Chapter 1: Trash at the Academy Gates
The grand gates of Azure Cloud Academy towered like ancient beasts, carved from spirit jade that shimmered under the morning sun. Thousands of new disciples gathered outside, their robes fluttering in the breeze, eyes filled with ambition and greed. This was the premier cultivation academy in the Azure Empire, where only the talented and connected could rise to power.
Li Wei stood at the back of the crowd, his plain gray robes torn and dirty from the long journey. At seventeen, he was thin, with messy black hair and a pale face marked by years of hardship. His cultivation? Qi Refining 1st stage. Trash. In a world where geniuses reached Foundation Establishment by his age, he was nothing.
"Move aside, worm!" A sharp voice cut through the noise.
Before Li Wei could react, a heavy boot slammed into his chest. Pain exploded as he flew backward, crashing hard onto the stone pavement. Blood trickled from his lips. The crowd turned, some laughing, others shaking their heads in pity.
Standing over him was Zhao Feng, the Young Master of the mighty Azure Clan. Tall and handsome, with sharp features and cold eyes, he wore luxurious robes embroidered with golden dragons. At Qi Refining 9th stage, backed by his clan's wealth and elders, he was untouchable here.
"You dare block my path?" Zhao Feng sneered, flicking his sleeve. "A mere 1st stage ant like you shouldn't even dream of entering Azure Cloud Academy. Your entry token and spirit pill now belong to me."
He reached down and snatched the jade token from Li Wei's waist, along with the small pouch containing the academy's welcome gift—a low-grade spirit gathering pill. The pill could help any new disciple breakthrough faster, but now it was gone.
Laughter erupted from Zhao Feng's followers—ten outer disciples who always trailed him like dogs.
"Look at this trash! He probably begged his way in."
"Zhao Young Master is merciful. He only kicked once. Normally he'd crush such insects."
Li Wei pushed himself up on trembling arms, ribs aching. His fists clenched until knuckles turned white. Humiliation burned hotter than the pain. This wasn't the first time. Back in his small Li family branch, he had been mocked daily for his slow cultivation. His own fiancée had been stolen by another young master last month, the engagement broken with a single letter calling him "waste."
But here, at the academy gates, in front of hundreds... it was too much.
"Why?" Li Wei whispered, voice hoarse. "I passed the entrance test fairly. This token is mine."
Zhao Feng burst into mocking laughter. "Fairly? In this world, the strong take what they want. The weak have no face, no rights, no future. Crawl away, dog, before I decide to break your legs for fun."
He raised his hand, spiritual energy gathering in his palm, ready to slap Li Wei across the face for more entertainment.
The crowd watched eagerly. Face-slapping weaklings was common sport for young masters. It built reputation.
Li Wei closed his eyes, expecting the blow. Regret flooded him. If only he had talent. If only he wasn't born trash.
Then, in the depths of his mind, a cold, mechanical voice rang out like thunder:
[Ding! Supreme Face-Slapping System has bound to host!]
[Host: Li Wei]
[Current cultivation: Qi Refining 1st stage]
[Initial gift package activated: 1000 Spirit Points, Basic Slap Technique, and one random cheat skill.]
[First mission issued: Publicly slap the arrogant Young Master within 24 hours. Reward: Major cultivation boost and random treasure.]
Li Wei's eyes snapped open. What was this? A hallucination from the pain? But the voice continued, clear and emotionless.
[Face-slapping the strong builds face and destiny. Host, the era of your rise begins now. The weak shall no longer be trampled.]
Zhao Feng's hand was already swinging down. "Die, trash!"
Time seemed to slow. Li Wei felt a surge of unknown energy flood his meridians. His body moved on instinct. He raised his arm, and with a crisp sound—
PA!
His palm connected perfectly with Zhao Feng's cheek. The slap echoed across the academy square like a thunderclap.
Zhao Feng staggered back three steps, eyes wide in shock. A bright red handprint bloomed on his perfect face. Blood leaked from the corner of his mouth.
The entire crowd fell silent. Jaws dropped. No one moved.
"You... you dared hit me?" Zhao Feng roared, touching his swollen cheek in disbelief. His followers froze, unable to process what just happened.
Li Wei stood straight now, the pain in his ribs fading as system energy healed him slightly. A cold smile tugged at his lips for the first time.
"Zhao Feng, you said the weak have no face. Today, I take yours."
The Young Master's face twisted in rage. "Kill him! All of you! Tear this ant apart!"
His ten followers charged, drawing swords and channeling qi.
But Li Wei felt the system's power guiding him. The Basic Slap Technique activated in his mind—a simple yet devastating move fueled by spirit points.
He stepped forward, palms blurring.
PA! PA! PA!
Three crisp slaps landed in succession. Three followers flew backward, faces swollen, teeth flying.
The remaining attackers hesitated, fear creeping in.
Zhao Feng's eyes burned with killing intent. "You dare challenge my Azure Clan? Today you die!"
He unleashed a palm strike infused with 9th stage qi, strong enough to shatter bones.
Li Wei didn't dodge. He met it head-on with another slap.
BOOM!
Their attacks collided. Zhao Feng screamed as his arm bent unnaturally. He crashed to the ground, spitting blood, dignity shattered in front of everyone.
Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire.
"Who is that disciple?"
"He slapped the Young Master... and won?"
"Azure Clan won't let this go. This trash is dead."
Li Wei looked down at the fallen Zhao Feng, voice calm but carrying far: "Remember this day, Young Master. The trash you bullied will climb over your corpse to the peak."
He picked up his stolen token and pill from the dirt, then turned toward the academy gates.
The system voice echoed again:
[Mission progress: 50%. Continue for full reward.]
[Host face points +100. Reputation rising among weak disciples.]
Li Wei walked forward, back straight, ignoring the stunned stares. For the first time in his life, he felt power. Real power.
Behind him, Zhao Feng struggled to his feet, face purple with shame and fury. "This isn't over, Li Wei! My clan will crush you! Elders will come!"
But Li Wei didn't look back.
The gates of Azure Cloud Academy opened before him.
His rise had begun.