Zhang Wei's fist remained trapped in my hand, and though I felt a sharp pain, my Tranquil Mind allowed me to maintain a disdainful expression. The energy emanating from him was palpable—a dense, arrogant qi that sought to impose itself through brute force.
"Let go of me, outsider!"
shouted Zhang Wei,his eyes blazing with rage.
"Is this how a noble disciple treats a guest of Master Yin?"
I replied calmly,even as I tightened my grip on his fist with more strength than I thought I possessed. My Aura, now at level 5, resisted the pressure, but I knew I couldn't hold on for much longer.
Ling Xue stepped between us, her voice firm and full of authority.
"Enough,Zhang Wei! Have you forgotten the temple rules? Fighting outside the designated training area is forbidden!"
Her words had an immediate effect. Zhang Wei paled, and the energy surrounding him vanished abruptly. I opened my hand, and he staggered back, looking at me with hatred, now mixed with fear.
"This isn't over."
Ling Xue looked at me.
"I'm sorry about his attitude,again."
"Don't worry. Every place has its... local nuisance."
Ling Xue offered a faint smile.
"Even so,I must insist you be careful with that technique. Those who were blinded... were experienced cultivators."
After the incident, the rest of the day passed without major events. I focused on practicing the fundamentals from the book, carefully sending small amounts of Aura to my eyes instead of qi. The sensation was strange—as if my pupils were stretching and contracting simultaneously—but not painful.
I continued like this for a few hours.
[Skill Learned: Swift Eyes (Level 1)
You can see slower movements for 3 seconds. Exceeding this limit causes eye strain, and forcing it could lead to loss of eyesight.]
I see. The skill itself is good, but the people who used it probably exceeded its use constantly. Thanks to my system, I know exactly how long I can use it and what happens if I overdo it.
While in that state, I decided to use it and saw a leaf from a tree begin to fall more slowly. As I focused on it, I felt a pain in my eyes and closed them to relax and stop sending aura to my eyes.
The usage time passes too quickly. Most likely, the duration will increase with use, but I don't know how long it will take for that skill to level up.
[
Name:William Sanders
Age:19
Race:Human
Titles:[Neanderthal Killer]
-----------------------------------
Strength:13+3
Agility:10+3
Endurance:10
Intelligence:10
Luck:4
Perception:12
Willpower:11
-----------------------------------
[Skills]
[Tranquil Mind][Running (Lv:3)] [Stealth (Lv:2)] [Boxing (Lv:3)] [Aura (Lv:5)] [Basic Swordsmanship (Lv:3)] [Weak Point] [Swift Eyes (Lv:1)]
-----------------------------------
[+2 Quests]
[Shop]
SP:0.001
]
Almost all my stats have increased, though seeing that minuscule amount of System Points makes me feel utterly miserable. I couldn't even buy a chewed piece of gum from the system with that amount.
And I still have two active quests.
I stood up and walked straight to the door, but upon opening it, I found Ling Xue standing there, looking at me strangely.
"Hello Xue, what can I do for you?"
"It's nothing, Wil. I just came to retrieve the book. Master was mistaken; that book belonged to a section for techniques considered more harmful than helpful."
Ling Xue's explanation resonated in my ears with an uncomfortable clarity. Techniques that harm more than they help. That explained the blindness cases she had mentioned. However, thanks to the system, I had already bypassed that danger. The [Swift Eyes] skill was safely integrated into my being, with its limitations and risks clearly defined. Returning the book wasn't a problem; the knowledge was already mine.
"Of course, I understand. Here it is. Please thank Master Yin for her... interesting choice of reading material."
Ling Xue took the book, her fingers brushing against mine for a moment. A flicker of surprise crossed her face at my lack of resistance or disappointment.
"You seem... very calm about this."
"Well, it was a gift. Besides, since I didn't practice this technique, I didn't suffer any harm, and you came to warn me. Obviously, you aren't lying to me, and you already told me previously that others were blinded by trying this method."
