## Chapter Twenty: The Victor's Reward and a Lingering Shadow
The days following the Grand Finals were a whirlwind for Lin Feng. He was no longer just another Outer Disciple; he was the **Outer Court Tournament Champion**, a title that brought with it immediate privileges and a newfound respect. He was formally summoned to the Inner Sect pavilions, a sacred space previously forbidden to most. There, in a ceremony presided over by the Grand Elder himself, Lin Feng received his rewards: a coveted spot as an **Inner Disciple**, a personal cultivation chamber with a minor Spirit Gathering Array, a generous allowance of spirit stones, and access to advanced cultivation techniques from the sect's hidden archives. His new robes, a rich crimson with gold embroidery, felt lighter than his old Outer Disciple grays, yet carried the weight of expectation.
He navigated these new responsibilities with his characteristic calm and calculated grace, interacting with Elders with polite deference, and speaking to his fellow Inner Disciples with a measured confidence that bordered on humility. He was the perfect, unassuming prodigy.
Yan Zhen, on the other hand, woke in the healing pavilion to the dull ache in his pressure point and the crushing weight of defeat. The cheers for Lin Feng still echoed faintly in his mind, a constant reminder of his public downfall. The healers confirmed that his qi had been violently agitated, but Lin Feng's subtle stabilizing intervention had prevented any lasting damage. Still, the memory of his uncontrolled fury, the way his power had turned against him, left him shaken.
Lin Feng was his first visitor, his face etched with concern. "Zhen, how are you feeling?" he asked, his voice soft. "I was so worried. Your qi was so unstable in the fight. I tried my best to steady it, but you just erupted. I knew you were pushing yourself too hard." He offered a small, calming elixir—one of Xiao Li's, he subtly implied, hinting at her concern.
Yan Zhen clenched his fists, shame coloring his cheeks. "I... I lost control, Lin Feng. My qi just wouldn't listen. And you... you were amazing. So calm, so precise. I felt like a wild beast out there."
Lin Feng nodded, his expression sympathetic. "You *are* powerful, Zhen. Exceptionally so. But power without control is a double-edged sword. That's why refinement is so important. Perhaps... perhaps the qi you absorbed from the Grand Elder's garden, while potent, was too unrefined for your current stage. It gave you immense power, but at the cost of stability." He spoke with quiet sincerity, subtly shifting the blame for Yan Zhen's volatile qi not to his own machinations, but to the stolen qi itself, cementing a new narrative. "You need to focus on calming and refining your qi now, Zhen. Don't worry about the tournament. You've proven your raw strength. That's enough for now."
Yan Zhen, still reeling from the defeat and the revelation about the garden's qi, nodded dully. Lin Feng's words made sense, offering a convenient explanation for his failings. He was grateful for Lin Feng's honesty and continued friendship, oblivious to the deeper currents at play.
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A few days later, Lin Feng visited Qing Yu and Xiao Li in the herb garden, a place both often frequented. He carried a small, exquisite spirit flower, a rare bloom from his new Inner Disciple garden. "Qing Yu, Xiao Li," he greeted them, his smile warm and genuine. "I wanted to thank you both for your support during the tournament. Your presence in the stands was truly encouraging." He offered the spirit flower to Xiao Li, its petals shimmering with soft light. "Xiao Li, this is for you. Its essence is known to soothe agitated qi, perfect for your healing arts." He met her eyes, a look of quiet respect in his own.
Xiao Li accepted the flower, her cheeks flushing faintly. "Thank you, Lin Feng. It's beautiful. And Yan Zhen... is he alright? His qi was very turbulent."
"He's recovering," Lin Feng assured her, a touch of sadness in his voice. "He pushed himself beyond his limits. His strength is formidable, but he still needs to cultivate control. It's a difficult path, especially with such raw power." He glanced at Qing Yu. "As for the insights Elder Gao spoke of, true cultivation is indeed about both might and finesse, isn't it, Qing Yu? The mind must guide the hand."
Qing Yu nodded slowly, her gaze thoughtful. "Indeed, Lin Feng. Your own performance was a masterclass in that balance. Your precision and strategic depth were truly remarkable." Her admiration was clear, unreserved. "The sect has gained a truly promising Inner Disciple."
"I only hope to live up to the expectations," Lin Feng replied, a humble smile gracing his lips. "And to continue learning. Perhaps, Qing Yu, you might be willing to share some of your insights into ancient formations? I confess, my understanding of complex qi arrays is still developing." He subtly flattered her intellect, inviting future interactions.
As the conversation flowed, Lin Feng carefully observed their expressions. Qing Yu's respect for him had deepened, cemented by his calculated victory and subsequent humble demeanor. Xiao Li's concern for Yan Zhen was still present, but it was tempered by a new, quiet appreciation for Lin Feng's unwavering composure and caring nature. He had provided a convenient, non-incriminating explanation for Yan Zhen's erraticism, subtly undermining the hero's inherent 'purity' without ever overtly slandering him.
Yan Zhen was still a friend, still recovering, but his image was now irrevocably tarnished by the twin shadows of uncontrolled power and dependence. Lin Feng had risen, effortlessly stepping into the light that Yan Zhen was destined to occupy. The Outer Court Tournament was over, but the true game had just begun. The Grand Elder had rewarded the victor, but the real prize was the narrative, meticulously shaped by Lin Feng, that would guide their future paths within the sect.
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