Morning mist curled lazily across the Verdant Leaf valley, weaving between Spirit Herb fields and pine groves. Tyler stood in the center of the training ground, barefoot on cool grass, hands on his hips, surveying the scene.
The system chimed softly.
[New Event Created: Verdant Leaf Intra-Sect Tournament]
Rewards: Minor Spirit Herb Prizes, Sect Prestige +1
Risk: None (Chill Mode Active)
He grinned. Chill Mode. Exactly what this sect needed.
Grubroot hammered the last post into the ground with a solid whump. The ring was simple—a circle of Spiritwood poles wrapped in vines. Sparkwind buzzed around, setting up tiny spark runes that would harmlessly zap anyone who stepped out of bounds.
"Safety first," Sparkwind said, winking as a rune zapped his sleeve and set it smoking. Again.
Lian practiced overhead strikes on a wooden dummy, her footwork precise but heavy. Jun sat cross-legged under a Spirit Vine, muttering mnemonic chants and occasionally sneaking nervous glances at Lian's brutal swings.
Calmleaf finished arranging small tables laden with prizes: Spirit Herb bundles, bottles of fortified tea, and a few simple Qi manuals. The grand prize? A single, gleaming nugget of Golden Spirit Kush—so potent it shimmered like a tiny sun.
Tyler clapped his hands together. "All right, Leaflings. Let's vibe and spar!"
The disciples gathered around, some more eagerly than others.
"First round is simple," Tyler said. "One-on-one matches. Friendly sparring. First to step out of the circle or surrender loses. No serious injuries, no lethal techniques, and no throwing people into low orbit."
Grubroot looked mildly disappointed.
Sparkwind cracked his knuckles, electric energy popping between his fingers.
"Winner of the tourney gets first pick of the prize table," Tyler said. "Runner-up gets second pick. Everyone else gets dumplings."
That got a cheer from Jun.
Tyler tapped the system interface.
[Bracket Randomized.]
First match: Grubroot vs. Jun.
"Oof," Tyler said under his breath.
Jun stood nervously at the edge of the ring, gripping his wooden staff like it was about to sprout legs and flee. Grubroot lumbered in opposite him, heavy and solid as a mountain.
Tyler raised a hand. "Begin!"
Grubroot took exactly one step forward—and Jun panicked.
He threw his staff into the air, closed his eyes, and unleashed a blast of raw Qi. It wasn't refined. It wasn't elegant. But it was loud.
A booming wave of pure pressure rolled through the field, scattering leaves and making everyone's hair stand on end.
Grubroot blinked, took another step—and tripped over a vine Jun had accidentally pulled from the ground with his chaotic blast.
Whump.
The big man landed just outside the ring.
Silence.
Then Tyler doubled over laughing. Sparkwind whooped and cartwheeled. Lian clapped politely. Calmleaf bowed slightly, the ghost of a smile on his face.
Jun opened one eye. "Did… did I win?"
"You did, buddy," Tyler said, wiping tears from his eyes. "You did."
[Winner: Jun!]
Grubroot got up, brushed dirt off his robes, and gave Jun a solemn nod of respect. "Strong roots."
Jun looked like he might pass out from a mixture of pride and terror.
Next up: Lian vs. Sparkwind.
This promised to be a much flashier fight.
Lian stepped into the ring, sword gleaming faintly with condensed Qi. Sparkwind bounced on the balls of his feet, little arcs of lightning dancing between his hands.
"Begin!" Tyler called.
Lian dashed forward in a smooth, flowing strike. Sparkwind grinned and somersaulted over her head, landing in a crackle of sparks. She twisted, bringing her blade around in a wide arc, only for Sparkwind to blur sideways in a puff of static.
The two clashed back and forth, neither gaining clear advantage. Lian's sword was steady and sharp. Sparkwind's movements were chaotic and unpredictable.
Then Sparkwind got cocky.
He tried to ride a lightning bolt across the ring—a cool move in theory—but overshot the boundary by two full strides and landed flat on his face outside the circle.
Tyler winced. "Out of bounds, Sparkwind."
"Totally worth it," Sparkwind groaned, smoke wafting from his hair.
[Winner: Lian!]
The finals: Lian vs. Jun.
Jun stepped into the ring again, face pale but determined. He gripped his staff with both hands, breathing deeply like Calmleaf had taught him.
Lian gave him a respectful bow. "Come at me."
Jun hesitated. Then, to everyone's surprise, he actually advanced—using a simple staff thrust aimed at Lian's midsection.
She parried easily, dancing around him, tapping his shoulder lightly with the flat of her sword. Jun stumbled but didn't fall.
"Good form," Calmleaf murmured approvingly.
Jun tried again, this time feinting left and swinging wide. Lian caught his staff on the flat of her blade, twisted, and sent it spinning out of his hands.
Jun teetered. Lian gently tapped his forehead with two fingers.
Jun toppled backward, landing just outside the ring.
Tyler raised his hand. "Victory to Lian!"
The valley echoed with applause—granted, there were only five of them, but it sounded grand.
[Tournament Complete!]
[Sect Prestige +1]
[Disciples' Morale Increased.]
Lian beamed, the first real smile Tyler had seen from her. She walked up to the prize table and, without hesitation, chose the Golden Spirit Kush nugget.
Jun picked a Spirit Herb Starter Kit—a bundle of seeds, tools, and a guide scroll.
Everyone else got hot dumplings, spicy Spirit Vine tea, and a fresh round of Spirit Kush to practice with.
That evening, the Verdant Leaf Sect gathered around a roaring campfire under the stars. Even Calmleaf accepted a dumpling, savoring it like it was a sacred ritual.
Sparkwind managed to set his on fire and insisted it made it taste better.
Tyler leaned back against a tree, arms behind his head, watching the firelight dance in the Spirit Field beyond.
Another step forward.
More roots planted.
The Leaf was growing.
And tomorrow?
Tomorrow they'd dream even bigger.