The System of Desires
Chapter 3 — Training, Politics, and a Dangerous Beauty
Kai woke with the first light of dawn again, his body already sliding into a new rhythm. His inherited memories said cultivation was about patience, balance, and sitting still for hours.
But Kai was from Earth. Sitting still had never been his strength.
He stretched, rolled his shoulders, then punched the air a few times, testing his muscles.
[Host is adjusting quickly. Qi flow has improved by 12% since yesterday.]
"Good," Kai muttered. "But not good enough. We have a duel coming up, remember?"
[Reminder: Objective 1 — Defeat Chen Hao in an official duel. Recommended Realm: Mortal 4th Stage or above.]
Kai frowned. He was at Mortal 3rd Stage Peak, but the difference between stages was massive. If he wanted to stand a chance, he needed a breakthrough—fast.
Morning Training
Kai went to the training yard again, where several clan juniors were already sparring.
When they saw him, they stopped and bowed.
"Young Master Kai," one said nervously.
Kai waved a hand. "Don't look so scared. I'm not here to beat you up. In fact, I need your help."
That made them stare. "Our… help?"
"Yeah," Kai said, picking up a practice spear. "I need real combat training. Someone come at me."
The juniors hesitated before the scarred boy from yesterday stepped forward again. "I'll spar with you, Young Master."
Kai grinned. "Good. Don't hold back this time."
The spar was rougher today. Kai got knocked down twice, took a hit to the ribs, and nearly ate dirt. But he kept getting up, sweat soaking through his robes.
"Again," he said, breathing hard.
The boy looked at him in disbelief. "Young Master… you never asked for more before. You used to stop the match when you lost once."
Kai smirked. "Guess I got tired of losing."
By the time the sun was fully up, Kai's arms ached, but he felt sharper, faster.
[Minor Attribute Increase: Reflexes +1, Strength +1.]
Kai grinned. "Good start."
Breakfast with Lian
Lian found him sitting by the well, drenched in sweat.
"You're going to kill yourself at this rate," she scolded, handing him a towel.
Kai took it gratefully. "Nah. This is just the beginning."
She frowned, crouching next to him. "Young Master… you're acting strange lately. Different."
"Better?" Kai asked with a grin.
She hesitated, then nodded. "Better. But I worry. If you fight Chen Hao again, you could be crippled… or worse."
Kai's smile softened. "I won't lose this time."
Lian looked at him for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine. But at least let me treat your wounds after training. If you insist on throwing yourself around, I won't let you do it half-dead."
Kai chuckled. "Deal."
Her cheeks turned pink again, and Kai's Desire Sense pulsed gently.
[Affinity with Lian: +3. New Affinity Level: 15% — Early Trust.]
Kai grinned inwardly. Progress.
Clan Politics
Later that day, Kai attended a clan meeting—something the old Kai never bothered with.
The main hall was filled with stern-faced elders, some of whom looked displeased at his presence. His father, the Patriarch, sat at the head, looking frail but sharp-eyed.
"Kai," the old man rasped. "You've been training?"
"Yes, Father," Kai said, bowing respectfully. "I intend to challenge Chen Hao again."
The hall went silent.
One elder slammed his palm on the table. "Out of the question! We barely have enough face left as it is. If you lose again—"
"Then we lose nothing we haven't already lost," Kai cut in, his tone calm but firm.
The elder glared. "You speak boldly, boy. Do you even know the state of our clan? The Chen Clan has already taken two of our spirit fields. Another loss could mean open war."
"Which is why we can't back down," Kai said, meeting his gaze. "If we keep retreating, we'll be eaten alive. I'd rather risk one fight than watch us fade away piece by piece."
Murmurs filled the hall.
His father's lips curved in the faintest of smiles. "Very well. You have my permission. But you must be ready. Chen Hao is already at Mortal 4th Stage Middle. You'll need more than determination."
Kai bowed again. "I understand."
Evening Encounter
That night, Kai went outside the compound to train in solitude. He was practicing stances when a soft whistle sounded from the treeline.
Yue stepped out, her black outfit glinting under the moonlight.
"You're serious about training," she said, leaning against a tree.
Kai didn't lower his guard. "And you're serious about stalking me."
She smirked. "Maybe I just like the view."
Kai felt his ears warm but didn't rise to the bait. "Why are you here, Yue?"
She pushed off the tree and drew a short blade from her hip. "To see if you're worth my time. Fight me."
Kai blinked. "What?"
"You heard me." She twirled the blade casually. "Show me what you've got."
Kai hesitated, then grabbed his practice spear. "Fine. But don't cry when I win."
Spar with Yue
She attacked first, her movements blindingly fast. Kai barely blocked in time, the clash of wood against steel ringing through the night.
"You're slow," Yue teased, spinning away before he could counter.
Kai grit his teeth. "Then I'll get faster."
He focused, adjusting his stance, and started predicting her movements. Each exchange was a little cleaner, a little sharper.
Finally, he managed to disarm her, knocking the blade from her hand and pinning her wrist with the spear.
Yue blinked at him in surprise—then laughed.
"Not bad, clan boy. You're actually learning."
Kai smirked. "Told you not to underestimate me."
She leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear. "Careful. You're starting to make me interested."
Kai's pulse spiked, and Yue stepped back, retrieving her blade.
[Quest Progress: Impress Yue — 50%.]
"See you around," she said, vanishing into the shadows as quickly as she had appeared.
Kai stood there for a long moment, heart still racing.
Breakthrough
After Yue left, Kai sat cross-legged under the moon and focused on his breathing. He could feel his Qi stirring, surging from the intense spar.
[Qi Flow Optimal. Breakthrough Possible.]
"Do it," Kai whispered.
He guided the energy through his meridians, feeling heat flood his body. The air around him seemed to hum, and a faint glow formed over his skin.
Then, with a sound like a snapping twig, the energy condensed, settling into a new rhythm.
[Breakthrough Achieved — Mortal 4th Stage (Early).]
Kai opened his eyes, grinning. "Yes."
Lian's Visit
When he returned to the courtyard, Lian was waiting with bandages.
"You're late," she said, frowning.
"Had a good reason," Kai said, sitting down and letting her tend to his scrapes.
"You're reckless," she muttered, gently cleaning a cut on his arm.
"Maybe," Kai said softly, "but I'm doing this for the clan. And for you."
She froze, looking up at him with wide eyes.
"I don't want to see you cry when the Shen Clan loses everything," Kai continued. "So I'll make sure we win."
Lian's cheeks turned bright red. "Y-Young Master…"
Kai smiled gently. "Call me Kai. Just Kai."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Okay… Kai."
[Affinity with Lian: +5. Affinity Level: 20% — Budding Trust.]
Kai leaned back, satisfied. "Good. Then watch me. I'll make the Shen Clan proud again."
As the night deepened, Kai sat alone once more, gazing up at the twin moons.
He had trained, fought, and broken through. He had faced the clan elders and stood his ground.
And somewhere out there, Yue was smiling in the shadows, waiting to see what he'd do next.
[Main Quest Progress: 30%.]
[Side Quest: Impress Yue — Final Stage.]
Kai grinned. "Alright, System. Next stop—beating Chen Hao."
And for the first time since arriving in this world, he truly believed he could win.