The Medicine Hall was quiet—too quiet.
Morning light spilled across the courtyard where Li Ming sat cross-legged, steadying his breath.
Qi flowed through him like calm thunder, smoother than ever since drinking the Azure-Scale Elixir.
At first, everything felt perfect.
Then—his dantian pulsed once. Twice. Too strong.
Bai Guo's voice came from a nearby tree. "Descendant, why do you sound like a storm about to sneeze?"
Li Ming opened one eye. Sparks jumped from his arm. "I think… the elixir's still doing something."
Lan Yue, standing guard, frowned. "You already refined it. Are you sure it's not just your ego expanding?"
Before he could answer, a crackle of blue lightning spread across the ground, forming a small storm ring around him.
Leaves flew. The ground smoked.
Bai Guo yelped. "You're cultivating by accident now?! That's cheating!"
Li Ming gritted his teeth. "Not cheating—just… hard to stop!"
He forced his Qi to compress, drawing the thunder inward.
