CHAPTER 3
Elder's Suspicion
The Azure Cloud Sect was never truly quiet. Beneath its towering peaks, countless disciples cultivated day and night, while above them, powerful elders watched like hawks. Yet on this particular morning, the usual harmony of the sect was disturbed.
At the main hall, a group of elders gathered. Their robes bore ancient patterns, their auras vast as oceans. Some had white beards that touched the floor, others looked like middle-aged scholars, but all radiated oppressive might.
On the jade floor lay three battered disciples—the very ones Ye Tian had crushed the previous night. Their faces were swollen, bones broken, and meridians fractured.
An elder slammed his palm onto the table. "Nonsense! A mere outer disciple caused this?"
Another elder frowned. "The boy's name is Ye Tian. Records state he has been stagnant at Body Refinement for years. Weak talent, no background, no resources."
A third elder, with sharp hawk-like eyes, muttered, "And yet, disciples of higher cultivation were defeated instantly. Even Zhao Feng, nephew of Elder Zhao, was humiliated before the crowd."
The mention of Zhao Feng made several elders uneasy. Elder Zhao himself sat at the side, his face twisted with rage. "This Ye Tian dared to wound my nephew. I demand his expulsion! No—his execution!"
The hall buzzed with murmurs. Execution was a heavy word.
But before anyone could speak further, a calm voice echoed through the chamber.
"Bring him here. I will see this Ye Tian myself."
The speaker was Elder Mo, the Grand Elder of the Azure Cloud Sect. His authority was second only to the sect master, and his cultivation had already reached the Nascent Soul Realm. His every word carried immense weight.
The elders bowed in respect. "As Grand Elder commands."
---
Meanwhile, Ye Tian sat cross-legged in his small, shabby courtyard. Before him floated the glowing interface of the Quadrillion System.
[Ding! Host has suppressed opponents in public.]
[Reputation gained: Disciples now fear you.]
[New Function unlocked: Reputation Store.]
A new tab appeared on his system screen, filled with items that required not spirit stones, but reputation points.
Fear Aura Amplification – 10,000 points
Sect-wide Influence Boost – 100,000 points
Subordinate Loyalty Seal – 1,000,000 points
Ye Tian chuckled. "So even reputation can be a resource. Interesting."
At that moment, heavy footsteps echoed outside. The courtyard gate burst open, and several armored guards stormed in.
"Ye Tian!" their captain barked. "By order of the elders, you are summoned to the main hall!"
Ye Tian slowly rose, dusting off his robe. "So they've finally noticed me."
The guards expected fear or pleading, but Ye Tian's expression was calm, almost amused. As he followed them, whispers spread among the disciples who gathered to watch.
"That's him… the trash who suddenly became a monster…"
"He crippled senior brothers and even Zhao Feng…"
"Now the elders themselves want him."
Their voices were filled with awe and fear. Ye Tian walked past them like an emperor descending from heaven, every step steady, his gaze indifferent.
---
Inside the grand hall, the elders turned their eyes toward him.
Ye Tian bowed slightly, his movements neither humble nor arrogant. "Disciple Ye Tian greets the Grand Elder and honored elders."
Elder Zhao slammed the table again. "Insolent! You dare stand calmly before us after your crimes? Speak! What demonic art have you practiced?"
Ye Tian's eyes remained tranquil. "I practiced no demonic art. I merely cultivated."
"Lies!" Elder Zhao roared. "Your rise defies common sense!"
But before he could say more, Elder Mo raised his hand. Silence fell instantly. The Grand Elder's gaze bore into Ye Tian, sharp as lightning.
Ye Tian felt as though the heavens themselves weighed upon him. It was the first time since awakening the Quadrillion System that he felt genuine pressure.
[Warning: Host is under observation by a higher realm cultivator.]
[System Suggestion: Conceal true stats. Fabricate believable progress.]
Ye Tian's eyes flickered. "Conceal," he commanded inwardly.
Instantly, his system adjusted. His displayed cultivation now read: Foundation Establishment, Mid-Stage.
The oppressive aura around him eased. Elder Mo's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing for a long moment.
At last, the Grand Elder spoke. "Remarkable. To leap from Body Refinement to Foundation Establishment overnight… you must have obtained a great opportunity. Tell us, where did you acquire it?"
Ye Tian's mind raced. He could not reveal the system. A believable excuse was needed.
"I… discovered an ancient jade slip while gathering herbs in the outer mountains," he said calmly. "It contained a method to unblock my meridians. Once I cultivated it, my progress surged."
The elders exchanged glances. Some looked skeptical, others intrigued. Such miracles were rare, but not impossible in a world brimming with ancient legacies.
Elder Zhao snarled. "Lies! If such a jade slip existed, why would heaven grant it to this worthless boy? He must be hiding a forbidden power!"
Ye Tian's gaze sharpened. "Elder Zhao, with respect… should personal grudges cloud the judgment of one who calls himself elder of the sect?"
The hall fell silent.
Several elders frowned at Ye Tian's audacity, but others secretly admired his boldness.
Elder Mo studied him closely, then said, "Regardless of the truth, his strength is real. From today onward, Ye Tian shall be promoted to the Inner Sect."
Gasps erupted. Promotion to the Inner Sect was no small matter—it was a leap reserved for geniuses and favored disciples.
Elder Zhao slammed his palm on the table once more. "Grand Elder! This is madness! He crippled my nephew—"
"Enough." Elder Mo's voice was cold. "Your nephew was defeated because of arrogance. Should we punish every disciple who proves stronger than another?"
Elder Zhao trembled with fury, but he dared not argue further.
Ye Tian bowed again, hiding the triumphant smile tugging at his lips.
So, he had not only escaped suspicion, but also earned a place among the Inner Sect disciples.
And deep within, his system whispered once more.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Path to domination has widened.]
[Main Quest Unlocked: Establish supremacy within the Inner Sect.]
[Reward: Quadrillion Experience Points.]
Ye Tian's eyes gleamed.
"The game begins," he thought silently.