Azure Sky Sect's plaza buzzed with excitement. Word had spread that the Inner Disciples were returning from a major mission, and everyone gathered to watch.
Outer disciples whispered eagerly:
"Have you heard? Senior Sister Lan is coming back!"
"The genius of Azure Sky Sect, the youngest to reach Foundation Establishment!"
"She's not only strong, but also the most beautiful woman in the sect…"
Li Ming stood in the crowd, chewing on a steamed bun. He tilted his head. "Senior Sister Lan? Sounds important. Is she stronger than me?"
The disciple next to him almost choked. "Stronger than you? She could crush you with her pinky toe!"
Li Ming puffed his chest. "Hmph. We'll see about that."
---
A figure descended gracefully from the sky, riding a glowing sword. Gasps erupted across the plaza.
She was stunning—long black hair flowing like silk, eyes like clear lakes, robes of azure trimmed with silver. Every step she took seemed to stir the air itself.
"Senior Sister Lan!" disciples shouted, bowing respectfully.
Li Ming's steamed bun almost fell from his mouth. Woah… she's prettier than the buns. No, focus, Li Ming! Don't drool in public!
Lan Yue—the pride of Azure Sky Sect—smiled faintly at the crowd. "You've all worked hard while I was away. Keep cultivating diligently."
Her voice was like a gentle breeze, soft yet commanding. Even Wu Jian blushed like an idiot.
Li Ming, however, muttered to himself, "Tch. She's probably just a little stronger than me. Maybe."
The disciple next to him facepalmed. "You really want to die…"
---
Just then, Instructor Zhao stepped forward. "Senior Sister Lan, your mission must have been difficult."
Lan Yue bowed respectfully. "It was successful. However…" She lifted her hand. A faint cut was visible on her wrist, glowing with a trace of poison qi.
The crowd gasped.
"Even she was injured?!"
"That poison must be terrifying…"
Lan Yue's face remained calm, but her steps faltered slightly. The poison was eating away at her qi circulation.
Zhao frowned. "Quick, someone fetch the sect's alchemist!"
Before anyone could move, Li Ming shoved his way through the crowd, mouth still full of bun.
"Excuse me, excuse me… coming through. Important business."
The disciples shouted angrily.
"Hey! Get out of the way, fool!"
"Do you want to die, rushing toward Senior Sister Lan?!"
But Li Ming ignored them, stopping right in front of Lan Yue. He tilted his head, studying her wrist.
"Hm. Yep, that's poison. Don't worry, I've got this."
Lan Yue blinked in surprise. "You…?"
The crowd froze.
Wu Jian sneered. "Hah! This clown thinks he can heal Senior Sister Lan? What a joke!"
Even Instructor Zhao's face darkened. "Li Ming, step back before you embarrass yourself."
But Li Ming grinned, pulling something from his robe—the jade bottle with Spirit Gathering Pills.
He popped one into his mouth casually. "Mmm. Delicious. Now watch this."
His aura surged wildly, qi circulating faster than normal. The Heavenly Breathing Method activated, and streams of mist wrapped around his hands. He placed two fingers near Lan Yue's wrist, channeling his energy.
The poison qi hissed, retreating like snakes before fire.
Gasps erupted.
"It's… working?!"
"He's suppressing the poison?!"
Lan Yue's eyes widened slightly. She felt warmth spreading through her veins, calming the chaotic energy inside her.
Li Ming smirked. "See? Told you I've got this. I'm not just a handsome genius, I'm also a doctor."
The disciples almost fainted at his shamelessness.
Wu Jian clenched his fists, veins bulging. Why does he always steal the spotlight?!
After a few moments, the poison qi dissipated entirely. Lan Yue flexed her wrist, stunned. Her aura flowed freely again.
She looked at Li Ming, her eyes unreadable. "Thank you… Junior Brother."
The crowd exploded in disbelief.
"She thanked him?!"
"No way!"
"What kind of monster is this guy?!"
Li Ming puffed his chest, striking his "cool pose." "Heh. No need to thank me. It's all in a day's work for someone destined to be the Heavenly Emperor."
Lan Yue raised an eyebrow, lips twitching slightly as if she were holding back a laugh. "Heavenly Emperor, hmm? Ambitious words."
The disciples nearly fainted again. She actually responded to his nonsense?!
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