She nodded slowly, though she didn't seem entirely convinced. She tucked the scroll into the folds of her robe.
"Your attitude is unusual for someone of your... apparent level. Zhang Wei is no ordinary rival. Having him as an enemy is not something to be taken lightly."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Before she could say anything else, a rough, familiar voice cut through the air from the other end of the hallway.
"Xue! The Master requires you. Immediately."
It was another higher-ranking disciple, with the emblem of a flaming sword on his robe, identical to Zhang Wei's. Ling Xue shot me an apologetic look.
"I have to go. Take care, Wil."
I watched her walk away, her slender figure disappearing around a corner. The warning about Zhang Wei lingered. I knew that conflict wasn't over. It had only been postponed.
I decided it was best to return to my humble quarters to meditate, consolidate the day's gains, and plan my next moves.
However, destiny, or perhaps my proverbial 4 points of Luck, had other plans.
As I turned onto the path leading to the guest dormitories, three figures blocked my way. Zhang Wei was in the center, his knuckles still red from our struggle. On his flanks, two disciples with stout builds and equally hostile gazes formed a imposing barrier.
"I thought I made it clear to you, worm, you're not welcome here."
I stayed silent, looking at him as if he were an idiot—though I'm sure he is a complete idiot, since last time he couldn't even break free from my grip.
Zhang Wei, seeing my silence, interpreted it as fear. A cruel smile spread across his lips.
"It seems you finally understand your place. If you kneel and apologize, I might only break one of your arms."
His two lackeys chuckled.
I walked towards him, slowly, measuring each step. My eyes met his without blinking.
"You mentioned a duel. Very well. I accept it."
The silence that fell over the hallway was absolute. Even the birds stopped singing. Zhang Wei's two lackeys stopped laughing. Zhang Wei himself seemed bewildered for a moment before rage flooded his face again.
"You're... challenging me?"
"No. I'm just accepting the invitation you've been extending since I arrived. But a duel in a hallway is the act of cowards. If you want to fight, let it be where everyone can see. In the main training yard. Now."
The news spread like wildfire. By the time Zhang Wei and I, flanked by a growing entourage of curious disciples, reached the main training yard, a crowd of onlookers had already gathered. Ling Xue was there, beside Master Yin, whose face was an impassive mask, but her eyes watched with sharp intensity.
Ling Xue is going to be very upset with me. Just minutes ago she was warning me not to mess with Zhang Wei, and here I am, getting into an open duel in her sect.
There were no ceremonies. Zhang Wei, enraged by my audacity and eager to reassert his dominance, lunged at me with a snarl, his right fist wreathed in a vortex of whitish qi aimed directly at my face.
This time, I didn't try to catch it.
I dodged the blow with a lateral movement that seemed impossible for someone of my level—at least, I noticed the surprised looks on people's faces.
Zhang Wei's movement left him exposed. My own aura, concentrated in my right fist, glowed with a faint crimson light visible only to me.
It wasn't a knockout blow. It was a blow to disrupt.
A visible shock ran through Zhang Wei's body. The flow of his qi was abruptly cut off. A choked cry, more of surprise than pain, escaped his lips. He staggered, his legs buckled, and he fell to his knees, coughing and gasping, completely vulnerable.
The training yard fell into a tomblike silence. Everyone had expected a beating, a demonstration of Zhang Wei's overwhelming power. Instead, they had witnessed a swift, clean, and humiliatingly technical victory.
I approached Zhang Wei.
"It seems you are the one who now knows your place."
I stood up and addressed the crowd, finding Master Yin's gaze. She held my look, and for the first time, I thought I saw a glimmer of something other than indifference. Was it respect? Or mere curiosity?
Well, although I think the only thing she has shown towards me so far is curiosity.
Without another word, I turned on my heel and began walking back to my room, feeling the weight of dozens of stares on my back. I knew this wasn't the end.