Chapter 5: The Tournament

Kai Zheng turned at the sound of the voice, recognizing the speaker instantly.

A young man approached with confident steps and sharp, calculating eyes. The memories from this body—the former Kai Zheng—supplied the name without hesitation: Zhou Wei.

Not a friend. Not an enemy. Just an acquaintance—someone the previous self occasionally used to gather information.

Zhou Wei grinned. "You're out early. Not brooding in your courtyard like usual, huh?"

Kai Zheng offered a faint smile. "Had a small breakthrough last night."

Zhou Wei's eyes widened slightly. He took a step back, scanning Kai Zheng more seriously this time. "No wonder… I could feel the leaking Qi around you the moment I arrived. Foundation Establishment Realm, right?"

Kai Zheng gave a simple nod, not bothering to deny it.

"Well damn," Zhou Wei let out a low whistle. "Congratulations, Brother Kai. With that breakthrough, you're officially qualified to join the tournament. The Inner Sect will finally have to consider you."

Kai Zheng folded his arms, his tone calm. "I suppose I'll see what all the fuss is about."

Zhou Wei laughed. "You always act like it's no big deal. But trust me, most of us would kill for your position. I've been stuck at the late stage of Qi Condensation for months. Still not even peak stage yet."

He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly frustrated. "I want to participate too, but without reaching Foundation Realm, it's pointless."

Kai Zheng didn't respond. His expression remained unreadable, but inside, gears were turning.

So I'm officially qualified. That means the real competition begins.

Zhou Wei continued. "You've heard about the tournament rules, right? Inner Sect disciples oversee it. They watch the fights, evaluate us, and decide who's worthy of a promotion."

Kai Zheng gave a nod. That aligned perfectly with what his system-fed memories told him. The Inner Sect disciples were far beyond the outer disciples in strength, resources, and cultivation. Only those who had broken past Foundation Realm with talent and drive earned that status.

But Zhou Wei wasn't done. He leaned in slightly. "The real monsters, though… aren't the Inner Sect disciples watching us. It's the top outer sect disciples competing."

Kai Zheng raised an eyebrow. "Names?"

Zhou Wei smirked and lifted his fingers one by one.

"Bai Liang. Cold-blooded and ruthless. He's basically a machine on the battlefield. Rumor is he's on the verge of breaking into Formation Realm peak stage already. As an outer disciple! That's insane."

Kai Zheng narrowed his gaze. That name… it already sounded annoying.

"Then there's Jiang Mei—the Ice Lotus. Her techniques are terrifying. She barely speaks. Just freezes people where they stand. You'd think she was raised in a glacier."

"Xu Gang comes next. Built like a beast. Pure brute strength and a fighter's instinct. Not subtle, but incredibly effective. No one lasts more than a few moves against him."

"And lastly," Zhou Wei's expression turned more cautious, "Wu Fei. The mysterious one. Never shows his real strength. Doesn't bother with anyone unless he must. But when he fights… his opponents vanish from the rankings."

Kai Zheng closed his eyes for a second and gave a mental command.

'System show me Zhou Wei's status'

A faint blue flicker passed through his pupils as a transparent interface lit up before his eyes—unseen by anyone else.

[Character Scan Complete]

[

Name: Zhou Wei

Role: Supportive Character (Hero Side)

Hero Archetype: Loyal Companion – A steadfast aid to heroes. Helps but is easily overlooked.

Cultivation Level: Qi Condensation Realm – Late Stage

Talent Grade: Green (Ordinary)Affiliation: Heavenly Sword Sect – Outer Sect

Hero Aura: 15

Potential Threat: Low

System Note: Loyalty is conditional. Will follow strong leaders but may abandon if left behind.

]

Kai Zheng dismissed the window.

Not a threat… but not useless. He could still be used. 

"Where do those four usually stay?" Kai Zheng asked, his voice devoid of emotion.

Zhou Wei shrugged. "Each of them was taken in as a personal disciple by an elder. They don't live in the outer sect quarters anymore. They cultivate in private peaks or secluded valleys with full resources, high-grade techniques, and spirit-rich zones."

"Resources we'll never touch," he added bitterly.

Kai Zheng tapped his sleeve absently. "Their talent levels?"

"Bai Liang and Jiang Mei are both confirmed Purple-grade talents. The sect treasures them like jade."

"Wu Fei's talent is unknown. Some say it's purple or Gold-grade… Others think he's something else entirely."

"Xu Gang's probably Blue or Dark Blue, but what he lacks in talent, he makes up for in sheer ruthlessness. Honestly, he scares people more than the others."

Zhou Wei folded his arms and glanced sideways at him. "You've been here for ten years, Kai. Everyone says you're stable, hard-working, but not a genius. Meanwhile, those four reached Foundation Realm in a single year."

Kai Zheng smiled faintly. "Is that so?"

Zhou Wei chuckled. "I get it. You're thinking of challenging them, aren't you? Heh. I admire the guts. Just don't blame me if you get crushed."

He turned lazily toward the quest board. "Still, you've got a shot. With that breakthrough, top 500 shouldn't be impossible. Who knows—maybe we'll both make it in."

As Zhou Wei started walking off, Kai Zheng spoke—his voice calm, detached. "Zhou Wei."

The boy paused and looked back. "Yeah?"

Kai reached into his sleeve and flicked a small pouch of Qi Crystals forward. Zhou Wei caught it with mild surprise.

"For the information," Kai said flatly. "Standard rate."

Zhou Wei's expression shifted subtly—not gratitude, not friendship. Just understanding. He weighed the pouch in his hand, nodded, and pocketed it without another word.

Kai's gaze sharpened. "I want full profiles on Bai Liang, Jiang Mei, Xu Gang, and Wu Fei. Backgrounds. Family origins. Known techniques. Weaknesses—if any. Especially their fighting habits."

Zhou Wei let out a low whistle. "You're serious then."

Kai said nothing. Just stared.

Zhou Wei gave a crooked grin. "Fine. I'll dig around. No promises on Wu Fei though. That guy's practically a shadow."

"You'll manage," Kai replied coldly.

With a mock salute, Zhou Wei turned and finally walked off, humming to himself, the pouch of crystals jingling softly at his side.

Kai Zheng remained where he stood, his expression unreadable.

His gaze drifted to the towering peaks in the distance, where the so-called prodigies cultivated under the personal guidance of sect elders. Bai Liang, Jiang Mei, Xu Gang, and the elusive Wu Fei—Purple-level talents treated like royalty, nurtured with boundless resources, and revered as the future of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

"Purple-level talents, granted endless resources, and they reached Foundation Realm in a single year?"

A chuckle escaped his lips, low and amused.

"They must feel proud of themselves."

Kai Zheng slowly curled his fingers into a fist. His cultivation realm was forged through ten years of silent labor—years of hardship, perseverance, and clawing his way upward with nothing but sheer will. Meanwhile, these 'gifts of the heavens' were handed everything on golden platters.

Unfair?

Maybe.

He raised his hand and looked at his palm. A faint buzz echoed beneath his skin—subtle, but present. Soul. Blood. Intent. Everything inside him felt aligned for the first time in years.

Those so-called geniuses everyone whispered about?

He hadn't met them. Didn't even know what they looked like. Basically, he had been in seclusion, focusing on improving his cultivation for the tournament.

And frankly, he didn't care.

"The best talents of last year?" His voice was a quiet chuckle. "How unfortunate… for them."