The duelling arena buzzed with anticipation. Clan elders, juniors, and guards gathered to witness a battle that had become the talk of the Nangoum stronghold. The air crackled with spiritual energy, and murmurs spread like wildfire as Nyra Nangoum and Jin faced each other in the ring.
"You can't defeat me," Nyra said, her voice calm but firm. Her violet eyes gleamed with confidence. "I can defeat you without even using spiritual power."
Jin smirked. "Then stop talking and begin."
The moment the words left his mouth, the duel began. Nyra dashed forward, her sword gleaming as it danced through the air. She launched a flurry of attacks, each slash fast and calculated. But Jin remained unfazed, effortlessly parrying every strike with minimal movement. His expression was calm, almost bored.
"Is that all you can do?" he mocked, brushing aside another strike.
Nyra's eyes narrowed in irritation. "I was holding back because I didn't want to hurt you," she said, her tone sharp. "But now, I realize you need to be taught a lesson. Forget what I said—I'm using spiritual energy."
She took a step back, raised her sword, and exhaled slowly.
"Butterfly Dance Sword Technique: First Move—Butterfly Rain!"
As she swung her blade, a stream of glowing butterflies formed in the air, each shimmering with magical energy. The butterflies fluttered around her for a moment before launching toward Jin in a dazzling wave.
High above in the spectator stands, Xing Tian, Jin's grandfather, leaned forward. "That… is the Butterfly Sword Technique."
Song Yun, the leader of the Nangoum Clan, nodded proudly. "Yes."
"How many moves has she mastered?" Xing Tian asked.
"Three," Song Yun replied with a proud smile.
Xing Tian's eyes gleamed. "Impressive. Mastering the first three moves of the Butterfly Dance is no small feat."
He turned to explain to the juniors behind him. "The Butterfly Dance Sword Technique was created by the thirteenth leader of the Nangoum Clan. It's one of their most powerful heritage techniques. It has a total of nine moves, each more complex and deadly than the last."
Song Yun chuckled. "Your grandson may be a cultivation genius, Xing Tian, but when it comes to technique, can he really stand against Nyra?"
Xing Tian smiled mysteriously. "In pure technique? He could defeat me. Forget about Nyra."
Back in the arena, Jin watched the butterflies come toward him. Each one shimmered with piercing energy. Nyra smirked.
This is the signature move of my clan. You'll lose from just this one attack, she thought confidently.
But Jin merely raised an eyebrow.
The butterflies surged. Jin leapt and twisted through the air, using swift movements to evade. His calm expression didn't waver.
Then, a memory sparked in his mind.
Flashback: Jin's Fifth Birthday
Ding!
[System Notification: Congratulations, Host. You've reached your fifth birthday. Every five years, a new system function is unlocked.]
[New Function: Simulator Activated. You can now fight simulated versions of opponents in a controlled space. Their cultivation can be raised or lowered. These simulations are not real, and no real injuries are sustained.]
[New Quest: Go hunting and reach Level 50. Break through to the Golden Core Realm. Reward: A secret treasure map of the Imperial City.]
Jin's eyes lit up. "Go hunting, huh? They never let me go alone... But maybe I can convince Grandpa."
Later that day, Xing Tian approached him. "What do you want for your birthday, Jin?"
Jin smiled slyly. "I want to go hunting."
"Absolutely not," Xing Tian replied instantly. "You're too young."
"Then let's make a bet," Jin offered. "Let's fight each other at the same cultivation level. If I win, you let me go hunting."
Xing Tian raised an eyebrow. "Alright."
They stood across from each other in a training courtyard.
"Ready to fight?" Xing Tian asked.
"Wait! How can I fight you fairly with your cultivation level?" Jin asked.
Xing Tian smirked. "Fine." He lowered his cultivation to the 9th level of the Foundation Realm.
"That's too low," Jin protested. "I'm already at the ninth level. At least make it a challenge."
"Even if you're a genius, you can't defeat me," Xing Tian said with a grin. "I have experience, techniques, and instincts you lack."
Jin frowned. "System, he's going easy on me. Do something!"
[Subquest Activated: Survive three moves from Xing Tian at the Golden Core level.]
[Reward: A random anime memory from Earth. You may choose one skill to learn from it.]
Jin's eyes sparkled. I can finally recover part of my memory!
He entered the simulator space.
Inside the illusion, Xing Tian appeared, cloaked in aura.
"First move!" Xing Tian shouted, launching forward.
His fist glowed with light. White Tiger Fist: First Move!
A torrent of aura burst forth, striking the ground as Jin barely dodged.
"Good reflexes," Xing Tian acknowledged.
He attacked again. "Second move!"
Jin braced himself. A spectral tiger formed in Xing Tian's fist and surged forward. Jin raised his arms to block, but the power was too much. Bones cracked. Pain lanced through his body.
"System! Add 20 points to health!"
[Error: You cannot allocate stat points inside the simulation.]
"I'm screwed," Jin muttered. "Should have allocated them beforehand."
Xing Tian chuckled. "Still standing? Then take my third move!"
"White Tiger Fist: Third Move—Soaring Fang!"
A massive white tiger formed behind him, its roar echoing across the simulator. Jin tried every defensive technique he knew, but the beast crashed through his guard.
[System Warning: Host HP dropping rapidly. Current: 10%... 9%... 8%...]
Jin's vision blurred. He clenched his teeth. If this continues, I'll die...
Then, an idea sparked. He reached deep into his bloodline's potential.
"Space Magic: Spatial Blink!"
In a blink, he vanished from the tiger's path, reappearing behind it.
[Quest Complete. Reward Granted.]
[Random Anime Memory Unlocked: Jujutsu Kaisen. Begin memory integration.]
Jin saw Earth. The bright cities, towering buildings, and roaring traffic. And then, scenes from the anime flooded his mind—curses, techniques, and one ability stood out.
[Choose a skill from the anime to integrate into your system.]
"I choose... Infinite Void."
[Installing Skill: Infinite Void.]
Skill: Infinite Void
Type: Defensive Barrier
Description: Creates a powerful domain that blocks attacks from cultivators up to two realms higher. Duration: 10 seconds. High spiritual energy consumption.
Jin smirked. Now that's a skill worth having.