The old Daoist patted Er Niu on the shoulder and said, "Young man, I can see you have the makings of a Great Emperor!"
Er Niu's mother was so excited that she gave the old Daoist the only ox the family owned.
Three days later, Er Niu stood before the mountain gate of Flowing Cloud Sect, clutching a jade token, both nervous and expectant.
Then came the test:
Low-grade earth spiritual root. Servant disciple.
Er Niu: "My ox..."
This is a cultivation story with no golden finger, where everything depends on hard work and hustle.
Wang Erniu is a servant disciple with a low-grade earth spiritual root, the lowest of the low in Flowing Cloud Sect.
But he has one special trait: he works harder than anyone.
He chops twice as much firewood, digs three feet deeper in the mines, and scrubs three times more when cleaning.
Others cultivate through talent. He cultivates through hard work.
Others show off with powerful connections. He shows off by... sorry, he chooses to admit defeat and call them Senior Brother.
After all, knowing when to yield is the mark of a wise man!
[Hilarious trope subversion]
When facing a weakling: put on a show, and keep it up if you can
When facing a genius: admit defeat, run, and call them Senior Brother or Senior Sister
When encountering an opportunity: first consider whether it might get you killed
[Pure hard-work style]
No hidden bloodline
No heavenly seal
No old man in a ring
Just an iron rod and the heart of a true workhorse
[Brotherhood]
Tactical mastermind Pei Zhaoran: "Er Niu, do as I say!"
Workhorse Er Niu: "Wait! I've got a better idea!"
Healer Su Jinxuan: "Stop arguing, you need treatment first..."
Realistic inspirational without golden fingers