Wasting Cultivation resources on Maidens makes me the STRONGEST

Wei Zhuxan confidently stepped forward, smirking as he imbued his spiritual essence into the contract scroll.

The scroll glowed faintly, signaling the completion of his agreement.

He looked over his shoulder at Wei Jin, his eyes gleaming with disdain and mockery.

"Well? What are you waiting for, Wei Jin? Don't tell me you've finally realized you've bitten off more than you can chew."

Wei Jin stood still, his hand hovering just above the scroll. For a fleeting moment, his mind raced, recalling the reward he had recently obtained from the system:

Description:

Instinctively capable of slamming anyone in the Mortal Realm who touches the host.

The ability disregards race, species, or status as long as melee weapons or body-bound weapons are not used.

Effect: Ensures dominance over any opponent engaging in hand-to-hand combat.

Wei Jin remembered that information, so how can he capitalize that info about the slamming soft path?

Zhuxan's voice broke through his thoughts, sharp and taunting.

"What's the matter? Frozen already? Did reality finally sink in? You can't back down now, Wei Jin. You were the one who proposed this competition, weren't you? Or are you planning to slink away like the coward you've always been?"

The crowd roared in agreement, their whispers turning into audible jeers.

"Is he scared?"

"I knew it. He was just putting on a show."

"The moment he realized what he'd signed up for, he panicked. Typical of someone with no talent."

Zhuxan took another step closer, his smirk widening. "Go ahead, sign it. Unless you're admitting right here, in front of everyone, that you're a fraud and all bark with no bite."

Wei Jin's lips twitched, forming a sneer. He raised his head slowly, meeting Zhuxan's gaze with an unshakable calm that sent a ripple of unease through his opponent.

"Who's backing down?" Wei Jin said coolly, his voice carrying enough weight to silence the murmurs around him.

Then, to the shock of everyone present, Wei Jin continued, "Actually, I've been thinking. Random selection is too boring." His eyes gleamed with a wicked edge. "Can I fight the strongest ones instead?"

A deafening silence fell over the arena, the crowd frozen in collective disbelief. Then, like a spark igniting dry grass, the whispers erupted into chaotic murmurs.

"What did he just say? Did he mean the strongest ones?"

"He must be crazy! No one chooses the strongest beasts!"

"The strongest ones? That's beyond reckless—that's suicidal!"

Wei Zhuxan's expression twisted from mockery to outright shock, his smirk faltering as he processed Wei Jin's words.

Even Wei Rutong, who had been observing from the sidelines with a cool detachment, narrowed his eyes in disbelief.

"Is this kid insane?" Rutong muttered under his breath, his composure cracking.

The attendant blinked rapidly, visibly startled. He cleared his throat nervously and stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly as he asked, "Young Sir Wei Jin, are you… sure about this?"

Wei Jin didn't hesitate, his tone unwavering. "Yes. Pick the strongest ones. And make sure they're close combat specialists. I don't want to waste my time with some boring ranged attackers."

The crowd gasped again, their shock reaching new heights.

"Close combat?! Does he even understand what he's asking for?"

"Doesn't he know why that saber cultivator earlier was highlighted? Because close combat beasts are the most brutal! They'll tear you apart piece by piece!"

"This has to be a bluff. There's no way he's serious."

The attendant took a deep breath, regaining some of his composure.

"Young Sir," he began carefully, his voice carrying a note of warning.

"Choosing the strongest beasts… is not something to be taken lightly. While random selection gives you a survival rate of roughly forty percent, deliberately choosing the strongest ones lowers that rate to five percent.

"And choosing close combat beasts… well, the odds are nearly nonexistent. They are the most ferocious, relentless creatures in the arena. Even experienced cultivators in higher realms struggle against them. Are you absolutely certain you wish to proceed?"

The warning hung heavily in the air, but Wei Jin merely nodded, his expression unchanging. "I said what I said. The strongest, close combat ones."

The crowd exploded into a frenzy, their disbelief now mixed with awe and morbid curiosity.

"He's insane! Absolutely insane!"

"Either he's got a death wish, or he knows something we don't."

"I can't believe this! This might be the most exciting match in years!"

Wei Zhuxan, however, recovered his composure quickly, his smirk returning.

"Fine by me," he said mockingly. "You want to commit suicide in the most spectacular way possible? Go ahead. But don't expect me to hold back when it's my turn to crush you."

Wei Jin shrugged, his calm demeanor unshaken. "What's the matter? You seem more talkative than usual, Zhuxan. Are you nervous?"

The crowd roared with laughter and gasps, their attention entirely fixated on the escalating tension.

Finally, Wei Jin turned back to the attendant, his tone as steady as ever. "So? What's the holdup?"

The attendant nodded reluctantly, his hands trembling as he finalized the contracts.

