The skies over the Jade Blossom Sect were strangely calm as Ye Tian flew back, golden Qi trailing behind him like the tail of a comet. Birds scattered in his wake, and the clouds parted around him in quiet awe. But he was not calm. Not even close.
The Iron Vein Sect had crossed a line.
They hadn't just sent scouts or assassins—
They'd sent **elites**, commanders, and specialized troops meant for total domination.
This was no probing attack.
It was a declaration of war.
The moment Ye Tian's boots touched the Jade Blossom plaza, all disciples nearby fell silent. Murmurs rippled as they saw the dried blood on his knuckles, the torn fabric of his shirt, and the overwhelming aura that still clung to him like wildfire.
"Senior Brother Tian looks terrifying…"
"I-Is that the smell of molten metal?"
"It's like he fought a hundred people."
"A thousand," someone corrected. "I sensed the shockwaves from the valley."
Ye Tian ignored them and headed straight for the main hall.
He didn't bother knocking.
The doors flew open under his push.
Inside, the senior elders turned sharply. Sect Mistress Yun Xian sat at the center, looking tense—but the moment her eyes met Ye Tian, relief softened her expression.
"You're back."
Ye Tian nodded. "The vanguard is crushed."
Gasps erupted.
Elder Yuying covered her mouth.
Elder Mei's fan nearly slipped from her fingers.
Even the usually composed Elder Hua blinked twice.
"You mean defeated?" Yun Xian asked cautiously.
"No," Ye Tian said. "I said crushed."
The elders exchanged glances, unable to hide their astonishment.
Yun Xian leaned forward. "What about the elites? The Iron Titan Division? The commander rumored to accompany them?"
"They came," Ye Tian said. "They lost."
The room fell silent.
Then Elder Hua muttered, "He fought the Iron Titans… alone?"
Elder Mei whispered, "He's not human…"
Ye Tian remained unbothered. "But that's not all. The Iron Vein Sect is mobilizing fully. Their Sect Lord wants war."
Yun Xian exhaled sharply. "As we feared."
"No," Ye Tian corrected. "He wants revenge."
"For what?" Elder Mei asked.
"For being cocky enough to think his sect can intimidate mine."
Elder Hua paused. "Ye Tian… what did you do?"
Ye Tian scratched the back of his head. "I may have… sent his vanguard back crying. Completely humiliated. And possibly cured one of his trusted elders from a long-term cultivation issue."
The elders froze.
Especially at the last part.
"You helped their elder?" Yuying asked, scandalized.
"She wasn't my enemy once the battle ended," Ye Tian replied. "And leaving her like that would've been cruel."
Yun Xian stared at him for a long moment, then smiled faintly. "You did the right thing."
The others nodded reluctantly.
"Regardless," Yun Xian continued, "we cannot wait for the Iron Vein Sect to prepare a full invasion. We must strike first."
Ye Tian's eyes gleamed.
"Good. I was thinking the same."
---
### **Preparations for War**
The Jade Blossom Sect buzzed with activity. Disciples trained in the courtyards, elders inspected formations, and spirit beasts were brought out of their dens. But it was Ye Tian who drew the most attention.
Wherever he walked, disciples stopped and bowed deeply.
"Senior Brother, your aura… is terrifying!"
"I heard you wiped out an entire battalion!"
"Is it true you fought their Titan commander alone?"
Ye Tian ignored most of them, but one voice made him stop.
A small girl—barely fifteen—stood shaking with a jade scroll in her hands.
"S-Senior Ye Tian! The Sect Mistress asked for you in the— in the secret pavilion!"
She bowed so deeply she nearly hit the floor.
Ye Tian patted her head. "Lead the way."
The girl fainted.
He sighed.
Why did this keep happening?
---
### **The Secret Pavilion**
Deep beneath the main hall sat a tightly sealed chamber known only to the highest-ranking members. Its doors opened with a groaning rumble as Yun Xian stepped out from the shadows.
