Three days after casually surviving Heavenly Tribulation, Jin Ye was promoted to Core Disciple.
By then, most of the sect had adopted one of two philosophies regarding him:
1. Worship him like an unpredictable weather god.
2. Avoid him like unstable alchemy pills.
The sect even updated its disciple handbook:
New Rule 73: "Do not look Jin Ye directly in the eyes during spiritual phenomena."
New Rule 74: "Never challenge Jin Ye to a duel unless you've already written your will."
New Rule 75: "If Jin Ye offers you tea, ask what plane of existence it's brewed from before drinking."
---
Meanwhile, in the Core Sect Residence...
Mu Shun trembled as he handed Jin Ye a scroll. "Senior Brother... you've been invited to... the Sect Leadership Trials."
Jin Ye raised an eyebrow mid-slurp. "Is that a real thing or just another weird way for people to try killing me?"
"Uh... yes?"
---
What Are the Sect Leadership Trials?
Every twenty years, Skyward Leaf Sect opens the path for core disciples to challenge for leadership — an ancient tradition where hopefuls demonstrate leadership, power, charisma, and overwhelming combat ability.
Historically, only one or two prodigies even attempt it.
This year?
Only one name had been submitted.
Jin Ye.
Not by Jin Ye, of course.
By Mu Shun. In a burst of overenthusiastic loyalty. And poor judgment.
---
Jin Ye stared at the scroll, chewing a bun. "So... this is your fault."
Mu Shun collapsed into a bow. "Please forgive me! I thought—! You're already the strongest! Everyone fears you! You nap through tribulations!"
"I was gonna take the week off."
"P-please don't kill me."
Jin Ye sighed. "I'm not gonna kill you. You're my hype man. But you're also an idiot."
Mu Shun nodded gratefully. "Yes, thank you."
---
Elsewhere – Inner Sect Council Pavilion
Yun Han, still bruised, still angry, and now permanently humbler, gathered with other elders and disciples.
"He's aiming for Sect Leader now?" someone whispered.
"No one else applied."
"What if... what if he wins?"
Silence.
Then Yun Han stood.
"No. No, we can't allow that. If he becomes Sect Leader... we'll all be doomed."
One elder raised a brow. "Doomed how?"
Yun Han clenched his fists. "He might... implement nap time as a core sect policy!"
Another disciple gasped. "He might outlaw dramatic entrance poses!"
Elder Qiu slammed his fist. "He must not be allowed to win."
---
Two Days Later – The Trial Arena
A massive, floating island hovered above the sect grounds, bathed in divine light. This was Skyward Sanctum, the site of the Sect Leadership Trials.
Thousands gathered below, watching through projection arrays. Up top, six elders formed a judging panel, while candidates would face three trials:
1. Wisdom Trial – Solve a spiritual riddle.
2. Combat Trial – Defeat an elder-level illusion.
3. Dao Manifestation – Reveal your understanding of the Dao.
Only one candidate stood in the center.
Jin Ye, sipping tea.
---
Trial One – The Riddle
A glowing formation appeared before Jin Ye. An ancient voice echoed:
"A cultivator walks 1,000 miles, carrying nothing. Yet upon arrival, they hold the world. What did they gain?"
The crowd held its breath.
Jin Ye squinted at the riddle, then looked up at the judges.
"Is this rhetorical, or do I have to pretend this makes sense?"
Elder Zhou snapped, "Answer the riddle!"
Jin Ye shrugged. "Back pain?"
The formation glowed.
Correct.
The crowd gasped.
The elders whispered.
"What kind of answer is that?!"
"It fits, technically..."
---
Trial Two – Combat
A spiritual formation surged to life. An illusion of a Nascent Soul elder appeared, crackling with Qi, radiating killing intent.
The elder shouted, "You shall not pass!"
Jin Ye stood still.
Then yawned.
The illusion charged. Explosions followed. Stone shattered. A crater formed.
When the dust cleared, Jin Ye was standing behind the illusion, patting its shoulder.
"Relax, old man. You're just pixels."
He flicked its forehead.
The illusion exploded.
Trial Passed.
---
Trial Three – Dao Manifestation
Elder Ren stood. "Show us your Dao."
Jin Ye nodded.
He set down his tea.
Took a deep breath.
Then... pulled out a napkin.
He folded it once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then unfolded it.
On the paper was written, in perfect calligraphy:
"The Dao flows not through struggle, but through stillness."
Elder Qiu scoffed. "What is that? A slogan for lazy cultivators?!"
Jin Ye looked him in the eyes.
Then sat down and closed his eyes.
The sky rippled.
Spiritual energy shifted.
Mountains leaned in.
Clouds moved.
And for one brief moment, the Heavens paused — as if the very Dao was watching a nap begin.
Trial Passed.
---
Declaration
Sect Leader Lian rose, his voice solemn.
"After review, judgment, and divine signs... we, the Skyward Leaf Elders, declare Jin Ye the new Sect Leader—"
"OBJECTION!"
Elder Ping burst onto the platform, scroll in hand, eyes bloodshot, hair sparking with forbidden energy.
"BEHOLD! I INVOKE THE CHALLENGE OF THE OLD BLOOD!"
Everyone gasped.
Even Jin Ye.
"Oh, this should be good."
---
Ping unrolled the black scroll.
"I will invoke an ancient rite — the Forbidden Combat Trial. To defeat me in open combat is to earn the position."
Sect Leader Lian sighed. "You realize you're risking your life?"
"I've made my peace."
Jin Ye stood. "Okay. Let's get this over with."
Ping's aura exploded. Flames, shadows, cursed Qi. He flew into the sky like a mad phoenix.
Jin Ye followed.
---
Final Clash
Above the arena, two figures hovered. One burning with chaos. One with sleep in his eyes.
Ping launched hundreds of cursed blades.
Jin Ye caught one. Used it to slice an apple.
Ping screamed, releasing a beam of death energy.
Jin Ye side-stepped. The beam hit a passing cloud, which exploded.
Then Jin Ye raised one finger.
Spoke one word.
"Sleep."
The word echoed.
Ping froze midair.
His cursed energy twisted.
His eyes closed.
He fell, gently, like a leaf in autumn.
Snoring.
---
Aftermath
The sect was silent.
Jin Ye landed, brushing dust from his sleeve.
"Are we done now?"
Elder Zhou nodded slowly. "...You're the Sect Leader."
Jin Ye sighed.
"Fine. But I'm changing the schedule. No meetings before noon. Ever."
---
[System Log]
New Title Unlocked: Sect Leader of Skyward Leaf Sect
New Passive Ability: Absolute Bureaucratic Immunity
New Problem: Everyone wants to kill you now, but can't figure out how