[AUTHOR MESSAGE: Hello! The "Am I Too Lucky" novel is officially back from being on hiatus! Expect 1-2 chapters per week, sometimes even more! At times, I don't feel motivated to create my chapters, so if you would like to see more, add it to your library/collection because it really helps motivate me! Please feel free to leave any comments if you have any suggestions or maybe events or characters you'd like to see added.
Additionally, our protagonist, Shi Xingyun, may seem too overpowered right now. But trust me, the results is from the recent manual he's obtained and is purely from the physical advantage he has over everyone (strength, height, weight, etc..). He'll meet his match soon enough... not to say too much, but don't forget he is also still the heir to the strongest sword clan/family!
I've also improved my writing while I was away, please leave some comments about it. If you'd rather me go back to the old style, I have no problem with that at all! I tried my best to go through and revise and edit, but I originally made this chapter at the end of April, so I do apologize if there is anything missing, incomplete, or may not exactly "flow" the way it should.
I'll let you read now, ENJOY!]
After two days of waiting, the preliminary round finally came to an end. Depending on one's performance—judged by a select panel of supposedly "unbiased" referees—participants were either sent back to fight again or told to await the next stage. Some participants fought multiple times, others only once more, and a few, like me, had a single bout. This process continued until only one‑fifth of the original competitors remained.
The referee's voice boomed over the arena speakers. "That concludes the preliminary rounds! Please remain seated—the round robin will begin shortly. We will form sixteen groups: twelve with nineteen participants and four with eighteen. Each competitor will face six opponents from their own group. Performances will be evaluated by the judges, with audience opinion taken into account. Group winners will advance to the final elimination rounds, leading up to the grand finals!"
At that moment, holograms shimmered to life in every tunnel, revealing each player's number, name, age, and assigned group. My display read: Group 3.
Beside each projection stood a podium topped with two connected squares—one a glowing display, the other a panel of lettered buttons. As I approached, it greeted me in a clear, calm voice:
"Player Identity: Shi Xingyun. Group Number: 3. Permission Level: Basic. How may I assist you?"
Surprised, I whispered, "Uh… what are you?"
"I am Alpha One," it replied without hesitation. "The first advanced artificial intelligence system. I can perform high‑level calculations, provide unlocked information, and even locate the nearest restroom. What can I do for you?"
I furrowed my brow and asked, "What is your purpose here…really?"
"I detect confusion," Alpha One stated. "Do you wish to know exactly what I am, or why I am present at the Heavenly Dragon Gathering?"
"The latter," I said.
"I am here to inform you of your group assignment, your round‑robin schedule, and any additional details you may require," it explained. "Does that satisfy your inquiry?"
I glanced at other participants. They saw only their schedule; none heard Alpha One speak or witnessed its questions. "Why do I receive more information than everyone else? What is happening?"
"Analyzing... Analysis complete," Alpha One responded. "Your elevated access derives from your permission level. Others have 'Limited' clearance; yours is set to 'Basic.' A review of recent actions shows Administrator Shi Tianho—your father—manually assigned your level to Basic. Would you like me to restore it?"
I laughed softly. "No, that's fine. Just show me the schedule. And while you're at it, explain your overall purpose of being created and why my father is involved."
Alpha One obliged. "I was created to simplify daily life and democratize information access. I manage systems and processes of all kinds. Your father sponsors this project, granting him high authority." Then the schedule appeared:
[ROUND 1: SHI XINGYUN VS LI FENG | TIME START: 8:40]
[ROUND 2: SHI XINGYUN VS LAN XUE | TIME START: 11:15]
[ROUND 3: SHI XINGYUN VS CHEN LONG | TIME START: 13:05]
[ROUND 4: SHI XINGYUN VS HAN LEI | TIME START: 15:30]
[ROUND 5: SHI XINGYUN VS YUE FEI | TIME START: 18:55]
[ROUND 6: SHI XINGYUN VS XU LINGCHUAN | TIME START: 10:00 (NEXT DAY)]
CURRENT TIME: 8:00
Alpha One continued, "The arena will split into sixteen separate zones. No participant may cross the boundary—ground or air—or they forfeit the match. No exceptions. That is all."
Its voice cut off, leaving only the schedule glowing before me. I muttered, "Odd. I have some time to spare…might as well watch a few matches."
As expected, the fights were marginally more exciting now that the arena was divided. All the Eternal Sword Pavilion students advanced, though most ranked just above average. Still, "above average" here meant one in a million talent elsewhere.
Time flew by until my name rang out. Unprepared, I dashed for my sword and stepped into my section of the arena. The once vast arena now felt small, divided into sixteen equal squares. How much faster would the prelims have gone if they'd done this sooner?
My opponent—a seemingly ordinary girl—greeted me with a cupped‑fist salute. I returned it and took my place at the opposite end. A new referee raised a flag high, then slammed it into the ground.
