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From Weakling to Warrior: What Swallowed Star Teaches About Habits and Growth


 I am about to reveal a secret. Lean in.

I watch anime, unashamedly. Not just any anime, but cultivation anime. Stories where a weak and overlooked character rises against all odds, pushed by social pressure, failure, and rejection, until they become stronger than anyone believed possible.

My favorite is the Chinese donghua Swallowed Star. Its hero, Luo Feng, begins as a poor boy with a disabled brother and loving but struggling parents. He dreams of becoming a warrior, not for fame, but to care for his family and give back to his community.

What fascinates me most is not the monsters he fights or the galaxies he conquers, but the habits and mindset that transform him from an ordinary boy into a legend. His story holds three powerful lessons for all of us who are striving to grow, build habits, and live with intention.

Lesson 1 -  Your Purpose Fuels Your Discipline

Luo Feng’s earliest purpose was simple: to protect his family. That clarity pushed him to train harder than anyone else, even when others had more money, connections, or resources.

He faced endless obstacles, enemies who mocked his background, competitors who tried to sabotage him, and failures that could have broken him. At one point, a wealthy rival hired goons to stop him from even sitting an entrance exam. Luo missed out, but his passion and skill caught the eye of a mentor who lifted him even higher, like failing to get into the University of Nairobi, only to be noticed and taken to Harvard.

The takeaway? Habits stick when they’re anchored to purpose. You won’t push through obstacles unless the “why” behind your actions is strong enough.

Ask yourself: What bigger reason fuels my habit? Is it health so you can see your grandchildren grow up? Financial discipline so you can finally break the cycle of debt? A strong purpose is the fire that makes discipline sustainable.

Lesson 2 - Growth Attracts Resistance (But That’s Proof You’re Rising)

As Luo Feng rose, jealousy followed. Rivals whispered that he was advancing “too fast.” Others tried to block his access to resources. Even when he succeeded, he carried the label of “outsider” because he wasn’t from the right family.

Doesn’t that sound familiar? The moment you commit to a new habit, such as waking up early, eating better, or choosing to read instead of scrolling through TikTok, resistance shows up. Sometimes from within (procrastination, comfort, doubt). Sometimes, it can be from people around you who feel threatened by your growth.

Here’s the truth: resistance is a sign you’re moving forward. Just like muscles ache when they’re growing, your environment pushes back when you’re stepping out of your old self.

Build habits with this mindset: every setback, every critic, every temptation is evidence you’re leveling up. Like Luo Feng, embrace the resistance as proof you’re on the right path.

Lesson 3 - True Mastery Requires Study, Solitude, and Service

By the time Luo Feng became wealthy and powerful, he didn’t stop. Instead, he invested heavily in knowledge, manuals, training, mentors, and countless hours of solitary study and practice. He also lifted others as he rose, paying for his brother’s healing, helping comrades regain strength, and honoring his teachers even when he surpassed them.

This mirrors the truth about habits: mastery isn’t about a single breakthrough; it’s about consistent study, deep practice, and generosity. The people who sustain change are the ones who keep learning, create time for reflection, and use their strength to uplift others.

Want to master a habit? Make learning part of the journey. Read, listen, ask questions. Create a quiet space for reflection and practice. And most importantly, use your growth to encourage others, because generosity multiplies discipline.

Conclusion

Why share the story of Luo Feng? Because beneath the monsters and galaxies is a message for us here on solid ground:

  • Purpose fuels discipline.
  • Resistance means progress.
  • Mastery requires both study and service.

You may not be battling cosmic beasts, but you are battling procrastination, comfort zones, and self-doubt. And just like Luo Feng, when you show relentless determination, people and opportunities will appear to help you rise.

The weak may have no say in Luo Feng’s universe, but in ours, every step of growth gives you more strength to shape your future.

So here’s my call to you: Choose one habit today. Anchor it to a clear purpose. Expect resistance, but push through. And never stop learning and serving as you grow.

Your hero’s journey starts now.

 

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