The sun had just risen behind the mountain's back, drenching the Azure Cloud Sect's courtyard in golden light still wrapped in a thin fog. The sound of a gong sliced through the morning air, synchronizing the steps of dozens of disciples beginning to line up on the practice field.
Tianran stood at the edge of the field, his body still feeling heavy as if filled with stones. He took a deep breath, gazing at the rows of students who had already started warming up. In his heart, that strange feeling was gradually transforming into a renewed resolve—every second was a test to accept and conquer oneself.
Zhou Weiming, still with two of his friends, approached with a relaxed demeanor and a mocking smile. "Well, Tianran, look who's back from the 'world of dreams'!" he teased, raising an eyebrow. "What were you doing last night? Counting stars or debating with ghosts?" He glanced at his friends, who chuckled softly.
"Hey, Tianran, did you faint again last night?" Zhou teased, half-joking, half-earnestly curious. "Or were you just waiting until the last moment to jump back into the dream?"
Tianran responded with a faint smile, trying to mask his fatigue. "This time, I stayed awake until morning. It seems there were no ghosts wanting to meet me!"
Zhou laughed loudly, clapping Tianran on the shoulder with more force than necessary. "Looks like stubbornness isn't just in your head, huh? But being stubborn doesn't automatically make your muscles grow, you know! Maybe you need some new training techniques, or perhaps you just need a proper rest."
Tianran held back the pain from that clap, but still nodded slowly. "I'll try again, every day. I want to prove that I can endure and become stronger."
Master Han stood in the middle of the field, his eyes sharp as if he could see into the soul of each student. "Today, we focus on physical training! No cultivation, no excuses." His voice resonated above the morning chaos. "Anyone who stops without permission will run around the mountain twice! We're training for endurance and strength, not for making excuses. This is not about getting cozy with weakness! Now, remember—every breath you take is an opportunity to improve yourself."
Rows were formed neatly, the breath of the students visibly steaming, their spirit and tension mingling as one. Tianran stood at the back, feeling the anxious tremors in his legs. "I can do this," he whispered to himself, trying to stir up courage within his chest.
The system panel glowed softly:
─────[MORNING TRAINING STATUS]─────
Physical Strength: 14/100
Endurance: 13/100
Qi: 17%
Effects: Weakened body, stamina rapidly declining
Advice: Don't push yourself to the brink of fainting
─────▲─────
Master Han signaled with his firm voice, "Run around the field for ten laps! Go!" The authority in his tone filled the air, shaking the hearts of every student who heard him.
Tianran stepped slowly behind them. Each step sent a jolt of pain through his calves and waist. "I shouldn't rush," he thought to himself, even as his spirit urged him to run faster. His body wasn't fully recovered yet, but he refused to give up before trying. "I'll prove that I can do this!"
Zhou and his two friends led the way, occasionally glancing back. Zhou nodded, signaling him, "Come on, Tianran! Don't fall behind! We're from the Azure Cloud Sect; we never give up!"
After two laps, Tianran began to pant heavily. "Rhythm, rhythm," he repeated in his mind, realizing he needed to maintain control. His heart raced, sweat dampening his temples. The muddy ground nearly caused him to slip, but Lin Yueqing, running beside him, grabbed his arm. "Be careful!" she shouted, her eyes sparkling with concern. "We have to stay focused!"
"Breathe, Tianran. Don't force your steps to be too long. Take it slow, rhythm is key," Yueqing whispered, slowing her pace to keep in sync with him. "Remember, strength comes from within. Qi is important, but stamina is equally crucial."
Tianran adjusted his steps, centering his thoughts on his breath—counting heartbeats, letting the Qi flow with the rhythm of his body. "Physical Strength, Endurance... I want to improve," he clarified in his mind, striving to visualize his goals.
The status panel flickered slowly:
─────[WARNING: LOW STAMINA]─────
Physical Strength: 8/100
Qi: 11%
Effect: Risk of fainting increased
Recommendation: Stop if your vision begins to blur
─────▲─────
Round six. Tianran's legs trembled violently, the world began to spin, and other sounds faded into the distance. He remembered Master Han's message that always echoed in his mind, trying to resist the fatigue.
"The limits of the body can be broken through determination. But knowing when to stop is also part of bravery."
Yueqing gently yet firmly grasped his shoulder. "Tianran, you have to hang in there. Don't faint, okay? I don't want to be the one who has to carry you back to the dorm!"
Tianran chuckled softly, his voice raspy, "If I faint, you just need to throw me into the river. Maybe I need a little wash."
Zhou's expression changed. He stepped back, gazing at Tianran with a curiosity that outweighed his cynicism. "You usually collapse here. Today, for some reason, it feels different! What's going on?"
Tianran gasped, trying to clear her mind from the fog of noise that surrounded her. "Today… I'm not running from the pain. This is part of my journey, Zhou."
