The Azure Heaven Tournament had transformed the Verdant Cloud Sect into a storm of activity. Banners fluttered in the wind, their emerald silk embroidered with golden dragons. Disciples from allied sects flooded the training grounds, their chatter buzzing like locusts. Luo Feng stood at the edge of the crowd, his hands tucked into his sleeves. The system's interface hovered in his vision, a constant reminder of the power he hid:
Cultivation: Qi Condensation Layer 5.
Ascension Points: 320 (+4/hour).
Skills: Phantom Step Technique (Beginner), Basic Combat (Intermediate).
Xiao Bai's warning echoed in his mind: *"Win the tournament, and the sect will hunt you. Lose, and you'll rot here forever."*
He'd spent the last week grinding points—hauling water, hunting low-tier demonic beasts, and even volunteering for night patrols. The system rewarded mundane tasks, but battles paid far more.
"Brother Luo!"
Su Ling weaved through the crowd, her lavender robes fluttering. She pressed a jade vial into his hand. "This'll numb pain during fights. Don't tell Elder Mei I stole the ingredients."
Relationship with Su Ling: Trusted.
"Thank you," he said, pocketing the vial.
Her smile faltered. "Be careful. Zhang Wei's been bragging about crushing you in the first round."
As if summoned, Zhang Wei shoved through the crowd, his beefy arms gleaming with oil. "Ready to embarrass yourself, trash?"
Luo Feng ignored him, focusing on the system's new prompt:
Analyze Target: Zhang Wei.
Cost: 5 Points.
**Yes.**
Text scrolled in his vision:
Cultivation: Qi Condensation Layer 6.
Weaknesses: Left knee (old injury), slow pivot.
Techniques: Mountain Crusher Fist (Beginner).
So the system could dissect opponents. A grin tugged his lips. *This changes the game.*
---
The tournament began at noon. Elders floated above the arena on glowing swords, their robes billowing. Li Xue stood atop the central platform, her ice-blue gaze sweeping the crowd.
"First match: Luo Feng versus Zhang Wei!"
Jeers erupted as Luo Feng climbed the stairs. Zhang Wei cracked his knuckles, his smirk venomous. "I'll break both your arms for what you did."
The elder raised a hand. "Begin!"
Zhang Wei charged, fists glowing with earthy Qi. Luo Feng activated **Phantom Step**, his body blurring as he sidestepped.
Analyze: Mountain Crusher Fist (Beginner) trajectory—predictable.
He ducked under a wild swing and drove a palm into Zhang Wei's left knee.
**Crack.**
Zhang Wei howled, collapsing. The crowd gasped.
"Yield," Luo Feng said quietly.
"Never!" Zhang Wei lunged, but his injured knee buckled. Luo Feng hooked his leg, flipping him onto his back.
"Winner: Luo Feng!"
Ascension Points: +100.
Boos and cheers erupted. Li Xue's frosty gaze followed Luo Feng as he left the arena.
---
That night, Xiao Bai appeared in his hut, her tails flicking lazily. "Not bad, human. But the real fights start tomorrow."
She tossed him a scarlet fruit pulsing with heat. "Fireheart Fruit. Eat it before your next match—it'll boost your Qi for an hour."
Quest Alert: Reach the Tournament's Top 8.
Reward: 500 Points. Unlock System's "Fate Calculation" feature.
Luo Feng frowned. "What's Fate Calculation?"
Xiao Bai grinned. "A way to predict short-term futures. Useful for cheating."
He pocketed the fruit. "Why help me?"
"Let's call it… investment." She vanished, leaving the scent of lotus blossoms behind.
---
The next morning, Luo Feng faced a wiry disciple from the Thunderclap Sect. The boy's staff crackled with lightning.
Analyze: Qi Condensation Layer 7.
Weakness: Overreliance on dominant hand.
Luo Feng activated **Phantom Step**, zigzagging to the boy's left. A kick to the wrist disarmed him.
"Winner: Luo Feng!"
Ascension Points: +150.
By dusk, he'd won three more matches, his points swelling to 720. The crowd's jeers turned to wary murmurs. Even Li Xue watched him now, her icy mask slipping into curiosity.
---
In the quarterfinals, Luo Feng faced a nightmare—a hulking disciple from the Iron Body Sect. The man's skin shimmered like steel, his fists the size of melons.
Analyze: Qi Condensation Layer 9 (Peak).
Weakness: Low stamina, slow recovery.
The gong rang.
The giant charged, each step cracking the arena tiles. Luo Feng ducked and weaved, conserving energy.
*Wear him down.*
Ten minutes in, the giant's breaths turned ragged. Luo Feng struck—a palm to the ribs, a kick to the knee.
**Crack.**
The giant toppled like a felled tree.
"Winner: Luo Feng!"
Ascension Points: +300.
Quest Complete: +500 Points.
Fate Calculation Unlocked.
New Interface:
Fate Calculation (Level 1): Predict target's next move (10% accuracy). Cost: 50 points/use.
---
At the edge of the crowd, Li Xue approached, her frost aura biting. "You're hiding something."
Luo Feng met her gaze. "Aren't we all?"
Her eyes narrowed. "The vault was robbed the night you skipped patrol. Convenient."
Before he could reply, Su Ling intercepted, her smile brittle. "Sister Li, the elders are calling you."
Li Xue left with a final icy glare.
Su Ling whispered, "She's been asking about you. Be careful."
Relationship with Su Ling: Concerned.
---
That night, the system's voice chimed unexpectedly:
Warning: Host's rapid growth has attracted "System Watchers."
Recommended Action: Suppress cultivation for 24 hours.
Luo Feng's blood chilled. *Watchers?*
Xiao Bai materialized, her playful demeanor gone. "Trouble's coming. The Watchers… they're why your system exists."
"What are they?"
"Entities who seed systems like yours across realms. They harvest the strong." She gripped his arm. "Lose tomorrow's semifinal. Drawing their eyes now is suicide."
But the tournament's final prize—a Heavenly Spirit Pill—could push him to Foundation Establishment.
"Your choice," Xiao Bai said, fading into shadows. "Pride or survival."
---
**System Abilities Explained (So Far):**
1. **Ascension Points**: Auto-generated hourly. Rate increases with cultivation.
2. **Upgrade Modules**: Enhance body, cultivation, or skills.
3. **Analyze**: Scout enemy stats/weaknesses (costs points).
4. **Fate Calculation**: Predict actions (accuracy improves with upgrades).
5. **Shop**: Exchange points for items, techniques, or… unconventional boosts.