The Invincible Loser's Counterattack System: The Invincible Loser's Counterattack System, #1

By Hou Ji Xian Ren

Zhou Fei, known as "the number one failure of Chang'an" at the academy in the great Tang Dynasty's Chang'an, is actually a young man with a special identity and background. After accidentally acquiring a "failure system," he miraculously embarked on the path to becoming a top master, despite originally being unable to cultivate.

Facing challenges from academy teachers and ridicule from the nobility's children, Zhou Fei handles them with ease, demonstrating his extraordinary strength. An unexpected lodging crisis further allowed him to reveal his unique treasures and extraordinary methods, making his image of a failure even more mysterious.

How will Zhou Fei, with the failure system, rise against the odds to become a top master among the elites in the academy, continuing his legendary journey?

I refuse the path through the mountain of books, and I won't sail the endless sea of learning. Being such a failure already, why must I be transformed into a supreme master?
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zhou Yan
• Release date: May 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224204861

Book preview

Chapter 1: No Pains, No Gains

Tang Dynasty Chang’an Academy.

Zhou Fei, lying on a chair, was awoken by the noise around him. He yawned lazily and opened his eyes a crack.

All he could see was scholars rushing to take the imperial examination.

Hah, these people don’t know how to enjoy life. How can taking an exam be more relaxing than sleeping? Taking an exam? What a waste of time. Zhou Fei rolled over and fell back asleep.

His actions drew the ire of the scholars around him.

Who is this? How arrogant! He’s actually sleeping on the day of the imperial examination.

He’s Zhou Fei, the son of Great General Zhou Ding. He’s nicknamed Chang’an’s Number One Wastrel.

So the so-called Chang’an’s Number One Wastrel is him. But I heard he tried to molest the Daughter of the Left Chancellor and ended up jumping into the river and killing himself.

He didn’t die. Heaven is so unfair. Why won’t it take such a blight on society?

Are we actually going to have to study with a wastrel like him? Is something wrong? I thought the academy’s enrollment was the fairest. How could someone like him pull strings to get in?

Zhou Fei was sleeping, but their words reached his ears.

To ensure a good night’s sleep, he opened his eyes and said weakly, I got in with a special recruitment quota. I won’t be studying with you guys. My dream is to be a wastrel. Studying is too tiring.

He closed his eyes again, as though the effort of opening them just now had used up all his energy.

The scholars were speechless.

I’ve been dealt a critical blow.

First lesson of the Tang Dynasty: how important it is to have a powerful father. Even a wastrel can study at the academy.

Zhou Fei couldn’t be bothered to humor them. What’s wrong with being a wastrel? Being able to eat and sleep to one’s heart’s content is a blessing; these people will never understand.

Alas, in all of the Great Wilderness, there’s not a single soul who understands me. How melancholy.

[Congratulations to the host for receiving 500 wastrel evaluations. You have been rewarded with 100 wastrel points.]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining one wastrel coin. After obtaining 5 wastrel coins, your cultivation level will automatically increase by one minor realm.]

[Congratulations to the host for collecting 5 wastrel coins. Your cultivation level has automatically increased. You are now at mid-level Spiritual Energy Realm.]

[Life as a wastrel is so good. Barbecue, sleep, bubble bath. May the host continue to be a wastrel on the path ahead. – The above message is from the Wastrel System.]

Zhou Fei rolled over and mumbled, Shut up, don’t disturb my sleep.

In the Great Wilderness, martial artists are revered. Cultivation levels are divided into the following realms: Spiritual Energy, Six Senses, Seven Stars, Divine Treasury, Boundless Realm, Transcendent, and Celestial Being.

Celestial Being Realm: unattained by any. Above Transcendent Realm, on par with deities.

Boundless Realm: capable of moving mountains and filling seas.

Divine Treasury and Seven Stars Realms: capable of contending with thousands of troops.

