"Stay right there, Yu Tianran! Do you think you can skip class this morning?"
Master Han's voice sliced through the stillness of the early morning, a sharp command that rang out in the crisp air around them. His presence loomed over the misty stone pathways, the weight of his disapproval heavy as it resonated between the timeworn walls of the main hall. The sunlight struggled to pierce through the thick mountain fog, casting elongated shadows from the peach trees that vigilantly watched over the ancient flagstones.
Tianran froze, tension gripping his shoulders. He turned slowly, lowering his head, with every breath feeling like a struggle against the bitter chill. "I'm sorry, Master. I was just... too tired," he admitted, his voice barely audible, almost swallowed by the morning air.
Han's piercing gaze scrutinized him as he approached, his boots scraping against the stone with a sense of authority. "Tired or lazy? If you can't endure at Azure Cloud, don't blame anyone when you get expelled," he replied sternly, every word a reminder of the harsh reality they lived in.
Tianran nodded, his frustration simmering beneath a veneer of practiced calm. "I understand, Master," he responded, forcing himself to meet Han's eyes, trying to convey that he was still in this fight, despite his own doubts.
"Ten cycles of meditation. Don't move until you're done," Han instructed firmly before pivoting sharply, his robe billowing around him like a tempest, never allowing himself a backward glance.
Suppressing a deep sigh, Tianran retreated to the outskirts, seeking solace in the lonely embrace of a drooping prunus tree. Leaves floated down, scattered like forgotten dreams around his feet as he sat cross-legged on the cold stone, the rough bark of the tree pressing into his back, grounding him as he closed his eyes.
He drew in a shaky breath, trying to tap into the Qi that should have been swirling around him. Yet, with each exhale, the tightness in his chest only grew stronger, while every inhale felt like a betrayal, dragging raw nerves to the surface.
Suddenly, with a flicker, the system's panel appeared before him, pulling him from his spiraling thoughts:
─────[HEAVENLY FATE CODEX]─────
Name: Yu Tianran
Cultivation Level: Qi Condensation (Beginner)
Qi: 4%
Meridian Path: Closed (0/12)
Body Status: Very Weak
Active Skills: None
Main Quest: Awaken 1 Meridian (0/1)
Time Remaining: 6 days, 0 hours
─────▲─────
Tianran stifled a groan as frustration bubbled within him. Why won't you just leave me alone… He rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the panel like a stone pressing on his chest. The silent pressure from the system was unbearable.
The system's voice hummed through the air, cool and unyielding, "Heavenly Fate Codex activated. Host integration: 81%. System priority: host survival, cultivation evolution. Main mission imminent."
He inhaled the crisp mountain air, letting it sear through him, almost as if to anchor himself. "Main mission?" he inquired, his voice trembling with uncertainty.
"Quest: Awaken one meridian within seven days. Failure: permanent loss of consciousness, potential death," the system responded, lacking any hint of empathy.
Tianran blinked, disbelief clouding his expression. "Is that… a threat or a motivation?" he murmured, pondering the urgent demand imposed upon him.
"Fact. Host's body is in critical condition. Survival time limited to seven days without progress," the system declared unwaveringly.
He gazed at his scarred hands, knuckles battered and fingers quivering. Not my hands, not my life… yet, this terror is all too real. He felt as if he were standing on the brink of something monumental.
Footsteps approached, drawing him away from his spiraling thoughts. Lin Yueqing appeared, her eyes soft and sincere, concern etched across her features. "Tianran, are you okay? You look so pale," she said, her voice a comforting balm.
He managed a faint smile, even as anxiety gnawed at him. "Just tired. Did you finish your morning training?" he asked, striving for normalcy amidst the chaos.
She nodded and settled beside him. The sweet scent of wildflower tea wafting through the air reminded him of simpler times. "I heard Zhou's group is bothering you again. Don't let them get to you," she said firmly, her hand brushing against his in a gesture of support.
He shook his head. "I'm used to it. They're not wrong. I really am the weakest." His voice was barely above a whisper as self-doubt washed over him.
Yueqing pressed a gentle hand on his shoulder, her touch grounding him. "Talent can grow. What matters is that you don't give up." Her eyes held a fierce determination that sparked a flicker of hope within him.
He looked at her, and the sincerity in her gaze brought him a sense of ease—just a little. Maybe there was still a path forward, no matter how obscured it seemed.
He shook his head, tinged with resignation in his voice. "I'm used to it. They're not wrong. I really am the weakest," he admitted, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air.
