Kong Dandan's Dilemma

Night fell, and the disciples continued their attempts to capture the platforms. By midnight, they had all fought at least twice or thrice and looked exhausted after each battle. The disciples from the elder's side, the special faction, had a slight advantage as they had invested more in their cultivation.

It was close to midnight of the first day, and the disciples were exhausted but still determined to capture a platform or earn more points. The arena was now quiet, with only a few disciples who had trained in Qi staying back and most of the gray robe onlookers having left.

Han Cai meditated quietly, but after a while, he felt bored as no one challenged him at night. He scanned the arena, and he noticed all the elders of the inner Sect looking at him with glitter in their eyes. Han Cai mused and spoke to himself, "Kid, your future seems bright!"

He decided to scan some of the disciples who had acquired other platforms. The second platform was acquired by a disciple named Shihong, the third by Bohai, and the fourth by a female disciple named Liqin. They were all at Level 2 cultivation and Level 1 sword technique, but there was still a power difference between them. Shihong could easily beat Bohai. These disciples chose their platform level based on their strengths.

As Han Cai looked around the arena, he noticed Kong Dandan sitting in a corner, trying to regulate his breathing, and He also noticed Fan Zixin, who he had seen during his time in Elder Ji's faction. He decided to speak with Kong Dandan, who was sitting in a corner.

Han Cai walked to the corner of the platform and spoke loudly, "Brother Kong".

Kong Dan, sitting in the corner trying to regulate his breathing, was startled. He opened his eyes and looked around and saw Han Cai calling him. Since the arena was very quiet, Han Cai's voice was heard everywhere in and around the arena. Everyone looked at him to see what he was up to.

Kong Dandan knew in general if Han Cai needed anything, he would call for him but that was during his stay in quarters. Kong Dandan couldn't believe this kid would make him do chores in the middle of the tournament. But this guy was super talented. Kong Dandan couldn't ignore the call. Especially now, everyone was looking at him. Kong Dandan got up and walked near platform one.

Then he spoke, "How can I help you, brother Han?"

Han Cai replied, "Brother Kong, I feel thirsty. Do you have the spirit wine you shared a few days ago?"

Kong Dandan almost fell onto the ground. Is this guy for real? He is shamelessly asking me for the spirit wine I need to regain my Qi.

He did have some of the spirit wine, which could help him recover qi. Kong Dandan nodded, took out a leather pouch with wine, and walked near the platform. The elder of the disciple hall allowed him to come near as no one was challenging Han Cai, and he was standing there bored anyways. Kong Dandan handed the pouch to Han Cai half-heartedly.

Han Cai took a sip from the pouch. Kong Dandan grieved Han Cai was talented and did not need to recover his spirit as he was not being challenged at all, but Kong Dandan needed to recover his spirit. Kong Dandan thought all geniuses were selfish, and they never considered common folks, but if he decided not to give wine to Han Cai, the elder Zhou would punish him later.

Han Cai handed the spirit wine pocuh back to Kong Dandan and spoke "Brother Kong, thank you for this. Could you please come on the platform and challenge me?"

Kong Dandan almost fell onto the ground again. Is this guy for real? He is shamelessly asking me to fight him. Doesn't he understand the disparity of power between us?

Kong Dandan spoke, "Brother Han, How can I dare? I am weak. I will not be able to survive a single swing from your sword."

Han Cai shook his head and spoke, "Brother Kong, I have been sitting here quietly all day, and I am bored. I promise not to hurt you, brother Kong. Please come and spar with me."

Kong Dandan cursed in his mind. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS KID? You are bored, so you want me to waste my already almost depleted spirit Qi? Do you have no consideration for others?

Kong Dandan did not know what to say, so he stood quietly like a statue considering how to decline Han Cai without offending this dumb genius.

But Han Cai spoke again, "Brother Kong, please, as a favor, come and challenge me!"

Now Kong Dandan was in a big predicament, and he could not ignore a favor from the genius future inner sect disciple.

Kong Dandan was caught in a dilemma, thinking should he accept? Unknowingly he looked towards the sitting area of the outer sect elder's sitting area. Since the whole arena was silent when Han Cai spoke, everyone's attention was on Han Cai and Kong Dandan. This debacle of spirit wine really intrigued them.

The sect master and Inner sect hall elders smiled when they heard Han Cai was bored. This kid really was a child. He did not understand the importance of this competition for other disciples.

But who could blame him? He was so talented that not even inner sect disciples would dare challenge him easily.

When Kong Dandan unknowingly looked at the elder's sitting area, He saw elder Zhou nodding and signaling, which meant, " do whatever Han Cai asks you to do." .

Kong Dandan sighed. He went to the elder standing below the platform and took out his medallion. Spoke, "Elder, I would like to challenge platform 1."

Elder looked at him and said, "Are you sure?" Elder had heard Han Cai's promise not to hurt Kong Dandan, but that was not the problem. The problem was Kong Dandan would be wasting his most precious spirit Qi which he needed for battle. What did it mean? It meant Kong Dandan's journey in the tournament would stop here.

But seeing Kong dandan nodding his head, he announced loudly, "Kong Dandan challenging Han Cai."

Kong Dandan got on stage, and the referee elder gave them a sign to begin.

The moment when the battle between them was about to begin,

Han Cai spoke, "I concede."