By the next morning, Li Ming's peaceful breakthrough had already become a legend.
Across both sects, disciples whispered reverently:
> "He balanced Yin and Yang with one hand."
"He tamed a Spirit Core without dying."
"He even breathed in perfect rhythm with the Dao."
By noon, someone added:
> "He taught a tree to meditate."
That last part was false, but the tree did look calmer lately.
---
Headmaster Yan Luo arrived before dawn, robes flaring dramatically.
"Li Ming!" he barked.
Li Ming blinked, half-dressed and mid-yawn. "It's… six in the morning."
"Exactly. Prime time for discipline! After your recent 'success,' I've decided you'll conduct a public lecture on energy control!"
Li Ming froze. "...Me? Teach?"
"Of course. Who better to instruct young minds in restraint than the person who constantly breaks logic but never dies?"
Bai Guo perched on his shoulder. "You're about to traumatize education."
Yin Qing appeared, fully armed and already regretting being there.
