Chapter 34: The Convergence

The trial grounds stretched out endlessly, a maze of ancient ruins and shifting landscapes that seemed to taunt those daring enough to traverse them. Ye Tian's group pressed on, the map now firmly in their possession. Its intricate markings pointed toward a single destination—a supposed treasure of immeasurable value.

Wu Liang and Lin Feng led the way, their roles as cannon fodder clear. Every now and then, Lin Feng would glance nervously at Wu Liang, his expression betraying his unease. Behind them, Zhou Lie and Jiang Hao maintained their formation, their movements precise and unyielding. Ye Tian walked at the rear, his gaze sharp, the air around him carrying a subtle weight that spoke of his recent transformation.

The silence was shattered when Wu Liang abruptly stopped, his hand raised in warning. Ahead of them, the ground gave way to a clearing, where another group of disciples had gathered. They stood in a loose circle, their voices low but heated.

"Looks like we're not the only ones heading for the treasure," Jiang Hao muttered.

Ye Tian narrowed his eyes, his gaze locking onto the group. Their attire marked them as Inner Sect disciples from a rival faction, their arrogance evident in their postures. Among them was a young man with a flowing silver robe, his presence dominating. He held a jade token in his hand, its faint glow illuminating the map they were scrutinizing.

"Brother Ye, should we avoid them?" Zhou Lie asked.

Ye Tian's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Avoid? No. Let's see what they're planning."

The Encounter

Ye Tian motioned for Wu Liang and Lin Feng to approach first. They moved carefully, their steps deliberate, until the rival disciples finally noticed them.

"Who goes there?" one of the silver-robed man's subordinates barked, his hand instinctively moving to his weapon.

Wu Liang raised his hands in mock surrender, his tone light. "Relax, friend. We're just passing through. Didn't mean to interrupt your little meeting."

The silver-robed man turned slowly, his gaze sweeping over Wu Liang and Lin Feng before settling on Ye Tian, who emerged from the shadows. His calm demeanor and the imposing presence of his group immediately shifted the atmosphere.

"Inner Sect disciples?" the man sneered. "You're far from your territory."

"And yet, here we are," Ye Tian replied coolly. "I couldn't help but notice your… elaborate gathering. Care to share what's so important?"

The man's expression darkened. "That's none of your concern."

Ye Tian chuckled softly, his laughter carrying an edge that unsettled the rival group. "If it's on the map, it's everyone's concern."

Before the silver-robed man could respond, Wu Liang suddenly stumbled forward, his foot catching on something unseen. A sharp, metallic click echoed through the clearing.

"A trap!" Zhou Lie hissed.

The Unleashing

The ground beneath them shifted, ancient mechanisms springing to life. Spikes shot out from hidden crevices, while the air filled with the sharp hiss of poison-tipped darts. Chaos erupted as disciples scrambled to avoid the deadly onslaught.

Ye Tian's group moved like a well-oiled machine. Wu Liang and Lin Feng instinctively fell back, their roles as cannon fodder saving the others precious seconds. Zhou Lie and Jiang Hao took defensive stances, deflecting projectiles with precision.

In the midst of the chaos, Ye Tian remained calm. His Golden Sovereign Power activated, the familiar sensation of control flooding his senses. With a flick of his hand, gravity shifted violently. Spikes that had been aimed at his group were suddenly redirected, crashing harmlessly into the ground.

The rival disciples weren't as lucky. Screams filled the air as the traps claimed several lives, their blood staining the ground. The silver-robed man barely managed to evade a falling spike, his face pale with fear.

When the traps finally subsided, only a few of the rival disciples remained standing. Ye Tian stepped forward, his gaze icy.

"You seem to have lost your footing," he said mockingly.

The silver-robed man clenched his fists, his anger flaring. "You think this changes anything? You're just delaying your end!"

The Flame Awakens

The man launched himself at Ye Tian, his weapon glowing with deadly intent. His speed was impressive, a blur of motion aimed directly at Ye Tian. But before the weapon could land, Ye Tian moved with an almost casual grace, sidestepping the attack.

With his free hand, Ye Tian placed his palm firmly against the man's abdomen. In that instant, an overwhelming force erupted from Ye Tian's hand, a gravity surge so powerful it sent the man hurtling backward like a ragdoll. He crashed into the ground with a thunderous impact, the earth beneath him cracking from the sheer force.

The remaining enemies froze, their expressions shifting from confidence to alarm. The silver-robed man staggered to his feet, blood dripping from his mouth, his face contorted in pain and disbelief.

"You…" he gasped, clutching his midsection as if trying to hold himself together.

Ye Tian's gaze remained cold. "You thought brute force would be enough?"

The air around Ye Tian grew heavy as he raised his hand again. This time, his Golden Sovereign Power activated with precision. Gravity waves rippled outward, slamming into the surrounding disciples, forcing them to their knees. Weapons clattered to the ground as they struggled to resist the crushing force pinning them down.

The Flames Unleashed

Satisfied that his enemies were immobilized, Ye Tian moved forward, his steps deliberate and calm. The disciples could only watch in horror as he stopped a few paces away.

Without a word, Ye Tian clenched his fist, and the flames of the Nine Hells erupted around him. But this time, the technique had evolved. Instead of targeting a single foe, the flames surged outward, spreading like living tendrils toward the scattered disciples.

The silver-robed man attempted to flee, his legs moving sluggishly under the oppressive gravity, but the fire was relentless. It consumed him in a heartbeat, his screams lost in the roar of the inferno.

The other disciples fared no better. The flames were merciless, licking at their bodies and reducing them to ash within moments. The once-arrogant group was gone, leaving only silence and charred ground in their wake.

Aftermath

Ye Tian let out a slow breath, the oppressive atmosphere dissipating as he deactivated his Golden Sovereign Power. Zhou Lie and Jiang Hao approached, their expressions a mix of awe and wariness.

"That was... efficient," Zhou Lie remarked, his voice low.

"They underestimated us," Ye Tian replied, his tone even. He glanced at Wu Liang and Lin Feng, who were pale but unharmed. "Search their belongings. Let's see what they were protecting."

Without hesitation, the group moved to scour the area. Among the ashes, they found a jade token similar to the one Ye Tian had retrieved earlier, its faint glow hinting at deeper secrets.

Ye Tian studied it briefly before pocketing it. "This will lead us closer to the treasure," he said. "Stay alert. This was just the beginning."

And with that, they pressed on, their path growing darker with every step.