero!" He paused, then nudged Yan Zhen playfully. "But hey, maybe don't look *too* excited when the Elder shows up, yeah? Sometimes, being too eager can make you look... well, a bit clumsy. The big shot cultivators, they probably like folks who are all cool and serious, not bouncy like us, right?" He winked.
Yan Zhen chuckled, but a thoughtful look crossed his face. "Bouncy? You think I'm bouncy? I guess so, sometimes. But calm and serious... got it!"
Over the next few days, Lin Feng stuck to Yan Zhen like glue. He'd join in their martial arts practice, just as loud and boisterous as Yan Zhen. He'd praise Yan Zhen's powerful punches, then playfully mimic a clumsy move, then laugh and say, "Man, I wish I had your power, Zhen! But sometimes, I feel like you just smash through everything! Maybe if you just *danced* through your moves, you'd be even faster! Like a ninja!" The idea was to make Yan Zhen think about *how* he used his strength, not just that he had it. He was dropping tiny seeds of doubt, not about Yan Zhen's strength, but about his *finesse*.
Lin Feng made sure he always looked good too, but not in a serious way. More like, effortlessly cool. Yan Zhen might have a grass stain on his knee from wrestling, but Lin Feng's tunic would just look artfully rumpled. When villagers gushed about Yan Zhen's raw power, Lin Feng would join in the praise, then add, "Yeah, Zhen's amazing! He's got such a big heart, too. Always helping everyone! He just charges right in, doesn't he?" This made Yan Zhen's strengths sound like basic good nature, while subtly making Lin Feng seem more thoughtful and observant.
Finally, the day Elder Wei arrived. The whole village square hushed as a magnificent, glowing artifact descended from the sky, carrying the Elder. Elder Wei, all serious and robed in deep blue, looked super powerful.
Yan Zhen, for all his talk, was practically bouncing on his toes. Lin Feng, right beside him, grinned and elbowed him lightly. "Chill, dude! Remember? Cool and serious! Don't let your inner bouncy out yet!"
Elder Wei's deep voice boomed. "Children of Azure Cloud! The esteemed **Crimson Lotus Sect** seeks those with true spirit! Step forward, if you dare to walk the path of cultivation!"
Yan Zhen, without a second's hesitation, bounded forward, his eyes shining. Lin Feng matched his energy, springing forward right next to him, a wide, excited grin on his face that showed no hint of the adult mind calculating beneath.
Elder Wei's sharp gaze landed on Yan Zhen first. "You. Your spirit is pure. A rare gift."
Yan Zhen puffed out his chest, trying to look important. "Thank you, Elder! I'm Yan Zhen! I want to cultivate and protect my home!" His voice cracked a little with excitement.
Elder Wei then looked at Lin Feng, a flicker of something in his eyes. "And you, beside him? There's a curious clarity in your spirit."
Lin Feng bowed, a little deeper than Yan Zhen but still with youthful eagerness. "I'm Lin Feng, Elder! And this is my best friend, Yan Zhen! He's amazing! I wanna learn and grow like him!" He nudged Yan Zhen playfully. "He's super brave!"
The Elder looked from Yan Zhen's slightly too-eager expression to Lin Feng's seemingly innocent enthusiasm and then to his respectful words. It wasn't about choosing between good and bad, but between raw, maybe a little unpolished, talent and something that seemed more composed, more... *aware*.
After checking a few more kids, Elder Wei turned back to them. "Yan Zhen, your spirit root is indeed exceptional. You have great potential. And Lin Feng, your spiritual clarity is equally rare. The **Crimson Lotus Sect** will accept both of you as outer disciples. Be ready. In three days, a messenger will guide you."
Yan Zhen roared with joy, grabbing Lin Feng in a huge bear hug. "We did it, Lin Feng! We're going together!"
Lin Feng laughed, hugging him back with genuine-looking excitement, but inside, a cold, calculating satisfaction settled. "Yeah, Zhen! Our big adventure just started!"
He looked towards the distant, hazy mountains where the **Crimson Lotus Sect** lay hidden. The first big step was done. Yan Zhen, the trusting hero, was now walking hand-in-hand with his "best friend," right into the carefully laid trap.
---