The Rise of an Evil Sect Leader

The oppressive atmosphere that had filled the chamber dissipated as the glowing figure atop the altar faded into nothingness. The deadly trial was over, leaving behind an eerie silence. Only the staircase leading further upward remained, its golden steps shimmering faintly in the dim light.

Ye Tian stood at the base of the staircase, his cold gaze fixed on the path ahead. The deaths of Wu Liang and Lin Feng had left blood smeared across the altar, a grim offering that seemed to have unlocked the legacy's final reward.

"This is it," Zhou Lie murmured. "The heart of the legacy."

Jiang Hao nodded. "But the cost... it's already been steep."

"Enough." Ye Tian's cold voice cut through the air, his gaze unwavering as he stepped forward. "Wu Liang and Lin Feng served their purpose. Cannon fodder is meant to die. We move forward."

Zhou Lie and Jiang Hao exchanged brief glances but said nothing. The reality of Ye Tian's words was harsh but undeniable. Their leader's ruthlessness was both terrifying and reassuring, a reminder of his determination to succeed at any cost.

The golden staircase led to a grand chamber, larger and more awe-inspiring than they had imagined. The air within was heavy, not just with power but with a sense of ancient history. Faint whispers seemed to drift through the room, words in a forgotten tongue carried on an invisible wind.

The walls of the chamber were adorned with murals depicting a towering figure clad in resplendent armor, leading armies into battle. These armies clashed against beasts and warriors alike, the figure always emerging victorious. The warrior's eyes, even in the mural, seemed to pierce through time, locking gazes with those who dared enter.

At the heart of the chamber floated the orb. It radiated a mesmerizing brilliance, its energy shifting like a storm contained within crystal. The closer they stepped, the more intense its presence became, filling the trio with both awe and unease.

The Approach

Zhou Lie's voice broke the silence. "This... this feels like something beyond what we've faced so far."

Jiang Hao nodded, his usually steady demeanor faltering. "It's as if the orb itself is watching us."

Ye Tian, however, was calm, his gaze fixed on the orb. "It's power, nothing more. And power can always be taken."

He stepped forward, unshaken by the overwhelming aura emanating from the orb. With each step, the pressure grew, yet Ye Tian moved as if unaffected. Zhou Lie and Jiang Hao struggled to follow, their breathing heavy, their movements sluggish under the oppressive weight.

When Ye Tian reached the orb, he extended his hand, placing it firmly on the surface.

The Clash of Wills

The moment Ye Tian's palm made contact, the chamber erupted with energy. A massive shockwave threw Zhou Lie and Jiang Hao against the walls, leaving them stunned.

Ye Tian, however, stood firm, his expression unchanging even as the orb's energy sought to invade his mind.

Suddenly, his vision darkened, and he found himself face-to-face with a towering figure. The ancient warrior from the murals stood before him, his spectral form exuding an overwhelming presence.

"You dare claim what is mine?" the warrior's voice boomed, shaking the very fabric of Ye Tian's mind.

Ye Tian's voice was steady. "Your time is over. Your power belongs to me now."

The warrior sneered, raising a massive, spectral weapon. "Then prove yourself, if you can!"

The Supremacy of the Golden Sovereign

As the warrior charged, Ye Tian's Golden Sovereign Power stirred, erupting in golden radiance. The spectral warrior's strikes came like a storm, each blow containing the weight of mountains.

But the Golden Sovereign met them all, not with brute force, but with unyielding dominance. Every strike was absorbed, devoured, and transformed into pure energy.

The warrior's sneer faltered as his once-overwhelming power began to wane. "What is this power?"

Ye Tian stepped forward, his presence now eclipsing the warrior's. "It's not your concern. You're nothing more than fuel for my Sovereign Power."

Unlike the foreign power, which sought to dominate, the Golden Sovereign exuded an aura of unyielding supremacy.

The ancient warrior's power faltered. No matter how much energy he unleashed, it was devoured, refined, and absorbed by the Golden Sovereign. The once-mighty figure began to waver, his strength suppressed and dismantled as the Golden Sovereign claimed every fragment of his spiritual qi.

"You... how is this possible?" the warrior's voice faded into nothingness as his essence was fully assimilated.

The Golden Sovereign surged, golden tendrils wrapping around the warrior's form. With a final cry of defiance, the warrior's essence was absorbed entirely.

A Transformation

When Ye Tian opened his eyes, the chamber was silent. The orb was gone, its energy fully consumed by the Golden Sovereign.

A golden aura surrounded Ye Tian, radiating an intensity that made Zhou Lie and Jiang Hao instinctively step back.

"Brother Ye..." Zhou Lie began, his voice trembling.

Ye Tian ignored him, clenching his fist as he felt the transformation within. His control over gravity had reached new heights, and his spiritual qi surged with newfound power. The Golden Sovereign had ascended, its supremacy undeniable.

Dividing the Rewards

Ye Tian turned his gaze to the remains of the orb's energy lingering in the chamber. With a wave of his hand, he condensed it into two glowing spheres and tossed them to Zhou Lie and Jiang Hao.

"These are fragments of the orb's power," Ye Tian said, his tone cold and commanding. "Take them. You'll need them if you want to keep up."

Zhou Lie and Jiang Hao exchanged a glance before quickly absorbing the energy. Their spiritual qi was replenished, their injuries healed, and their strength renewed.

"Thank you, Brother Ye," Jiang Hao said, bowing deeply.

"Save your gratitude," Ye Tian replied sharply. "You're here to serve. Make sure you're worth the effort."

The Departure

As the trio exited the chamber, the golden altar crumbled behind them, its energy fully depleted. Outside, the oppressive atmosphere of the trial grounds seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of eerie calm.

Ye Tian paused, looking back at the ruins. The Golden Sovereign Power pulsed within him, its dominance growing with every step of his journey.