"Fatigue Builds Strength"
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When Tian Jue first absorbed the thread of spiritual qi beneath the Spirit Pine, the spark in his chest flared—and time stilled.
Then, like a whisper from the void, something spoke.
> [SYSTEM AWAKENED]
∞ Infinite Leveling has recognized host: Tian Jue
Attributes Panel
Level: 1
Constitution: 3
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 2
Intelligence: 4
Wisdom: 5
New Stat Unlocked: Fatigue (0/100)
Fatigue accumulates through physical and mental effort. Rest converts Fatigue into growth.
Next Milestone Reward (Level 10): Spirit Root Enhancer
Tian Jue's eyes narrowed. This wasn't like the systems he'd read about in scattered jade slips—there were no easy shortcuts, no "assignable points."
It made sense. In cultivation, effort leads to exhaustion, and only through recovery does the body integrate that growth.
"A system… based on reality. Not a crutch. A forge."
---
From that day forward, Tian Jue trained with purpose.
Each morning began with him carrying two water pails uphill, barefoot on gravel paths. His arms burned, his breath shortened, but the system recorded every step.
> [Fatigue +3]
He practiced strikes—bare fists against a tree until his knuckles split and the bark bled.
> [Fatigue +2]
When others played, he meditated under the waterfall, letting the cold pierce his skin and numb his limbs.
> [Fatigue +5]
[Fatigue Reached 20/100]
Rest recommended to unlock potential.
He would collapse beneath the Spirit Pine, soaking wet, skin trembling.
And the moment he truly relaxed—
> [Fatigue processed]
Strength +1
Constitution +1
Fatigue reset to 0
The change was small. Barely noticeable. But after days of this cycle, his body subtly changed. His grip tightened. His stamina extended. His reflexes sharpened.
He was still a six-year-old child in the villagers' eyes—but beneath the surface, he was no longer just a child.
---
By the time Fatigue thresholds passed 50 per day, and recovery required deep meditation instead of mere sleep, Tian Jue felt it—the system was pushing his body, yes, but more than that, it was tempering his mind.
Each movement he repeated became more refined. Each fall, each bruise, each ache—sharpened his focus. He began to listen to his own pulse, to feel the rhythm of qi even in the breeze brushing the leaves.
The villagers thought him odd.
"Little Jue is always tired these days," they said.
But they never saw the panel only he could see. They didn't hear the whisper of energy as he took in breath after breath of natural qi. They didn't know what happened on that tenth night.
---
That evening, beneath a full moon, he pushed himself beyond his limit.
Carrying logs. Sprinting laps. Striking the pine tree five hundred times. Then stilling his mind beneath the waterfall until his vision swam and the world turned silent.
> [Fatigue 100/100]
Maximum reached. Forced rest engaged.
He collapsed beneath the Spirit Pine and meditated until dawn.
The moment the first light touched his skin—
> [Fatigue processed]
Strength +1
Constitution +1
[Level Up! → Level 10]
> [SYSTEM PANEL – INFINITE LEVELING]
User: Tian Jue
Level: 10
Fatigue: 0/100
(Fatigue resets upon full rest. Higher fatigue = higher gains upon recovery.)
Attributes:
Constitution: 10
Strength: 6
Dexterity: 4
Intelligence: 4
Wisdom: 5
(Note: Attributes increase passively based on actions. No manual stat distribution.)
Spiritual Root:
→ Primordial Soulroot (Unique)
Root of undefined potential. No elemental limitation. Growth follows will and action.
Latest Milestone Reached:
→ Level 10 Reward Unlocked: Spirit Root Enhancer
Effect: Reconstructs and optimizes user's spiritual root. Recovery from prior-life damage successful.
Next Milestone:
→ Level 20 Reward: Qi Core Stabilization Stone
Enables formation of an early Qi Core, reducing deviation during breakthroughs.
System Notes:
– Your path is not chosen—it is forged.
– Effort determines strength. Rest refines it. Rise infinitely.
A pulse like a gong echoed through his body. His spiritual root—something once damaged beyond repair in his past life—had been restored. No, not restored—reborn.
It didn't favor fire, water, earth, or wind.
It was bound to potential itself.
---
Tian Jue opened his eyes. His vision felt clearer. His hearing sharper. His heartbeat louder.
He stood slowly, barefoot, and stared at the rising sun.
A new path was opening before him.
No curses. No immortals watching. No legacy inherited.
Only effort. Fatigue. Recovery. Growth.
And deep within him, the system pulsed.
> [Next Milestone: Level 20]
Reward: Qi Core Stabilization Stone
Note: Higher fatigue thresholds unlock stronger gains.
Tian Jue smiled for the first time since his rebirth.
Heaven had failed to erase him.
And now, he would climb—not for vengeance, not for pride—
But to rise beyond fate itself.
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To be continued...