Ch.2 Confronting Li Bin

Opening his eyes in a daze, Zhuge Xiang looked around and was startled to realize that he was in his own bed instead of by the tranquil small lake.

Suspiciously sitting up, Zhuge Xiang gazed down at his hand, where a mysterious black ring seemed to have melded with his flesh, snugly resting on his finger. It exuded an uncanny sense of kinship, as if it had seamlessly become a part of him.

Just as Zhuge Xiang pondered this peculiar ring, a sudden surge of information flooded his mind, an innate understanding of its enigmatic nature washed over him. This ring, he learned, was the Super Game System. Its full potential remained undiscovered due to his current limitations, but as far as Zhuge Xiang could discern, it granted the ability to access a character sheet, engage in battles, and level up by defeating foes. It promised experiences beyond imagination, possibly including magical equipment, potent elixirs, or even ancient skill tomes.

"What a miraculous ring! Could this be a legendary artifact surpassing all others?" Zhuge Xiang marveled at the revelation.

His heart swelled with delight at the unexpected bounty of his adventure. The concept of experience points, in particular, intrigued him. It appeared that once filled, this reservoir could facilitate automatic breakthroughs in strength, bypassing any conventional bottlenecks. The mere thought of it would surely stir envy among the Elders of the Shura Sect.

As if by instinct, Zhuge Xiang summoned his character sheet. It materialized in his mind, disclosing basic information about himself: Zhuge Xiang, male, aged fourteen years and eight months, a commoner. Experience Points: 80/100.

Examining the character sheet, Zhuge Xiang's brow furrowed. It became evident that achieving the coveted level of 100 experience points was necessary for him to master Qi successfully. However, the likelihood of amassing the required 100 points within the next two weeks seemed bleak.

While the Super Game System had brought him unparalleled fortune, the reality of his limited experience points dimmed his spirits. Even the most extraordinary magical weapon couldn't expedite his journey to comprehend Qi in such a short span, rendering his ambition of becoming an official Shura Sect disciple all but unattainable.

"Zhuge Xiang, you're awake. Remember, cultivation is a gradual process. Pushing too hard might lead to setbacks. I didn't see you return last night, and I even thought those monsters by the lake got to you," a voice broke his reverie. The door creaked open, and a strapping young man entered the room. He appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen but possessed the height and build of an eighteen or nineteen-year-old. His name was Niu Geng—honest and straightforward by nature, he took it upon himself to mentor younger disciples. The room accommodated three, and Niu Geng was Zhuge Xiang's roommate.

Realizing that Niu Geng was the one who had brought him back, Zhuge Xiang expressed his gratitude sincerely, saying, "It was you who brought me back, Niu Geng. I really appreciate your help."

Niu Geng scratched his head bashfully in response to Zhuge Xiang's gratitude. "Hehe," he chuckled, "Li Bin said we're all roommates, so it's only right to help each other out."

"Li Bin?" Zhuge Xiang's expression darkened upon hearing that name. He cautioned, "I've told you before, don't get too close to Li Bin. He's not the kind of person you should be associating with."

Li Bin, another roommate, clashed with Zhuge Xiang in terms of personality. Li Bin had a talented cousin and his manipulative nature often led him to exploit Niu Geng, who was straightforward and honest. Niu Geng, however, believed in the principle of helping fellow roommates and would make excuses to assist Li Bin, much to Zhuge Xiang's chagrin.

"Alright, Zhuge Xiang, don't be too biased against Li Bin. We're all friends here," Niu Geng replied, unfazed by Zhuge Xiang's concerns.

Zhuge Xiang respected loyalty and the ability to endure hardships, but he also understood that blindly accepting mistreatment from others was foolish. He had known Niu Geng's temperament for a while and realized that trying to persuade him otherwise would be futile. So, he simply shook his head discreetly and remained silent.

At that moment, a slender and wiry young man entered the room. He appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen years old, with a sharp tongue and a mischievous glint in his eyes. It was Zhuge Xiang's other roommate, Li Bin.

"Ha! Now that everyone's here, I've got some great news to share. My younger cousin, Zhao Feiyun, has only been practicing for two months and has sensed Qi , and he's already chosen the Ghost Step martial arts from the Tibetan Martial Arts Pavilion. My cousin is quite the prodigy," Li Bin announced with a self-satisfied grin, clearly relishing the opportunity to boast.