Zhou raised an eyebrow, scoffing, "Don't be so dramatic. But… yeah, it's not bad, in a way."
The seventh round came heavily. Tianran's steps grew slower, her vision began to blur. Master Han glared sharply from the center of the field, not uttering a word, but his eyes were full of meaning, as if emphasizing the importance of resilience in training.
In Tianran's mind, old voices gathered — the voice of Fitran Fate, manifesting as encouragement, the childhood voice etched into her soul, the voice of Yueqing reminding her to keep pushing through. All of this melded into one, blazing in her heart:
"You only lose if you choose to give up."
The system panel flickered intensely:
─────[CRITICAL: BODY LIMIT]─────
Physical Strength: 3/100
Qi: 7%
Willpower Resonance: 62%
Effect: Body on the verge of collapse
Note: Passive skill 'Inner Resolve' active — pain resistance, breath control enhanced
─────▲─────
Yueqing pulled Tianran to the side before he could completely collapse, concern etched across her face. "Tianran, that's enough. Your body isn't an enemy to be defeated—you don't always have to fight against this pain," she said softly, gazing into his eyes with deep understanding.
Tianran dropped to the ground, breathing heavily. He tried to calm himself, regulating his gasping breaths. Zhou joined them, this time without mocking laughter, instead staring at Tianran seriously for a moment. "You know, you seem different today. If you keep this up, maybe by next week you could actually run ten laps," Zhou said, his voice laced with a glimmer of hope.
"Seriously, you're different today. If you carry on like this, maybe you'll actually run ten real laps by next week."
Tianran received water from Yueqing with trembling hands, sipping slowly. "Today one step, tomorrow another. I'm not running away from the pain—I'm learning to walk with it, understanding every second that passes," he replied, his voice firm, though still weak. He looked at Yueqing, searching for support in her gaze.
Yueqing smiled and fanned Tianran with the handkerchief she was holding. "If you really manage to run ten laps without fainting, I'll treat you to a meal! No exceptions!" she exclaimed with enthusiasm, her face shining with fighting spirit.
Zhou chimed in playfully, "And I'll be the witness! But don't 'steal' my Qi to cheat, alright? I also need Qi for my next training!" He smirked, but his smile indicated his full support for Tianran.
They laughed together—their laughter was the first sound of warmth on that morning, a warmth that penetrated the morning dew. Tianran felt the weight on his shoulders lighten a bit, as if their laughter was a new source of energy.
Master Han finally approached, standing in front of Tianran, his eyes sharp but not judgmental. "You know your body's limits, Tianran. You also know when to stop," he said, his voice calm yet authoritative. "That is the hardest and most important training. No success comes without understanding your own limitations."
"You know your body's limits, Tianran. You also know when to stop. That is the hardest and most important training."
Tianran bowed respectfully, feeling tension within him, yet striving to remain steadfast. "I don't want to run from pain, Master. But…" His voice softened, "I also don't want to die in vain. I… I want to endure."
Master Han looked at him with his sharp eyes, conveying firmness without uttering a word. He nodded slowly, understanding the burden his disciple carried. "Tomorrow, Tianran, we will try again. Remember, this is a journey towards excellence. Listen to your body carefully. Don't just get caught up in the voices in your head."
Tianran swallowed, a feeling of hope beginning to blossom in his heart. "Maybe, when I listen to my body, I can discover the hidden energy," he said, trying to be optimistic.
The status panel illuminated the results of the morning training:
─────[STATUS AFTER PHYSICAL TRAINING]─────
Physical Strength: 4/100 (improved after resting)
Qi: 10%
Mental Resilience: 65%
Passive Skill: Inner Resolve (active)
Effect: Body adaptation increased, nighttime stamina recovery faster
Note: Social relations — supporting recovery and motivation
─────▲─────
After training, Tianran looked at Yueqing with deep gratitude as they sat beneath an old tree, enjoying the peace. "Yueqing, thank you for all your support," he said sincerely.
Yueqing offered peanut bread from their supplies while smiling. "After almost passing out running, all you need is some sugar and a bit of spirit." He laughed heartily. "Eat up, and show them all your strength."
Tianran stifled a laugh. "Could it be that your food can make me stronger than an Alchemy Master's pills?" he said, teasingly pinching off a bit of the peanut bread with a smirk yet full of enthusiasm.
Zhou chewed with an optimistic statement. "If you can last until winter, I'll treat you to some barbecue! I have several special recipes that can boost your Qi energy." He winked, making the atmosphere even more cheerful.
They laughed, sharing courage in the face of challenges. For the first time, Tianran truly felt like he was part of this world—not just a bystander, but a fighter, learning every day to conquer the limits of his body and challenge life, step by step.
The blue sky stretched above them, and the laughter of the three friends burst forth in the corner of the Azure Cloud Sect's field—marking the beginning of a new chapter: courage, friendship, and determination growing together.