The return to the Azure Cloud Sect was anything but quiet.
By the time Lin Ye and Su Qingyue stepped through the outer gates, word had already spread like wildfire.
Fallen Spirit Valley had collapsed.
An entire mission team was missing.
And at the center of it all—
Lin Ye.
Disciples gathered along the stone pathways, whispering as the two walked past.
"That's him…"
"He survived the valley?"
"They say the ground split open…"
"And Black Fang was involved…"
Lin Ye stretched lazily as he walked.
"…I feel famous."
Su Qingyue didn't slow down.
"You feel careless."
Lin Ye grinned.
"Same thing."
But even he could feel it—
The atmosphere had changed.
This wasn't curiosity.
It was tension.
Suspicion.
Danger.
Summons
They didn't even reach their courtyard before an Inner Sect guard approached.
"Lin Ye."
His tone was formal.
"You are summoned."
Lin Ye sighed.
"…Of course I am."
The guard glanced at Su Qingyue.
"Both of you."
Su Qingyue nodded once.
"We understand."
Lin Ye stretched again.
"…Let's go get judged."
Hall of Elders
The Hall of Elders stood silent and imposing, its towering pillars carved with ancient patterns that seemed to watch those who entered.
Inside—
Several elders were already seated.
Their expressions serious.
Heavy.
At the center sat the Grand Elder, his gaze sharp as a blade.
Lin Ye walked in casually.
"…Nice place."
Su Qingyue stepped beside him, posture straight.
The guard announced loudly:
"Inner disciples Lin Ye and Su Qingyue have arrived."
Silence followed.
Then—
The Grand Elder spoke.
"Explain."
Straightforward.
Cold.
Lin Ye scratched his cheek.
"…You want the short version or the dramatic version?"
Su Qingyue spoke before he could continue.
"Fallen Spirit Valley contained ancient ruins."
The elders' expressions shifted slightly.
"Ancient ruins?" one elder repeated.
Su Qingyue nodded.
"Yes."
"An unknown demonic structure awakened during the mission."
Another elder frowned.
"And the deaths?"
Lin Ye's expression became slightly more serious.
"…Black Fang ambushed me."
Murmurs spread across the hall.
The Grand Elder's gaze sharpened.
"Wu Shan."
Lin Ye nodded.
"Yep."
The elder tapped his fingers slowly against the armrest.
"And you survived."
Lin Ye shrugged.
"Barely."
That part—
Wasn't entirely true.
But no one needed the full story.
Su Qingyue added calmly,
"The ruins collapsed during the conflict."
Silence settled again.
The elders exchanged glances.
Then—
The Grand Elder leaned forward slightly.
"Lin Ye."
Lin Ye looked up.
"Yes?"
The elder's voice dropped.
"You've caused repeated disturbances since entering the Inner Sect."
Lin Ye scratched his head.
"…That sounds worse than it is."
"You destroyed an arena."
"…Accident."
"You triggered a dangerous mission outcome."
"…Also an accident."
Several elders frowned.
The Grand Elder's gaze grew colder.
"And your strength has increased abnormally fast."
Lin Ye smiled faintly.
"…Talent."
That didn't help.
At all.
The hall grew heavier.
Then—
A voice echoed from the entrance.
"Then test it."
Everyone turned.
A figure stepped into the hall.
White robes.
Calm expression.
Powerful presence.
Li Tianxuan.
The Rank 1 disciple walked forward casually.
"…If there's doubt…"
"…why not confirm it directly?"
The elders fell silent.
Even the Grand Elder didn't interrupt.
Because Li Tianxuan—
Was not someone easily dismissed.
Lin Ye sighed.
"…You again."
Li Tianxuan smiled.
"You make things interesting."
Lin Ye crossed his arms.
"…So what, you want another 'block one attack' situation?"
Li Tianxuan shook his head.
"No."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"This time…"
"…a formal duel."
The hall erupted in murmurs.
"A duel?"
"Rank One challenging him?"
"This is insane…"
Su Qingyue's expression changed.
"Senior Brother—"
Li Tianxuan raised a hand.
"Relax."
His gaze remained on Lin Ye.
"I'm not trying to kill him."
Lin Ye smirked.
"Good to know."
Li Tianxuan continued,
"But I do want to see how far he's gone."
The Grand Elder finally spoke again.
"…A duel."
He considered it briefly.
Then nodded.
"Approved."
The decision fell like a hammer.
Lin Ye blinked.
"…Wait, that was fast."
Li Tianxuan smiled faintly.
"Tomorrow."
"Main arena."
Lin Ye groaned.
"…I just got back."
After the Hall
Outside the Hall of Elders—
The air felt lighter.
But the tension remained.
Lin Ye stretched his arms.
"…So I'm fighting the strongest guy in the sect tomorrow."
Su Qingyue looked at him.
"You shouldn't take this lightly."
Lin Ye glanced at her.
"…You think I can't win?"
She hesitated.
"…He's different."
Lin Ye smiled slightly.
"…So am I."
Silence lingered between them.
Then Su Qingyue spoke quietly,
"…Don't lose."
Lin Ye blinked.
"…That sounded like concern."
She turned away.
"Focus on training."
Lin Ye grinned.
"…You're worried."
"I'm not."
"You are."
She stopped walking.
"…Lin Ye."
He raised his hands.
"Alright, alright."
But his smile softened slightly.
"…I won't lose."
For a moment—
Their eyes met.
And something unspoken passed between them.
Shadow in the Dark
Far from the main sect—
Inside a hidden forest clearing—
Wu Shan stood alone.
His injuries had already begun healing.
But his expression was darker than ever.
A shadowy figure stepped out from behind the trees.
"You failed."
Wu Shan didn't turn.
"No."
"I learned."
The figure chuckled.
"About Lin Ye?"
Wu Shan nodded slowly.
"…He's dangerous."
The shadow figure's voice lowered.
"Then we remove him."
Wu Shan's eyes gleamed faintly.
"…No."
"Not yet."
He looked toward the distant sect.
"Let him grow."
The figure frowned.
"That's risky."
Wu Shan smiled coldly.
"That's the point."
Because the stronger Lin Ye became—
The more valuable he would be.
And Wu Shan—
Was already planning something far more dangerous than simple revenge.
Before the Storm
Back at his courtyard—
Lin Ye sat cross-legged, eyes closed.
His aura flowed calmly.
Controlled.
Refined.
The system flickered faintly.
[Sovereign Ascendant State — Stable]
[Combat Potential Increased]
Lin Ye exhaled slowly.
"…Li Tianxuan."
He opened his eyes.
A faint smile appeared.
"…This should be fun."
But deep inside—
He knew.
This fight—
Would change everything.