I Cultivated Too Long and Got Isekai’d Into a Game

The second floor's test, the Trial of Humility, ended without problems.

Furthermore, thanks to the epiphany they gained from hearing the words of the trial, all the cultivators received an extra 1000 Cultivation stat, granted promptly! This was definitely aside from the quest's promised stat reward—an extra bonus!

Everyone was satisfied with the results...

"Bastard!"

Except one. Achilles.

As soon as Xu Tao undid his restriction, Achilles rushed forward and grabbed his collar, his expression filled with anger.

"I've been letting your transgressions slide for a while, and now what? Are you looking down on me?! I gave you an inch and you took a mile!" he growled. "If you have beef with me, then say it upfront! This demigod here will take you on and teach you your place!"

Xu Tao calmly grabbed Achilles's hand and pulled it away. After dusting his robe, he continued.

"First of all, I don't have beef with you. Earlier, I just held you in place since you seemed like you'd rush in and ruin everyone's mission," he explained.

"Then use words!" Achilles demanded. "You think I'm an idiot who wouldn't listen to others' opinions?"

"No," Xu Tao shook his head. "But you do look prideful enough to ignore important words at a crucial time." And fired another bullet.

Of course, it wasn't like Xu Tao couldn't understand why the guy was angry. He was left immobile while the others fought, making him basically useless during that entire exchange. That must've hurt his pride as a fighter…

But the truth was much simpler.

Achilles was unable to show off to the girls, and instead, ended up a useless laughingstock, left standing in place. Not only was he forced to face disrespect, he even lost face! He wouldn't let Xu Tao off until he recovered some of it!

"So you're saying I'm an idiot AND a deadweight?!" he growled, visibly angrier than before.

Under Achilles's fierce glare, Xu Tao simply hid his fists in his sleeves. He responded calmly. "If that's how you took my words, then I can't help you with that."

His response was indifferent, filled with the confidence of an elder. However, the other party took it as if he were adding fuel to the fire instead.

"You…!"

Achilles got full of rage and launched a fist—a straight punch toward Xu Tao's face, one that didn't have a winding time, smooth, short, and deadly.

THUNK!

But before it touched Xu Tao's face, his fist hit something… a thin, folded folding fan.

"How dare you try to lay a hand on my Emperor?"

The culprit, Wu Zetian, pushed the fist that her fan caught, before flipping it wide open, covering half her face.

"If you wanted to die so badly, you should've told me so. I'd have humored your request instantly."

"You bitch…!"

But Achilles wasn't giving her an inch, fighting back instantly.

"What's so great about that guy hiding behind your skirts?! He's nothing but a coward—letting his women do the fighting!"

"..."

At that moment, the air turned frigid.

Achilles's words touched Zetian's nerve… No, not only hers—Jehanne and Yifa were glaring at him like they'd murder him promptly. The man himself also felt the chill, making him take a step back unconsciously!

CLAP!

"That's enough, all of you."

Thankfully, Xu Tao diffused the situation. If he had let them continue for a moment longer, they'd probably lose one member of their team then and there. Achilles felt relieved, but at the same time discontent that someone had to help him out.

"Achilles," Xu Tao spoke, voice filled with foreboding. "You must be feeling discontent that you're not the one leading this group, correct?" He asked, striking the heart of his discontent instantly.

"Of course I am!" he shouted back. "I'm a demigod! Why would I need to listen to some random mortal's commands?!"

"I see... Then, same as with Arthur, why don't we settle this with a duel? Whoever wins gets to be the leader."

Achilles, hearing the suggestion, raised a brow. "...You, are you sane?"

"Of course I am."

Same as before, as long as the leader was competent enough, Xu Tao wouldn't have any qualms about it. Of course, placing a new head on top would cause others to show discontent, but that shouldn't last long. In the end, it wouldn't be a long-term problem.

"Don't go back on your words later then, bastard!" Achilles flipped his spear and held his shield tight. "Someone, give the signal to start! Now!"

"Ah," but just as Achilles was getting ready, Xu Tao raised a hand.

"I wouldn't fight you normally, as the winner would be decided in an instant like that. Instead, I'll give you a chance." He spoke slowly, before drawing a small circle about one meter in radius around him using his sword. "Use everything in your employ to make me move from this circle. If you manage to do that, you win."

Xu Tao was a cultivator. His and Achilles's levels were almost the same. In short, he didn't have a reason to lose. Thus, this literally was a merciful offer that allowed Achilles a fair chance at winning.

"One minute. For that time, I will only use this one sword and one hand, without using any Qi techniques." He further added, restricting himself. "This much should even out the playing field."

"You..." Achilles's face warped, now looking like a devil. "You dare belittle me, a demigod?! I'll make you eat your words...!"

Without waiting for a signal, Achilles rushed forward, spear flying like an arc of lightning. It was so fast that most watching lost sight of him for a moment!

CLANG!

But Xu Tao casually waved his sword, parrying the spear aside, before slashing toward the shield that entered the 1-meter radius around him. The series of movements was so fast it sounded as if he only struck once!

"UGH!"

Despite Xu Tao's casual movements, Achilles was pushed back three steps. Not only that, his entire left arm holding the shield felt numb from the impact.

The force behind the strike was incomprehensible… beyond reason!

"Fuck...!"

But Achilles wasn't one to back down from a challenge.

Fixing his stance, he returned with even more strength. A swing of his spear cut the air, leaving whistling sounds—and sonic booms—in its wake.

Xu Tao's lips curled up seeing this. However, he still looked as relaxed as before.

He raised his sword, meeting the spear's tip with his sword's tip.

BOOOM!

A powerful blast resulted.

Even if the strike could be neutralized, the blast from the sonic boom should still have pushed Xu Tao out of the circle!

…At least, in Achilles's imagination.

"Good strike. However, still lacking."

Xu Tao stood, waving his sword down.

His feet remained in place, not even taking a step back.

The powerful attack didn't even make him flinch!