Wu Jian and Wu Meiying were in the library as per usual. They had finished exercising, gone to their classes, and were ending the day by reading. Grandpa Son had found them a book called The Rock Maiden. It was about a girl named Ling Lee, who fell in love with a kind, young fisherman. When the fisherman was lost at sea, she never gave up hope, climbed to the top of the cliff overlooking the sea, and was turned to stone by a powerful Deva Realm cultivator who took pity on her. The young fisherman eventually returns, sees his wife frozen in stone, and convinces the Deva Realm cultivator to return his wife. It was a very touching story, but something about it felt off to them.

“Is it possible to turn someone into stone like that?” asked Wu Jian after they finished reading the story.

“Hmmm. I wonder,” Wu Meiying muttered. “I think it’s possible. There are cultivators who are skilled practitioners of the earth element. I’m sure some are powerful enough to turn a person into stone. Mmmm… however, I thought they specialized in body enhancement. Maybe if someone gains a strong enough affinity for earth, they can turn people into stone?”

“Should we ask Grandpa Son?” asked Wu Jian.

“No. Let’s not bother him with this. I don’t think he could answer it anyway.”

Grandpa Son was the most knowledgeable person either of them knew. Rumor had it he had memorized every book within this library. Wu Jian couldn’t think of another person who would be able to answer his question, but if Wu Meiying said he couldn’t, then he believed her. She was the only person he believed knew more than Grandpa Son.

They closed the book and brought it to the front, where Grandpa Son sat behind a table. He smiled kindly as they set the book down.

“Done already?” he asked. “What did you think?”

“It was an interesting story,” Wu Jian said with a smile.

“Though I do have to question why a Deva Realm cultivator would bother turning a woman to stone, only to turn her back when her husband returned, and for nothing in return. That does not sound like a powerful cultivator to me,” Wu Meiying said. Wu Jian nodded in agreement.

The Deva Realm was known as the realm of true strength. While there were maybe a handful of Deva Realm cultivators in the Shang Kingdom where Wu Jian and Wu Meiying lived, they formed the core of the larger kingdom’s militaries and sects. A number of powerful sects wouldn’t even accept someone into their ranks unless they had reached the Deva Realm. Many cultivators considered this realm to be the first step into godhood.

“Ah ha ha ha,” Grandpa Son laughed. “You bring up an interesting point. There are many folktales like this that do not make sense. It is common sense to assume that no cultivator would do anything for free, much less one who has reached the Deva Realm. They are people on a higher level of existence than the rest of us and generally do not care for those they deem beneath them. So, then, why would someone write a story like this? Do you have any thoughts on the matter?”

Wu Jian remained silent as Wu Meiying furrowed her brow in thought. What was she thinking? He had his own thoughts on the matter, but he really wanted to know what she thought about the questions Grandpa Son posed.

Her expression cleared up a moment later.

“I can think of two reasons,” she declared.

“Oh?” Grandpa Son raised a white, bushy eyebrow.

“The first reason is because humans want to believe in a higher power. Even if that higher power has no real interest in them, many will make up stories of Deva Realm cultivators helping normal people because it gives them hope.”

Grandpa Son nodded and stroked his beard. “Humans are nothing without hope. There is truth in what you say. And what is the other reason?”

Wu Meiying took a deep breath and gave a troubled smile. “The other reason is someone paid these people to write these stories to make cultivators seem nicer than they are. It is common knowledge that we live in a world where strength means everything. Those who have strength have the right to trample on those who don’t. Why would a Deva Realm cultivator ever help some random couple when doing so is clearly beneath him? This feels like a propaganda piece written to make cultivators out to be nicer people than they are.”

“You are far more cynical than I would have given you credit for.” Grandpa Son wore a strained smile as he stroked his beard thoughtfully. “But, well, you are not wrong. While cultivators do protect regular humans to an extent, it is also true that most cultivators do not put the common people in their eyes. They would not bother harming a normal person as doing so is beneath them, but they would not help one without being given a suitable reward either. This is an important lesson to remember, you two. The world of cultivation is cruel and only the strong survive. If you want the freedom to choose your own path in life, then you must also become strong.”

“We’ll remember this,” Wu Meiying said.

Wu Jian nodded. “I’ll engrave these words on my heart.”

“Good. Now be off, you two. Tomorrow is a big day. You should get some rest,” Grandpa Son said.

