Kayli Mari punched a tree.

It hurt, and did nothing to improve either her physical strength or core cultivation.

Why am I doing this?

“Follow my path, little sister, and you too will be strong one day.”

Kayli punched a bit harder.

Zu Mari.

Just thinking about him made a blush rise to her cheeks, and her mind to race. He’d been insignificant for so long, she’d not even noticed as he slowly grew stronger and stronger. It felt almost as though he’d suddenly changed overnight from a weakling to a paragon of perfection, but of course that was impossible. It was a shame they were related, or…

She punched the tree hard enough that a smaller branch snapped off with a loud crack. She should not be thinking this way. She was strong, independent, self-determined. She had plotted her course to ascension long ago.

And yet here she was, all her own plans abandoned, punching trees at the behest of little Zu. Zu, the usurper. Zu, who had somehow weaseled his way into Grandfather Gari’s affections in two minutes and taken her rightful place as heir. Zu, who had suddenly become the librarian’s favourite student for no reason whatsoever. Zu, whose training methodology was utterly idiotic but had somehow pushed him into a perfection of both body and soul that she could only envy.

And she did envy it. Between the brief lucid moments of violent hatred, she admired her dear teacher. Zu had deigned to instruct even one such as her, who’d once tried to stand in his way. It was more than she deserved. By rights, she should have died for challenging him.

How had he gotten so powerful?

She punched the tree again.

Whatever he’d done, it wasn’t this. It couldn’t be.

But… there was always the possibility. She had to know for sure. It would be stupid to abandon a potential training method.

So Kayli Mari neglected her cultivation and meditation, eschewed study and practice, and punched trees.