Illusions Can't Stop A Really Good Kick

The arena was a cacophony of cheers, gasps, and the occasional frustrated roar from a defeated sect.

Li Wei's victory had set the tone, a powerful opening statement from the Azure Cloud Sect.

My dashboard glowed with a satisfying [Points: 3,710].

This was going to be a good day for cosmic capitalism.

"Excellent, Li Wei!" Sect Master Gu Ran beamed, as our victorious disciple returned to our private box, a faint flush on her cheeks.

"A decisive victory! You truly showcased the Azure Cloud Sect's prowess!"

"Thank you, Sect Master," Li Wei replied, bowing respectfully. She glanced at me, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. The [Super-Strength Kick System] was definitely working wonders.

The tournament continued. Match after match, the arena floor became a stage for dazzling displays of cultivation. Fire cultivators unleashed scorching infernos, water cultivators summoned swirling torrents, and earth cultivators raised protective stone barriers.

It was like watching a live-action, super-powered martial arts movie, complete with dramatic poses and occasional explosions.

Our Azure Cloud Sect disciples continued to perform admirably. Each time one of them stepped onto the stage, I felt a surge of nervous excitement. My [Minor Kinetic Shield] actually hummed with my own anticipation. I mentally cheered them on, occasionally offering tactical advice to the Sect Master (who politely listened, then usually ignored me in favor of his own, more experienced judgment).

Disciple Borin (the Azure Cloud one, not my Borin) used his [Minor Elemental Shield System (Earth)] to become an unyielding fortress, frustrating his opponents with his impenetrable defense. He didn't win every match, but he certainly made his opponents work for it, often ending in a draw or a narrow defeat, but never a quick knockout.

Ren, the strategist, surprised everyone. He didn't have the flashiest offensive systems, but his [Enhanced Stamina System] allowed him to outlast opponents, while his natural tactical mind (now supercharged by some unseen system synergy) allowed him to exploit every opening.

He won several matches through sheer endurance and clever maneuvers, often leaving his opponents gasping for breath.

My points steadily climbed. Every victory for an Azure Cloud Sect disciple meant another 500 points for me. The System, in my mind, was probably doing a full-blown disco dance.

[Points: 4,210] after Disciple Borin's draw (I still got points for a draw, apparently, though less than a full win).

[Points: 4,710] after another win.

[Points: 5,210] after a particularly flashy victory by a disciple who used their [Super-Strength Kick System] to launch their opponent out of bounds.

"Sect Master Alex," Urg grunted, a wide, genuine grin on his face. "These 'systems' of yours… they're truly something! We haven't had this many victories in the first round in generations!"

"It's the power of synergy, Commander Urg!" I declared, beaming. "Combining their natural talent with the right enhancements. It's like putting rocket boosters on a sports car!"

Zephyr chuckled. "A rather apt analogy, Sect Master Alex. Though I imagine the Blazefury Sect is not amused."

Indeed. From their viewing box, Grand Elder Kael looked increasingly agitated. His star disciple, Ignis, had won his match with a spectacular display of fire power, but the overall performance of the Azure Cloud Sect was clearly unsettling him.

The day wore on, filled with thrilling battles. There were cultivators who could summon giant, spectral beasts, others who could move with impossible speed, and some who could even manipulate light to create dazzling illusions. It was a feast for the eyes, and a masterclass in cultivation.

Finally, the announcer's booming voice cut through the arena. "And now, the final match of the first round! A clash of titans! From the Starlight Conclave, Disciple Lumina! And from the Azure Cloud Sect, Disciple Li Wei!"

The crowd roared. Li Wei was up again! And against Lumina, the Starlight Conclave's star illusionist. This was going to be good.

"Lumina is a master of mental arts and illusions," Sect Master Gu Ran explained, his face serious. "Her illusions can disorient, confuse, and even induce fear. A dangerous opponent."

"But Li Wei has her [Super-Strength Kick System] and [Enhanced Stamina System]," I countered, feeling a surge of confidence.

