The First Step

The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and gold. Zhuan Ming sat cross-legged in his secluded spot, his eyes closed as he focused on the flow of Qi within his body. The stolen spirit stones and herbs lay scattered around him, their energy slowly being absorbed into his meridians.

"You're making progress," the Qi Pill Ancestor's voice echoed in his mind. "But don't get complacent. This is only the beginning."

Zhuan Ming ignored the ancestor's commentary, his mind focused on the task at hand. He had been through this before—the gruelling process of rebuilding his foundation from scratch. But this time, he had an advantage: knowledge of the future.

"The Azure Mist Sect," Zhuan Ming muttered to himself, recalling the memories of his past life. "In a few years, they'll discover the hidden ruins beneath their mountain. But for now, they're nothing more than a minor sect struggling to survive."

He opened his eyes, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "If I can get my hands on those ruins before they do, I'll have a head start."

The Qi Pill Ancestor's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Before you go chasing after ruins, you need to strengthen your body. Your current vessel is too weak to handle even the simplest of techniques."

Zhuan Ming frowned but didn't argue. He knew the ancestor was right. His new body was a far cry from the powerful vessel he had once possessed. But he also knew that time was of the essence. The sooner he regained his strength, the sooner he could reclaim his place at the top.

"Fine," Zhuan Ming said, standing up and stretching his limbs. "What's the first step?"

"Physical conditioning," the ancestor replied. "Your body is like a furnace. The stronger it is, the more Qi it can handle. Start with basic exercises—push-ups, sit-ups, running. Push yourself to the limit."

Zhuan Ming nodded and began his training. The exercises were simple, but they were effective. Sweat dripped from his brow as he pushed his body to its limits, his muscles burning with exertion. But he didn't stop. He couldn't stop. Every drop of sweat, every ounce of pain, was a step closer to regaining his power.

As the days passed, Zhuan Ming's strength began to grow. His body, once weak and frail, was now lean and muscular. His Qi reserves had also increased, allowing him to perform basic cultivation techniques.

But he didn't go unnoticed.

One evening, as Zhuan Ming returned to his secluded spot after a long day of training, he found Li Feng and his gang waiting for him. Their expressions were a mix of anger and curiosity.

"Well, well, if it isn't the sect's loser," Li Feng sneered, stepping forward. "You've been acting pretty bold lately. What's the matter? Did you finally grow a spine?"

Zhuan Ming's gaze was cold and unflinching. "What do you want, Li Feng?"

Li Feng's smirk widened. "I want to know what you've been up to. You've been sneaking around and now you're suddenly stronger? What's your secret?"

Zhuan Ming's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Li Feng's expression darkened. "You think you're tough now? Let's see how tough you are against all of us!"

The gang lunged at Zhuan Ming, their fists raised and ready to strike. But Zhuan Ming was ready. He sidestepped the first attack, his movements swift and precise. He countered with a punch to the gut, sending one of the bullies sprawling to the ground.

The fight was brutal, but Zhuan Ming held his own. His training had paid off, and his body was stronger than ever. One by one, the bullies fell, until only Li Feng remained.

"You—!" Li Feng stammered, his face pale with fear. "You're not Zhuan Ming! Who are you?"

Zhuan Ming's smirk widened. "I'm the last thing you'll ever see."

With a swift, powerful punch, Zhuan Ming knocked Li Feng out cold. He stood over the fallen bully. The fight had been tough, but only because of his weak body, these strash were nothing compared to his previous life opponents.

As Zhuan Ming returned to his secluded spot, the Qi Pill Ancestor's voice echoed in his mind once more.

"Not bad," the ancestor said, his tone filled with amusement. "But don't get cocky. You're still weak."