The work was simple yet so challenging for Issac, the online troll. His body was incredibly unfit, a bit on the chubbier side, and most importantly, untrained for the strenuous work ahead.
"Get a move on fatty, I ain't paying you to pick up the lightest boxes." Ji Yun yelled.
Ji Yun was a good friend of Lu, the shopkeeper who had recommended Issac for the job. Lu having heard of Issac's dream of joining a sect assumed the young man was capable of enduring heavy labor.
In the end, it took mere minutes before everyone on the unloading site realized just how weak the young lad really was.
It was a pathetic sightseeing the lad struggled to lift a box weighing only 20 kilos, but they at least admired his perseverance.
Issac, seeing all the passing glances, obviously knew what thoughts they must've had about him.
The humiliation, the looks of pity, it all worked to fuel each step he took. But emotions could only take you so far when you spent hours carrying heavy boxes in the blistering sun.
Halfway through the job, Issac collapsed from over-exerting himself.
"Stupid ass kid." Ji sighed.
Without making the others stop their work, he went over and carried Issac on his shoulder into the shade.
***
(Flashback 3 years ago, Earth)
The stadium was filled with audience members from around the globe to witness a world-shattering moment.
4 years ago a black horse had risen all the way from the bottom to win 5 gold medals in the 5 Olympic martial art competitions.
Judo, wrestling, fencing, boxing, and taekwondo were all conquered by one man.
Entering the Olympics at the ripe old age of 12 he dominated men decades older than him.
Now, much older and much more experienced he entered back into the ring as the reigning champion.
***
A cold splash of water awoke the slumbering Issac from his ever-recurring dream.
"You awake kid?" Ji asked, leaning over him.
Issac took a moment to look around in confusion before he cursed at what had happened.
"Sounds about right. Quite the bold move to faint while on the job." Ji responded.
"I apologize senior, I overestimated my capabilities," Issac explained.
"Don't give me that senior talk. Just take your pay." Ji shooed.
Reaching from inside his robe he threw over a small bag of coins which jingled when Issac caught it.
Looking inside there was a small pile of silver coins which amounted to about 12 pieces, much more than any regular job would pay.
Issac knew something was up but he knew better than to complain about a potential blessing.
Before he could take his fourth step, a voice called out to him.
"Aren't you gonna ask why you were paid more than usual?" Ji asked.
Issac froze in place, having been caught in the act of trying to obliviously walk away.
"My father always said that if a blessing came my way, I should accept it gracefully," Issac replied.
Ji raised his eyebrow at Issac's old-fashioned way of talking but continued anyway.
"I gambled on how long you'd be able to survive the workday."
"Between the owner of the dock, the captain of the ship, and myself, I was the only one who bet you'd last more than a couple hours."
"Got a handful of gold from your stubbornness so I gave you something extra for the trouble," Ji explained.
Isaac understood now that the passing glances he felt were most likely from the 3 gamblers who had bet money on his performance.
He nodded in response to the explanation but a question lingered on his mind still.
"Why are you telling me this though?"
"Because you should never take gifts gracefully. There's always a catch. Even in the most natural of them." Ji answered.
Without leaving Issac time to contemplate, he grabbed a cigar from his robe and walked away.
Looking at the sun beginning to set below the horizon, he made his way back to Uncle Lu.
"So you made how much??" Lu Gao cried.
12 silver coins was a substantial amount of money for any normal citizen to acquire in a single day.
On average Lu's store made only about 20 silver coins per day, but his own establishment was well known in the community.
"Well if we look at it now. You've pretty much got enough money for your ticket already." Lu smiled.
"How much is it anyway?" Issac asked.
"Depends on how luxurious you want your stay to be, but the cheapest one costs about 5 silver coins."
"The earliest flight to Silver Lake City is right at sunrise if you want to leave right away,"
Lu advised.
"Speaking of. When did the Absolute Strength sect's recruitment start?" Issac asked.
"Oh, that ended a while back," Lu replied without thinking.
Issac nodded without thought, before realizing what Lu revealed.
"Wait, I thought it was still ongoing? Why'd you tell me about it if they weren't recruiting?" Issac cried.
Lu paused for a moment before clarifying, "Ah you're right I was thinking about the Great Love sect."
Issac's jaw dropped towards the floor from the absolute tomfoolery Uncle Lu was spouting.
"I mean it's still a sect right?" Issac asked.
Even if it was a small sect, as long he'd be able to start his journey in cultivation he'd be able to accept it.
"Well. How do I put this?" Lu sighed.
"Yes, technically they can be considered a sect but their total population probably barely reaches 10 core members."
"10 members?? That's not a sect, that just sounds like a group of cultivators." Issac said dumbfounded.
"Yeah, I thought so too but they've got the reputation to back it up. They're small but it's been rumored that each member is a favored son or daughter of providence." Lu praised.
"So what you're trying to tell me is that I haven't got the slightest chance at getting in?" Issac joked.
"Unless you're a 1 in a billion talent then probably not," Lu answered truthfully.
"But if you do get in. Don't forget Uncle Lu, yeah." Lu smiled.
"Don't worry uncle, I'll pay you back handsomely if I get in." Issac joked back.