"And her [Minor Elemental Shield System (Wind)] will help against mental attacks." I hoped. I hadn't specifically given them anti-illusion systems.

The two disciples stepped onto the stage. Lumina, in her shimmering silver robes, looked almost ethereal, her movements fluid and graceful. Li Wei, in her crisp Azure Cloud Sect robes, radiated a quiet, focused intensity.

"BEGIN!"

Lumina moved first, not with a physical attack, but with a subtle wave of her hand. The arena seemed to shimmer. The air around Li Wei distorted, twisting into a kaleidoscope of colors. Then, terrifying images began to form around her: monstrous beasts, shadowy figures, even what looked like her own deepest fears. It was a full-sensory illusion, designed to overwhelm and break the opponent's mind.

Li Wei paused, her movements faltering for a second. Her eyes flickered, showing a momentary confusion.

"She's caught in the illusion!" Lyra murmured, her brow furrowed.

"Li Wei, focus!" I mentally urged, though I knew she couldn't hear me. "Kick the fear! Kick the illusions!"

Li Wei closed her eyes for a brief moment, then reopened them. Her gaze was still intense, but a subtle blue aura flickered around her, a sign of her [Minor Elemental Shield System (Wind)] working. The illusions still swirled, but they seemed to have less impact on her. She took a deep breath, and then, she moved.

She didn't try to dispel the illusions. She didn't try to fight them. She simply ignored them. Her [Enhanced Stamina System] kept her moving, her [Super-Strength Kick System] made her a blur of motion. She began to circle Lumina, a whirlwind of kicks, each one aimed at the real space where Lumina stood, not the illusory copies.

Lumina, surprised by Li Wei's resilience, tried to shift her illusions, making multiple copies of herself, blurring her true location. But Li Wei, guided by her raw combat instinct (and perhaps a subtle boost from her system), seemed to sense the real target.

WHUMP! A powerful kick slammed into empty air. WHUMP! Another. Li Wei was kicking through the illusions, her movements precise and relentless.

"She's using her physical power to break through the mental attacks!" Sect Master Gu Ran exclaimed, a look of dawning realization on his face. "Remarkable! She's not fighting the illusion; she's fighting the space!"

Lumina began to look flustered. Her illusions, meant to disorient, were now just getting in Li Wei's way. Li Wei was closing the distance, her kicks getting closer and closer.

Finally, with a powerful, spinning leap, Li Wei launched herself into the air. Her leg, empowered by the [Super-Strength Kick System], became a blur. She spun, aiming for the real Lumina, who was now desperately trying to conjure a defensive illusion.

CRACK! The kick connected. Not with an illusion, but with Lumina's shimmering silver shield. The shield shattered like glass, and Lumina cried out, sent flying across the stage. She landed in a heap, dazed but not seriously injured.

"Match!" the referee boomed, his voice filled with awe. "Disciple Li Wei of the Azure Cloud Sect is the victor!"

The arena erupted. This time, the cheers were mixed with shouts of utter astonishment. No one had ever seen an illusionist defeated so… directly. Li Wei had literally kicked her way through mental attacks.

Li Wei stood in the center of the stage, breathing heavily, but triumphant. She gave a small, confident bow.

My dashboard flashed.

[SYSTEM ALERT: LI WEI VICTORY! ILLUSIONIST DEFEATED! MASSIVE POINT GAIN!]

[SYSTEM STATUS: DOING THE MACARENA. WITH FIREWORKS.]

Then, the glorious number: [Points: 4,710]. Another 500 points! This was incredible! The System was practically throwing points at me.

Sect Master Gu Ran was beaming, a look of pure triumph on his face. Lyra actually smiled. Urg let out a roar of approval. Zephyr gave me a knowing look, as if to say, "I told you so."

"Alex," Sect Master Gu Ran said, his voice filled with pride. "Your 'systems' are truly revolutionary. Li Wei's performance… it was unparalleled. We have truly made a statement today."

I grinned. "Just showing them what the Heavenly System Sect can do, Sect Master. And this is just the first round." My mind, however, was already racing.