"Trash."
The word landed harder than any blow.
Li Chen stood at the edge of the stone plaza, fingers clenched tightly at his sides as laughter rippled through the outer sect disciples. None of them bothered to lower their voices. Why would they?
To them, he was nothing.
Just another failure.
At the center of the plaza, a towering crystal pulsed faintly with spiritual light. One by one, disciples stepped forward, placing their hands upon it as the sect elder announced their fate.
"Third-grade spirit root. Acceptable."
"Second-grade. You may enter the inner court."
Each result drew murmurs—some envious, some impressed.
Li Chen didn't move.
Couldn't move.
This was his third year standing here.
Third year hoping for something—anything—to change.
"Next," the elder called, his voice cold and impatient.
Li Chen inhaled slowly.
This was it.
Again.
He stepped forward under dozens of mocking gazes, every footstep heavier than the last. He could already hear the whispers.
"He's back again?"
"Doesn't know when to quit."
"Pathetic."
Li Chen ignored them. Or at least, he tried to.
He reached the crystal.
For a brief moment, his reflection stared back at him—tired eyes, worn clothes, a face that had learned disappointment too early.
Then he placed his hand on it.
The crystal flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then dimmed.
Silence fell for half a second—
Before the elder spoke.
"Spirit root…" he paused, as if the result itself offended him. "…trash grade."
Laughter exploded.
"Not even first-grade!"
"Is that even a cultivator?"
"He's worse than a mortal!"
Li Chen lowered his head.
Of course.
It was always the same.
No matter how hard he trained.
No matter how many nights he spent cultivating until his veins felt like they would burst.
Nothing changed.
Nothing ever would.
"Move aside," the elder said dismissively. "You are wasting everyone's time."
Li Chen stepped back.
One step.
Then another.
Each one felt like he was being pushed deeper into a pit he would never escape.
This was his limit.
This… was his fate.
"Next!"
A sudden shift swept through the crowd.
The mocking laughter faded, replaced by excitement.
"He's here!"
"Zhao Tian!"
Li Chen paused.
Even he had heard that name.
The number one genius of the outer sect.
The one destined to rise.
Li Chen turned slightly.
A young man in white robes walked forward, calm and composed. His expression carried quiet confidence, the kind that came from never knowing failure.
The crowd parted for him.
Of course they did.
This was someone chosen by heaven itself.
Zhao Tian placed his hand on the crystal.
For a heartbeat, nothing happened.
Then—
Light erupted.
Brilliant.
Blinding.
The entire plaza was bathed in radiant gold.
Gasps echoed from every direction.
"Heaven-grade!"
"Incredible!"
"A once-in-a-generation talent!"
Even the elder stood up straighter, his cold expression melting into something resembling approval.
"Zhao Tian," he declared, voice carrying pride, "Heaven-grade spirit root. You are destined for greatness."
Applause broke out.
Admiration.
Awe.
Everything Li Chen had never received.
He should have looked away.
Should have left.
But he couldn't.
Because something… strange was happening.
Above Zhao Tian's head—
A thread appeared.
At first, Li Chen thought it was a trick of the light.
But no.
It was real.
A glowing strand of golden light, flowing like a river in the air.
It pulsed with power.
With something deeper than power.
Something… inevitable.
Li Chen's breath caught.
"What… is that?"
No one else reacted.
No one else even seemed to see it.
The thread swayed gently, as if responding to his gaze.
Calling to him.
His heart began to pound.
Faster.
Louder.
Until it drowned out the noise of the entire plaza.
And then—
A voice spoke.
Cold.
Mechanical.
Inhuman.
[Fate Devouring System Activated]
Li Chen froze.
"…What?"
[Host detected: Li Chen]
[Fate Visibility Granted]
The world shifted.
Suddenly—
Threads appeared everywhere.
Thin gray strands above the ordinary disciples.
Faint, fragile.
Barely noticeable.
And yet—
Above Zhao Tian, the golden thread burned like a sun.
[Target Detected: Zhao Tian]
[Fate Grade: Heavenly]
Li Chen's pulse thundered in his ears.
This wasn't real.
It couldn't be.
[Do you wish to devour the target's fate?]
His breath hitched.
Devour… fate?
That golden thread—
That destiny—
Could he really… take it?
Li Chen looked down at his own hands.
Empty.
Powerless.
Worthless.
Then back at Zhao Tian.
Praised.
Admired.
Untouchable.
"…Yes."
The moment the word left his mouth—
The golden thread trembled.
Then snapped.
Zhao Tian's body jerked.
The brilliant light of the crystal flickered violently.
"What—?!"
His voice cracked.
The golden glow dimmed.
From blinding brilliance—
To unstable.
Then—
Fading.
Shock rippled through the crowd.
"The light is weakening!"
"That's impossible!"
"Heaven-grade… it's dropping?!"
Zhao Tian staggered back, his face turning pale.
"No… this can't be happening…"
At the same time—
Li Chen felt something surge through him.
Warm.
Explosive.
Alive.
Power flooded his body, rushing through his veins like a storm.
His senses sharpened.
His breathing steadied.
For the first time—
He felt… different.
[Fate successfully devoured]
[Absorbed: Heavenly Luck (Fragment)]
[Talent upgraded]
Li Chen's eyes widened.
This was real.
This was actually real.
Above him—
A thread began to form.
Faint.
Thin.
But no longer empty.
"I…"
His voice trembled.
For the first time in his life—
He had a future.
"Stop!"
The elder's voice thundered across the plaza.
Silence fell instantly.
His sharp gaze swept over the crowd before landing on Zhao Tian—
Then slowly shifted—
To Li Chen.
"You," the elder said coldly.
"Step forward."
Li Chen's heart slammed against his chest.
Did they notice?
No…
They couldn't have.
Right?
But high above—
Beyond mortal sight—
The sky darkened.
Just for a brief moment.
As if something had opened its eyes.
[Warning: Unauthorized Fate Consumption Detected]
[Heavenly Observation Initiated]
A chill ran down Li Chen's spine.
"…What have I just invited?"