The Rise of an Evil Sect Leader

The Inner Sect Selection Trials began early the next morning, a grand spectacle held in a vast arena built atop the towering Jade Mountain. The platform itself was surrounded by natural cliffs, and golden banners emblazoned with the sect's insignia fluttered in the wind.

Disciples from the Inner Sect and the Elder Council gathered in the viewing stands, their sharp gazes assessing the new participants from the outer sect. Among the crowd, Elder Wu sat in a place of prominence, his expression calm but unreadable.

Jiang Hao, standing among a group of Inner Sect disciples, sneered as Ye Tian stepped onto the stone platform. "The famed Ye Tian," he mocked under his breath. "We'll see how far you get."

Ye Tian ignored the stares and whispers, his golden eyes calmly surveying his surroundings. He knew the trials were more than just battles—they were a stage for manipulation, politics, and traps. But while the others came to compete, Ye Tian came to conquer.

The First Trial: Survival

Elder Wu's booming voice silenced the arena. "The first trial of the Inner Sect Selection is Survival. You will be transported into the Dark Spirit Forest, a realm teeming with spirit beasts. Your task is simple—survive for three days and collect beast cores as proof of your strength."

A ripple of tension spread among the outer disciples. The Dark Spirit Forest was infamous for its dangers. Weaklings would perish, and only the strong would emerge.

Elder Wu's voice turned colder. "Remember—this trial is not only about strength but also about strategy. The sect values disciples who know how to win, no matter the method."

Ye Tian's lips curled into a faint smile. Strategy? Good. Let's show them.

Moments later, glowing arrays activated beneath the participants, and in flashes of light, the disciples were transported into the heart of the Dark Spirit Forest.

Observing the Weakness

Ye Tian appeared in a dense forest surrounded by towering, twisted trees. The air was thick with the energy of spirit beasts, and faint growls echoed in the distance. Around him, dozens of outer disciples began scattering into the woods, eager to hunt and prove themselves.

Ye Tian crouched, his golden eyes narrowing as he observed his surroundings.

"Charging in blindly like fools…" he muttered, smirking. "Let's thin the herd first."

Ye Tian did not rush into action like the others. While fools charged blindly deeper into the forest, their minds set on claiming beast cores, Ye Tian leaned against a tree, golden eyes coldly watching.

"This trial isn't about fighting beasts," he muttered. "It's about fighting them."

Ye Tian understood that strength alone wouldn't win this game. The smart ones would hunt only enough to survive, while the ambitious would clash and eliminate rivals. This was a political battlefield hidden beneath a mask of violence.

The Forest Chaos Begins

By the end of the first day, the forest erupted into chaos.

Small groups of disciples hunted beasts together, trying to split the rewards. But greed bred conflict. Alliances shattered. A disciple who struck the killing blow would turn and attack his so-called comrades to take everything.

Blood spilled into the earth.

Ye Tian, meanwhile, remained a silent observer.

He crept through the forest like a ghost, his movements eerily calm. Whenever he saw disciples fighting, he did not interfere. Instead, he hid in the shadows, studying them, memorizing their weaknesses, watching them waste their energy.

Let them fight. Let them bleed. By the third day, they'll be mine.

Playing the Social Game

That evening, as night fell, Ye Tian stumbled upon a group of three outer disciples who had formed a tentative alliance. The leader, a stocky man named Li Feng, held a small pouch of beast cores in his hand, his face full of pride.

"Senior Brother Li Feng," Ye Tian greeted politely, emerging from the shadows with an easy smile. "It's dangerous to travel alone. Mind if I join you for the night?"

The disciples turned sharply, weapons raised. Li Feng squinted at Ye Tian. "Who are you?"

Ye Tian lowered his hands and spoke calmly. "I'm Ye Tian. We've all heard Elder Wu's words—this trial isn't just about beasts. Lone disciples won't last long. I thought we could share information and keep watch together."

Li Feng's suspicion eased slightly. "Information, you say?"

Ye Tian smirked faintly. "I know where to find higher-tier beasts. But it's too dangerous alone. I'm looking for allies."