Six Senses Realm: the first step on the path of cultivation. Below the Six Senses Realm, all are but ants.

Zhou Fei, even though you got in using a special quota, once you enter my academy, you must obey the academy’s rules. Move out of the way now. How unseemly, sleeping here! An extraordinary beauty walked up to Zhou Fei and said coldly, her voice tinged with a hint of killing intent.

This beauty is called Tu Wanyue, a teacher at the academy from the Yan Kingdom.

When Tu Wanyue first came to Chang’an, she caused a sensation throughout the city. Even the emperor sent someone to the academy to inquire after her, hoping to take her back to be his imperial concubine. This shows just how stunningly beautiful she is.

Of course, she is only trying to scare Zhou Fei right now and has no intention of actually attacking him.

Who can blame them for being so angry? Everyone else is preparing for the final assessment, but this guy comes to sleep in front of the examinees, as if he’s afraid people won’t know he got in through special recruitment? This is simply tarnishing the academy’s reputation.

If Great General Zhou Ding hadn’t saved His Majesty’s life back in the day, and if the Zhou family hadn’t been loyal for three generations, Fu Zi would never have accepted a wastrel like Zhou Fei.

However, Tu Wanyue has truly wronged Zhou Fei. He didn’t come here to show off on purpose. He was simply tired when he got here. As a wastrel, one of his life mottos is to lie down wherever he gets tired!

Teacher Tu is even more beautiful than I imagined.

If I were the emperor, I would be tempted too. She’s like a fairy descended from heaven.

If Teacher Tu were to accept disciples, I would do everything in my power to become her student.

I can’t breathe, my brain is running out of oxygen.

Ugh, what a pain. Zhou Fei muttered as he crawled out of his chair and walked towards the academy like a walking corpse.

At that moment, an extremely sarcastic voice rang out from behind him.

A wastrel is a wastrel. Do you think you can transform into a flood dragon just by entering the academy? You’ll always be nothing more than a worm in the dirt.

Zhou Fei stopped and slowly turned around. Oh, I see. It’s you, Second Master Deficiency. Are you envious that I can enter the academy without taking the exam? Just say so if you’re envious. I won’t laugh at you, though it would be tiring.

The speaker was Meng Chongyi, the son of Grand Marshal Meng Zhulu.

Quick, come and see. The son of the Grand Marshal is arguing with the son of the Great General.

Meh, it’s just a couple of powerful families’ sons squabbling. What’s there to see?

I heard that these two both like the Daughter of the Left Chancellor, Li Li. There’s also a rumor that Zhou Fei went to harass Li Li because Meng Chongyi provoked him?

Meng Chongyi is very talented. I heard that he’s already at mid-level Spiritual Energy Realm and is trying to break through to high-level. Zhou Fei is in big trouble for provoking him.

Meng Chongyi mockingly said, Wastrel, you’re only here without having to take the exam because of your family’s influence. Others might not dare to say anything, but I’m not afraid. You can’t ruin the academy’s centuries of reputation.

Zhou Fei responded lazily, So, what do you want to do about it?

Get out of the academy immediately, Meng Chongyi said.

Zhou Fei yawned, I don’t know how to ‘roll out’. Maybe you could demonstrate it for me first?

You’re asking for it! Meng Chongyi said menacingly. If I don’t kick you out of the academy today, you can call me by my name backward.

With that, he pushed forward with both palms.

Zhou Fei snorted, So, it’s a fight you want. You could’ve just said so. Why waste so much breath? Isn’t that tiring?

After speaking, Zhou Fei activated his aura.

Spiritual Energy Realm? Tu Wanyue, who had been quietly observing, was slightly surprised.

The conclusion that Zhou Fei couldn’t cultivate was made by Fu Zi himself. Now that he had cultivated to the Spiritual Energy Realm, this was like slapping Fu Zi in the face.

