Li Wei stood before the gates of the Azure Wind Sect, panting. The azure runes etched into the white stone shimmered in the fading sunlight, and the air was rich with the scent of blooming herbs. But the cold stare of the man in front of him made his shoulders tense.
The man looked to be in his thirties, with sharp facial features and long black hair tied into a high knot. His aura pressed down like an invisible weight on Li Wei's shoulders.
"Li Wei," the man repeated, arms crossed. "An outer disciple who can't even show up for evening roll call. What is it this time? Got lost? Or out looking for trouble again?"
Li Wei cursed silently. Judging by the tone, this guy was someone important—and the previous Li Wei clearly hadn't been his favorite. He assessed the situation quickly. Apologize? Too degrading. Make excuses? Weak. Better to go with boldness—tempered with caution.
"Respected..." Li Wei paused, hoping the system would help. The screen flickered:
Elder Liu Chen – Overseer of the Outer Court. Cultivation Level: Spiritual Realm, Stage 3.
"Respected Elder Liu," Li Wei said smoothly, "I was nearly eaten by a spiritual beast. Barely made it out alive."
Liu Chen squinted, but his lips twitched into the faintest smirk.
"A beast? You? A weakling at the first stage of the Mortal Realm? Don't make me laugh."
Li Wei shrugged, trying to look nonchalant.
"Got lucky. And used a bit of cleverness." He hoped mentioning cleverness wouldn't expose his system. Speaking of which, the system chimed:
New Quest: Impress Elder Liu Chen. Reward: +20 Reputation, Access to Sect Library. Penalty: Loss of monthly allowance.
Li Wei groaned inwardly. Impress him? This smug bastard? But the library... That sounded promising. It could hold cultivation techniques or secrets he needed. He decided to gamble.
"If the elder doubts me," Li Wei said, pointing to his torn robe, "I can show proof. Claw marks on the sleeve. Scaled lizard. As big as a wolf."
Liu Chen stepped closer, examining the damaged cloth. His gaze lingered on the tear before he grunted.
"Let's say I believe you. That still doesn't excuse your insolence. The outer court isn't a place for those who forget their place. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't punish you."
Sweat formed on Li Wei's neck. He didn't know how things worked in the sect, but one thing was clear—this world didn't coddle the weak. He remembered the "Azure Stream" breathing technique he'd received earlier. Mentioning it would be suspicious. Instead, he decided to bluff.
"Because I intend to take the Outer Court Trial next month," he declared, meeting Liu Chen's eyes. "And not just pass—I'll surprise everyone."
The crowd of disciples by the gate stirred. Murmurs rose. Liu Chen raised an eyebrow, visibly intrigued. Li Wei knew he'd just baited a hook. Now he had to survive the bite.
---
Li Wei held Elder Liu Chen's gaze, doing his best to hide how hard his heart was pounding. The crowd of disciples gathered at the gate began whispering, their expressions a mix of mockery and curiosity. Someone snickered, "Li Wei? Pass the trial? He can't even sense spiritual energy!"
But Li Wei didn't look away. In this world, reputation was currency—and he wasn't planning to start at the bottom.
Liu Chen nodded slowly, though his face remained unreadable.
"Bold words for someone barely standing," he said, arms still crossed. "The Outer Court Trial is no joke. Even talented disciples fall like flies. What makes you think you, the worst among them, have a chance?"
The system stirred. The screen flickered:
Persuasion Success Rate: 45%
Recommendation: Display confidence and hint at hidden potential.
Li Wei smirked inwardly. The system clearly knew how to play these games.
"Respected Elder," he began, lowering his voice slightly to add weight to his words, "I know how I look—weak, unimpressive. But I have... intuition. Call it a gut feeling. I can feel that I'm meant for more. Give me a chance, and I'll prove it."
Liu Chen was silent, eyes scanning Li Wei like a blade dissecting a lie. Finally, he snorted.
"Intuition, huh? Fine. I'll remember what you said. But if you fail the trial—don't expect mercy. For now..." He waved a hand. "Return to your quarters. And don't be late for morning meditation."
Disappointed murmurs rippled through the crowd—they'd clearly hoped for a public beating. Li Wei exhaled slowly as the pressure lifted from his chest. The system updated:
Quest partially completed: Impress Elder Liu Chen.
Reward: +10 Reputation.
Library access will unlock upon full completion.
