The day of the training session arrived, and the atmosphere in the sect was charged. Disciples gathered on the training grounds, eager to show their progress and demonstrate their abilities. Xiang Chen remained calm, his eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of danger. He knew that this was the moment Elder Han and his disciples would make their move.
Yuan Mei stood beside him, her expression as focused as ever. "Are you ready?" she asked quietly.
Xiang Chen nodded. "We need to move quickly when the time comes. If we miss our window, it'll be hard to recover."
Yuan Mei's eyes flashed with determination. "I've set up everything on my end. Once the distraction happens, you'll have a short window to grab the scroll."
Xiang Chen knew that the next few moments could determine everything. If they succeeded, they would have the proof they needed to bring down Elder Han. But if they failed, his reputation would be ruined, and he'd be expelled from the sect—if not worse.
The Training Session Begins
The elders arrived, taking their seats at the elevated platform. Elder Han, with his cold, calculating eyes, watched the disciples below. Xiang Chen met his gaze briefly, hiding the suspicion that burned within him. Elder Han's expression was calm, but Xiang Chen knew better—there was a storm brewing beneath that mask.
The sect master, Elder Yuan, began the session with a few words of encouragement. "Disciples, today is a day to show your growth and prove your commitment to the sect's principles. Display your strength, but remember, discipline and respect are paramount."
The disciples bowed in unison before the session commenced. One by one, disciples sparred, demonstrating their martial prowess and cultivation techniques. Xiang Chen stayed in the back, biding his time.
Then, the moment came. Liu Shan, the disciple they had been watching, stepped forward. His eyes locked onto Xiang Chen, and a smirk crossed his face. "Xiang Chen, let's see what you've got."
Xiang Chen knew this was it. Elder Han's plot was unfolding right in front of him. He nodded and stepped forward. "I accept."
The Duel
As they squared off, Xiang Chen's senses heightened. Liu Shan's cultivation level was impressive, but Xiang Chen had been training diligently, and his Celestial Ascendance System had granted him unique techniques and insights. He could tell Liu Shan was confident—too confident.
The duel began, and Liu Shan charged, his fists blazing with spiritual energy. Xiang Chen dodged, reading the flow of his movements with precision. He countered with a swift palm strike, forcing Liu Shan back. The crowd watched with excitement as the two exchanged blows, their movements blurring with speed.
Suddenly, Liu Shan's eyes flashed with malice. He activated a technique that sent a wave of energy crashing toward Xiang Chen. It was powerful, but Xiang Chen's system panel lit up, guiding him through a counter.
[Celestial Ascendance System]
[Technique Activated: Celestial Ripple Defense]
Xiang Chen redirected the energy, dispersing it harmlessly into the air. Liu Shan's smirk faded as he realized his attack had failed. But Xiang Chen could sense it—this was only the beginning of the plan.
As the duel continued, Xiang Chen felt a sudden surge of energy behind him. He dodged just in time as another disciple, one of Liu Shan's allies, launched a sneak attack. It was a coordinated assault meant to catch him off guard.
Elder Han's voice rang out. "Xiang Chen, how dare you break the rules and attack your fellow disciples! This is an affront to the sect's honor!"
The crowd murmured in confusion, and Xiang Chen realized that Elder Han had twisted the situation to make it appear as though he was at fault. This was their plan—to frame him publicly, making it look like he was the aggressor.
The Distraction
But Xiang Chen and Yuan Mei had anticipated this. As the tension rose, Yuan Mei activated a talisman she had prepared earlier. A loud explosion erupted near the training grounds, sending smoke billowing into the air. Disciples scattered in panic, and the elders stood up, their attention diverted.
"This is our chance!" Yuan Mei whispered as she slipped through the chaos.
Xiang Chen acted quickly. He used the confusion to disappear into the crowd and make his way toward the elders' platform, where Elder Han had hidden the scroll in a concealed compartment. With everyone's attention on the explosion, he had a brief window to act.
Yuan Mei reached the platform first, disabling a spiritual lock using the talismans she had prepared. "Hurry, Xiang Chen!"
He moved swiftly, his fingers finding the hidden compartment. Inside, the scroll lay, tied with a red ribbon. Xiang Chen grabbed it and slipped it into his robes. Just as they were about to leave, Elder Han's eyes fell on them.
"Stop them!" Elder Han shouted, his voice filled with fury. Disciples loyal to him rushed forward, and Xiang Chen knew they had been discovered.
"Run!" Yuan Mei urged.
The two sprinted through the training grounds, evading the disciples that chased them. Yuan Mei's speed and agility helped them navigate the chaos, and Xiang Chen used his cultivation techniques to boost his speed. They reached the forest's edge, disappearing into the shadows.
The Evidence Uncovered
Once they were safely hidden deep within the forest, Xiang Chen unrolled the scroll. Yuan Mei kept watch, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any pursuers.
The scroll contained detailed records—transactions between Elder Han and various disciples, instructions for covert missions, and correspondence with the mysterious elder they had seen in the archives. This was it—the proof they needed.
"This is enough to expose him," Yuan Mei said, her voice triumphant. "We can take this to Elder Yuan and reveal Elder Han's schemes."
Xiang Chen nodded, but his expression remained serious. "We need to be careful. Elder Han won't sit idly by now that he knows we have this. He'll try to silence us."
Yuan Mei's eyes hardened. "Let him try. We've come too far to back down now."
A New Ally Emerges
As they planned their next move, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was Jin Li, his eyes filled with concern. "I heard about the commotion. Are you two all right?"
Xiang Chen showed him the scroll. "We have evidence, Master. This scroll links Elder Han to his plans and the mysterious elder."
Jin Li's expression darkened as he examined the scroll. "This is indeed damning evidence. But presenting it to the sect's elders won't be easy. Elder Han has powerful allies. If we're not careful, they could turn this against you."
Xiang Chen nodded. "We need to prepare. If we're going to present this, we need a plan that ensures Elder Han's influence can't sway the elders."
Jin Li agreed. "We'll gather allies within the sect—those who have opposed Elder Han quietly. Once we have their support, we'll confront him."
Yuan Mei smiled. "It's time to take him down."
With the evidence in hand and allies slowly forming around them, Xiang Chen felt a renewed sense of hope. The battle was far from over, but they were no longer alone. They had the truth on their side, and soon, Elder Han's schemes would be exposed for all to see.
Xiang Chen knew that the path ahead would be fraught with danger, but he was ready to face it. With Yuan Mei and Jin Li by his side, he would fight to protect his place in the sect and ensure that justice prevailed.