The grand doors of the Sect Pavilion loomed before Ye Feng, carved with ancient sigils and dragon motifs. Normally reserved for sect leaders, grand elders, and prodigies... not nobodies.
Well, not anymore.
Two disciples in silver robes opened the massive gates.
Creak—
Ye Feng stepped inside, a lone figure in black robes walking into the sanctum of power.
[System Notification!]
Inside, the hall was bathed in soft celestial light, filtering through jade-embedded skylights. Pillars of spirit wood stretched up like towering trees, and at the far end sat the man himself.
Sect Leader Bai Xuanzhen.
Regal. Serene. And terrifying.
White hair, no wrinkles. His Qi coiled like a storm kept barely in check.
A single look could break wills.
But Ye Feng stepped forward, his chin high, his system at the ready, and no intention of kneeling.
"You're the one they call... the Slap King?"
Even his voice echoed like rolling thunder.
Ye Feng bowed slightly, still standing. "I'm Ye Feng."
No groveling. No fear.
[System Analysis]
Name: Bai XuanzhenTitle: Sect Leader of Crimson Sky SectPower Level: ???Disposition: Curious, Slightly amused
The Sect Leader leaned forward.
"You've caused waves. Challenging inner disciples, defeating elders' protégés, earning titles from the crowd… Tell me, what is it you seek?"
Ye Feng met his gaze.
"Respect."
A beat.
"And I will earn it, slap by slap if I must."
A long silence.
And then—laughter. Deep. Amused. Dangerous.
"You remind me of a younger me... if I had grown up in the mud with a system and an attitude problem."
Bai Xuanzhen stood up. His presence was like a mountain bearing down.
"You've done more than most outer disciples do in their lives. But strength without control is chaos."
He raised a hand.
With a flick of his fingers, a scroll flew toward Ye Feng.
[You have received a High-Tier Sect Scroll]
Sect Challenge Invitation: Judgment TrialA once-in-a-decade opportunity to leap ranks directly into the Inner Court or beyond.Danger Level: HighReward: Inner Sect Status, Access to Core Techniques, and... the Sect Leader's personal favor.
Ye Feng unrolled the scroll, eyes narrowing.
The date was… tomorrow.
[System Alert!]
Quest Rank: ATime Limit: 24 hoursObjective: Survive and dominate in the Trial Grounds.Bonus Objective: Make it look easy.
"Do you accept?" the Sect Leader asked, tone unreadable.
Ye Feng smirked.
"I was born ready."
Outside the Pavilion, disciples turned as Ye Feng exited, golden scroll in hand.
The rumors exploded.
"Was that… the Sect Leader's scroll?!""He's entering the Judgment Trial?""Only ten disciples in the last hundred years survived that!"
Among the murmuring crowd, Lin Ruyan stood again… silent, stunned.
Even Zhao Yixuan, watching from the Alchemy Tower's bridge, leaned forward.
"He's ascending faster than anyone I've ever seen..."
[Character Update: Ye Feng]
Stats• Power: 37 → 40• Agility: 29• Spirit: 31• Charm: 35• Slap Force: 53 • System Bond: 58%
New Title:"Sect-Breaker in the Making"
Active Quests:• [Judgment Trial – Survive and Dominate]
Ye Feng looked to the distant Trial Grounds, a shadow of ancient towers and cursed arenas.
And smiled.
Let the Judgment begin.