"Ten points? Peanuts," Li Wei muttered as he stepped past the gates. But he knew this was just the beginning. Liu Chen had given him a sliver of opportunity—but now he'd have to earn the rest.
Beyond the gate, the Outer Court opened before him: a spacious courtyard paved with white stone, surrounded by low-tiled buildings. Disciples in gray robes bustled about—some carried baskets of herbs, others practiced martial stances. A few pairs of eyes locked onto Li Wei, but no one approached. Apparently, the previous Li Wei's reputation had been worse than he thought.
He made his way to the barracks, guided by hazy fragments of memory that seemed to come with the body. His room was tiny: a straw mat, a wooden table, a single candle. Li Wei collapsed onto the mat, his muscles aching. But there was no time to rest.
He summoned the system and selected his previous reward: Breathing Technique — Azure Stream.
The screen flickered, and vivid images burst into his mind—energy flowing through inner channels, breathing rhythms, body postures. Li Wei smiled. This was his ticket to the game. But just as he closed his eyes to begin... there was a knock at the door.
---
Li Wei opened his eyes, irritated by the knocking. He had just begun deciphering the "Azure Stream" technique—and the interruption was the last thing he needed. The knock came again, firm and insistent. He got up, straightened his robe, and opened the door, expecting trouble.
Standing at the threshold was a girl, her figure outlined by the dim lanterns of the outer court. She was slightly shorter than Li Wei, with long black hair braided down her back and eyes so dark they seemed bottomless. Her gray robe was cleaner than most, and a jade pendant shaped like a leaf hung from her belt.
Li Wei tensed—something told him this wasn't just a nosy neighbor.
"Li Wei," she said, her voice cold but melodic. "You've stirred up trouble again. Zhang Ho's shouting across the courtyard that you humiliated him. What did you do?"
Li Wei quickly called up the system, hoping for information. The screen flashed:
Lin Xue – Outer Disciple, Age 17
Cultivation Level: Mortal Realm, Stage 3
Reputation: Talented but reserved
He recognized the name from the story outline—Lin Xue, his future romantic interest. But right now, she looked more like a judge than an ally.
"Lin Xue, right?" he said, leaning casually against the doorframe, trying to look relaxed. "Zhang Ho got what he asked for. Tried to play hero, ended up in a bush. Not my fault he's clumsy."
Her eyebrows twitched slightly, but her face stayed composed.
"Are you always this cocky?" she crossed her arms. "Zhang Ho is the favorite of Senior Disciple Wan. If they decide to come after you, no one will stop them. Not even Elder Liu."
Li Wei shrugged, though he filed the warning away. More enemies? Great. But Lin Xue didn't seem hostile—more curious, maybe even concerned. He decided to test the waters.
"So why are you here?" he asked, watching her closely. "To scold me? Or maybe teach me a lesson too?"
She frowned, but in her gaze there was a flicker of something—curiosity? Interest?
"I came because I hate injustice," she said. "Zhang Ho and his gang prey on the weak. But you... you're not the same Li Wei I knew. What changed?"
Li Wei froze. She noticed the difference? Dangerous. He couldn't reveal the truth about his transmigration or the system—but saying nothing would be suspicious. The system chimed:
Chance to gain Lin Xue's favor: 60%
Recommendation: Be honest, but vague.
"Let's just say I decided it was time for a change," he said, meeting her eyes. "This world doesn't wait for the weak, right? I want to try becoming something more."
Lin Xue studied him in silence. Then she nodded.
"We'll see how long that lasts. Just be careful around Zhang Ho. And prepare for the trial. It's closer than you think."
She turned to leave, but Li Wei called after her:
"Hey, Lin Xue. Thanks."
She didn't reply—but her steps slowed slightly as she walked away. When the door closed, Li Wei let out a breath. It felt like he'd just laid the foundation for something bigger. But for now, it was time to cultivate—night wouldn't last forever.
---
Li Wei shut the door and returned to the straw mat, sitting cross-legged as instructed by the Azure Stream technique. The room was cramped, the candle nearly spent, casting long shadows on the walls. He closed his eyes, focusing on the instructions the system had embedded into his mind. Breathing had to be rhythmic, deep, synchronized with the imagined flow of energy through the body. It sounded simple—but felt harder than coding in Python at 3 a.m.
He inhaled slowly, picturing the air turning into a thread of light entering his chest. Nothing. Second breath—still nothing. Li Wei frowned but didn't give up. In cultivation novels, it always looked epic: heroes absorbing heavenly energy, glowing with power, shaking mountains. Him? He just felt like a guy sitting awkwardly on a mat.