The three disciples exchanged glances, greed flickering in their eyes. Li Feng smiled, patting Ye Tian on the shoulder. "Well said, Brother Ye. Join us, and let's conquer this forest together."

Ye Tian nodded, his gaze dark and calculating. You think I'm your ally? You're already dead.

Whispers of Manipulation

The second day passed as Ye Tian quietly ingratiated himself with Li Feng's group. By feeding them valuable "intel," he directed them to high-tier spirit beasts, all while subtly avoiding danger himself.

"You're lucky we brought you along, Brother Ye!" Li Feng laughed after they killed a powerful Rockback Boar. The beast core gleamed in his hand.

Ye Tian smiled faintly, hiding his disdain. Idiots like you are easily swayed by greed.

As night fell, Ye Tian whispered to another member of the group, Zhao Ning, a young man prone to nervousness.

"Brother Zhao, have you noticed?" Ye Tian murmured, his tone conspiratorial. "Li Feng keeps all the best beast cores for himself. He's already hiding half the loot in his pouch."

Zhao Ning's face turned pale. "What? That's impossible…"

Ye Tian sighed. "Suit yourself. I'm just warning you—when it comes time to divide the cores, he won't share fairly. You'd better prepare yourself."

By the next morning, distrust had seeped into the group like poison. Zhao Ning kept casting suspicious glances at Li Feng, his hand clutching his weapon tightly.

Ye Tian watched from the sidelines, a faint smirk playing on his lips. One spark is all it takes to burn everything down.

The Fall of the Group

By noon on the third day, Ye Tian finally acted.

The group stumbled across a particularly dangerous beast—a Crimson Fang Tiger—a creature far beyond their ability to handle. Its crimson fur bristled as it prowled toward them, teeth gleaming with bloodthirst.

"Hold the line!" Li Feng shouted, his voice filled with panic. "We'll take it together!"

But as the beast lunged, Ye Tian suddenly stepped back, his voice cold. "Good luck."

"What?!" Li Feng turned, stunned.

Ye Tian watched as the Crimson Fang Tiger slammed into the group, claws tearing through flesh. Zhao Ning, already on edge, shoved Li Feng into the beast's path to save himself.

"You bastard!" Li Feng screamed, blood spilling from his mouth as the tiger's fangs tore through him.

The group collapsed into chaos. Swords turned on comrades. Zhao Ning attacked another disciple in blind panic, while the tiger slaughtered them one by one.

Ye Tian waited patiently in the shadows. When the bloodshed ended, the Crimson Fang Tiger lay dead, its lifeless body surrounded by corpses.

Stepping into the clearing, Ye Tian looted the beast cores from the corpses, his expression indifferent. He crouched beside Li Feng's lifeless body, patting his bloodied shoulder mockingly.

"Thanks for all your hard work, Senior Brother Li."

In his hands, the pouch of beast cores jingled—a heavy reward for his patience and cunning.

The Third Day Ends

When the trial ended, the surviving disciples gathered at the edge of the forest, their faces pale and battered. Elder Wu stood waiting, his sharp gaze scanning the survivors.

"Those who return with beast cores, step forward," he commanded.

One by one, disciples offered their cores, their numbers pitiful compared to the start. Jiang Hao watched smugly as others displayed their meager rewards.

Then Ye Tian stepped forward, tossing his pouch onto the platform. The sound of beast cores spilling out silenced the crowd.

"Impossible…" someone muttered.

"How did he get so many? Did he hunt them all alone?"

Elder Wu's eyes gleamed faintly with interest as he examined the cores. "Excellent. Very well done, Ye Tian."

Jiang Hao, watching from the sidelines, clenched his fists. How? How did he outdo everyone?

Ye Tian stood tall, his expression calm as ever. Beneath his indifferent gaze lay the ruthless mind of a predator who had played his game to perfection.

Strength is important. But strength without strategy is meaningless.

As Elder Wu announced the end of the trial, Ye Tian's lips curled into a faint smile. The Inner Sect won't know what hit them.