The entire sect buzzed with excitement. Disciples sharpened their blades, adjusted their robes, and nervously reviewed their techniques.
A grand sect-wide tournament was announced—"For the glory of cultivation, to test talent and reward progress."
Translation: "Let's watch the weaker ones get folded like laundry."
---
Tournament Rules (According to Elder Yuehua):
1. No killing.
2. No maiming.
3. No bribing the referees (again).
4. And no smuggling spirit pets into the ring.
Arin raised his hand.
> "What if I maim myself by accident?"
> "Then try to be entertaining," Elder Yuehua said with a sweet smile.
---
Match 1: Arin vs. Generic Sword Guy #27
The crowd yawned as the announcer said, "First match: Arin, disciple of bad decisions, versus Sword Guy Number Twenty-Seven."
His opponent looked angry for no reason.
> "Prepare yourself! I've trained for nine years!"
> "I overslept this morning and accidentally wore mismatched socks."
> "You mock the path of the sword?!"
> "No, I just… have poor time management."
Sword Guy #27 rushed forward. Arin dodged once, slipped on loose gravel, spun mid-air, and accidentally elbowed the guy in the neck.
KO in five seconds.
> "...How?" the crowd whispered.
> [Ding! Passive Skill 'Deadpan Luck' activated.]
> "Oh right," Arin muttered. "My life is basically RNG-based now."
---
Meanwhile, in the VIP Viewing Pavilion…
Yue Lan crossed her arms. "I hate how effortlessly dumb he is."
Yura grinned. "It's talent. He's got negative karma and positive sarcasm. The universe fears him."
Elder Yuehua took a sip of wine. "He may die. Or become terrifying. I'm rooting for both."
---
Match 2: Yura vs. Senior Disciple Tian Wu
Yura stepped into the ring lazily, tail flicking behind her.
> "I don't really feel like fighting," she said.
> "Too bad," Tian Wu replied, unsheathing his sword.
Then Yura pulled out a small flute and began playing a cursed lullaby. Tian Wu's sword arm twitched, and his eyes rolled back. He collapsed mid-charge, snoring.
> "That's called the Nine-Tailed Nap Technique," she winked.
> "I made it up."
---
Later: Arin's Reward Room Disaster
After his shocking win, Arin was invited to choose one item from the sect's prize treasury.
He stared at three glowing options:
1. A divine-grade flying sword
2. A phoenix flame pill
3. A sealed scroll titled "Definitely Not Cursed: Open for Surprises!"
He looked at the system.
> "Which one is secretly rigged?"
> [All of them.]
> "Perfect. I'll take the scroll."
> [Congratulations! You received: The Scroll of Mild Chaos.]
> "What does it do?"
> [No one knows. Even the scroll refuses to explain itself.]
---
Closing Scene
That night, Arin sat beneath the moonlight with the scroll in his lap, staring at the stars.
> "I've won two fights, survived one sword girl, and now I own a possibly cursed piece of parchment."
Yue Lan sat beside him quietly. "You're an idiot."
Yura laid her head on his lap. "You're my idiot."
Arin looked at the sky.
> "One day I'll be strong. Or dead. Either way, it'll be entertaining."