After his victory against Wei Zhen, Xiang Chen's reputation within the sect began to rise. Whispers of his potential and talent spread among the disciples. Some viewed him with admiration, while others saw him as a growing rival. Xiang Chen felt the weight of their gazes wherever he went, and he knew that with recognition came scrutiny.
As the day's trials came to an end, Elder Wu called for the disciples to gather. "Congratulations to those who have passed the Test of Strength. You have proven yourselves worthy of the sect's teachings. However, remember that this is only the beginning. The real challenges lie ahead."
Xiang Chen felt a sense of accomplishment but also an underlying unease. He had drawn attention, and he knew it wouldn't all be positive. As the disciples dispersed, a figure approached him—a tall man with a commanding presence. He had sharp eyes and an air of authority that made the other disciples give him a wide berth.
"Xiang Chen, correct?" the man said, his voice deep and confident.
"Yes, and you are?" Xiang Chen replied, sensing that this man wasn't just any disciple.
"Lei Hong, one of the senior disciples of the sect," he answered. "I've heard about your victories today. Impressive, but don't let it get to your head."
Xiang Chen felt the warning behind Lei Hong's words. "I appreciate the advice. I'm just doing my best to improve."
Lei Hong studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. "We'll see if your best is enough. The path you're on isn't easy, and those who stand out often find themselves facing unexpected dangers." With that, Lei Hong turned and walked away, leaving Xiang Chen with a sense of unease.
Hidden Schemes
As night fell, Xiang Chen returned to his quarters. He was about to sit and meditate when his system panel appeared, flashing a new alert.
[Celestial Ascendance System]
[Warning: Potential threat detected. Caution advised.]
"What kind of threat?" Xiang Chen muttered, frowning. The system didn't provide further details, and the vagueness bothered him.
Just then, he sensed a faint energy fluctuation outside his room. His instincts flared, and he silently moved to the door, peeking through a crack. In the shadows, he saw a figure creeping along the hallway, heading toward his room.
Xiang Chen's eyes narrowed. Whoever it was, they didn't belong there. He positioned himself behind the door, waiting. As the figure approached, Xiang Chen moved swiftly, grabbing them by the arm and pulling them into the room.
"What do you think you're doing?" he demanded, locking the intruder's arm.
"Let go!" the person hissed. Xiang Chen recognized the voice—it was Mei Ling. He released her, but his expression remained stern.
"Mei Ling, what's going on? Why are you sneaking around like this?"
She rubbed her arm, her eyes darting around the room. "I was trying to warn you. There are people in the sect who aren't happy about your sudden rise. Someone's plotting against you, Xiang Chen."
Xiang Chen's expression hardened. "Who?"
"I'm not sure, but I overheard some senior disciples talking. They mentioned your name and something about making sure you don't rise any further. I couldn't get more information, but you need to be careful."
Xiang Chen's mind raced. He had suspected that his rapid progress would attract enemies, but hearing confirmation made it all the more real. "Thanks for the warning, Mei Ling. I'll stay alert."
She nodded, her expression serious. "We may not know who they are yet, but it's clear that your success is making you a target."
Xiang Chen watched as Mei Ling slipped back into the shadows, leaving him alone with his thoughts. His system's warning, Lei Hong's cryptic message, and now Mei Ling's caution—everything pointed to a deeper threat brewing within the sect.
The Encounter
Later that night, Xiang Chen decided to patrol the area himself. He couldn't afford to be passive, not when danger was lurking. The moon cast a dim light over the courtyard as he moved silently, senses heightened.
As he rounded a corner, he spotted a group of disciples huddled together. They spoke in low voices, but Xiang Chen caught a few words.
"...too strong... Elder Han said we can't let him gain more influence…"
"...make it look like an accident..."
Xiang Chen's eyes narrowed. It was as he feared—someone was actively plotting against him, and they were receiving orders from a higher authority. Elder Han was a name he had heard before, a figure known for his strictness and ambitious nature.
Before he could gather more information, one of the disciples noticed him. "Hey, someone's there!"
Xiang Chen bolted, dashing into the shadows before they could identify him. He moved swiftly, using his speed to slip away unnoticed. Once he was far enough, he leaned against a wall, catching his breath.
"So it's true," he muttered. "They're really trying to sabotage me."
His system panel appeared again.
[Celestial Ascendance System]
[Mission Updated: Uncover the Conspiracy]
[Objective: Investigate Elder Han's plans and thwart the plot against you.]
Xiang Chen's resolve hardened. He wouldn't be an easy target. If they wanted to come after him, he would be ready. But he needed to play this carefully—his enemies had the advantage of position and influence within the sect.
Planning Ahead
The next morning, Xiang Chen met with Jin Li in the forest training grounds. Jin Li noticed the tension in his posture. "You seem troubled, Xiang Chen. Something happened?"
Xiang Chen hesitated, but he trusted Jin Li. "There's a conspiracy against me. Some of the senior disciples are being ordered to act against me, and I think Elder Han is involved."
Jin Li's expression darkened. "Elder Han is a powerful figure within the sect. He has connections and influence. If he's targeting you, it's because he sees you as a threat to his authority."
"What should I do?" Xiang Chen asked.
"Stay vigilant. Don't confront him directly—gather evidence first. If you can prove that he's plotting against you, you can turn the sect's rules against him. But until then, keep your strength hidden and avoid making unnecessary enemies."
Xiang Chen nodded. "Understood. I'll be careful."
Jin Li placed a hand on his shoulder. "Remember, you're not alone in this. You have allies. If you ever need help, just ask."
Xiang Chen felt a surge of gratitude. "Thank you, Master Jin Li."
As he left the training grounds, Xiang Chen's mind was already working on a plan. He needed to find out more about Elder Han's connections and motives. And he needed to be prepared for any attack that might come his way.
The path of cultivation was fraught with danger, and now it wasn't just beasts and trials he had to face—it was the schemes of those who feared his rise.