My Auto Cloning System-Chapter 90: The Bun’s Resolve

"I'm going to die," Bao Zi whispered to the mossy wall. "I'm definitely going to die. I'm just a bun. A soft, squishy bun in a world of meat grinders." (Gulp!)

The shadow of the judge loomed over the tunnel entrance. "Third Batch! Arena 04! Bao Zi versus Tie San! Get to your marks!"

Bao Zi stumbled out into the blinding sunlight of the arena. The scale of the place always hit him like a physical blow. The stands were packed with thousands of people, their eyesl looking down like hungry hawks. On the opposite side of the stone-covered floor stood Tie San. Tie San was tall, skinny, and had a face that looked like it had been carved out of a sour lemon. He was wearing a dark green robe and carrying a pair of iron fans that looked way too sharp to be fans.

The two of them walked to the center, stopping ten feet apart. The judge stood between them, while looking bored.

"So," Tie San said, his voice sounding like sandpaper on wood. "You're the one who hangs around with that lunatic Ren Tie. I've seen you. You're always hiding in the back. You're the weak link, aren't you?"

Bao Zi felt a drop of cold sweat slide down his neck. "I... I'm not a link. I'm a person. My name is Bao Zi." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Tie San let out a nasty, and sharp laugh. (Heh-heh-heh!) "Bao Zi? A meat bun? That's perfect. I'm going to chop you into little pieces and feed you to the stray dogs outside. Do you even have a real technique? Or do you just cry until your enemies feel bad for you?"

Bao Zi flinched. He reached into his spirit sea, trying to feel the flow of his [Cloud-Misting Breath] technique. It was a basic level 8 cultivation method he had learned back home. It was supposed to make his movements light and his spirit essence flow like fog, but right now, his essence felt like thick, frozen mud.

"I have a technique," Bao Zi squeaked. He was trying hard to sound tough, but his voice cracked at the end. "I've worked hard. I've reached Stage 8, just like you!"

"Stage 8?" Tie San snapped one of his iron fans open. (Clack!) The metal ribs of the fan gleamed in the sun. "Levels don't matter if your heart is made of wet paper. Look at your hands, 'Bun.' They're shaking. You're terrified. You know that as soon as that drum sounds, I'm going to open your throat. Why are you even here? You don't belong in the Spirit Palace. You belong in a kitchen, getting steamed."

Bao Zi looked down at his hands. Tie San was right. They were trembling. The psychological pressure was like a heavy weight pressing on his skull.

He's right, Bao Zi monologued to himself, his vision was starting to get blurry. Why am I here? I only got this far because I followed Ren Tie. I'm not a genius like Yin Zhe. I'm just a guy who wants to eat good food and live a long life. If I fight, I'll get hurt. If I lose, I'll be a joke.

He could see the crowd laughing. He could also see the judges shaking their heads. His will, which had always been fragile, had began to crack like a dropped eggshell. He felt his knees getting weak. He wanted to turn around and run back into the dark tunnel.

"That's it," Tie San whispered,

while leaning in closer. "Just give up. Walk off the stage. If you leave now, I won't have to scar that chubby face of yours. Save yourself the pain, Bun. You're a loser. You've always been a loser."

Bao Zi's head slumped. The words felt like poison, that was sinking deep into his brain. He was about to raise his hand to forfeit. (Sigh...)

But then, a memory flickered in his mind. He thought back to just a few minutes ago. He had saw Ren Tie, covered in blood and dust, standing tall against a Stage 9 monster cultivator. Ren Tie had been beaten, bruised, and pushed to the edge, but he hadn't blinked. He had found a way to win because he believed he was a mountain.

Then he thought of Yin Zhe. Yin Zhe was a complete nutcase. He had lied and pretended to be weak to everyone, and he also acted like a victim while he was secretly a god. But Yin Zhe had never doubted himself. Not for a second. Even when the whole world was against him, Yin Zhe just grinned and fought his way to the top.

Ren Tie is a mountain, Bao Zi thought. Yin Zhe is a monster. And me?

He remembered Ren Tie once telling him, while they were eating bought chicken, "Bao Zi, even a bun can burn your mouth if it's hot enough."

Bao Zi's eyes suddenly snapped open. The fear was still there, but underneath it, a small spark of anger began to glow.

"I'm not a mountain,"

Bao Zi monologued to himself, his teeth clenching together. I'm not a monster. But I'm tired of being the guy who stays in the cell. I'm tired of being the guy who watches from the back. If I run now, I'll be running for the rest of my life. I'd rather be a smashed bun than a coward!

The spirit essence in his body suddenly began to move. (Whoosh!) The [Cloud-Misting Breath] started to circulate, it was not like slow fog, but like a raging storm. A faint, and white steam began to rise from his skin.

"I'm not leaving," Bao Zi said. His voice wasn't loud, but it was steady.

Tie San stopped laughing. He narrowed his eyes, his sour face twisting further. "What did you say, you little snack?"

Bao Zi looked Tie San right in the eye. He didn't hide his shaking hands; he turned them into fists. "I said I'm not leaving! My name is Bao Zi, and I'm going to the Spirit Palace! If you want to stop me, you better have more than just a big mouth and some fancy fans!" (Gasp!)

Tie San's face went from sour to red. "Fine! Then die!"

The judge saw the fire in Bao Zi's eyes and nodded. He raised his hand toward the giant ceremonial drum at the side of the arena.

"I can do this,"

Bao Zi thought, his heart racing with a new kind of energy. I'll show them. I'll show everyone that even a meat bun has a heart of iron! Plus Ultra!

The judge's hand fell.

(BONG!!!)

The drum echoed through the stadium like a thunderclap. The match had officially begun.