The Azure Moon Secret Realm had vanished.
The sky above the valley slowly returned to normal, but the atmosphere around the Azure Sky Sect was anything but calm.
Hundreds of disciples had gathered outside the formation platform where the survivors appeared.
Sect elders stood in rows, their expressions serious.
The moment the last portal closed, the elders immediately began checking the returning disciples.
Many were injured.
Some were missing.
Others carried rare treasures and spirit herbs.
But among them—
One name spread like wildfire.
Lin Ye.
Rumors Spread Across the Sect
Whispers spread through the crowd like a storm.
"That's him."
"The one who defeated Zhao Tianlong."
"I heard he killed an ancient guardian beast!"
"No…"
Someone whispered dramatically.
"I heard he stole Zhao Tianlong's destiny!"
Every disciple stared at Lin Ye with a mixture of shock, curiosity, and fear.
Lin Ye stretched lazily as if nothing had happened.
"Wow."
"I feel famous."
Beside him, Su Qingyue tried to ignore the attention.
Meanwhile—
Several female disciples whispered excitedly.
"He's actually handsome."
"And strong."
"And shameless."
Mu Ling'er laughed loudly.
"Well obviously."
She wrapped an arm casually around Lin Ye's shoulder.
"I have good taste."
Su Qingyue's eyebrow twitched slightly.
The Elders' Suspicion
At the front of the crowd stood several powerful elders.
Including Elder Huang.
His face looked darker than ever when he saw Lin Ye alive.
Zhao Tianlong stood behind him, pale and furious.
Elder Huang stepped forward slowly.
"Lin Ye."
His voice echoed across the courtyard.
"You survived the secret realm."
Lin Ye nodded politely.
"Lucky day."
Elder Huang narrowed his eyes.
"Too lucky."
Several elders began whispering among themselves.
"How did a Qi Gathering disciple survive such chaos?"
"He even obtained a legendary weapon."
"This is suspicious."
Lin Ye sighed quietly.
Here we go.
Investigation
Elder Luo stepped forward calmly.
"Lin Ye."
"Explain what happened inside the secret realm."
All eyes turned toward him.
Lin Ye scratched his head.
"Well…"
"I ran."
"Found treasure."
"Ran again."
The elders stared at him.
"…That's it?"
Lin Ye nodded.
"Mostly running."
Mu Ling'er burst out laughing.
"You forgot the part where you beat everyone."
Lin Ye coughed.
"That too."
Elder Huang's voice turned cold.
"You expect us to believe this nonsense?"
Lin Ye shrugged.
"You asked."
The other elders looked amused.
But Elder Luo raised a hand.
"Enough."
He looked at Lin Ye thoughtfully.
"Regardless of how it happened…"
"You returned alive with valuable treasures."
"That alone is worthy of recognition."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Recognition meant rewards.
And more importantly—
status.
Lin Ye Becomes Famous
Within a single day—
Stories about Lin Ye spread across the sect and even to nearby cities.
The story became more exaggerated each time it was told.
"Lin Ye fought the guardian beast alone!"
"He defeated dozens of disciples!"
"He stole destiny from Zhao Tianlong!"
Some rumors even said—
"He kissed two beautiful women during the battle."
Lin Ye heard that one and almost choked.
"Wait…"
"That didn't happen."
Mu Ling'er winked.
"Maybe next time."
Su Qingyue turned her face away slightly.
Jealousy Begins
Later that evening—
Lin Ye walked through the sect garden.
Su Qingyue followed beside him silently.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Finally Lin Ye asked,
"What's wrong?"
Su Qingyue looked forward.
"Nothing."
Lin Ye raised an eyebrow.
"You've said nothing five times."
She stopped walking.
"…That demon girl."
Lin Ye blinked.
"You mean Ling'er?"
Su Qingyue crossed her arms.
"She kissed you."
Lin Ye coughed loudly.
"That was a surprise attack!"
Su Qingyue's expression remained calm.
But her ears turned slightly red again.
"Still."
"She shouldn't do such things."
Lin Ye grinned mischievously.
"Are you jealous?"
Su Qingyue immediately replied,
"No."
Then after a pause…
"…Maybe a little."
Lin Ye smiled.
"Well…"
"You could try kissing me too."
Su Qingyue's sword suddenly appeared in her hand.
"Try again."
Lin Ye quickly raised his hands.
"I was joking!"
Tournament Announcement
The next morning—
The entire sect gathered in the central plaza again.
Elder Luo stood on the stage.
His voice echoed loudly.
"In three months…"
"The Azure Sky Martial Tournament will begin."
Excited murmurs spread instantly.
The martial tournament was one of the sect's biggest events.
It determined rankings.
Resources.
And sometimes even core disciple promotion.
Elder Luo continued.
"This year's tournament will be especially important."
He looked directly at Lin Ye.
"Because our sect must prove its strength to the entire martial world."
Lin Ye smiled slowly.
"…That sounds like fun."
Mo Wuying in the Upper World
Far away—
Beyond the lower martial lands—
In a dark palace floating above endless clouds.
A figure slowly opened his eyes.
Mo Wuying.
But this time—
His aura was far more terrifying.
His true body sat upon a throne made of black crystal.
Several mysterious cultivators knelt before him.
One of them asked respectfully,
"My lord…"
"Did the plan succeed?"
Mo Wuying smiled faintly.
"Partially."
He looked down toward the distant lower world.
"Lin Ye survived."
The cultivators became nervous.
"Should we eliminate him?"
Mo Wuying shook his head.
"No."
His eyes glowed with cold amusement.
"Let him grow stronger."
He leaned back on his throne.
"Because when the time comes…"
"…his power will belong to me."
Lightning flashed across the sky.
The war between Lin Ye and Mo Wuying had only just begun.
Lin Ye's Next Goal
Back at the sect—
Lin Ye stood alone on a mountain cliff.
The wind blew through his hair.
Inside his mind—
The system appeared again.
DING!
NEW MAIN QUEST
Become the champion of the Azure Sky Martial Tournament.
Reward:
Heaven Rank Technique
Massive destiny increase
Lin Ye grinned.
"Well then."
"Looks like the next arc is a tournament."
He spun the Shadow Dragon Spear casually.
"Time to bully more geniuses."
And somewhere far away—
A certain demon princess suddenly sneezed.
Mu Ling'er laughed.
"Lin Ye…"
"I think we'll meet again soon."
The next stage of the martial world had begun.