The Harsh Reality of a Talentless Mortal

The Harsh Reality of a Talentless Mortal

The sky stretched endlessly above, its vast blue expanse mocking those bound to the earth. High above, an azure-feathered eagle soared, cutting through the winds with effortless grace, free from the chains of mortality.

Jiang Yun sat on the worn wooden steps of his family's courtyard, gaze fixed on the heavens. His rough hands, calloused from years of chopping firewood, tightened into fists.

Another day had passed. Another day where nothing changed.

"Still daydreaming, Jiang Yun?"

A soft, teasing voice pulled him from his thoughts.

Lin Xue stood at the gate, a basket of spirit herbs in her arms. The breeze toyed with a few loose strands of her hair, framing her delicate features. She was dressed simply, yet there was something about her—an aura of quiet confidence and latent Qi, making her seem out of place in this small village.

Jiang Yun forced a smile. "Maybe if I dream hard enough, I'll wake up as a genius tomorrow."

Lin Xue laughed, light and carefree. "If that worked, I'd be an immortal by now."

Jiang Yun chuckled, but deep inside, her words only reminded him of the truth.

In this world, without talent, one was nothing.

Lin Xue was different. She possessed a spiritual root, a talent for cultivation. Even if she remained in this backwater village, she had a future. She could rise above, leave this place behind.

Jiang Yun, on the other hand, had nothing. No spiritual meridians. No Qi sense. No potential. No future.

She must have sensed his silence, for she sighed and sat beside him, setting the basket between them. The faint scent of fresh spirit herbs drifted through the air.

"You really believe that, don't you?" she asked softly.

Jiang Yun said nothing.

"You think just because you weren't born with talent, your fate is already sealed?"

Still, he did not answer.

Lin Xue exhaled, plucking a leaf from her basket and twirling it between her fingers. "You work harder than anyone else in this village. You never complain. You never give up."

Jiang Yun scoffed. "Hard work means nothing when the Heavenly Dao has already decided you're worthless."

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, in a quiet voice, she asked, "If you had the chance to change that, would you?"

Jiang Yun turned to look at her. She was staring at him, her usual teasing expression absent.

A chance?

He would give anything to stand at the peak.

But that was just a fantasy.

He let out a dry laugh. "And where exactly am I supposed to find a miracle?"

Before Lin Xue could respond, a deep rumble echoed through the village.

The ground trembled beneath them. In the distance, the villagers stopped what they were doing, turning toward the source of the disturbance.

Hoofbeats.

A group of armored riders stormed through the village gates, their robes embroidered with golden insignias, exuding an aura of unshakable might. Their very presence sent a suffocating pressure through the air.

Jiang Yun felt his breath catch in his throat.

Cultivators.

True cultivators.

Their leader rode at the front, a man clad in flowing silver robes. He carried himself with an air of absolute authority, as if nothing in this village could possibly be worth his attention.

Then, his gaze fell upon Lin Xue.

"You," he said coldly. "Step forward."

Lin Xue stiffened.

Jiang Yun turned to her, confused. "Lin Xue?"

She did not respond. Her hands gripped the hem of her dress tightly, knuckles turning white.

The silver-robed cultivator raised his hand. A golden rune shimmered into existence before Lin Xue's forehead, pulsing with an ethereal light.

"A divine fate mark," the man muttered. "So it's true."

A murmur rippled through the other cultivators.

"Senior Li, is she…?" One of them hesitated, voice tinged with awe.

The man—Senior Li—gave a slight nod. "Heavenly Immortal Fate Physique. One in ten million. She has been chosen by the heavens themselves."

Gasps spread through the villagers.

Jiang Yun clenched his fists.

Lin Xue… was chosen by the heavens?

Senior Li exhaled, as if dealing with mortals was a tedious task. "By decree of the Heavenly Dao Palace, you are to be taken to the sect immediately. From this day forth, your past life, your family, and this village no longer concern you."

Lin Xue flinched.

Jiang Yun stepped in front of her before he could stop himself.

"Wait!" His voice came out sharper than intended. "She should at least have a say in this!"

The moment the words left his mouth, the heavens collapsed upon him.

A terrifying force slammed down upon his shoulders.

It was like an ocean had been poured over him, crushing him into the ground.

His knees buckled. His vision blurred. He gasped for breath, but the very Qi in the air had turned against him, as if refusing to enter his lungs.

It was an instant, suffocating reminder.

He was nothing.

Senior Li did not even spare him a glance. "You should be honored that she has been chosen. Do not interfere."

Jiang Yun struggled, but it was useless.

This was the difference between mortals and cultivators.

Lin Xue knelt beside him, gripping his shoulders.

"Jiang Yun," she whispered urgently. "Please… don't say anything else. You'll only make it worse."

He tried to respond, but the pressure on his body was unbearable.

Her hands were shaking.

She was afraid.

Not for herself. For him.

Senior Li turned. "Come. We leave immediately."

Lin Xue hesitated.

She turned back to Jiang Yun, her expression torn.

"Lin Xue…" he rasped.

He did not know what he wanted to say.

Don't go?

Don't leave me behind?

Would that change anything?

She gave him a small, sad smile.

"Jiang Yun… live well."

And then, she stepped away.

One of the cultivators waved his hand. A golden cloud formed beneath their feet, lifting them into the sky.

In the blink of an eye, they were gone.

The suffocating presence lifted.

Jiang Yun lay there, face pressed into the dirt, staring at the empty sky.

The villagers around him were whispering. Celebrating.

To them, this was a blessing.

But to him, it was a bitter truth.

Lin Xue had always worked hard. But she had been chosen. She had been gifted.

And he…

He was a nameless mortal.

That night, he sat alone on the same steps where he and Lin Xue always talked. The village felt colder. Emptier.

He stared at his hands—calloused, rough, weak.

Hard work meant nothing in this world.

Unless he found another way.

No matter what it took…

He would not remain weak forever.

___

Did you know?

In cultivation stories, the "Heavenly Immortal Fate Physique" is a rare and divine trait, marking individuals destined for greatness. Characters with this physique are often chosen by the heavens to achieve immortality or extraordinary power, while others must rely on hard work to rise above their limitations. This concept is central to many Xianxia and Wuxia tales.