Zhaoxi Bizheng

Guiyuan Sect, outer sect.

The thin morning mist shrouded the rolling mountain peaks, and the morning bell rang leisurely, echoing through the valley.

In the South Courtyard where outer sect disciples resided, rows of simple houses were built against the mountain, with bluestone paths winding between them.

In a room at the very corner, Chen Xuan sat up abruptly from his bed.

He gasped for air, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat, while his mind felt like a churning sea as countless memory fragments flooded in.

"Guiyuan Sect... outer sect disciple... three years of cultivation, still at Body Tempering stage five..."

Chen Xuan whispered to himself, quickly digesting the information in his mind.

In the current world, ever since the previous dynasty was overthrown, no strong leader had emerged to unify the land for decades, leaving various regions controlled by martial arts sects or noble families.

The world was in chaos, with bandits running rampant.

The original owner of this body was also named Chen Xuan, hailing from a small village that was ransacked by bandits three years ago, resulting in the slaughter of most of the villagers.

A Guiyuan Sect elder happened to pass by, dealt with the bandits who had raided the village, and brought the surviving youth back to the Guiyuan Sect to become an outer sect disciple.

In those three years, most of his fellow disciples had already broken through to Body Tempering stage six, and those with outstanding talent had even reached stage seven.

Only he remained at stage five.

Three years, Body Tempering stage five.

This aptitude could only be described as mediocre within the outer sect.

According to the rules, if one did not reach Body Tempering stage seven within three years, or break through to the Zhuqi Realm to become an inner sect disciple within five years, the sect would stop wasting resources on them. Instead, they would be sent away to hold various positions in cities under the sect's jurisdiction, where they would have to fight for their own resources.

The original owner had wanted to secure a good position before being sent away, so he risked attempting to break through to the Anjin Realm of stage six, only to fail and die from the backlash.

And it was at this moment that Chen Xuan arrived.

"I have to leave the sect tomorrow."

After organizing the memories in his head, Chen Xuan understood his situation.

Within the sect, all cultivation resources were provided by the sect; while not abundant, they were enough to support daily cultivation for outer sect disciples, allowing them to focus solely on training without worrying about trivial matters.

It was the same principle as going to school—a carefree living environment where one only needed to focus on improving their martial arts.

But leaving the sect was equivalent to graduating and entering the workforce.

Being sent away before reaching Body Tempering stage seven was like graduating from elementary school, while being sent away at stage nine was like graduating from middle school.

An inner sect disciple at the Zhuqi Realm being sent away was equivalent to graduating from high school.

The Body Tempering realm was the first stage of martial arts cultivation.

Stages one to three were Zhuangxue, Tongli, and Mingjin; stages four to six were Mopi, Duangu, and Anjin; while stages seven to nine were Yangzang, Shenyong, and Huajin.

One could figure it out with their toes.

What kind of good job could an "elementary school graduate" below Body Tempering stage seven possibly get?

Just then.

[Ding! Fate System successfully awakened!]

[Current situation detected, generating Fate.]

[Congratulations, host, you have awakened the Fates Late Bloomer and Zhaoxi Bizheng. As these two Fates conflict, you can only choose one.]

A mechanical prompt sounded in Chen Xuan's mind.

Immediately after, a light screen visible only to Chen Xuan appeared before his eyes.

On the screen, the two Fates stood side by side, emitting vastly different glows.

The one on the left was like a sunset sinking below the horizon, its light restrained and profound.

[Fate 1: Late Bloomer]

[Quality: Gold]

[Effect: The longer the host lives, the more terrifying their cultivation talent becomes. After thirty years of dormancy, like a hidden dragon emerging from the abyss, one will soar to the heavens in a single day.]

[Note: This Fate requires patient dormancy; one must not be eager for quick success. Strength increases slowly in the early stage, begins to exert power in the middle stage, and becomes invincible in the late stage.]

The one on the right was like a rising morning sun, its light fierce and dazzling.

[Fate 2: Zhaoxi Bizheng]

[Quality: Gold]

[Effect: Every time the sun rises and sets, you can accumulate one point of energy, which can be used to accelerate martial arts cultivation—one day grants one year of internal energy.]

