The sun rose over the Azure Cloud Sect, painting the courtyard with golden light that bounced off the worn rooftops and training poles. Lin Feng sat on a stone bench, mud drying on his robes, staring at the glowing interface of the Fist God System hovering in front of him.
"System, check status," he muttered, still half-awed by yesterday's miraculous success.
[SYSTEM STATUS – LIN FENG]
Level: Novice Disciple → Fist God Stage 0
XP: 150 / 500
Primary Attributes:
Strength: 15
Speed: 12
Endurance: 11
Inner Energy: 10
Reflex: 11
Technique Mastery: 7
Secondary Stats / Fun Metrics:
Fist Points: 160
Clumsiness Index: 41% (Significant improvement, but still hazardous)
Humor Resistance: 90
Determination Level: 78/100
Active Fist Skills:
Iron Fist Beginner – Level 1
Clumsy Hero – Level 1
Slapstick Resilience – Level 1
"Lin Feng, congratulations. Your performance yesterday was… messy, but effective. Bonus XP awarded for 'spectacular mud entry.' Suggested action: continue tripping for efficiency."
Lin Feng rolled his eyes. "Thanks, system. I needed that."
Before he could check anything else, a commotion rose from the main training yard. A towering figure landed with a thud that made the ground quake, sending birds scattering into the sky. Lin Feng squinted.
"Is that… Chen Hao?" he whispered.
Indeed, it was. The Iron Fist Sect's prodigy had arrived to challenge the Azure Cloud Sect disciples. Muscles coiled like springs under his white and crimson training robes, eyes gleaming with confidence. With one casual swing, he shattered a nearby wooden post as if it were nothing.
The courtyard grew silent. Even Elder Han, usually loud and gruff, stepped back, arms crossed. "Lin Feng," he muttered under his breath, "this is your real test."
Lin Feng's heart thumped like a war drum. Yesterday he'd only struck a training dummy. Today… he faced a human being. A living, breathing, absurdly strong human being.
"System," he said, trying to steady his shaking hands, "show opponent stats."
[OPPONENT STATUS – CHEN HAO]
Level: Sect Prodigy → Martial Adept Stage 2
Strength: 28
Speed: 22
Endurance: 25
Inner Energy: 20
Reflex: 23
Technique Mastery: 18
Combat Rating: 150 (dangerous; extreme caution advised)
"Lin Feng," the system commented dryly, "your chances of victory: 7%. Probability of humiliation: 93%. Suggestion: run, hide, or pray."
Lin Feng groaned. "No running. No hiding. Prayer… optional."
He rose, fists trembling, energy crackling faintly around his palms. The system projected a holographic combo guide in front of him, arrows, lines, and glowing sequences outlining the simplest attack.
[COMBO RECOMMENDATION]
Step forward → Basic Iron Fist Punch → Quick Dodge → Counterattack
"Efficiency predicted: 30% against Chen Hao," the system warned.
"Fun factor: 95% if you get knocked on your butt."
Lin Feng gritted his teeth and charged. The ground vibrated beneath his steps. Chen Hao smirked.
"You're the weakling they were talking about?" he taunted. "Cute. Let's see if you can even touch me."
The fight began.
Lin Feng swung his fists, following the system's guidance. Step forward… punch… dodge… counter…
CRASH! His first punch barely grazed Chen Hao's shoulder. Chen Hao flicked his wrist lazily, and Lin Feng stumbled backward. The system beeped.
+10 Fist Points – Experience for 'tactile learning'
"Lesson one," the system said, in a tone somewhere between sarcasm and cheerleading: "If you get hit, do not cry. Use mud as camouflage instead."
Lin Feng wiped sweat from his brow, grinned despite the pounding in his ribs, and tried again. Step, punch, dodge… Step, punch—CRUNCH! This time he landed a glancing blow on Chen Hao's forearm. The system flashed with excitement.
Critical Combo!
Fist Points gained: +50
New Skill Unlocked: 'Spinning Mudstrike' – Level 1
Effect: Uses momentum from tripping/falling to generate extra force. Bonus comedic XP if the move is accidental.
Lin Feng stumbled once more, this time literally, and spun like a top before landing a lucky punch to Chen Hao's ribs. Chen Hao laughed, impressed despite himself.
"You've got spirit… and apparently zero coordination. I'll give you that," Chen Hao admitted, stepping back.
The system chimed:
"Lin Feng, probability of humiliation decreased to 72%. Probability of fun: 99%. Suggestion: keep spinning, keep punching."
Lin Feng wiped mud from his eyes, heart racing. "This is it. This is my first real fight… and it feels amazing!"
By the time the sun was high in the sky, Lin Feng had learned:
The system made every failure valuable.
Even clumsiness could be weaponized.
And, most importantly, the road to Fist God was messy, exhausting, and hilarious.
As Chen Hao finally called it a day, Elder Bai Long stepped forward, nodding slightly.
"You have potential, Lin Feng. But this was only the beginning. Tomorrow… you'll face the next challenge. And no, you do not get to use mud as a weapon."
Lin Feng laughed, exhausted, bruised, and exhilarated all at once. The system floated next to him, flickering softly with a glow of anticipation.
"Lin Feng, note for tomorrow: Fist Points carry over. Also, try to avoid head-on collisions with trees. Or masters. Or unfortunate bystanders. Your training efficiency depends on it."
Mud on his robes, a spinning headache, and fists still crackling with newfound energy, Lin Feng smiled at the horizon. One day, he would surpass even Chen Hao… and the Fist God System would be his ultimate ally.
Somewhere in the mountains, the wind whispered again: the weakling who laughs at pain and falls in mud was beginning to awaken, and the Xianwu Era would soon tremble under his fists.