Three days after Pig Village—now Shameless City—was saved and unofficially upgraded to a "strategic empire-in-development," Li Tianming stood at the gates of Cloudcrest Sect, ready to crash a prestigious Youth Cultivation Tournament.
"I can't believe we're doing this," Mei Ling'er muttered, disguised in simple robes beside him.
"Correction," Tianming said. "You can't believe it. I believe in everything I do. Especially if it involves public face-slapping and free food."
> "System Notice: Tournament Arc Triggered – 'Rise of the Shameless Prince.'"
Win the Tournament (Optional)
Objective: Defeat at least 3 Young Masters
Bonus Objective: Win while annoying the Sect Master
Reward: Divine Tier Treasure Box, One Random Harem Candidate Appears
---
Inside the Tournament Grounds
Hundreds of young cultivators strutted about, showing off flashy techniques, silk robes, and heaven-tier arrogance. Spectators filled the stands, eager to witness the finest talents of nearby regions.
Tianming, dressed in patched robes and an aura of absolute confidence, stepped onto the preliminary stage.
The announcer blinked at the entry scroll. "Uh… contestant number 88. Sect: 'Shameless Heaven Sect.' Title: Supreme Executive Emperor of Pig Village?"
"That's me," Tianming waved.
The crowd roared with laughter.
"Is this a joke?"
"Does his sect even exist?"
Tianming calmly stepped forward and handed the announcer a hand-drawn logo of a pig in sunglasses riding a cloud.
> "System Passive Triggered: 'Public Mockery Conversion Lv.2.' +30 Qi absorbed from ridicule."
---
Match 1: Tianming vs. Young Master Lotus Hands
A pale young man with flowing hair and a lotus-engraved sword stepped forward, exuding an aura of righteousness.
"I am Bai Feng, 3rd-ranked outer disciple of Cloud Moon Sect. I cleanse the world of filth."
"Great," Tianming replied. "Start with your breath."
The crowd gasped.
"You dare—!"
"Also," Tianming added, "Lotus Hands? You sound like a soft-shelled crab."
> "Skill Activated: Verbal Palm Strike – Ego Crusher."
Target Confidence -45%
Bai Feng roared and rushed forward with a blinding sword strike.
Tianming dodged, smirked, and tapped the man's forehead with a single finger.
"Boop."
Bai Feng's knees buckled. He fainted.
> Victory by Psychological Overload!
+50 Qi
Title Gained: "Public Enemy of the Righteous Sects"
The crowd fell silent.
"…Did that guy just boop a sword cultivator unconscious?"
---
Match 2: Tianming vs. Flaming Saber Twins
Two muscular siblings wielding flaming sabers charged at him together.
"You'll burn, you freak!"
"I already burn—with style!" Tianming shouted, pulling out his Face-Slapping Token.
> Skill Activated: Shameless Combo Lv.1 – Dual Palm Reversal!
SMACK! SMACK!
Two synchronized face-slaps echoed across the arena. The twins spun like flaming tops before collapsing in a heap of sizzle and shame.
> +100 Qi
Spectator Shock: +85
Divine Favor: +1
System Comment: Host is now trending on SpiritNet.
---
After two more consecutive, increasingly ridiculous victories—including one where Tianming defeated a Qi Condensation genius by insulting his pet crane—he advanced to the Top 16.
The crowd no longer laughed.
They cheered.
"Shameless Heaven Sect! Shameless Heaven Sect!"
Mei Ling'er shook her head in the stands. "He's weaponizing his absurdity. Again."
> Affection +7. Status: Begrudgingly Impressed.
---
Later that night, Tianming was invited to a VIP dinner for the Top 16 cultivators. The banquet was filled with glittering dishes, precious wines, and sixteen smug egos.
Among them sat the Sect Master of Cloudcrest, a calm, fox-eyed man in deep blue robes.
"So," he said with a small smile, "you're the one causing waves."
Tianming nodded. "Just bringing style back to the sect scene."
"You know you've angered three sects, insulted six bloodlines, and ruined one spiritual beast's dignity?"
Tianming shrugged. "All in a day's work."
The Sect Master raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. You're either a madman, or…"
"…A genius?" Tianming offered.
"...I was going to say a liability. But we'll see."
---
Just as the conversation got tense—
BOOM!
The doors burst open as a majestic aura flooded the banquet hall. A tall woman floated in, wreathed in heavenly mist, long silver hair cascading behind her, and an ethereal instrument glowing at her back.
The room fell silent.
She floated to Tianming's table and stopped in front of him.
"You. Shameless one. I have been watching you."
"Many do," Tianming replied, bowing. "What can I say? I radiate charisma."
"I am Aria of the Divine Lyre," she said. "Holy Music Goddess of the Heavenly Hall. And I challenge you—to a duel of soul resonance."
Everyone gasped.
Tianming blinked. "Soul… what now?"
"You will know. In time."
> "System Alert: New Divine Harem Candidate Detected: [Aria of the Divine Lyre]"
Charm Level: 99/100
Class: Divine Sound / Emotion / Heavenly Melody
Status: Curious. Watching you closely.
New Quest: 'Win Her Heart Through Musical Madness.'"
Mei Ling'er narrowed her eyes from across the room.
"This guy really is attracting goddesses like flies to honey…"
> System Whisper: "Correction. Flies are less attracted."
---
As the banquet resumed, Tianming leaned back in his seat, hands behind his head, smirking like the world owed him a kingdom.
And soon… it would.