Alex's heart beat faster the moment he saw the transformation. The boy Lin Feng was fighting had changed his aura flaring from green to a menacing red. The energy pulsing from him was nothing like before. It was overwhelming. It didn't feel like a match anymore. It felt like a real battle a life or death fight.
Alex couldn't breathe. His hands clenched the railing of the spectator stand. His mouth was dry. He whispered under his breath, If Lin Feng dies
Then, out of nowhere, the system's voice echoed in his mind. Don't worry. I'll kill you right after she loses.
Alex blinked, confused and horrified. What did you just say? I said I'll kill you. You'll die right after she loses. Simple. Alex stammered. How how are you going to kill me? By stopping you from sleeping.
What?! What does that even mean!? It means exactly what I said. You're lazy. You like to sleep too much. Since you reincarnated you've been lying around like a cat in the sun. So here's the punishment: If Lin Feng loses, you won't be allowed to sleep again. Four days without sleep and your body will break. You'll die. That's insane! Alex's voice was a harsh whisper.
Think of it like this: You love sleep, right? You always nap on the mountain, lying under the tree like a prince. So if I take that away from you isn't that the same as death? Alex was frozen. His eyes were still on Lin Feng, but now his mind was splitting between fear for her and panic for himself. Wait so dying is just not sleeping?
Exactly! Genius, right? You humans are weak. If you don't sleep, you go mad. And you've been up here slacking long enough. But you're a system! You're supposed to help me! I am. I'm helping you understand the consequences of failure. Alex's chest tightened. His throat felt like it was closing. In his head, he was screaming, but on the outside, he couldn't make a sound.
Lin Feng was still fighting. She was holding her sword in one hand, drawing arrows with the other. Her opponent was faster, stronger, and burning with forbidden energy. But she didn't back down. She remembered what Alex had told her. Flash the bosoms. Boobs up destruction style. Fake drunken dancing. A slap, a wink, a punch. It was ridiculous. Shameless.
But it was working. Even Yue'er from the crowd was stunned. "Is this really working? she muttered. "What kind of shameless moves are those? Alex didn't answer. His mind was stuck on survival. The system continued in his ear like it was giving a lecture. So here's the rule. You fail, you don't sleep. You don't sleep, you die. Simple chain reaction."
"You're insane," Alex whispered again. No. I'm creative. Alex wanted to punch something. Or cry. Or run.
But all he could do was watch as Lin Feng, with all the crazy moves she had learned, closed the distance and struck her enemy down slicing off his arm just before he could land his final attack. The crowd gasped. The announcer's voice roared over the field. Lin Feng of Black Something Sect has won! Alex fell to his knees, drained. He didn't even care how ridiculous they looked anymore. He lived. She lived.
The system sighed in his head. Tsk. So close. I almost got to test the no-sleep death theory. Oh well. Maybe tomorrow. Alex shut his eyes and whispered, "Please, just shut up He could finally breathe again. Lin Feng came running up to Alex, her eyes wide and breathless, her bow still slung over her shoulder. Master, did you see what he turned into? That monster could have she was interrupted by a deep, familiar voice. Lin Feng! She froze. The tall man approaching them had the same sharp eyes as her, but none of her playfulness. He wore a flowing crimson robe trimmed with gold the mark of an elder from the prestigious Skyshard Sect. Lin Feng's father. His eyes locked on Alex, narrowing immediately. Who is this boy with you?" he asked coldly. "And since when have you started cultivating again? Alex shifted uncomfortably. He wasn't good with confrontation or people, in general. But Lin Feng stepped closer to him, just enough to show she was on his side. Her father saw it too.
You're with the Black Something Sect now? His voice cracked with disappointment, but also with rising anger. Do you have any idea what you've done? Do you want to throw away everything I've worked for, your entire future, for this? Alex swallowed. His hands trembled, but his words didn't. No.The single word hung in the air.
Lin Feng's father blinked. What did you say, boy? I said no, Alex repeated, louder this time. "She's not going with you. The elder's aura began to stir. A storm gathered around him, an oppressive pressure that would've made most cultivators buckle. Alex stood still, but only because he was too scared to move. His knees wanted to give out, but something in him maybe fear, maybe the system's threats forced him to stand. The elder took a step forward, his presence now thick enough to suffocate. Say it again.
Before Alex could answer, a magical formation on the tournament grounds flared up. Stand down,a voice echoed from the sky. No fighting outside the battle platform. Anyone breaking this rule will be disqualified and banned for five years.
The elder frowned, suppressing his aura. He looked at Alex one last time, disgust in his eyes, then turned to Lin Feng. We're not done. He disappeared into the crowd, robes fluttering.
Alex let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Yue'er walked up quietly, watching the scene with curiosity. She looked at her sister, then at Alex. Lin Feng, she said softly, "can I come with you? I have questions.
Lin Feng smiled. Of course. As they walked together, Yue'er leaned closer. So, you really ran off and joined a sect called Black Something? I heard father wanted to marry you off to that snail brain from Lightning Fang Sect.
I did, Lin Feng grinned. I was going to kill myself, actually. What?! Yeah, I climbed a cliff, ready to jump. But then Lin Feng giggled, glancing back at Alex, I saw this incredibly handsome guy bathing in a waterfall. He was sparkling.
Alex nearly choked. Wait what? I got a nosebleed and fainted. He saved me. So I joined his sect. Yue'er blinked several times. You joined a sect because of a nosebleed and a sparkle? Yes. Huh.
Actually, Lin Feng added thoughtfully, that other girl Xiao Xiao joined after collapsing too.
What are the qualifications for joining, then? Yue'er asked, now genuinely intrigued. Lin Feng tilted her head. None. Just ask. That's what I did. Yue'er nodded slowly. So he's a good sect master? Depends, Lin Feng said. He gives the weirdest punishments and refuses to talk when nervous. But he tries.
Alex scratched the back of his head. "We're here," he said, eager to change the subject. He pointed at a humble inn just down the road. They entered the small building, where the innkeeper gave them a long stare. Three of you? We only have one room left. It's fine, Alex said. Two rooms was the plan, but we can manage.
Later that evening, after settling in, Lin Feng and Xiao Xiao both stood in the hallway, pouting like children. We don't want our own room, Lin Feng said. Master, Xiao Xiao added, holding her slime like a plush toy, "I had nightmares when you weren't around.
No, Alex replied firmly. You're disciples. Respect boundaries. But Master,Lin Feng blinked with her big eyes. What if I get attacked again in my sleep? Master Xiao Xiao whimpered. The slime says it's lonely.
People passing through the hallway stopped and watched the commotion with deep interest. A group of old cultivators whispered among themselves. Is this that strange sect? The Black Something? They look close. Alex felt his ears burning. Fine! One night. But sleep on opposite ends of the bed.
He turned to see Yue'er watching with arms folded, trying not to laugh. Your disciples are something else, Sect Master, she said. Alex covered his face. I want to die. But deep down, he didn't. For the first time in a long while, he felt something like.. family.