The day of the Outer Sect Competition dawned bright and clear. A palpable energy filled the air – a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and fierce determination. Several large arenas had been erected on the main training grounds, surrounded by viewing stands already filling with Outer Sect disciples, instructors, and even a few curious Inner Sect members and Elders who came to scout for talent.
Kai stood among the hundreds of registered participants, feeling relatively calm. He wore his standard grey robes, his system-enhanced padding underneath, his high-grip 'cloth boots' on his feet. His carbon fiber 'wooden sword' rested comfortably in its sheath at his side. His dimension storage held his Lightning Wand (just in case, though he hoped not to need it openly), a few Vigor Elixirs, and Recovery Salves. His System Points stood at a modest 45.
The initial rounds were determined by drawing lots. The sheer number of participants meant dozens of matches would run concurrently across the different arenas. The format was simple: single elimination. Lose once, and you were out.
Kai’s first match was announced: "Arena 3: Kai versus Sun Wei!"
He made his way to Arena 3, a raised circular platform of packed earth. His opponent, Sun Wei, was a sturdy-looking youth at Qi Condensation Level 4. Sun Wei eyed Kai with a mixture of apprehension and determination, clearly aware of Kai’s reputation but unwilling to give up without a fight.
As the supervising Deacon signaled the start, Sun Wei roared and charged, executing a basic 'Charging Bull Fist' technique – straightforward and powerful, aiming to overwhelm Kai with brute force.
Kai didn't even activate the Combat Module. His Level 6 cultivation provided a significant advantage in Qi density and reaction speed over a Level 4. Combined with his superior 'boots' providing excellent traction, he sidestepped the charge with ease, making Sun Wei stumble slightly as his attack met empty air.
Before Sun Wei could recover his balance, Kai moved. His carbon fiber bokken seemed to leap into his hand. It felt incredibly light as he executed a simple, precise thrust – not imbued with excessive Qi, but aimed perfectly, exploiting Sun Wei's momentary instability. The tip of the 'wooden' sword tapped Sun Wei sharply on the solar plexus.
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Sun Wei let out a surprised "Oof!", the impact knocking the wind out of him despite its lack of raw power. The precision and unexpected speed of the light weapon were disorienting. He staggered back, gasping for breath.
Kai didn't press with force. He flowed forward, his movements fluid thanks to his enhanced gear and cultivation. A series of light, rapid taps from the bokken – on the wrist, the shoulder, the knee – kept Sun Wei constantly off balance, unable to mount an effective counter-attack or utilize his Qi properly. It looked less like a fierce battle and more like a training exercise where one participant vastly outclassed the other.
Frustrated and unable to land a blow, Sun Wei attempted a sweeping Qi-infused kick. Kai easily evaded it and, in the same motion, hooked Sun Wei’s ankle with the crook of his bokken (a move adapted from staff techniques he'd seen in the archive), simultaneously pushing his shoulder. Deprived of balance, Sun Wei tumbled unceremoniously off the edge of the arena platform onto the softer ground below.
"Victor: Kai!" the Deacon announced impassively. The match had lasted less than thirty seconds.
The crowd murmured. Some were impressed by Kai's effortless control, others disappointed by the lack of a flashy Qi battle. Kai simply bowed slightly and walked off the platform, conserving his energy.
His second and third round matches followed a similar pattern. He faced a Level 3 disciple whom he disarmed with two swift moves, and another Level 4 whom he defeated by consistently outmaneuvering, using his superior agility and the bokken's speed to score points until the opponent conceded out of frustration. He made a conscious effort to use minimal Qi, relying on technique, speed, and the subtle advantages of his gear. He wanted to conserve his strength and keep his true capabilities hidden for as long as possible.
Onlookers started attributing his wins not just to luck or strange artifacts, but to genuine skill and surprising speed. His movements were efficient, his control precise. The fact that he wasn't relying on flashy Qi techniques made his victories seem almost anticlimactic, yet undeniably effective. He sailed through the early rounds with ease, barely breaking a sweat, while dozens of other hopefuls were eliminated around him. The path to the top 10 was clearing, but the real challenges were yet to come.
