The forest beyond the Xuantian Sect was eerily silent under the moonlight, its shadows stretching long and menacing. Among the towering trees, a group of cloaked figures moved stealthily, their steps soundless on the damp earth. At their lead was the cloaked mercenary who had struck a deal with Li Haotian and Sun Liang.
"Remember," the mercenary said, his voice low and sharp, "our objective is simple. Strike fast, leave no evidence, and ensure Ye Chen never sees the next sunrise."
Li Haotian and Sun Liang followed close behind, their faces pale with tension but resolute. They had staked everything on this plan, convinced that this was their only chance to rid themselves of Ye Chen and reclaim their honor within the sect.
Back within the Xuantian Sect, Ye Chen sat in quiet meditation. The room was still, save for the faint hum of spiritual energy swirling around him. His sword lay across his lap, its blade glowing faintly as he refined his connection to it. Though outwardly calm, his instincts told him that danger was near.
A faint knock at the door broke his focus. Rising to his feet, Ye Chen opened it to find Lin Yue standing there, her expression grave.
"We need to talk," she said without preamble, stepping inside.
"What is it?" Ye Chen asked, his tone steady despite the concern in her eyes.
"I've confirmed it," Lin Yue said. "Li Haotian and Sun Liang have hired assassins. They're coming for you tonight."
Ye Chen's eyes narrowed. "How many?"
"Six, including the leader. All of them are highly skilled," Lin Yue replied. "And they've chosen the perfect time. Most of the elders are focused on the investigation into the Forbidden Hall. They won't intervene unless it's too late."
Ye Chen nodded, his mind racing. "Then I'll deal with them myself."
"Don't be reckless," Lin Yue cautioned. "These aren't ordinary fighters. They're trained killers, and they'll have planned for every possibility."
Ye Chen smiled faintly. "Good. That means they'll be predictable. Stay here. I'll handle this."
Before Lin Yue could protest, Ye Chen stepped out into the night, his sword glinting in the moonlight.
The assassins moved closer to the sect's outer courtyard, their presence masked by an array that dampened their spiritual energy. The leader gestured for silence, signaling for his team to spread out and surround their target's residence.
As they advanced, a sudden burst of sword intent cut through the air, sharp and deadly. One of the assassins gasped as a line of crimson appeared across his throat, his body collapsing soundlessly to the ground.
The remaining assassins froze, their eyes darting around in search of the attacker.
"You should have stayed in the shadows," Ye Chen's voice echoed from the darkness. "Now you'll die here."
The leader snarled, drawing a pair of curved daggers. "Kill him! No mercy!"
The assassins charged, their movements swift and precise. But Ye Chen was faster. With a flick of his wrist, his sword unleashed a wave of energy that cut through the first two attackers, leaving them no chance to react.
The remaining assassins regrouped, their faces grim. The leader barked orders, and two of them activated talismans that summoned fiery projectiles, hurtling toward Ye Chen.
Ye Chen's sword danced through the air, slicing through the flames as if they were mere illusions. His movements were seamless, a blend of elegance and lethal precision.
The leader of the assassins lunged forward, his daggers glowing with a dark, corrosive energy. Ye Chen parried the first strike, their weapons clashing with a resounding clang. The leader's strength was formidable, but Ye Chen's sword intent was sharper, his strikes unrelenting.
The two fighters moved at blinding speed, their battle a blur of light and shadow. The other assassins tried to intervene, but Ye Chen's aura surged, forcing them back with sheer pressure.
The leader gritted his teeth, realizing that this was no ordinary disciple. "You're good," he admitted, his tone grudging. "But you can't fight all of us forever."
Ye Chen didn't respond. Instead, he channeled his energy into his sword, the blade glowing with a radiant light that cut through the surrounding darkness.
"Celestial Sword Art: Lunar Cleave!"
The technique unleashed a devastating arc of energy that swept through the assassins, leaving no room for escape. The leader managed to block the attack, but the force of it sent him crashing to the ground, blood dripping from his mouth.
As he struggled to rise, Ye Chen's blade was at his throat.
"Who sent you?" Ye Chen demanded, his voice cold and unyielding.
The leader laughed weakly, blood staining his teeth. "You think killing me will solve your problems? You're already marked. More will come for you."
Ye Chen's expression didn't waver. With a swift motion, he ended the leader's life, his gaze steely as the body fell lifeless to the ground.
From the shadows, Lin Yue emerged, her face pale. "You were right," she said softly. "They underestimated you."
"They always do," Ye Chen replied, his tone calm but resolute. "But this is just the beginning. Whoever sent them won't stop here."
Lin Yue nodded. "We need to find out who's behind this before it escalates further."
Ye Chen looked at the horizon, where the first hints of dawn were beginning to appear. The battle had been won, but the war was far from over.
Far away, in a hidden chamber, a figure sat in silence, his expression unreadable. The death of the assassins had not gone unnoticed, and the air around him crackled with suppressed energy.
"So, you've survived again, Ye Chen," the figure murmured, his voice low and dangerous. "Let's see how long your luck holds."
As the sect began to stir with the first light of day, Ye Chen returned to his chamber, his mind already focused on the challenges ahead. The shadows were closing in, but he would face them head-on, his sword ready to cut through whatever stood in his way.