Meng Chongyi was also taken aback and stepped back, saying, How is this possible? Fu Zi diagnosed you with a damaged Qi sea, incapable of storing any spiritual energy. How could you have cultivated to the Spiritual Energy Realm!

Zhou Fei pulled out a handful of sunflower seeds from his pocket and started cracking them, Are you going to fight or not? If not, I’m out of here. It’s a crime not to sleep under such perfect weather.

This action infuriated Meng Chongyi, a blatant humiliation.

Then something occurred to Meng Chongyi, and he said contemptuously, I know now, you must have taken a Spiritual Pill, right? Forcing the gathering of spiritual energy into your Qi sea to temporarily elevate your realm. However, once the pill’s effect wears off, you will become completely useless.

Pausing for a moment, Meng Chongyi raised his voice several notches before continuing, Most importantly, the realm elevated by the Spiritual Pill cannot cultivate any martial arts. In short, you’re just an empty shell!

Zhou Fei: You have quite the imagination. You could totally write sitcoms.

Chapter 2 The Endless Sea of Learning Is Not for Me

No matter how eloquent you are, today you must leave the academy. Take this, Snowflake Palm. Meng Chongyi attacked again, this time with even more ferocity than before.

In the Great Wilderness, the ranks of martial arts techniques are divided into Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, Yellow, Saint, Emperor, Respect, and King, and are further categorized as inferior, mediocre, superior, and supreme.

In terms of cultivation, mastery over martial arts is classified into minor achievement, major achievement, perfection, and peak. However, even the most common King-level martial arts are rarely cultivated to the peak state.

It’s not that reaching the peak state is difficult; it’s just too time-consuming. With that time, it’s better to master several martial arts techniques, increasing one’s advantage in combat.

My heavens, it’s the King-level inferior martial art, Snowflake Palm!

And it’s already at the major achievement stage. Truly worthy of being General Meng’s son; such talent is enviable.

If Zhou Fei can withstand this palm, I’ll eat my hat right here.

【Warning, the host is under attack by the King-level inferior martial art, Snowflake Palm】.

【Snowflake Palm copy completed, automatically consuming one hundred wastrel points to upgrade to max level】.

【The host can continue to happily be a wastrel. Isn’t this system considerate? If satisfied, please give a five-star rating】.

Zhou Fei thought: Can’t be bothered to rate.

System: The host truly is a qualified wastrel.

Though he couldn’t be bothered to physically give a five-star rating, he still mentally gave the system a thumbs up.

Even martial arts cultivation could be this convenient; the Wastrel Cultivation System certainly lived up to its name.

It’s just the Snowflake Palm, what’s the big deal? I can do it too. Zhou Fei said disdainfully, slowly lifting his right hand. A layer of frost began to form in his palm, eventually turning into a small vortex.

Then, snowflakes appeared around him, and the temperature plummeted to levels unbearable to ordinary people. Thick clouds formed overhead, accompanied by thunder and lightning, and winds howled fiercely.

The surrounding students were all dumbstruck.

This time, Tu Wanyue was genuinely shocked.

At first, when Meng Chongyi used Snowflake Palm against Zhou Fei, she had been on standby, prepared to save him after he had received some instruction.

After all, this was the academy, and today was registration day. If news of infighting among students were to spread, it would damage the academy’s reputation.

However, Tu Wanyue was quite delighted to see Zhou Fei suffer a little.

Yet she had never expected Zhou Fei to also know martial arts, and to have cultivated to a higher level than Meng Chongyi.

Just how many more secrets was this guy hiding?

On the other side, Meng Chongyi was also stunned, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Snowflake Palm, Peak Realm.

Impossible. He had only cultivated it to the Major Achievement stage; how could Zhou Fei, a wastrel, have cultivated it to the Peak Realm?

Furthermore, he had only obtained his Spiritual Energy Realm strength by relying on Spiritual Pills. He couldn’t possibly have mastered any martial arts techniques.

It must be an illusion!

