I don’t attempt the next tribulation. I have confidence to beat it, I just feel that it would make everyone else who is stuck on any level in the Vanquish Tribulations Realm want to break their head on a piece of cardboard. Wait, no, tofu, not cardboard. I think that’s the phrase. Either way, I still will be improving until then, as it’s much better than sitting on my hands. Since my qi cultivation can’t improve, I’ll switch to Mental Force cultivation. I broke through into central Free Soul, so I need to stabilize my foundation. Though ‘stabilizing my foundation’ just means that I need to… to put it in a way you would understand, I’ll be flexing my Mental Force muscles. And I do just that.

For five days.

The month is nearly over, and pills will be distributed to the inner sect disciples. Logically, I should go ahead and report my cultivation advancement to the Hall of Might -the part of the sect that focuses on qi cultivation- but I’d like to attend my first pill distribution first. I’d feel really awkward if I advanced to the core disciples before being here to attend a pill distribution. I can’t be certain that I’ll be promoted to a core disciple, but I won’t stand for being one of those honorary elders. Also, that is what they are called, surprisingly. If I’m told that I’ll be turned in to an honorary elder, I’ll quit the sect right then and there. I won’t tell Rucia or Nicten though; because if I do, then they might join me. They’re good people, so they might just do it. Well, the pill distribution is three days from now.

{Three days later, location of the pill distribution…} - System

I’m one of the last ones there. I obviously have no use for any pills, so I couldn’t care less about being early. Everyone gets their share, of course, but sometimes you’ll be lucky enough to get extra pills. Other disciples will fight you for them, and if you get good ones, disciples with higher cultivation bases will target you for them. It’s the cruel world cultivators live in. It’s even worse than an apocalyptic world, since your peers will stab you in the back if you gain. In an apocalypse world, your peers are less likely to betray you because there is the looming threat of death always there.

Sorry, but I definitely won’t have this problem. I can tell because the other inner sect disciples part like the Red Sea when I make my way through. Though my face is deadpan and doesn’t show my emotions, I’m really stressed here. Though I know none of these fellow disciples will try and attack me without me agreeing to a duel, the respect and fear they show me makes me worried. But this makes it easier to find Rucia. My cultivation is too low, so I don’t have spiritual sense. That means I can’t comb the area around me for her. Now I wonder if I should make all those cultivators break their heads on tofu, just so I can find her.

Mmm…

No. I think I’ll look for her myself. I hope I can find her soon. I look over the heads of my fellow disciples to find Rucia. I search until the core disciple that presides over the pill distribution arrives. I couldn’t find her at all. She couldn’t have already been promoted to a core disciple, right? While she certainly has outstanding talent, I don’t think it could possibly be better than me, who has a body built specifically for cultivation.

Ah. It’s starting. The required section of the pill distribution goes by quickly. I get my pills in a cliché space bag, or whatever it’s called. I notice some disciples glancing at me, but I don’t feel any hostile intentions, so I ignore them. The ones that do have hostile intentions are all weaker than me. There are some Qi Spiritualization cultivators among them, but they pose no threat. But this time, I won’t lose my cool, and face them properly. I look forward to seeing your styles, cannon fodder for my growth.

“Now, for the special pill distribution.”

Mm? Ah, I should pay attention.

“The Spirit Well pill will go to inner disciple Rucia. Inner disciple Rucia, where are you?”

Huh?! I’m shocked! I’m not angry, just surprised that a special pill went to her. Of course, not saying that I’m doubting her talent, just surprised they started cultivating it so quickly. But once you consider her performance in the initiation test, it makes sense. I get to finally see her face after a long time. However, the expression I see when she catches the pill is not something I like to see.

{Rucia’s PoV…} - System

I arrived at the pill distribution early, but there were still other fellow disciples here before me. I wonder how they all managed to come so early. Just what are they trying to prove by getting here so early? Looking around, I don’t see Ardven anywhere. I breath a sigh of relief, but I don’t know how to feel. I like him, after all, he’s my savior, but the way he looked during the duel… I was very scared. Him that way… it was like he gave up on the world, like everyone was nothing more than ants building a colony in his yard.

I’m not sure I want to see him again until getting over this fear. So for now, I’ll do my best to avoid him. I find a spot near a group of fellow disciples and start to cultivate. I’ve nearly broken into Qi Spiritualization, so with this pill distribution, I’ll finally be able to cross that barrier that’s been holding me back for so long. Though, Ardven’s probably already broken into Qi Spiritualization. Even among the geniuses of the sect, his cultivation speed is top notch. I have to catch up to him!

{The start of the pill distribution…} - System

The pill distribution goes smoothly. I’m sure if it’s any different than normal, but no problems occur. Most likely because there’s a core disciple watching everyone. I’m about to leave when the senior apprentice-brother says something about a special pill distribution. There are special pills? Are they only for a few people, like a reward? The senior apprentice-brother pulls out a brown pill that has a strong medicinal scent. Just from the smell alone, it already seems strong. The person who gets that must be really lucky…

“The Spirit Well pill will go to inner disciple Rucia. Inner disciple Rucia, where are you?”

?!

Me?! He means me?! From my reaction, he notices me and tosses the pill to me. I can’t it on reflex, but I really wish it wasn’t direct to me. If I have a special pill, then the other disciples are sure to go after it. I can already feel their gazes… Oh god, what do I do?!