A Useless Person's Rise to Power

Chapter 11 Entering the Inner Sect, Ambushed; Beautiful Woman's Heart Warms with Love

With a single punch, Qin Zhan secured victory in the outer sect competition, and his name resounded throughout the entire Qingyun Sect.

As he received the promotion token, a thousand spirit stones, and a hundred bottles of body-tempering pills from the elder, all the outer disciples knelt and bowed in farewell, their cheers shaking the heavens. The once insignificant nobody had risen to the top in one step, officially entering the inner sect that countless disciples dreamed of.

The spiritual energy in the inner disciples' residences is several times richer than that in the outer disciples' residences. The buildings are elegant and the roads are clean. Every disciple who comes and goes has a refined aura, with the lowest level being the ninth level of Body Tempering and Qi Gathering Realm being commonplace.

But beneath this glamour lies a sharper jealousy and a deeper sense of exclusion.

Qin Zhan, still dressed in the gray outer sect robes, walked alone on the inner sect mountain path, appearing out of place. Along the way, countless gazes were directed at him, some curious, some scrutinizing, but most filled with naked contempt and hostility.

"Look, is that Qin Zhan who was promoted from the outer sect? He's dressed so shabbily."

"They're just amateurs from the outer sect; do they really think they can gain a foothold in the inner sect?"

"A piece of trash who rose to power through trickery and a lucky punch dares to think he's on equal footing with us?"

Several inner disciples, their robes embroidered with silver trim, leaned against the railing, their tone dripping with sarcasm.

The leader, Zhang Hao, was arrogant and had reached the second level of the Qi Gathering Realm. He was a disciple of an inner sect steward and was always haughty.

Zhang Hao glanced at Qin Zhan from head to toe, his heart burning with jealousy:

I've cultivated diligently for years to finally enter the inner sect, steadily and surely. What right does this upstart from the outer sect have to be on equal footing with me? What right does he have to be valued by the elders? If I don't teach him a lesson today, no one will dare to ride roughshod over us inner sect disciples in the future!

His henchmen also fanned the flames:

"Brother Hao, this kid is too arrogant. He didn't even say hello, he doesn't take us seriously at all!"

"Give him a lesson, teach him a lesson about the inner sect rules!"

Qin Zhan took in all the mockery and scheming, and sneered inwardly.

He had long anticipated that the inner sect was strictly hierarchical and extremely exclusive, and that he, as a commoner, would inevitably become the target of everyone's hatred if he forced his way in.

Without establishing authority, one has no foothold.

But he didn't want to start a massacre as soon as he entered, giving others grounds for criticism.

The best approach is to lure the snake out of its hole and deliver a decisive blow, thus maintaining order without overstepping the bounds.

Just as Qin Zhan was about to ignore everyone and head to his residence, a clear, melodious voice, as cool as a spring, suddenly came from the shade of the trees nearby.

"Qin Zhan, wait."

Qin Zhan paused and turned to look.

Su Qingyuan, dressed in snow-white robes, her black hair loosely tied up, her skin as white as jade, her brows and eyes clear and beautiful, was walking slowly towards him. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, illuminating her like a fairy descending to earth, and for a moment, the entire mountain path seemed to brighten.

The surrounding inner disciples immediately fell silent, even their breathing became soft.

Everyone knows that Su Qingyuan is the sect's holy maiden, with unparalleled talent and a noble status. She rarely speaks to male disciples on her own initiative.

Zhang Hao stared wide-eyed, his heart pounding wildly:

Saintess Qingyuan actually sought him out? What makes her think that?! Does a piece of trash from the outer sect even deserve the Saintess's favor?

Qin Zhan looked at Su Qingyuan, his eyes softening slightly.

He could clearly sense that there was no contempt or hostility in the other person, only genuine reminders and concerns.

Su Qingyuan walked up to him, her gaze sweeping lightly over Zhang Hao and the others not far away. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she lowered her voice, her tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of concern:

"The inner sect is different from the outer sect; there are more rules and numerous factions. Zhang Hao and his group are narrow-minded and extremely jealous. You've just entered the inner sect, and your foundation isn't stable yet, so you must be careful of their schemes."

Her voice was soft, but every word was sincere.

At this moment, she was genuinely worried about Qin Zhan.

Having watched him rise from the outer sect, she had long since accepted this young man in her heart and was unwilling to see him fall victim to the machinations of villains so soon after entering the inner sect.

Looking at Qin Zhan, dressed in simple outer sect attire and all alone, she felt a strange pity for him.

Qin Zhan felt a warmth in his heart.

In this inner sect where everyone wanted to see him make a fool of himself, there was actually one person who genuinely cared about him.

He looked into Su Qingyuan's clear eyes, nodded slightly, and spoke in a calm tone:

"Thank you for the reminder, Holy Maiden. I understand."

The sentence, though short, carried an unprecedented seriousness.

Their eyes met across the distance, and for a moment, the atmosphere froze slightly.

Without saying much, they seemed to understand each other perfectly.

As awe faded, appreciation began to grow, and a faint affection quietly blossomed and warmed between them.

Su Qingyuan's heart skipped a beat under his gaze, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. She quickly looked away and whispered:

"You...be careful in everything you do."

After saying that, she turned and left, her white dress fluttering, leaving behind a beautiful silhouette.

Watching Su Qingyuan leave, Zhang Hao's jealousy exploded completely, gnawing at his heart like a venomous snake.

The Holy Maiden actually treats him differently? What has this kid done to deserve this?!

