Chapter 10: The Azure Blade Elder's Visit The Sect in Chaos
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The Fallen Cloud Sect had never looked so busy. Disciples were scrubbing the walkways, cleaning pavilions, and even trimming the overgrown weeds that had been ignored for years. The sect elders barked orders, their usually lax expressions replaced with a mix of anxiety and desperation.
Xu Tian stood at the edge of the main courtyard, watching the chaos unfold.
"Is this a sect or a marketplace before festival day?" he muttered.
Guo Fan, who stood beside him, shot him a nervous glance. "You don't get it. This is huge, Xu Tian. If the Azure Blade Pavilion elder is impressed, our sect could gain resources and recognition."
Xu Tian snorted. "And if they're not?"
"Then the elder might declare us a waste of resources," Guo Fan whispered. "That's happened before to smaller sects. They were disbanded."
[(Host's odds of survival significantly decrease if the sect is disbanded. Consider this visit a high-priority situation.)]
Xu Tian sighed. "Great. No pressure."
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The next morning, the sect gathered at the main gate to welcome the esteemed guest. A procession of Azure Blade disciples, clad in gleaming blue robes, marched in with precision. At their head was a middle-aged man with sharp features and an aura of authority.
Elder Jian Feng of the Azure Blade Pavilion.
"Greetings, Elder Jian," Sect Master Yu bowed deeply, his voice overly polite. "It is an honor to host you."
Elder Jian gave a curt nod. "I hope your sect's reputation does not precede it, Sect Master Yu. I am here to assess your potential."
Xu Tian winced at the thinly veiled insult.
[(Observation: Elder Jian's attitude suggests disdain for the Fallen Cloud Sect. Recommend Host tread carefully.)]
"Oh, you think?" Xu Tian muttered under his breath.
The courtyard had been transformed into an arena, with the sect's most promising disciples standing nervously in a line. Xu Tian was, to his dismay, among them.
Elder Jian's sharp eyes scanned the group. "Let's see what your disciples can do. Begin."
The first disciple stepped forward, demonstrating a basic sword technique. It was... unimpressive.
The second tried a palm technique, but their spiritual energy wavered, causing them to stumble.
Elder Jian's expression grew darker with each performance. "Is this truly the best your sect has to offer?"
Sect Master Yu coughed nervously. "We have one more, Elder Jian. Xu Tian, step forward!"
Xu Tian froze. "Me?!"
Guo Fan nudged him. "Go! You don't have a choice!"
Xu Tian's Performance
Xu Tian walked to the center of the arena, feeling the weight of a hundred eyes on him.
[(New task: Impress Elder Jian with an unconventional display of skill. Reward: Advanced Cultivation Technique Manual. Deadline: Immediate.)]
"Unconventional?" Xu Tian whispered. "You're really not helping."
He took a deep breath, recalling the Spirit Compression Elixir's effects from earlier. His spiritual energy flow was more stable now, but his cultivation was still too low to pull off anything flashy.
"Fine," he muttered. "Time to wing it."
He bent down and picked up a loose rock. "Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, "behold the might of the Cosmic Fool!"
The crowd whispered in confusion as Xu Tian channeled his spiritual energy into the rock. It glowed faintly, then began to hover.
Elder Jian raised an eyebrow. "A mere parlor trick."
"Wait for it," Xu Tian said, grinning. He flicked the rock into the air and, with a precise burst of energy, launched it like a missile.
The rock shot forward, weaving through the air in a complex pattern before slamming into a training dummy at the far end of the courtyard. The dummy exploded in a shower of splinters.
The crowd gasped.
[(Host's ingenuity has improved. Congratulations on successfully utilizing minimal resources for maximum impact.)]
Elder Jian stroked his chin. "That... was unexpected."
Xu Tian smirked, bowing theatrically. "Thank you, thank you. I'm here all week."
As the showcase ended, Elder Jian addressed the sect. "Your disciples lack discipline and technique. However, there is... potential."
He glanced at Xu Tian. "Particularly in those who dare to think outside the box."
Sect Master Yu let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you, Elder Jian. We will strive to improve."
Elder Jian nodded. "See that you do. I will return in a year to assess your progress. If I am not satisfied, there will be consequences."
With that, the Azure Blade Pavilion delegation departed, leaving the sect buzzing with both relief and apprehension.
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Back in the dormitory, Guo Fan couldn't stop grinning. "You did it, Xu Tian! You saved the sect!"
Xu Tian flopped onto his bed, groaning. "I didn't save anything. I just bought us some time."
[(Task complete. Reward issued: Advanced Cultivation Technique Manual. Description: A manual containing techniques for enhancing spiritual energy control and combat efficiency.)]
Xu Tian sat up, examining the glowing scroll that materialized in his hand. "At least this looks useful."
[(Host is advised to study the manual thoroughly to accelerate cultivation progress.)]
"Yeah, yeah," Xu Tian muttered, opening the scroll. As he read through the intricate diagrams and explanations, he felt a flicker of excitement.
For the first time since arriving at the sect, he began to think, Maybe I can actually do this.
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Trouble Lurking
Unbeknownst to Xu Tian, a shadowy figure watched him from the treetops outside the dormitory. The figure's eyes gleamed with malice.
"So, this is the so-called rising talent of the Fallen Cloud Sect," the figure murmured. "He'll make an interesting target."
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To Be Continued...
As Xu Tian celebrates his small victories, a new threat looms on the horizon. Can the Cosmic Fool navigate the perils of cultivation while avoiding the schemes of those who seek to bring him down? Stay tuned for more chaos and comedy!