The Book of Transcendence

At dawn, sparrows chirped noisily on the branches. As the sun broke over the eastern sky, the first rays of light flooded the earth. The alarm clock rang on time, and as usual, Xiao Yang woke up, swinging out of bed with practiced ease.

Today was a special day. After twelve years of study, the day of the college entrance examination had finally arrived. For Xiao Yang, born to an ordinary family, this exam was a crucial gateway that would determine the course of his future. His parents had worked tirelessly, spending all their savings to support his education, and his older sister had gone to work as soon as she finished middle school. The weight of their expectations pressed heavily on his shoulders—failure was not an option.

“Yang Yang, time to get up,” his mother’s voice, Li Yunfang, called from outside.

“Yeah, I’m up,” Xiao Yang replied, dressing quickly and stepping out of his room.

His mother was nearly done preparing breakfast, while his father, Xiao Yongjun, was on the phone, urging his sister and brother-in-law to hurry. Xiao Yang headed to the bathroom to wash up—pouring water, squeezing toothpaste, starting to brush his teeth.

As he brushed, his gaze lifted and he froze. Above the mirror, taped to the wall, was a slogan: “Work hard—become a martial artist!”

What on earth? Who put that there? It certainly wasn’t him. His parents were far too old for that sort of adolescent enthusiasm. Ignoring it, Xiao Yang kept brushing.

Ding-dong! The doorbell rang.

His father opened the door, and his sister, Xiao Luan, along wit