With the Heavenly Demons Sect defeated and merged into his own Tower Sect, Lin Feng turned his attention to Qing'er, the young woman who had been a key figure in the sect's leadership.
Qing'er stood before him, her eyes downcast and her demeanor submissive. Lin Feng could sense the fear and uncertainty emanating from her, and he knew that she was waiting for him to decide her fate.
"You are free to go," Lin Feng said, his voice detached. "The Heavenly Demons Sect is no more, and you are no longer bound to its cause."
Qing'er looked up at him, her eyes searching for any sign of deception. But Lin Feng's expression was impassive, and she knew that he was telling the truth.
Despite her newfound freedom, Qing'er hesitated. She had expected to be punished or even killed, but Lin Feng's mercy had caught her off guard.
As she stood there, Qing'er realized that she had developed feelings for Lin Feng. She couldn't explain why, but there was something about him that drew her in. Maybe it was his strength and confidence, or maybe it was the way he seemed to command respect without even trying.
Whatever the reason, Qing'er knew that she didn't want to leave Lin Feng's side. She wanted to stay with him, to learn from him, and to see where her path might lead.
"I...I don't want to leave," Qing'er said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her words. "Why not?" he asked, his voice neutral.
Qing'er took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I don't know," she admitted. "But I feel...drawn to you. I want to stay with you, to learn from you, and to see what the future holds."
Lin Feng nodded, his expression unreadable. "Very well," he said. "You may stay with me, Qing'er. But don't think for a moment that this is out of kindness. I have use for your skills and abilities, and I expect you to prove yourself worthy."
Qing'er nodded, relief washing over her. She knew that she had made the right decision, and she was eager to prove herself to Lin Feng.
As the days passed, Qing'er found herself growing more and more devoted to Lin Feng. She trained tirelessly, honing her skills and learning new techniques. She watched Lin Feng with a mixture of awe and admiration, marveling at his strength and strategic mind.
Lin Feng, however, remained focused on his goals. He didn't notice Qing'er's feelings, or if he did, he didn't care. His attention was fixed on his own ambitions, and he wouldn't let anything distract him from his path.
Qing'er knew that she would have to be careful, to keep her feelings hidden and to prove herself as a valuable asset to Lin Feng. She was determined to succeed, to make a name for herself in the Tower Sect and to earn Lin Feng's respect.
The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: Qing'er would do whatever it took to prove herself to Lin Feng, even if it meant hiding her true feelings.