In the grand continent of Xuánxìng, where cultivators soared through the skies and split mountains with a sneeze, the Seven Stellar Sects were holding their once-in-a-decade entrance exams.
Talents from across the land gathered, each one convinced they were the destined protagonist.
Except for one.
"Name?" the stone-faced elder at the gate barked.
"Lin Feng," said a disheveled teen with chicken feathers in his hair, mud on his robe, and an aura so weak it could be mistaken for body odor.
"Cultivation realm?"
Lin Feng hesitated, then whispered, "I'm… still in the Body Tempering stage."
The elder blinked. "Which layer?"
"…Negative one?"
The elder choked on his spiritual tea. "That's not even a real thing!"
"I tried cultivating once and broke my finger on a cabbage. Since then, my qi's been scared to circulate."
The elder scribbled something on his parchment, probably "do not touch—may be cursed."
Still, the rules were the rules. Anyone brave enough to sign the death waiver was allowed one chance to take the test.
Lin Feng was ushered to a courtyard filled with hopefuls, each glowing with spiritual power and confidence.
The first trial? The Spirit Stone Resonance Test.
Simple enough: touch the giant Spirit Stone, and it would react based on your innate talent.
The arrogant young master from the Cloud Saber Clan strode forward, slammed his palm on the stone, and—
BOOM!
The Spirit Stone blazed with a golden light, a dragon silhouette roaring out of it.
"Gold-tier talent! Incredible!"
The crowd applauded.
Next, a girl from the Misty Flower Sect touched the stone gently. It emitted a warm pink glow and released flower petals into the air.
"High-tier wood affinity with dual elemental roots! Stunning!"
Then it was Lin Feng's turn.
He wiped his hand on his robe (it didn't help) and stepped up.
He touched the stone.
Nothing happened.
He coughed.
Still nothing.
He smacked the stone.
The Spirit Stone flickered weakly—then shivered, cracked a little, and turned gray.
It died.
Silence.
The elder's mouth twitched. "You… killed the Spirit Stone."
"Maybe it was tired?" Lin Feng offered.
"You're banned from touching any magical artifacts for the rest of the day. Next trial!"
As Lin Feng walked off, someone whispered, "He broke the unbreakable. That's… kind of impressive?"
"Impressive like falling into a pit and discovering oil," someone else muttered.
But Lin Feng remained oblivious, cheerfully waving at the broken stone. "Get well soon!"