Chapter 15: The First Sect Invitation

Wei Han vanished.

Zhang Ye's instincts screamed.

His eyes barely caught the blur of movement before the attack came a precise, razor-fast thrust aimed straight at his chest.

No time to think. No time to plan.

Move!

Zhang Ye twisted his body, just enough for the blade to graze past his ribs. He felt the wind of the strike, the sheer speed and power behind it.

Wei Han had been holding back before.

Not anymore.

Zhang Ye's feet barely touched the ground before Wei Han's next attack came a sharp downward slash!

Too fast to dodge.

Zhang Ye raised his sword

CLANG!

The impact sent a shockwave up his arms. His knees bent from the force, his grip trembling.

Shit, he's strong.

Wei Han smirked. "Can't keep up?"

Zhang Ye gritted his teeth. "I'm just getting warmed up."

He stepped in, closing the distance.

Wei Han's eyes widened. Zhang Ye twisted his wrist, redirecting Wei Han's blade to the side

And countered with a horizontal slash.

Wei Han barely blocked. Sparks flew.

For the first time, Wei Han's foot slid backward.

Zhang Ye grinned. He could push him back.

But before he could capitalize

A loud voice interrupted them.

"Enough!"

Both fighters froze.

Zhang Ye blinked, turning toward the source of the voice.

At the entrance to the forge stood two men in matching white robes, embroidered with silver cloud patterns.

Their presence alone radiated power.

Wei Han's expression hardened. "Sectsmen."

Master He narrowed his eyes.

Zhang Ye raised a brow. "Who the hell are these guys?"

One of the men stepped forward, his eyes sharp, his expression unreadable.

"The Cloudswept Sect formally extends an invitation to Zhang Ye."

Silence.

Then, murmurs.

Wei Han's gaze flickered to Zhang Ye. "They came for you?"

Zhang Ye smirked. "Looks like it."

The sect disciple studied him. "You have talent. But raw talent means nothing without proper guidance. Join us, and we will shape you into a true martial artist."

Zhang Ye scratched his chin. "And if I say no?"

The sect disciple's eyes darkened slightly. "Then you waste your potential."

Master He crossed his arms. "You just now realized this brat had potential? Slow learners, aren't you?"

The sect disciple ignored him, keeping his gaze on Zhang Ye.

"So? What is your answer?"

Zhang Ye exhaled.

A sect invitation.

It meant training, resources, techniques… but also rules, restrictions, and obligations.

Was this the path he wanted?

Or… did he carve his own?

Zhang Ye's smirk returned.

"Alright," he said.

"I'll give you my answer."

The Cloudswept Sect disciples stood with their arms behind their backs, their gazes unreadable. Calm. Confident. Expecting.

Zhang Ye could tell they weren't asking. They assumed he'd accept.

Tch. I don't like that.

Wei Han crossed his arms. "Well? You're seriously considering it?"

Zhang Ye smirked. "Oh, I'm considering something."

Master He watched silently, his expression unreadable.

The lead disciple spoke again. "The Cloudswept Sect is offering you a future, Zhang Ye. A chance to learn techniques beyond what this village can teach. A chance to walk the path of a true martial artist."

Zhang Ye exhaled. "And in exchange?"

The disciple's eyes sharpened. "Loyalty. Obedience. The strength you gain will belong to the sect."

Zhang Ye chuckled. "So, a collar, then?"

A murmur passed through the villagers watching from a distance. Wei Han raised a brow. The second sect disciple frowned.

The lead disciple's expression didn't change. "Call it what you like. But in Murim, those without a powerful backing will struggle to survive."

Zhang Ye grinned. "I like struggling."

The second disciple scoffed. "Reckless. You have no idea how brutal the martial world is."

Master He finally spoke, his voice low. "You don't know how brutal he is either."

The disciple frowned, but Zhang Ye had already made up his mind.

He stepped forward.

Then he raised his sword.

The disciples tensed.

Zhang Ye smirked. "Let's make it simple. If you really want me to join, then fight me."

Silence.

Wei Han blinked. "Wait, what?"

Zhang Ye rested the sword on his shoulder. "You say you can teach me strength? Then prove you're stronger."

The lead disciple's eyes narrowed. "You want a duel?"

Zhang Ye grinned. "I want an answer. If you can't beat me, then you've got nothing to teach me."

The villagers gasped.

The second disciple scowled. "Arrogant brat."

The lead disciple sighed, then stepped forward. "Very well. If that's what it takes to show you your place."

He drew his sword.

Master He chuckled. "Heh. You just made a mistake, kid."

The disciple frowned. "And why is that?"

Master He grinned. "Because this brat doesn't lose."

The sect disciple's expression hardened. "Let's find out."

Zhang Ye lowered his stance.

A real fight. Against a trained sect disciple.

Perfect.

Master He raised his hand. "Begin."

The sect disciple vanished.

Zhang Ye's instincts screamed.

The fight had already begun.

