At the Azure Wind Sect...
SLAM!
The main hall's long jade table cracked straight down the middle.
Sect Master Han Feilong stood over it, breathing heavily, his face flushed a shade redder than a fire spirit's backside.
"Did you find out who spread those ridiculous rumors?!"
The hall was silent for a moment. Then Elder Luo stepped forward, arms crossed with a sour face. "It's the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect, Sect Master."
Han Feilong's lip twitched. "The who?"
Elder Luo repeated slowly, as if tasting vinegar. "That… rundown bumpkin shack on the eastern hills."
The air went still.
Then—
"WHAT?!" Han Feilong's bellow echoed through the mountains. "Because of them, we're the laughingstock of the entire region! Our disciples won't even wear our sect robes in public anymore!"
Another elder whispered, "The inner disciples asked if we could rename ourselves to 'Azure Breeze Sect' to sound less... aggressive."
Han Feilong turned to Elder Ming. "Summon all our elders and disciples! We will march down there and erase that sect from—!"
"Wait!" Elder Ming raised a hand.
Everyone froze.
Elder Ming stroked his long, perfectly styled beard. "If we destroy a low-grade sect over some... rumors, what would that make us look like?"
Han Feilong frowned. "Like a sect that doesn't tolerate disrespect?"
"Like insecure bullies with no dignity," Elder Luo interjected. "Which we might be. But we can't admit it."
"So what do you suggest?" Han Feilong growled.
Elder Ming's eyes gleamed. "The Capital City Annual Tournament is just around the corner. All major sects will attend, including disciples from royal families, noble clans, and imperial academies."
He leaned in with a sinister smirk. "We will use our influence to ensure the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect gets invited. And then... we crush them in front of the entire cultivation world."
Another elder added gleefully, "Let them fart in public after that."
Everyone nodded solemnly.
Han Feilong's frown twisted into a sinister grin. "Can we even get them invited?"
Elder Ming bowed slightly. "One of our former elders now serves as the registrar for the Capital Tournament Committee. We'll make it happen."
Han Feilong laughed darkly. "Excellent. We'll wait. And when the curtain rises, the Eternal Radiance Sect will be nothing more than a public joke."
---
Meanwhile, back at the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect...
Li Qingyu sat cross-legged on a golden cushion that was clearly too valuable for his sect's budget.
"How's our soup technique coming along?" he asked.
Su Jian bowed deeply. "Master, we've successfully written the first draft of 'Divine Soup Art: Broth That Breaks Boundaries.' It contains three layers: Simmering Qi, Boiling Spirit, and Overcooked Enlightenment."
"Good. Make sure the third level smells like raw power... and onions."
Hu Daniu burst out of the nearby training field. "Master! I have mastered the Wind-Slicing Belly Flop technique!"
Li Qingyu blinked. "Where did you learn that?"
"I slipped on soup and accidentally squashed a bandit."
"...Approved."
Ziyan returned from town, panting. "Master! Townspeople are starting to ask us for spiritual cooking classes!"
Li Qingyu nodded with the wisdom of a drunken goat. "Excellent. The rumor economy is strong."
The system dinged again:
---
[New System Update: Ridiculous Reputation Reached!]
Sect Prestige +500
System Bonus: "Rumor-Fueled Growth" activated
Your sect is now officially considered insane but powerful
---
Li Qingyu smiled contentedly.
Then suddenly—
BOOM!
A puff of golden mist appeared at the sect's front gate.
A tall figure stepped through, clad in formal robes and bearing an official decree.
"I am Envoy Qian from the Capital Tournament Committee," he announced, voice echoing.
Li Qingyu slowly turned to his disciples.
"Did we... do something illegal?"
Su Jian whispered, "I think it's about our 'Spirit Soup of Invincibility' ad."
Envoy Qian cleared his throat and unrolled a scroll with exaggerated flair.
"By decree of the Capital, the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect is invited to participate in the Grand Annual Capital City Tournament!"
Everyone blinked.
Hu Daniu scratched his head. "Is this because we went viral?"
Li Qingyu stood up and solemnly accepted the scroll. "Tell your masters... we shall attend."
As the envoy bowed and left dramatically, the system gave one final cheerful chime:
---
[Main Quest Unlocked: Survive the Capital Tournament Without Being Flattened]
Bonus Objective: Embarrass at least one noble sect
Optional Side Mission: Win something. Anything. Please.
---
Elder Zhang chewed his melon seeds and stared at the sky.
"Master," he said slowly, "are you sure we're ready?"
Li Qingyu's eyes gleamed with fake wisdom.
"No. But when has that ever stopped us before?"
---
We have no face, no money, and no shame. But we do have room for your Power Stone. Help a starving sect today.