Shen Yu firmly believed that **being officially unremarkable** came with certain privileges.
For example: no one stopped him when he walked straight into the outer disciples' dining hall fifteen minutes early.
He grabbed a bowl, glanced around, and nodded to himself.
"Yes. This is what freedom tastes like."
"Oi! That's not your seat!"
Shen Yu looked up mid-scoop.
Across the table stood a tall boy with broad shoulders and a grin that suggested trouble had recently happened and might happen again.
Shen Yu calmly slid his bowl closer.
"Too late. I've emotionally bonded with this rice."
The boy laughed loudly and sat down anyway.
"Fair enough. Name's **Qiao Feng**."
"Shen Yu. Local disappointment."
Qiao Feng blinked.
"…You say that like you're proud."
"Consistency matters."
Before Qiao Feng could reply, someone gently cleared their throat.
A thin, soft-spoken boy stood beside the table, holding a tray of food like it might explode if treated harshly.
"Um… is this seat taken?"
Shen Yu gestured grandly.
"Please. We welcome all non-violent personalities."
The boy smiled shyly.
"I'm **Han Rui**."
Qiao Feng leaned in and whispered loudly,
"He looks like he apologizes to doors."
Han Rui nodded.
"…Sometimes."
They hadn't even started eating when a familiar sharp voice cut through the hall.
"You."
Shen Yu froze.
He slowly turned.
**Lu Xinyi** stood there, arms crossed, eyes narrowed, expression saying *I did not plan to see you again today.*
"Oh," Shen Yu said politely. "Hello, Shiny Pillar Champion."
Her eye twitched.
"Move."
Qiao Feng scooted over instantly.
"Ah. Strong one. Sit. We like strong people."
Lu Xinyi hesitated — then sat.
Silence.
Shen Yu ate.
Qiao Feng ate loudly.
Han Rui ate nervously.
Lu Xinyi stared at Shen Yu.
Finally she said,
"How are you this relaxed?"
Shen Yu swallowed.
"About what?"
"About being declared ordinary."
He considered this.
"Well… yesterday I was ordinary too. Today I just got paperwork."
Qiao Feng slapped the table laughing.
"I like him."
Lu Xinyi stared, then shook her head.
"You're impossible."
"Frequently," Shen Yu agreed.
Across the hall, a group of inner disciples whispered.
"That's the girl with Flow-Blade talent."
"Why's she sitting with them?"
"That one doesn't even glow."
Lu Xinyi noticed. Her jaw tightened.
Shen Yu noticed her noticing.
He leaned back.
"If it helps, they'd whisper even if you were glowing brighter."
She snorted.
"…You're annoying."
"High praise."
---
Later that afternoon, outer disciples were assigned **trial tasks**.
Elder Zhang read from a scroll.
"Group Seven. Boundary path maintenance. Clear fallen stones. Watch for spirit beasts."
Lu Xinyi blinked.
"Boundary path?"
Qiao Feng grinned.
"That's the one near the cliff."
Han Rui paled.
"…The cliff?"
Shen Yu nodded thoughtfully.
"Ah. Gravity."
They set out under a blue sky, spirits high and expectations low.
The boundary path wound along a steep mountain edge, wind howling like it had opinions.
Qiao Feng leaned over dangerously.
"Bet I could spit and hit the river."
Lu Xinyi grabbed his collar.
"Bet you won't."
Han Rui clutched his satchel.
"I don't like this place."
Shen Yu paused.
The air felt… odd.
Not dangerous.
Just… *hesitant*.
"Anyone else feel that?" he asked.
"No," Qiao Feng said.
"Yes," Lu Xinyi said at the same time.
They looked at him.
Before anyone could react, the ground **gave way**.
Stones cracked.
The path collapsed.
Han Rui yelped.
Lu Xinyi drew her blades instantly.
Qiao Feng laughed.
"Oh this is fun!"
Shen Yu didn't jump.
Didn't panic.
He stepped forward — into empty air.
And didn't fall.
For one breath — just one —
The space beneath his foot **held**.
Lu Xinyi's eyes widened.
"Shen Yu—!"
Then gravity remembered itself.
The path shattered fully.
They fell.
Wind roared.
Shen Yu twisted, heart pounding — and the air shifted again, just enough.
They slammed onto a lower ledge, bruised but alive.
Silence.
Dust settled.
Qiao Feng blinked.
"…Did we just survive?"
Han Rui checked everyone frantically.
"You're all alive! I— I didn't even heal anyone yet!"
Lu Xinyi stared at Shen Yu.
"You stepped on nothing," she said slowly.
Shen Yu scratched his head.
"…Did I?"
Far above, unseen, a blind old man paused mid-step.
He smiled.
"Ah," he murmured. "There it is."
Shen Yu looked at his companions and grinned.
"Well," he said, brushing off dust,
"Looks like lunch earned itself."