Jin Chi blinked, utterly shocked. A duck quacked loudly as it flew straight through the backyard, wings flapping like it had its own personal fan club.
"Huh… what just—?!" he stammered, eyes wide as saucers.
"Your mother is pregnant… with a girl!" Haoran exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement.
Jin Chi's jaw dropped so fast he almost dropped his schoolbag. "When…? Wait, what?!" He shook his head, eyes wide, as if his brain was buffering. "How… how did I not notice?"
Haoran chuckled. "You were too busy meditating and flexing, apparently."
Chi's hands flew to his face, cheeks puffing up as he tried to process it. "A sister… I'm going to have a sister?!" His voice wavered between shock and… excitement? Maybe a little panic.
Haoran laughed again. "Yes! You'll be the big brother now. Time to teach her everything you know… or maybe let her boss you around a little."
Jin Chi groaned dramatically, flopping onto the couch. "I didn't sign up for this… I mean, a sister?!"
His father smiled softly from the doorway. "Don't worry, Chi. She'll be a part of our world soon, and you'll be there to guide her."
Chi blinked, a small smile breaking through his shock. "Guide her… huh? Guess I better start training even harder, then!"
Yu, who had been quietly reading nearby, peeked up. "So… a little sister? That's… kind of cool."
Chi shot him a side-eye. "Cool? Try terrifying."
And for a moment, the house was filled with laughter, surprise, and the unspoken excitement of a new little member joining their extraordinary family.
Chi dragged Yu along and announced to their parents, puffing out his chest, "We'll be locked in this room for… um, many days. Could be months. Do not disturb us!"
His parents exchanged amused glances but wisely said nothing.
Inside, Chi set the rules. Breaks were allowed — for the washroom, meals, and the occasional bath for Yu. Other than that? Total focus.
Chi wasn't even worried about cultivation. With both of them being dual-type with extraordinary spiritual roots, their martial arts and Qi would advance naturally. No, what had him pacing and muttering under his breath was social studies, science, and literature for Yu. Cultivation was one thing — grades were another. Chi's true motive was to make yu ready for grade 10th.
Days blurred into weeks, weeks into months. They switched between Chi's house and Yu's house in a strict cycle, following their rigorous routine. Books stacked high, notes scattered across tables, and the faint scent of tea and ink filled every corner.
Finally, after six months of relentless studying, the day they had been preparing for arrived — the day of the final exams. Both boys sat at their desks, hearts racing, yet confident. They had trained hard in every sense, and now it was time to see the results.
The results came back: 100 percent on both of their report cards. Every subject, every test — flawless. Chi and Yu stared at the numbers, blinking in disbelief.
"Wait… did they just print the wrong scores?" Yu mumbled, eyes wide.
Chi smirked. "If they did, I hope they don't notice when we move to 10th grade."
Later that day, Chi marched up to their parents, chest puffed out like a little general. "We want to advance directly to the 10th grade," he announced, voice sharp and unwavering.
Haoran and Lianhua exchanged amused glances, while Yu's father raised an eyebrow, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Directly to the 10th grade, huh?" Haoran said, trying to suppress a laugh. "Bold move, young man."
Chi's eyes sparkled. "We've worked hard. And… well… Yu and I are ready."
Yu nodded enthusiastically, nearly tripping over his own feet in excitement. "Yeah! We've got this!"
The trio chuckled together. "Alright, then," Lianhua said, smiling warmly. "Both of you are moving to a much better school. But don't think it'll be easy — you'll meet stronger students, harder tests, and maybe even a few surprises along the way."
Chi's grin widened. "Perfect. That's exactly what we want!"
Yu's shoulders straightened, fists clenched. "Bring it on!"
The adults exchanged knowing looks, amused and proud. For Chi and Yu, a new chapter was beginning — one filled with challenges, laughter, and endless opportunities to grow stronger… both in cultivation and in life.
Both kids had to meet the principal to officially advance to the 10th grade in their new school.
The day finally arrived.
"C'mon, Chi, let's go!" Yu called out eagerly.
Chi followed, feeling both excited and nervous. As they approached the gates of their new academy, his eyes widened. The entrance was massive — tall golden arches etched with symbols of the four elements.
"The further we go in," Chi muttered, "the bigger this place gets…"
And indeed, the deeper they went, the more the school resembled a small city — streets lined with buildings for every subject, training grounds buzzing with energy, and students flying on spiritual beasts overhead.
Soon, they arrived at a glowing teleportation array.
With a flash of light, both boys found themselves standing just outside the principal's office — a grand hall shimmering with spirit energy, the air dense with authority.
Yu: "I want to be someone the whole kingdom recognizes! A cultivator whose strength makes people feel safe and staying in the same grade sounds boring."
Chi: "Dream big, huh? I want to surpass even that—to change how cultivation itself works And because we might accidentally break the training hall if we stay."
Chi and Yu exchanged glances. The principal's gaze was calm but sharp, like he could see straight through them
The principal's expression brightened.
"Interesting. Power and purpose—two paths that often meet in the same destiny."
He clapped his hands once, and a faint ripple of spiritual energy spread through the room.
"In this school, advancement isn't based on grades alone. Every student must prove their potential—spiritually, mentally, and morally."
He rose from his seat.
"Follow me. I want to see your capabilities firsthand."
The group followed him through a corridor lined with floating crystal lights. Soon, they reached a massive open courtyard where multiple arrays were glowing faintly in the ground.
"This," the principal said, stopping in the center, "is the Trial Array. It will test your comprehension, adaptability, and willpower. No harm will come to you—but the experience will be… intense."
Chi grinned slightly. "Sounds fun."
Yu gulped, "Yeah… fun."
The principal smiled knowingly.
"one by one Step in when ready."
Next chapter: test