If I don't teach him a lesson today, what face will I, Zhang Hao, have left in the inner sect?

"Qin War!"

Zhang Hao strode forward, blocking Qin Zhan's path, his face arrogant and domineering:

"A lowly commoner from the outer sect dares to seduce the Holy Maiden? I think you're tired of living!"

"Today I will teach you a lesson on behalf of the sect, so you will understand the rules of the inner sect!"

Before he finished speaking, Zhang Hao's two henchmen suddenly attacked, one on the left and one on the right, using their martial arts skills to rush straight at Qin Zhan!

One person locked Qin Zhan's arm, while the other kicked his knee; their coordinated actions clearly indicated their intention to bring Qin Zhan down and humiliate him on the spot.

The surrounding disciples retreated, their faces showing amusement.

"A fight is about to break out!"

"No matter how strong Qin Zhan is, he's only at the ninth level of Body Tempering. In a one-on-two fight against inner disciples, he's bound to lose!"

Zhang Hao's lips curled into a cold smile, a smug look spreading across his face.

Kneel down and beg for mercy! Only then will I consider letting you go!

Qin Zhan's eyes instantly turned cold.

He ignored warnings and reminders, insisting on courting his own demise.

The moment his two henchmen attacked, Qin Zhan moved.

With his Chaos Battle Spirit fully activated, he could see every weakness of the enemy.

As the disciple on the left's claws arrived, Qin Zhan slightly shifted his body, grabbed the other's wrist with his backhand, and gently twisted it.

"Snap!"

"ah--!"

The sound of bones cracking and screams of agony rang out simultaneously.

As the disciple on the right swept his leg, Qin Zhan stepped to the side to dodge, while simultaneously delivering a casual kick to the back of the opponent's knee.

"Thump!"

The man collapsed to his knees, writhing in pain.

In the blink of an eye, two inner disciples at the first level of the Qi Gathering Realm were crippled!

Clean, efficient, and extremely fast!

The entire venue fell into a deathly silence!

Zhang Hao's smile froze, and a look of horror flashed in his eyes:

How is that possible? How can he be so fast?

Qin Zhan slowly raised his eyes, his gaze falling on Zhang Hao, his expression chilling:

"Inner sect rules? All I know is that the strong are respected."

"Who do you think you are, to talk to me about rules?"

Zhang Hao was both shocked and furious, and roared with feigned bravado but inner weakness:

"You dare to hurt my people? I am the deacon's personal disciple!"

"Does being a disciple in charge of a sect give you the right to bully new disciples at will?" Qin Zhan pressed on, his aura rising steadily. "Today, I will discipline you, you dog who bites indiscriminately, on behalf of the sect!"

Zhang Hao was intimidated by Qin Zhan's aura, his heart trembled, but he still gritted his teeth and unleashed his cultivation:

"A mere second-level Qi Gathering Realm cultivator dares to be so insolent! Prepare to die!"

He charged forward violently, gathering spiritual energy in his palm, and struck Qin Zhan's head with a ruthless blow.

Everyone thought that Qin Zhan's cultivation level was lower than his opponent's, and he was bound to lose.

Qin Zhan remained indifferent, neither dodging nor avoiding the attack.

Just as the palm strike was about to hit his body, he suddenly turned to the side, his right hand gripping Zhang Hao's wrist like an iron clamp, while at the same time he tripped and slammed his shoulder into Zhang Hao's!

"Bang!"

Zhang Hao lost his balance and was slammed hard onto the bluestone ground, dust flying everywhere.

Qin Zhan stomped his foot on his chest, his voice icy cold, echoing throughout the mountain path:

"Are inner disciples so prestigious?"

"Before me, Qin Zhan, you'll still be trampled to the ground with a single kick!"

Zhang Hao felt a sharp pain in his chest and his lower abdomen trembled. Terrified, he immediately begged for mercy.

"I was wrong! I'll never do it again! Please forgive me!"

Qin Zhan's eyes were cold, but he did not kill him.

He knew that since he had just entered the inner sect, it was not advisable to immediately dismiss the steward's personal disciple, lest it cause unnecessary trouble.

Beating them into submission, intimidating them, and publicly humiliating them is enough.

"roll."

A single word, as powerful as an imperial edict.

Zhang Hao felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He scrambled away with his followers, fleeing in a sorry state, not daring to look back.

Around the mountain path, all the inner disciples were silent, their gazes toward Qin Zhan shifting from contempt to fear, from jealousy to awe.

No one expected that a newly promoted outer disciple would actually crush an inner disciple at the inner gate!

Qin Zhan withdrew his foot, straightened his clothes, and remained calm, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

Not far away, behind a large tree.

Su Qingyuan did not go far, but kept quietly watching this side.

Seeing that Qin Zhan had escaped unscathed, decisively broken the deadlock, and cleanly and efficiently slapped his enemy in the face, she finally felt relieved, and a gentle smile once again appeared in her clear and cold eyes.

This boy always manages to unleash the most astonishing power in the most dangerous situations.

Courageous, resourceful, principled, and sharp-edged.

Su Qingyuan sighed softly in her heart:

Qin Zhan, you really didn't disappoint me.

Qin Zhan, as if sensing something, turned his head and looked into the depths of the woods.

Their eyes met across the distance, and in that instant, they understood each other without words.

Feelings spread silently, and warmth flowed quietly.

Qin Zhan took a deep breath, turned around, and stepped into his own inner pavilion.

Inner Gate, here I come.

From this day forward, I will conquer this place!