The morning sun broke through the horizon, casting golden rays over the Xuantian Sect's mountains. Ye Chen stood at the edge of a cliff, his silhouette framed by the dawn light. His expression was calm, yet his eyes burned with quiet determination. After his victory over Li Haotian, whispers of his strength had spread like wildfire among the sect. Yet, Ye Chen paid no heed to the rumors. His focus remained solely on one goal—becoming stronger.
While Ye Chen trained silently, trouble brewed within the sect. Li Haotian, humiliated and defeated, retreated to a hidden chamber within the inner disciple quarters. His injuries were severe, but his hatred for Ye Chen burned brighter.
"He thinks he can humiliate me and get away with it?" Li Haotian snarled, gripping the armrest of his chair so tightly that cracks formed in the wood. "Ye Chen must pay for this!"
A dark figure stepped forward from the shadows of the room. It was Wang Zhi, a senior disciple of the Xuantian Sect and one of Li Haotian's closest allies. His eyes gleamed with malice as he leaned closer.
"Haotian, you're not wrong to be angry," Wang Zhi said with a sly grin. "But brute force isn't always the answer. Let's use strategy. Ye Chen may have gained some strength, but he's still a mere outer disciple. If we plan this carefully, we can crush him without lifting a finger."
"What's your plan?" Li Haotian demanded, narrowing his eyes.
Wang Zhi smirked. "There's a sect-wide competition in two weeks. All disciples are required to participate. It's the perfect stage to ensure his downfall. I'll make sure Ye Chen faces an opponent he can't possibly defeat."
Li Haotian's lips twisted into a cruel smile. "Good. Let's see how long he can hold that smug expression."
Meanwhile, Ye Chen remained unaware of the conspiracy against him. He had returned to the secluded training grounds near the Sword Graveyard, where the energy of the mountain was still dense with sword intent. Sitting cross-legged, he closed his eyes and began to meditate.
The image of the Sword Graveyard's trials lingered in his mind. The ancient giant, the sea of swords, the echoes of past masters—all of it felt as though it were etched into his soul. Ye Chen raised his hand, and his inherited sword appeared in a flash of light. The weapon seemed alive, resonating with his own energy.
"Power without control is nothing," Ye Chen murmured to himself. He took a deep breath and began practicing his newly acquired techniques. The air around him shimmered as countless sword shadows danced, each strike carrying an overwhelming sense of precision and lethality.
Hours passed, and the sun reached its zenith. Beads of sweat rolled down Ye Chen's face, but his focus never wavered. Every swing of his sword felt more natural, every movement more fluid.
As Ye Chen concluded his practice, a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Impressive."
Ye Chen turned to see Lin Yue, a fellow outer disciple known for her quick wit and sharp tongue. She stood at the edge of the training grounds, her arms crossed and a mischievous smile on her face.
"You've been hiding your strength well, Ye Chen," Lin Yue said, her tone teasing. "Beating Li Haotian like that… You've caused quite a stir."
"It wasn't my intention," Ye Chen replied calmly. "I only defended myself."
"Perhaps," Lin Yue said, stepping closer. "But don't think the inner disciples will let this slide. Li Haotian has powerful allies, and they're not the forgiving type."
Ye Chen's expression didn't change. "Let them come. I'll face whatever challenges come my way."
Lin Yue studied him for a moment, her smile softening. "You're either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish, Ye Chen. But I suppose that's what makes you interesting."
Back in the Xuantian Sect's main hall, the sect elders were finalizing the arrangements for the upcoming competition. Sect Leader Zhang Tianfeng sat at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping over the assembled elders.
"The competition will not only test our disciples' skills but also determine who will represent the Xuantian Sect at the upcoming regional tournament," Zhang Tianfeng said. His voice carried authority, and the room fell silent.
"Do you have any concerns?" he asked.
Elder Qiu, an elder known for his strictness, spoke up. "Sect Leader, I've heard rumors about an outer disciple, Ye Chen. They say he defeated Li Haotian, an inner disciple, with ease. Such a feat is unprecedented."
Zhang Tianfeng's eyes narrowed slightly. "Ye Chen… An outer disciple with such talent is indeed rare. Keep an eye on him during the competition. If he proves himself worthy, he may deserve special attention."
The other elders exchanged glances, their interest piqued.
As the day of the competition drew closer, tension within the sect reached its peak. Disciples trained relentlessly, hoping to prove themselves in front of the elders.
In the shadows, Li Haotian and Wang Zhi finalized their plan.
"Everything is set," Wang Zhi said with a smirk. "Ye Chen will face Lu Han in the first round—a core disciple with a reputation for breaking his opponents' spirits. He doesn't stand a chance."
Li Haotian's grin widened. "Perfect. Let's see how that arrogant fool handles true despair."
Far from the scheming and plotting, Ye Chen continued his preparations. He knew the competition would attract strong opponents, and he welcomed the challenge. Each step forward was a step closer to uncovering the truth about his parents' deaths and claiming his place at the pinnacle of the sword path.
As he gazed at the horizon, the wind carried a faint whisper, as if the heavens themselves acknowledged the storm that was about to unfold.