If sarcasm were Qi, Ren would've already ascended.
Unfortunately, the universe remained cruelly balanced.
The evaluation day arrived with all the subtlety of a thunderclap. Disciples gathered in the central courtyard, rows upon rows of hopefuls, failures, and people pretending they weren't terrified.
Ren stood near the back, hands tucked into his sleeves, posture relaxed in a way that screamed I have accepted my fate and now mock it.
> System Reminder:
Evaluation Criteria:
• Physical conditioning
• Qi perception
• Mental fortitude
Host projected success rate: 11%
Ren nodded. "I like those odds. Very on-brand."
Zhao Kun stood near the front, radiating confidence like a badly contained furnace. When his eyes met Ren's, his lips curled.
Ren smiled back. Then gave a small wave.
Zhao Kun's eye twitched.
> Passive Effect: Innate Sarcasm
Emotional Stability (Target): –2%
Ren hummed softly. Still my favorite skill.
Elder Zhou stepped forward, staff striking the stone once. Silence fell.
"Those who fail today," the elder announced, "will be removed from the Azure Blossom Sect."
Ren leaned slightly to the side and whispered to the disciple next to him, "No pressure."
The disciple scooted away.
"First test," Elder Zhou continued. "Qi Sensitivity."
Crystals were distributed—simple stones meant to respond to even the faintest awareness of Qi.
Ren stared at the crystal in his palm.
Nothing happened.
He waited.
Still nothing.
"…Come on," Ren muttered. "Do the glow-y thing. I've been very patient."
> System Advisory:
Host has not officially entered Body Tempering Stage.
Qi response likely minimal.
Ren sighed. "So I'm failing quietly. That's new."
Around him, crystals lit up—some dim, some bright. Zhao Kun's flared impressively.
Murmurs spread.
Ren's remained stubbornly dull.
Elder Zhou approached, eyes sharp. "Lin Fan."
Ren looked up. "Yes, Elder. I'd like to submit a complaint. My crystal appears to be on strike."
A few snickers escaped before being brutally suppressed.
Elder Zhou studied Ren's crystal… then Ren himself.
"Do you feel anything?" the elder asked.
Ren considered. "Physically? Regret. Existentially? Growth. Spiritually? Pending review."
Silence.
Then—
The crystal twitched.
Just barely. A faint ripple, like light seen through fog.
A few elders stiffened.
> System Notification:
Qi Perception Detected (Trace)
Status: Awakening
Ren blinked. "Oh. There it is. Fashionably late, like me."
Elder Zhou's brows rose almost imperceptibly.
"Second test," the elder said. "Mental fortitude."
The pressure came without warning.
A crushing weight slammed into Ren's mind—voices, doubt, humiliation, memories of ridicule and failure.
Lin Fan's past surged forward.
You're useless.
Why are you even here?
You'll never succeed.
Ren staggered.
Then straightened.
"Oh no," he muttered. "Not emotional damage. I've trained my whole life for this."
He let the pressure wash over him, sarcasm rising like a shield.
Yes, yes, he thought. I know. I'm terrible. We've established that. Can we move on?
> Trait Activated: Innate Sarcasm
Mental Pressure Resistance: +High
The weight cracked.
Ren exhaled, standing firm while several disciples around him collapsed to their knees.
Whispers erupted.
Elder Zhou stared.
> System Update:
Mental Fortitude Rating: Above Average
Reputation Shift: Confusion → Unease
Ren glanced around. "Huh. Guess therapy-by-trauma really paid off."
Zhao Kun was staring now—not smug, but uncertain.
Ren caught his eye and mouthed, Still kneeling champ?
Zhao Kun clenched his fists.
The evaluation ended shortly after.
Names were called—successes and failures alike.
When Elder Zhou finally spoke again, his voice echoed across the courtyard.
"Lin Fan," he said.
Ren raised a hand. "Present. Shocked, but present."
"You will remain," the elder said slowly. "On probation."
Ren bowed deeply. "Ah yes. The 'we're watching you' phase. My favorite."
As the crowd dispersed, murmurs followed him—not laughter this time, but speculation.
Su Meilin stood at a distance, watching him with a thoughtful expression.
> System Update:
Target: Su Meilin
Favorability: 23% → 26%
Reason: Unexpected resilience during evaluation.
Ren noticed her gaze and gave a small shrug.
"Don't worry," he muttered to himself as he walked away. "I'm just as surprised as everyone else."
Zero real cultivation.
Barely awakened Qi.
Probation status.
But he'd survived.
And in a sect that thrived on expectations?
Being the unexpected was the most dangerous position of all.