> [Null Protocol: Active] [Status: Stable | Identity Risk: 0%] [Tournament Round 2 Begins: Opponent – Wei Dong, Sect Farmer & Beast Handler]
---
The air buzzed with anticipation. The second round had begun, and battles were growing fiercer. But Lin Xian's name, having barely scraped by in the first round, still floated under the radar.
Until today.
> [Opponent: Wei Dong] [Cultivation: Qi Tempering 5, Earth Root] [Spiritual Companion: Iron-Tusk Chicken, Grade: Mortal-Low] [Disposition: Cheerful Idiot]
Lin Xian blinked.
"…Did you say Iron-Tusk Chicken?"
> null.confirm("Iron-Tusk Chicken is a real entry?") [Confirmed. High aggression. Loud. Pecks cultivators in weak spots. Immune to mild illusions.]
"…Oh."
---
Pre-Match Arena
Wei Dong walked in with a grin too wide for his cheeks, waving at the crowd.
Behind him waddled the ugliest chicken Lin Xian had ever seen.
It was enormous—at least half his height. Black feathers. Crimson eyes. Beak sharp as a sword hilt. And, disturbingly, it wore a bronze collar engraved with tiny spiritual runes.
The crowd cheered.
"Big Dong and Murder Chicken!"
"Go Chicken God!"
Even the officiating elder sighed. "He's… back again."
Wei Dong gave a bright salute. "Senior! Ready to win with righteous poultry spirit!"
The elder nodded wearily. "Begin."
---
The Fight Begins
Wei Dong charged forward with the chicken leading.
Lin Xian stood very still.
> null.predict("Chicken aggression path") [Path A: Pecks groin — 89% chance] [Path B: Pecks eyes — 11% chance]
He sidestepped instantly.
PECK!
A deep crack echoed where his pelvis had just been.
The Iron-Tusk Chicken squawked like a demon and spun mid-air. Wei Dong used its back to launch himself like a boulder.
> null.simulate("Wei Dong momentum jump") [Disruption chance: High. Pattern: Chaos Monk Drunken Leap Style?]
Lin Xian narrowed his eyes.
"...You don't learn this. You become it."
---
Then came the moment.
As Lin Xian backstepped, the chicken squawked, tripped, and—mid-somersault—landed beak-first into Wei Dong's own foot.
Wei Dong screamed.
"AHH! TOES! MY TOES!"
> null.detect("friendly fire damage: 62%") [Wei Dong's footing broken. Trajectory altered.]
He flew past Lin Xian entirely, missed the formation field's edge, and crashed into a judge's pavilion.
Silence.
Dust.
Then…
"—I SURRENDER! This chicken's got its own karma!"
---
Aftermath
> [Winner: Lin Xian] [Notes: Uninjured. Opponent defeated self.] [Fate Threads: Public Perception — "Lucky Bastard"] [New Label Acquired: Ghost of Good Fortune]
The crowd burst into confused laughter.
Some were impressed. Most were bewildered.
A few now believed Lin Xian was secretly favored by destiny.
Lin Xian, expression flat, bowed once.
> null.annotate("unexpected victory condition", tag="chicken phenomenon") null.estimate("rumor spread potential") [72 disciples now whispering: "Maybe he's secretly blessed…"]
"Great," Lin Xian muttered internally.
He walked off the stage with dignity. Meanwhile, the chicken pecked at the unconscious Wei Dong, squawking angrily as medics dragged him away.
---
Later That Evening – Dorm 73
Disciple Qiu (his spirit-worm puppet) knocked on his own door, holding a paper talisman and a wrapped parcel.
"Master! Word spreads fast! Someone sent you a gift!"
Lin Xian raised a brow. "A gift?"
He opened it.
Inside: roasted chicken. Perfectly glazed. With a note.
> "For the Ghost of Good Fortune — may your victories be as spicy as your reputation."
No name. No trace of qi signature.
He stared at it in silence.
Then slowly smiled.
> null.scan("chicken meat") [Confirmed: Safe. Slightly spicy. High protein.]
He took a bite.
"…Excellent poultry. That chicken had it coming."
---
Scene Cut – Sect Elders' Peak
Elder Duan stood before a glowing mirror orb. A blurry image of Lin Xian's match hovered within.
Another elder chuckled. "Defeated by a chicken. This Lin Xian fellow is amusing."
"Amusing," Elder Duan echoed. "But too lucky."
"He's being discussed by five minor halls."
Elder Duan narrowed his eyes.
"…Too lucky is unnatural."
He wrote something on a jade slip: "Observe. Not yet intervene."
> [Null Protocol Alert: Passive Scan Detected – Elder Duan's Division] [Suggested Action: Divert Focus | Method: Overload with absurd data]
> null.upload("false aura fragment – Lucky Idiot, Grade: Heavenly Dumbass")
The scan paused… then flickered out.
---
Closing Scene
Lin Xian looked at the roasted chicken bones, then turned to Qiu.
"Tomorrow, leak a rumor."
"Yes, Master! Which kind?"
He leaned back, smiling faintly.
"Tell them I gained a secret chicken inheritance in a dream."
Qiu blinked.
"…Will that work?"
> null.predict("sect rumor influence by absurdity") [Projected Effect: 67% belief. 33% ironic reverence. Spread speed: Rapid.]
Lin Xian's eyes sparkled.
"Sometimes, the dumbest story sticks the hardest."
He picked up the bones and tossed them into a fire.
> [Null Protocol: Mental State – Stable, Humorous] [Host Mood: +12% (Enjoyment Detected)]
Tomorrow's rumors would be ridiculous.
But ridiculously effective.
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End of Chapter 5