CHAPTER 53: SECT COMPETITION

Tian Lei glanced around and saw the section where the participating disciples were seated. He walked over, passed through without drawing attention, and quietly sat down with them.

Though Tian Lei acted simple and kept a calm demeanor to avoid drawing unnecessary attention, it was nearly impossible not to stand out.

His robes made it unavoidable.

The Outer Sect disciple robes were red in color, while the Inner Sect disciples wore blue. Core Disciples were permitted to wear purple—each tier of the sect had a color that denoted its standing. But Tian Lei was wearing a robe that marked him as something else entirely.

A Personal Disciple.

And not just of any elder.

There were only two robe designs in the entire sect that bore such weight: one was a white robe, worn exclusively by the Grand Elder’s personal disciples or those handpicked by other high-ranking elders. The second... was a black robe patterned with a silver phoenix—symbolizing the Sect Master’s direct disciples.

And Tian Lei was wearing the latter.

The rarest, most authoritative garb beneath the Sect Master himself.

So, while he quietly sat among the rows of red-robed Outer Sect disciples, the black phoenix-patterned robe stood out like ink in snow. Heads turned. Whispers followed.

It was like placing a rare beast in a den of cubs.

Even as Tian Lei remained expressionless, his presence created ripples.

From across the seating area, several disciples exchanged glances. Some of them had received private instructions from Huang Jie. When they spotted the black robe, their eyes narrowed.

They knew.

That was the target.

Their expressions darkened slightly, but they forced casual looks as not to draw suspicion. A few of them nodded subtly at one another, silent communication passing between them.

The prey had arrived.

And the hunt was about to begin.

The moment Tian Lei took his seat, subtle whispers began to ripple among the disciples seated nearby.

"Is that... black phoenix embroidery?"

"That’s not just a Core Disciple robe... that’s the Sect Master’s personal disciple garment."

"What the hell is someone like him doing here with the Outer Sect? This whole competition’s just turned more difficult."

They weren’t fools—far from it. Everyone in the Azure Feather Sect understood one thing: becoming the Sect Master’s personal disciple wasn’t something you could fake your way into. If someone had that robe, they either had the talent to back it up—or they’d already survived things most disciples wouldn’t even dare speak of.

Some tried to avoid looking directly at him. Others stared, unable to hide their envy—or fear.

Meanwhile, in the high pavilion above the main arena, the Grand Elders or Peak Lords were seated in their respective positions. Each of the active eight Peaks was represented by a Grand Elder, seated on elegant thrones arranged in a semi-circle around the central jade throne—reserved solely for the Sect Master.

She was already there.

The Sect Master of Azure Feather Sect.

Even now, her physical presence was shrouded in an overwhelming spiritual field. Though her form appeared as a graceful woman in flowing phoenix-patterned robes, simply sitting in her seat, the throne seemed to dim the world around her—like space bent slightly at the edges where she existed.

No elder dared look at her too long.

Not unless they wanted their will tested—or worse, their mind ensnared.

It was well known across the sect that the Sect Master rarely spoke. If she did, it was either a decree... or the start of someone’s downfall. Most elders kept respectful silence when near her, speaking in hushed tones and with cautious glances to avoid triggering her attention.

All except one.

Elder Haiyun of Void Peak—the only Grand Elder known to converse directly with the Sect Master without flinching—sat back in his seat, a porcelain cup of spirit tea balanced in one hand. He cast a sidelong glance toward the young man now seated below in the participant section.

With a half-smile, he spoke casually, "It seems your disciple has arrived. Wearing that robe so openly—bold. I wonder if he even realizes what kind of waves that will stir."

The Sect Master gave no verbal reply. Her expression didn’t shift. But her gaze, still and deep as a frozen lake, remained fixed on Tian Lei.

Her silence was the answer.

Around her, the other Grand Elders made their own quiet observations.

Elder Lanxin of Spirit Rain Peak narrowed her eyes slightly. "Qi Core Condensation, Fifth Stage... and yet he’s clearly not even twenty. Impressive."

Elder Rong of Alchemy Peak gave a skeptical hum. "Hmph. Could be the result of over-forced breakthroughs. Still, if it’s a stable foundation—then yes, he’s a prodigy."

From Beast Spirit Peak, the sharp-eyed Elder Du scoffed. "Genius or not, raw talent means little if the bones are weak and the instincts soft."

Elder Xuan of Sword Mist Peak remained silent, arms crossed. His eyes, half-lidded, gave no hint of emotion—but his spiritual sense was clearly appraising the newcomer.

Elder Huojin of Earth Core Peak rumbled out, "Wearing that robe makes him a target. The robe demands results."

Heaven Cloud Peak’s Elder Ming gave a low, amused laugh. "Thin frame, quiet eyes... no aura of arrogance. If he’s confident in that cultivation stage, then I’d say this one might actually have some steel."

But once again, it was Elder Haiyun who ended the murmurs.

He sipped his tea, then set the cup down gently.

"You should all keep quiet," he said, voice even. "He’s not fighting any battles yet, and here you are already judging him. Tsk, tsk... are you all jealous that he can speak with the Sect Master without becoming her puppet?"

Several elders turned their gazes on him, scowling.

"As if I’d be jealous of a junior," one muttered, but others began bickering quietly.

The moment their tones began to rise, the Sect Master raised one slender hand.

The room fell still.

"Rather than bickering, perhaps observe the tournament," she said softly—but with such gravity that her voice left a lingering echo in the minds of all present.

A few Grand Elders were caught off guard and dazed for a moment, blinking rapidly as cold sweat dripped down their temples. They were once again reminded of the terrifying pressure her very presence could impose.