Wu Jian and Wu Meiying agreed and left the library. As they stepped outside, Wu Jian stared at the sun as it slowly set behind the West Fang Mountain. He still recalled the terror he felt when he and Wu Meiying were attacked by the Spotted Snow Lion. He also remembered how useless he had been. Remembering that filled him with shame.

Magical beasts were generally stronger than human cultivators, though Wu Jian did not know the reason for this. The Spotted Snow Lion had been at the ninth subrealm of the Anima Realm, and yet it had been able to fight against both Father and Wu Taohua at the same time. Even though it lost in the end, it had done better than a human cultivator of the same level would have.

I have to get stronger. I need to keep pushing myself until I can protect everyone I love… until I can protect Mei from anyone who would try to take her from me.

“Tomorrow is the Wu Clan’s Test of Strength,” he said at last.

“It is,” Wu Meiying said.

“Do you think… I’m strong enough to not bring shame to the clan?” asked Wu Jian.

“Of course you are,” Wu Meiying declared. “You’ve been training a lot harder than anyone else in the Wu Clan. And you’ve had the help of several alchemy pills and even a rare sacred medicinal ingredient. You know, I’ve read up more on the Silver Lotus. It's formed when cold Yin energy gathers into one spot and crystalizes. Not only does it help fortify your body, but it also cleanses you of any impurities, allowing you to train even harder.”

“I read something similar,” Wu Jian said. He placed a hand against his chest, took a deep breath, and released it. “I guess we’ll just have to see. I won’t know how well I’ll do until I actually do it.”

“That’s right. There’s no sense in worrying about it now,” Wu Meiying added with a smile.

***

Wu Jian woke up early the next morning with Wu Meiying sleeping by his side. He sat up in bed and stretched his arms, feeling the joints in his elbows and back pop. After shaking Wu Meiying awake, he got dressed and watched as the girl slowly roused herself. He slipped on his training gi, which was dark gray and had the image of a dragon coiling around a cherry blossom. The light weight fabric was comfortable and settled on his shoulders nicely.

“Jian… is it morning already?” asked Wu Meiying with a yawn.

“It is. You should probably get back to your compound before Wu Tiantian comes to rouse you. You know how angry she gets when you aren’t in your room.”

“Haaaah. I wish I could just stay here.”

“If you could do that, it would make things a lot easier.”

Wu Meiying stepped off the bed, slipped on her cloak and gown, and walked over to him. She reached out her hands, and he responded by slipping his in hers. Then she leaned over and gave him a small kiss on the lips.

“I’ll see you at the dining hall,” Wu Meiying said.

“Yeah. See you.”

Wu Meiying left, and Wu Jian finished making himself presentable. He was soon stepping outside of his complex and walking toward the dining hall. Having slept in today, the sun had already risen by the time he walked outside, and its warmth suffused his body.

The dining hall was already filled with hundreds of Wu clansmen. Wu Jian sat down and when a servant girl came over with a bowl of congee, he asked her to bring a second bowl for Wu Meiying. The woman nodded once and rushed off to fulfill his request.

“Hmph. I see you showed up,” a voice said after the servant girl left.

Wu Jian turned to Wu Yong, who was glaring down at him with a look of irritation. It had been a while since he and Wu Yong had their altercation. A lot of Wu Jian’s feelings toward the older boy had settled down, but it looked like his older half-brother had begun to hate him even more.

Standing beside Wu Yong were his two flunkies. Wu Ming and Wu Fei had their arms crossed and were glaring at him like he had insulted their ancestors. They were still intimidating to Wu Jian, who had yet to truly get over the trauma of being bullied for so long, but he tried his best to ignore the fear gripping him. He would never move forward if he let fear control him.

“Of course I did,” Wu Jian said. “I am the one who challenged you. Why wouldn’t I show up?”

“Cowardice, perhaps?” Wu Yong suggested with a sneer.

“… That was the old me,” Wu Jian said quietly. “I used to be afraid of you, but I’m not going to run anymore.”

For whatever reason, his words irked Wu Yong even more, causing his face to turn puce. The older boy walked up until he was standing directly above Wu Jian, looking down at him with eyes like glaciers. Wu Jian pinched his thigh hard. The pain kept him from reacting to the obvious intimidation tactic.

“Is that so? You’re not gonna run away from me?” Wu Yong’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “Then why are you shaking?”

