The Sword Sect, one of the most prominent sects in the southern territories, stood proudly against the backdrop of the Grand Myriad Mountains. Its influence extended far and wide, reaching as far as the Grand Qin Empire. At its heart was Void Mountain, a vast expanse that stretched over 500 kilometers, boasting seven majestic peaks and 36 minor peaks. Among them, Labor Peak was considered the least prestigious, home to the sect's Labor Disciples.
Labor Peak, however, was no mere afterthought. Its sheer scale rivaled the size of a small city within the Grand Qin Empire, capable of housing tens of thousands of people.
As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, Yang Ye stirred from his slumber. Rising from his modest bed, he washed his face swiftly before grabbing the broom resting by his door. His eyes, sharp yet burdened with determination, gazed toward the horizon as the golden rays of the sun painted the sky.
Taking a deep breath of the crisp morning air, Yang Ye clenched his fists. His youthful face, still carrying traces of immaturity, bore an expression of unyielding resolve. "Work hard. Persist. Don't give up," he murmured to himself.
With those words, he began his daily trek toward Cool Breeze Gorge, his broom slung over his shoulder.
---
The sight of Yang Ye did not go unnoticed by his fellow Labor Disciples.
"Hey, isn't that the former Outer Court Disciple?" one whispered.
"So it is. But that was in the past. Now, he's just like usâa Labor Disciple sweeping the floors," another sneered.
"What a shame for someone so young and handsome. He's, what, 16 or 17? With his potential, he could've had a bright future ahead of him. Now look at him, reduced to doing odd jobs. What a waste."
"I heard he was recruited by an Outer Court Elder in Southpeace City. But for some reason, he couldn't absorb Profound Energy for an entire year. The Elder must've been furious to demote him to a Labor Disciple. Supposedly, he's the first in Sword Sect history to fall from such grace. They even call him the number one piece of trash in the sect!"
"The Sword Sect's number one piece of trash. What a reputation!"
Hearing their mocking words, Yang Ye halted momentarily. His grip tightened on the broom, his knuckles turning white. After a brief pause, he exhaled deeply and pressed on, ignoring the sneers and laughter that followed him.
---
Cool Breeze Gorge was located at the back of Labor Peak, a secluded area encircled by three small hills. The gorge itself was a lush, green haven, with grass like an emerald carpet and towering trees that blocked out the sun with their dense canopies. It was a place where Labor Disciples gathered herbs and firewood, and for Yang Ye, it was also a sanctuary for his training.
Arriving at a massive rock, Yang Ye casually tossed his broom aside before sitting cross-legged atop it. Reaching into his robes, he pulled out a letter and a small clay figure.
The letter, delivered from his family the previous night, had been left unread due to his grueling 16-hour workday. As for the clay figure, its rough, unpolished surface brought a rare smile to his face. Though it was small and crudely made, it was crafted with love by his younger sister, a token of her admiration for her big brother.
Yang Ye gently rubbed the figure between his fingers, cherishing the warmth it brought him. After a moment, he tucked it safely back into his robes and turned his attention to the letter. Carefully, he blew the dust off the envelope and unfolded the paper within.
As his eyes scanned the familiar handwriting, his sister's voice seemed to come alive in his mind:
"Big Brother, we received the gold coins you sent last month. Ever since you were taken in as an Outer Court Disciple of the Sword Sect, the neighbors who used to look down on us have started visiting frequently. Hmph! Little Yao knows they're only being nice to us because of you. They're nothing but opportunists."
Yang Ye's lips twitched into a faint smile, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. He continued to read:
"Mother misses you so much. She always says you're the pride of our family. I know things must be difficult for you at the Sword Sect, but please take care of yourself. We're waiting for the day you return home, stronger than ever."
Folding the letter carefully, Yang Ye placed it back into his robes. His smile had faded, replaced by an unwavering determination.
"I may have fallen," he muttered under his breath, "but I will rise again."
