The Rise of an Evil Sect Leader

The final matches of the preliminary rounds concluded with an air of tension hanging over the arena. Disciples were either cheering, groaning in defeat, or whispering about the emerging dark horse—Ye Tian.

He stood silently near the edge of the crowd, his cold golden eyes sweeping over the remaining participants. These were the fifty disciples who would advance to the group stage, where battles would grow more brutal, alliances more treacherous, and enemies more deadly.

"Attention!" The elder overseeing the tournament, Elder Rong, stepped forward. His commanding voice silenced the murmuring crowd. "The preliminary round has concluded. Fifty disciples remain. For the next stage, you will be divided into ten groups of five, and you will fight a battle royale within your group."

The crowd buzzed with excitement. A battle royale meant chaos—a place where both alliances and betrayals were common.

"The top two survivors in each group will advance to the finals," Elder Rong continued. "Prepare yourselves. The group assignments will be announced shortly!"

An Uneasy Alliance

As the elders prepared the group assignments, Ye Tian leaned against a nearby pillar, eyes closed as if resting.

"You're awfully calm," Luo Xiang's voice broke the silence as he approached.

Ye Tian opened one eye, casting him a glance. "Is there a reason I shouldn't be?"

Luo Xiang smirked. "In a battle royale, strength alone won't save you. If you're not careful, the weaker ones will gang up on you."

"And if they do?" Ye Tian asked, his tone indifferent.

Luo Xiang chuckled but didn't answer. Instead, his gaze sharpened. "Word is spreading, you know. Chen Feng, Zhang Wei, and others have their eyes on you now. You've made too much noise."

"Let them come," Ye Tian replied coldly. "I'll bury them all the same."

Luo Xiang studied him for a moment, then shrugged. "Suit yourself. Just don't get careless."

Group Assignments

Elder Rong raised his hand, and a scroll unfurled in front of him.

"The group assignments are as follows!"

The elder began calling out names, grouping the disciples together. Some were relieved to avoid strong opponents; others cursed their luck.

"Group Seven: Zhang Wei, Lin Yue, Ye Tian, Song Ming, and Wu Qiang!"

The crowd erupted into murmurs.

"Ye Tian and Zhang Wei in the same group?!"

"And Lin Yue from the inner sect… This group is deadly!"

"Whoever survives from Group Seven is going to be a monster."

Zhang Wei, the arrogant genius from the Serpent Fang Division, smirked as he turned his sharp gaze toward Ye Tian. "Finally. A chance to crush you in front of everyone."

Ye Tian ignored him, but a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Let's see who gets crushed."

Lin Yue, standing nearby, observed the exchange with curiosity. "This group will be… interesting."

Battle Royale: Group Seven

The disciples of Group Seven stood on the wide stone platform designated for their battle. The rules were simple: defeat or force your opponents off the platform to claim victory. Survival was key.

Zhang Wei drew his blade, its sharp edge glinting under the sun. "Ye Tian, I hope you're ready to die."

Song Ming and Wu Qiang, two disciples from minor divisions, exchanged nervous glances. They knew they were outmatched but weren't willing to go down without a fight.

Lin Yue, calm and composed, simply stood with her hands behind her back. Her strength was undeniable, and the others knew better than to underestimate her.

Elder Rong raised his hand. "Begin!"

The Hunt Begins

The moment the battle began, Zhang Wei roared and shot toward Ye Tian like a viper striking its prey. "You're mine!"

The crowd watched with bated breath as the two strongest contenders collided. Zhang Wei's blade slashed through the air, its energy creating a shockwave.

Clang!

Ye Tian blocked the strike with his bare hand, dark energy flickering around his palm. Zhang Wei's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible!"

"You're too slow," Ye Tian said coldly. With a twist of his wrist, he shattered Zhang Wei's balance, sending him stumbling backward.

But before Ye Tian could press his attack, Lin Yue made her move. She appeared behind Ye Tian in an instant, her palm glowing with golden energy.

"Golden Lotus Palm!"

Ye Tian spun around just in time to block, the collision sending ripples of energy across the platform. He skidded back slightly, his golden eyes narrowing.

Lin Yue smiled faintly. "You're not as untouchable as you think."

Meanwhile, Song Ming and Wu Qiang, seeing their opportunity, rushed toward Ye Tian together.

"Now!" Song Ming shouted.

"Fools," Ye Tian muttered.

He thrust his palm forward.

Nine Hell's Serpent Palm!

Boom!

The dark energy surged out, hitting both disciples with overwhelming force. Song Ming and Wu Qiang screamed as they were blasted off the platform, crashing into the ground below.

"Song Ming and Wu Qiang have been eliminated!" the elder declared.

The crowd gasped. Two opponents were defeated in seconds.

Three-Way Duel

Now, only Ye Tian, Zhang Wei, and Lin Yue remained.

Zhang Wei growled in frustration, his spiritual energy surging as he charged at Ye Tian again. "I'll kill you, Ye Tian!"

Lin Yue watched the exchange carefully, biding her time.

Zhang Wei's attacks came in a flurry, his blade moving like a storm of silver light. But Ye Tian's movements were fluid and precise, dodging each strike with ease.

"Too weak," Ye Tian said.

With a single palm strike, Ye Tian shattered Zhang Wei's blade and struck him in the chest. Zhang Wei coughed up blood as he was sent flying out of the ring.

"Zhang Wei has been eliminated!"

The crowd erupted into chaos.

"He defeated Zhang Wei so easily?!"

"What kind of monster is Ye Tian?"

Now, only Lin Yue and Ye Tian remained on the platform.

Lin Yue stepped forward, her spiritual energy flaring to life. "You've proven yourself, Ye Tian. But let's see how you handle me."

Ye Tian smirked, his golden eyes shining. "Come, then."

A Clash of Titans

Lin Yue's palm glowed brighter as she unleashed a barrage of strikes. "Golden Lotus Dance!"

Ye Tian countered her blows, dark energy swirling around him as the two exchanged strikes at blinding speed. Their clash shook the platform, the force of their attacks creating shockwaves that pushed back the watching disciples.

For the first time, Ye Tian felt a twinge of excitement.

She's strong, he admitted to himself. But not strong enough.

With a sudden burst of speed, Ye Tian appeared behind Lin Yue.

Nine Hell's Serpent Palm!

Lin Yue spun around just in time to block, but the force of the attack sent her skidding backward. She clenched her fists, breathing heavily, a thin line of blood trickling from her lips.

Before she could recover, Ye Tian was already in front of her, his palm raised. "It's over."

But instead of striking her, he stopped an inch from her chest.

The elder's voice rang out. "Lin Yue has been defeated! Winner of Group Seven: Ye Tian!"

A Dangerous Reputation

The crowd erupted into an uproar as Ye Tian stood alone on the platform, his cold golden eyes surveying the disciples below.

"Ye Tian won again!"

"He beat Zhang Wei and forced Lin Yue to yield… Is he even human?!"

"This guy is going to dominate the finals!"

Lin Yue, still steadying herself, looked at Ye Tian with a complex expression. "You're more dangerous than I thought…"

Ye Tian smirked faintly. "Remember that."

As he stepped off the platform, the whispers of the Heavenly Soul Relic echoed in his mind once again.

"Power… blood… more…"

Ye Tian's smile turned colder.

Let them come.