Chapter 4: Bluffs, Breakthroughs, and Brewing Chaos
---
A Moment of Panic
Xu Tian stood frozen on the sparring platform, all eyes fixed on him. Luo Ying's piercing gaze was like a sword poised to strike, her tone daring him to speak further.
"Prove it," she repeated, her voice calm yet commanding.
Xu Tian's mind raced. How did I get into this mess?
[(Reminder: Task progress depends on host's actions. Failure to convince Luo Ying will result in penalties.)]
"Yeah, yeah," Xu Tian muttered under his breath. "Thanks for the reminder, System. Real helpful."
Taking a deep breath, he forced a confident smile. "Of course, Senior Sister. I'd be happy to demonstrate."
Luo Ying raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "You? A first-level Qi Condensation disciple, fresh out of the dormitories, think you can instruct me on cultivation?"
"Well," Xu Tian said, scratching the back of his neck, "sometimes fresh perspectives reveal overlooked truths."
The disciples murmured, some stifling laughter, others genuinely curious.
"Very well," Luo Ying said, stepping aside. "Show me."
---
Bluffing the Impossible
Xu Tian stepped onto the center of the platform, his wooden sword still in hand. Alright, Xu Tian, think. How do you fake expertise in something you barely understand?
[(Host is advised to use creativity and available resources. Bluffing is acceptable but must appear convincing.)]
Xu Tian sighed. "Fantastic advice, System. Really."
He cleared his throat and turned to face Luo Ying. "Senior Sister, your current technique is powerful but lacks fluidity. Watch closely, and I'll demonstrate a more dynamic approach."
He raised the wooden sword, adopting what he hoped looked like a professional stance. Closing his eyes, he visualized all the martial arts movies he'd seen in his past life. Then, with exaggerated movements, he began a series of slow, sweeping strikes.
The disciples watched in stunned silence as Xu Tian performed what could only be described as interpretive dance with a sword.
"Notice the flow," Xu Tian said, his voice steady. "Energy isn't something you force—it's something you harmonize with."
To his surprise, some disciples nodded as if they understood. Luo Ying, however, remained unimpressed.
"And where," she asked, "is the spiritual energy in this 'flow' you speak of?"
Xu Tian hesitated. Crap.
[(System suggestion: Incorporate a minor spiritual energy display for credibility. Channel energy into the wooden sword.)]
"You want me to channel energy? I don't even know how to do that!" Xu Tian hissed under his breath.
[(Basic guidance provided. Visualize the flow of energy within your dantian, then direct it toward your weapon. Efficiency not guaranteed.)]
"Not helpful!"
Luo Ying crossed her arms. "Is that all? Or are you stalling?"
Xu Tian gritted his teeth. "Fine. Watch this!"
He closed his eyes again, this time genuinely attempting to channel energy as the System instructed. At first, there was nothing but frustration. Then, he felt a faint warmth in his chest, like the flicker of a candle.
Is this it? he wondered, focusing harder. Slowly, he directed the sensation toward the wooden sword.
To his astonishment, the sword began to emit a faint, flickering glow.
The crowd gasped. Even Luo Ying's eyes widened slightly, though she quickly masked her surprise.
"See?" Xu Tian said, forcing a smug grin. "It's all about the flow."
---
Luo Ying's Counter
Luo Ying stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "Impressive. For a beginner."
"Uh, thanks?" Xu Tian said, unsure whether to feel complimented or insulted.
"However," she continued, drawing her own sword, "theory means little without practical application. Let's spar."
Xu Tian's stomach dropped. "S-Spar?"
"Yes," she said, her voice firm. "Show me how this 'flow' of yours holds up in combat."
[(New task initiated: Survive a sparring match with Luo Ying. Bonus reward: Increased favorability with Senior Sister Luo Ying.)]
Xu Tian groaned inwardly. Why does everything have to be so complicated?
---
The Sparring Match
The crowd buzzed with excitement as Xu Tian and Luo Ying faced off.
