Chapter 18: The Monster Behind the Mask
The crowd stands frozen long after Liu Guan Yi disappears into the distance.
Then—
Booming voices erupt.
"That guy… he's Rank 4 Initial Stage?!"
"Even holding back, no one could touch him!"
"His sword skill… like lightning!"
Disciples who once dreamed of standing at the top now feel their hearts sink.
The gap is too big.
He's simply… a monster.
---
Elders Descend
From the skies, Inner Sect Elders descend one after another.
Clad in powerful robes, exuding authority, they rarely even glance at the outer sect.
But today—
They all come.
Each elder casts a sharp glance in the direction Liu Guan Yi left.
"That youth… is not simple."
"Already Rank 4? Four years without a word, and now this?"
"He could become a future Sword Saint…"
One elder snorts softly.
"Hmph. Why didn't he become my disciple…?"
Another sighs, clearly bitter.
"Ji Ning got lucky…"
---
Main Peak Selection
Fang Lanyue steps forward. Her voice is clear.
"Ye Chen. Bai Si. Step forward."
They obey without hesitation.
"From this day on, you are no longer outer disciples. You will train under Sect Leader Ji Ning herself on the Main Peak."
Gasps echo through the audience.
"The Main Peak?!"
"Only the most elite…!"
Some inner sect disciples hidden among the crowd feel a stab of jealousy.
They had trained for years — and these two leapfrogged ahead.
But no one can protest.
Ye Chen possesses a True Flame.
Bai Si's sword intent is sharp and profound.
And both were acknowledged by the monster who defeated them.
---
Everyone's Watching
Even as the elders begin recruiting the other top disciples for various peaks, the talk doesn't stop.
"Liu Guan Yi…"
"The peak's hidden monster…"
"Just what kind of genius is he?"
The Aftermath
Meanwhile, the other disciples from the top 6 are lined up respectfully.
One by one, disciples are chosen.
But none of them forget that figure in black.
Even now, hours later, everyone is still talking about him.
"Liu Guan Yi… he didn't train with us, didn't fight in public, but came back like a god."
"That sword technique… terrifying."
"He trained alone for four years, and now…"
Even Ye Chen clenches his fists.
"That guy… I'll catch up someday."
But deep in his heart, doubt lingers.
From this day onward, his name spreads like wildfire across the sect.
Some admire.
Some envy.
And others… begin to plot.