Gù Tiānháo stared at the perfect Meridian Opening Pill nestled at the bottom of the cauldron, its ruby glow pulsing gently like a tiny heartbeat. After five failures and countless hours of effort, success tastes sweeter than he could have imagined. This single pill represented not just a triumph of skill, but a key stepping stone on his path to power in this new world. Without hesitation, he carefully lifted the pill from the cauldron, feeling its warmth against his fingertips, the concentrated energy within making his skin tingle.
He didn't waste time on ceremony. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he took a deep, centering breath, then placed the pill on his tongue. It dissolved immediately, releasing a burst of rich, medicinal flavor that was simultaneously bitter and sweet. Warmth spread from his mouth down his throat, pooling in his stomach before radiating outward like liquid fire through his veins. He closed his eyes, focusing inward as the pill's energy began to circulate through his body, guided by his own Qi.
The initial warmth quickly intensified. Within seconds, the comfortable heat transformed into searing pain as the pill's potent energy targeted his meridian system. It felt as though thousands of white-hot needles were simultaneously piercing every channel in his body, probing for blockages and forcibly widening pathways that had been constricted since birth. Tiānháo's body went rigid, his jaw clenched so tightly he feared his teeth might crack. Sweat erupted from every pore, soaking his clothes within moments.
He had expected pain—the Bead's knowledge had warned of it—but the reality far exceeded his anticipation. This was agony beyond anything he had experienced, even during his desperate battle with the Ironhide Boar. That had been external pain; this was his very life essence being reshaped from within. His meridians felt like they were being scraped raw, then stretched and expanded by brute force. He could sense the pill's energy targeting approximately twenty percent of his blocked meridians, the ones most crucial for his current stage of cultivation.
Black impurities began to seep from his pores, a foul-smelling substance that was being forcibly expelled as his channels were purified. His muscles spasmed involuntarily, and it took every ounce of his willpower not to cry out. He focused on his breathing, on the Nine Cycles technique, trying to guide and harmonize with the pill's energy rather than resist it. Pain was temporary; the benefits would be permanent.
The process seemed to last an eternity, though in reality it was less than an hour. Gradually, the needle-like sensations began to subside, replaced by a tingling warmth as the newly opened meridians adjusted to their expanded state. The final phase felt almost pleasant—a gentle, soothing energy flowing through pathways that had never before been accessible to his Qi. As the pill's energy was fully absorbed, Tiānháo took a deep, experimental breath, feeling how his Qi responded.
The difference was immediate and profound. His Qi flowed more smoothly, more powerfully, circulating through the newly opened channels with an efficiency he had never experienced. He could sense his cultivation base had increased noticeably—not enough to advance to the 4th Level of Body Refinement, but he had made significant progress toward that threshold. More importantly, the foundation for his future advancement had been strengthened considerably. With twenty percent of his blocked meridians now open, his cultivation speed would increase dramatically.
Tiānháo slowly opened his eyes, his vision sharper, colors more vivid. Even the dim light filtering through the small window seemed brighter. He flexed his fingers, feeling the enhanced responsiveness of his body, the more efficient connection between his intent and physical movement. A rare, genuine smile spread across his face. The pain had been worth it. The Meridian Opening Pill had exceeded his expectations, and he still had four more successful pills in reserve. His path forward was clearer than ever.