I'm not a genius.
Everyone makes sure I remember that.
Loudly.
Publicly.
Sometimes physically.
Tonight, I sit cross-legged on the cold, cracked floor of my dorm.
I guide Qi through my body.
Slow, Controlled, Precise.
Bone.
Muscle.
Blood.
Organs.
Pain rises.
Familiar, Comfortable.
Proof.
Then I push further.
The brain.
No one touches it.
Too fragile.
Too complex.
Too easy to destroy yourself.
Too stupid to try.
I don't have that luxury.
I have no talent to protect.
So I refine it anyway.
Qi climbs upward.
My skull burns.
Molten. Heavy.
My vision flickers.
My heartbeat slams against my ribs.
My breathing almost breaks.
Almost.
I hold it together.
Control.
Flow.
Circulation.
I refine.
Time dissolves.
Minutes.
Hours.
Doesn't matter.
Only the next cycle matters.
Then—
It clicks.
Everything smooths.
No resistance.
No turbulence.
Perfect.
Peak Body Refining.
I exhale.
Slowly.
Nothing happens.
No light.
No aura.
No sudden recognition.
Just rain.
Tapping softly against the window.
Cold.
Indifferent.
I stand.
My body feels… different.
Heavier.
Sharper.
More precise.
For a moment—
I just breathe.
Then I move.
The door cracks when I pull it open.
I don't stop.
This is my chance.
The breakthrough hall is warm.
Quiet.
Still.
Incense lingers in the air.
Polished wood reflects dim light.
I step inside.
A few disciples glance at me—
Then look away.
The elder looks up.
Frowns.
"…You?"
"Yes."
His spiritual sense sweeps over me.
Once.
Twice.
Slower the second time.
"…Peak Body Refining?"
I bow slightly.
"I was fortunate."
Lie.
Every inch of this body was carved through effort.
He hesitates.
Just for a moment.
Then hands me a pouch.
No praise.
No reaction.
Just procedure.
I take it.
Leave.
The courtyard greets me with rain.
Stone.
Wind.
Water pooling in cracked ground.
Then—
I stop.
Four figures.
Waiting.
"Well, if it isn't Li Shen."
"Broke through today?"
"How inspiring."
"Hand it over."
I sigh.
Of course.
I run.
My body responds instantly.
Faster.
Cleaner.
Every step precise.
Water splashes beneath my feet.
For a moment—
I think I can escape.
Then—
One of them moves.
Too fast.
A fist slams into my side.
Air vanishes from my lungs.
I stagger—
But I see the next strike.
My body shifts.
I dodge.
Barely.
For a split second—
I understand it.
Timing.
Angle.
Intent.
Then the next hit lands.
Harder.
Pain explodes.
A punch splits my lip.
A kick crushes my ribs.
My balance breaks.
Rain mixes with blood.
My vision blurs.
My breath turns ragged.
I endure.
Each strike has rhythm.
Each movement has purpose.
I see it.
I just can't match it.
Not yet.
When they finish—
They don't rush.
They leave.
Like this was nothing.
Something rolls toward me.
Clink.
I cough.
Blood spills from my mouth.
Five spirit stones.
I stare.
Then—
I grin.
"…Not completely stupid."
I spit the rest out.
Carefully.
Yes.
I kept some in my mouth.
Experience builds habits.
I reach for my storage pouch.
Empty.
Of course.
Five stones.
Not enough.
For anything.
But they're mine.
Rain falls harder.
Colder.
Heavier.
I press my hand against the stone.
Water seeps in.
Cold bites deep.
A laugh escapes me.
Low.
Dry.
"Heaven rewards the diligent…"
Silence.
"…Bullshit."
Talent decides everything.
Those with it walk freely.
Untouchable.
Effortless.
They show off.
They shine.
They exist.
Why not me?
My fingers dig into the stone.
My ribs ache.
My vision shakes.
"Just once…"
My voice is quiet.
Almost gone.
"…I want to show off too."
Thunder rolls.
The sky churns.
Dark.
Endless.
I look up.
"…Honestly."
My arm rises.
Shaking.
Steady.
I point at the heavens.
"Fuck you too."
Lightning answers.
White.
Blinding.
Instant.
For a fraction of a second—
I feel something.
Not fear.
Not awe.
Possibility.
Then—
Nothing.
The world disappears.
And my final thought—
What the fuck?