The sun slowly set behind the mountains of the Azure Sky Sect.
Golden light covered the training grounds where hundreds of disciples practiced their martial techniques.
But today, the atmosphere was different.
Everyone was watching the same person.
Lin Ye.
Ever since the destruction of the Azure Moon Secret Realm, his reputation had exploded across the entire sect.
Some admired him.
Some envied him.
Some feared him.
But almost everyone wanted to challenge him.
Lin Ye stretched lazily while leaning against a wooden pillar near the training field.
"…I should start charging people for watching."
A group of female disciples giggled nearby.
"He's actually funny."
"Also very handsome."
Lin Ye waved casually.
"Thank you, thank you."
The Ice Princess Arrives
At that moment—
The training field suddenly became quiet.
A figure in white robes walked slowly toward Lin Ye.
Her long hair moved like silk in the wind.
Her expression remained calm and elegant.
Su Qingyue.
The famous Ice Sword Genius of the sect.
The crowd whispered immediately.
"She came to see him?"
"Are they really close now?"
Lin Ye smiled when he saw her.
"Good morning."
Su Qingyue nodded slightly.
"I heard you skipped morning training."
Lin Ye stretched.
"I'm resting for the tournament."
She raised an eyebrow.
"You're lazy."
Lin Ye grinned.
"Efficient."
But before their conversation could continue—
A cheerful voice echoed across the field.
"Wow."
"You two look very intimate."
The Demon Princess Returns
Everyone turned toward the gate.
A girl wearing flowing crimson robes walked inside confidently.
Her long black hair shined like midnight.
Her playful smile immediately caught everyone's attention.
Mu Ling'er.
Gasps spread across the disciples.
"Isn't she from the Demon Moon Sect?"
"What is she doing here?"
Mu Ling'er walked straight toward Lin Ye without hesitation.
Then—
She wrapped her arms around his neck casually.
"Miss me?"
The entire training ground froze.
Lin Ye blinked.
"…You came back?"
Su Qingyue's eyes narrowed slightly.
Mu Ling'er laughed.
"Of course."
"I heard the Azure Sky Tournament is coming."
She tilted her head toward Su Qingyue.
"And I also wanted to visit my rival."
Su Qingyue crossed her arms.
"You're not welcome here."
Mu Ling'er smiled sweetly.
"Oh?"
"But your sect master invited me."
The disciples gasped again.
A demon sect princess participating in the tournament?
Things were about to get interesting.
Jealous Sparks
Lin Ye tried to carefully escape Mu Ling'er's grip.
"Maybe we should talk about this calmly."
But Mu Ling'er held him tighter.
"Why?"
"I like this position."
Su Qingyue's voice turned colder.
"Let him go."
Mu Ling'er smiled mischievously.
"Why?"
"Are you jealous?"
Su Qingyue's expression remained calm.
"No."
But the air around her suddenly dropped several degrees.
Lin Ye sighed.
"Please don't start a war in the training field."
Mu Ling'er leaned closer to him.
"I think it's cute."
Su Qingyue stepped forward slowly.
Her sword appeared silently in her hand.
Mu Ling'er raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"You want to fight?"
Several disciples immediately backed away.
Two of the strongest women in the sect about to fight?
Lin Ye quickly stepped between them.
"Wait!"
Both women looked at him.
Lin Ye coughed awkwardly.
"How about we solve this peacefully?"
Mu Ling'er asked sweetly,
"How?"
Lin Ye thought for a moment.
Then smiled.
"Both of you fight someone else."
New Rivals Appear
As if the heavens had heard his words—
A loud voice suddenly echoed across the training grounds.
"So this is the famous Lin Ye."
Everyone turned toward the entrance again.
Three powerful figures walked into the field.
Their presence alone made the air feel heavy.
The first was a tall young man with long silver hair.
His eyes were sharp like blades.
"I am Ye Feng."
"The number one disciple of the Heaven Blade Pavilion."
Beside him stood a muscular warrior carrying a massive axe.
"My name is Gu Shan from the Iron Mountain Sect."
The third figure was a beautiful woman wearing golden armor.
"I am Han Yue."
"The champion of the Flame Phoenix Sect."
The crowd gasped.
"These are top geniuses from other sects!"
"They're participating in the tournament!"
Ye Feng looked directly at Lin Ye.
"I heard many interesting rumors about you."
Gu Shan cracked his knuckles.
"They say you defeated many geniuses."
Han Yue smiled calmly.
"I wanted to see if it was true."
Lin Ye rubbed his forehead.
"…Great."
"More trouble."
Challenge Issued
Ye Feng stepped forward.
"Lin Ye."
"I challenge you."
Gu Shan laughed loudly.
"Me too."
Han Yue folded her arms.
"And me."
The training field erupted in excitement.
Three top geniuses challenging Lin Ye at the same time.
Mu Ling'er laughed happily.
"This is entertaining."
Su Qingyue glanced at Lin Ye.
"Looks like you're popular."
Lin Ye sighed dramatically.
"I miss the days when no one cared about me."
Then he spun the Shadow Dragon Spear casually.
But instead of looking at the three rivals—
He looked at Su Qingyue and Mu Ling'er.
"Actually…"
"I have a better idea."
Both women frowned.
"What?"
Lin Ye pointed at the three challengers.
"Why don't you two fight them?"
The entire crowd froze.
Mu Ling'er blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
Su Qingyue narrowed her eyes.
"You're running away?"
Lin Ye grinned.
"No."
"I'm giving you both a chance to show off."
Then he sat down on a nearby stone.
"Go ahead."
"Impress me."
The training field exploded with laughter.
Mu Ling'er cracked her knuckles.
"Oh?"
"You're brave."
Su Qingyue raised her sword calmly.
"Fine."
Ye Feng, Gu Shan, and Han Yue all looked surprised.
The next moment—
The training ground erupted into battle.
In the Distance…
High above the sect mountains—
A pair of cold eyes watched everything through a floating mirror.
Mo Wuying.
He smiled faintly.
"So…"
"The pieces continue to move."
He tapped the mirror lightly.
"And soon…"
"…the strongest of them will reach the Upper Martial World."
Lightning flashed across the dark sky.
The future battles of the martial world were already beginning to form.
And at the center of it all—
Was the most shameless rising genius.
Lin Ye.