The Rise of an Evil Sect Leader

The first night within the Crimson Veil Ravine was as deadly as the stories foretold. The howls of beasts echoed through the air, punctuated by the occasional scream of a disciple who had underestimated the trial's dangers. Shadows moved unnaturally, and the oppressive atmosphere pressed on everyone. For Ye Tian, it was the perfect hunting ground.

Under the pale light of the crescent moon, Ye Tian and his companions rested at a secluded spot he had chosen with precision. A narrow cliffside overlooked the ravine below, providing both concealment and an excellent vantage point. While the majority of disciples rushed forward recklessly, chasing glory, Ye Tian's strategy was simple: observe, assess, and strike only when the reward outweighed the risk.

Jiang Hao was sharpening his blade in silence, his eyes flickering toward Ye Tian occasionally. It was clear he was beginning to grasp Ye Tian's methods, though he hadn't fully unraveled the depth of his cunning.

"Brother Ye," Jiang Hao finally broke the silence, his tone cautious. "I've been thinking... about those alliances being formed by the other Inner Sect disciples. They'll group together for protection. Shouldn't we consider doing the same?"

Ye Tian gave him a sidelong glance, a faint smirk curling his lips. "And share the spoils? Depend on their mercy when the time comes to betray us? No, Brother Jiang. I prefer alliances built on fear and necessity, not camaraderie."

Jiang Hao swallowed hard, nodding. He had seen enough of Ye Tian's cunning to know that opposing his logic was futile.

Zhou Lie, who had just returned from his reconnaissance, interrupted the discussion. His face was calm, but there was a glint of urgency in his eyes.

"There's a group ahead," Zhou Lie reported. "Four Inner Sect disciples, all equipped with artifacts and weapons. They've set up a makeshift barrier near a treasure node. They're waiting for weaker disciples to approach, ambush them, and claim whatever spoils they've found."

Ye Tian leaned forward, his interest piqued. "And what of their strength? Are they worth my time?"

Zhou Lie hesitated for a moment before replying, "Strong enough to pose a challenge, but reckless in their approach. They're overconfident."

A cold, calculating light flashed in Ye Tian's eyes. "Overconfidence. The sweetest weakness to exploit."

The Approach

As they moved toward the node, Ye Tian orchestrated their movements with precision. Zhou Lie would scout ahead, ensuring their path remained unseen. Jiang Hao and Ye Tian followed at a distance, careful to avoid detection.

When they arrived, Ye Tian's eyes narrowed at the sight before them. The treasure node was a glowing fissure in the ground, emitting pulses of energy that seemed to lure both disciples and beasts alike. The four Inner Sect disciples, clad in robes bearing their sect insignias, stood at the edges of the fissure, their weapons drawn.

One of them, a tall and broad-shouldered man with a scar running down his face, barked orders at the others. "Stay sharp. We don't move until more of those Outer Sect rats show up. We'll bleed them dry and take what they have."

Ye Tian crouched low, observing their positions and mannerisms. He could tell instantly that Scarface was the leader—a brute who relied on intimidation to command loyalty. The others, while strong, lacked his decisiveness.

"They're expecting easy prey," Ye Tian whispered to Jiang Hao. "What they don't expect is someone like me."

Jiang Hao frowned. "But there are four of them. Even with your strength, it'll be—"

"Over before it begins," Ye Tian interrupted, his voice cold. "Watch and learn."

The Confrontation

Ye Tian stepped out of the shadows, walking calmly into the open clearing near the treasure node. The four disciples turned to him, their gazes shifting from wary to scornful. The scarred man, their leader, sneered.

"Who do we have here?" the man growled, his voice like gravel. "An Inner Sect disciple slumming it with the rest of us? You think your rank makes you untouchable?"

Ye Tian remained silent, his expression calm and unreadable. He continued walking forward, his hands at his sides as though he were taking a casual stroll.

The scarred man's sneer deepened, and he raised his massive blade, pointing it at Ye Tian. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But guts won't keep you alive."