"This is going to be brutal," Guo Fan whispered from the sidelines.
"I'll try not to hurt you," Luo Ying said, her tone almost kind.
Xu Tian forced a grin. "Appreciated, Senior Sister. Truly."
Luo Ying made the first move, her sword cutting through the air with precision and speed. Xu Tian yelped and jumped back, barely dodging the strike.
[(Host is advised to focus on defense. Reactive tactics are recommended against stronger opponents.)]
"No kidding!" Xu Tian muttered, raising his sword to block the next attack.
Luo Ying's strikes were relentless, each one calculated and precise. Xu Tian stumbled and flailed, his movements more luck than skill. Yet, somehow, he managed to avoid being hit.
The crowd watched in awe, mistaking Xu Tian's desperate dodges for masterful evasion.
"Is he actually holding his own?" one disciple murmured.
"He's like a drunken monkey!" another exclaimed.
Xu Tian's arms ached, his breath coming in ragged gasps. *I can't keep this up!*
[(Host's stamina is depleting. Suggest using environmental distractions to gain an advantage.)]
"Like what?!"
Before the System could respond, Xu Tian's foot caught on a loose stone, sending him tumbling forward. He crashed into Luo Ying, their swords clattering to the ground.
The crowd gasped.
When the dust settled, Xu Tian found himself sprawled on top of Luo Ying, their faces inches apart.
"Oh, crap," he whispered.
Luo Ying's cheeks turned a deep shade of red, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Get. Off."
"Right! Sorry!" Xu Tian scrambled to his feet, offering a hand to help her up. She ignored it, standing on her own and brushing herself off.
The crowd erupted in laughter and cheers, interpreting the incident as part of Xu Tian's unpredictable style.
"Well played, Xu Tian!" someone shouted.
Xu Tian forced a sheepish grin, silently thanking the heavens for his dumb luck.
The sparring match ended without a clear winner, but Xu Tian's performance had earned him unexpected recognition.
"You're lucky," Luo Ying said as she sheathed her sword. "Next time, you won't escape so easily."
"Next time?" Xu Tian asked, horrified.
She didn't respond, walking away with a faint smirk.
[(Task complete. Reward granted: Minor Spiritual Energy Boost. Current progress toward Fool's Ascension: 0.3%.)]
"Three percent? That's it?" Xu Tian groaned. "I almost died!"
[(Host is advised to maintain perspective. Incremental progress ensures stability.)]
"Incremental progress my—" Xu Tian stopped mid-rant as Guo Fan approached.
"That was amazing!" Guo Fan said, clapping him on the back. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"
"Oh, you know," Xu Tian said, waving a hand. "Self-taught."
Guo Fan's eyes sparkled with admiration. "You've got to teach me!"
"Sure," Xu Tian said, forcing a grin. "Right after I, uh, rest for a bit."
---
A Brewing Storm
As the day wore on, Xu Tian found himself reflecting on his newfound notoriety. While the attention was nice, it also painted a target on his back.
"Just my luck," he muttered, staring at the cracked ceiling of his dormitory. "I've gone from nobody to... whatever this is."
[(Host's actions are drawing the attention of sect elites. Upcoming challenges are likely to increase in difficulty.)]
"Fantastic," Xu Tian said, rolling his eyes. "Can't wait."
Unbeknownst to him, trouble was already brewing. In a shadowy corner of the sect, a group of senior disciples whispered among themselves, their expressions grim.
"That upstart Xu Tian is making waves," one said.
"He's a threat to our status," another agreed.
"Then we'll have to deal with him," the leader said, his voice cold.
---
To Be Continued...
This chapter builds on Xu Tian's chaotic journey, introducing new challenges, comedic misunderstandings, and hints of future conflict. With Luo Ying's interest piqued and enemies lurking in the shadows, Xu Tian's life in the Fallen Cloud Sect is about to get even more complicated.