The mysterious figure's sword glinted in the fading light as Li Wei dodged another swing. This guy's fast, like, way too fast for me to even think about winning... Li Wei's mind raced. Okay, okay, survival mode. Let's think—he's strong, I'm weak. What can I do?
"Oi!" Li Wei shouted, trying to catch his breath while sidestepping another strike. "Could you slow down a bit? I'm trying to think of a plan here!"
The mysterious figure's face remained hidden beneath the hood, but his movements didn't falter. "You have no time for plans, Sectmaster. You have only time to prove yourself."
No time for plans? That's a problem. Big problem. Li Wei thought, his heart hammering in his chest. Okay, let's work with what we've got. The system said I just need to survive for 30 minutes...
He glanced around, eyes darting to the stone walls surrounding the courtyard. Maybe I can use the environment?
With a sudden, desperate inspiration, Li Wei leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding a vertical slash that would have split him in half. He then grabbed a nearby broken piece of stone and hurled it at the mysterious figure.
"Take that!" Li Wei yelled, half-expecting the stone to miss completely.
The figure didn't even flinch. In one fluid motion, he swung his sword and sliced the stone clean in half, sending shards flying in every direction.
Li Wei blinked. "Oh, uh, I guess that was a bad idea."
The mysterious figure's lips twitched beneath his hood, though he said nothing. He took a step forward, readying himself for another strike.
Great, so I can't just throw rocks at him...
Thinking quickly, Li Wei turned and bolted, sprinting toward the far end of the courtyard. "Hey, hey! Catch me if you can!" he taunted, putting as much distance between himself and the figure as possible.
The mysterious figure was on him in an instant, his sword flashing like a streak of lightning. Li Wei barely managed to dodge, feeling the wind from the sword's swing pass just inches from his face.
Okay, okay, this is bad. Really bad. I can't run forever! I've got to think of something smart...
As Li Wei ran, he glanced back over his shoulder. The figure was getting closer, but in that moment, Li Wei noticed something strange. The mysterious figure's sword, though powerful, seemed to have a certain rhythm to it. Each attack was precise, but there was an order—an almost predictable flow to his movements.
Wait a minute... is he... toying with me?
The thought hit Li Wei like a thunderclap. If he's toying with me, that means he's not going all out! He's underestimating me... maybe... maybe I can use that to my advantage!
With a grin, Li Wei turned sharply and rushed back toward the mysterious figure.
"Hey! Are you done playing with me, yet?" Li Wei shouted, making himself sound as confident as possible.
The figure's eyes flickered for just a moment, and that was all Li Wei needed. As the figure's sword came down, Li Wei feinted to the left, dodged to the right, and with a burst of energy, managed to land a solid punch to the figure's shoulder.
It wasn't much, but it was enough to push the figure back for a split second.
Li Wei's eyes widened. "I... I actually hit him? Wait, did I?"
Before he could get too excited, the mysterious figure steadied himself, and a dark smile appeared beneath his hood. "Impressive. For someone with no talent. But it will take more than that to defeat me."
Oh, no. Li Wei cursed inwardly. I only managed that because he let me!
"Listen," Li Wei called out, trying to buy some time. "I know I'm weak! But I'm still the Sectmaster! And I'm gonna fight, even if it's not with my fists! I'll outwit you! I'll—uh... I'll outsmart you! Yeah, that's it!"
The mysterious figure paused for a moment, as if considering something.
Outsmart him? Li Wei thought, realizing how foolish it sounded, but in that moment, he remembered the system's task. He needed to survive. That's my only goal right now—survival. Anything else is secondary.
"Alright, alright," Li Wei continued, trying to keep his voice steady. "You want to test me? Fine. But you're not gonna win with just a sword! I'm not the average weakling you think I am! I'll outlast you with my... undying willpower!"
The figure cocked his head to the side. "Undying willpower? Is that your strategy?"
"Yep," Li Wei said with an exaggerated nod, trying his best to sound confident despite his shaking hands. "I've got the heart of a lion. The spirit of a warrior! The... um, legs of a runner! Okay, fine, maybe not the last one. But you get the point! I'm gonna win, and I'll do it my way."
The mysterious figure's amusement was barely perceptible, but Li Wei could feel it. "Very well, Sectmaster. Let us see how long your willpower can withstand the inevitable."
Without another word, the figure lunged at him, and the duel continued.
Li Wei dodged, jumped, and scrambled, every fiber of his being focused on surviving the next few moments. Each second was a battle, and while he wasn't exactly sure how long he'd been at it, the figure's relentless pursuit made him feel like time was dragging on forever.
Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind him.
"Enough."
The mysterious figure halted mid-swing, his body stiffening as the voice cut through the air like a blade. Li Wei spun around, wide-eyed, and saw an older man standing at the gates of the courtyard, his aura overwhelming.
Who is this guy?
The mysterious figure lowered his sword, bowing respectfully. "My apologies, Master."
Li Wei blinked, then turned to the new arrival. "Hold on a second! Who's this now? Another challenger? What, are you all related or something?"
The older man's eyes softened as he looked at Li Wei, and then he spoke, his voice calm but firm. "I've seen enough. This sectmaster... he has something more than meets the eye."
Li Wei's heart skipped a beat. Did he just say I have something? Maybe I'm not totally hopeless after all!