The night air was still when Kai Ren opened his eyes.
He sat in his small dormitory, sweat dripping down his back, his chest rising and falling like he had just run for miles. Yet inside his body, something had changed—fundamentally, permanently.
For the first time in his life, he could feel it.
Qi.
It was faint, like a thin stream trickling into a dry riverbed, but it was there. Real.
His Spirit Core, once shattered and useless, now pulsed faintly at the center of his chest.
Kai clenched his fists, his whole body trembling—not with weakness, but with joy. For years, he had been mocked, ridiculed, abandoned by fate. He had been told he could never cultivate, that he was doomed to remain a weak mortal while others soared to greatness.
But now, with the Infinite Upgrade System, the impossible was no longer impossible.
> [Spirit Core: Awakened.]
[Cultivation Realm: Initial Mortal Stage.]
[Qi Absorption Rate: Low.]
[Would you like to upgrade further?]
His heart skipped. He wanted to say yes. To leap, to climb, to soar as high as the system would let him.
But…
Kai forced himself to stop.
"No. Not yet."
Power was addictive, but recklessness would expose him. If the elders realized he could suddenly cultivate after years of being a waste, suspicion would fall harder than ever. And suspicion meant danger.
For now, he would temper himself, step by step. The path of cultivation was long—he could afford patience.
---
The next morning, Skyblade Academy buzzed with gossip.
Kai felt their stares as he walked across the courtyard. Some were filled with fear, others with curiosity, and a few with envy sharp enough to cut.
"There he is…"
"Do you think he really awakened a hidden talent?"
"No way. He must be hiding some artifact!"
Kai ignored them. He was used to whispers. Only now, they didn't sting. They rolled off him like rain against stone.
At the training grounds, Elder Huang awaited him. The old man's sharp eyes scanned Kai as though trying to peel away his skin to reveal the truth beneath.
"Kai Ren," he said, voice hard as steel. "The Council has summoned you."
The Council.
Kai's gut tightened.
He followed Elder Huang through winding corridors until they reached the Council Chamber, a vast hall lined with towering statues of past masters. Seated at the center were five elders, their auras pressing down like mountains.
Elder Mo, the stern-faced leader, leaned forward. "Kai Ren. You defeated Liu Fen using… unusual methods. Explain yourself."
Kai bowed, calm. "I used what I had, Elder."
"Do not toy with us," Elder Mo snapped. "A Zero-Talent cannot break a Spirit-grade weapon, nor wield spiritual power."
Kai's mind raced. He needed to hide the system. He needed to survive.
"I… I trained," Kai said simply. "For years. Everyone said I was trash, but I never stopped practicing. I found a way."
The elders murmured among themselves.
Elder Huang stroked his beard. "Perhaps he awakened late. It happens, rarely."
"Or perhaps he carries a forbidden treasure," another muttered.
The air grew heavy. Kai's palms grew damp.
Then Elder Mo waved a hand. "Enough. We will observe him further. If he hides something… it will be revealed in time."
Relief flooded Kai's chest, though he kept his expression neutral. He bowed again. "Yes, Elders."
---
When he returned to his dorm, Kai collapsed onto the bed, exhaling shakily.
"That was close…"
The system remained silent, but its presence was steady in his mind. His greatest secret—and his greatest weapon.
He would need to be careful. Very careful.
---
Days passed.
Kai trained relentlessly, both with the system and without. Each night, he upgraded his body bit by bit, his muscles strengthening, his senses sharpening. His Spirit Core's flickering flame grew steadier, brighter.
At dawn, he sparred with practice dummies, testing his new strength. His strikes were faster, heavier. His movements smoother.
Yet he held back. He couldn't reveal everything too soon.
But fate didn't let him hide for long.
---
A week later, Skyblade Academy announced the Quarterly Ranking Duels. Every student would fight to prove their worth, to climb the academy's ranks.
Kai's name appeared at the very bottom of the list, paired against…
Chen Mu.
The same brute he had humiliated days before.
When the news spread, laughter erupted.
"Perfect! Trash Kai versus Chen Mu. This time, he'll be crushed."
"No way he got lucky twice."
"Chen Mu will break his bones."
Kai remained silent. Inside, his blood boiled with anticipation.
---
The day of the duel arrived.
The arena was packed, the crowd hungry for blood and spectacle. Chen Mu stepped onto the stage, his massive frame radiating confidence. He wielded a new iron club, thicker and deadlier than the last.
Kai walked calmly to the center, carrying nothing but his broken stick.
The crowd howled with laughter.
"Again with the stick?!"
"Does he think he's funny?"
"He's going to die."
Chen Mu grinned wickedly. "You embarrassed me before. This time, I'll crush you like the insect you are."
The gong sounded.
Chen Mu charged, his club whistling through the air. The ground cracked beneath his steps.
Kai stood still. His eyes gleamed.
> [Do you wish to upgrade: Broken Wooden Stick?]
"Yes."
> [Broken Wooden Stick → Reinforced Staff.]
The stick glowed faintly, hardening.
The club descended. Kai swung. CLANG! Sparks flew. The crowd gasped—the stick held firm.
Chen Mu roared and swung again, faster, harder. Kai's movements flowed like water, each block precise, each strike sharper than before.
"Impossible!" Chen Mu spat, veins bulging. "You're still trash!"
Kai's lips curved into a cold smile.
> [Reinforced Staff → Steel-Edged Rod.]
The weapon gleamed, sharper than a blade. Kai spun it once, then struck.
CRACK!
Chen Mu's club split in half. The force of the blow sent him sprawling across the arena floor.
The crowd fell silent.
Kai leveled the rod at his opponent. His voice was calm, but it carried through the arena like thunder.
"I told you before. Trash… can be upgraded."
Chen Mu's face twisted in fear as Kai's weapon pressed against his throat.
The gong rang again, signaling the end.
Victory.
The arena erupted—not with laughter, but with disbelief, shock, and even awe.
Kai lowered his weapon, his gaze sweeping across the stunned faces.
This was only the beginning.
The system's voice echoed in his mind.
> [Congratulations. Victory Achieved.]
[Reward: Upgrade Points +2.]
[New Path Available – Upgrade Techniques.]
Kai's heart raced. Upgrade… techniques?
A slow smile spread across his face.
The academy thought they had seen everything. They hadn't seen anything yet.