On the fifth breath, something stirred. A faint warmth sparked in his lower abdomen, like a tiny ember ready to flare. Li Wei froze, afraid to disturb the sensation. He continued breathing, guiding the warmth along the body's channels as the technique instructed. The ember grew, forming a slow-moving stream that warmed his muscles.
The system blinked:
Cultivation Progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 1 — 5% to breakthrough
Azure Stream Technique Mastery: 10%
"Five percent?" Li Wei muttered, cracking one eye open. "So I'm supposed to sit here all night?"
But he couldn't hide the grin. This was real. He felt it. Weak as it was, it was his. For the first time since waking in this world, he sensed that maybe—just maybe—he could make it.
The joy didn't last long.
Outside the window, footsteps and hushed voices echoed through the night. Li Wei tensed, listening. The voices were familiar—Zhang Ho and his lackeys. It didn't sound like they were letting go of today's humiliation.
He crept to the window and peeked through the shutters. Shadows moved across the courtyard, heading toward the barracks.
"That Li Wei thinks he's something now," Zhang Ho snarled. "Tomorrow during training, I'll grind him into the dirt. Let him learn his place."
"What if Elder Liu interferes?" one of his followers asked.
"Liu?" Zhang Ho snorted. "He doesn't care about trash like Li Wei. Just don't overdo it."
Li Wei clenched his fists. He had expected trouble—but not this soon. The system remained silent, offering no new quests, but he didn't need one to know: tomorrow would be a test. He could pretend to be weak again, stay out of trouble—but something inside him, pride or sheer stubbornness, wouldn't allow it. He wasn't the old Li Wei anymore.
He sat back down on the mat, determined to continue cultivating. If Zhang Ho wanted a fight—he'd better be ready. Azure Stream was his foundation, and Wind Step gave him speed. But it wouldn't be enough. He needed more—more skills, more power. And maybe... a bit of luck.
Outside, the voices faded—but Li Wei knew this was just the calm before the storm.
---
Li Wei returned to his cultivation, focusing once more on the flow of the Azure Stream. The warmth in his abdomen pulsed, slowly spreading through his limbs. Each breath demanded full concentration, and soon sweat trickled down his brow. The candle had burned out, plunging the room into darkness—but he didn't stop. This world showed no mercy to the weak, and he wasn't about to become someone's punching bag.
An hour passed.
Cultivation Progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 1 — 8% to breakthrough
Azure Stream Technique Mastery: 15%
Li Wei exhaled, wiping his forehead. Eight percent in one hour? That meant a full breakthrough could take days—maybe weeks. In cultivation novels, heroes progressed overnight thanks to pills or divine insights. And him? Just grit and a system on cooldown.
He opened the system menu, hoping for inspiration. Nothing new besides Wind Step and Azure Stream. Probability Manipulation was still on cooldown until morning. He frowned. Tomorrow, Zhang Ho planned to humiliate him in front of everyone. Without a trump card, he'd be the laughingstock of the sect again.
He lay back on the mat, staring at the ceiling. Memories from the previous Li Wei were faint, but he recalled that morning training took place in the main courtyard. Disciples practiced stances, sparred, sometimes under the gaze of elders. If Zhang Ho attacked, it would be public.
He could dodge with Wind Step, but it wouldn't earn respect. He needed something flashy—something that would leave a mark.
Then it hit him.
The sect's library. The system had mentioned it as a reward for impressing Elder Liu Chen. Even if access was still locked, he could scout it tonight. Books, scrolls, techniques—there had to be something useful. But sneaking in at night? Risky. If caught, the punishment would be severe.
He stood, walked to the window, and looked out. The courtyard was empty, lanterns swaying in the wind, casting weak golden light. Somewhere in the distance, a night beast howled. Li Wei weighed his options. Stay and cultivate? Safe, but slow. Go to the library? Risky, but promising.
"Screw it," he muttered, grabbing his robe. "If I'm stuck in a novel, I'm not going to be a background character."
He slipped out of the room, keeping to the shadows. The plan was simple: locate the library, scout the entrance, return before dawn. But as he rounded the corner of the barracks, he froze.
Footsteps.
Someone was coming—and the shadow cast on the wall was too large to belong to a disciple.
Li Wei's breath caught in his throat.
Was it a patrol? Or worse… Zhang Ho, bringing reinforcements?