Li Ming's heart thumped as he stepped through the towering gates.
Inside was a whole new world. Mountains pierced the clouds, waterfalls crashed down into sparkling rivers, and palaces floated in the air like they were hung by invisible strings. Disciples in neat robes trained in groups, sword light flashing like lightning, while others meditated on glowing platforms surrounded by spiritual mist.
Li Ming's jaw dropped. "Wow… this place makes my village look like a chicken coop."
"Shut your mouth, country bumpkin."
Li Ming turned to see the muscular boy from earlier—the one who mocked him at the entrance. His name was Wu Jian, and his glare was sharper than a blade.
Wu Jian cracked his knuckles. "I don't know how you got lucky in the trial, but don't think you're special. Trash is still trash."
Li Ming smirked, forcing confidence. "Oh really? Then why are you behind me in the rankings?"
Wu Jian's face darkened. "Tch!" He stormed off, but not before whispering, "Watch yourself, chicken boy."
Li Ming chuckled nervously. Great… I've already made an enemy on day one.
---
Soon, a senior disciple led the new recruits to the Outer Sect Plaza. There, an instructor in white robes stood waiting. His aura was strong, his eyes sharp enough to make the newcomers shiver.
"I am Instructor Zhao," he announced. "From this day forward, you are disciples of Azure Sky Sect. But do not think this is glory. Here, you will sweat, bleed, and suffer. Only the strong survive."
The disciples trembled.
Li Ming raised his hand. "Uh, excuse me, Instructor. Do we at least get free meals?"
The crowd turned to stare at him like he'd grown another head.
Instructor Zhao's eye twitched. "...Yes. But that is not the point."
Li Ming grinned. "Great! Then I'm ready to suffer!"
The disciples burst out laughing. Even Instructor Zhao pinched the bridge of his nose.
"This fool…" he muttered.
---
The recruits were split into groups for their first training session. Each had to run up Spirit Mountain, carrying a heavy stone on their back.
Li Ming stared at the boulder handed to him. "Uh… this thing is bigger than me."
"Too scared?" Wu Jian sneered, easily hefting his stone.
Li Ming gritted his teeth. "Hmph! Watch closely. I'll show you how a genius runs!"
He activated the Heavenly Breathing Method. His aura surged, filling his muscles with power. With a loud grunt, he hoisted the stone onto his back and sprinted forward.
The path was steep, the mountain endless, but Li Ming ran like his life depended on it. Disciples around him collapsed one by one, panting and groaning. Yet somehow, Li Ming kept going, each breath fueling his stamina ten times over.
"Impossible… he's still running?!"
"That guy's a monster!"
"Didn't he just start cultivating yesterday?!"
Wu Jian's face twisted as Li Ming passed him effortlessly. "No way…!"
Li Ming, meanwhile, was crying inside. Aaaah! My legs! My back! My lungs! This is torture! Why am I even doing this?!
But on the outside, he grinned confidently and shouted, "Easy run! Just a warm-up for me!"
By the time he reached the top, he collapsed face-first, gasping for air. The stone rolled off his back and nearly flattened him.
Instructor Zhao raised an eyebrow. "Not bad, boy. You may be clumsy, but your progress is frightening."
Li Ming lay in the dirt, twitching. "T-thank you… I… can't feel my legs…"
---
That night, back in the disciples' quarters, Li Ming sat cross-legged. He pulled out the mysterious jade slip he'd found in the forest.
The glowing symbols shimmered, whispering secrets to him. The Heavenly Breathing Method pulsed in his veins, stronger than ever.
Li Ming's eyes lit up. "If I can keep training like this, I'll leave everyone in the dust. Wu Jian, Instructor Zhao, even the sect leader… one day, I'll surpass them all!"
His laughter echoed in the night.
But outside, hidden in the shadows, Wu Jian clenched his fists.
"Enjoy your moment, chicken boy. Tomorrow, I'll crush you."
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