In the Outer Court of Mighty Dragon Sect, duels between disciples were a common occurrence. In their path to cultivation, being at odds with each other was unavoidable. There would always be arguments that could only be solved through fists.
Although it's prohibited to just fight wherever, there's a certain spot inside the sect where a disciple could issue a challenge to another disciple.
The Dueling Stage.
Usually, a normal duel, whether it be born from an argument or a wager, would only be presided over and overseen by a senior disciple and not an Elder. However, once an Elder was involved, the reason would be either a challenge against a Rank Holder or something related to Sect Rules.
In Shi Long's case, Hai Tuo got a proper reason to challenge him.
If he didn't go up the stage or run away, he would be sent to the Hall of Punishments.
"There's no running away from it, Zhan Jun. All I can do is prepare." Shi Long said.
But in his mind, he's more than ready to face off against Hai Tuo. What he needed at the moment was to leech off to Zhan Jun for more points!
"Shi Long, you…"
"Let's go and drink a Spirit Wine after the duel."
For now, Shi Long appreciated this buddy's concern for him but he knew how this guy would change in the future. It could be that he got his ego inflated upon becoming an Inner Court disciple.
What happened in the future could still be changed. He won't be the same Comatose Dragon from his previous life, he's now a Sleeping Dragon that will soon soar through to the skies by leeching off from Protagonists like Zhan Jun!
Suddenly, a familiar sound rang in his ears.
[Ding!]
[A new mission has been created]
[Re-establish your image]
[Description: Host, as someone who will become the strongest shield(leech) of the Protagonists in the world, you need to remove the label of being trash! Protagonists will be easier to trust you if you become more dependable. Defeat Hai Tuo and take his spot at the Mighty Dragon Sect's Human Roll.]
[Rewards: 500 Leech Points]
'What a great timing, system! I'm thinking the same thing. He put me in an unavoidable situation. Better turn it into my fortune again. Hopefully'
Upon seeing the new mission, Shi Long grinned and became more eager to attend the duel. Even if he hadn't reached the 4th stage Spirit Gathering Realm, the addition of his Body Cultivation elevated his strength to it. Furthermore, his Impervious Flesh provided him with more endurance. He wouldn't be hurt as easily as before.
Shi Long thought that he could use the duel as another chance to test if the Harmony Lake Secret Manual was a superb cultivation technique or not. Although he was at ease when he took down the Berserk Swine, it's a magical beast and not a fellow cultivator.
"Have you gone insane, Shi Long? Why are you grinning like an idiot?"
"Ah. It's nothing, Zhan Jun. By the way, I have a favor to ask you."
"Alright, what is it? I'm thankful for this meat but if it's about spirit stones, I'm sorry but I just paid my debt to a senior."
"No. Of course, not that. I remembered you told me about the lost manual you stumbled upon, can I see it?" Shi Long brought up a topic that he had just remembered
For him, it was already five years ago when Zhan Jun bragged about finding some lost manual but because of his poor talent, he couldn't learn it.
Shi Long refused to see it for the simple reason of 'if Zhan Jun couldn't learn it, what about him who's not only unlucky but also talentless?'.
Now, he has opened 3 more meridians. Although the number of opened meridians wasn't equal to one's talent, it allowed one to absorb more spiritual qi smoothly. It covered up one of his woes during his past life.
And through Zhan Jun's lost manual, he might just get lucky to comprehend it. Or if not that, rely on the system!
If it's something that could help him against Hai Tuo then all the better.
"I thought you didn't want to see it? What changed?" Zhan Jun was taken aback. He already noticed Shi Long's sudden change so he was slightly suspicious of his motive.
'Because staying for some time with you would allow me to leech off some points and who knows? Your luck might also allow me to learn that manual.' Shi Long thought to himself. Of course, he couldn't tell him his secret.
"You know, because we're trash, we couldn't learn a better martial technique. Who knows? I might get a stroke of luck and be lucky to learn it before my duel with Hai Tuo." Shi Long answered honestly.
Zhan Jun broke out in laughter, dispelling whatever suspicion was building up in his mind, "That's the spirit! Defeat that Hai Tuo for all of us looked down on by him, will you?"
"Sure. It's not as if I have other choices." Shi Long laughed along with Zhan Jun as they continued on their way to the latter's residence.
Passing by other disciples, Shi Long noticed the other disciples looking and whispering when they saw him.
"Hey, is that the one who angered Senior Brother Hai?"
"Yes. Look at him. He's already that old but he's still stuck at 3rd Stage Spirit Gathering Realm. In the future, we'll be stronger than him."
"Careful with your words, man. If you end up becoming the same as him, no one will be there to extend their hand at you."
"But seriously though. He doesn't seem like he's shaking from fear."
"Obviously, he's feigning it. Wait for the day of the duel, we'd see how much of a laughing stock he is."
The news about their duel was already a hot topic in the Outer Court. However, the looks that they were giving him were that of pity and disgust. None of them thought that he had any chance at all. They already reached a conclusion that the Comatose Dragon's fate was to lose against Hai Tuo.
Inwardly, Shi Long was elated. He couldn't care less about the other disciples gloating at him. He's aware of his trash reputation, after all. He's gonna surprise them on the day of the duel.
And since he already noticed them, Shi Long used this chance to peek at their destiny. It's a long shot but there could be more protagonists hiding in some corner of the Outer Sect.
As a leech, those are his nutrition!
Pain could be endured and missed opportunities would hurt him more than it.
Unfortunately, none of the disciples was considered a protagonist or a minor one. Their colors varied though but the most prominent was gray. According to the system, those are mob characters. At least, those with a hint of other colors had different destinies waiting for them. Just that none of their halos reached the necessary size to be considered important.
[Ding!]
[Sufficient time has passed.]
[Host's leech destiny has successfully latched onto Zhan Jun's luck.]
[By staying close to him, Host will be able to generate Leech Points in random intervals]
[Host has received 5 Leech Points]
Casting away the thought of failed scouting of other protagonists, Shi Long was jubilant at the new set of system messages.
'I shouldn't just stay close to him. Influence his fate and not be stuck to his occasional lucky encounters should be my goal.'
Shi Long glanced at his clueless buddy as he started thinking of various possibilities.