The Invincible Sect Leader

The icy battlefield lay in ruins, scattered with remnants of the Frozen Fang Sect's failed assault. Chan Li let out a long sigh as he cracked his knuckles, the lingering golden aura fading around his body.

Yan Ling whistled, stepping over a shattered ice formation. "You really know how to make an entrance, huh?"

Chan Li shrugged. "They started it. I just finished it."

Lan Xue crossed her arms. "We should leave before more trouble arrives. We've humiliated them, but the Frozen Fang Sect won't just let this go."

Fluffy, the enormous ice beast, let out a content growl and rubbed its massive head against Chan Li.

"Good Fluffy," Chan Li chuckled, patting its side. "You're sticking with us now."

The group turned to leave, but before they could take more than a few steps, a sinister energy swept through the frozen wasteland, sending chills down their spines.

A New Presence

A low, eerie laugh echoed from the distance. The ice itself trembled as a figure appeared atop a distant glacier. Clad in pitch-black robes adorned with crimson runes, the man exuded a terrifying aura. His long silver hair swayed in the wind, and his piercing golden eyes locked onto Chan Li with dangerous amusement.

"So, this is the infamous Sect Master of the Heavenly Mystical Sect," the stranger mused, his voice smooth yet laced with menace. "I must say, I expected more."

Chan Li's eyes narrowed. "And you are?"

The man smirked, stepping forward. "Yan Zhun, envoy of the Abyssal Night Sect. You've made quite a mess of things, Chan Li. My sect does not take kindly to those who interfere in the balance of power."

Lan Xue tensed. "The Abyssal Night Sect… They're known for their assassination techniques and dark arts. They operate from the shadows, eliminating anyone who disrupts their plans."

"Oh? Someone's heard of us." Yan Zhun chuckled, flicking his fingers. The shadows around him twisted unnaturally, shifting like living creatures. "I was simply passing through, but when I heard about a so-called invincible sect leader humiliating the Frozen Fang Sect, I had to see for myself."

Yan Ling scoffed. "Tch. If you're looking for a fight, get in line."

Yan Zhun's smirk widened. "A fight? No, no, dear friend. I simply wish to test you."

Without another word, he vanished.

The Clash of Shadows

A second later, a whisper brushed against Chan Li's ear. "Too slow."

Chan Li barely tilted his head before a dagger coated in dark energy sliced through the air, narrowly missing his throat.

With a smirk, Chan Li shifted his stance and unleashed a powerful palm strike behind him. The golden energy rippled outward, but Yan Zhun reappeared several meters away, completely untouched.

"Hoh… Not bad," Yan Zhun mused. "But not enough."

Before anyone could react, dozens of shadowy clones erupted from his body, spreading across the battlefield. They circled around Chan Li and his companions like wolves stalking prey.

Lan Xue's grip tightened on her sword. "Illusions? No… these clones feel real."

Chan Li remained unfazed. "Cute trick."

Yan Zhun chuckled. "Then let's see how long you can keep up."

Chan Li's Counterattack

The shadows lunged.

Chan Li moved like a ghost, dodging and weaving between the barrage of blades and energy attacks. With a single wave of his hand, his Tai Chi energy expanded outward, obliterating several clones instantly. But for every clone he destroyed, another took its place.

Yan Ling growled. "Enough of this!" He leapt into the fray, his fists glowing with demonic energy as he crushed several shadows.

Lan Xue wasn't far behind, her sword cutting through the darkness like a blizzard.

Fluffy let out an earth-shaking roar, releasing a burst of ice energy that froze an entire row of clones solid.

Yan Zhun chuckled. "Not bad… but what about this?"

The shadows twisted again, forming massive chains that shot toward Chan Li from all directions.

Chan Li sighed. "I guess it's time to stop playing."

A blinding golden light erupted from his body, and in an instant, the chains shattered. The clones flickered out of existence, leaving only Yan Zhun standing, expression unreadable.

"So you were holding back…" Yan Zhun muttered, rubbing his chin. "Interesting."

Chan Li smirked. "Did you learn what you wanted?"

Yan Zhun was silent for a moment before grinning. "Perhaps. But this was just a taste. We'll meet again, Chan Li. The Abyssal Night Sect will be watching you."

With that, he melted into the shadows and vanished, leaving nothing but the howling wind behind.

Yan Ling crossed his arms. "Tch. Coward."

Lan Xue shook her head. "No, he wasn't here to kill us. He was scouting. We should be prepared for future trouble."

Chan Li stretched lazily. "Well, that was fun. Let's get back to business."

As the group moved forward, a sense of unease lingered in the air. The Abyssal Night Sect was now aware of them and Chan Li knew that this was only the beginning of something far greater.