I had made history in the Bright Sky City Cultivation Tournament. And this was just the beginning.
My victory over Xiao Feng, the 'Shadowless Sword', with the 'Dragon Butt Punch' became an instant legend that would be told by word of mouth for years. The entire Sky Battle Arena erupted in uncontrollable roars of laughter and astonishment. The previously tense spectators now burst into laughter, some even rolling on the stands, clutching their stomachs from pain. The whispers that were once filled with tension were now replaced by amused and disbelieving murmurs, as if they had just witnessed the most absurd circus show in the universe. I had transformed a serious and majestic cultivation tournament into an unforgettable absurd comedy.
Xiao Feng himself disappeared like lightning from the arena, his crimson face a clear testament to the immense shame that pierced his soul. I'm sure he would never forget this day. Or the back of his body. He would probably have nightmares about dragon butts for the rest of his life.
Long'er, in the participant area, finally couldn't hold back her laughter. She covered her mouth with her hand, but her shoulders trembled uncontrollably, and her golden eyes radiated genuine amusement, a rare sight that made me feel strange. It was the first time I had seen her laugh so freely since we were bound by destiny. This must have given me extra Strangeness Points! Making a dragon laugh is difficult, but worth it!
[Detection: User successfully makes a Guardian-level Spiritual Beast burst into laughter. Collecting Strangeness Points from absurd joy...]
[+30 Strangeness Points.]
My Strangeness Points soared to 576. Amazing! I'm the best comedian in two worlds!
Li Hua, who had fainted, was now conscious again, but his face was still pale, as if he had just seen a ghost. He looked at me with a gaze mixed with undisguised admiration, deep fear, and endless despair. "Senior Brother Chen Ming," he whispered, his voice trembling, "you... you are truly... incredible. But also... very embarrassing. I don't know how I will explain this to other sects."
Wang Lei, on the other hand, was still frozen in place, his eyes wide like saucers. He looked like he had just seen a crazy, dancing god. His arrogance vanished without a trace, replaced by absolute disbelief and a hint of horror. I'm sure he would never again underestimate me, or even dare to look me in the eye. He would probably try to avoid every path I took.
After my sensational victory, the subsequent fights felt bland, almost without drama. I advanced to the semifinals and finals with relative ease, although I still used my strange techniques that had now become my hallmark. My opponents, after seeing what happened to Xiao Feng, became very cautious and easily intimidated by my 'Strange Jade-Faced Cultivator' reputation. Some even surrendered before the fight began, just because they didn't want to be victims of the 'Dragon Butt Punch' or other absurd techniques I might try.
Finally, I stood on the stage as the only one left, the undisputed champion. The referee, who now looked a little tired, resigned, and perhaps a little traumatized, raised his hand with a weary gesture.
"And the winner... of this year's Bright Sky City Cultivation Tournament is... Chen Ming, from the Sky Cloud Sect!" he shouted, his voice a little hoarse, as if he had just been shouting for hours.
Cheers and applause erupted throughout the arena, this time much more genuine, not just out of amusement. I had won the tournament! I, a transmigrator who died choking on chewing gum, had become the champion of a cultivation tournament in a fantasy world! This was an achievement that had never even crossed my wildest dreams.
Grand Elder Lin ascended the stage, his face showing an inexplicable expression. There was clear pride emanating from his eyes, deep relief that his sect had won, and of course, a hint of undisguised embarrassment. He patted my shoulder with surprising force.
"Chen Ming," he said, his voice soft, yet full of weight. "You have brought great honor to the Sky Cloud Sect. We will never forget this." He paused, then added in a lower tone, "And we will also never forget that 'Dragon Butt Punch'. I'm sure it will be part of our sect's history, whether for good or bad."
I smiled broadly. "It is my honor, Grand Elder! I am always ready to make history!"
Then, the moment I had been waiting for, the moment that had pushed me through all this absurdity, arrived. Grand Elder Lin handed me an ancient scroll. The scroll was made of smooth animal hide, tied with gleaming golden threads. A strong ancient aura emanated from it, as if the scroll held secrets of thousands of years.
"This is the Ancient Continent Map," Grand Elder Lin said, his voice filled with awe. "This is one of the most valuable treasures in the Eastern Tian Xuan Continent. This map shows the locations of long-lost ancient ruins, hidden caves full of mysteries, and mysterious places full of unexpected treasures and dangers. Many factions have searched for it for centuries."
I took the scroll carefully, my fingers trembling with excitement. It felt cold in my hand, and I could feel the ancient energy pulsating from it, a sensation much stronger than any spiritual stone I had ever touched. Ancient Continent Map! Finally! This is the key to bigger adventures! This is my ticket to explore this world completely!
[Detection: User successfully wins the main prize of the tournament. Collecting Strangeness Points from an absurd and unexpected achievement...]
[+50 Strangeness Points.]
My Strangeness Points soared to 626. Amazing! I now have plenty of points to buy other strange things! Maybe a 'Truly Absurd Camouflage Robe' this time!
After the award ceremony, which ended in confusion and laughter, I returned to the Sky Cloud Sect with Long'er and the sect entourage. Along the way, the sect disciples greeted me with cheers and thunderous applause. They no longer called me 'Strange Jade-Faced Cultivator' with a tone of mockery or doubt, but with a tone of admiration and a hint of comical fear. I had become their hero, albeit in the most unusual and embarrassing way.
That night, I sat in my room, in comfortable silence, holding the Ancient Continent Map. I opened it carefully, spreading it on the table. The map was very detailed, with intricate ancient symbols and unfamiliar writings, yet somehow, I could feel its meaning. There were many 'X' marks in various locations, some in places that sounded very dangerous, perhaps indicating undiscovered ruins or treasures.
Long'er entered my room, her eyes fixed on the map with a deep gaze. "So, what's your plan next, Chen Ming?" she asked, her voice calm, yet I could feel a faint anticipation from her.
I smiled broadly, looking at the map with sparkling eyes. "My plan? To explore this continent, of course! To find more strange things, discover more hidden ruins and treasures, and collect more Strangeness Points! This world is too big to just stay in one place!"
I looked at the map, then at Long'er, my smile widening. "And you, Your Majesty Dragon? Will you accompany me on this adventure? I'm sure there will be many things that can surprise you and perhaps... make you laugh again."
Long'er smiled faintly, a smile more genuine than usual. "Of course. Our essence bond cannot be broken, and I want to see how far this 'Dao of Strangeness' of yours can take you. And who knows, maybe I can find some interesting things along the way. This world indeed holds many untold secrets."
I nodded. This is the beginning of the real adventure. I, Chen Ming, a transmigrator from Earth who died choking on chewing gum, am now a cultivation tournament champion, the owner of the legendary Ancient Continent Map, and a cultivator with a unique and unparalleled Dao of Strangeness. This world is my stage, and I'm ready to create more absurd chaos, one by one.
I knew there would be unexpected dangers, greater challenges, and perhaps more unconfusable opponents. But I wasn't afraid. I had the System that gave me power from absurdity, I had Long'er, the beautiful dragon bound to me by destiny, and I had the constantly evolving Dao of Strangeness. And that was more than enough to face whatever came. My new adventure, across the entire Tian Xuan Continent, had just begun.