Chapter 17: Genius Beyond Compare

Chapter 17: Genius Beyond Compare

For the first time ever, Paike showed up to spiritual cultivation class early. Usually, he was running through the sect compound and barely slipping in before the door was locked. But now, with a few moments to spare, he could walk with a bit of dignity. Not that he had much use for that notion—his family would probably appreciate it more if he did. Before he even had the chance to enter the building, though, he ran into an angry little girl, Liming.

“Brother!” Liming’s icy voice cut through the crowd of passersby.

“Liming,” Paike greeted, rubbing the back of his head in a sheepish gesture as she stormed up to him. There was more worry than frustration in her eyes. Still, it was impossible to assume she was pleased by her approach. Guan Li trailed several steps behind him, doing his best to not be noticed. Paike cursed the traitor in his head.

“I see you’re finally back in the land of the living.” She said with venom.

Paike smiled, slightly embarrassed. “Come now, sister. We are cultivators, surely. Focusing on cultivation for a short amount of time isn’t that unexpected.”

She had to know he was right. Going into closed-door cultivation was not unusual at all. What was remarkable, though, was Paike leaving cultivation for several hours twice a day to attend classes. Typically, people would just tell everyone they would seclude themselves for a long time, and that would be the end of it. But doing it during the first week of classes? Well, to be fair, he’d been presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, at least for him.

“You should have just skipped classes. I would have passed along everything we learned,” Liming said.

Paike blinked. Was that what she was upset about?

“Did you not trust me to take notes for you?” Liming snapped, her voice slightly louder. She smacked a leather-bound book into his chest, holding it there with one finger as she tried to drive him back a step. But the difference in their mass was too great. She retracted her finger, and Paike barely caught the book before it fell. Flipping it open, he looked down and found neat characters describing every detail he had missed.

“I was in the classes too. You didn’t have to do this,” he protested weakly, mostly floored by her thoughtfulness.

“Yeah, you didn’t look like you were in a sort of condition where you were capable of paying attention. Make sure you read it,” Liming declared before turning to leave.

Reaching out, Paike caught her sleeve. She stopped, looking over her shoulder but not turning back to face him.

“Thank you, sister,” Paike said, putting as much sincerity in his voice as he could. He swallowed, trying to get the lump out of his throat before continuing. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”

She snorted but gave him a slight smile before pulling away and entering the classroom. Paike stared at her form as she passed through the door.

“Is all your family like that?” Guan Li asked, catching up.

Paike shook his head. “Not even close. I’m not sure I should be happy or sad that they’re all different. I guess it’s just a little sister thing.”

Guan Li grinned. “A little sister thing?”

Paike shot him a murderous look. Guan Li quickly put up his hands, smiling slightly. “Okay. Not funny, I get it.”

With a deep breath, Paike sighed before explaining. “I wasn’t really expected to make anything of myself. The fact that I came here so late should make that obvious.”

Guan Li frowned. “I had been wondering about that, yeah. I guess I didn’t understand the implications.”

Paike nodded. “Yes. Well, usually, the earlier someone awakens, the more talented they are. It’s also connected to the movement of qi. There are times, like you, when someone might not awaken right away because of a lack of training or knowledge. But usually, those with potential are sought out by the ministries or other families and recruited to join local sects before they awaken. A high-enough realm cultivator can sense the talents in others, and I’ve always had next to none.”

Guan Li didn’t say anything, simply watching Paike with a calculating look.

“But I made it here. Perhaps because Liming was young or because we were so close in age, she didn’t really subscribe to the idea that I was untalented,” Paike continued. “And, well…”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

“The rest of your family back home did?” Guan Li asked.

Paike shrugged. “It’s a mixed bag. My family is large,” he said after some hesitation. “Some were full of pity, others of scorn. Some ignored me. Some did their best to help. It was all very mixed.”

“But,” Guan Li said, “you’re the highest ranked of everyone here now.”