The morning sun blazed down on Qingfeng Town, but today, its rays seemed to carry an extra charge of excitement. The Annual Martial Arts Tournament was the highlight of the year, a grand spectacle where the younger generation of the three major cultivation families—Hu, Li, and Wang—showcased their talents, vying for glory, resources, and the attention of elders. A makeshift arena, surrounded by tiered wooden stands, had been erected in the town square, already packed with eager spectators.
The air hummed with anticipation. Cultivators from various minor families, merchants, and ordinary townsfolk jostled for a better view. On the elevated platform reserved for the prominent figures, the patriarchs and elders of the Hu, Li, and Wang families sat, their faces a mix of solemnity and pride as their disciples prepared. Hu Tian, the Hu Family Patriarch, sat at the center, his gaze cold and calculating, occasionally sweeping towards the town entrance.
One after another, the young talents made their entrance. The disciples of the Li Family, clad in elegant green robes, exuded grace. The Wang Family's disciples, in sturdy brown tunics, displayed a rugged, unyielding aura. But the loudest cheers erupted for the Hu Family contingent, led by Hu Lei, who strode confidently into the arena, his cyan brocade robe shimmering. He was indeed a handsome youth, his Qi Condensation Realm Intermediate Stage cultivation radiating subtly, drawing admiring glances. He scanned the crowd, a sneer playing on his lips, searching for a familiar, despised figure.
Just as the opening ceremony was about to begin, a ripple went through the crowd. All eyes turned to the main entrance. A lone figure, cloaked in a simple, dark robe, walked with a calm, unhurried pace. It was Lin Feng.
A hush fell over the square, quickly replaced by a cacophony of whispers.
"Is that... Lin Feng? The wretch?" "He actually dared to come!" "Look at him! He looks... different." "I heard he humiliated Young Master Hu Lei!"
Lin Feng ignored the stares and the murmurs. His spiritual sense, sharpened by his recent cultivation, picked up the mix of curiosity, disbelief, and a nascent fear. He walked directly to the registration table, his movements fluid and natural, a stark contrast to his former awkwardness.
The registration elder, a minor Hu Family member, looked up, his eyes widening in surprise. "You... Lin Feng? Do you intend to participate?"
"I do," Lin Feng stated simply, his voice calm.
The elder hesitated. "The tournament is for cultivators. You... you don't have a spiritual root."
Lin Feng's lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smirk. "I qualify."
Before the elder could argue further, Elder Hu from the main platform cleared his throat. "Let him register. The tournament is open to all who believe they possess the strength." His gaze was fixed on Lin Feng, a deep curiosity in his eyes. He wanted to see what this 'wretch' had truly become.
With Elder Hu's word, the registration elder reluctantly processed Lin Feng's name. Lin Feng received a wooden token with the number '7' carved into it. He then moved to the waiting area, a small space where the other participants stood, many of whom now stared at him with open disdain or amusement. Hu Lei's eyes, however, held a dangerous glint, mixed with a hint of apprehension.
The tournament rules were simple: one-on-one duels, no killing blows, but injuries were expected. The winner advanced.
The first few matches were quick, showcasing the basic skills of the younger generation. Then, it was Lin Feng's turn.
"Match Number Three! Lin Feng versus Li Xuan!" the announcer boomed.
A young man from the Li Family, Li Xuan, stepped onto the arena. He was a Qi Condensation Realm Initial Stage cultivator, confident in his basic sword techniques. He looked at Lin Feng, a frown on his face. "A wretch dares to challenge me? Get off the stage, before you embarrass yourself."
Lin Feng merely shook his head. "Begin."
Li Xuan scoffed, drawing his sword. "You asked for it!" He lunged forward, his sword flashing with a faint spiritual light, aiming for Lin Feng's shoulder.
Lin Feng didn't draw a weapon. He didn't even use a complex technique. As Li Xuan's sword approached, Lin Feng's body blurred slightly. He shifted, his movements precise and economical, just enough to dodge the direct strike.
[Speed Boost (Basic) activated. Movement speed increased by 10%.]
Li Xuan's sword whistled past, missing by a hair's breadth. He was momentarily stunned. How could a 'wretch' be so fast? He quickly adjusted, sweeping his sword horizontally.
Lin Feng met the attack. He didn't block with his hands. Instead, he allowed the sword to graze his arm.
CLANG!
A sharp, metallic sound echoed, surprising everyone. Li Xuan's sword seemed to hit something incredibly hard. He felt a jarring sensation, and his sword bounced off Lin Feng's arm, leaving no mark on his dark robe.
