Cultivation starts with picking up attributes-Chapter 44: Ch-: ’Friendly’ Duel

"Yup, she is Feng Yin, the daughter of the Sect Master of the Beast Taming Sect."

The other one answered.

"But, who is the other guy, i don’t know him. Do you?"

"Nor me."

Tian Shen and Feng Yin simply ignored the gossipy disciples as they walked towards the area with much more hustle and bustle. Tian Shen’s idea.

His thought the popular the area, the more are the chances to drop attribute bubbles.

And he was right.

As they entered the martial arts arena of the Profound Qi Sect, Tian Shen quite a few of attributes, seeing the glistening attributes, he wanted to directly rush in.

But there’s a problem. Feng Yin. He couldn’t just ignore her existence.

Just then, a mischievous idea came to his mind. He turned to Feng Yin and asked.

"Wanna see something?"

"Well, what act are you gonna play now, my little hubby~."

Feng Yin l, caught in that he was going to cause nothing but trouble, teased supportively.

Afterall, this wasn’t her sect. Let him be.

Tian Shen, already used to the ’little hubby’ term, didn’t squirm, just looked towards the disciples practice on the arena and challenged loudly.

"I heard disciples of the Profound Qi Sect were quite powerful. I, a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect, here challenge to a friendly duel."

The disciples, deep in practice, were stunned by his arrogant challenge.

They were the disciples of the top Sect in the northern region.

And a disciple of another sect dared to challenge to a duel on their home turf?

Enraged they wanted to argue, but another voice beat them to it.

"Sure, i could also like to see what you Beast Taming Sect disciples are capable of."

The disciples as well as Tian Shen and Feng Yin turned towards the source of the voice just to see a young man with a handsome face and lavish clothings.

Well, his handsomeness still paled in comparison to Tian Shen’s "Charm".

But Tian Shen’s "Charm" was conceled by his "Luck", as according to Luck, Power may not comes qith responsibility But Charm—Charm does comes with disaster.

The young man we were comparing Tain Shen with, was none other than Qi Long, the son of the Sect Master Qi Zhenyu.

Tian Shen, seeing that his challenge was accepted, didn’t wait for formalities and just jumped up the stage.

"Qi Long."

Expressing his martial ethics, Qi Long introduced himself.

Hearing his name, Tian Shen and Feng Yin blinked, exchanging glances as they thought simultaneously.

’So, this was the guy who the sect master was talking about.’

’So, this is the guy, well, for picking with me, get beaten up.’

"Tian Shen, you can go first."

Qi Long stepped back slightly, his hands casually behind his back, yet the air around him suddenly changed. The noisy crowd of disciples grew silent, the murmurs falling to whispers as everyone felt the subtle shift in spiritual pressure.

It wasn’t oppressive—rather, it was a reminder. A reminder that this young man wasn’t just anyone.

He was the son of the Sect Master, a core disciple of the Profound Qi Sect.

Tian Shen grinned. If he was supposed to be intimidated, it wasn’t working.

His eyes, however, weren’t focused solely on Qi Long. They were also flicking around the arena, scanning for the shimmering attribute bubbles that dotted the surroundings.

They were everywhere—Physique, Qi, Luck, even a rare Rainbow colored bubble near the edge of the stage. Jackpot.

"Well, since I’ve been invited so politely," Tian Shen rolled his shoulders, the cracking of bones loud in the hush.

"I’ll do my best not to embarrass you."

Feng Yin, watching from the sidelines, crossed her arms with an amused smirk. "That idiot..."

A junior disciple nearby glanced at her. "Uh, Senior Sister, aren’t you going to stop him?"

Feng Yin turned, eyes glowing with amusement.

"Why? He’s the one who asked for a beating."

"...Right."

Tian Shen took his stance, nothing too rigid—actually, it was too casual. One hand in his robes, the other lazily raised in front of him.

It was the stance of someone who either didn’t know what he was doing or didn’t care.

Qi Long’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"I hope you don’t regret this."

"Only if you drop zero attribute bubbles."

"Huh?"

"Nothing. Let’s fight!"

And with that cheerful outburst, Tian Shen dashed forward—not directly at Qi Long, but toward a cluster of three glistening attribute bubbles just to the side.

Qi Long blinked.

"Wait, what the—?"

Tian Shen’s foot tapped the edge of one bubble.

『Host gains Physique ×100.』

then his other leg brushed another,

『Host gains Spiritual Qi ×150.』

And them he spun dramatically into the third.

『Host gains Spirit ×100.』

To everyone else, it looked like a flamboyant, unnecessary spin mid-charge. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

To Tian Shen, it was profit.

"Are you breakdancing or fighting?"

Qi Long asked dryly.

"Why not both?"

Laughter broke from the watching disciples, and even Feng Yin let out a chuckle. The tension that had built up cracked like a fragile pot.

Qi Long snorted, despite amused himself.

"Alright, joker. Let’s see how you handle this."

With a simple stomp, Qi Long released a wave of spiritual qi, the arena floor cracking beneath his feet. He didn’t hold back his peak Qi Refining Realm aura.

Wind whipped across the stage, kicking up dust as his figure blurred.