Zhuge Xiang chose not to dignify Li Bin's words with a response. Engaging further would only serve to inflate Li Bin's arrogance.

Within the Shura Sect, disciples who successfully comprehended Qi within a year were granted the privilege of selecting a martial art from the Cangwu Pavilion before the upcoming test conference. This rule ensured that disciples didn't grow complacent before the crucial event.

The martial arts realm had four stages: "First Glimpse of the Door," "Entry into the Room," "Mastery of technique," and "Perfection." It was indeed commendable that Li Bin's cousin, Zhao Feiyun, had achieved "First Glimpse of the Door" in just two months.

"Zhao Feiyun is truly remarkable, mastering a martial art in just two months," Niu Geng praised sincerely, visibly inspired. "I need to intensify my training. The test conference is in half a month, and I'm determined to grasp Qi before then."

"I'll leave you to your chat; I'm heading off to practice," Zhuge Xiang announced abruptly, offering no pleasantries. He couldn't stand Li Bin's smug demeanor, so he departed without further ado.

The Shura Sect, known for its straightforward values of like and dislike, encouraged disciples to express their feelings openly. While Zhuge Xiang was growing visibly impatient, Li Bin recognized the limits of his provocations. Zhuge Xiang was no pushover like Niu Geng. Moreover, Zhuge Xiang was only on the brink of comprehending Qi and becoming an official disciple of the Shura Sect. In this realm, who could he not challenge besides those who had mastered Qi?

With this realization, Li Bin's confidence swelled. He typically limited his bullying to Niu Geng, but this time, he halted Zhuge Xiang and declared, "Don't rush off. I have more good news to share. My cousin, Zhao Feiyun, has learned of a Blood Spirit Fruit that's about to ripen. He intends to pick it and use it to aid my qi comprehension. In half a month, I'm certain I'll become an official Shura Sect disciple."

"Really? Congratulations!" Niu Geng genuinely celebrated Li Bin's good fortune, evidently pleased for his friend.

While Niu Geng expressed his felicitations, Zhuge Xiang's demeanor remained indifferent, and he kept his gaze lowered. He took pride in his own abilities and saw no need for extravagant displays. However, he couldn't hide his disdain for Li Bin's boastful behavior.

The Blood Spirit Fruit was an exceedingly rare spiritual fruit known for its rich essence and blood energy. Consuming it could be a tremendous boon for cultivators in the Qi refinement stage, especially for people like Zhuge Xiang who had yet to comprehend Qi. The fruit's potent essence and blood energy could greatly enhance their understanding of Qi.

Initially, Li Bin hadn't planned to reveal this information about the Blood Spirit Fruit, but Zhuge Xiang's aloofness had ignited his irritation. He divulged the news to emphasize his impending status as an official disciple and perhaps provoke some admiration. To his chagrin, Zhuge Xiang's attitude remained unchanged, and he still wore that same expression of contempt.

Zhuge Xiang's patience finally ran out as Li Bin audaciously commented on the room's untidiness. Li Bin's condescending words struck a nerve. "Who are you calling uneducated? Are you looking for trouble?" Zhuge Xiang retorted, his cold gaze locking onto Li Bin with a chilling intensity. For Zhuge Xiang, being labeled "uneducated" was an affront he couldn't tolerate.

Li Bin, taken aback by Zhuge Xiang's venomous gaze, instinctively retreated a few steps. He had never witnessed Zhuge Xiang in such a menacing state before, leaving him momentarily speechless.

"Alright, alright, we're all roommates, and harmony is what matters most. Let's not escalate things," Niu Geng, ever the peacemaker, stepped in to defuse the tension.

Niu Geng's intervention helped Li Bin realize the impact of Zhuge Xiang's intense gaze. However, his wounded pride prevented him from offering a full apology. "I was just making a point. Your nothing but trash in my eyes."

Zhuge Xiang's eyes remained wide open, bloodshot, as he locked onto Li Bin with an unyielding intensity. He issued a challenge with unwavering resolve, declaring, "Li Bin, I want to challenge you!"