The Rise of an Evil Sect Leader

The murmurs about Ye Tian's shocking victory spread like wildfire. In every corner of the grand arena, disciples whispered his name.

"Did you see that? He crushed Liu Hao with just a few strikes!"

"He's hiding his true strength… There's no way a Serpent Shadow disciple is that strong."

"Who is Ye Tian? Where did he come from?"

But as the second wave of matches began, Ye Tian ignored the noise. He stood silently on the sidelines, his golden eyes watching every fight with ruthless calculation.

For him, this tournament wasn't about glory—it was a hunt. Every opponent was prey, every battle a step toward his ultimate goal: power.

A Changing Reputation

Back in the Serpent Shadow Division's section, Luo Xiang could hardly suppress his smirk. He slouched lazily on a nearby bench, arms folded as he watched the chaos unfold.

"Well, well, looks like the Serpent Shadows finally have a dark horse," he mused. "Who would've thought it'd be you, Ye Tian?"

The other disciples in the division shot nervous glances at Ye Tian. Before today, no one had given him a second look. Now, they watched him as though he were a beast that might strike at any moment.

"Senior Luo," one disciple whispered, "do you think Ye Tian can go far in the tournament?"

Luo Xiang chuckled. "If I were a betting man, I'd say this kid's got a few surprises left. He's not normal."

The Second Match: Ye Tian vs. Zhao Kun

The elder's booming voice echoed across the arena once again.

"Next match: Ye Tian of the Serpent Shadow Division versus Zhao Kun of the Golden Fang Division!"

A buzz swept through the crowd at the announcement.

"Zhao Kun? Isn't he the Golden Fang's rising star?"

"Yeah, I heard he's at the peak of the Sixth Layer of Qi Gathering. Ye Tian's luck has run out!"

"That Serpent Shadow brat is finished!"

From the Golden Fang Division, Zhao Kun stepped forward. He was a tall, muscular youth with an arrogant smirk on his face, his golden robes fluttering as he approached the ring.

"Ye Tian, right?" Zhao Kun said, cracking his knuckles. "I saw how you beat Liu Hao. You caught him off guard. But against me, you'll have no chance."

Ye Tian stepped into the ring without a word. His golden eyes met Zhao Kun's, calm and cold as ever.

The elder raised his hand. "Begin!"

Zhao Kun's Ferocity

Zhao Kun wasted no time. With a roar, he summoned his spiritual energy, a faint golden aura flaring around his body. He charged at Ye Tian, his fists glowing with raw power.

"Golden Fang Strike!"

The crowd cheered as Zhao Kun launched a barrage of devastating punches, his speed and strength on full display. Each strike cracked the air, sending shockwaves through the stone platform.

But Ye Tian remained calm.

He sidestepped, ducked, and weaved between Zhao Kun's attacks with ease, his movements fluid and almost… lazy.

"Stop running, you coward!" Zhao Kun snarled, his frustration mounting. He slammed his fist into the ground, sending a shockwave of energy toward Ye Tian.

Boom!

Dust and debris exploded into the air. For a moment, Zhao Kun smirked, believing he'd hit his target.

But when the dust settled, Ye Tian stood unharmed, his robes barely rustled.

The crowd fell silent.

"What's wrong?" Ye Tian's voice was soft, yet it carried across the arena. "Is this all the Golden Fang Division has to offer?"

Zhao Kun's face turned crimson with anger. "You arrogant bastard!"

He gathered his energy again, but before he could strike—

Ye Tian moved.

Shadowstep.

To the crowd, it was as though Ye Tian vanished into thin air. One moment he stood in place, and the next, he was right in front of Zhao Kun.

Zhao Kun's eyes widened in terror. "Wha—"

"Too slow," Ye Tian said coldly.

His palm shot forward, brimming with dark energy.

Nine Hell's Serpent Palm!

Boom!

The strike hit Zhao Kun square in the chest. A sickening crunch echoed through the arena as Zhao Kun was sent flying, blood spraying from his mouth. He slammed into the ground outside the ring, motionless.

Silence.

For a moment, the entire arena froze.

Then, the elder raised his hand. "Winner: Ye Tian!"

Shaking the Sect

The crowd erupted into chaos.

"Zhao Kun was defeated in one strike!"

"What kind of technique is that? That energy… it feels evil!"

"Who the hell is Ye Tian? How is he this strong?!"

The disciples from the Golden Fang Division stared at Zhao Kun's unconscious body in disbelief. He had been one of their strongest fighters, and yet Ye Tian had crushed him effortlessly.

From the high platform, some of the sect elders narrowed their eyes, their interest piqued.

"That boy…" one elder murmured. "His movements, his techniques—he's no ordinary outer disciple."

Another elder nodded in agreement. "The energy he's using is… unusual. It doesn't feel like a typical Jade Serpent Sect technique."

Enemies and Attention

Back in the Serpent Shadow Division's section, Luo Xiang let out a low whistle. "You're full of surprises, kid. First Liu Hao, now Zhao Kun? People are going to start watching you closely."

Ye Tian ignored him, his gaze locked on the disciples of the other divisions. He could feel their hatred, their jealousy, their fear.

Good.

He welcomed it.

From the Golden Fang Division, Zhao Kun's senior brother, Chen Feng, glared at Ye Tian with murderous intent.

"You humiliated us," Chen Feng growled under his breath. "I'll make you pay for this, Ye Tian. I swear it."

At the same time, Zhang Wei of the Serpent Fang Division watched Ye Tian with cold fury.

"This isn't over," Zhang Wei muttered. "I'll crush you in front of everyone."

Ye Tian remained calm, his expression unreadable. He could feel the storm of enemies gathering around him, but it didn't matter.

Let them come.

One by one, he would destroy them all.

As the elder's voice boomed across the arena, announcing the next matches, Ye Tian closed his eyes briefly, listening to the whispers of the Heavenly Soul Relic.

"More power… more blood… rise, Ye Tian…"

A cold smile spread across his lips.

The hunt had only just begun.