The dormitory was quiet. Most disciples were asleep, exhausted from the day's brutal training. But in one small room, Li Ming sat cross-legged on his bed, wide awake.
The jade slip he had found pulsed against his palm, glowing faintly. Every night since he picked it up, it whispered fragments of knowledge into his mind. Tonight, however, the whispers were loud—like the slip had finally decided he was worthy of a bigger secret.
Symbols flickered in his vision, forming strange words.
> "Heavenly Breathing Method, Second Stage: Meridian Expansion."
"Supplement required: Spirit Gathering Pill."
Li Ming's eyes widened. "Pills?! Wait, I need pills for this next stage?"
The jade slip pulsed again, flooding his mind with images of round, glowing pellets. He saw alchemists tossing herbs into cauldrons, fire blazing, steam rising, and then—ding!—perfect pills popping out like dumplings.
Drool almost slipped from his lips. "So cultivation has snacks too? Heaven really loves me."
But the slip wasn't done.
> "Note: Spirit Gathering Pill increases cultivation absorption by three times. Without pill, progress is slow."
"Warning: Impurities may cripple body if consumed recklessly."
Li Ming scratched his head. "So… these aren't candy. Got it. No pill parties."
He leaned back, grinning. Still, if I can get my hands on one of these Spirit Gathering Pills, my progress will skyrocket. And if the jade slip really multiplies my cultivation speed tenfold… hehehe…
He imagined himself soaring above the sect, robes fluttering, disciples kneeling, girls screaming his name—
"Ah! Heavenly Emperor Li Ming!"
The fantasy was so good he almost laughed out loud.
But reality hit him fast. "Wait… where the heck do I even get a pill? They didn't hand those out during registration."
---
The next morning, the sect bustled with activity. Disciples rushed about with scrolls and swords, while the smell of roasted meat floated from the kitchens.
Li Ming cornered a senior disciple, putting on his best innocent smile. "Hey, brother, do you know where a humble new disciple might… acquire a pill or two?"
The senior disciple snorted. "Pills? You think they're free? Spirit Gathering Pills cost contribution points. Lots of them. You'll have to complete sect missions, or else beg an elder."
Li Ming's smile twitched. "Contribution points, huh? Sounds easy enough."
The senior leaned closer, smirking. "Or… if you're desperate, some disciples gamble their pills away at the Moonlight Pavilion."
"Gambling?" Li Ming's eyes sparkled. "Now that's a language I understand."
---
That night, Li Ming slipped into the Moonlight Pavilion—a lively building filled with laughter, dice clattering, and disciples shouting over drinking games. Candles flickered, casting shadows across red banners and low tables.
At the center of the room sat a smug, sharp-eyed disciple with long hair tied in a jade clasp. He tossed dice lazily in his hand, grinning at the crowd.
"Step up, step up! Winner takes all! Pills, contribution tokens, even weapons—I accept everything!"
Li Ming's heart thumped. He spotted it right away: a tiny jade bottle at the edge of the table. Inside were three Spirit Gathering Pills.
His target.
He strolled forward, hands behind his back, trying to look cool. "I'll play."
The crowd turned, chuckling.
"Who's this newbie?"
"Isn't that the chicken boy who broke a pillar?"
"Haha! Maybe he wants to gamble away his luck too."
Li Ming ignored them, sitting across from the smug gambler. "How about a wager? If I win, I take those pills. If I lose… uh…" He patted his robe, pulling out a steamed bun. "I'll give you this."
The crowd roared with laughter.
The gambler smirked. "Bold words for someone with nothing to lose. Very well. One round."
The dice rattled in the cup, slammed onto the table. The gambler lifted it slowly—five dots stared up.
The crowd gasped. "Five-six! Almost unbeatable!"
The gambler leaned back, smug. "Your turn, chicken boy."
Li Ming grabbed the dice, sweat dripping. Alright, Li Ming, time to be cool. Don't mess this up. He shook, slammed the cup down, and lifted it.
Six-six.
The room went silent.
The gambler's jaw dropped. The crowd exploded.
"He rolled double sixes?!"
"Impossible!"
"He's cheating!"
Li Ming grinned, twirling the dice between his fingers. "What can I say? Heaven loves me."
The gambler's face twisted, but he had no choice. He shoved the jade bottle across the table. Li Ming snatched it up, holding it high.
"Gentlemen, my first step toward destiny is secured!"
The disciples groaned, some laughed, others cursed. But one thing was certain: Li Ming had just pulled off another outrageous stunt.
---
That night, back in his dorm, Li Ming uncorked the jade bottle. Three glowing pills rolled into his hand, radiating a fragrant medicinal aura.
His eyes sparkled. "Hehehe… with these, my cultivation will soar. Watch me, Azure Sky Sect. Today I'm chicken boy. Tomorrow… Heavenly Emperor!"
As the moonlight streamed through the window, Li Ming popped the first pill into his mouth.
The jade slip pulsed furiously. Power surged through his veins like fire. His body shook, meridians expanding, dantian glowing brighter than ever.
Li Ming gritted his teeth, sweat pouring, but his grin never faded.
"Oh yeah… this is the good stuff!"
And with that, his cultivation broke through another barrier, climbing higher than anyone expected.
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