Chapter 8: Strict

“Master Liu, when can my child collect the medicine?”

“What is your child’s name?”

“Su Wanyi.”

“Boy or girl?”

“Boy.”

“This child did not cultivate the first wisp of magic power yesterday—did he cultivate it after returning home?” Master Liu paused briefly, then asked immediately.

“Yes, he cultivated the first wisp of magic power last night. My child is extremely resolute in his pursuit of the Dao—he refused to sleep unless he could produce that first wisp.”

Master Liu’s expression flickered slightly before he said, “What a good child. But I must verify it is genuine. If it is, you may collect the medicine pack today.”

“Alright, Master Liu, Wanyi, come here and let Master Liu check you.” The parent called to the child standing beside him and pushed him forward before Master Liu.

Master Liu extended his hand and gently pressed against the child’s dantian, sensing faintly.

Indeed, the first magic power had manifested.

But the magic power was not pure—it must have come from consuming some auxiliary elixir.

Master Liu sighed inwardly.

Then he smiled and said to the parent beside him, “Here is your token. Take it to the Medicine Instructor to collect the medicine pack.”

As soon as the parent left, the boy tugged at Master Liu’s sleeve. Master Liu sensed the child had something to say, and immediately cast a sound-blocking spell around them. “Master Liu, I took a Huangjing Pill to cultivate the first wisp of magic power.”

The boy’s expression was troubled. “Master Liu, I tried so hard. But my father said I have no talent—that even if I cultivated all night, I couldn’t produce the first wisp by this morning. He gave me a Huangjing Pill and told me to take it, saying its medicinal power would help me form the first wisp.”

“I couldn’t resist the temptation, so I took it.”

Master Liu patted the child’s small head. “You formed your first wisp by taking an elixir, so it’s not pure. If you wish to progress further, you must carefully nurture and refine this wisp until it becomes pure. Only then should you condense the second wisp. Do you understand?”

Master Liu thought: Elixirs may accelerate cultivation, but their drawbacks are obvious. Children who rely on auxiliary elixirs will likely stall at Qi Refining levels four, seven, and nine.

The more elixirs they consume, the sooner they will hit their bottlenecks.

“Master Liu, how do I purify my magic power?” the boy asked, confused.

“It’s simple. Repeatedly circulate your first wisp through your meridians according to your scripture’s instructions. This will gradually refine away impurities and residual medicinal energy. When you no longer feel any foreign sensation within your magic power, it will be pure.” Master Liu explained to the boy.

The boy understood. “Master Liu, I know what to do.”

“Go now. Return to your seat and wait. I’ll come to you shortly.” Master Liu patted the boy’s small, tender shoulder.

“Yes.” After Master Liu dismissed the spell, Su Wanyi entered the classroom.

Master Liu’s expression remained unchanged as he greeted the next parent with a child.

“Master Liu, my child is Su Jin. He was one of the sixteen children who cultivated the first wisp yesterday.” The parent said with some pride.

“Alright, go collect your medicine pack.” Master Liu handed him a small wooden token.

“Master Liu, can my child’s younger brother soak in the medicinal bath with him?” the parent asked again.

"If two children soak together, the effect is halved. You may not know that starting from second grade, all classes implement a elimination system—the bottom five students in each class are expelled."

“If you want your child to be guaranteed expulsion, then go ahead.” Master Liu’s expression turned cold.

“Then forget it—I’ll let my child soak alone.” The parent muttered and slunk away.

All parents who came today to collect medicine received wooden tokens—without them, they could not obtain the medicinal bath packs from the Medicine Instructor.

As soon as the previous parent left, Master Liu turned to the next.

“Master Liu, this is my son, Su Yunhu.”

“He cultivated the first wisp of magic power shortly after returning home.”

“Let me check.” Master Liu examined Su Yunhu.

He nodded in satisfaction. This child’s magic power was cultivated naturally—very pure.

“Good. Here is the spirit medicine token. Take it to collect the medicinal bath pack.”

“Thank you, Master Liu.” The parent beamed, then abandoned his son and left.

Su Yunhu raised his hand to wave goodbye, but his father didn’t even glance back.

Su Yunhu: “...”

I even raised my hand, and Dad ran off so fast he didn’t look at me once.

Like a puppy abandoned by its mother.

Master Liu’s lips twitched slightly as he nudged the child into the classroom.

Let him go find comfort among the other little students.

The next parent’s expression was tense—a young woman. “My child cultivated the first wisp this morning. Can she collect the medicine pack?”

“Come here, let me check.” Master Liu gestured to the little girl.

The girl hurried over.

She had seen every child who cultivated the first wisp after returning home being examined by Master Liu.

Master Liu’s brow furrowed slightly after checking her.

“Did this child force herself to cultivate for a long time last night?”

The parent looked uneasy. “Yes—is there a problem?”

Master Liu frowned. “The child is still young; her meridians are not yet thick or resilient enough to sustain prolonged cultivation. We are not a demonic sect—there’s no need to constantly push human limits.”

“Remember to watch her closely. Don’t let her force herself to cultivate endlessly. To produce the first wisp, she must have pushed herself all night, didn’t she?”

“Her meridians are cracked from overexposure to spiritual energy.”

“Here is a pill to repair meridians. Take it, little one. Never do this again. Do you understand?”

If the meridians are damaged, what future is there in cultivation?

The female cultivator paled. “I’m sorry, Master Liu. I’ll watch her closely from now on—I swear I won’t let her force herself again.”

“Hmm.” Master Liu glanced at her, then at the girl. “I remember your name is Su Chengyue.”

The girl nodded. She was frightened now. Master Liu said her meridians were cracked—could she still cultivate? “Take this pill. Do not cultivate for three days. Only read books in the classroom. Understood?”

The girl’s face turned grim.

“If you keep practicing recklessly, your meridians may snap. Then it won’t be three days without cultivation—it’ll be a lifetime without cultivation. And you’ll carry meridian pain for the rest of your life.” Master Liu spoke sternly.