The Rise of an Evil Sect Leader

Morning light broke over the Jade Serpent Sect, yet an unusual tension gripped the outer courtyard. Ye Tian, having just finished meditating, pushed open the door to his quarters. A small crowd of outer disciples had gathered near the main hall, whispering anxiously.

He ignored the buzz until a young disciple dashed toward him.

"Senior Brother Ye Tian!" the boy stammered, panting from running. "An Inner Sect disciple is asking for you at the main hall! He… He says it's urgent!"

Ye Tian paused mid-step, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. An Inner Sect disciple? So they've come.

Without another word, he walked toward the main hall, his aura calm but oppressive.

Jiang Hao Appears

When Ye Tian arrived at the main hall, the crowd of outer disciples split like water before him. At the center of the clearing stood Jiang Hao, dressed in flowing white robes embroidered with golden serpents—a mark of his elevated status in the Inner Sect.

Jiang Hao's tall figure exuded confidence, and his sharp gaze locked onto Ye Tian the moment he appeared.

"So, you're Ye Tian?" Jiang Hao asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Ye Tian looked at him without emotion. "And who are you?"

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"How arrogant! Doesn't he know that's Jiang Hao, one of the strongest Inner Sect disciples?"

"He's going to offend someone he can't handle…"

Jiang Hao chuckled softly. "I am Jiang Hao, from the Inner Sect. I've been sent to invite you to the Inner Sect Selection Trials."

The courtyard fell silent. The Inner Sect Selection Trials? For an outer disciple, such an invitation was nothing short of a miracle.

But Ye Tian remained unimpressed. "I'm in the middle of the outer sect tournament. Why should I care about the Inner Sect trials?"

Jiang Hao's smile froze, just for a second, before he composed himself. "You speak boldly, Ye Tian. But the opportunity to join the Inner Sect doesn't come often. If you're as strong as they say, you'll rise far beyond these petty outer tournaments."

Ye Tian stared at him coldly. "Is that your way of saying you think I don't belong here?"

Jiang Hao's smile thinned. "Take it however you want. The trials begin in three days. If you refuse, well… someone else will take your place."

With that, Jiang Hao turned and left, his white robes billowing behind him.

Disciples in Turmoil

The news of Ye Tian's invitation to the Inner Sect spread like wildfire. Some disciples gossiped in awe, while others seethed with jealousy.

"Why him? There are stronger disciples here!"

"He humiliated Zhang Wei and Lin Yue—what if he surpasses even the Inner Sect geniuses?"

Ye Tian, however, remained unfazed. Back in his quarters, he sat in quiet contemplation. The Inner Sect Selection Trials…

The whispers of the Heavenly Soul Relic crept into his thoughts once more.

"Power… seize it… crush them…"

A dark smile played on Ye Tian's lips. "Fine. I'll go."

A Confrontation with Luo Xiang

That night, as Ye Tian left his quarters, he found Luo Xiang waiting for him beneath an old pine tree. The silver moonlight cast sharp shadows over Luo Xiang's face, his smirk faint but unmistakable.

"You're full of surprises, Ye Tian," Luo Xiang said, stepping into view. "An invitation to the Inner Sect? I didn't expect that."

Ye Tian stopped, his gaze indifferent. "Is there a reason you're here?"

Luo Xiang chuckled, his tone light but laced with meaning. "I came to remind you of something. The Inner Sect isn't like this place. The competition there is ruthless. They won't hesitate to crush someone like you."

"And what makes you think I'll be the one crushed?" Ye Tian asked calmly.

Luo Xiang's smirk widened, his eyes glinting dangerously. "Because you're rising too quickly. And people like that don't live long unless they're careful."

Ye Tian's gaze turned sharp, his voice cold. "Are you threatening me?"

"Threatening you?" Luo Xiang laughed softly. "No. I'm merely giving you advice—free advice, at that. The stronger you become, the more enemies you'll have. You'll need allies to survive."

For the first time, Ye Tian's lips curled into a faint smile. "Allies? People like you?"

Luo Xiang tilted his head. "I'm not as bad as you think. Just remember my words, Ye Tian. You'll need more than strength to conquer the Inner Sect."

With that, Luo Xiang vanished into the darkness, leaving Ye Tian alone beneath the pine tree.

Preparation

The next two days passed in a blur. Ye Tian continued refining his spiritual energy, his strength growing steadily as the Heavenly Soul Relic fed on his power.

In the courtyard, disciples trained feverishly, their desperation to grow stronger evident as the finals of the outer sect tournament approached.

But Ye Tian remained focused on one thing: the Inner Sect Trials.

The Night Before

Late at night, Ye Tian stood atop a cliff overlooking the sect. The wind whipped at his robes as he stared at the sprawling mountains in the distance. The Inner Sect was there, beyond those peaks—a place where power and ambition clashed endlessly.

Lin Yue approached quietly, stopping a few steps behind him. "So you're really going."

Ye Tian didn't turn around. "Did you think I wouldn't?"

Lin Yue sighed softly. "The Inner Sect isn't just about strength. There are politics, schemes, hidden blades behind every smile. If you're not careful, you'll find yourself surrounded by enemies you can't see."

Ye Tian smirked. "Then I'll cut down everyone—seen or unseen."

Lin Yue stared at him, a complicated look in her eyes. "You really think you can fight the entire world, don't you?"

"Yes," Ye Tian replied without hesitation. "I'll trample anyone who stands in my way."

For a moment, Lin Yue said nothing. Then she turned to leave. "Good luck, Ye Tian. You'll need it."

As she disappeared into the night, Ye Tian's golden eyes glowed faintly. He whispered to himself, "Luck is for the weak. I'll carve my own destiny."

The Call of Destiny

At dawn, Ye Tian stood at the base of the mountain that led to the Inner Sect. Disciples gathered to watch, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and envy. Jiang Hao stood nearby, his arms crossed as he watched Ye Tian approach.

"So, you came after all," Jiang Hao said, his tone condescending.

Ye Tian ignored him, stepping onto the mountain path without a word.

Jiang Hao smirked faintly. "Good. Let's see how long you last."

The journey to the Inner Sect had begun, and with it, Ye Tian's path to greater power and even deadlier challenges.

The heavens will bow. The strong will fall. And I… I will rise.