He glanced at Wei Jin with a look of pity, clearly thinking they were about to witness a spectacular murder. "Very well, young sirs. The contracts are now bound. Please prepare yourselves for the next phase."

As soon as the contracts were completed, the attendant turned toward the competitors.

"Before proceeding, a reminder: wagers must be placed prior to the battles. Kindly present your Spiritual Void Stones for betting."

Wei Zhuxan reached into his storage ring confidently, tossing a small pouch onto the counter with an audible clink. "Thirty Spiritual Void Stones. Bet it all on myself. This will be the easiest fortune I've ever made," he sneered.

Wei Rutong followed suit, calmly placing his wager. "Thirty Void Stones as well. This will be an interesting match."

Wei Jin, however, stood still, patting his robes awkwardly. "Well… about that," he said with a sheepish grin. He turned toward Wei Rutong and shamelessly asked, "Hey, how about you give me at least 30 Spiritual Void Stones?"

The crowd erupted into murmurs.

"What? He doesn't even have stones to bet?"

"Is he serious? Asking for stones right here? That's so shameless!"

"Typical behavior for someone who hasn't awakened their Inverse Eyes. No backing from the family, no resources."

…

Spiritual Void Stones

Spiritual Void Stones are cultivation resources containing only faint traces of spiritual energy, hence their name "Void." While not ideal for breakthroughs or significant cultivation gains, they are widely used as currency for low-tier transactions and bets.

…

Wei Rutong and Wei Zhuxan stared at him in disbelief, their expressions a mixture of shock and contempt.

Zhuxan was the first to break the silence, bursting into mocking laughter. "You're unbelievable, Wei Jin! You drag us into this ridiculous competition, claim you'll fight the strongest beasts barehanded, and you don't even have stones to bet? Truly pathetic."

Wei Jin ignored the insult entirely, casually sticking his pinky finger into his ear as if to block out Zhuxan's voice. The exaggerated motion sent the crowd into fits of laughter.

"This guy… he doesn't even care what Zhuxan says!"

"He's either fearless or just clueless!"

Zhuxan growled, clenching his fists as Wei Jin blew on his pinky finger and then lowered it with a dramatic sigh. "Ah, sorry, Zhuxan. Were you saying something important? No? Good."

The crowd erupted again, many laughing at Zhuxan's expense.

Wei Jin continued, smirking as he addressed the two of them.

"Anyway, about those stones. You two shouldn't feel so attached to them. It's not like they belong to you because of your talent or hard work. The family only gave them to you because you have those shiny Inverse Eyes. They're wasting good resources on mediocre potential."

The words landed like a slap. Both Wei Rutong and Wei Zhuxan glared at him, their anger palpable.

Zhuxan sneered. "And what? You think you're more deserving than us? What a joke!"

Rutong, though calmer, was visibly irritated. "You're overstepping, Wei Jin. You haven't proven anything yet, and you dare call yourself more talented than us?"

Wei Jin shrugged nonchalantly. "Why not? If I'm so untalented, why are you so hesitant? Just give me the stones. I'll pay you back. It's not like you're going to need them after I beat you."

The crowd gasped at the audacity of Wei Jin's words, and Zhuxan's face twisted in fury.

"You arrogant fool! When this is over, you'll be lucky if there's enough of you left to crawl out of this arena."

Rutong, after a tense pause, finally sighed and reached into his own storage ring. "Fine. Thirty Void Stones. But remember, Wei Jin, if you fail to pay me back, I'll deal with you personally."

Wei Jin smirked, accepting the pouch. "Deal. Though, I wouldn't bother trying to 'deal with me.' It won't go well for you."

As the murmurs of the crowd grew louder, the attendants quickly moved things forward. "First competitor: Wei Zhuxan. Step forward and face your challenge."

Zhuxan strode confidently to the center of the arena, his movements deliberate and commanding.

The crowd buzzed with excitement, eager to see the first match.

A projection array activated, displaying a shimmering image of the random beast selected for him.

The form of a massive, scaled creature emerged—a Crimson Thunder Basilisk.

Its eyes gleamed with lightning, its coiled body radiating raw, destructive power.

The crowd fell silent in awe before erupting into chaotic commentary.

"A Crimson Thunder Basilisk! That's no ordinary beast!"

"It's known for its deadly speed and precision. Even random selection is merciless today!"

"Zhuxan is in for a tough fight!"

Wei Zhuxan's expression remained confident, though his jaw tightened slightly. He turned to the crowd, raising his hand in a mocking gesture of reassurance.

Wei Jin, however, leaned back casually, his arms crossed as he watched. His face betrayed no shock, no worry—only calm observation.

As the murmurs around him reached a fever pitch, he muttered softly to himself, "Not bad. But predictable."