Lin Feng's fists were infamous across the Azure Cloud Sect—not for their power, but for their spectacular inability to hit anything. Every swing seemed to defy physics, gravity, and common sense. Today, like every day, he faced the training dummy, a wooden figure scarred from countless disciples' failed attempts, and, of course, from Lin Feng's repeated failures.
"Again, Lin Feng!" Elder Han's voice boomed. "Focus! The dummy is not going to run away… though your dignity might if you keep missing!"
Lin Feng clenched his teeth. He'd been trying to prove himself for years, but somehow his fists had a strange habit of hitting air, trees, and occasionally his own feet. "One day… I'll show them," he muttered. "One day, they'll see me—"
A sudden wind cut across the courtyard. The air shimmered like molten glass, and the ground vibrated subtly. Lin Feng froze. Birds scattered, their cries echoing through the mountains. A figure appeared, calm and imposing: Elder Bai Long, legendary martial artist whose reputation alone could make mountains bow.
"You've been chosen," the elder said, voice steady but firm.
Lin Feng blinked. "Chosen… to sweep the yard? Chosen… to eat porridge first?"
Elder Bai Long ignored him. With a faint flick of his hand, a translucent, glowing interface appeared in front of Lin Feng, hovering midair. Symbols swirled, lights pulsed, and a metallic, slightly sarcastic voice rang out:
"Welcome, Chosen One. Fist God System activated."
Lin Feng stumbled back. "Fist God… System? Did I just become a punching machine?"
[SYSTEM STATUS – LIN FENG]
Name: Lin Feng (林峰)
Level: Novice Disciple → Fist God Stage 0
XP: 0 / 500
Primary Attributes:
Strength: 12
Speed: 10
Endurance: 9
Inner Energy: 8
Reflex: 10
Technique Mastery: 5
Secondary Stats / Fun Metrics:
Fist Points: 0
Clumsiness Index: 99% (Warning: Tripping hazard active)
Humor Resistance: 85 (Tolerance for system sarcasm)
Determination Level: 50/100
Active Fist Skills:
Iron Fist Beginner – Level 1 (Basic punch; minor chance to knock opponent off balance)
Clumsy Hero – Level 1 (Missed attacks gain hidden XP)
System Commentary:
"Lin Feng, congratulations. Your punching skills are roughly equivalent to a dying chicken. But hey, at least you're enthusiastic."
Lin Feng's cheeks flamed. "I—uh… thank you?"
"First task," the system continued, "Strike the training dummy. Success grants 50 Fist Points. Failure… also grants points, but you may feel embarrassed in the process."
Lin Feng nodded, chest tight with excitement. He'd always wanted to hit something with purpose. His tiny fists trembled with energy as he focused. One… two… three swings.
CRACK!
The dummy's head spun like a top, a splinter flew into the air, and a glowing number flashed before Lin Feng's eyes.
Critical Hit! Fist Points gained: 100
New Skill Unlocked: Slapstick Resilience – Level 1 (Faceplants and tripping restore stamina; comedic bonus XP awarded)
Lin Feng stumbled backward, jaw slack. "I—I did it?!"
Elder Bai Long's eyebrows rose slightly. "You have potential… but your balance is catastrophic. Don't break your nose before dinner."
The system chimed cheerfully.
"Lin Feng, humor detected. Reward: +20 Fist Points. Recommended action: keep failing spectacularly; XP efficiency increases."
Lin Feng blinked, then tripped over his own foot and landed squarely in a puddle of mud. He yelped, sputtered, and spat out water, only to see the system flashing:
+10 Fist Points – Humility Bonus
A laugh bubbled out of him despite the mud in his mouth. For the first time in his life, failure felt like progress.
"Next," he said aloud, wiping mud from his face, "I'll show the world. Or at least the courtyard. One fist at a time!"
A distant BOOM interrupted him. Across the yard, Chen Hao, the Iron Fist Sect prodigy, had just shattered a wooden pillar with a single punch, sending shards flying in a perfect arc. Lin Feng gulped. "Uh… okay. That's terrifying. But I'll catch up… eventually."
[SYSTEM STATUS – Quick Check]
Level: 0 → Novice Disciple
Fist Points: 130
Skills: Iron Fist Beginner, Clumsy Hero, Slapstick Resilience
XP to next level: 370
"Lin Feng," the system said dryly, "Your path to the Fist God begins now. You may feel pain, humiliation, and extreme awkwardness… but don't worry. Those are all part of character development. Also, try not to hit anyone important."
Lin Feng laughed again. Mud-covered, dizzy, and grinning from ear to ear, he stood tall. For the first time, he felt the thrill of potential, power, and absurd comedy intertwined.
Somewhere in the mountains beyond the Azure Cloud Sect, the wind whispered across the peaks: a Fist God had awakened, and the Xianwu Era would never be the same.