[Note: This Fate focuses on the present, seizing the day. The energy gained daily can be used to accelerate martial arts cultivation, requiring no training and allowing for gains without labor.]

The two Fates hung quietly, one on the left and one on the right.

Chen Xuan's gaze swept back and forth between them, lost in thought.

Late Bloomer.

Thirty years of dormancy, then soaring to the heavens.

The longer you live, the more monstrous your talent and aptitude become, eventually making you invincible in the world.

However.

Thirty years is too long.

The original owner reached the fifth level of Body Tempering in three years, and tomorrow he is to be sent out by the sect. The world is in chaos right now; even with the status of an outer disciple of the Guiyuan Sect, it is not safe. A single misstep could cost him his life.

If he were to choose the Late Bloomer destiny.

That would mean.

Thirty years of being stepped on by others.

Thirty years of reading others' expressions.

Thirty years of swallowing his pride.

Furthermore.

Chen Xuan understood in his heart.

If he chose the Late Bloomer destiny, given his current situation, he would likely be dead and buried long before those thirty years were up.

Chen Xuan withdrew his gaze and looked at the destiny on the right.

Zhaoxi Bizheng.

One point of energy can be accumulated each day.

One point of energy can increase his cultivation by one year.

No need for training, no need for resources; he could grow stronger just by lying down.

Today he is at the fifth level of Body Tempering, tomorrow he could reach the sixth, and in two more days, he could reach the seventh...

Late Bloomer is a hidden dragon in the abyss, waiting thirty years to soar; before that, it is just a little loach, forced to hide in the mud.

Zhaoxi Bizheng is building a tower from sand, growing stronger with every passing day.

"Thirty years is too long."

Chen Xuan raised his head, his gaze firm.

"I only fight for the day."

As his voice fell, he reached out without hesitation and tapped the light screen on the right.

[Ding! Destiny selection complete!]

[Host has obtained the Zhaoxi Bizheng destiny!]

Host: Chen Xuan

Destiny: Zhaoxi Bizheng (Effect: Every time the sun rises and sets, one point of energy can be accumulated, which can be used to accelerate martial arts cultivation, increasing cultivation by one year per day.)

Realm: Body Tempering Fifth Level (Duangu)

Martial Arts: Giant Whale Body Refining Technique/Fifth Level, Mountain Crushing Fist/Proficient

Zhaoxi Value: 0

Chen Xuan looked at the panel before him and couldn't help but smile.

One year of cultivation gained in a day.

This isn't training; this is cheating.

As long as he waits for the sun to set, he can obtain one point of Zhaoxi Value.

At this moment, footsteps sounded outside the door.

The door was pushed open, and a thin young man walked in.

His name is Chen Shitou, and he is from the same village as Chen Xuan. They even share a distant blood relation, making him a cousin.

They were brought to the Guiyuan Sect together three years ago.

The two live in the same room and are considered the closest people to each other in this world.

Chen Shitou is one year younger than Chen Xuan. He is not tall, has dark skin, and his eyes are exceptionally bright. However, his innate bone structure and aptitude are much better than Chen Xuan's. Having trained for the same three years, he recently broke through to the seventh level of Body Tempering and can continue training in the sect for another two years, so he won't be sent out for the time being.

"Brother Xuan, you're awake. Are you alright?"

Chen Shitou walked into the room carrying a food box.

"I'm fine." Chen Xuan shook his head. "Just a bit tired."

"That's good. You can't rush trying to break through to the sixth level of Body Tempering, the Anjin Realm, or the internal energy will run wild and easily damage your organs." Hearing Chen Xuan say he was fine, Chen Shitou breathed a sigh of relief. "I brought you some food. The cafeteria made braised pork today, so I got you an extra portion."

"Thanks."

Chen Xuan sat at the table and opened the food box.

Chen Shitou sat down as well, but he didn't pick up his chopsticks. Instead, he hesitated for a moment and whispered, "Brother Xuan, you're being sent out tomorrow. Do you... have any plans?"