Morning sunlight spilled across the village as Li Ming staggered out of his hut. His hair was messy, his eyes bloodshot, and his stomach growled like a dying cow.
But his aura... his aura was different.
A faint white mist coiled around his body with every breath he took. His skin glowed slightly, his posture looked taller, and his eyes sparkled with energy.
Li Ming flexed his arm and laughed. "Hahaha! Ten times progress! At this rate, I’ll be a Body Tempering master in no time!"
Unfortunately, his celebration was cut short by another loud stomach growl.
"Ugh... first, I need food."
Dragging his weak body, Li Ming wandered into the village square. As usual, people were busy—women washing clothes, children playing, and men carrying buckets of water.
The moment they noticed him, whispers began.
"Isn’t that Li Ming? The one who lost to a chicken?"
"Pfft, hahaha, yeah! I heard the chicken chased him around for half an hour."
"Hopeless trash. He’ll never become a cultivator."
Li Ming’s eyebrow twitched. He wanted to scream at them, That was just a warm-up! But he restrained himself. Today, he would let his strength speak.
He spotted Elder Chen sitting nearby, sipping tea.
"Elder Chen!" Li Ming called out. "I’ve made progress!"
The old man raised an eyebrow. "Progress? Boy, you’ve only been practicing breathing for a single night. At best, you’ll feel a little healthier. Don’t exaggerate."
Li Ming smirked. "Heh. Watch closely."
He walked up to the practice post in the middle of the square. It was a thick wooden pillar used for martial training, sturdy enough that even grown men struggled to dent it.
Li Ming took a deep breath. The jade slip’s Heavenly Breathing Method kicked in. Spiritual energy surged through his muscles. His skinny frame tensed like a bowstring.
The wooden pillar cracked down the middle, splinters flying everywhere. Dust filled the air.
The villagers’ jaws dropped. A child dropped his candy. A woman dropped her laundry basket. Even the chicken froze mid-peck, staring at Li Ming like he’d grown a second head. Follow current novels on novel※fire.net
Li Ming shook out his hand casually, as if it hadn’t hurt like hell. "See? Progress."
"Impossible! He broke the training post with one punch!"
"Didn’t he just awaken yesterday?!"
"Could it be... he’s a hidden genius?"
Elder Chen’s teacup trembled in his hand. His beard quivered. "This... this progress... it’s faster than anything I’ve ever seen!"
Li Ming smirked proudly, crossing his arms. "Heh. Told you. I’m special."
Inside, however, he was screaming. OW OW OW! My hand! That hurt like crazy! Smile, Li Ming! Don’t let them see you in pain!
The villagers swarmed him with questions.
"What technique are you using?"
"Teach my son, please!"
Li Ming waved them off with fake arrogance. "Sorry, sorry, I can’t reveal my secrets. Genius things, you wouldn’t understand."
He felt like a king. Just yesterday, they were laughing at him for being chased by a chicken. Now, they were treating him like the village’s hope.
But as he basked in their admiration, the chicken strutted into the square. It flapped its wings and let out a loud, mocking cluck.
The villagers burst into laughter again.
"Hahaha! Even if he’s a genius, he still can’t beat that chicken!"
"True! Until he defeats it, he can’t call himself strong."
Li Ming’s face darkened. He pointed dramatically at the bird.
"You! Demon Chicken! Today, I challenge you again!"
The villagers cheered. This was better than free entertainment.
Li Ming inhaled deeply, activating the Heavenly Breathing Method. His aura flared, white mist swirling around him. He charged at the chicken with speed he didn’t have yesterday.
The chicken’s eyes widened. It turned to run—
Li Ming tripped on a rock.
He faceplanted into the dirt.
The chicken calmly hopped onto his back and pecked his head.
"OW! Get off me, you feathered devil!" Li Ming shouted, flailing helplessly. The villagers roared with laughter, tears streaming down their faces.
Even Elder Chen was shaking from suppressed chuckles. "At least... at least you’re improving, boy."
Li Ming lay in the dirt, humiliated, the chicken proudly crowing from his back. But deep down, beneath the embarrassment and bruises, he grinned.
Because he knew—his progress was real. Faster than anyone else’s. Stronger than anyone could imagine.
This was just the beginning.
One day, he wouldn’t just defeat the chicken. He would climb through every realm, conquer every challenge, and stand as the first Heavenly Emperor.
For now, though... he really needed to get this bird off his head.
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