NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 4: Chapter 4 Assassins in the Inner Court
Recap:
Long Tianyu has successfully passed the Dragon Ladder Trial, taking down five top disciples, including Long Rui. The crowd was left in awe of his flame affinity and his incredible heaven-grade technique. But just as he was basking in his victory, a masked elder appeared, hinting that trouble was on the horizon.
---
As midnight blanketed the Long Clan's inner court, an eerie silence enveloped the area, but within that stillness lay hidden secrets. Long Tianyu sat cross-legged in the moonlit willow garden, his Qi flowing steadily through his meridians.
His recent triumph at the Dragon Ladder Trial had attracted a mix of attention—both positive and negative.
> [Daily Sign-In Available: Location Inner Willow Garden]
> Reward: Soul Sense Bead - Expands spiritual awareness, detects hidden enemies.
Sign in.
> [Sign-In Successful!]
> You've obtained: Soul Sense Bead (Rare)
> Effect: +100% danger detection, +20% perception radius
He cradled the smooth silver bead in his hand, feeling it meld into his skin as a wave of clarity washed over him.
Suddenly, he sensed a presence lurking in the shadows.
Tianyu's eyes flew open. So, they've arrived already.
---
Three masked figures sprang from the rooftops, clad in black robes adorned with violet talons.
**The Violet Ghost Sect.**
Assassins for hire—silent, lethal, and costly.
"You must die tonight, Long Tianyu," one of them declared, brandishing twin daggers.
He didn't respond. Instead, his Qi surged within him.
> Activate: Dragon Breath Foundation Flame Path
> Activate: Shadow Movement Technique
In an instant, he vanished.
The assassins barely had time to react. Tianyu descended from above, his fire-wrapped fist crashing into the first assassin's chest.
Bones shattered.
The man coughed up blood and crumpled to the ground.
The second assassin moved with lightning speed, blades flickering like a ghost.
Tianyu danced between the slashes, countering each attack with fire-infused strikes.
Sparks erupted around them.
> [System Alert: Hidden Kill Chain Reached Unlocking Secret Passive]
> New Ability Unlocked: Dragonstep Phantom +50% Evasion for 10s after critical hit.
Tianyu's footwork was a blur, leaving behind afterimages.
With a swift spinning kick, he shattered the second assassin's arm.
Only one remained.
This one was eerily silent, his eyes glowing red beneath the mask. His Qi felt different—almost demonic.
"You pose a threat to someone very powerful," the last assassin warned.
"He paid triple for your head."
"Triple's still too cheap," Tianyu muttered under his breath.
The assassin lunged at him, dark Qi erupting from his blades, howling like tormented spirits.
Tianyu had no choice but to go on the defensive.
Each clash sent tremors through the trees, and while cuts opened on his sleeves, none managed to pierce his skin.
Then, with a feint to the left, Tianyu baited a strike. He countered with both palms, unleashing **Flame Burst Pulse**.
A ring of fire erupted from his chest, engulfing the attacker.
The man's screams echoed as he fell, his robes charred and smoldering.
Breathing heavily, Tianyu stood alone in the scorched garden.
> [You have defeated 3 enemies above your current level. Hidden Quest Completed.]
> Reward: Draconic Qi Core Fragment 1 of 9 ancient fragments required to evolve Dragon Breath to Imperial Tier.
A golden shard floated before him, and his hands shook as he reached for it.
*Imperial Tier? That didn't even exist in my past life.*
He realized then that this system was not just powerful; it was **otherworldly**.
The next morning, Tianyu reported the assassination attempt to Elder Mo, who frowned while stroking his beard.
"The Violet Ghost Sect hasn't been active in this region for years," he said.
"Whoever hired them has some serious connections."
Tianyu stayed silent, but deep down, he knew who was behind it all.
**Long Shen.**
His uncle. The man who had betrayed him.
Later that day, a message arrived—an invitation sealed with a blood dragon insignia.
**Summons: Long Tianyu is invited to the Inner Sect Banquet of Prospects.**
His eyes narrowed.
Another trap? Perhaps.
But now, the dragon was no longer crawling. He was **rising**.
Teaser for Chapter 5: The Inner Sect Banquet is more than just a celebration; it's a battlefield of power, pride