Wu Jian clenched his hands as he struggled to contain his shaking. His lips trembled against his will.

He was scared, so scared, but he had no desire to remain like this. He would no longer allow himself to be afraid.

“See that?! You’re still scared of me!” Wu Yong crowed in delight.

“What a coward!”

“He’s like a frightened baby!”

Wu Ming and Wu Fei chortled and jeered at Wu Jian, who struggled to keep himself in check, to keep the fear at bay. He didn’t want to admit that his older half-brother still scared him.

The dining hall had gone silent by now. Everyone knew about the challenge between Wu Jian and Wu Yong, and they were curious to see how this confrontation would play out. Wu Jian tried to ignore them. It was hard though. He could feel their eyes on him. They were no doubt laughing at how scared he was. He was tempted to squeeze his eyes shut and block out their condescending looks, but he didn’t. Through sheer force of will, he kept his eyes open, stood up, and turned to face Wu Yong. There was only one thing on his mind right now.

He couldn’t cower.

He needed to be stronger.

If he could not become stronger, then Wu Meiying may disappear from his life. She would be taken from him. And he would never see her again. That thought alone allowed him to push his fear back.

“You should… save your taunts for after you beat me,” Wu Jian said, and though he hesitated, he still managed to get the words out. He felt proud of himself. This was one of the few times he had been able to stand up to his half-brother.

Wu Yong, Wu Ming, and Wu Fei all stopped laughing at him. The rest of the hall was silent as well. No one spoke. No one ate. Wu Jian was tempted to believe everyone had even stopped breathing as they watched the confrontation take place.

“Fine,” Wu Yong ground out. “I’ll just beat you during the strength competition. You had better remember those words of yours, Baby Jian. I’m going to make you eat them.” He looked at his two flunkies. “Come on.”

Wu Yong stalked off, Wu Ming and Wu Fei following after him. Wu Fei looked back at Wu Jian for a moment. There was something odd about his gaze, but then he turned around and followed Wu Yong toward an empty seat, where the three of them began eating.

Wu Jian sighed in relief and slowly sank back down. His heart was pounding.

“That was very brave,” a voice said.

“Mei…”

Wu Meiying smiled brightly. “I’m very proud of you. It takes a lot of courage to stand up to your bully in front of everyone like you just did.”

Wu Jian felt his cheeks heat up. “Thank you, but it was nothing serious.”

“Hm hm. Trying to play it cool, I see. That’s pretty cute. Now, let’s eat. The strength test is happening in just a bit.”

“Right.”

Wu Jian and Wu Meiying quietly ate. All around them conversation was springing up. Most of it was about him. Wu Jian could once more feel their eyes on him. What were they saying about him? Were they talking about how brave he had been when confronting Wu Yong, or were they making fun of him for looking so scared? He wanted to know. Yet he also didn’t want to know.

Breakfast soon ended and Wu Jinsu entered the dining hall.

“Will everyone follow me? The strength test is beginning soon.”

Everyone stood up and began filing out of the dining hall. Wu Jian and Wu Meiying were among those who stepped outside. With Wu Jinsu leading the procession of young boys and girls, they traveled north across the compound.

The Wu Clan’s strength competition was held outside of the Wu Clan compound. To reach it, they passed through the north gate, which was smaller than the main entrance, and followed a rugged dirt road surrounded by trees. They eventually came upon a large terrace hanging over a cliff. This was not part of the West Fang Mountain but a smaller mountain located within a few minutes walking distance.

The strength competition ground was built like an arena into the side of a mountain. There was an area for those who were over the age of sixteen to sit, tertiary seating that could probably fit most of the clan, or so Wu Jian expected. It certainly looked big enough.

Father, Mother, Wu Taohua, and two of the three elders were already there. They sat underneath an elegant pagoda at the very top, where they had a perfect view of the testing ground. Elder Wu Jinsu made his way over there and sat in an empty seat. Meanwhile, Wu Jian, Wu Meiying, and the other Wu clansmen under the age of sixteen made their way down to the testing ground.

The testing ground was a mostly empty space made of stone. At the far end was a staircase leading to a giant cube. The cube was nearly two times taller than the average adult and pitch black. Wu Jian and the others had seen this many times. Every six months, the Wu Clan’s young children would be brought to this testing ground, where they would test their strength and sometimes hold competitions.

Wu Jian’s heart hammered in his chest as he, not for the first time, wondered whether he was ready for this.