The moon hung low over Azure Cloud Sect. It casted rough shadows across the Elder Pavilion. Inside of it were incense smoke curling upwards and filling the chamber with a heavy reek of sandalwood.Two men sat across a lacquered table. One was Elder Zhao. His sharp face was half-hidden in the dark. His eyes gleamed with sharp calculations. The other was broader in build with graying temples. It's Elder Li, the father of Li Shen of Azure Cloud’s so-called golden genius. His expression was cold and his voice was measured. Yet there was poison in every word that came from his lips.“Your failure grows more obvious with each passing day, Zhao,” Elder Li said flatly. “The boy you despise should have been nothing. Yet now he commands a following. Even the outer disciples whisper his name.”Zhao’s lip curled. “Kai Lin is nothing but a lucky worm. Without the Sect’s negligence, he would have been discarded long ago. But luck breeds arrogance and arrogance can be crushed.”Elder Li narrowed hi

The valley was still scarred from battle. Broken earth, shattered trees, and the blood of beasts stained the soil where the Ascendant Path had claimed victory. The disciples marched back to Azure Cloud Sect with heads held high, carrying not just the spoils of battle but the pride of survival.Word spread like a virus going through the entire Azure Sect. By the time they reached the sect gates, whispers already filled the air.“Kai Lin’s guild defeated the Iron Fang Beasts?”“Impossible. Those monsters wiped out entire hunting squads before.”“Yet they say he slew the Alpha himself with one strike…”Disciples gathered in groups in trembling voices between disbelief and awe. For years Kai had been mocked as trash, but now, his name dances on every tongue.Inside the guild hall, Kai stood at the head of his people. The once humble chamber now buzzed with energy. Disciples who had fought with him stood straight with bright eyes. It was as if their confidence was reborn. New faces crowded

The Colosseum of the Heavens roared with voices like a standing storm. Tens of thousands filled its stone terraces with their banners fluttering like waves in the wind. At the center moved the massive arena. It was a battlefield of crushed granite, glowing inscriptions, and qi-forged wards that hummed with lethal energy.Azure Cloud Sect’s disciples stood in formation under their banner. Li Shen walked in admiration as his name was shouted by sycophants from rival sects. In contrast, when Kai Lin stepped forward, a ripple of mockery swept the stands.“There he is! The sect’s charity case!”“Azure Cloud sent a cripple? This is a disgrace!”“He’ll be the first to fall!”Kai’s face remained unreadable, though inside his heart was a steel flame. His System chimed in his ear, its cold clarity drowning out the scorn.“System Analysis: Host reputation is 12/100 Quest Objective: Light the Banner – Overwhelm opponents in Round 1.Additional Analysis: Rivals underestimating host grants tactic

The victory over Han Jiro was hot over the martial world. Bards in taverns had already begun spinning tales of the Dark Horse of Azure Cloud Sect. The disciple once mocked as crippled who now shattered prodigies under the heavens.But fame was a double-edged blade.For every word of admiration, hatred conceived twice as strong.Deep in the elder halls of Azure Cloud Sect, Elder Zhao stood before a jade mirror inscribed with sinister runes. The mirror pulsed, and an unfamiliar voice answered from the other side. The voice was low, cold and dripping with contempt.“You called, Zhao Tianren?”“Yes,” Zhao hissed, his eyes burning with venom. “The boy Kai Lin. He is becoming very troublesome. His victories have upset the balance within the sect, and worse, outsiders have begun to take interest. We must snuff out his light before it grows into a sun.”The voice chuckled darkly. “We have heard of this Kai Lin. He defeated Feng Zhi, then even Han Jiro. But every warrior, no matter how great

The Ascendant Path returned to Azure Cloud Sect bloodied but victorious. The news of their triumph over the Iron Serpent ambush spread throughout the sects. In the lofty halls of the sect, among the carved jade pillars and immortal incense, the elders gathered themselves.Elder Zhao Tianren’s voice cut through the chamber with a very deep hate for Kai although he tried all he could do to mask it.“This Kai Lin is dangerous,” he spat. His eyes flashed with cold fire. “He has gathered a private force, turned disciples against their superiors, and brought bloodshed into our sect’s name. If left unchecked, he will destabilize everything we have built.”Elder Li, father of Li Shen, smirked from the opposite side. “Brother Zhao speaks the truth. Discipline must be maintained. This boy is no genius. He is a corrupting influence. He flaunts his so-called guild as if he were already a sect master.”A few elders nodded with grave expressions. But not all of them agreed.Elder Wu, an austere m