He couldn’t fool me!

Meng Chongyi prepared to test the strength of Zhou Fei’s palm. However, before he could rush forward, he was swept away by a gust of wind and heavily crashed to the ground, a mouthful of blood spilling from his mouth.

Zhou Fei withheld the force of his palm and said, Call me ‘Lord Fei’ for mercy, and I will spare you. Otherwise, you may die from this palm strike of mine.

Meng Chongyi roared, You can’t kill me! You don’t dare kill me. I’m the Grand Marshal’s son. If you kill me, you’ll be starting a war between the Marshal’s Mansion and the General’s Mansion!

Zhou Fei sneered, When you were attacking me, how come you didn’t think about starting a war? Let me give you a free piece of advice: whoever starts trouble is the despicable one. I was minding my own business and sleeping soundly when you came jumping in front of me to act tough. If I don’t give you a good beating, it would be a waste of this beautiful day.

A roaring lion’s head formed from the surging snowflakes in the air, charging towards Meng Chongyi.

Meng Chongyi’s face turned ghostly pale, and a foul stench began to emanate from between his legs.

However, just as the lion’s head was about to pounce on Meng Chongyi, it disintegrated into pieces, turning into a handful of ice-cold water that thoroughly drenched Meng Chongyi.

Who dares to stop me! Zhou Fei was furious, looking around.

Tu Wanyue approached, her voice indifferent, The academy’s rules strictly prohibit harming fellow disciples. Offenders will be expelled immediately.

Zhou Fei, looking at her stunning face, felt an unparalleled calmness, Why didn’t you come out when he was about to beat me just now?

Tu Wanyue’s expression turned slightly awkward. She cleared her throat lightly and said, Young Master Zhou, your talent is astonishing. It was my oversight, and I apologize for that. However, I still advise you, killing Meng Chongyi might be easy, but it will bring endless trouble. Aren’t you the one who hates trouble the most?

Zhou Fei pondered and found it to make a lot of sense.

Meng Yuanshuai and his own father were already at odds. If he acted impulsively and killed Meng Chongyi, the Tang Dynasty’s army would collapse in an instant. The trouble wouldn’t just be continuous; it would be overwhelming.

How could a wastrel like him get entangled in such a massive mess?

He couldn’t kill him.

You’re lucky this time; I’ll spare you! Zhou Fei glanced at the ground, It’s a pity, such a nice place to sleep, and you ruined it.

With that, he strolled deeper into the academy.

After Zhou Fei left, the surrounding people gradually recovered from their shock.

Watching his retreating figure, everyone was left with a huge question mark in their minds.

Was this truly the number one wastrel of Chang’an?

But at the moment, what concerned everyone the most wasn’t Meng Chongyi’s well-being.

Someone said they were going to eat shit just now. It’s your turn to perform now.

Meng Chongyi got up from the ground, his eyes filled with resentment as he stared at Zhou Fei. He swore to himself, Zhou Fei, for the humiliation today, I will repay you a hundredfold in the future.

He then covered his face and left.

After this incident, Tu Wanyue was in no mood to continue hosting the enrollment. She handed the job over to another teacher and returned to the second floor of the academy.

Oh? Why is Fourth Senior Sister back so early? Is the enrollment over?

Junior Brother Yue Chen, who was playing chess with Third Senior Brother, asked.

Third Senior Brother slowly placed a chess piece and looked up at her. Your expression isn’t good. Did you encounter something unpleasant?

Tu Wanyue sighed and told them what had just happened.

Yue Chen abruptly stood up. The fat on his cheeks trembled from excitement. Fourth Senior Sister, are you saying that Zhou Fei has mastered the Peak Realm of Snowflake Palm?

Tu Wanyue said, Could I lie to you?

Yue Chen turned and ran outside. I have to go and see him.

Before his voice had even faded, he had already disappeared.

