I am a boy

It's not like I am completely against being carried. After all, it's true that I can barely walk.

The problem lay in the way I was carried.

The people passing us glanced at me with interest. There were two reasons for it: My leg looked quite severely injured, and a tall female was carrying me like a little princess.

I have quite thick skin, yet I was originally a shy person.

Between being the future gossip and hiding my head in her arms. I chose the latter.

Today, I went through a deeply humiliating experience that left me feeling utterly disheartened. It felt as if my innermost being, my very soul, was crying out in protest. How could I allow myself to be treated in such a way by a woman?

Even though my mentality is quite flexible, there are limits to it.

'I am a boy, dammit!'

>>>>>>>>>> 

"I can see that you are alright. You should be more careful next time. Rolling down the slope could have ended much worse."

The elderly woman emitting the herbal smell smiled at me, letting me go shortly after.

Feeling a bit tired, I dragged my body away from the medicine hall.

Being fed some pill that accelerated my natural healing was quite efficient. Not even leaving a scar.

However, the side effect is that I will feel fatigued. That's why I was given a free day today. The Elder from before will inform my teachers.

As I closed the doors behind me, someone I didn't expect was still waiting there for me.

"Huh? Don't you have lessons? There is no reason for you to wait for me. I am much better now."

I said to the same woman who carried me here.

"The elder, after hearing that, I helped the injured disciple on my way to the lecture. Gave me an extra hour to help you before coming back."

She said in her typical monotone voice.

"You didn't tell the details?"

I asked, a bit nervous that my lie would be exposed.

"No, I just said that I found you injured on my way to classes. Wait… do you not plan to report it?"

She said, gazing at me strangely.

"Does it matter?"

Looking at her face, I shook my head, disapprovingly.

If I report it. Then who was bullying who? I was fine after taking one pill. They, on the other hand, probably had a couple of bones fractured.

Additionally, the bully's leader has some influence in the sect because her grandmother is an outer elder.

Given their villainous nature, we will surely meet again. So, until next time, I will be better prepared.

Ignoring her, I strolled the way to my dormitory.

Unfortunately, she followed me, being increasingly critical of my cowardly behavior.

"What I do is my problem. Don't interfere in my affairs!"

I turned in her direction, my mouth showing a slightly displeased expression.

I'm not an ungrateful person, but I feel physically and mentally exhausted from the recent situation where I felt completely useless and the medication I took just now.

All I wish for now is to return home and sleep peacefully. Engaging in conversation is the last thing on my priority list.

"Well, sure if that's what you want."

She said, more resigned than anything else.

This made me feel bad; I didn't mean to have such an outburst.

Just as she was about to leave, I stopped her.

"Hey back then… thank you, I will remember this fa-."

I wanted to say 'favor' yet stopped myself.

Sometimes, the simpler words are enough.

"You don't need to. It was something that I should do."

She answered unfazed, yet her expression became five points less cold.

"By the way, I didn't introduce myself. My name is Rose."

I said, bowing lightly. I am not an expert at it, but now I know some of the basic local etiquette.

"We are the same age, so just call me Lianhua. Besides, we already introduced ourselves before."

She said in her neutral tone of voice.

Frowning, I didn't quite believe it. She looks too mature to be the same age.

Maybe because of my intense stare, she explained.

"Um…three days ago, we had a so-called familiarity meeting. We greeted each other there."

"Ah, is that so I remember now?"

I said, feeling awkward.

To be true, I don't remember SHIT. Still, that would be too pretentious.

Let's just bluff that I do. My friend's circle is extremely small, other than Nico and Emily. I don't pay attention to anyone else.

Yet is she truly my age? I took a couple of steps closer, trying to get a better look.

"H-Hey what are you doing?"

Lianhua's voice fluttered under my gaze, and she took a hesitant step back, appearing uncomfortable in such close proximity.

Didn't she princess carry me earlier? What's up with being nervous now?

"Hum~ It's noting. It's just... your stiff face is making you look older."

I said, thinking aloud.

My direct words made her not know how to react. She was looking at everything except me.

Suddenly…

"I-I can see that you are fine. So, I will go back. Be careful on your way back."

She spoke, not giving me any time to react before she dashed away.

Her face, indeed, looks young. Although, she doesn't have a baby face like me.

Such a contrast between her sadistic self when she rescued me and now - was quite pleasant.

'What a strange girl.'

I thought, almost chuckling at her reaction.

'Let's go back and sleep.'

I thought after a moment.

-Day later, currently morning-

As I was getting ready for lectures, I couldn't help but reflect on yesterday while taking a shower.

After their lessons ended, Nico and Emily hurriedly returned home. Worried about me, I had to confirm countless times that I was completely fine before they stopped treating me like some terminal patient.

My explanation was the same. I was clumsy and rolled down the slope.

Unexpectedly, they bought it easily and teased me about it for a long while; Subsequently, I ignored them afterward for two hours.

"Sigh..."

I thought that I had a long time before any danger would come my way. Yet, I was wrong.

I need to get stronger. For that, I need to enter the Body Reconstruction realm and activate my system fully.

However, so far, I have made no progress whatsoever. My talent is just too poor.

