One year later…
Time had spared neither the body nor the spirit of Jun Xiao.
Since the Awakening Ceremony, his life within the Jun clan had turned into a daily struggle. No longer merely the patriarch's descendant, he had become a symbol of weakness—a name whispered with mockery, an easy target for ridicule and beatings.
The very day after the ceremony, he understood just how insignificant he was in the eyes of the clan. While Jun Wei, his cousin, basked in praise from the patriarch and enjoyed the most precious resources, Jun Xiao had been cast aside, forgotten by most and despised by the rest.
The injustice was glaring.
The clan's young talents received body-strengthening pills to accelerate their cultivation, advanced techniques carefully selected by elders, even personalized training under expert supervision. Everything was done to maximize their potential.
And him?
Jun Xiao had to make do with scraps.
The resources allocated to him were minimal—almost symbolic. A few grains of low-quality spirit herbs, a basic breathing technique that even the clan's servants could learn, and no master to guide him. His entire training rested on his own will.
But despite these miserable conditions, he never stopped training.
Each day, he rose before dawn and pushed himself beyond his limits. He practiced basic movements over and over again until his muscles burned with pain. He struck tree trunks until his fists bled. He ran under the burning sun, forcing his body to grow stronger.
He had sworn not to give up.
But training alone and cultivating without resources was one thing… surviving the daily humiliations was another.
He endured mockery after mockery.
The clan's more gifted disciples never missed a chance to ridicule him.
"Jun Xiao, you should've never started cultivation. You'd be better off learning administration at least there, you wouldn't shame us."
"Oh look, it's our one-star genius! Tell me, how many levels have you climbed this year? Just one?"
He was beaten—again and again.
Duels were common among the clan's youth. Everyone sought to prove their strength by crushing the weak. And Jun Xiao, with his low innate talent, had become an easy target.
Within the first few months, he'd lost to Jun Hao, a disciple from a branch family with just two stars of talent. Then to Jun Ren. Then to Jun Ye… The list went on.
But the worst was Jun Wei.
His cousin had become a true monster in just one year. Within months, he surpassed all others, reaching the eighth level of Body Refinement, while Jun Xiao struggled just to reach the first.
Jun Wei was the center of the clan's attention. He received constant praise, admiring gazes. He was invited to elder banquets, congratulated by the patriarch, and praised by his father.
And Jun Xiao?
To his grandfather, he no longer even existed.
Even his father, Jun Tian though he tried to support him discreetly couldn't fully hide a trace of regret. Only his mother, his little sister, and younger brother had remained by his side through the hard times.
And yet, Jun Xiao never gave up.
He had reached the third level of Body Refinement.
It was nothing compared to Jun Wei—or even to other, more talented disciples—but it was a victory in itself. Each night, he trained alone under the moon, hardening his body, sharpening his will. He had no precious pills, no advanced techniques—but he had an unbreakable determination.
And that evening, as he sat on a hill overlooking the clan's estate, his gaze lost in the stars, he realized something.
He could become strong.
It would take longer. It would require more effort than anyone else. But he would get there. He had to.
"I'm fifteen now… This year hasn't been very fruitful…"
As he sat deep in thought, an unfamiliar sensation washed over him.
Suddenly, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
[Congratulations, Host, for activating the Supreme Sleep System! As long as you sleep, your cultivation will improve. Every two hours of sleep will double your cultivation speed!]
[Maximum increase: 1,000,000 times!]
[Now, Host, please activate sleep mode and grow stronger in your dreams.]
Seeing the holographic screen in his mind, Jun Xiao couldn't help but be stunned.
"Damn, does something like this really exist? Can I really improve my cultivation by sleeping? Could I truly break through in martial arts?"
His thoughts were racing.
Sleep to cultivate? Growing stronger in his sleep? Could this truly be real?
For a moment, he was overwhelmed by a mix of excitement and doubt.
All his life, he had struggled against his lack of talent. Every small improvement had cost him immense effort. He had spent countless nights training under the moon, repeating the same movements endlessly, forcing his body to endure pain that more talented people would never have to face.
And yet, despite all that, he remained weak.
So, could he really trust in such an opportunity?
His instincts told him it was too good to be true, and he had learned to distrust miracles. Nothing had ever been handed to him. Nothing had ever worked in his favor. So why now?
He ran a hand over his face, trying to calm his thoughts.
If there was even the slightest chance this was real, could he afford to ignore it?
After all, he had nothing to lose.
If it was an illusion, he would wake up tomorrow just as weak as today. But if it was real…
His fists clenched involuntarily.
For a year, he had been treated like trash. Humiliated, beaten, forgotten. Even his father, despite his quiet support, couldn't hide a trace of disappointment in his eyes.
