The sun dipped below the horizon as the aftermath of the competition settled over the Xuantian Sect. Disciples either celebrated their victories or licked their wounds in solitude, but for Ye Chen, the day's events left a lingering unease.
Sitting cross-legged in his quarters, Ye Chen focused on his breathing, attempting to dispel the fatigue from the battle. The memory of the cloaked figures haunted him. Their dark techniques, their precision, and their sole intent to eliminate him spoke of a deeper conspiracy.
A faint knock on the door broke his concentration.
"Come in," he said, his voice calm but alert.
Lin Yue entered, her expression serious. "You're still recovering?"
"I'm fine," Ye Chen replied, opening his eyes. "But I suspect you didn't come here to check on me."
Lin Yue nodded, stepping closer. "I've been digging into the identities of those cloaked figures. They were using a forbidden technique known as the Shadowbind Art. It's something associated with the Bloodshade Hall."
Ye Chen's gaze sharpened. "Bloodshade Hall? The assassin guild?"
"Exactly," Lin Yue confirmed. "They're infamous for taking contracts to kill high-value targets. Whoever hired them must see you as a significant threat."
Ye Chen's mind raced. His rising prominence in the sect undoubtedly painted a target on his back, but hiring assassins during a sect competition was a bold, reckless move.
"Do we know who's behind it?" he asked.
Lin Yue hesitated. "I don't have concrete proof yet, but I suspect Li Haotian and Sun Liang. Their involvement in the earlier poison incident can't be a coincidence."
Ye Chen's fists clenched. He had already suspected their hand in the previous attacks, but this escalation was something else entirely.
"They won't stop," he said quietly. "Not until I've taken everything from them or they've taken me down."
The next day, a summons arrived for Ye Chen. He was to meet with the sect master, a rare and significant event for any disciple.
Walking through the grand halls of the sect, Ye Chen couldn't help but feel the weight of countless eyes on him. Whispers followed him—admiration, jealousy, and fear all mixed in the murmurs of his fellow disciples.
Arriving at the sect master's chambers, Ye Chen bowed respectfully as he entered. The sect master sat at the head of the room, his piercing eyes studying Ye Chen as if trying to see through his very soul.
"Ye Chen," the sect master began, his tone calm but authoritative. "Your performance in the competition has been extraordinary, but it has also drawn dangerous attention. I trust you are aware of the attacks against you."
"Yes, Sect Master," Ye Chen replied evenly.
"The Bloodshade Hall's involvement is troubling," the sect master continued. "They operate outside the bounds of our sect, but their presence here indicates someone within has hired them. Such betrayal cannot be tolerated."
Ye Chen met the sect master's gaze. "Do you wish for me to investigate?"
The sect master smiled faintly. "No, not yet. For now, your focus should remain on the competition. However, I suggest you watch your back. The next rounds will be even more perilous."
"Understood," Ye Chen said, bowing again before taking his leave.
Back in the training grounds, Ye Chen found Luo Yan preparing for the upcoming team battles. His towering figure was drenched in sweat as he swung his massive axe with relentless determination.
"Ye Chen," Luo Yan greeted, pausing to wipe his brow. "Heard you were summoned by the sect master. What did he say?"
"Nothing we didn't already suspect," Ye Chen replied. "The Bloodshade Hall's involvement is confirmed, but we still don't know who hired them."
Luo Yan frowned. "Whoever it is, they've got deep pockets. Bloodshade doesn't come cheap."
Lin Yue joined them, her expression grim. "We need to be careful. The next rounds won't just test our strength—they'll test our ability to survive. Our enemies won't play fair."
Ye Chen nodded. "Then we'll make sure we're ready. No matter what they throw at us, we'll come out on top."
The following day, the competition resumed. This time, the rules were different. The teams were divided into hunters and prey, with the prey tasked to evade capture for an hour while the hunters pursued them. The roles would switch halfway through the match.
Ye Chen's team was designated as the prey in the first half.
As the gong sounded, they dashed into the arena's sprawling terrain, a labyrinth of rocky ridges and dense foliage. Lin Yue quickly identified potential choke points, guiding them toward safer routes.
"They'll expect us to keep running," she said, her voice steady. "But if we pick the right spot, we can ambush them instead."
Luo Yan grinned. "I like the sound of that."
They found a narrow canyon with high cliffs on either side, perfect for an ambush. Lin Yue set traps along the entrance while Ye Chen and Luo Yan positioned themselves on the cliffs.
It wasn't long before their pursuers arrived—a team led by Sun Liang himself.
"Spread out," Sun Liang ordered, his tone confident. "Ye Chen won't run far. He's too proud for that."
As the group moved into the canyon, Lin Yue triggered the traps. Hidden talismans erupted in blinding flashes of light, disorienting the enemy team.
"Now!" Ye Chen shouted.
He and Luo Yan leapt down from the cliffs, their attacks striking with precision. Sun Liang's team scrambled to defend themselves, but the chaos worked against them.
In mere minutes, the pursuers were forced to retreat, their morale shattered.
When the roles reversed, Ye Chen's team took the offensive. This time, their prey didn't stand a chance. Using their superior coordination, they cornered and defeated their opponents one by one, securing yet another victory.
As the crowd roared in approval, Ye Chen felt a small sense of satisfaction. But in the back of his mind, he knew this was only the calm before the storm.
In the shadows of the arena, Li Haotian watched with a sinister smile.
"Enjoy your victories while they last, Ye Chen," he muttered. "Your downfall is already in motion."