Yueqing placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, her touch both warm and reassuring. "Listen, Tianran. Talent can grow if you nurture it. What truly matters is that you don't give up," she urged, her eyes sparkling with determination.
He gazed at her, feeling the honesty in her eyes ease something tight in his chest—if only just a little. "You really believe that?" he asked, a flicker of hope igniting within him.
"Of course I do. Every great master started somewhere, even if they fell before soaring high," she replied, her voice both firm and kind.
The panel blinked to life, displaying a new quest:
─────[NEW QUEST UNLOCKED]─────
Main Quest: Awaken 1 Meridian
Description: Open one meridian within 7 days. Fatal failure.
Reward: Skill [Void Pulse], Qi increase, Health restoration.
Progress: 0/1
Time Remaining: 6 days, 0 hours
─────▲─────
Tianran forced himself to breathe steadily, closed his eyes once more, and focused on the meditation that Han required. The world around him shrank to the rhythm of his breath, but every attempt to sense Qi only brought pain—his meridians felt frozen, as if trapped beneath thick ice.
System… how do I open a meridian? This body feels so hopeless.
"You need two things: diligent practice and the will to survive," a voice echoed in his mind. "Focus on your lower dantian and spiral the Qi slowly. Meditate for three hours every day, combining that with your breathing and gentle movements."
Tianran sighed deeply, the weight of the challenge pressing heavily on his shoulders. "Three hours… If I fail, I die," he muttered, frustration creeping into his voice. "It feels like I'm playing a game on hardcore mode."
Yueqing noticed the lines of worry etched on his face. "Tianran," she said softly, "don't push yourself too hard. I'll be waiting for you in the hall. Take your time." Her voice was like a balm, soothing and understanding.
"Thank you, Yueqing," Tianran murmured as she turned to leave. As her figure faded from his sight, he leaned back against the tree, its cold bark a stark contrast to his warming spirit. "Come on, focus," he urged himself, using the roughness to ground his racing thoughts.
His breath steadied, syncing with the soothing sounds around him. "Just listen to the birds," he whispered, letting the melody of their song weave through the gentle breeze that stirred the fallen leaves. For a brief moment, he felt peace encroaching, a fleeting promise of calm. But the reality loomed—he could hear the relentless ticking of time like a countdown in his mind.
The system chimed in with its usual cold precision:
─────[BODY & SPIRIT STATUS]─────
Physical Strength: 8/100
Qi Control: 4/100
Health: 9/100
Will to Survive: 16%
Meridian Pathways: 0/12
Active Skills: None
Side Effects: Weak, prone to fainting, difficulty concentrating.
─────▲─────
"This is hopeless," he groaned, his hands trembling slightly as he attempted once more to channel his Qi. As pain surged from his belly to his back, he winced, muttering, "Why are these chains so tight?" The agony felt as if his deepest wounds had been torn open again, shackles pressing down harder with every failed attempt.
"Progress: slow. Host is advised not to give up," the system's voice echoed in his mind, each word a reminder of his struggle and the weight of expectations pressing heavily upon him.
Jaw clenched, Tianran opened his eyes, determination etched on his face as he looked toward the distant northern peaks, their summits shrouded in white clouds. "I won't die again," he declared fiercely, his voice strong despite the ache in his heart. "Not until I prove I can defy fate."
As morning dawned, the air was alive with chatter among the disciples. "They're talking about training again, aren't they?" he thought, feeling his resolve strengthen even as some brushed him off. Zhou Weiming strolled by, the corners of his mouth curling into a sneer. "Still playing at meditation, Tianran? You really think that will change your fate?"
Tianran met his gaze, unwavering. "At least I'm making an effort, Zhou," he shot back, a trace of defiance in his voice. "What are you doing? Just running your mouth?"
"Ha! We'll see how long it takes before you're truly gone," Zhou laughed, giving his follower a playful slap on the shoulder, his disdain clear as he walked away. A flicker of anger ignited within Tianran, but he swiftly suppressed it; he had more significant battles to confront.
Left alone once again, Tianran sensed a slight warmth surging along one meridian, akin to a string being plucked in the dark. "Is this it?" he murmured to himself, a glimmer of hope shining in his thoughts. He took a deep breath, recalling why he persevered in this meditation, even as doubts loomed large.
─────[QUEST UPDATE]─────
Progress on Meditation: 8%
Awareness Level: Rising
Survival Determination: 20%
─────▲─────
His lips curled into a faint smile. "Even a small flicker of hope is important," he said under his breath, reminding himself that every little step forward counts.
