Death by Underestimation

Jake stared at the intimating, orderly lines of special forces members nervously.

Unlike standing before the faction members as a respected individual, 500 soldiers stared at him with doubtful or mocking expressions.

They all had something that Jake lacked—

—muscles.

Cultivation heals muscles regularly, making them unnaturally toned. However, it doesn't increase their size unless the cultivator uses their body and has a diet that permits it.

Unless, of course, they have a healing technique and purposely shred their muscle fibers.

Since Jake didn't have a healing technique, he was an unnaturally strong, ultra-toned version of himself.

From the soldiers' perspectives, he was still a lanky, well-dressed [pretty boy] wearing glasses.

Guided Arrow relied on a person's eyesight, so they felt he wasn't qualified by default.

It was a terrible first impression.