The third round of the competition began with the same pomp and grandeur that Xuantian Sect was known for. The arena was packed with disciples, elders, and even external dignitaries, all eager to witness the clash between the strongest contenders. The stage this time was vastly different—a sprawling wilderness created by an array of illusions, filled with dense forests, rocky cliffs, and hidden dangers.
Ye Chen stood at the edge of the competition grounds, his team of three assembled behind him: Lin Yue, their strategic anchor, and Luo Yan, a burly warrior with an unwavering loyalty to Ye Chen. Their opponents were already across the field—teams of equally formidable disciples, each boasting their own specialties.
"The rules are simple," the referee announced. "This is a survival match. The goal is to retrieve the Crimson Veil, located at the heart of the arena, and return it to your base. Only one team can win. You'll face not only your opponents but also the traps and illusions laid across the battlefield. Begin!"
As soon as the gong sounded, chaos erupted. Teams dashed in every direction, some opting for direct confrontations while others vanished into the forest to prepare ambushes.
Ye Chen gestured to his team, his voice calm but commanding. "Stick together. We don't need the veil yet—we'll focus on weakening the competition first."
Lin Yue nodded, her sharp eyes scanning the terrain. "Agreed. The veil will draw everyone in. We need to deal with any ambushes before we move."
The forest was eerily silent as Ye Chen's team moved cautiously through the undergrowth. Lin Yue's instincts proved invaluable, allowing them to avoid several traps and ambushes. However, it wasn't long before they encountered their first obstacle.
A team led by Zhou Wei, a disciple known for his mastery of earth techniques, stood in their path. Zhou smirked as he saw Ye Chen. "I was hoping we'd run into you, Ye Chen. Let's see if the rumors of your strength are true."
Without waiting for a response, Zhou slammed his hands into the ground. Massive stone walls erupted from the earth, attempting to trap Ye Chen and his team in a makeshift arena.
"Careful," Lin Yue warned. "He's trying to corner us!"
Ye Chen didn't hesitate. "Luo Yan, break through the left. Lin Yue, cover him. I'll handle Zhou."
Luo Yan roared, his massive axe cleaving through one of the stone walls with brute force. Lin Yue's precise attacks disrupted the enemy team's formations, forcing them to retreat. Meanwhile, Ye Chen dashed forward, his sword glowing with an intense aura.
Zhou Wei barely had time to react as Ye Chen's blade sliced through his next stone attack like paper. In a matter of moments, Zhou was disarmed, his team scattered.
"You're too strong…" Zhou muttered before retreating with his remaining teammates.
With their first victory secured, Ye Chen's team pressed onward, their path now clearer. However, as they neared the heart of the arena, Lin Yue's expression darkened.
"We're being watched," she whispered.
Ye Chen nodded. "I know. Let them come."
Almost as if on cue, a shadow darted through the trees, followed by another and another. Ye Chen drew his sword just in time to deflect a flurry of daggers aimed at his team. Their assailants emerged—cloaked figures, clearly not official participants.
"Outsiders?" Luo Yan growled, stepping protectively in front of Lin Yue.
Ye Chen's eyes narrowed. These weren't ordinary attackers. Their movements were too precise, their coordination too seamless.
One of the figures stepped forward, their voice distorted. "Ye Chen, your life ends here."
Before they could attack, Ye Chen's sword surged with energy, forcing the cloaked figures back. "You've made a mistake if you think you can take me so easily."
The battle was fierce. The cloaked figures fought with techniques unfamiliar to Ye Chen, their attacks imbued with strange, dark energy. Lin Yue worked furiously to decipher their patterns while Luo Yan held the line, his raw strength preventing the group from being overwhelmed.
Ye Chen, however, remained their target. Despite the odds, he fought with precision and determination, his sword cutting through the darkness like a beacon.
After what felt like an eternity, the last of the cloaked figures fell, their bodies dissolving into smoke before hitting the ground. Lin Yue rushed to Ye Chen's side, her face etched with concern.
"Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine," Ye Chen replied, though his breathing was heavy. "But this wasn't random. Someone sent them."
Lin Yue nodded. "They didn't care about the competition. They came for you specifically."
Before they could process further, a sudden explosion in the distance drew their attention. The Crimson Veil had been found.
"We need to move," Ye Chen said. "The real fight starts now."
As they reached the heart of the arena, they found two other teams locked in a brutal battle over the Crimson Veil. The artifact hovered in the air, radiating a faint red light, its presence causing the very air around it to ripple.
Ye Chen wasted no time. Signaling to his team, they launched their assault, catching the others off guard. In the chaos, Lin Yue's quick thinking allowed her to snatch the veil while Luo Yan provided cover.
"Fall back!" Ye Chen shouted, fending off a group of attackers as his team retreated.
The pursuit was relentless, but Ye Chen's leadership and his team's cohesion proved unmatched. By the time they reached their base, the other teams were too weakened to mount a serious challenge.
The gong sounded, signaling the end of the match. Ye Chen's team stood victorious, the Crimson Veil securely in their possession.
As the crowd erupted in cheers, Ye Chen scanned the stands, his gaze settling on a familiar figure watching from the shadows. Li Haotian's smirk was barely visible, but the malice in his eyes was unmistakable.
"This is far from over," Ye Chen thought, his resolve hardening.
In the distance, the sect master observed silently, his expression unreadable. "The boy continues to grow… but the enemies in the dark are only getting stronger. Will he be ready?"
The competition had been won, but the battles ahead would be far more dangerous. For Ye Chen, this was only the beginning.