Chapter 2: System Rewards and Inner Sect Shock
Li Wei stepped through the towering gates of Azure Cloud Academy, the stolen entry token now back in his hand. The vast plaza inside buzzed with outer disciples rushing to registration halls. Whispers followed him like shadows.
"Did you see that? He slapped Zhao Feng!"
"The trash actually hit the Young Master..."
Zhao Feng's furious voice echoed from behind: "Li Wei! My Azure Clan will make you regret this! Elders will arrive soon!"
Li Wei ignored him and walked straight to the outer disciple registration counter. An old deacon with a long beard looked up, surprised by the commotion outside.
"Name and token," the deacon said flatly.
"Li Wei, outer disciple."
The deacon scanned the jade token. "Qi Refining 1st stage... assigned to Courtyard 137, lowest rank. Here's your uniform and basic manual."
As Li Wei took the items, the cold system voice rang in his mind again:
[Mission completed: Publicly slap the arrogant Young Master.]
[Reward: +500 Spirit Points. Cultivation boost activated. Random skill: Instant Breakthrough Pill Recipe.]
[Host cultivation rising... Qi Refining 3rd stage!]
A warm current flooded Li Wei's meridians. His dantian expanded, qi surging rapidly. In seconds, he broke through two minor realms. The deacon's eyes widened slightly at the sudden qi fluctuation but said nothing.
Li Wei clenched his fist. Power. Real power flowed through him now.
He headed toward the outer disciple quarters. Along the path, groups of students stared. Some outer disciples who had been bullied by Zhao Feng before gave him respectful nods.
A pretty girl in green robes approached hesitantly. "Senior Brother Li... thank you for teaching that bully a lesson. My name is Su Ling. Zhao Feng took my resources last week."
Li Wei nodded briefly. "No need for thanks. The weak will rise."
Before he reached his shabby courtyard, trouble arrived.
Five inner sect disciples in finer blue robes blocked his way, led by a burly man at Qi Refining 8th stage.
"You are Li Wei?" the leader growled. "Young Master Zhao sent us. Hand over the token and pill, then kowtow ten times. Maybe we'll leave your limbs intact."
Li Wei smiled coldly. "Another group of dogs?"
The system chimed:
[New mission: Slap these inner sect lackeys. Reward: 300 Spirit Points and Basic Movement Technique.]
The burly man roared and punched with full force.
Li Wei's palm flashed.
PA!
The slap sent the leader spinning, crashing into his companions. Teeth flew. The others charged together.
PA! PA! PA! PA!
Four crisp slaps rang out. All five inner disciples hit the ground, faces swollen beyond recognition, qi disrupted.
The crowd gasped louder this time.
"How is a 1st stage... no, he's 3rd stage now? He just broke through!"
"Zhao Feng's men defeated in one move..."
Li Wei dusted his hands. "Tell your Young Master: next time, he comes himself."
He continued to Courtyard 137—a tiny, run-down room with leaking roof. Sitting cross-legged, he opened the system interface in his mind.
[Spirit Points: 1500]
[Skills: Basic Slap Technique (Level 1), Instant Breakthrough Pill Recipe]
He spent 800 points to upgrade Slap Technique to Level 2, increasing damage and speed.
Then he refined the academy's spirit pill using the new recipe. A stronger version formed in his palm. Swallowing it, his cultivation surged again to Qi Refining 5th stage.
Night fell. Li Wei practiced the new Basic Movement Technique—his body became lighter, steps faster.
A knock sounded. Su Ling stood outside with two other outer disciples.
"Senior Brother Li, news spread fast. Zhao Feng called for backup from his clan. An outer elder might intervene tomorrow. Be careful."
Li Wei stood. "Let them come. I will slap them all."
The system voice echoed:
[Face points +200. Weak disciples' favor rising.]
Li Wei looked at the starry sky. From trash to this... the road to the peak had just started. Zhao Feng's clan, the academy rules, even the heavens—nothing would stop his rise.
He closed his eyes and cultivated through the night, qi flowing smoother than ever.
Tomorrow, more faces would be slapped.