I could have easily raised my talent with time if it was still a game. The charm, on the other hand, can't be raised.

That's the reason I was so careless and packed this character with full charm bonuses.

The charm is the unique attribute that will show its potential in the later-stage game.

Suffering a bit in the early game is completely reasonable.

But now….

Talent is said to be something born with. Wanting to cultivate faster? Can you rip out your spiritual veins and put better ones in place?

Idiot, you should know your place.

That is the reality of the real world. You can curse the heavens, and it will not help you suddenly become a genius.

'Well, there is no reason to get depressed. Small goals first.'

I contemplated as I thought of a way to quickly elevate myself into the Body Reconstruction realm.

It was then that my legs suddenly shook from the abrupt pain.

The whole morning, I felt so nauseous. Did the side effects of the pill still not wear off?

'It shouldn't be like that.'

I thought, looking down and to my horror, there was blood, so much blood.

What the hell am I dying?

>>>>>>>>>> 

"Here, here we are going now. So just rest, and we will handle everything."

Said Emily, stopping patting my head.

Tucked with a blanket, my face looked deadly pale as if I had lost a lot of blood.

"Yes, yes, how pitiful? You seem to be rather unlucky, don't you?"

Nico joked, trying to pet my head, too, but Emily stopped her.

"Hey, don't be mean. Not everyone has such light periods like you."

Emily scolded her.

"Fine, just joking. Well, let's go or we will be late. We will get you some snacks when we are back!"

Nico shouted before dashing through the doors in a full-of-energy manner.

"…"

The silence descended into the room, as I was the only one left there.

"What a mess."

I said aloud to nobody but myself.

Who would have known that becoming a pretty girl has such demerits?

'Well, I guess there is nothing to do but to rest now.'

I thought, closing my eyes.

-A couple of hours later-

After waking up from a nap, I tried to perform the manual that I got a week ago.

Unfortunately, with no results.

Frustrated and fed up with everything, I thought of doing something more productive.

I stood up and changed into my official clothes, leaving the dormitory shortly after.

I was hungry and still a bit weak, but I was going insane just waiting; I left a note for my roommates not to worry.

It took me half an hour using the numerous signs to arrive at the doors of the particular architecture.

The guard at the gate stopped me.

"What is your business here, disciple?"

"I want to use my one-entry privilege to enter the Spirit Shrine."

I stated.

"Every disciple has the privilege of entering the shrine, once in their lifetime. Yet only at Qi Refinement will it give you any benefits, so go and come back when you are in this realm."

She explained, expecting me to go.

"I am aware of it. Still, I want to enter."

I said resolutely.

She looked baffled at my words.

"Kid… this is one in-lifetime opportunity you are wasting. The path to immortality is long don't be hasty."

She advised, and I knew she meant well, but I made my decision.

"Please, Elder, let me enter the Spirit Shrine."

I said, bowing lightly.

"If you want to go, I can't stop you. You have three hours. After that, I will fetch you out."

She said, her voice laced with disappointment.

I didn't mind it, and after checking my sect token, she let me into the Spirit Shrine Garden.

The gate closed soon after, and the lush ecosystem was revealed before me.

Calling it a garden is quite a stretch. It's more of a miniature forest.

Looking around, a stone path beckoned by the red torii gate leads up the mountain. Other than that, there seems to be no more human interference.

Not wasting my limited time, I quickly climbed up the stairs.

Today's weather was quite cloudy, and with the tall trees surrounding me, the environment felt dark despite it not being late.

I had no idea how long it took me, but I finally reached the top.

The shrine is built with traditional wooden architecture, featuring a sloped roof with curved eaves, painted in shades of vermilion, and adorned with intricate golden details.

Besides it, suspended lanterns are floating in the air. Fueled by ever-burning flames of blue and white, casting a soft light that wards off the surrounding shadows.

I took all this at once. While there are some similarities to the game, being here in person gives away a completely different feeling.

Only a few steps away from the altar, I could already feel it.

The special energy "Qi". My talent is poor, and I have trouble sensing it.

So, if I went to a place abundant in such energy, wouldn't I have an easier time comprehending it?

Sitting cross-legged on one of the nearby cushions. I calmed myself before attempting to activate my cultivation method.

Time passed slowly, and then suddenly…

I opened my eyes. Yet, what met my gaze was complete darkness.

Still, I didn't give up. Failure is impossible. I haven't even considered something like that.

Gradually, some lights appeared in this dark space. They looked like twinkling stars in a multitude of colors.

Yellow.

Green.

Blue.

Red.

The landscape gradually came into focus, characterized by soft, blue-white contours.

'Spirit vision. That's a success.'

Although I thought that, I was still not satisfied. I am going to break directly through the Body Reconstruction realm today.

Just as I was preparing, the colorful particles rushed into my body without any warning.

What the hell is going on? Isn't drawing the "Qi" into your body the most challenging aspect of cultivation?

Why do they joyfully rush into me?

As much as I was confused, such development is in my favor. So, for now, I put that to the back of my mind and started refining the coming energy.

The absorbed energy was hurriedly refined by spiritual veins. Then, the pure energy flowed down my body.

Gathered at one spot, I began shaping it into the dantian, where my spiritual energy will be stored in the future.