Chapter 22: The Golden Sect Games Begin
"Let the strong rise. Let the rest serve." — Proclamation of the Golden Sect Alliance
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Imperial Capital – Three Days Later
Massive banners woven from spirit threads hung across the skies. Spirit clouds carried guests from every continent, ranging from proud beast kings to veiled princesses. The Golden Sect Games had begun, and with it came power, politics, and the promise of ascension.
The largest tournament in a thousand years. A sacred tradition. A show of raw talent. And most importantly—an auction of fate, where winners claimed prestige and losers were forgotten.
Qin Feng stood at the peak of a divine hotel, arms crossed, dressed in black silk robes with gold lining, the crest of the Black Fang burning on his back. Lian Xue hovered beside him, wrapped in ice-colored silk, her gaze distant as usual, watching the city below with a gaze older than most dynasties.
Behind him, chaos brewed.
"You said I was going to be his official companion during the Games!"
"Only for the first day. I get second day."
"I'm not sharing him. I'll burn the whole arena down before that happens."
"Try it, dog-blood brat."
"Keep barking, snow witch."
Qin Feng sighed.
The system activated.
A new trait appeared: 'Battlefield Boyfriend' — Charm increased during competitions when girls are present.
Another notification popped up. Three new cultivator princesses had requested to be added to his harem.
He tapped Later, smirking.
"At this rate, I'll need a bigger mansion."
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1. The Opening Parade
Over 300 sects had gathered. Beast handlers from the East rode flaming eagles. Sword cultivators from the North marched with floating blades that formed constellations. Alchemists from the Pill Saint Domain rode cauldrons the size of ox carts. Ice dancers from the Glacial Lotus Sect spun midair, painting snow with spirit ink.
Qin Feng stood at the edge of the divine arena, watching it all. "This feels more like a circus than a tournament."
Yueying stepped beside him, dressed in a silver robe lined with thunder jade. "It is both. Glory and politics. If we win, we gain power. If we lose, we vanish."
He cracked his knuckles. "Then let's make sure they remember our names."
His name echoed from the announcer's tower.
"From the rogue faction known as the Black Fang — representative: Qin Feng, Realm: Qi Core Awakening!"
Gasps spread like wildfire.
He walked slowly toward the central plaza, each step sending low ripples of spirit pressure through the ground.
A quest appeared: Win the Golden Sect Games. The reward: a tier skip, a new skill slot, and a special treasure chest.
"Time to farm some legacy," he muttered.
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2. The Challenges
The Games were split into five grand trials:
1. Combat Gauntlet
2. Spiritual Puzzle Array
3. Beast Taming Trial
4. Heaven's Path Tower Climb
5. Final Duel
Each trial would eliminate half the competitors. And each one had cameras broadcasting to the entire continent.
In the Combat Gauntlet, Qin Feng faced three disciples: one fire cultivator, one wind lancer, and one arrogant prince with a soul hammer.
"You're just a rogue. Trash doesn't belong on the same battlefield as legacy bloodlines."
Qin Feng smiled.
"Lightning Vein: Dragon Pulse."
Boom.
The arena shattered. One punch, three knockouts. One of them crashed through the spirit barrier.
He gained reputation points and fan club growth.
Girls screamed. Some threw charms. One girl tossed her cultivation manual and fainted.
In the Spiritual Puzzle, others struggled with philosophical koans and ancient glyphs.
Qin Feng? He electrified the entire array.
Crack! Symbols melted.
"You brute! You desecrated sacred tests!"
He shrugged. "I pass, right?"
In the Beast Taming Trial, others summoned bird whistles or chanted oaths.
Qin Feng walked up to a Rank 5 Thunder Lion and stared it down.
It bowed.
His aura activated. The beast now considered him its alpha, loyalty high.
He rode the beast into the next trial like a monarch.
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3. The Ice Princess & The Jealous Fox
Between trials, his private pavilion overflowed.
Lian Xue and Yueying stood by the tea table, each radiating frost and lightning. Meanwhile, a fox-eared girl in a crimson dress curled herself into Qin Feng's lap, tail wagging.
"You shouldn't let her touch you like that," Lian Xue said, voice flat. "It dilutes your spiritual essence."
"He needs affection. I'm his pillow," the fox girl said, nuzzling closer.
"I'll freeze your heart."
"I'll roast your soul."
Qin Feng didn't flinch. He sipped tea.
Another achievement appeared: 'Tea While They Fight'. Calmness, Charisma, and Shamelessness increased.
"Ladies, please," he said. "There's enough of me to go around."
They glared. Then turned.
The fox girl licked her lips. "That's what you think."
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4. Heaven's Path Tower
The tower judged will.
Level 1: He saw his sister, dying again. Level 2: His old life, his suicide. Level 3: His failure to save anyone.
By Level 10, even his Core flickered.
He bit his tongue and kept going.
Level 14. Level 15.
On Level 18, he faced a mirror.
It showed a version of himself on a throne of corpses.
"You think you're the hero," it whispered. "But villains never get happy endings."
He punched the mirror.
It cracked.
Level 20: A girl of light.
"You are not him," she said. "But you carry his pain."
She kissed his forehead.
A mystic bond initiated. One of three fate anchors connected.
He passed out.
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5. The Final Duel
He awoke to trumpets.
His opponent: Jian Wushen, heir to the Heavenly Blade Sect.
"You're an insect."
"You're a warm-up."
The battle shook the coliseum.
Jian's blade split mountains.
Qin Feng's lightning cracked the sky.
They clashed midair.
In one instant, Qin Feng vanished.
Appeared behind him.
"Checkmate."
One tap.
Jian collapsed.
The Games were complete. Tier skip unlocked. New passive skill: Lightning Cloak — speed massively increased.
The coliseum exploded in cheers.
Petals rained.
A dozen girls cried.
And in the Emperor's golden balcony...
A masked girl stood.
Golden eyes narrowed.
"So he really is the glitch in fate."
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Preview – Chapter 23: The Emperor's Offer
The Empire extends its hand. Marriage, power, secrets—or death. Qin Feng enters the dragon's court, and not everyone wants him to leave alive. Alliances will form. Assassins will stir. And a mysterious figure from the past finally reveals herself...