The "Field Trip" was actually just a glorified trip to the Academy's Scrap Yard. For 1-Star talent students, the teachers didn't waste real Spirit Veins or Ancient Ruins. They sent them to a mountain of broken weapons, drained spirit stones, and "expired" scrolls.
"Listen up, you lot," Instructor Gao barked, his face full of pity. "Your goal is to find one item with residual Qi. If you find something that still glows, you pass. If you don't, you're sweeping the gym for a month."
The students scrambled. These weren't mindless idiots; they were desperate. They used magnifying glasses, Qi-detection needles, and calculated formulas to find the best "trash."
Xiao Fan, meanwhile, was yawning. His 'Eye of the Grifter' was pulsing. To everyone else, the yard was gray. To him, it was a neon map of "Meh" and "Ooh, Shiny."
The IQ Play: Senior Lu's "Safety" Net
Among the 1-Star students was Lu Chen. Unlike the typical arrogant bully, Lu Chen was a "Smart-Mover." He knew he had low talent, so he spent his time studying everyone's habits.
He didn't fight Xiao Fan. Instead, he had spent the morning subtly greasing the soles of Xiao Fan's boots when he wasn't looking.
If Xiao Fan slips and breaks a 'Passing' grade item, Lu Chen reasoned, he fails the exam, and I can buy the broken pieces from him for cheap to repair later. Minimal risk, high profit.
Xiao Fan started walking toward a pile of rusted daggers. He stepped on a smooth rock—his greased boots should have sent him flying face-first into a pile of jagged metal.
The Luck Event:
As his foot slipped, a stray gust of wind blew a discarded "Sticky-Sap Leaf" right under his heel. Instead of sliding, his foot gripped the ground with the strength of a mountain goat. The momentum shifted his body, causing him to perform an accidental, stylish 360-degree spin.
"Whoa! Sick move, bro!" a student cheered.
Xiao Fan landed perfectly on a pile of old books. His hand reached down to steady himself and grabbed a soggy, moldy scroll that everyone had stepped over for three years.
[Item Identified: 'The Manual of Infinite Itchiness.']
[Rank: Unranked / Trash-tier Utility.]
[System Note: This is exactly what you need. It's annoying, embarrassing, and effectively useless for combat—perfect for your current level.]
The Breakthrough: Black Iron 9-Star and the "Weird" Awakening
Fast forward two weeks.
Xiao Fan had been "slow-growing." Every day he'd find a slightly better herb in his soup or "accidentally" find a lost coin to buy better cultivation pills. By the time the Monthly Assessment came, he had reached Black Iron 9-Star.
The crowd was stunned. "How did the 1-Star trash hit the peak of Black Iron so fast?"
"Must be the air in his dorm," one smart student noted. "I've started sleeping in the hallway near his room. My skin has never been clearer."
Now came the Awakening Ceremony. When a student breaks through Black Iron to Bronze, they awaken a "Talent Skill."
High Talents get: Fire Breath, Sword Intent, or Shield Wall.
Low Talents usually get: Nothing.
Xiao Fan stood on the platform. The Awakening Stone glowed a muddy, confused gray.
"System," Xiao Fan whispered. "Please don't give me something like 'Super Digestion.' I already eat enough."
[Ding! Awakening Success!]
[Unique Talent Skill Unlocked: 'The Honesty Hiccough'.]
[Effect: When the Host targets someone, they cannot tell a lie or maintain a 'cool' facade without violently hiccuping. If they try to act arrogant, they will hiccup so hard they jump 2 inches off the ground.]
"Wait... that's it?" Xiao Fan blinked. "It doesn't even hurt them?"
[System Note: It is non-lethal, but psychologically devastating for 'High-IQ' villains who rely on their reputation.]
The Villain's Move: The Elegant Trap
Senior Lu Chen walked up, his eyes narrow. He had realized his "grease trap" failed by pure coincidence, so he changed tactics. He didn't curse or scream.
"Xiao Fan," Lu Chen said gracefully, holding a cup of tea. "Congratulations on your... unique awakening. Truly, it suits your character. Since you are now a 'Bronze' rank, perhaps you'd like to join the Research Club? We could use someone with your... luck."
Lu Chen's plan was smart: Get Xiao Fan into a controlled environment, study his "luck," and eventually find a way to siphon it. No violence, just a long-term business trap.
"Actually, Senior Lu," Xiao Fan grinned, activating his new power. "I think you just want to use me as a human metal detector for your treasure hunts, right? You don't actually like me."
Lu Chen opened his mouth to give a sophisticated, diplomatic lie. "Of course not! I purely value your—"
"HIC!"
Lu Chen's body jerked. He hopped into the air, his tea splashing onto his own nose.
"I mean, I think your talent is— HIC! ...is a complete fluke and I want to— HIC! ...dissect your brain!"
The entire courtyard went silent. Lu Chen covered his mouth, his face turning a deep, shameful red. He had just admitted his evil plan in front of three Teachers and the Student Council.
"Wow, Senior," Xiao Fan patted him on the back. "I didn't know you felt so strongly. Maybe skip the tea next time? It's giving you a bit of a 'truth' problem."
Xiao Fan walked away, whistling. He was still the "weakest" Bronze 1-Star, but he was the only one who could make a genius look like a jumping bean.