Li Zephyr knelt in the courtyard of the Frostpine Sect, his hands shaking as the senior disciples laughed at him.
"You call that a sword stance?" sneered Jin Hao, a third-tier disciple who had barely broken through the Spirit Realm. "You'll never make it past the Mortal Realm."
Li Zephyr gritted his teeth, but his body betrayed him. Even after a decade of training, his cultivation base remained at the lowest tier of the Mortal Realm. Every attempt to absorb spiritual energy failed, leaving him exhausted and humiliated.
"Don't waste our time, Li Zephyr," another sneered. "Go sweep the courtyard again. Maybe the ground will absorb your weakness."
Li Zephyr clenched his fists, feeling the sting of humiliation burn his face. He had once believed in justice, in fairness… but the world had shown him none.
As he swept the courtyard, a strange glimmer caught his eye a fissure in the rock near the training ground. Curiosity, stronger than fear, compelled him forward. When his fingers brushed the fissure, a blinding light erupted, swallowing him whole.
When his vision cleared, Li Zephyr was no longer in the familiar courtyard. He stood in a vast ancient chamber, walls etched with glowing runes and pulsing with spiritual energy.
A voice echoed in his mind:
"Soul Dao System… initialized."
Li Zephyr fell to his knees, stunned. He could feel energy swirling around him warm, limitless, calling to him. The voice continued:
"Every battle you survive… every technique you learn… you will grow stronger. Your soul, your body… will ascend."
Li Zephyr's heart pounded. This was his chance. No more weakness, no more humiliation.