The Invincible Sect Leader

A Mysterious Arrival. The recruitment trials had concluded. The Heavenly Mystical Sect had grown stronger than ever, filled with talented disciples from all walks of life.

However, as the dust settled and the new recruits were settling in, a lone figure approached the sect's entrance.

Draped in a tattered black cloak, his face partially concealed, he moved with hesitation. His aura was suppressed, but faint traces of demonic energy lingered around him like a haunting shadow.

His name Yan Ling.

A lone demonic cultivator.

His sect had been destroyed during the war. He had survived, but at a cost his entire clan, wiped out.

Now, with nowhere else to go, he had come to the Heavenly Mystical Sect, hoping to start anew.

But he knew the risks.

Demonic cultivators were not welcome anywhere.

If his identity was exposed, he would likely be hunted down and killed before he could even explain himself.

Hiding in Plain Sight

Yan Ling took a deep breath and steeled his resolve.

"I must suppress my demonic energy… blend in… maybe I can fool them."

As he reached the entrance, he saw a massive crowd of new disciples, chatting and laughing.

Some were practicing sword techniques.

Some were refining pills.

Some were even selling snacks to make extra spirit stones.

Yan Ling clenched his fists.

"They all seem so… normal."

For years, he had been taught that righteous cultivators were hypocrites that they looked down on demonic cultivators as mere scum, yet they were just as ruthless and power-hungry.

But now, seeing these disciples joking around and even helping each other, he felt conflicted.

Could this sect really be different?

The Entrance Test

At the gate, Bai Yun yawned as he glanced at the last-minute applicants.

"Alright, last batch! Step forward if you want to join!"

Yan Ling stepped forward cautiously.

"Name?" Bai Yun asked.

"Yan… Yan Ling."

Bai Yun raised an eyebrow.

"Background?"

Yan Ling hesitated for a split second before replying, "A rogue cultivator… my sect was destroyed in the war."

Bai Yun sighed. "Another homeless one, huh? Alright, take the test."

Yan Ling nodded, stepping onto the Thousand-Step Staircase, his heart pounding.

As soon as he placed his foot on the first step, the pressure formation activated

A crushing force weighed down on him.

He gritted his teeth.

He had to pass.

Step by step, he climbed.

10 steps… 50 steps… 100 steps…

By the 200th step, many new recruits had already collapsed, yet Yan Ling pushed forward.

However

At the 300th step, his suppressed demonic energy fluctuated slightly.

Bai Yun narrowed his eyes.

"Hmm… his Qi feels a little strange."

Chan Li, who had been lazily watching from the sect hall, suddenly opened his eyes.

"Interesting…"

Yan Ling clenched his fists, forcing himself forward.

He reached the 500th step before collapsing.

Bai Yun smirked. "Not bad. You barely passed."

Yan Ling exhaled in relief.

He had made it in.

But as he looked up, he saw

Chan Li staring directly at him.

For a moment, Yan Ling felt like he was completely exposed as if all his secrets were laid bare.

Cold sweat dripped down his back.

"Did… did he notice?!"

The Sect Master's Curiosity

Chan Li sipped his tea.

"A demonic cultivator trying to hide among righteous ones?" he thought to himself.

He wasn't fooled.

But instead of exposing Yan Ling, Chan Li smirked.

"Let's see where this goes."

"Bai Yun, put him in the Outer Sect."

Yan Ling bowed. "Thank you, Sect Master!"

Chan Li nodded.

"Oh, and one more thing…"

Yan Ling froze.

Chan Li smiled.

"Welcome to the Heavenly Mystical Sect. Don't cause trouble… or you'll regret it."

Yan Ling swallowed hard.

"He knows… doesn't he?"