In a flash, he was in front of Tian Shen, fist cocked back.

"Too slow," Tian Shen muttered, barely ducking.

Qi Long’s punch missed by a hair, shattering the air with force. But as Tian Shen ducked, his eyes caught another flash,

『Host gains Physique ×100』

Just behind Qi Long’s left foot.

"Oh no, a slip!" Tian Shen feigned losing balance, rolling behind his opponent and tapping the bubble as if by accident. He stood up with a goofy grin.

Qi Long spun around, eye twitching.

"You... are doing this on purpose."

"What gave it away? Was it the roll or the dramatic gasp?"

"Stop... whatever you’re doing!"

"I’m not playing. I am winning. Totally different."

The crowd erupted into full laughter now. Some disciples were clutching their sides.

Qi Long sighed, muttering to himself,

’Father told me diplomacy would be important. He didn’t say I’d be fighting a stand-up comedian.’

Feng Yin giggled again. Watching Tian Shen’s antics was like watching a cat toy with a dog—utterly ridiculous but strangely entertaining.

Her eyes softened slightly. He was like this even in unfamiliar territory, dancing his own steps, never afraid.

"Hey, hey! Stop trying to impress the audience and fight me properly!"

Qi Long called out, clearly getting annoyed at the continuous evasion.

"Who’s impressing?"

Tian Shen blinked, dead serious. Then turned to the crowd and winked.

"He says I’m impressive. Am I impressive?"

Some junior female disciples screamed. One fainted.

Feng Yin’s smile froze. Her eye twitched.

"That little..."

"Hmm?"

Tian Shen turned toward her, catching her scowl.

"What’s with the expression, dear fiancée? Jealous that someone else appreciates my charm?"

Feng Yin stepped forward, raising her voice.

"If you keep messing around, don’t even think about sleeping in the same tent tonight!"

The crowd gasped.

Tian Shen blinked.

"Wait, that’s not fair. That’s emotional blackmail."

"Exactly."

Qi Long coughed into his fist.

"Ahem. Can we—uh—resume?"

"Right," Tian Shen sobered up, shaking his arms out.

"Let’s do it properly then. No more jokes."

Qi Long narrowed his eyes and surged forward, this time more cautiously.

Their hands clashed mid-air, qi flaring as both exchanged three rapid strikes, the sound of impact echoing across the arena.

Tian Shen didn’t unleash any techniques—he didn’t need to. His cultivation was higher, with the cumulative benefits of the attributes he’d picked up, his physical stats were off the charts.

Qi Long’s brows furrowed.

"He’s fast... but his Qi is frequently fluctuating up and down. Why is that?"

It felt exactly like that—and it was working.

Each time Tian Shen blocked, his arms smarted. But he could take it. His real aim wasn’t victory—it was loot, loot, and super shiny loot.

More bubbles had been during the clash.

He danced around Qi Long, letting himself be pushed back, stepping into the path of those new bubbles while redirecting the force of each strike.

Qi Long was fuming now.

"Stop playing! Take this seriously!"

"I am," Tian Shen said, finally twisting around with a proper technique—a sword martial art that channeled explosive force, but instead of a sword, he used his palms.

Qi Long blocked it, but the force pushed him three steps back.

A murmur spread.

"Did he actually force Qi Long back?"

"That wasn’t bad..."

Qi Long steadied himself.

"You’re strong."

"Thanks," Tian Shen grinned, hands behind his head.

"You too."

"Wanna keep going?"

"Not really. I already picked up what I came for."

"Huh?"

"I mean... picked up some insight," Tian Shen coughed, correcting himself quickly.

Qi Long, now visibly sweating—not just from exertion but from confusion—nodded slowly.

"Then I’ll consider this match a draw."

"Cool."

The crowd began clapping, some disappointed there wasn’t more bloodshed, others impressed by Tian Shen’s weird yet effective style.

As Tian Shen walked off the stage toward Feng Yin, she raised an eyebrow.

"Happy now?"

"Very. Got... valuable insights."

"You mean bubbles."

Tian Shen flinched, nervous.

"You don’t even know what that means and where did you learn that term."

"I don’t. In your sleep when you were sleeptalking."

"What else did i say when i was sleeptalking?"

"Hmm... Tell you. Why should i?"

She smirked and took his arm anyway.

They began walking away from the arena, leaving behind a crowd of confused disciples and a mildly traumatized Qi Long.

"You know, hubby," Feng Yin said teasingly, leaning a bit closer.

"If you keep pulling off tricks like that, I might actually fall for you all over again."

Tian Shen paused.

She laughed.

"What? Surprised?"

"A little," he admitted.

"Well, don’t be. You’re annoyingly charming."

"Still not as charming as I should be," he muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing!"

As the two strolled deeper into the Profound Qi Sect, laughter trailing behind them, the sun climbed higher, casting golden light across the sect buildings.

Tian Shen’s mood was light, his pockets (or rather, attribute points) fuller, and his bond with Feng Yin just a bit stronger. At least he got the hint that she might know something.

And deep in the shadows of the sect, eyes watched the pair carefully—some with curiosity, others with silent calculation.

But for now, Tian Shen was just happy to have made a profit... and gotten away with it.

’Status.’