CHAPTER 4
Rise of the Inner Sect
The gates of the Inner Sect stood tall and majestic, carved from black jade and inscribed with glowing talismans. Compared to the shabby quarters of the outer disciples, the Inner Sect was another world altogether. Spiritual energy here was dozens of times richer, the mountains more verdant, the pavilions grand and lofty.
Ye Tian stepped across the threshold, his robe fluttering lightly. Around him, Inner Sect disciples cultivated with confidence and pride, their auras far surpassing those of the outer disciples. Each glance they cast toward him carried curiosity, suspicion, or disdain.
"Who is that? He looks unfamiliar."
"That must be the trash from the Outer Sect—Ye Tian, was it? I heard he crippled Zhao Feng."
"Hah! Impossible. Zhao Feng is late Foundation Establishment. How could an outer disciple defeat him? It must have been a trick."
Their whispers reached Ye Tian's ears, but he paid them no mind. His eyes were calm, scanning the vast courtyards and training grounds.
A system notification flickered in his mind.
[Ding! Host has entered the Inner Sect.]
[Quest Progress: Step 1 complete.]
[Side Mission Available: Defeat an Inner Sect disciple within 3 days. Reward: 10 Billion Spirit Stones.]
Ye Tian's lips curled slightly. So the system demands I establish dominance here as well.
---
Later that day, Ye Tian was escorted to his new residence—an elegant courtyard surrounded by bamboo groves. It was far better than the crumbling shack he had lived in before, yet compared to the true elites of the Inner Sect, it was still modest.
As he was settling in, a group of disciples barged through the gates without warning.
At their lead was a tall youth clad in blue robes, his expression arrogant. His aura pulsed at the peak of Foundation Establishment.
"Ye Tian," he sneered, "so you're the outer disciple who humiliated Zhao Feng. You may have fooled the elders, but in the Inner Sect, strength is the only truth. I, Liu Cheng, will put you back in your place."
The surrounding disciples murmured in excitement.
"Liu Cheng! He's ranked in the top hundred of the Inner Sect!"
"Ye Tian just entered today. He dares challenge him?"
"This will be fun to watch."
Ye Tian rose slowly, his gaze indifferent. "And if I defeat you?"
Liu Cheng laughed loudly. "If you defeat me, I'll kneel and call you senior brother in front of everyone!"
"Good," Ye Tian replied calmly. "Then prepare to kneel."
---
The duel was arranged on the sect's sparring platform. Dozens of Inner Sect disciples gathered to watch.
Liu Cheng drew his blade, his qi flaring like fire. "Trash from the outer sect, let's see if you can survive a single strike!"
With a roar, he unleashed his technique—Blazing Sun Slash—a powerful sword art that split the air, scorching the ground beneath.
Gasps erupted. "That's one of the Inner Sect's advanced techniques!"
But Ye Tian did not move. His eyes glimmered faintly, and he whispered: "One percent."
Power surged through his body, restrained yet overwhelming. He raised his hand casually and flicked a finger.
BOOM!
The Blazing Sun Slash shattered like fragile glass. The shockwave hurled Liu Cheng across the platform, his blade flying from his grasp. He coughed blood, slamming into the ground with a thud.
Silence fell.
Everyone stared in disbelief. A top-ranked Inner Sect disciple, defeated with a single flick.
Ye Tian walked forward slowly, his presence like an emperor descending upon mortals.
"Do you remember your words?" he asked lightly.
Liu Cheng's face flushed with humiliation. Trembling, he knelt before Ye Tian. "Senior Brother… Ye Tian."
Gasps filled the arena. The impossible had happened before their eyes.
The Quadrillion System chimed.
[Ding! Side Mission Complete.]
[Reward: 10 Billion Spirit Stones acquired.]
[Additional Reward: Reputation within the Inner Sect has surged.]
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"He defeated Liu Cheng in one move…"
"This Ye Tian is a monster!"
"Could he be a hidden genius?"
From the shadows of the platform, a cold pair of eyes watched silently. It was Zhao Feng, his arm still bandaged. His teeth ground together in hatred.
"That bastard… I'll never forgive him. Uncle Zhao, you must avenge me!"
Far above, in a secluded pavilion, Elder Mo observed as well. His brows furrowed. "This boy… even at Foundation Establishment, he shows strength beyond logic. I must keep an eye on him."
Ye Tian stood in the center of the platform, the crowd whispering in awe.
His gaze swept across the horizon, his heart calm yet filled with unshakable determination.
"This is just the first step," he thought. "Inner Sect, Outer Sect, Elders, Empire… all of you will kneel in time. The Quadrillion System is unstoppable."
And thus, the rise of Ye Tian within the Inner Sect had begun.