In the grand continent of Xuánxìng, where cultivators soared through the skies and split mountains with a sneeze, the Seven Stellar Sects were holding their once-in-a-decade entrance exams.
Talents from across the land gathered, each one convinced they were the destined protagonist.
Except for one.
"Name?" the stone-faced elder at the gate barked, looking down at the disheveled teen before him. Lin Feng stood with chicken feathers in his hair, mud smeared across his robe, and an aura so weak it could be mistaken for body odor.
"Lin Feng," he said, adjusting the noodle of his robe that had somehow become a makeshift snack holder.
"Cultivation realm?" the elder asked, glancing at him over his thin spectacles.
Lin Feng hesitated, then whispered, "I'm… still in the Body Tempering stage."
The elder blinked. "Which layer?"
"…Negative one?" Lin Feng muttered.
The elder almost dropped his spiritual tea. "That's not even a real thing!"
"I tried cultivating once, but I broke my finger on a cabbage. Since then, my qi's been scared to circulate."
The elder wrote something down on his parchment, probably "Do not touch—may be cursed" or something similarly ominous.
Still, the rules were the rules. Anyone brave enough to sign the death waiver could at least have a chance to take the test.
Lin Feng was ushered into a large courtyard, filled with hopefuls—each glowing with spiritual power and confidence, standing tall with the arrogance of those who knew they were destined for greatness.
The first trial? The Spirit Stone Resonance Test.
Simple enough: touch the giant Spirit Stone, and it would react based on your innate talent.
The arrogant young master from the Cloud Saber Clan strutted forward, smirk plastered across his face. With a dramatic flourish, he slammed his palm onto the stone.
BOOM!
The Spirit Stone flared with golden light, and a dragon silhouette roared from within it. The crowd gasped in awe.
"Gold-tier talent! Incredible!" someone shouted.
Next, a girl from the Misty Flower Sect stepped forward, calm and graceful. She placed her palm on the stone. A gentle pink glow spread from the stone, and delicate flower petals bloomed in the air.
"High-tier wood affinity with dual elemental roots! Stunning!" someone gasped.
Then, Lin Feng's turn.
He wiped his hand on his robe (which was about as useful as trying to clean a muddy puddle with a banana peel) and stepped up, eyes narrowed in what could only be described as "cautious optimism."
He placed his hand on the Spirit Stone.
Nothing happened.
He coughed.
Still nothing.
He smacked the stone.
It flickered weakly, then shuddered. It cracked slightly, shivered, and then—crack—it turned gray.
It died.
The courtyard fell silent.
The elder blinked. Then blinked again. "You… killed the Spirit Stone?"
"Maybe it was tired?" Lin Feng offered, shrugging.
The elder rubbed his temples. "You're banned from touching any magical artifacts for the rest of the day. Next trial!"
As Lin Feng casually strolled away, someone whispered, "He broke the unbreakable. That's… kind of impressive?"
"Impressive like falling into a pit and discovering oil," another muttered.
But Lin Feng remained oblivious, cheerfully waving at the now-dead stone. "Get well soon!"