He was tired of always being behind.
Tired of fighting for scraps.
Tired of seeing Jun Wei bask in the spotlight, while he was left in the shadows.
If he had a chance to break those chains, to defy that cruel fate, then…
Should he ignore it out of fear that it was too good to be true?
No.
Jun Xiao took a deep breath, a new light burning in his eyes.
He might have his doubts, but he couldn't afford to be a coward.
If there was an opportunity—even the slimmest one—he had to seize it.
As night draped the Jun clan's domain in darkness, Jun Xiao slowly descended the hill where he had been sitting, his thoughts still tangled from the day's events. The night air bit at his skin, but he paid it no mind. His body was hardened by training, and his heart was far more preoccupied.
The path home was as usual: silent, heavy, punctuated by mocking whispers and contemptuous glances from clan servants.
"Look, our little 'genius' is coming back late again. Maybe he's hoping the moon will bless him with more talent," a young servant sneered.
"Ah! If breathing air made you stronger, he'd be at the top of the world already!" another one laughed.
Jun Xiao ignored their words as he had learned to do. Responding would only encourage them. He kept walking, his head held high, eyes fixed on the modest house where his mother waited for him.
As always, Su Mei was there, standing at the door with a lantern in hand. Her gentle eyes met his, a soft smile lighting her tired face.
"You're late again, Xiao'er."
Her voice was warm, filled with unwavering tenderness.
Jun Xiao stopped before her and lowered his head slightly.
"Yes, the training took longer… I know you want me to rest more. I'm sorry, Mother."
Su Mei sighed softly and raised a hand to caress his head with affection.
"Don't worry. I know you're doing your best—not just for yourself, but for us. For your father."
At those words, Jun Xiao looked up, a glimmer of restrained emotion in his eyes.
"Speaking of Father… He was supposed to return from a mission today, wasn't he?"
Su Mei nodded.
"Yes, he came back this afternoon. He successfully completed the task your grandfather gave him."
She paused, observing his reaction before adding:
"With the contribution points he earned, he managed to get a rare spiritual herb for you. He wanted to give it to you for your birthday."
She made a graceful gesture, and a soft glow emerged from her storage ring. A moment later, a plant with deep green leaves, emitting a faint spiritual mist, appeared in her palm.
Jun Xiao's eyes widened.
He recognized the herb. He had read about it in the clan's cultivation texts. It was a rare and precious resource—difficult to obtain and even harder to use effectively without proper guidance.
"Father… used his contribution points for me?" he whispered in disbelief.
Su Mei smiled gently.
"Happy birthday, Xiao'er. Even if your father doesn't always show it, he is proud of you. He sees your determination. He knows how hard you work, and he wants nothing more than your happiness. So keep moving forward, my son."
A warm feeling spread through Jun Xiao's chest. For so long, he had thought his father was distant, that he didn't care. But this simple gesture said otherwise.
He took the herb gently in his hands, holding it with gratitude.
He might not have Jun Wei's talent, nor the clan's recognition, but he had parents who believed in him. And that was enough to reignite his will.
He looked up at his mother and gave her a sincere smile.
"Thank you, Mom… I promise I won't let you or Father down."
Su Mei returned his smile and watched him disappear into his room.
Silence settled.
Then, slowly, a figure emerged from the shadows near the house.
Jun Tian, Jun Xiao's father, had been there the whole time. Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the spot where his son had vanished.
Su Mei turned her head toward him, a playful smile on her lips.
"How long have you been there?" she asked softly.
Jun Tian sighed lightly and stepped away from the wall to approach her. As always, his expression was stoic, but a flicker of emotion crossed his eyes.
"Since the beginning."
Su Mei shook her head fondly.
"Why didn't you give him the herb yourself?"
Jun Tian looked away slightly, his face hardening.
"I… I'm not good at that kind of thing." He paused before adding, in a deeper voice, "I don't want him to think I pity him."
Su Mei observed him silently for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.
"He's not looking for your pity, Tian. He just wants to know that he matters to you."
Jun Tian remained silent.
He knew his son endured the scorn of the clan. He knew he struggled every day, alone, against a fate that seemed set against him. And yet, Jun Xiao had never given up.
He wished he could be a more expressive father, to tell him how proud he was—but that wasn't in his nature.
"He's stronger than I was at his age," he finally said.
Su Mei smiled softly.
"Yes. He is."
Jun Tian stared at his son's door, a quiet gleam of admiration in his eyes.
"I just hope… he'll be able to endure what's coming."
Su Mei placed a reassuring hand on his arm.
"He will. And we'll be here for him."