"Ye Tian," she said, "follow me."
The air was cold inside the pavilion—so cold that frost covered the walls. A large stone tablet glowed in the center of the chamber, runes orbiting around it like stars.
"This," Yun Xian said softly, "is our sect's oldest war artifact. The Blossom Star Formation Core. It amplifies our defensive strength and magnifies offensive formations when activated."
Ye Tian studied the runes carefully.
"You plan to use it?"
Yun Xian nodded. "If the Iron Vein Sect is serious, we cannot rely on standard defenses."
Then her expression softened.
"But more than that… I brought you here because I must ask you something."
He raised a brow. "What?"
Yun Xian took a step closer.
"Ye Tian… what happened in the valley?"
He blinked. "What do you mean?"
"You returned stronger."
Her voice was nearly a whisper.
"And more dangerous."
Ye Tian looked at his hand. The golden aura was indeed heavier, more intense.
"My Dao evolves when I push myself," he said. "And that battle forced me to."
But Yun Xian saw something else.
"You're changing," she murmured. "Faster than any genius I've ever seen. The sect needs you… but I fear for you as well."
Ye Tian didn't reply immediately.
He admired Yun Xian—
Her strength, her loyalty, her intelligence.
But there was something else in her eyes now. Something unspoken.
He stepped closer.
"Yun Xian," he said quietly, "don't worry. I'm not going to break."
Her heartbeat quickened.
She took half a step back—then forced herself to stand firm.
"There's more," she said. "While you were away, we intercepted a transmission."
She handed him a jade slip.
Ye Tian pressed his Qi into it—
And nearly crushed it from how absurd the message was.
**We march at dawn.
Seize the women.
Bring Ye Tian alive—
The Sect Lord wants to break him in front of everyone.**
Ye Tian's aura exploded.
The frost on the walls melted instantly.
Yun Xian shielded her eyes as golden flames roared around him.
"So that's how he wants to play," Ye Tian said, voice dangerously calm. "Trying to make a spectacle out of me?"
Yun Xian touched his shoulder gently. "Ye Tian… we don't have to confront them directly. With the formation core—"
"No," Ye Tian interrupted. "I'm done reacting. If the Sect Lord wants to break me publicly—"
His eyes burned with fury.
"—I'll break his sect publicly."
---
### **A Plan Born of Rage**
Outside, elders gathered as Yun Xian and Ye Tian emerged from the pavilion.
"He has declared war," Yun Xian announced. "And he marches at dawn."
Gasps of fear and anger spread through the crowd.
But Ye Tian stepped forward, voice calm and commanding.
"We won't wait. Tonight—just before dawn—we strike first."
The elders blinked.
"Tonight?"
"That soon?"
Ye Tian nodded. "I've seen the Iron Vein troops. I know their weaknesses. More importantly—"
His aura surged.
"I refuse to let that bastard think he can touch my sect or its people."
The elders exchanged looks.
Then Yun Xian stepped forward, placing her hand on Ye Tian's arm.
"Very well," she said. "We fight tonight."
"Prepare yourselves," he said. "Pack light. Move silent. And make sure you eat."
"Eat?" Elder Mei asked.
Ye Tian's expression was dead serious.
"You'll need the energy."
---
### **Nightfall Over Two Sects**
The Jade Blossom Sect prepared quietly, shadows moving across rooftops and courtyards as disciples armed themselves. Elders ignited formation nodes. Spirit beasts were fed and readied.
But Ye Tian?
Ye Tian stood at the highest peak of the sect, wind slicing through his torn shirt as he looked toward the distant mountains where the Iron Vein Sect waited.
He felt Yun Xian approach him from behind.
"Ye Tian," she said softly. "When we attack tonight… it will be war."
He didn't turn around.
"It already is."
"Are you ready?"
Ye Tian smirked.
"My Dao was born ready."
Golden flames erupted around him, lighting the entire peak.
Tonight…
The hunter becomes the hunted.