Chapter 7: Shadows Beneath the Summit

The scent of ash still clung to Ye Tian's robes as he stepped past the smoldering edge of Blazing Spirit Valley. The magma had been replaced by a chilled mountain breeze, but his instincts remained razor-sharp.

"We're being watched," he muttered.

Beside him, Rongyan floated silently. Her flame-like body flickered and pulsed. "Four… no, five qi signatures. One's holding back."

Ye Tian's gaze darkened.

As he stepped past the ancient pine tree at the trail's curve, five figures emerged from the misty undergrowth like phantoms.

"Ye Tian," a familiar, oily voice called.

Wen Shao. Once a respected outer sect senior—now just another stepping stone.

Lan Mei stood at his side, her posture cocky, but her eyes flicked nervously toward the flame spirit at Ye Tian's back.

"Surprised to see you alive," Wen said, cracking his knuckles. "Too bad that luck runs out today."

"Move," Ye Tian replied.

Wen sneered. "Not until you're broken and bleeding."

No more words.

Heaven-Breaking Step.

Ye Tian vanished from sight.

CRACK.A single strike. One disciple folded instantly, unconscious before hitting the ground.

Lan Mei shrieked and fumbled for a talisman—but a palm of pure spiritual force sent her flying into the dirt.

"Next."

Wen tried to retreat, fear in his eyes, but it was too late.

"Void Palm."

A blast of force shattered the ground beneath him. He screamed, crashing into a tree. His spiritual artifacts burst apart, useless against the sheer disparity.

"Seventh stage?! That's impossible!" someone cried.

Ye Tian said nothing. The silence was his judgment.

Two of the weaker ambushers dropped their weapons and ran.

[System Notification: Auto-Loot Activated]Items collected: 790 Spirit Stones, 3 Low-Grade Artifacts, 1 Fire Qi Pill, 7 Talismans… Transferring to Storage.

He turned to leave.

"Wait." A voice like wind-cut snow stopped him.

Yun Qingyu.

She stepped into the clearing like a vision—graceful, untouchable, but her eyes were locked on him with unspoken emotion.

"You've changed," she said quietly.

"And you haven't," he replied, watching her.

She looked down. "I saw what they did. What you did. I won't let the sect twist this against you."

Before he could respond, a jade talisman flew through the air and hovered in front of him, glowing.

[Summons: Second Elder Lu Heng – Assembly Hall]

The Elder Bell tolled once, low and ominous.

"They're summoning you," Yun Qingyu whispered. "Publicly."

Ye Tian glanced at the talisman, then at her.

"Let them."

He turned to go—but she stepped beside him and wrapped her hand around his arm.

He looked at her, startled.

"You don't need to—"

"I want to."

And that was that.

They walked side by side toward the Inner Court, Rongyan floating silently behind them like a flickering tail of divine fire.

Inner Court Assembly Hall

The great jade doors opened slowly, revealing a semi-circular chamber filled with dozens of disciples and elders. The hall was hushed, tense.

Second Elder Lu Heng stood at the center, posture strict but composed.

"Ye Tian. You stand here due to complaints filed against you—multiple assaults, theft of sect property, and suspicious cultivation behavior."

He raised a hand, and a jade slip floated in the air.

Scenes from the ambush replayed above the crowd—Wen Shao lunging first, Ye Tian retaliating, Rongyan materializing like a goddess of flame.

Gasps echoed through the hall.

Lu Heng spoke again. "You advanced three stages in mere days. Explain."

"Trial by fire," Ye Tian replied. "And I walked through it."

More murmurs.

"And the flame spirit?"

Ye Tian held out a hand. Rongyan shimmered into view, her presence hot and terrifying.

DING![Verification Complete – Flame Spirit Bound via Heaven-Grade Trial Contract]

A silent elder sitting nearby finally nodded. "Authentic. He passed a legacy trial."

Lu Heng studied Ye Tian for a long moment. "Then there is no crime."

A beat.

"Judgment passed. Ye Tian is to remain under cultivation observation. No restrictions applied."

Shock rippled through the disciples.

But even more shocking… was the girl still at Ye Tian's side.

Yun Qingyu.

She hadn't moved once.

Elsewhere – Sunset Pavilion

At the edge of the sect's highest inner peak, surrounded by ancient burning incense and walls carved with the names of top disciples, a man sat in silence.

Li Xuanyang.

His sword gleamed beside him like a dormant beast.

He crushed the jade message slip in his hand.

"Ye Tian…"

He stood slowly, his aura flaring with sharp pressure.

"She stood beside you. Touched you. Defended you."

"That was meant to be me."

His lips curled into a grim smile.

"Enjoy your little victory… while it lasts."