The System of Desires
Chapter 14 — Blood on the Arena Stones
The roar of the crowd shook the Azure Sky Sect arena. Banners whipped in the wind, and cultivators filled the stands in waves of color and pride. Every sect shouted for their champions.
Kai stood in the center of the stone stage, spear in hand, heart pounding like a war drum. His opponent, Jiang Rui of the Iron Blood Sect, drew his heavy crimson blade and grinned with arrogant confidence.
"Scared already?" Rui taunted, his voice loud enough for the audience to hear. "Don't worry, Shen. I'll end it quickly. You won't suffer long."
Kai smirked, though his palms sweated. "You sure talk a lot for someone who's about to eat dirt."
The crowd erupted into laughter and boos in equal measure.
The Fight Begins
The referee dropped his hand.
"Begin!"
Rui moved like a predator, his blade cleaving downward with a crimson glow. Kai twisted aside, his spear sweeping up to deflect the strike. The clash rang like thunder, vibrations shooting up his arm.
Kai slid back, boots skidding on stone. He's strong. Stronger than I thought.
Rui sneered. "What's wrong? Can't handle real power?"
He swung again, the weight of his blade cracking stone underfoot. Kai dodged, thrusting his spear in quick jabs, forcing Rui to step back.
The crowd roared with every exchange.
From the sidelines, Yue cupped her hands and shouted, "Stop playing defense, Kai! Put that smug bastard on his ass!"
Lian gripped her sword hilt tightly, whispering, "Stay calm… you can do this."
Meilin's eyes narrowed, her lips curving faintly. "Show them you're more than luck, Kai."
System Interference
[System Notification: Jiang Rui's Spirit Pressure detected. Host's survival probability: 42%.]
[Optional Quest: Humiliate Jiang Rui publicly.]
[Reward: Unlock hidden passive skill.]
Kai grit his teeth. Not helpful, System.
[System: Incorrect. Extremely helpful. You're about to die, and I'd prefer not to be erased because you suck.]
Kai blocked another heavy strike, his spear shaft groaning under the force. Then give me something useful!
[System: Advice: Aim for his arrogance. He'll always overcommit to flashy attacks.]
Turning Point
Kai adjusted his stance. Rui charged with a roar, swinging his massive blade in a wide arc meant to decapitate him.
Instead of retreating, Kai ducked under the swing, pivoted, and thrust his spear at Rui's exposed ribs.
The blade scraped across Rui's armor, sparks flying. He grunted, barely avoiding a deeper wound.
Kai smirked. "Not so invincible after all, huh?"
The crowd gasped.
Rui's face twisted in rage. "You dare!"
He released a burst of crimson Qi, the ground cracking beneath him. His aura flared like a burning inferno.
[System Warning: Opponent activating Iron Blood Sect secret art.]
[Strength Increase: +30%]
Rui's blade howled with power as he lunged again, faster this time.
Kai barely blocked, his arms straining. He was forced backward, each strike heavier than the last.
I can't keep this up…
Unexpected Support
From the sidelines, Yue cupped her hands again. "Kai! Remember the training — don't fight the weight, redirect it!"
Her words struck him like lightning. He had practiced that exact technique just days ago.
The next time Rui's blade came down, Kai twisted his spear, guiding the strike past him instead of resisting. Rui stumbled, overextending.
Kai seized the opening. His spear lashed out, striking Rui's shoulder. Blood sprayed across the arena stones.
The crowd roared, half in shock, half in excitement.
[Affinity with Yue: +5 — Bond Strengthened through Guidance.]
Rui's Rage
Rui staggered, clutching his bleeding shoulder. His expression twisted with fury. "You think a scratch means anything?"
He roared, slamming his blade into the ground. Crimson energy exploded outward, forming jagged spikes of Qi.
Kai leapt back, barely avoiding being impaled. The arena floor cracked and smoked.
"Die, Shen Kai!" Rui bellowed, charging with reckless abandon.
He's stronger, but he's losing control… this is my chance.
The Counterattack
Kai steadied his breath, focusing his Qi into the spear. The weapon glowed with golden light, humming with spiritual resonance.
"Spirit-Bonded Strike!" he shouted, thrusting forward.
The spear shot like lightning, piercing through Rui's chestplate and driving him back. Blood splattered, and Rui screamed, staggering to his knees.
The crowd erupted.
But Kai's legs trembled. That attack had drained most of his Qi.
Rui wheezed, blood dripping from his lips, yet his eyes still burned with hatred. "I… will not… lose to trash like you!"
Plot Twist — Rui's Secret Card
Rui bit his tongue, smearing blood across his blade. His Qi flared violently, twisting into something darker.
The crowd gasped. "That's forbidden! He's invoking blood essence!"
Kai's heart lurched. He's burning his life force just to kill me.
Rui's aura surged, his wound sealing partially as crimson energy wrapped his blade. "Even if I die tomorrow, I'll drag you with me today!"
The referee hesitated, but didn't interfere. In the Azure Sky Sect, as long as the fight wasn't interrupted, anything was fair.
Kai grit his teeth. If he lands even one hit in that state, I'm finished.
Final Clash
Rui charged, his blade howling with blood energy.
Kai steadied himself, one last plan forming in his mind.
He feigned weakness, letting his knees buckle slightly. Rui grinned savagely, overcommitting to a killing blow.
At the last moment, Kai sidestepped, his spear twisting upward.
The blade missed by a hair's breadth — and Kai's spear struck Rui's throat guard, piercing deep.
Rui's eyes widened in disbelief. Blood bubbled from his lips. His blade fell from numb fingers, clattering on the stone.
He collapsed to the ground with a final thud.
Silence swept the arena.
Then the crowd erupted like thunder.
System Reward
[System Notification: Quest Complete — Defeat Jiang Rui.]
[Optional Objective Complete — Humiliation Achieved.]
[Reward: Passive Skill Unlocked — Predator's Instinct.]
[Effect: Increases reaction speed when facing stronger opponents.]
Kai staggered, chest heaving. His vision blurred from exhaustion.
But he had won.
Aftermath
The referee raised his arm. "Winner — Shen Kai of the fallen Shen Clan!"
The crowd roared. Some cheered, others cursed.
On the sidelines, Yue punched the air. "That's my boy!"
Lian exhaled a shaky breath, her eyes shimmering with relief. "He did it…"
Meilin's lips curved into a slow, approving smile. "So this is the man fate brought me to."
Kai wiped the blood from his spear, glancing at Rui's fallen form as medics rushed in.
One down. A hundred more to go.
[New Main Quest: Advance through the tournament.]
[Warning: Stronger enemies await.]
Kai lifted his spear toward the sky, the cheers of the crowd echoing in his bones. For the first time since arriving in this world, he truly believed — he could win.
End of Chapter 14