The System of Desires
Chapter 7 — Blood and Glory at Ironwood
The Ironwood Arena was a scar on the land — a wide, circular pit carved into the red earth, its walls reinforced by spirit-engraved ironwood beams. The entire valley had gathered to witness the duel.
Merchants hawked roasted spirit fruit outside, children perched on their fathers' shoulders, and cultivators from nearby clans crowded the stands.
Kai stood at the center, spear planted in the ground. The sun blazed overhead, heat shimmering off the packed earth.
On the other side, Chen Hao stepped into the arena. His crimson battle robe snapped in the wind, his aura blazing with fury.
"You!" Hao snarled. "You dared burn our fields, humiliate my clan, and call yourself a cultivator?"
Kai smirked. "I don't just call myself one — I prove it."
[Quest Active: Duel at Ironwood Arena]
Objective: Defeat Chen Hao in honorable combat.
Reward: 500 System Points + Hidden Reward.
Spectators and Stakes
From the stands, Lian watched with her hands clasped tightly, knuckles white. Beside her sat Patriarch Shen Jian, his expression unreadable.
Even Yue was present, lounging on a tree branch near the edge of the arena, smirking faintly as if this were all an amusing game.
"Kill him, Kai," she murmured under her breath.
Opening Exchange
The referee — an elder from the local sect — raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Chen Hao moved first, his halberd sweeping in a vicious arc.
Kai's spear snapped up to deflect, sparks flying as Qi clashed against Qi.
Hao didn't slow — he pressed forward with a flurry of strikes, forcing Kai backward.
"You've grown stronger," Hao snarled between strikes. "But you're still just trash with borrowed power!"
Kai's grin widened. "Funny. You said the same thing last time."
He spun, redirecting Hao's halberd and striking with a thrust that grazed Hao's arm.
Blood sprayed. The crowd gasped.
Blazing Serpent Spear Art
Kai stepped back, breathing deep. Flames flared along his spear as he activated his new technique.
"Let's turn up the heat."
The spear blazed with crimson fire, forming the shape of a coiling serpent.
Kai lunged. The fiery serpent lashed out, forcing Hao to block with both hands. The halberd trembled under the impact.
Hao roared, Qi exploding around him. His battle robe tore as his cultivation flared — Early-Stage Qi Warrior Realm.
The crowd erupted.
"He's already stepped into the Warrior Realm!" someone shouted.
Lian's heart sank. "Kai…"
The Turning Point
Hao pressed his advantage, his strikes now strong enough to split stone. Kai was driven back, his spear ringing under each blow.
[Warning: Vitality at 60%. Qi Reserves at 50%.]
Kai grimaced. He couldn't just defend — he had to end this fast.
He channeled every drop of Fire Qi into the Blazing Serpent. The spear glowed white-hot, the serpent's head forming fully, fangs bared.
"Take this!"
He thrust — and the serpent roared, a wave of flame surging forward.
Hao blocked, but the halberd snapped under the impact, the flames engulfing him.
When the fire died down, Hao lay on the ground, his weapon shattered, his body scorched.
The arena was silent.
Victory
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner — Kai Shen!"
The crowd erupted, cheering wildly.
Lian leapt to her feet, relief flooding her face.
Even Yue clapped slowly, her grin widening. "Interesting. Very interesting."
[Quest Complete: Duel at Ironwood Arena]
Reward: 500 System Points
Hidden Reward Unlocked: Technique — Flame Step.]
Kai leaned on his spear, exhausted but grinning.
"It's over, Hao," he said softly. "Stay down."
Hao glared up at him, humiliated, but said nothing.
Aftermath and Politics
Later that night, the Shen council celebrated.
"You've secured our place in the valley for years to come," Patriarch Shen Jian said gravely. "You've done what even we could not."
Kai bowed slightly. "Then we keep moving forward. The Chen are wounded, but not dead. We can't relax yet."
"Agreed," the patriarch said.
Private Moment with Lian
After the feast, Kai found Lian waiting for him in the moonlit courtyard.
"You almost died," she whispered, stepping close.
"Almost," Kai admitted. "But I promised I'd win, didn't I?"
She hesitated — then kissed him softly.
"Idiot," she murmured, resting her forehead against his.
[Affinity with Lian: +15. Affinity Level: 75% — Bond Strengthened.]
Chapter End — New Threat
As Kai returned to his room, the System chimed again.
[New Global Quest: Investigate the Source of Demonic Qi in the Valley.]
Warning: Unknown faction detected. Power Level — Deadly.
Kai frowned, gripping his spear.
"So the real game begins now, huh?"
Outside the window, Yue stood in the shadows, smiling faintly.
"Good," she whispered. "Now let's see how far you can climb, Kai Shen."