Rumors about Li Tian's "unstoppable killing intent" had reached every sect within three provinces.
Unfortunately, the rumors were wrong.
Very wrong.
"Did you hear? He once made a Nascent Soul cultivator kneel… just by yawning."
"They say he can shatter a man's Dao Heart with a single blink."
"I heard he makes opponents hallucinate their deepest fears."
Li Tian, meanwhile, was at the sect cafeteria, struggling to peel an orange.
---
That night, elsewhere…
Three cloaked figures met under a moonless sky.
"We've all been sent to learn Li Tian's secret technique," whispered the first.
"The 'Silent Death' art," the second said solemnly.
The third one scribbled notes. "Step one: don't die."
They decided to infiltrate the Eastern Cloud Sect at dawn.
---
The next morning – Eastern Cloud Sect
Li Tian was sitting on a rock outside his quarters, sipping tea and staring at the mountains. This was his training routine: sit, sip, exist.
The three spies crept closer, hiding behind bushes.
"Look! He's entering a trance state!"
"He's communing with the Dao!"
"He's… doing absolutely nothing."
One spy whispered, "This is clearly a mental cultivation method beyond our comprehension."
Li Tian sneezed.
They all flinched. "That must be a 'Soul-Rending Wind Blast!'"
---
Senior Brother Zhao wandered over. "Morning, Brother Li. Training hard?"
Li Tian shrugged. "Sure."
The spies gasped silently. Sure? The word alone sounded like a code phrase to them.
"He just confirmed his secret art!"
"It must be called… The Sure Dao."
---
Later, during lunch…
Li Tian sat under a tree, lazily eating noodles. A bee buzzed around his bowl. He waved it away absentmindedly.
One spy almost fainted. "Did you see that? He repelled a spiritual beast with a flick of his wrist!"
The other scribbled furiously. "Note: Wrist Flick Technique repels low-grade monsters."
Li Tian accidentally dropped a noodle on his lap. He picked it up and ate it.
The spies trembled. "Such ruthless efficiency… he wastes nothing!"
---
Evening – the courtyard
The Sect Master approached Li Tian with a smile. "Good news! We've been invited to the Central Martial Exhibition. They want you as the guest of honor."
Li Tian paled. "Me? Again?"
"Yes, you are our most fearsome weapon."
> [Received another unwanted responsibility: Cultivation +25]
---
That night – the spies' report
The three spies returned to their sects, their notes filled with absolute nonsense.
"To learn his art, one must sit on a rock at dawn."
"Communicate with the Dao by eating noodles under a tree."
"Wrist Flick Technique is critical."
Each sect began immediate training programs based on these observations.
---
Three days later – Central Martial Exhibition
The grand arena was overflowing with spectators. Various sects had gathered to display their skills.
Li Tian shuffled onto the stage, hands in his sleeves, looking half-asleep. His opponent, a renowned blade master, bowed respectfully.
Li Tian nodded lazily.
The blade master's knees buckled. "Your presence is… crushing!" He dropped his sword and conceded before the fight began.
GONG!
> [Aura of Intimidation triggered: Cultivation +40]
---
Next match…
This time, his opponent tried to resist. The man approached slowly, sweat pouring down his face. Li Tian raised an eyebrow in mild confusion.
The opponent screamed, "DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT!" and leapt off the stage.
GONG!
> [Aura of Intimidation triggered: Cultivation +50]
---
By the third match, the crowd had started a chant:
"Sit down! Win the crown! Sit down! Win the crown!"
Li Tian, bewildered, sat cross-legged mid-stage before the match even began. His opponent took one look at him… and fled.
GONG!
---
After the event…
Li Tian slipped away to a quiet corner of the arena, staring at the clouds. "System, are you sure I'm not just accidentally terrifying people?"
> [Affirmative. Host's natural state is peak intimidation.]
"That doesn't sound flattering."
> [It is optimal for your Slacker Path.]
---
Back at the sect, the spies sent in their final reports. The misunderstandings had grown into a full-blown myth.
Some sects now had disciples sitting on rocks for hours. Others were waving at bees for "beast control training." One sect even introduced mandatory noodle-eating meditation.
Li Tian had no idea. He was busy taking a nap.
---