Chapter 3: Tribute or Deception

The tension in the Ye family's grand hall was suffocating. The envoy's cold words hung in the air, his gaze fixed on Ye Tian with a mixture of intrigue and disdain. The patriarch of the Ye family, Ye Zheng, looked pale and desperate, his authority as head of the house crumbling under the pressure.

"A test, perhaps?" The Jade Serpent Sect messenger's voice was sharp as a blade, echoing through the hall. "Prove to me you're worth keeping alive. After all, the Jade Serpent Sect has no use for cowards or trash."

Ye Lin smirked, stepping forward. "There's no need for this. If the sect requires someone, I—Ye Lin—am the best choice. Why waste time on my crippled elder brother?"

The elders murmured in agreement. Ye Tian, once considered a promising young master, had been nothing but a shameful shadow of the Ye family for years. Sending him would surely disgrace their name.

But the envoy's gaze didn't waver from Ye Tian. A glimmer of amusement flashed in his eyes. "No," he said firmly. "I want him."

Ye Lin's face darkened. "What? Why him? He's—"

"Enough!" Ye Tian's calm voice sliced through the noise like a knife.

All eyes turned to him. He stepped forward, his posture steady and straight, a faint smile playing on his lips. Though his frame was still weak, his presence demanded attention, as if the room itself bent to his will.

"You want me to prove myself?" Ye Tian said, his voice low yet commanding. "Fine. I accept your test. Tell me what you want, and I'll show you who the real trash is."

Gasps echoed through the hall. Was this really Ye Tian, the useless young master who couldn't even lift a sword?

The envoy chuckled softly, clearly entertained. "Good. I enjoy men who don't grovel." He turned and gestured to one of his attendants, a young man dressed in the same jade-green robes. "Zhang Wei, come forward."

From the ranks of the envoy's entourage stepped Zhang Wei, a tall, broad-shouldered youth with sharp features and a smug expression. His cultivation base radiated strength—Qi Gathering Stage, Fourth Layer. Compared to the frail, supposedly "crippled" Ye Tian, he was like a wolf to a lamb.

"Zhang Wei here will serve as your test," the envoy said, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips. "Defeat him in a duel, and I'll consider taking you to the Jade Serpent Sect as a disciple instead of a servant. Lose… and you'll serve the sect on your knees."

"Defeat him?" one elder blurted, disbelief dripping from his tone. "Ye Tian has no cultivation! That's—"

"Accepted," Ye Tian interrupted.

The room fell into stunned silence. The elders gaped at him, and Ye Lin burst into laughter. "Hah! Have you lost your mind, Brother? You're going to fight Zhang Wei? This will be over in a single blow!"

Ye Tian ignored him entirely. Instead, he turned to the envoy and nodded. "Name the place."

The envoy raised an eyebrow, amused. "Here and now."

The hall erupted with excitement and dread. Servants scrambled to clear space in the grand hall, pushing tables and chairs aside. The duel would be held under the very roof of the Ye family estate, where all could witness Ye Tian's humiliation—or his rebirth.

The Duel Begins

The servants cleared the hall, leaving a wide-open space. Ye Tian stepped into the center, his calm expression betraying none of the tension surrounding him. Opposite him, Zhang Wei grinned, cracking his knuckles.

"I'll make this quick," Zhang Wei sneered, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Wouldn't want to hurt a cripple too much."

Ye Tian tilted his head slightly, his gaze icy and indifferent. "You talk too much."

The envoy gave the signal, and Zhang Wei lunged forward, his fist blazing with Qi energy as he aimed for Ye Tian's chest.

But Ye Tian didn't flinch. At the last possible moment, he sidestepped with eerie precision, letting Zhang Wei's attack miss entirely.

Zhang Wei stumbled, his balance momentarily broken. Ye Tian seized the opportunity, stepping in close and slamming his elbow into Zhang Wei's ribs.

Crack!

Zhang Wei gasped, staggering back as the force of the blow left him breathless.

"You call that strength?" Ye Tian taunted, his voice calm but cutting. "Pathetic. No wonder you're just an errand boy."

The crowd froze in stunned silence. Even the envoy's amusement faltered for a moment as he studied Ye Tian more closely.

Zhang Wei roared in anger, summoning more Qi to his fists. "You bastard! I'll crush you!"

He charged again, his attacks wild but fueled by desperation.

Ye Tian moved like water, evading each strike with almost casual ease. He delivered a sharp kick to Zhang Wei's knee, sending him to the ground.

"I thought you were supposed to test me," Ye Tian mocked, circling his opponent. "Is this really all you've got? Or are you holding back because you're afraid?"

Zhang Wei struggled to rise, his face twisted with pain and humiliation. Ye Tian crouched down, meeting his gaze with a cold smile.

"You should stay down," Ye Tian said softly, his voice laced with menace. "But if you insist on getting up, I'll make sure you regret it."

Zhang Wei growled, forcing himself to his feet. He unleashed another flurry of attacks, but Ye Tian was done playing.

With a sudden burst of speed, Ye Tian closed the distance, his palm striking Zhang Wei's chest with devastating precision. The impact sent Zhang Wei flying backward, crashing into the ground with a dull thud.

Dominating the Aftermath

Ye Tian stood over Zhang Wei, who lay groaning in pain, unable to rise. The hall was silent, the spectators too stunned to speak.

Ye Lin opened his mouth, desperate to say something—anything—to salvage the situation. But before he could, Ye Tian turned to him, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement.

"Second Brother," Ye Tian said mockingly, his voice carrying through the hall. "Were you saying something about being the best choice? Perhaps you'd like to test your strength against me next?"

Ye Lin froze, his face pale. He stammered, "I—I wouldn't dare…"

Ye Tian smirked, taking a step toward him. "Oh, but you dared to scheme against me. You dared to speak out of turn in front of the sect's envoy. Surely, you have the courage to back it up."

Ye Lin shrank back, sweat pouring down his face. "I… I meant no disrespect…"

The envoy chuckled, clearly entertained. "Enough. This boy has proven himself." He turned to Ye Tian. "You'll do well in the Jade Serpent Sect—if you survive."

Ye Tian's smile turned cold. "Oh, I'll survive. The real question is whether they're ready for me."