The Azure Cloud Sect was not known for its azure clouds. More often than not, the sky was a rather mundane shade of grey, especially during the early morning hours when disciples were expected to be training. Jian Li, however, was not training. He was napping.
Beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient willow tree, Jian Li lay sprawled on the grass, a picture of serene indifference. Sunlight dappled through the leaves, creating dancing patterns on his face. He was, to all appearances, a perfectly ordinary disciple enjoying a moment of respite. But appearances, as they often did, were deceiving.
`[System Notification: Qi Accumulation +0.001]`
Jian Li's brow furrowed slightly in his sleep. He didn't consciously register the notification, not in the way a dedicated cultivator would. The System, as it was, operated in the background, a silent partner in his… unconventional training regime.
He'd discovered this peculiar phenomenon a few weeks after officially joining the Azure Cloud Sect. He'd been struggling, hopelessly behind his peers in grasping even the most basic cultivation techniques. Frustrated and disheartened, he'd sought solace under this very willow tree and promptly fallen asleep. That was when the first notification had appeared.
`[System Notification: Basic Meditation Skill Leveled Up!]`
At first, he'd dismissed it as a dream. But the notifications persisted, growing more frequent and varied as time went on. He'd experimented, of course. He'd tried meditating in the traditional sense, forcing his mind to focus, but the System remained stubbornly silent. Only when he surrendered to the embrace of slumber did it activate, diligently tracking his progress, however minuscule.
`[System Notification: Minor Increase to Spiritual Awareness]`
Elder Yun, Jian Li's assigned master, approached the willow tree with a thunderous expression. The rustling of his robes announced his arrival long before he came into view. He was a man of sharp angles and even sharper words, his face perpetually etched with a mixture of disappointment and exasperation.
He stopped a few feet from Jian Li, his gaze hardening. Other disciples were diligently practicing their sword forms, their movements fluid and precise. Even the newer recruits were attempting to emulate their seniors, their faces flushed with effort. And then there was Jian Li.
Elder Yun sighed, a sound like wind whistling through a broken window. He'd seen potential in Jian Li, a spark of something that set him apart from the other disciples. But that spark seemed to have been extinguished by an overwhelming laziness.
"Jian Li," he said, his voice low but laced with steel.
Jian Li stirred, blinking sleepily. He sat up, rubbing his eyes, and offered Elder Yun a sheepish grin. "Good morning, Master."
Elder Yun's expression darkened further. "Morning? The morning is long past. The others have completed their first session of sword practice and are already moving onto Qi cultivation. And you… you are sleeping."
"I was… meditating, Master," Jian Li mumbled, knowing full well the absurdity of his claim.
Elder Yun scoffed. "Meditating? With your eyes closed and snoring softly? Do you take me for a fool, boy?"
Jian Li winced. He knew he was testing Elder Yun's patience. He just didn't know how to explain the System, even if he wanted to. Who would believe him? He'd be branded a lunatic and likely expelled from the sect.
"I apologize, Master," he said, forcing himself to look contrite. "I was feeling unwell."
"Unwell?" Elder Yun repeated, his voice dripping with skepticism. "You appear perfectly healthy to me. Perhaps a little too relaxed."
He gestured towards the training grounds. "Join the others. Practice the Azure Sky Sword Form. And try to stay awake this time."
Jian Li nodded and reluctantly rose to his feet. He brushed the grass from his robes and trudged towards the training grounds, his steps heavy with reluctance. He picked up a wooden practice sword from the weapon rack and took his place among the other disciples.
The Azure Sky Sword Form was a series of elegant movements designed to channel Qi and enhance swordsmanship. It was also incredibly boring, at least to Jian Li. He went through the motions, his movements sluggish and uninspired. He struggled to maintain focus, his mind wandering back to the willow tree and the comforting promise of sleep.
Elder Yun watched him with a critical eye, his disappointment growing with each passing moment. Jian Li's form was sloppy, his movements lacked precision, and his Qi flow was practically nonexistent.
"Jian Li!" Elder Yun barked, his voice cutting through the air. "Focus! You move like a drunken ox!"
Jian Li flinched and attempted to correct his form, but his heart wasn't in it. He knew he was failing, and the knowledge only made him more despondent.
`[System Notification: Qi Accumulation +0.0001]`
He sighed inwardly. Even while half-heartedly swinging a wooden sword, the System was still working, albeit at a glacial pace.
The training session stretched on, each minute feeling like an eternity. Jian Li stumbled through the sword form, enduring Elder Yun's constant criticisms and the barely concealed amusement of his fellow disciples.
Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the session. Jian Li gratefully sheathed his sword and retreated to a quiet corner of the training grounds, away from the others. He slumped against a wall, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
"You're not very good, are you?"
Jian Li opened his eyes to find a young woman standing before him. She was slightly taller than him, with bright, inquisitive eyes and a mischievous grin. He recognized her as Lin Yue, one of the most promising disciples in their cohort.
"Thanks for pointing that out," Jian Li said, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Lin Yue chuckled. "No offense intended. It's just… you seem so unenthusiastic. Don't you want to become a powerful cultivator?"
Jian Li shrugged. "I guess so. But it's not exactly coming naturally to me."
"Maybe you're not trying hard enough," Lin Yue suggested.
"Maybe," Jian Li conceded. He wasn't about to reveal his secret to Lin Yue, no matter how friendly she seemed.
"Well, if you ever want some help, let me know," Lin Yue said. "I'm always happy to share my… insights."
She winked and walked away, leaving Jian Li to ponder her words. He watched her join a group of other disciples, their laughter echoing across the training grounds. He felt a pang of envy, a longing to be part of their camaraderie, to share their passion for cultivation.
`[System Notification: Minor Increase to Spiritual Endurance]`
He sighed. The System was a blessing and a curse. It allowed him to progress, however slowly, without the grueling effort required of others. But it also isolated him, separating him from the shared experience of striving towards a common goal.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the Azure Cloud Sect, Jian Li found himself drawn back to the willow tree. He lay down on the soft grass, closed his eyes, and surrendered to the familiar pull of sleep.
`[System Notification: Entering Deep Sleep Mode]`
He drifted into unconsciousness, the System diligently recording his progress, one infinitesimal increment at a time. Elder Yun watched him from afar, his expression a mixture of frustration and pity. He knew that Jian Li possessed a hidden potential, but he couldn't understand why the boy refused to unlock it.
He shook his head and turned away, leaving Jian Li to his slumber. The sect assessment was only a few weeks away, and Elder Yun knew, with a sinking feeling, that Jian Li was woefully unprepared. Unless something drastic changed, Jian Li's future at the Azure Cloud Sect was bleak.