By midday, feeling a bit lighter, Tianran occupied a spot in the dining hall, spooning bland porridge into his mouth while sitting in the shadows. As he finished his meal, Yueqing approached gracefully, balancing a teapot. "How's the porridge treating you, Tianran?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with playful warmth.
He shrugged, a teasing grin appearing on his face. "Sour and tasteless, the perfect meal," he joked in response. "But at least it keeps me full."
Yueqing giggled softly. "Oh, you'll need to do better than that to make it sound appealing! We have group training today; Elder Bai will be watching. You'd better not mess it up."
"No promises," he replied, a determined glint in his eye. "But I'll do my best."
"That's enough for me," Yueqing said, smiling brightly, her encouragement lifting his spirits even more.
After breakfast, all the students gathered in the courtyard. Elder Bai stood atop the wooden platform, his purple robes fluttering in the sunlight, his face a mask of stern determination.
"I want to see who deserves to stay in Azure Cloud!" he barked, his voice cutting through the air. "The weak, the lazy, the soft—leave now, or I'll throw you out myself!" The weight of his words created a palpable tension among the disciples, some exchanging anxious glances.
Bai's gaze fell directly on Tianran. "Yu Tianran, step forward. Show us what you're worth," he commanded, his voice booming with authority.
All eyes were on him. Heart racing, Tianran approached the circle, determination flooding his veins.
Suddenly, a red warning flashed at the edge of his vision:
─────[WARNING: MENTAL STRESS]─────
Risk of failure: High
Activation of skill 'Void Pulse' available if the host refuses to retreat.
─────▲─────
He closed his eyes and let his breath slow, forcing himself to focus. "System," he said, his voice steady despite the anxiety coursing through him, "I'm ready. How do I start Void Pulse?"
"Concentrate your mind on the dantian," the system instructed, its tone firm yet supportive. "Visualize the void. Envision your meridians as dark tunnels. When you are prepared for the pain, push your Qi through and break the seal."
He nodded, determination sharpening his features, readying himself for the agony that was certain to come. Summoning every ounce of his will, he directed it into a singular, decisive push.
Heat surged through his gut, a blinding agony that felt like bones shattering, muscles twisting, and nerves igniting. Yet, beneath that searing torment, he sensed a spark coursing through his meridian—a promise of something new, something transformative.
─────[QUEST PROGRESS]─────
First Meridian: 10% Unlocked
Side Effects: Extreme pain, risk of fainting
Skill [Void Pulse]: Activating
─────▲─────
He bit down on a scream, his entire body trembling uncontrollably. Some disciples whispered among themselves, a few trying to stifle their laughter, but Tianran stood his ground, refusing to succumb to the pain and the jeers.
Elder Bai stepped closer, his gaze piercing as he scrutinized Tianran's face. "You're quite stubborn," he remarked, a hint of admiration seeping into his voice. "Sometimes, that stubbornness can change everything."
Breathless, Tianran hung his head, wrestling with a whirlwind of emotions. He felt gratitude and respect, but there was also an overpowering desire to prove himself. The words lodged in his throat—he wasn't ready to express them just yet.
The system chimed, documenting his progress:
─────[QUEST UPDATE]─────
Awaken 1 Meridian: 22%
Time Remaining: 5 days, 22 hours
Survival Determination: 33%
Skill [Void Pulse]: Progress 18%
─────▲─────
When training finally came to a close, Tianran collapsed onto the grass, his chest heaving from exertion, but a swell of pride surged within him. For the first time, he let the sunlight warm his face, feeling a spark of hope ignite within him—a hope for a future where he could truly carve his own path.
One meridian. One step towards a new life. If the system wants to test me, I'll respond with everything I am.
"I won't give up," Tianran murmured to himself, fists clenched as he steadied his trembling legs. "This is just the beginning." Despite the fatigue coursing through him, a fierce determination radiated from his gaze. He glanced around; the world felt vast and filled with possibilities.
His mentor, Master Wei, observed from a distance, a faint smile gracing his lips. "That's the spirit, Tianran! Keep in mind, every step you take is a step away from your past. Embrace it."
Thinking of the hardships he had faced, Tianran nodded resolutely. "I will prove myself, Master. No one can define me except for myself."
His steps were still unsteady, his body feeling frail—but now, Tianran's eyes glimmered with a quiet determination. He was no longer just a shadow; he was the seed of defiance, ready to confront his destiny, challenge his sect, and face the world itself.
Master Wei's voice brimmed with pride. "Then take that first step towards your new life. Show the world who you truly are!"