The second round of the Pill Exam had ended.
Li Ming was happy because he still had his golden pill. He kept staring at it, wondering if it would taste like pork or cabbage.
The other disciples were not happy. Many were bruised and bleeding, yet this fool looked completely fine.
So muttered, "Why him?"
Others whispered, "He didn’t fight anyone, but he still won..."
Li Ming scratched his head. "Did I do sothing wrong?"
---
All the winners were gathered inside a big hall. The elders sat in the front, their faces serious.
Elder Qin stood up. "You are the best of your generation. But talent must be tested again and again. The next challenge will be even harder."
Everyone nodded with respect.
Li Ming yawned. I hope they give us buns this ti.
---
Suddenly, one disciple stood up. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore black robes. His na was Zhao Kun.
He pointed straight at Li Ming. "You! Fool! Everyone here saw how you ’won.’ You tripped your way through the exam. Today, I will crush you and show your true face!"
The room filled with excited whispers.
"He’s right. Li Ming is just lucky."
"Finally, soone will expose him."
Li Ming blinked. "Eh? Why ? I didn’t even say anything."
Zhao Kun sneered. "Fight ! If you can last ten moves, I’ll admit you belong here."
The elders looked at each other. Elder Qin stroked his beard. "Good. A duel will show the truth."
Li Ming sighed. "Fine. But if I win, you buy buns."
Everyone laughed. "Ha! Win? Impossible!"
---
The duel began.
Zhao Kun released his qi. The floor shook under his power. "Foundation Building! Level 1!" soone shouted.
Li Ming felt pressure push down on him. His legs shook. Wow, he’s strong... way stronger than .
Zhao Kun rushed forward like a tiger. His fist glowed with fire. "Fall!"
Li Ming panicked and moved back just in ti. The punch hit the floor, leaving a big hole. Dust flew everywhere.
The disciples cheered. "Li Ming won’t last long!"
But Li Ming didn’t give up. His body moved strangely. He bent, twisted, stumbled—but sohow avoided every hit.
To the crowd, it looked like clumsy genius.
"He’s dodging everything!"
"It looks ssy, but it works!"
Zhao Kun grew angry. "Stop running, coward!"
He threw a kick. This ti, Li Ming raised his arm.
BOOM!
The ground cracked. Dust filled the air again.
When it cleared, Li Ming was still standing. His arm glowed faintly.
Everyone gasped. "He blocked it?!"
Li Ming stared at his arm. "...Eh? How did I do that?"
---
Zhao Kun roared, unleashing his strongest move. "Burning Fist!" Flas wrapped around his hand as he charged like a mad bull.
Li Ming’s heart raced. His mind went blank. Then... his body moved on its own.
He stepped in. His palm shot forward.
BANG!
Zhao Kun flew across the hall, smashing into the wall.
Silence.
Everyone froze.
"...He... he won?"
"A Qi Gathering disciple beat a Foundation Building one?"
Zhao Kun coughed blood and couldn’t stand.
Li Ming looked at his hand. It was smoking. "...That was ?"
The crowd stared at him with wide eyes.
"Monster..."
"Hidden genius..."
"Or... is he still just an idiot?"
Elder Qin rubbed his beard. His eyes were sharp. "This boy... is dangerous. He hides a talent even he doesn’t know."
Li Ming scratched his belly. "So... do I get buns now?"
Half the disciples nearly fainted.
---
Bonus Bit
Zhao Kun, lying on the ground, glared at him. "You only won because of luck!"
Li Ming nodded seriously. "Yes. Luck. And buns. Always buns."
His stomach growled loudly.
Everyone: "..."
To be continued...
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