From Death To Dominion

The Azure Sky Academy was one such avenue. The academy provided cultivation resources, but distribution was determined by talent. Those with higher innate talent received greater support, while those deemed less gifted were given only the bare minimum. This system ensured that only the most promising individuals thrived while the rest struggled to advance.

However, there was another way to get resources—missions.

The academy frequently issued missions that ranged from escorting merchant caravans and hunting rogue beasts to retrieving rare herbs from outside the city. Completing these tasks not only granted monetary rewards but also allowed students to earn contribution points, which could be exchanged for ki stones, weapons, or even higher-grade cultivation techniques.

Azure Sky Academy, and by extension, the city itself, operated under the jurisdiction of the empire. The government meticulously recorded the distribution of ki stones to prevent tampering or hoarding. Every stone allocated was tracked, ensuring that no individual received more than their designated share.This ensured that no one could manipulate the system for personal gain—at least, not openly.

If he wanted to rise quickly, he needed more than just academy missions—he needed something outside the empire's watchful eyes.

His mind raced with possibilities. Black market dealings? Hidden ruins? Independent mercenary work?

One thing was certain: he could no longer remain passive. His enemies moved in the shadows, scheming against him even now. If he did not act soon, he would forever be at the mercy of those who sought to control his fate.

With a newfound resolve, Ye Xian opened his eyes. His next course of action was clear—he would secure his own wealth and power, no matter the risks. The road ahead was treacherous, but he was ready to walk it.

_________

Night descended upon Azure Sky City, casting a silver glow as the moon floated on a dark, shimmering cloak.

Within the Lu Clan Estate, inside a dimly lit room, four figures were present. Two young men, both around twenty, sat at a round table, savoring bowls of steaming traditional Chinese hot noodles. Standing behind them was a middle-aged man with a piercing, eagle-like gaze, his sharp eyes locked onto the fourth person in the room—Di Wi, a trembling servant of the Ye Clan.

Di Wi was on his knees, his face streaked with tears and snot as he repeatedly slammed his forehead onto the ground in a desperate plea for mercy.

"Forgive me, Young Master Lu! I—I failed to complete the task you assigned me," he sobbed. "But I swear, I never revealed your name! Please, have mercy..."

Lu Aotian, one of the seated young men, sneered in disgust.

"Mercy?" he scoffed, his expression turning cold. "Without me, you'd already be rotting in prison! And now, not only did you fail, but you also let them trace it back to me?"

Di Wi's voice trembled as he tried to explain. "Young Master Lu, I had no choice! When I was caught and cornered, they demanded to know who was behind the plan... I—I had to say it was a young master of Lu. Your champion ordered me to speak when I had no way out!"

His terrified gaze flickered toward the second young man at the table, whose face was once again concealed beneath a mask—just like last time.

"You imbecile!" Lu Aotian roared, slamming his palm onto the table, causing the bowls of noodles to shake.

Di Wi let out a strangled whimper and lunged forward, desperately grasping at Lu Aotian's leg. "Young Master, please! I beg you!" he wailed. His sudden movement caused the table to shift, and the bowl of noodles tipped over, spilling broth and steaming strands across the wooden surface.

Lu Aotian's expression darkened with fury. His patience had run dry.

"Kill him," he ordered coldly.

Di Wi's eyes widened in terror. He scrambled to his feet, stumbling toward the door in a desperate attempt to escape. His breath came in ragged gasps, his heart hammering in his chest. Just as his hand reached for the door handle, a chilling presence loomed behind him.

The middle-aged man behind Lu Aotian—vanished in a blur of motion. A dark blur streaked through the room.

Before Di Wi could react, an iron grip clamped around his throat, lifting him off the ground with ease. He struggled, his legs flailing as his nails clawed at the assassin's vice-like grasp.

"Pl—please…" he choked out, his voice barely a whisper.

The assassin's expression remained blank, devoid of emotion. Then, with a sharp twist, a sickening snap echoed through the room.