Third Senior Brother smiled and said, Junior Brother once said that no one could cultivate Snowflake Palm to the Peak Realm because he himself could only cultivate it to the Completion Realm. Now that someone has appeared who has cultivated Snowflake Palm to the Peak Realm, it’s reasonable for him not to be able to hold back.

But that person is Zhou Fei, which is what I can’t understand. Fu Zi personally declared back then that this child would not be able to cultivate, Tu Wanyue said in confusion.

Third Senior Brother placed down a chess piece. The cycle of Heaven’s Dao is endless, and the world is constantly changing. Fate is the most difficult thing to grasp. It’s not impossible for a wastrel to become a genius. Instead of thinking so much, why don’t we play chess? Fourth Junior Sister, how about playing a few games with Senior Brother?

Tu Wanyue gave two ’heh’s and disappeared in a flash.

Playing chess with Third Senior Brother was the scariest thing on the second floor of the academy, bar none!

Chapter 3: The Prodigy of Zhao Kingdom

Upon arriving at the accommodation quarters of the academy, Zhou Fei was informed that there were no available rooms.

Are you joking? Such a large academy and no place for me to stay? Zhou Fei couldn’t believe it.

The dormitory manager said, Others have, you don’t.

On what grounds? Zhou Fei asked.

Special admissions do not include accommodation solutions, the manager answered.

Can I go home to sleep then? Zhou Fei inquired.

The manager shook his head, No, the academy adopts a boarding system. You can only leave during holidays. Leaving at other times without permission will result in expulsion.

Zhou Fei: ...

So, this is targeted at me? Zhou Fei frowned.

The manager nodded, Yes, it’s targeted at you.

Damn it.

He actually admitted it.

Hmph, thinking this could trouble me? Too naive.

System, it’s time for you to show your power, Zhou Fei called out in his mind.

The system is hibernating, don’t bother me if it’s not important, and even if it is, I won’t interfere.

Zhou Fei: ...

Damn it.

When luck is down, even drinking water can get stuck in the teeth, and now even the system bullies me.

Well, I still have to rely on myself for everything. Zhou Fei sighed and entered the system store.

He searched for houses and nearly a hundred results popped up.

The items were randomly listed, and what you end up with depends on luck. In the system’s words, it couldn’t be bothered to categorize, everything depends on fate.

Zhou Fei was quite lucky; the first result matched his requirements perfectly.

Mobile home, priced at six hundred wastrel points, comes with a high-end kitchen set as an additional gift upon purchase.

Checking his balance, exactly six hundred wastrel points, Zhou Fei didn’t hesitate to make the purchase. Then, a pokeball-like item appeared in his pocket. All he needed was to find a suitable spot to throw the ball, and the mobile home would boom into existence.

If I solve the accommodation issue myself, the academy won’t stop me, right? Zhou Fei asked the manager.

The manager gave a cold laugh, If you have the capability to solve the accommodation problem, of course, the academy won’t stop you.

That was exactly what Zhou Fei wanted to hear. After snapping his fingers, he casually found an open space and threw the pokeball.

The decision is yours, go, RV-chan!

With a boom, a beautiful RV appeared on the empty land.

The manager’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

My goodness, a portable cave dwelling?

Isn’t this a method only those in the Boundless Realm could possess?

How could Zhou Fei, a wastrel, have such divine powers?

Could it be some kind of fairy treasure?

It’s possible, after all, the design of this house is very peculiar. Not to mention the Tang Dynasty, even in the entire Great Wilderness, no one has ever seen a house built like this.

Zhou Fei was particularly satisfied, swaying leisurely towards the RV. Just as he opened the door, a shout came from behind: Zhou Fei, please wait.

Zhou Fei looked back and saw a chubby boy he didn’t recognize.

He entered the house, closed the door, all in one fluid motion.

Yue Chen stood dumbfounded at the door, unable to recover for a long time.

His shout was loud enough, Zhou Fei couldn’t possibly have not heard it.

