From afar, Shi San gripped the handle of the bucket so tightly that his knuckles turned white. A sting of jealousy rose in his chest as he watched the scene before him. It wasn't sorrow anymore, it was a burning anger, like embers waiting for a breeze to ignite them.
To be honest, Shi San also wanted to fight back against those arrogant disciples. But without a spiritual root and with his weak body, he had no talent to practice martial arts like the others.
His place in the sect was already a blessing from Elder Luo, one of the elders who lived in the Contribution Hall, the center of rewards and treasure storage in the Ling Tian Sect.
Shi San made a silent vow. "If one day I can stand at the peak of martial arts, I swear I'll make everyone who once laughed at me kneel and beg for forgiveness at my feet!"
That night, after finishing all the heavy work assigned to him, Shi San happily returned to his bamboo hut to clean himself. Despite the exhaustion, nothing could dampen his mood, he had promised to meet someone.
Now, Shi San sat alone on a large rock in the quiet back garden of the sect, a place rarely visited by anyone.
Not long after, soft footsteps approached. A gentle fragrance of plum blossoms drifted into his nose, familiar, soothing, and calming.
A beautiful girl with long black hair appeared from between the trees, standing gracefully before him as the moonlight illuminated her face.
Liu Mei, the most beautiful girl in the Ling Tian Sect, known by everyone as the sect's flower. Her soft smile always enchanted Shi San.
"Shi San," Liu Mei called softly as she sat beside him with elegant movements.
"Liu Mei," he replied, his eyes bright. "Why were you looking for me?"
Without hesitation, Liu Mei gently took Shi San's hand. Warmth spread through his body from her touch.
"I came because I feel sad every time I see you getting bullied, and I already know about your problem."
Shi San's heart raced. "Liu Mei, I'm fine. Thank you for caring about me all this time."
"As for my problem, I'm looking for a way to fix it. You don't need to worry."
"How could I not worry? I can't just stand by and watch someone I care about get insulted like that." Liu Mei pulled out a small bottle from her clothes. "Shi San, I brought you several Spiritual Root Growth Pills."
"Spiritual Root Growth Pills?" Shi San was shocked. "Where did you get them?"
"Aiya, don't mind where I got them," Liu Mei said quickly.
"But I know these pills are rare and definitely expensive. I'm sorry, Liu Mei, I can't accept your kindness." Shi San tried to decline.
Liu Mei took the bottle back and poured three jade-green pills into Shi San's hand.
"Shi San, even though they're rare, you know my grandfather is an alchemist, right?" she asked. "I just asked him for them. Please appreciate my effort."
"So … these pills came from your grandfather?" Shi San asked, staring at the shimmering green pills.
Liu Mei nodded. "Yes. I told him I had a good friend who couldn't practice internal energy because he had no spiritual root."
"And according to my grandfather, it's not that you don't have one, it simply hasn't grown yet."
Shi San looked between the pills and Liu Mei in disbelief. "So… my spiritual root can still grow?"
"My grandfather believes so. Try the pills now. Who knows? Your spiritual root might awaken, and you could rise to become someone invincible."
Shi San hesitated at first. But Liu Mei's reassuring eyes made him swallow the pills without question.
Afterward, he smiled. Liu Mei's warmth always reminded him that he wasn't completely alone in this cruel world, that someone still cared for him.
"Shi San, I heard they beat you again yesterday." Liu Mei's voice trembled as if she was holding back tears. Her eyes glistened as she looked at him closely.
Shi San forced a smile, though it tasted bitter. "I'm fine. I'm used to it by now."
"As long as you still care about me, I'll endure anything."
Liu Mei stared into his eyes, but there was something different tonight. Something heavy, something hidden behind her gaze.
"But… Shi San…" She bit her lower lip, hesitation filling her expression. "If someday I'm no longer by your side… what will you do?"
The question felt like a blade quietly stabbing his heart. Something was wrong, he could feel it, but he didn't want to believe it.
"I mean… if someday I have to leave to advance my medical studies," Liu Mei added.
Shi San looked at her face glowing under the moonlight. "If that happens, I'll wait here until you return."
Before he could say more, Liu Mei suddenly pulled his face close. Her soft lips pressed against his, giving him their first kiss.
"Liu Mei!" Shi San panicked, trying to pull away as his heart pounded wildly.
"Shi San, I believe in you…" she whispered breathlessly.
It should have been the happiest moment of Shi San's life. But instead of overwhelming joy, a painful bitterness seeped into his heart. The kiss felt like a farewell, not the beginning of something beautiful.
Liu Mei slowly pulled away, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, Shi San," she whispered, barely audible. "I shouldn't have done that."
At that moment, Shi San suddenly felt his head spin. His vision darkened. A burning pain surged across his entire body, every vein feeling as if it were being sliced from within.
"What's happening to my stomach?" Shi San clutched his head, his face turning pale.
The agony made him realize something horrifying, the pills Liu Mei gave him weren't Spiritual Root Growth Pills … they were Meridian Shattering Pills!
He glared at Liu Mei, fury blazing in his eyes. "Liu Mei … you!"