Chapter 5: Schemes, Shenanigans, and Subtle Surprises
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A Brewing Problem
Xu Tian woke to the distinct feeling of impending doom. The morning sun streamed through the cracked window of his dormitory, yet he couldn't shake the weight on his chest—not metaphorical weight, mind you, but literal weight.
"Guo Fan, get off me!" Xu Tian groaned, shoving at the smaller disciple perched on his bed.
"Xu Tian!" Guo Fan exclaimed, ignoring the complaint. "Did you hear? Senior Brother Zhao Kun is looking for you!"
"Zhao Kun?" Xu Tian asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Who's that? Wait—why is he looking for me?"
"Zhao Kun, one of the senior disciples in the outer sect," Guo Fan explained. "They say he's never lost a duel! And word has it, he didn't take kindly to your little... incident with Senior Sister Luo Ying."
Xu Tian groaned, flopping back onto the thin mattress. "Great. Just great. Can't I get a break for once?"
[(Reminder: Host's rising notoriety attracts both opportunities and dangers. Be prepared to adapt.)]
"Oh, shut up, System," Xu Tian muttered, throwing an arm over his eyes.
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Xu Tian didn't have to wait long before trouble arrived. Barely an hour later, as he tried to sneak his way to breakfast, a group of disciples blocked his path.
At their head stood a tall, broad-shouldered man with sharp features and a smug smirk. He was flanked by a group of sycophants, all of them wearing matching expressions of disdain.
"So," the man said, his voice loud enough to turn heads. "This is the infamous Xu Tian."
Xu Tian sighed. "Let me guess—you're Zhao Kun?"
"That's Senior Brother Zhao Kun to you," the man snapped. "I've heard a lot about you, Xu Tian. A first-level Qi Condensation disciple humiliating Senior Sister Luo Ying? Laughable."
"Humiliate?" Xu Tian raised his hands defensively. "Whoa, whoa, let's get one thing straight. That was an accident. A hilarious accident, sure, but an accident nonetheless."
Zhao Kun's smirk faltered, replaced by a scowl. "Enough excuses. I challenge you to a duel."
[(New task initiated: Defeat Zhao Kun in a duel. Task rewards: Enhanced spiritual energy and reputation boost. Failure will result in a loss of standing within the sect.)]
"Of course," Xu Tian muttered under his breath. "Why not?"
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The Challenge
The duel was scheduled for noon, giving Xu Tian only a few hours to prepare. Word spread like wildfire, and by the time Xu Tian arrived at the training grounds, a sizable crowd had gathered.
Guo Fan trailed nervously behind him. "Xu Tian, are you sure about this? Zhao Kun is a third-level Qi Condensation disciple! That's a whole two levels above you!"
"No," Xu Tian said flatly. "I'm not sure about this at all."
"Then why—"
"Because the System won't let me say no," Xu Tian grumbled. "And because apparently, I have a death wish."
[(Host is encouraged to approach the duel with strategic thinking. Direct combat is inadvisable given the power disparity.)]
"Strategic thinking? That's your advice?" Xu Tian rolled his eyes. "Why don't you just hand me a shovel and tell me to dig my own grave?"
Guo Fan's face went pale. "You're talking to yourself again."
"Am I? Whoops."
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The Duel
Zhao Kun stood confidently in the center of the training grounds, his sword gleaming in the sunlight. His smirk widened as Xu Tian approached.
"Ready to make a fool of yourself?" Zhao Kun taunted.
"Oh, I don't need a duel for that," Xu Tian replied. "I manage just fine on my own."
The crowd chuckled, though Zhao Kun didn't seem amused.
The referee, a stern-looking elder, stepped forward. "This is a formal duel. Both participants, prepare yourselves."
Xu Tian took a deep breath, gripping his wooden sword. Okay, Xu Tian, think. You've bluffed your way through worse.
[(Suggestion: Exploit Zhao Kun's arrogance. Overconfidence is his weakness.)]
The elder raised his hand. "Begin!"
Zhao Kun charged immediately, his sword slicing through the air with practiced precision. Xu Tian yelped and scrambled out of the way, barely dodging the attack.
"Is that all you've got?" Zhao Kun sneered, pressing the assault.
Xu Tian ducked and weaved, his movements erratic and unpredictable. To the untrained eye, it looked like a deliberate strategy. In reality, it was pure panic.
"Stop running!" Zhao Kun growled, swinging his sword in a wide arc.
Xu Tian saw an opening and lunged forward, swinging his wooden sword with all his might. It connected with Zhao Kun's wrist, causing the senior disciple to drop his weapon.
The crowd gasped.
Zhao Kun snarled, summoning a burst of spiritual energy to knock Xu Tian back. Xu Tian flew several feet before landing unceremoniously on his backside.
"Okay," Xu Tian groaned. "That hurt."
[(Host is advised to remain unpredictable. Creativity is key to victory.)]
Xu Tian rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, unpredictability. Got it."
As Zhao Kun approached, Xu Tian grabbed a handful of dirt and flung it at the senior disciple's face.
Zhao Kun staggered back, coughing and rubbing his eyes. The crowd erupted in laughter.
"You little—" Zhao Kun growled, his voice muffled by the dirt.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Xu Tian lunged again, this time striking Zhao Kun's shin. The senior disciple yelped and stumbled, falling to one knee.
The referee stepped in, raising a hand. "Enough! The winner is Xu Tian!"
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Aftermath
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as Xu Tian stood over Zhao Kun, panting and clutching his wooden sword.
"How... how did I win?" Xu Tian muttered to himself.
[(Task complete. Rewards granted: Moderate Spiritual Energy Boost. Current progress toward Fool's Ascension: 0.5%.)]
"That's it? Half a percent?" Xu Tian groaned. "You've got to be kidding me."
Guo Fan rushed to his side, beaming with excitement. "Xu Tian, that was incredible! You actually beat Zhao Kun!"
"Yeah, somehow," Xu Tian said, wincing as he rubbed his sore ribs.
Zhao Kun stood shakily, glaring at Xu Tian. "This isn't over," he spat, storming off.
"Looking forward to it!" Xu Tian called after him, though his grin faltered as soon as Zhao Kun was out of sight.
"Guo Fan," he said, turning to his friend. "I think I just made a powerful enemy."
Guo Fan nodded solemnly. "You definitely did."
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A Growing Storm
Later that evening, Xu Tian sat alone in his dormitory, nursing his bruises. Despite the pain, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
"I actually did it," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I won."
[(Host's actions have increased notoriety. Additional challenges and opportunities are likely to arise.)]
"Yeah, thanks for the warning," Xu Tian muttered.
Unbeknownst to him, Zhao Kun wasn't the only one plotting revenge. In another corner of the sect, a shadowy figure observed the day's events with keen interest.
"So," the figure murmured, "Xu Tian is more resourceful than he seems. This could be... entertaining."
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To Be Continued...
With each victory, Xu Tian's reputation grows, but so do the challenges ahead. Enemies lurk in the shadows, alliances form unexpectedly, and the chaotic journey of the Cosmic Fool continues.