As the sun climbed higher into the sky, Yang Ye rose to his feet. The insults, the mockery, and the weight of his past failures could not crush the fire within him. Today was another step toward reclaiming his destiny.
Under normal circumstances, someone like Yang Yeâstripped of his status and branded a failureâwould have left the Sword Sect and returned to the mortal world. But Yang Ye refused to do so. Not only did he stay, but he willingly accepted the humiliating position of a Labor Disciple.
He stayed because of his family. His mother and younger sister depended on him. His title as an Outer Court Disciple had brought them a semblance of respect and security. No one dared to bully them anymore. Their once bleak lives had improved, if only slightly.
If he returned to the mortal world, all of that would vanish.
---
Huff~ Huff~
The sound of labored breathing broke the stillness of Cool Breeze Gorge. Yang Ye clung to a sturdy branch, his body trembling from exhaustion. Sweat streamed down his face, stinging his eyes and forcing him to shut them tightly. His arms felt like they were made of lead, the weight of fatigue threatening to pull him down.
But Yang Ye didn't stop.
Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip on the branch and continued his relentless pull-ups. Up and down, up and down, he pushed his body far beyond its limits.
Minutes turned into an eternity. His face flushed red, and his sweat-drenched Labor Disciple robes clung to his skin. The dizziness grew unbearable, and his vision blurred. Finally, his strength gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground with a heavy thud.
Huff~ Huff~
Yang Ye lay on the ground, gasping for air. His chest heaved, and every muscle in his body screamed in protest. For a moment, he couldn't even lift a finger.
The first rays of sunlight crept over the horizon, illuminating the gorge in a soft, golden glow. A cool breeze swept over him, bringing a momentary reprieve.
Then, without warning, Yang Ye's eyes snapped open. He sat up abruptly, his face a mixture of disbelief and shock.
"I⊠I can sense Profound Energy!"
His voice trembled as he spoke the words aloud, as if saying them would make it real. And it was real. A faint trace of Profound Energy coursed through his meridians, flowing slowly but surely toward his Dantian.
It was weak and intermittent, but it was there.
For a moment, elation filled Yang Ye's heart. But just as quickly, the Profound Energy vanished. It disappeared into his Dantian as though it had never existed.
"What's going on?" Yang Ye muttered, his brows furrowing deeply.
Closing his eyes, he focused inward, searching his body for that elusive energy. His breathing steadied as he concentrated. Then, his eyes flew open, and his face was filled with shock.
"I⊠I have two Dantians?"
His voice cracked with disbelief. He swallowed hard, his mind racing. Deep within his Dantian, he discovered something extraordinaryâa tiny vortex, hidden in its depths. This vortex was brimming with Profound Energy.
Realization dawned on him.
All this time, it wasn't that he couldn't absorb Profound Energy. Instead, the moment Profound Energy entered his body, it was drawn into this hidden vortex. The vortex had absorbed it all, leaving nothing behind for him to sense or use.
"No wonderâŠ" Yang Ye whispered, his voice tinged with both frustration and relief. "No wonder I couldn't cultivate like everyone else."
He had spent years believing he was broken, incapable of cultivating Profound Energy. He had endured humiliation, scorn, and the label of "trash." But now, he understood the truth.
Yang Ye's fists clenched. If not for that fleeting trace of Profound Energy earlier, he might have never discovered the hidden vortex. It was buried so deeply within his Dantian that it had gone unnoticed all this time.
A fire lit in his eyes.
"This changes everything," he said, his voice steady with determination.
He wasn't broken. He wasn't trash. He was unique. And with this hidden vortex, he might possess the potential to rise higher than anyone could imagine.
As the morning sun bathed Cool Breeze Gorge in light, Yang Ye stood up, his exhaustion forgotten. His journey was far from over, but for the first time in years, hope burned brightly in his heart.
The number one piece of trash in the Sword Sect?
He would prove them all wrong.