It was early morning in the village of Kalith, and Kailash was trying and failing to meditate in peace.
His mind, still full of excitement from reaching Basic Level 2 which refused to settle down.
But just as he started to get into the zone, a loud knock on his door shattered the quiet.
"Kailash! Get up!"
It was Ajit, and from the tone of his voice, something was either very wrong or ridiculously exciting.
Kailash sighed, standing up and brushing off the dirt from his robes.
He opened the door to find Ajit, grinning like an overexcited child.
"What's going on?" Kailash asked, squinting into the morning sun.
"The biggest news of the century!" Ajit declared dramatically. "There's going to be a tournament in Tethar Town, and it's only for people our age below 14! You, my friend, have been personally summoned by the village elders to participate."
Kailash blinked, letting the words sink in. "A tournament? In Tethar?" He rubbed his temples. "Wait… why me?"
"Why not you?" Ajit said, slapping him on the back. "You're the closest thing we have to a cultivator superstar. Besides, they said the prizes are incredible. Lots of rare stuff, pills, weapons, cultivation manuals, you name it."
Kailash's interest was piqued, but he also felt a twinge of nervousness. "What exactly is this tournament about? Just fighting?"
"Exactly! It's a big competition for people from all the nearby villages. Elders think it'll help with your combat skills. You know, so you stop swinging that sword around like you're chasing a mosquito."
Kailash gave him a look. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"
Ajit smirked. "Absolutely. And, uh, not to add more pressure, but the elders expect you to win."
Within minutes, Kailash found himself in the village square, surrounded by a gaggle of enthusiastic villagers, each eager to share their opinions on the tournament.
"Ah, there he is! The future champion!" Ravi called out, waving Kailash over.
"You know," Ravi said, stroking his long beard, "I've killed plenty of beasts in my time, but nothing teaches you how to fight like a good old-fashioned brawl with a human opponent. Beasts are predictable. People? Not so much. You've got to be smart. Tactical."
Kailash nodded politely, though his stomach was already knotting with anxiety.
Just then, Elder Raghav appeared waving for Kailash to join him.
"Come, Kailash," Raghav said in his usual calm tone. "We need to explain exactly what you're getting yourself into with this tournament."
The small crowd of villagers parted as Kailash followed Raghav to a quieter corner. Ajit tagged along, clearly eager to hear more.
"So, what exactly is this tournament?" Kailash asked, genuinely curious now that the initial excitement had worn off. "What are the rules?"
Raghav took a deep breath before explaining. "This tournament is held every two years in Tethar Town to discover promising young cultivators from the surrounding villages. It's primarily a fighting competition, but it's not just about brute strength."
He paused, glancing at Kailash to make sure he was following. "There are three rounds. The first round is a simple test of combat skills you'll face off against other participants in one-on-one duels. Winning doesn't mean you need to knock out your opponent; it's about skill, technique, and showing your potential as a cultivator."
Kailash nodded. "Alright, I can handle that."
"But it gets tougher," Raghav continued. "The second round tests your ability to handle multiple opponents at once. It's about strategy, knowing when to fight and when to defend. Not all of these opponents will be human, either. The organizers like to throw in spiritual beasts to keep things interesting."
Kailash raised an eyebrow. "Spiritual beasts? Great. As if regular opponents weren't enough."
"You've faced one before," Raghav said with a small smile. "Consider it training."
Kailash asked "And the final round?"
Raghav's expression grew serious. "The final round is a battle royal. All the participants who've made it that far will be placed in a large arena, and the last few standing will be the winners."
Kailash's eyes widened. "Last few standing? That sounds chaotic."
"It is," Raghav admitted. "But it's the best way to determine who has the instincts of a true cultivator. You'll have to balance offense and defense while keeping an eye on all the other competitors. The goal isn't necessarily to win by fighting everyone it's to survive the chaos."
Ajit whistled, clearly impressed. "Now that sounds intense. You ready for that, Kailash?"
Kailash wasn't so sure, but he forced a confident smile. "I guess we'll find out."
Raghav nodded approvingly. "The rewards are substantial, and they're divided among the top three participants. First place gets the most valuable prize a high-tier cultivation manual and a rare Qi-enhancing pill. The second and third places receive various spiritual items and weapons."
Kailash's mind raced.
A high-tier cultivation manual could accelerate his progress by leaps and bounds. And the Qi-enhancing pill?
That could take him closer to the next level.
"That's... a lot on the line," Kailash muttered.
Raghav patted him on the shoulder. "We believe in you, Kailash. But remember, this isn't just about winning. It's about gaining experience, learning how to adapt, and showing the strength of our village. The whole town will be watching, and you're our representative."
Kailash's stomach twisted into knots. "No pressure, then."
The rest of the day was filled with preparations as every elder had a piece of advice to offer, and each one seemed to contradict the last.
"You've got to strike fast, before they can react!" Biran told him. "Speed wins."
"No, no, no," Ravi countered, overhearing. "It's all about strength. A single powerful blow will take down even the fastest opponent."
Haran just shook his head. "All of you are wrong. It's about patience. Wait for your moment and strike when they least expect it."
Kailash looked at Ajit, desperate for some sanity. "Are you hearing this? How am I supposed to follow all these instructions at once?"
Ajit grinned. "Welcome to the life of a village hero. Everyone thinks they know best."
By the time the sun began to set, Kailash's head was spinning from the overload of advice.
As he made his way back to his hut, his mind racing with thoughts of combat strategies, footwork, and spiritual beasts, he realized he hadn't even thought about his training gear.
That's when the familiar ding echoed in his head.
"Weekly Store is now open. Would you like to browse the store?"
Kailash sighed but opened the store, his curiosity getting the better of him.
[Store]
1. Agility-Boosting Pills – 150 Qi Crystal
2. Advanced Swordsmanship Scroll – 200 Qi Crystal
3. Combat Stamina Elixir – 100 Qi Crystal
4. Qi-Infused Fighting Gloves (99% Off!) – 2 Qi Crystal
Kailash stared at the screen, his eyes widening when he saw the 99% off offer. "You've got to be kidding me. These deals are rigged for broke people like me."
The Qi-Infused Fighting Gloves were on sale for just 2, down from 200.
They promised to enhance punching power and help him channel Qi more efficiently during combat.
Exactly what he needed.
He quickly glanced at his balance: 3 Qi Crystal
With a grin, Kailash selected the gloves. "Alright, system, let's see if these are as good as you claim."
The gloves materialized in his hands, their leather surface stitched with faintly glowing runes.
As soon as he put them on, he felt a subtle feel of energy flow through him, as though the gloves were enhancing the Qi in his body.
"Not bad at all," Kailash murmured, flexing his fingers in the gloves.
The energy surging through him felt... right. He could sense his Qi flowing more easily into his hands, and he imagined his punches hitting with more power than before.
These gloves could make a big difference in the tournament.
He just hoped they wouldn't fall apart halfway through a fight.
He felt a little more confident now.
The gloves were a bargain, no doubt, but they were quality. "At least the system is throwing me a bone now and then," he muttered.
Then suddenly he realised he forgot to ask them when will the tournament start.