I take this opportunity in great strides. I don't know the probability of the cultivators choosing to challenge me, but I will gladly receive what they will give me. After all, I am in a stump for a while on how I can structure the 'skill system' for my players.
Bao Zeming who seems to never tire, screams in a thrilling manner at the sound of drums. "For the King's Challenge. As per the mutual agreement of the sects and the royal Biron Kingdom. The challenges from the sects shall take precedence according to the rankings since the last King's Challenge!"
The mortal audiences cheer at this news. However, Bao Zeming is not finished yet as he breaks off a new rule. "We have a new champion to the throne. Sharing the seat of power and masters in the ways of cultivation— the Ancient Sage! The sect masters and sect disciples may choose to challenge the Ancient Sage!"
At the mention of 'Ancient Sage', I stand up and wave my hands. They don't know of me because I do not have any public renown yet they cheer for me, and for a good reason.
To be able to seat equally with the king means a great deal. I can literally just kick a random Biron citizen and no one would dare to call me for it. It would ruin the King's face though. I am just glad that old Fu Shi has still connections to the world. This is a good sign. Maybe I can get in touch with his other older acquaintance, this way, I will be able to learn of some of the gaps in old Fu Shi's memories.
As the cheering reaches its peak, I showcase my power by making the very air stir using my telekinesis. I push the air outwards from the arena, the stadium, and the bleachers causing those who are watching to be literally breathless.
After a second, I pull out my power returning the air to the surroundings, returning the people's breaths.
"Such power!" Bao Zeming exclaims nervously sweating from where he stands. I feel sorry for him. He almost fell from the spire. "Now that we have seen the Ancient Sage's might! Let's give him great applause to our one and only King Biron Yin Wei!"
The crowd goes ballistic like none other. Their fanaticism is unlike their cheering for the famous sect masters. Yin Wei must have done an incredible job as a King. To his people, he is their god!
Yin Wei waves his hand to greet his people and he doesn't need to resort to any theatrics to earn his people's awe. I feel proud of Yin Wei. Though he is not really my disciple, not even a direct acquaintance, I think of Yin Wei someone who is close to me.
Not just for old Fu Shi's identity, but also for me and mine alone, he is a friend. If someone treats you preferentially and with generosity, you must reciprocate back.
Bao Zeming booms with his voice all too excited to begin. "The rank 1 challenger since the last King's Challenge with a survival time of 12 minutes and 32 seconds. The representative champion of Beautiful Berserker Sect— Ru Sying!"
"I challenge the old man!" She shouts with decisiveness, yet with unique impudence.
I don't mind being called an old man at all. I gently smile at her. "Yes, yes, this old man is coming down now." I hover in the air and descend to the battle arena.
I smile. Because I am in a good mood, it wouldn't be so bad to tease my juniors, and while at it tempts them with rewards. I sneak a glance at Yin Wei. I really meant it when I want to hog the challenges of the other sects. This way, I can study their martial arts and research ways I can tackle the 'skills' problem for my players.
"I wouldn't attack, and would only defend in the first ten minutes. If you manage to make me move in the first ten minutes. I will reward you with a superior artifact!" I draw from my Spiritual Storage and draw a bunch of Superior-grade artifacts and juggle them on the air with my telekinesis.
I can feel the greedy gazes of the cultivators around me.
But it looks like Ru Sying has a different opinion. "No, old man! I don't want your treasures! Help me find a husband! If I win, help me find a husband!" She repeats the husband part afraid that I didn't hear her.
"I hear you, okay? But find you a husband? My sect does have fetching young men… But before you start thinking of men, I must know if you have the capabilities to move me in ten minutes!" My mind wanders to Nee Chen and Lurker… Nee Chen is already taken but all is fair in love and war.
Bao Zeming taking this as a hint for me to officially start, screams once more. This guy just doesn't tire easily. "LEET USss RUUUN THE GAUNTLETTT!"
The sound of the gong rings pure and true.
Ru Sying rushes at me with force. She is like a raging bear that is about to smash its whole weight. But it didn't even make me flinch. My Mind's Eye sees through her battle spirit that invites dread and fear. I calm my mind with telepathy, and with firm focus, I scatter my psychic tendrils and activate my recently acquired Barrier power.
"Berserker Fist: World Shatterer!"
It is a very dominating martial art. I imagine if it were at least 6th stage, I would have to take this more seriously. I feel my barrier quiver. I just stand there like it was nothing.
"Berserker Fist: Earth Shaker!
With her closed fist, Ru Sying brings down her fist like a hammer. It is a martial art that seems to shake the world. The quivering that was still there from 'World Shatterer' amplifies by several folds.
To my eyes even with old Fu Shi's memories, I see this martial art as monstrously impressive. I feel my barrier, breaking and having cracks over it. I use my Telekinesis to fix the barrier.
"Berserker Fist: Planar Shifting!"
At this point, I realize she is doing combo skills. This is so fun. I am happy enough with just this. Maybe I wouldn't be able to find a way to assimilate the natural martial arts of cultivators into the system, but I am learning a lot today as a cultivator.
I feel the world shifting. The next thing I know is that I am standing ten meters from where I was standing. I start clapping! "Incredible! Incredible! You are able to move me at exactly the 9th minute and 37 seconds!"
The crowd is very still and in its silence, they seem to be drowning. The sect masters of the other sects seem to realize that Ru Sying of the Beautiful Bereserker sect has become so much stronger since ten years ago.
However, I am not done yet! I add further fuel to the fire as I offer another challenge!
"If you are able to last five minutes against me, I will give you a Masterpiece grade artifact!"
The crowd both mortals and cultivators goes ballistic and unhinged at the news. They wouldn't see a cultivator more generous than I. It is as if I had Heaven's Vault in my home!
I urge my telekinesis. As I was too excited, I think I kind of put more force than necessary. I slap Ru Sying with the invisible force I wield… and she was flung so hard she skids on the arena until she stops at the very wall where she engraves her shape.