Kai’s victory over Zhao Feng solidified his reputation as one of the competition's most unpredictable and dangerous contenders. While some purists sneered at his methods, many others were impressed by his tactical acumen and resourcefulness. He became the subject of intense speculation – where did he get these strange artifacts? What other tricks did he have up his sleeve?
His Quarter-Final match was against a disciple named Liu Su, a female cultivator also at Qi Condensation Level 7. She wasn't known for overwhelming power or speed like Zhao Feng, but for her mastery of the 'Water Serpent Technique', a flexible style emphasizing fluid movement, binding Qi tendrils, and slippery defense. She was considered a difficult opponent to pin down.
Remembering the near-depletion of his System Points in the previous match, Kai knew he needed to be efficient. He couldn't afford to rely heavily on point-costing modules or gadgets unless absolutely necessary. His own advancement to Level 7 gave him more confidence in his raw cultivation abilities.
The match began. Liu Su immediately adopted a defensive posture, her body swaying rhythmically as faint blue Qi tendrils, resembling watery serpents, manifested around her, ready to lash out or entangle. Her movements were evasive, making her a frustrating target.
Kai probed her defenses with his carbon fiber bokken, using quick thrusts and feints. As predicted, the water serpent tendrils would intercept his blade, attempting to wrap around it and disarm him or slow him down. The flexibility of her style countered his direct speed advantage somewhat.
This required a different approach than the Zhao Feng fight. Brute force or simple speed wouldn't work well. Trying to disable her senses might be difficult given her fluid, constantly moving defense. Kai decided to target her mobility directly.
During an exchange where Liu Su sent several Qi tendrils lashing towards him, Kai sidestepped while subtly reaching into his dimension storage.
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[Item: Deployable Caltrops Strip (Hardened Polymer)]
Description: A strip containing multiple four-pointed spikes designed to impede foot traffic. Lightweight, durable, designed for rapid deployment.
Cost: 25 System Points (Purchased speculatively before the competition).
Appearance: A dark, coiled rope/vine segment (System overlay). Rebranded: 'Ground Spike Formation Vine'.
As he evaded her tendrils, Kai flicked his wrist, seemingly tossing aside a piece of debris or a broken vine segment from his robe. The 'vine' uncoiled as it hit the packed earth floor behind Liu Su, deploying a ten-foot strip of sharp, upward-pointing caltrops directly in her path of retreat and fluid movement. Thanks to the system overlay, they blended almost perfectly with the color and texture of the arena floor, making them very difficult to spot, especially during the heat of combat. [System Points: 30 - 25 = 5]
Kai then pressed his attack more aggressively, forcing Liu Su backwards. Unaware of the trap laid behind her, Liu Su continued her fluid, evasive backpedaling. Her foot came down squarely on several of the sharp caltrops.
"Aiee!" Liu Su cried out in pain and surprise, stumbling as the sharp points pierced her soft disciple boot and bit into her foot. Her fluid movement shattered, her defensive posture broke as she instinctively favored her injured foot.
The water serpent tendrils flickered as her concentration wavered. That was the opening Kai needed. He surged forward, his bokken a blur, easily batting aside the weakened tendrils. Before Liu Su could recover her balance or defenses, the tip of Kai's 'wooden' sword rested gently against her throat.
Liu Su looked down at her bleeding foot, then up at Kai's calm expression and the sword at her neck. She sighed in frustration and pain. "I yield."
"Victor: Kai!"
The victory was swift, decisive, and once again, achieved through unexpected means. Onlookers saw Liu Su suddenly cry out and stumble, breaking her technique, allowing Kai to easily secure the win. Few noticed the discarded 'vine' or understood its true nature. It was attributed to Liu Su perhaps misstepping or Kai exploiting a momentary lapse in her complex footwork.
Kai had reached the Semi-Finals, the top four of the entire Outer Sect. He had defeated two Level 7 opponents, relying more on strategy and system tools than overwhelming power, and had even advanced his own cultivation in the process. He was now guaranteed entry into the Inner Sect. But the final prize, the championship, was now tantalizingly within reach, requiring only two more victories. The next opponent, however, would be the toughest yet.