The Rise of an Evil Sect Leader

The energy in the grand arena was electric as the Outer Disciple Tournament commenced. Hundreds of disciples gathered in organized groups, standing beneath their division banners, while sect elders and important figures looked down from the towering viewing platforms.

Ye Tian stood with his hands clasped behind his back at the edge of the Serpent Shadow Division's formation. His presence remained unnoticed by most, but those who had heard rumors of his victories cast subtle glances his way. For now, he was still seen as an underdog—a nobody—but Ye Tian welcomed their ignorance.

"Let them underestimate me," Ye Tian thought, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Their surprise will be my weapon."

The Rules of the Tournament

A sect elder, dressed in flowing jade robes, stepped forward to address the crowd. His voice boomed across the arena, enhanced by spiritual energy.

"The Outer Disciple Tournament will be conducted in three phases!" the elder announced. "First, the elimination rounds. Second, the group battles. Finally, the ranking duels to determine the strongest disciples!"

His eyes swept over the gathering like a hawk, landing on the trembling weaklings who dared to participate.

"In the first round, one thousand disciples will fight to the death—or to surrender—in one-on-one battles. Only the strong shall advance."

Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire. Death? Most disciples hoped to avoid such brutal combat, but this was the way of the Jade Serpent Sect. Weakness was not tolerated.

Ye Tian's golden eyes flickered, his excitement rising. Finally, he thought, I can begin to hunt.

The Matches Begin

The massive arena was split into ten smaller fighting rings, each overseen by a different elder. Disciples were called forward in pairs, their names announced for all to hear.

The battles erupted with ferocity. Fists collided, swords clashed, and spiritual techniques filled the air with crackling energy. Some fights ended quickly—stronger disciples overwhelming the weak within seconds—while others dragged on in grueling stalemates.

Ye Tian waited patiently, his face calm despite the chaos around him. The Serpent Shadow disciples stood nearby, trembling as they watched their division mates lose to stronger competitors.

"Another one down…" one muttered as a fellow Serpent Shadow disciple was thrown out of the ring, unconscious.

"We'll be humiliated again this year…"

Luo Xiang, lounging lazily nearby, glanced at Ye Tian and chuckled. "What's with that face? You look too calm for someone about to enter a meat grinder."

Ye Tian ignored him. He had no interest in small talk.

"Ye Tian vs. Liu Hao!"

The elder's booming voice echoed across the arena.

The crowd fell silent for a moment. Ye Tian's name was unfamiliar, but the name Liu Hao sparked murmurs. Liu Hao was from the Serpent Fang Division—a solid mid-tier disciple with a reputation for cruelty and sharp techniques.

Liu Hao stepped into the ring, his bulky figure wrapped in a crimson robe. His face twisted into a mocking sneer as Ye Tian followed him into the arena.

"Another trash disciple from the Serpent Shadow Division?" Liu Hao laughed, loud enough for all to hear. "This'll be over in seconds. I'll try not to break you too much!"

The crowd chuckled, their expectations clear.

Ye Tian ignored the laughter, his eyes locked onto Liu Hao like a predator sizing up prey. "Are you done talking?"

"What did you say?!" Liu Hao's face darkened with anger. "You arrogant—"

Boom!

The elder signaled the start of the match with a sharp clap.

The Predator Strikes

Liu Hao wasted no time. His fist glowed red with spiritual energy as he charged at Ye Tian like a rampaging bull. "Die!"

To the crowd, Liu Hao's strength was impressive, his speed far beyond the average outer disciple. But to Ye Tian…

Slow.

At the last second, Ye Tian sidestepped effortlessly, his footwork so fluid it seemed like he disappeared.

Shadowstep.

Liu Hao's fist smashed into the ground, cracking the stone, but Ye Tian was already behind him.

"What?!" Liu Hao cried, spinning around too late.

Ye Tian's palm shot forward—fast, precise, and brimming with dark energy.

Nine Hell's Serpent Palm!

Crack!

The strike landed squarely on Liu Hao's chest. A sickening crunch echoed through the arena as Liu Hao's ribs cracked like brittle wood. His face twisted in agony as he staggered backward, coughing blood.

The crowd gasped.

"What was that technique?!"

"Did he just injure Liu Hao with a single strike?!"

Liu Hao's eyes widened in disbelief as he collapsed to one knee, clutching his chest. "You… What did you…?"

Ye Tian didn't answer. He stepped forward again, his shadow looming over Liu Hao like a specter of death.

"You're too weak," Ye Tian said coldly.

Liu Hao roared in desperation, his energy flaring as he forced himself to stand. "I won't lose to a nobody like you!"

But before he could launch another attack, Ye Tian's foot lashed out in a vicious kick, connecting with Liu Hao's jaw.

Thud!

Liu Hao's body crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Silence.

The entire arena stared in disbelief. Liu Hao—one of the Serpent Fang Division's most promising disciples—had been utterly defeated in less than a minute.

The Dark Horse Emerges

The elder overseeing the match glanced at Liu Hao's unmoving body, then turned to Ye Tian. "Winner: Ye Tian!"

The crowd erupted in an uproar.

"Who is this guy?!"

"He defeated Liu Hao so easily!"

"Is he really from the Serpent Shadow Division?"

From the sidelines, Luo Xiang's expression shifted from amusement to mild shock. He muttered under his breath, "This kid… is a monster."

Meanwhile, from the Serpent Fang Division's area, Zhang Wei glared daggers at Ye Tian. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"Impossible… That trash is stronger than I thought," Zhang Wei growled. "But I'll deal with him myself."

Ye Tian ignored the commotion, stepping out of the ring as calm as when he had entered. To him, Liu Hao had been nothing more than a stepping stone.

"This is just the beginning," Ye Tian murmured to himself, his golden eyes glinting ominously.

The tournament would continue, and Ye Tian knew the battles ahead would only grow fiercer.

But with each fight, he would carve his name into the bones of those who underestimated him.