He lunged forward with surprising speed, his blade aimed for Ye Tian's chest. Yet, just as the weapon was about to strike, Ye Tian moved. His figure blurred, reappearing beside the scarred man in a flash of crimson light.

"Nine Hells Technique: First Flame," Ye Tian said coldly.

A burst of fiery energy erupted from his palm, slamming into the scarred man's side. The force sent him staggering back, his armor scorched and his expression twisting in pain.

"You'll regret that!" the man roared, blood dripping from his mouth as he steadied himself. Despite the injury, he charged again, his blade gleaming with a menacing aura.

Ye Tian evaded effortlessly, moving like a phantom. His blade flashed, slicing across the man's arm. The scarred leader roared again, his movements growing more erratic.

Before he could retaliate, Ye Tian vanished from sight, reappearing behind him. Cold steel pressed against the scarred man's neck.

"Yield," Ye Tian said, his voice low and dangerous. "Or I'll end this here."

The scarred man froze, his muscles tense. His underlings hesitated, their gazes shifting between their leader and Ye Tian. The tension in the air was palpable, like a coiled spring about to snap. "Stop!" Scarface roared.

The Betrayal

One of the underlings, a wiry man with shifty eyes, stepped forward, his voice trembling. "Why should we listen to him, Scarface? He's just one man! If we strike together, we can take him!"

Scarface glared at his subordinate. "Shut your mouth, Lin Hao. You don't understand what you're dealing with!"

But Lin Hao's words had already planted a seed of doubt in the others. Another underling gripped his weapon tighter, nodding. "He's right. If we let you handle this, we'll all die. We should end this now."

The betrayal happened in an instant. Lin Hao lunged forward, his blade slicing toward Scarface. Another disciple followed, his weapon aimed at Ye Tian.

Ye Tian smirked and stepped back, releasing Scarface and allowing chaos to unfold. Scarface barely parried Lin Hao's attack, his expression twisting with rage and desperation.

"You filthy traitors!" Scarface roared, swinging his blade with deadly precision. He struck Lin Hao, forcing him to stumble back, blood spraying across the ground.

But the other disciples didn't stop. They turned on Scarface, their strikes relentless. Scarface fought back with the ferocity of a cornered beast, cutting down one of his attackers.

Ye Tian, now on the ground, feigned injury. He lay motionless, his breathing shallow, watching as Scarface and his mutinous underlings tore each other apart.

The Final Kill

When the dust settled, only two figures remained: Scarface, bloodied and battered, and Lin Hao, barely able to stand. They glared at each other, their weapons trembling in their hands.

"You... ruined everything," Scarface spat, his voice filled with venom.

Lin Hao smirked weakly. "You were... never fit to lead."

Scarface lunged, his blade finding Lin Hao's chest. Lin Hao gasped, blood bubbling from his lips as he collapsed to the ground. Scarface staggered, his strength nearly spent, his body swaying on the verge of collapse.

It was then that Ye Tian struck.

He rose from the ground like a specter, his blade gleaming in the moonlight. Scarface turned, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"You..." was all he managed to say before Ye Tian's sword pierced his heart. Scarface crumpled to the ground, his body finally succumbing to his injuries.

Claiming Victory

Zhou Lie and Jiang Hao emerged from the shadows, their expressions grim as they surveyed the carnage. Ye Tian stood amidst the bodies, his face calm, his eyes cold.

"Did you plan this all along?" Jiang Hao asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ye Tian wiped the blood from his blade, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "Of course. Why waste my energy when they can kill each other for me?"

Zhou Lie stepped forward, kneeling beside Lin Hao's body to retrieve the treasures the group had carried. Among them was a glowing jade fragment, its surface etched with runes of immense power.

"A legacy shard," Zhou Lie said, holding it up for Ye Tian to see.

Ye Tian nodded, taking the shard and placing it into his storage ring. "One step closer to the goal."

As they moved deeper into the ravine, the echoes of battle fading behind them, Ye Tian's voice cut through the silence.

"Remember this: chaos is the greatest weapon of all. Learn to wield it, and you'll always have the upper hand."

The shadows swallowed them once more as they vanished into the depths of the Crimson Veil Ravine.