She drew her sword with grace. I couldn't help but admire the elegant craftsmanship of it. Then she suddenly whispered, "Hear my call, O Great Blossom Tree…"
Suddenly wind and petals swirled through the arena. Curious, I let a single flower drift to my skin—and it sliced me instantly.
I nodded thoughtfully. "You must be from the Blossom‑Blade Sect?"
She scowled. "Yeah? So?"
I tilted my head. "Why are you offended? I'm just asking."
Her eyes flashed with anger. "You know why! Your Shi family slaughtered my ancestors a hundred years ago. We should be among the top three sects right now!"
I raised an eyebrow. "We did? I can't recall that. Besides, I had nothing to do with it."
Yes, I enjoyed ruffling feathers—an unpleasant habit inherited from my father. Though, I still have no clue what she is talking about. Funnily enough, my taunt worked. She lunged, wind whipping around us.
"Revenge will be mine!" she screamed.
I sighed, exhaling deliberately. "Very well. Since you insist, I'll show you the distance in skill between us."
I assumed a wide sword stance—not even a Shi family form—placed my hand on the hilt, and inhaled deeply. In an instant, I delivered a horizontal slash that cut a path across the arena with silent force, as if space itself held its breath.
Petals fell and vanished. Then the girl was launched backward, crashing into the wall, barely conscious. The referee moved in to declare the end, but she began standing up.
I blinked. "You're up even after that? Though, I suppose I held back a bit. I didn't want to level the entire arena."
She laughed weakly. "What a pathetic move. You can't even take me down properly."
I shrugged. "If you had a better attitude, I might indulge your delusion. But I did not use any special technique much less the Shi family technique—but just a common horizontal slash. The power you experienced came solely from my strength."
She clenched her fists, fury in her eyes. She hurled insults at me and my family. I stepped forward, sword at her throat. "Say one more word. I don't care what you choose to call my family, but keep your mouth shut."
Her voice trembled. "A‑another loser from the Shi f‑family…" She hesitated, then spat, "…your parents and siblings will—"
My sword flashed down. A crackle of power—then I froze mid‑strike.
"Space Dao?" I murmured, alarmed. The referee gripped my arm and lowered my blade.
He spoke softly, "Shi Xingyun, that's your victory. But no fouls. You've been warned. Return to the tunnel."
I gritted my teeth in frustration, angrily yelling at the girl before turning away, "If we meet again, you'll regret it. Don't say I didn't warn you!"
I strode back to my resting spot and finally relaxed. I was angry, but not enough to kill someone. She posed no real threat.
It's not the words that mattered, but the dishonor she spoke against the Shi name. As the heir, I couldn't let that go unpunished. Thousands were watching. I needed to appear strong and unwavering.
I decided to take a walk for fresh air and ran into my father seated on a bench. He restrained himself from hugging me—likely to avoid drawing attention—and patted the empty spot beside him.
"Xingyun, I admire your defense of our reputation, but you went too far," he said gently.
I tilted my head. "I see your point…yet I also don't. It's good to put people like that in their place, and I need to show the strength of the heir of the Shi family. I'm tired of arrogant fools assuming we're weak just because of our neutrality pact."
He chuckled. "I understand, but there are better ways to handle it. Regardless, that's not why I'm here."
I leaned forward on the hilt of my sword. "Then why?"
His expression turned serious. "First, curb that arrogance. People will think poorly of you, ESPECIALLY because of our neutrality pact. Second, I noticed you didn't use the family technique."
I opened my mouth.
He interrupted, "Yes, you could have killed her outright. That's precisely the problem—you flaunted your strength. Where did you gain that power?"
I hesitated. "An upper‑grade heavenly technique I found on Mystic Mist Mountain. It's what I've been practicing these past few months up to this point. Although, of course, I am still practicing the Sword Dao..."
His eyes widened. "A very fortunate find, how lucky. Not to mention it's extremely advantageous for a sword cultivator." He cleared his throat. "Alright, well, I'm really just here to tell you that you must watch out for Xu Lingchuan."
I frowned. There was someone I had to look out for? "Who is he?"
"The Xu family heir. Founders of the Heavenly Space Sect."
Recognition flickered. "Oh, the second most powerful sect behind the Flowing Hourglass Sect?"
"Exactly. Xu Lingchuan is nearly as advanced in the Space Dao as some masters. I could be wrong, but I have a strong feeling that at this tournament, he'll learn Spatial Locking—the third level that traps you in a pocket of space. He can already sense the smallest of movements through space vibrations and even tear through space itself. Stay clear of his techniques. I advise you to watch him at some point prior to the match. But if he, by any means, learns the third level—you will have no chance at beating him."
I swallowed. "Yikes. But I won't shy away, father. If he improves to the third level, then I simply must learn to cut space with my sword."
He smiled. "I like your confidence. You're not yet capable of cutting space, but perhaps soon. Be careful, and go all out when you face him."
I nodded. "I will."
As I rose to leave, I wondered if Xu Lingchuan was the source of that strange sensation I'd felt earlier. I'd find out soon enough.