So, he deliberately ignored him.

This jerk.

Yue Chen rushed to the door and started banging, Zhou Fei, come out!

No one responded.

Yue Chen, frustrated and itching with rage, prepared to break in forcibly. However, the force he exerted seemed to vanish into thin air, absorbed by the door.

What the hell!

Could this door be linked to an alternate space?

Yue Chen tried a few more times, but nothing changed.

He didn’t dare to act rashly anymore. This door and this house exuded a kind of eeriness, just like Zhou Fei.

Clearly a wastrel, yet capable of performing the Snowflake Palm at the Peak Realm.

If it were Fu Zi, a supreme master who had cultivated the Snowflake Palm to the Peak Realm, Yue Chen could barely accept it. But it was utterly unbelievable that a universally acknowledged wastrel had achieved the Peak Realm of the Snowflake Palm.

He came to find Zhou Fei for an explanation, or more precisely, he wanted to challenge Zhou Fei to confirm whether he truly mastered the Snowflake Palm at the Peak Realm.

However, Zhou Fei completely ignored Yue Chen, the recognized prodigy, and literally shut the door in his face.

Yue Chen was fuming mad but was frustratingly helpless against Zhou Fei.

Yet, such obstacles could not deter Yue Chen.

Geniuses are not easily defeated.

Zhou Fei, if you refuse to come out, forget about passing your final exams. Failing more than three subjects means expulsion, and that’s an iron law set by Fu Zi. Not even the emperor can change it.

Just as he finished speaking, the door creaked open.

Zhou Fei, looking weary, said, Big shot, I just want to get some solid sleep. Do you really have to be this relentless?

Yue Chen, brimming with pride, said, Decided to open the door, huh? Heh, you wanna sleep? Fine, but only if you fight me first.

Zhou Fei: Are you joking? Fighting is such a waste of time and energy. I’d rather get a good sleep than waste my effort on that.

Yue Chen was defeated.

Alright, if you don’t want to fight, at least show me your Snowflake Palm at the Peak Realm.

Zhou Fei: No time.

You... want to fail your courses? Yue Chen had no choice but to play his trump card again.

Fine, fine. For the sake of peaceful days ahead, I’ll show this kid the Snowflake Palm at the Peak Realm.

Their standoff also attracted the attention of nearby students. However, what intrigued them more was Zhou Fei’s house. That thing has such a unique design. Is this style of house popular in the Tang Dynasty now?

Who’s that in front of Zhou Fei?

That’s Yue Chen, the prodigy of Zhao Kingdom. Is Zhou Fei going to spar with him?

Zhou Fei only knows the Snowflake Palm, and although he’s mastered it to the Peak Realm, it’s still just a king-level superior martial art. Yue Chen has mastered several king-level top-grade martial arts. Fighting Yue Chen means Zhou Fei is looking for trouble.

The discussions of the crowd reached Zhou Fei and Yue Chen, but neither of them took it seriously.

One was too lazy to care, the other too disdainful to bother.

Watch closely, I’m only showing it once, Zhou Fei said.

Yue Chen nodded vigorously, his eyes fixed on Zhou Fei’s hand.

In the blink of an eye, a transparent layer of ice formed on the surface of Zhou Fei’s palm. A whirlwind spiraled from his feet to the top of his head, and the temperature around them plummeted as if the air itself was about to freeze.

Above Zhou Fei’s head, dark clouds reappeared, with bolts of lightning slithering through like pythons, as fierce winds and thunder spread wildly in all directions.

A few moments later, Zhou Fei finished his demonstration.

He appeared extremely fatigued, as if drained, and said weakly, Goodness, don’t come to me for this kind of thing again. It’s too draining; I’ll need several days of sleep to recover.

He was about to close the door when Yue Chen, learning from before, quickly blocked the door, declaring, I’ve decided; I’m going to live with you.

Chapter 4: Rise of