The Cloudswept Sect disciple vanished.

Zhang Ye reacted instantly.

His instincts screamed left!

He twisted his sword just in time to block a sudden strike from the side. CLANG! The force sent a shockwave up his arms, his feet skidding against the dirt.

Fast!

Before Zhang Ye could counter, the disciple's blade disappeared again

Then reappeared above him.

A downward strike!

Zhang Ye rolled sideways, dodging by inches.

The disciple landed lightly, barely out of breath. His sword never wavered. "You have quick reactions. But that's all you have."

Zhang Ye grinned, shaking the numbness from his arm. Alright. This guy's fast. But fast isn't unbeatable.

Speed had patterns. Weaknesses.

I just have to find them.

The disciple attacked again, his sword flickering in rapid, unpredictable movements. Zhang Ye blocked once twice but the third strike cut through his defense.

THWACK!

The flat of the blade slammed into his ribs.

Pain shot through his side. He staggered back, breath hitching.

Xiao Lan gasped from the sidelines. "Brother!"

The disciple didn't stop. He pressed forward, his sword a blur.

Zhang Ye's mind raced.

He's not just fast. His movement is controlled. Every attack was precise there was no wasted effort.

But…

He's following a pattern.

Zhang Ye exhaled, focusing.

His qi flowed through his body, guiding his instincts.

The next time the disciple vanished

Zhang Ye moved first.

He dodged before the attack came.

The disciple reappeared sword slashing empty air.

His eyes widened. "What?"

Zhang Ye countered immediately.

He twisted his sword low, sweeping toward the disciple's legs.

Too fast to dodge.

THWACK!

The impact knocked the disciple off balance.

Zhang Ye stepped in.

His sword stopped inches from the disciple's neck.

Silence.

The villagers gasped. Wei Han stared. The second sect disciple looked stunned.

Master He chuckled. "Hah. What did I tell you?"

The Cloudswept Sect disciple's face was unreadable. Then, slowly he lowered his sword.

"You… read my movements."

Zhang Ye smirked. "You weren't as unpredictable as you thought."

The disciple let out a deep breath. Then he smiled.

"Interesting."

He stepped back, sheathing his sword. "I won't lie. I didn't expect to lose."

The second disciple scowled. "This doesn't mean anything!"

But the first one raised a hand. "No. It does." He turned to Zhang Ye.

"The invitation still stands."

Zhang Ye blinked. "Even after I just embarrassed your guy?"

The disciple smirked. "Because you embarrassed him."

Zhang Ye exhaled. "Then my answer is the same."

The disciple nodded. "Very well. Then consider this a warning others will come looking for you. Sect elders. Clan leaders. Cult assassins."

He turned, walking away.

"Your name won't stay hidden for long, Zhang Ye."

Zhang Ye watched them leave, rolling his shoulder.

Good.

That meant things were finally getting interesting.

The Cloudswept Sect disciples disappeared into the distance, their white robes blending into the morning mist.

The village was silent.

Then the murmurs began.

"Did he just beat a sect disciple?"

"Zhang Ye is a monster…!"

"First the Black Wolf Gang, now a sect challenge?"

Zhang Ye sighed. Here we go.

Wei Han smirked. "Congratulations. You just made yourself famous."

Zhang Ye grinned. "Good. Now the real opponents will start showing up."

Master He chuckled. "You're acting like that's a good thing."

Zhang Ye twirled his sword. "Isn't it?"

Master He shook his head. "Cocky brat. Don't get careless." His tone turned serious. "The moment word spreads, stronger warriors will come. Some will want to recruit you. Others will want to kill you."

Zhang Ye's smirk didn't fade. "Then I'll just have to keep getting stronger."

Master He studied him for a moment. Then he grinned.

"Good. Because starting tomorrow, I stop holding back."

Zhang Ye raised a brow. "You were holding back?"

Master He's smirk widened. "You'll find out soon."

Zhang Ye exhaled. That's exactly what I want.

Because now, there was no doubt.

Murim would know his name.

And soon he would claim the Sky Piercing Sword.

The village slowly returned to normal, but Zhang Ye could still feel the change in the air. People looked at him differently now not just as some reckless fighter but as someone dangerous.

Good. That means they're paying attention.

Wei Han nudged him with an elbow. "So, you really turned them down?"

Zhang Ye smirked. "I don't like collars."

Wei Han chuckled. "You also just made yourself a target."

Master He grunted. "Not just for the sects. The wrong people hear about this, and you'll have assassins coming after you."

Zhang Ye stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Then I'll train harder."

Master He grinned. "That's the right answer."

He picked up a massive metal weight from the side of the forge and tossed it toward Zhang Ye.

Zhang Ye barely caught it, his arms screaming from the weight. "What the hell is this?"

Master He smirked. "Your new best friend. If you want to fight real martial artists, you need real strength."

Wei Han laughed. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

Zhang Ye sighed but grinned.

He could feel it.