[Flesh Reinforcement (Intermediate) activated. Damage reduced by 10%.]
"What?!" Li Xuan gasped, his eyes wide with disbelief. A direct hit, yet no injury?
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. This was his chance. As Li Xuan stumbled back from the recoil, Lin Feng lunged forward. His speed was astonishing, closing the distance in an instant. He didn't use his Bone Blade. Instead, his hand shot out, grabbing Li Xuan's wrist, just as he had done with Hu Lei.
Li Xuan cried out in alarm, trying to pull away. But Lin Feng's grip was like iron.
[Detected: Li Xuan (Cultivation: Qi Condensation Realm Initial Stage). Can be extracted.] [Extraction suggestion: Spiritual Power (0.4), Sword Technique Comprehension (0.2), Minor Healing Attribute (0.05).]
Lin Feng's mind raced. Spiritual Power was always useful. Sword Technique Comprehension could enhance his understanding of sword arts, maybe even allow him to synthesize a better sword skill. Minor Healing Attribute seemed interesting. He decided to take all three.
"Extract!"
A faint, almost imperceptible shimmer passed from Li Xuan's body to Lin Feng's. Li Xuan suddenly felt a strange weakness, his spiritual power slightly draining, his mind momentarily hazy. He stumbled, his sword clattering to the ground.
[Extraction successful! Received: Spiritual Power (0.4), Sword Technique Comprehension (0.2), Minor Healing Attribute (0.05).]
Lin Feng released Li Xuan's wrist. The young man from the Li Family swayed, looking utterly bewildered and weakened. He couldn't understand what had just happened. He wasn't injured, but he felt as if his very essence had been siphoned away.
"I... I forfeit!" Li Xuan stammered, his face pale. He couldn't fight. He felt too weak.
The announcer, equally stunned, hesitated for a moment before raising his hand. "Lin Feng wins! Lin Feng advances to the next round!"
A stunned silence fell over the arena, then erupted into a roar of chatter.
"He won?!" "How? Li Xuan didn't even get hit properly!" "What did he do? He just touched him!" "Did you see that speed? And his body... it's like steel!"
On the main platform, Hu Tian's eyes were cold as ice. He gripped the armrest of his chair, his knuckles white. Elder Hu's face was grim. This was far more than a "meager fortuitous opportunity." Lin Feng was dangerous.
Hu Lei, watching from the waiting area, felt a cold dread creep into his heart. He had experienced that draining sensation himself. Lin Feng hadn't just gotten lucky; he had a terrifying ability. His hatred for Lin Feng intensified, but so did his fear.
Lin Feng calmly walked off the stage, ignoring the bewildered stares. He checked his System Panel.
[Host: Lin Feng] [Level: 3 (EXP: 140/300)] [Cultivation: Qi Condensation Realm (Intermediate Stage)] [Spiritual Power: 101.5/200] [Attributes:]
Strength: 5
Agility: 6
Physique: 5
Spirit: 7
Cultivation Talent: 0.1
Sword Technique Comprehension: 0.2 (new)
Minor Healing Attribute: 0.05 (new) [Skills:]
Flesh Reinforcement (Intermediate): Reduces 10% physical damage.
Speed Boost (Basic): Increases movement and reaction speed by 10%.
Devouring Art (Basic): Absorbs spiritual energy from all things, converts it into spiritual power. [Extracted Items:]
Venom (0.6)
Dirt Wolf Demon Fur (1)
Demonic Aura (0.4)
Spiritual Power (0.5 + 0.4 = 0.9)
Sword Intent (0.3)
Cultivation Talent (0.1)
Sword Technique Comprehension (0.2)
Minor Healing Attribute (0.05) [Synthesized Items:]
Heavy Stone (Basic) (1)
Black Panther Cloak (Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact) (1)
Bone Blade (Basic) (1)
Weakening Poison (Basic) (1)
Composite Leather Armor (Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact) (1) [System Points: 0]
His spiritual power had crossed 100, reaching 101.5. He had gained new attributes, especially Sword Technique Comprehension, which could prove invaluable. This tournament was indeed a goldmine for him. Every opponent was a potential source of power.
Lin Feng found a quiet spot and sat down, seemingly meditating, but in reality, he was already planning his next moves. The tournament had just begun, and the true challenges, and the true opportunities, lay ahead. He was no longer just surviving; he was thriving. And his System, it was evolving with every steal.