The sect hadn't even finished repairing the training arena from my last "incident" when a new storm arrived.
This one had a name.
Rong Zhi.
Sword prodigy. Cultivation genius. Core disciple.
And, apparently, Yue Lan's childhood friend.
Also: My new problem.
---
It began during a routine "accidental" run-in with Yue Lan in the alchemy garden.
"So," I said, elbow resting on a flaming herb pot, "do I get a reward for surviving the Elder Tribunal without crying?"
"You mean for not dying? You're still breathing. That's your reward."
She wasn't smiling. But her lips twitched. Progress.
That's when he appeared.
Like thunder in silk robes.
Rong Zhi landed with a sword on his back, glowing talismans swirling around him, and the aura of a man who thinks he's a gift from heaven.
"Lan'er," he said with a warm, practiced voice. "Are these low-ranked outer disciples bothering you?"
"She's fine," I said, waving lazily. "We were just bonding over my overwhelming mediocrity."
He turned to me with the expression of someone who just stepped in spiritual goose poop.
"Who… are you?"
"The local disappointment."
> [System Notification:]
New Character Detected: Rong Zhi – Core Disciple of the Northern Peak
Mood: Disgusted. Territorial. Possibly constipated.
Rivalry Potential: 80%
Romantic Bias: Yue Lan Focus – MAX
---
I thought Jun Bai was bad.
But Rong Zhi was a full-blown sect prince.
He smelled like divine incense, moved like a crane, and probably cried tears of pure qi when his robes got dirty.
He stared at me like I was a fungus.
"You speak casually to Yue Lan?"
"She speaks casually to me too."
"She shouldn't."
"She does anyway."
"Lan'er," he turned to her again, ignoring me completely, "this one is wasting your time."
Yue Lan sighed. "Rong Zhi. He's my fellow disciple. Don't start."
"Oh, I won't start," he said coolly. "I'll finish."
---
> [System Notification:]
Hidden Stat Triggered: "Rival in Love"
You are now on Rong Zhi's 'Annoyance Radar.'
Warning: This man cultivates using pure ego. Avoid prolonged exposure.
---
Later that day, Rong Zhi requested a duel with Jun Bai.
Yes — not me.
I wasn't even on the threat radar.
But I was invited to watch.
The entire sect gathered at the training grounds to see two top-tier prodigies clash.
Jun Bai: icy calm, sword drawn.
Rong Zhi: smiling like he already wrote Jun Bai's obituary.
Me: eating roasted spirit corn and making commentary from the stands.
"Bet ten spirit stones Rong Zhi uses his signature lightning strike in under a minute."
Yura (sitting beside me): "I bet he flirts mid-fight."
And sure enough—
"Lan'er," Rong Zhi called mid-duel, "I hope you're watching."
He dodged Jun Bai's strike by a hair's breadth, spun, and sliced the air with style.
Jun Bai's face turned red. Not from effort. From rage.
Yue Lan stood silently under a tree, watching… me.
I waved.
She looked away.
---
After the match, Rong Zhi approached me.
"You're beneath her," he said.
"Which part of me? Be specific."
"She needs someone noble. Strong. Refined."
"I'm broke, weak, and sarcastic. So yeah, triple disqualified."
His nostrils flared.
"You should leave this sect."
"Can't. The system has me on a multi-year humiliation contract."
He didn't laugh.
But Yura did. Loudly.
---
That night, the system pinged.
> [New Quest: Survive the Jealous Hero's Attention]
Objective: Do not get assassinated by Rong Zhi.
Bonus Objective: Outshine him once in public.
Reward: ??? (System probably lying.)
Secret Message (corrupted):
Detected interception by "Romance Route Optimizer System."
Reward rerouted. You receive: Cheap Sandals (Worn by a Hero's Cousin Once)
---
So to summarize:
Jun Bai still wants to stab me.
Rong Zhi wants to erase me.
Yue Lan keeps watching me when I'm not looking.
The system keeps robbing me blind.
And somehow… I still haven't been kicked out.
I must be doing something right.