The final gong resonated through the plaza, vibrating in the chests of every servant and disciple present.
BONG.
The sun was directly overhead now, turning the stone stage into a frying pan. The air shimmered with heat.
Jiang Chen stood on the left side of the stage. He looked battered—his chest was still discolored from the poison palm, though the System had neutralized the toxin.
On the right side stood his final opponent: Zhao Feng.
Zhao Feng was not big like Ox Li, nor hidden like Wu An. He was arrogant. He wore a clean blue robe—too expensive for a servant—and in his hand, he held a sword that hummed with a soft, white light.
A Low-Grade Spirit Artifact.
The crowd murmured in jealousy. "That's Young Master Lin's sword! He lent it to his servant?"
"With a Spirit Sword, Zhao Feng can cut through steel. Jiang Chen's tough skin won't save him."
Jiang Chen eyed the blade. He could feel the sharp Qi radiating from it even from ten paces away. It made his skin crawl.
[Threat Assessment: High.]
[Object: "Cloud-Pattern Spirit Sword."]
[Property: Enhances sharpness by 300%. Penetration capability: High.]
[Warning: "Iron Skin" (Beginner) is insufficient. Do not block.]
"Jiang Chen," Zhao Feng smirked, testing the weight of the blade. "You had a good run. But Young Master Lin bet on me. So, please lie down and let me cut off your legs. It will be less painful."
Jiang Chen didn't smile. He adjusted his stance, lowering his center of gravity.
"If you want my legs," Jiang Chen said, "come and take them."
"Have it your way!"
Zhao Feng charged. He wasn't a cultivator, but the sword guided his hand. He slashed horizontally, a wave of white light trailing the blade.
Jiang Chen ducked.
Shing!
The blade sliced through the air where his head had been, severing a lock of his hair. The wind pressure alone stung his scalp like a papercut.
Zhao Feng didn't stop. He twirled the sword and stabbed downward.
Jiang Chen rolled to the side. The sword plunged into the wooden floorboards, slicing through the thick timber like it was wet tofu.
'It's too sharp,' Jiang Chen realized. 'If that touches me, I lose a limb.'
[Pattern Analysis: Opponent is over-reliant on the weapon. His footwork is sloppy.]
[Wait for the over-swing.]
Zhao Feng pulled the sword free and slashed again. "Stop running, rat!"
He swung a wide, powerful overhead chop, aiming to split Jiang Chen in two.
'Now.'
Jiang Chen didn't retreat. He stepped in.
He moved into Zhao Feng's guard, mere inches from his face. The sword was descending, but Jiang Chen was already inside the arc of the swing.
Zhao Feng's eyes widened. "What—"
Jiang Chen didn't punch him. He used his shoulder to slam into Zhao Feng's sword arm, right at the armpit.
BAM.
The impact jarred Zhao Feng's joint. The sword swing went wide, smashing into the stage floor.
Before Zhao Feng could recover, Jiang Chen grabbed the servant's wrist with both hands.
[Strength 4.3 engaged.]
"Drop it," Jiang Chen hissed.
He twisted.
CRACK.
Zhao Feng screamed as his wrist was bent backward at an unnatural angle. His fingers popped open involuntarily. The Spirit Sword clattered to the floor.
"My hand! My hand!" Zhao Feng wailed, falling to his knees.
Jiang Chen didn't look at the screaming man. He looked at the sword lying on the wood.
[Item Detected: Spirit Weapon.]
[System Recommendation: Steal it.]
Jiang Chen bent down and picked up the sword. It felt warm. It felt powerful.
He looked at Zhao Feng. "You said you wanted my legs?"
Jiang Chen raised the sword.
"No! No, I yield! I yield!" Zhao Feng scrambled backward, terrified, pissing himself in front of the entire sect.
Jiang Chen held the blade for a second, the temptation to strike lingering in his mind. Then, with a sneer, he stabbed the sword into the floorboards, inches from Zhao Feng's crotch.
THUNK.
The servant fainted from fear.
"Winner! And Champion! Jiang Chen!"
The Referee shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the roar of the crowd. Even the disciples were cheering now. A servant defeating a Spirit Weapon user? It was a legend in the making.
Jiang Chen stood in the center of the stage, breathing heavily. He had done it.
DING!
[Quest Complete: The Tournament.]
[Rank: 1st Place.]
[Reward: +50 EV, Mystery Item Box.]
[Current EV: 34 + 50 = 84]
Before he could check the Mystery Box, a shadow fell over the stage.
The cheering died down instantly.
Elder Han descended from the sky, floating gently down to the platform. He was an old man with a long white beard, smelling of sulfur, burnt herbs, and old blood. His eyes were sharp, intelligent, and completely devoid of warmth.
"Jiang Chen," Elder Han said, his voice smooth as silk.
Jiang Chen bowed low. "Elder."
"You have surprised us all," Elder Han smiled. "A body that resists poison. Strength that rivals a beast. You are... a rare specimen."
He placed a hand on Jiang Chen's shoulder. It felt like a heavy iron clamp.
"I hereby promote you to Outer Disciple."
Elder Han handed him a gray token.
"Furthermore," Elder Han continued, his grip tightening slightly, "I see great potential in your physique. You will not go to the Sword Hall or the Array Hall. You are assigned to My personal jurisdiction."
The crowd gasped. To be personally chosen by an Elder? That was a huge honor!
But Jiang Chen saw the look in Elder Han's eyes. It wasn't the look of a teacher finding a student. It was the look of a scientist finding a lab rat.
"You will report to the Alchemy Peak tonight," Elder Han commanded. "I have a special regimen prepared for you to... unlock your potential."
[Warning: Malicious Intent Detected.]
[Warning: Target intends to dissect/refine Host.]
Jiang Chen's blood ran cold. He wanted to refuse. He wanted to run.
But Elder Han was at the Foundation Establishment Stage. If Jiang Chen ran, he would be dead in a second.
[System Advisory: Accept.]
[The Alchemy Peak contains the Sect's Pill Vault. Danger is high. Potential Gain is infinite.]
Jiang Chen swallowed his fear. He looked up and forced a smile.
"Thank you, Elder. I am honored."
Elder Han laughed, a dry, raspy sound. "Good. Very good. Come to my laboratory at sunset. Do not be late."
The Elder flew away.
Jiang Chen stood on the stage, the "Champion" token in his hand. The other servants looked at him with envy, wishing they were him.
They didn't know he had just been sentenced to a fate worse than death.
Jiang Chen looked at the setting sun.
"Laboratory," he whispered.
[New Quest Chain: The Alchemy Peak.]
[Objective 1: Infiltrate the Laboratory.]
[Objective 2: Locate the "Pill Vault".]
[Objective 3: Eat everything.]
Jiang Chen's grin returned, sharper and darker than before.
"Fine," he muttered. "He wants to test me? Let's see who survives the experiment."