Chapter 19: The Pill's Power
Li Wei returned to his hut, the Foundation Establishment Pill glowing in his palm. Its qi was dense, a promise of transcending Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment—a realm where cultivators forged a spiritual foundation, multiplying their power tenfold. Lin Xue guarded the door, her Cloud Veil Formation shielding them from prying eyes. "Liang Wei's plotting," she warned. "My contacts say he's rallying inner disciples to challenge your victory."
Li Wei nodded, focusing on the Nine Worlds Ascension Art. The scroll guided him to prepare his dantian, purifying his qi with the Heavenly Breath Technique. He swallowed the pill, its energy exploding like a star in his core. Pain seared his meridians as the pill's qi clashed with his own, threatening to tear him apart. The scroll's voice steadied him: Harmonize the chaos. He channeled Celestial Pulse, redirecting the pill's energy into his dantian.
Hours passed in a haze of agony and focus. His qi condensed, forming a golden foundation in his dantian—a pillar of light that anchored his cultivation. The breakthrough came at midnight, his aura surging to early Foundation Establishment. His senses sharpened; he could feel the Spirit Realm's qi currents like rivers. The scroll pulsed, revealing a new technique: Celestial Harmony Strike, a blow that synchronized with ambient qi to amplify its force.
Lin Xue gasped as his aura stabilized. "You've done it," she said, her seventh-stage qi seeming faint in comparison. "But Liang's coming. He's accused you of stealing sect resources."
Before Li Wei could respond, an elder's summons arrived. At the Disciplinary Hall, Elder Zhang confronted him, Liang Wei at his side. "The Foundation Establishment Pill was meant for an inner disciple," Liang lied, his spear gleaming. "You cheated to win it."
Li Wei's Spirit Sense detected Liang's qi manipulating the elders' perceptions, a subtle technique beyond Qi Condensation. He presented the tampered runes from the formation chamber, their qi signature tied to Fang. "Liang's cousin sabotaged the tournament," Li Wei said. "Investigate, and you'll see."
Elder Zhang hesitated, his gaze flickering to Liang. "We'll review the evidence," he said. "But Liang Wei challenges you to a duel to settle this. Refuse, and your pill is forfeit."
Li Wei accepted, his new Foundation Establishment qi surging. Lin Xue protested, but he reassured her. "I've faced worse." The duel was set for dawn, on a secluded island. The scroll hummed, warning of greater trials. Liang's spear was no mere weapon—it was a spirit artifact, bound to his soul.