Di Wi's body went limp, his head hanging at an unnatural angle—his neck broken like a brittle twig.

The assassin released his grip, allowing the lifeless corpse to crumple onto the floor. Silence followed.

Lu Aotian exhaled in irritation and leaned back in his chair, watching the scene with cold indifference.

"Clean this up," he muttered.

The masked young man beside him let out a quiet chuckle. "Harsh," he murmured. "But necessary."

Lu Aotian smirked. "Only the useful deserve to live."

As the lifeless body of Di Wi was dragged away. The masked young man spoke in a calm, measured tone.

"Don't worry. They won't suspect you as the mastermind," he said. "Instead, they'll suspect your older brother."

Lu Aotian narrowed his eyes. "Why?" he asked, trying to piece together the reasoning.

The masked figure leaned forward slightly, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

"Because your brother, Lu Yin, crippled the Ye Clan Patriarch's only son. He was disqualified from the competition and publicly declared that he wouldn't let the Ye Clan escape unscathed. Naturally, they'll assume he's the one pulling the strings."

Lu Aotian smirked. "You're clever," he chuckled, tapping his fingers against the table. Then his expression darkened. "But I have my own concerns. I can't allow that trash, Ye Xian, to marry the woman I desire. How could a worthless piece of scum deserve such a rare gem?"

The masked man tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering in his concealed gaze.

"Funny," he murmured. "You speak of trash, yet you are no better yourself. Do you truly believe you're worthy of her?"A sneer tugged at his lips beneath the mask, his thoughts laced with contempt.

Lu Aotian's gaze sharpened, he asked, "Why don't you remove your mask? The only outsider here is already dead." He gestured toward Di Wi lifeless corpse on the floor.

Instead of answering, the masked man turned his attention to the middle-aged assassin who had executed Di Wi. A silent moment passed before Lu Aotian understood and gave a wave of his hand.

"Leave us," he ordered.

The assassin bowed slightly before stepping out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

With deliberate slowness, the masked man lifted his disguise, revealing his face beneath the dim candlelight.

It was none other than Ye Shen, the young master of the Ye Clan—Ye Xian half-brother.

"I have another plan," Ye Shen said, his voice laced with quiet confidence. "But we'll need to be patient... we need to temper something.... "

As he began explaining the details, Lu Aotian brows furrowed as he leaned forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "What if that plan doesn't work? What if things don't go as we anticipate?" His sharp gaze bore into the Ye Shen, his anxiety barely contained beneath a mask of calm.

The Ye Shen lips curled into a sly grin, his eyes gleaming with cold confidence. "Then we have another option," he replied, his tone almost mocking in its certainty. "The clan tournament is only three months away. It's a once-in-five-years event where all the clans gather to showcase their strongest talents and compete for dominance. It's an occasion unlike any other—a perfect stage for your move. Just crippled him there."

Lu Aotian's eyes narrowed as he considered this. "But if I cripple him there, I'll be disqualified!" His voice became sharp, frustration creeping into his words. "The tournament is the most prestigious event. If I'm implicated, I'll lose everything I've worked for."

The Ye Shen gaze remained unwavering, unshaken by the uncertainty in Lu Aotian's tone. "You don't need to be the one to carry out the deed," he said, his words precise and chilling. "There are others who can take care of it. You just need to ensure it happens during the tournament, at the right moment, where no one will suspect you. It's the perfect opportunity to strike while everyone is distracted by the competition."

Lu Aotian's fingers drummed on the table as he processed the plan, his mind racing. "I see… The tournament is the perfect cover. A public spectacle where no one will think twice. It's so obvious, it'll seem too good to be true. But the timing must be flawless."

"Exactly," Ye Shen replied with a glint of malice in his eyes, his smile stretching wider. "And with the clan tournament looming, this is the ideal time to strike. Your rivals will be focused on their own contests, their own glory. In the meantime, you'll have the perfect opportunity to watch your enemies fall, unnoticed, without anyone suspecting foul play. You'll get rid of Ye Xian without lifting a finger."