Chapter 8: The Wolves of the Sect


    Li Tianming and Jiang Chen stepped through the towering gates of the Celestial Radiance Sect, the weight of their journey still heavy on their shoulders. The ruins had tested them, reshaped them, and now, as they returned, it was clear—they were no longer the same disciples who had left.


    But they were not the only ones who had changed.


    From the moment they crossed the threshold, whispers filled the air.


    "Li Tianming survived?"


    "Not just survived—he returned with some kind of legacy!"


    "They say he obtained power from an ancient Sovereign!"


    Tianming’s gaze swept across the courtyard. Disciples paused mid-training, casting wary or envious glances his way. The sect was buzzing with speculation, and at the heart of it all was him.


    Jiang Chen scoffed. "Looks like Mu Qingfeng wasted no time."


    Tianming smirked. "Let them talk. If they want proof, they’ll get it soon enough."


    But as they advanced, it became evident—words alone were not the only danger.


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    At the central training grounds, a group of elite disciples gathered. Among them stood Wu Yuan, a senior disciple known for his brutal efficiency in duels. His sharp eyes locked onto Tianming the moment he arrived.


    "So, the fallen genius returns with newfound power?" Wu Yuan’s voice carried across the courtyard, drawing attention. "How convenient."


    Tianming met his gaze without flinching. "If you have something to say, say it."


    Wu Yuan smirked. "I say we put these rumors to the test."


    A murmur rippled through the crowd. A challenge—one that no one could ignore.


    "The sect values strength above all else," Wu Yuan continued. "So why not prove yours in a formal duel?"


    Tianming’s expression remained unreadable, but inside, his blood surged with excitement.


    Jiang Chen stepped forward. "This is obviously a setup."


    "Perhaps," Tianming said, his lips curling into a smirk. "But I was planning to remind everyone where I stand anyway."


    With a single step forward, he accepted the challenge.


    The duel was set for the next sunrise.


    ---


    High above, in the halls of the inner sect, Mu Qingfeng watched from the shadows.


    A faint smile played on his lips as he observed the commotion below.


    "Good," he murmured. "Let him struggle. Let him fight. The more attention he draws, the more enemies he makes."


    Behind him, an elder stood, his expression unreadable. "Are you certain this is wise? If he truly obtained a legacy, he may be stronger than before."


    Mu Qingfeng chuckled. "Stronger? Perhaps. But he is still just one man against the weight of the sect."


    He turned, his eyes gleaming with cold calculation.


    "By the time I’m finished, he will be crushed under it."


    ---


    As night fell, Tianming stood alone in the courtyard, gazing up at the moonlit sky.


    He could feel it—the storm brewing around him. The duel, the whispers, the growing hostility. But he did not fear it. He thrived in it.


    Jiang Chen approached, arms crossed. "Are you ready for this?"


    Tianming exhaled slowly, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword.


    "More than ever."


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    Next Chapter Preview: Chapter 9 –


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    As the duel begins, Tianming faces Wu Yuan, a formidable opponent backed by the sect’s elites.


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    Every move he makes is scrutinized, every strike a statement.


    -Tianming is no longer just fighting for himself—he’s fighting for his place in the heavens.


    He was not just a survivor.


    He was the Sovereign of the Celestial Ascent.