Chapter 4: The Tyrant's Declaration

The winds howled across the Cloud-Piercing Mountain, carrying with them whispers of fear and awe. In the Heavenly Sword Sect's Outer Courtyard, Jiang Chen stood tall, his aura rippling like a violent storm. Around him, disciples knelt, their faces pale, their bodies trembling.

No one dared to meet his gaze. No one dared to breathe too loudly. He was no longer just a disciple. He was a tyrant—a demon whose power crushed all beneath him.

Jiang Chen's eyes swept over the kneeling disciples, his expression cold and indifferent.

"Is this all the Outer Sect has to offer?" His voice was sharp, laced with disdain. "Weaklings. Cowards. Not one of you dares to stand before me?"

Silence. Heads bowed lower, fear etched on every face. No one moved. No one spoke.

At the center of the courtyard, Zhang Wei lay broken, his body battered, his spirit shattered. The once-mighty Outer Sect Leader was now nothing more than a defeated dog, trembling beneath Jiang Chen's feet.

Jiang Chen stepped forward, his gaze piercing.

"You ruled the Outer Sect with strength. Yet your strength was nothing before me." He pressed his foot against Zhang Wei's chest, his aura suffocating. "Tell me, Zhang Wei. Who rules the Outer Sect now?"

Zhang Wei's body trembled, his face pale with humiliation and fear. His pride screamed at him to resist, but his broken spirit wouldn't allow it. He looked up, his eyes hollow, his voice a whisper.

"You… You rule… Sect Leader Jiang…"

Jiang Chen's lips curled into a cruel smile.

"Louder. Let everyone hear who their master is."

Zhang Wei's body shuddered, his spirit crumbling under Jiang Chen's dominance. He gritted his teeth, his voice shaking as he shouted.

"Sect Leader Jiang! You… You rule the Outer Sect!"

The words echoed through the courtyard, shaking the hearts of every disciple present. Jiang Chen's power was absolute. His rule, unquestionable.

Satisfied, Jiang Chen removed his foot, his gaze cold and mocking.

"Good. Know your place."

He turned, his aura flaring, his voice thundering across the courtyard.

"From this day forth, I am the ruler of the Outer Sect. Anyone who opposes me… will end up like him." He gestured to Zhang Wei's broken body, his eyes gleaming with arrogance. "Weak. Pathetic. Groveling in the dirt."

Fear rippled through the crowd, their bodies trembling under his overwhelming aura. No one dared to challenge him. No one dared to even breathe too loudly.

Jiang Chen's smirk deepened, his aura radiating absolute dominance.

"Swear your loyalty to me, and I will grant you power. Defy me, and I will crush you without mercy." His gaze was cold, his voice merciless. "Choose."

One by one, the disciples fell to their knees, their voices shaking as they shouted.

"We swear loyalty to Sect Leader Jiang!"

"We submit to your rule!"

Their cries echoed through the mountains, a chorus of submission and fear. Jiang Chen's heart swelled with satisfaction, his aura growing even more terrifying. This was power. This was domination. And it was only the beginning.

[Mission Complete. Reward Granted: Tyrant's Domain Mastery.]

[New Ability Unlocked: Absolute Suppression – Crush all enemies within the Tyrant's Domain, rendering them powerless.]

Power surged through him, his aura expanding, his presence becoming even more suffocating. Jiang Chen closed his eyes, feeling the strength coursing through his veins. This system… it was truly a gift from the heavens. A tool meant to make him a king. No, a god.

As he reveled in his newfound power, a figure approached, her steps light, her aura refined. She was beautiful, her long hair flowing like silk, her eyes sharp and intelligent. Dressed in flowing white robes, she radiated elegance and nobility.

Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed. He recognized her—Su Ling, the top-ranked disciple of the Inner Sect. Known for her exceptional talent and beauty, she was revered as a genius, untouchable and peerless among her peers.

Su Ling's gaze was calm, her expression indifferent as she looked at Jiang Chen.

"You've made quite a scene, Jiang Chen." Her voice was melodic, yet cold. "To think the weakest disciple would rise to rule the Outer Sect in a single day. Truly… unexpected."

Jiang Chen met her gaze, his eyes cold, his aura unyielding.

"Are you here to challenge me, Su Ling?"

Su Ling's lips curled into a faint smile.

"Challenge you? No. But I am curious…" Her eyes gleamed with interest. "How did you become so powerful so quickly?"

Jiang Chen's smirk widened.

"Why should I tell you?"

Su Ling's eyes narrowed, her aura flaring slightly.

"Because if you've used forbidden techniques or treacherous methods, I will personally destroy you." Her voice was calm, yet her killing intent was palpable.

Jiang Chen laughed, his arrogance unrestrained.

"Destroy me? You can try." His aura flared, clashing with hers, the air crackling with tension. "But be warned. Those who challenge me… end up broken."

Su Ling's eyes flashed, her aura surging.

"Bold words. I wonder if you can back them up."

The tension was electric, the disciples holding their breath as they watched the confrontation. Su Ling was a goddess among them, her talent unmatched, her power revered. Yet Jiang Chen stood before her, unyielding, arrogant, his aura suffocating.

Su Ling's gaze turned cold, her aura growing sharper.

"Very well. I'll test your strength myself." She moved, her body vanishing in a blur of speed, her palm striking toward Jiang Chen's chest.

Jiang Chen's eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Good. I was getting bored."

He met her strike head-on, his fist enveloped in dark Qi, their attacks colliding with a shockwave that shook the courtyard. The disciples were blown back, their bodies trembling under the sheer power of the clash.

Su Ling's eyes widened in shock. His strength… it was real.

"You… how…?"

Jiang Chen's laughter echoed through the courtyard, cold and arrogant.

"Did you think you were the only genius in this sect?" His aura surged, his power overwhelming. "From this day forth, no one stands above me. Not you. Not the Inner Sect. Not anyone."

Su Ling's face hardened, her aura flaring even more violently.

"Arrogant!" She attacked again, her movements swift and lethal, her strikes precise and devastating.

But Jiang Chen matched her blow for blow, his power unyielding, his aura domineering. He fought with ease, his arrogance palpable, his eyes gleaming with confidence.

"Is this all you've got, Su Ling?" He mocked, his aura crushing. "Disappointing."

Su Ling's face twisted with anger, her pride wounded. She attacked even more ferociously, but Jiang Chen only laughed, his power growing stronger with every clash.

The disciples watched in awe, their hearts trembling. Jiang Chen… he was truly a monster. A tyrant. An existence that defied reason.

And his reign… had only just begun.