Tian Hao reached for a piece of candied fruit, his fingers sinking into the softness of silken cushions.
He bit into it, savoring the sharp sweetness as he surveyed the scattered remnants of a lavish meal—roasted duck, steamed buns, and enough exotic fruits to make a lesser cultivator ascend on the spot—spread around him like offerings to the gods of hedonism.
He’d spent the past few days exploring Skyveil City, indulging in its culinary delights and basking in the vibrant energy of the Celestial Conclave. His earlier anxieties about the upcoming competitions now a distant hum beneath the more immediate pleasures of the city.
Closing his eyes and settling into a meditative state, the remnants of the feast settled comfortably in his belly. The energy from the PINA method, fueled by days of indulgence, swirled within him, a warm current flowing through his meridians. He focused on the sensations, the lingering taste of spiced wine and sweetmeats, the soft caress of the silken cushions against his skin, the gentle hum of the city in the distance.
Suddenly, a surge of spiritual energy pulsed through his body. A wave of power made him gasp, his body throbbing with newfound strength. The energy radiated outward, invigorating his senses, each pulse like a drumbeat echoing in his core.
He opened his eyes, a grin spreading across his face, and he looked inside of himself.
---
**Name:**
Tian Hao
**Cultivation Method:**
Pleasure-Induced Nirvana Ascension (PINA) – High-Mortal Tier
**Cultivation Level:**
Body Refining Stage 7
**Techniques:**
Restful Lotus Bloom - High-Mortal Tier
Wine-Fueled Fury - Peak-Mortal Tier
Minor Shapeshifting Seed- Low-Earth Tier
---
“Body Refining Stage 7,” he murmured, flexing his fingers, feeling the newfound strength coursing through his veins. “Not bad, not bad at all. Who needs grueling training when you can eat your way to enlightenment?”
Lin Mei, who’d been watching him from the other side of the room, shook her head, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “You’re absolutely ridiculous, Tian Hao. You make cultivation look like a… leisurely picnic.”
“But it works, doesn’t it?” Tian Hao retorted, his grin widening. “Besides, who needs to suffer when you can enjoy the journey? Isn’t that what cultivation is all about—finding your own path, your own way to ascend?”
Later that afternoon, Tian Hao, Lin Mei, Fatty Wu, and Jiuwei ventured back into the bustling marketplace, their spirits high, the vibrant energy of the city a welcome contrast to the austere atmosphere of the sect.
Jiuwei, her curiosity piqued by the myriad of new scents and sights, hopped from Tian Hao's shoulder to explore a nearby stall, her nose twitching as she took in the aroma of roasted meats and the gleam of shiny trinkets. Her golden eyes, however, locked onto a particular display—a series of shimmering, brightly colored amulets that pulsed with a faint spiritual energy, their intricate designs catching the light, promising hidden powers and untold fortunes.
Tian Hao, Lin Mei, and Fatty Wu paused, captivated by a group of fire-wielding cultivators sending plumes of multicolored flames shooting into the sky. Each burst twisted and twirled before fading into a shower of sparkling stars. The crowd gasped, their faces lit by the fiery spectacle. Fatty Wu muttered about incorporating such techniques into his culinary creations, imagining flames dancing beneath his woks.
Jiuwei, sensing an opportunity, carefully reached out with a tiny paw, her movements swift and precise as a shadow darting across the sunlit earth, snagging a particularly shiny trinket—a delicate silver necklace adorned with a small, teardrop-shaped jade pendant, its surface shimmering with a faint, ethereal light.
She quickly tucked it into her mouth, the cold jade against her tongue, its subtle power a thrilling contrast to her diminished form, before bounding away, darting through the crowd like a silver shadow.
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“Hey! Stop! Thief!” The merchant, an older man with a surprisingly sharp eye and an even sharper voice, immediately noticed the missing trinket. He pointed a trembling finger at Jiuwei, his shouts echoing through the marketplace, drawing the attention of nearby cultivators and merchants.
Jiuwei, startled by the sudden outburst, let out a startled yelp. The necklace still dangling from her mouth as she dashed between the stalls, knocking over small displays of wares—sending a cascade of mismatched talismans, colorful beads, and even a peculiar jade chicken scattering across the ground—each collision a small addition to the chaos she now created.
The merchant, his robes billowing, charged after her, his Qi crackling around his hand as he lunged to corner her. His shouts echoed across the square, his rage evident in every powerful stride.
The commotion spread quickly, the crowd parting like water before a speeding boat, some gasping in surprise while others laughed at the spectacle. Tian Hao, his attention drawn by the commotion, recognized Jiuwei’s silver fur flashing through the crowd, the necklace glinting in her mouth, and his eyes widened in disbelief.
“Jiuwei! Stop!” he shouted, though his words were lost in the din, his voice a mere whisper against the growing chaos of their chase as he pushed his way through the crowd, his heart pounding a mix of excitement and exasperation as though Jiuwei’s actions, her strange brand of karmic balancing now his burden, his own reputation echoing her daring.
Lin Mei and Fatty Wu followed, their expressions a mix of concern and amusement. “I knew it!” Lin Mei exclaimed, shaking her head. “I knew that fox would cause trouble!”
Fatty Wu, ever eager to please, tried to help by intercepting the merchant, waving his arms with all the grace of a drowning duck as he tried to apologize while pulling out a spirit stone pouch.
“My most sincere apologies! My… pet is a bit… excitable.” He fumbled with the pouch, accidentally dropping it in his haste. As he bent down to retrieve it, his ample backside bumped into a nearby stall laden with exotic fruits, sending a cascade of mangoes, starfruit, and other glistening delicacies tumbling to the ground.
"Oh, dear," he muttered, his face reddening as he began to help the flustered stall owner gather the scattered fruit, the good deed stopping him in his tracks, much to Tian Hao’s annoyance and Lin Mei's exasperation.
“Seriously, Fatty Wu?!” Tian Hao called out, though he knew his words wouldn’t reach the cook as his voice was once again swallowed by the sounds of the chase, and even his enhanced hearing couldn’t quite bridge the growing distance.
Lin Mei, trying to maintain a low profile while keeping an eye on Tian Hao, struggled to contain her laughter. Her exasperation was now tempered with something more like acceptance as though Jiuwei's and Fatty Wu's actions, Tian Hao’s recklessness, even the pursuit itself—all of it was part of some larger story they were now enacting, some play the heavens had written for them.
She covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking as her usual composure cracked, watching a group of children, their eyes wide with delight, chasing after Jiuwei, their laughter echoing through the marketplace.
Jiuwei, meanwhile, her small form swift and agile, darted between stalls. She dodged the merchant’s outstretched hands and leapt over the occasional misplaced foot. The rush of wind brushed her fur as she weaved through the crowd like a silver shadow. Her movements were fluid and precise, easily outmaneuvering the increasingly irate merchant. His outraged shouts echoed hers, as though they were part of an ancient ritual of pursuit, enacted for the gathered spectators' amusement.
The chase continued, the commotion growing as cheers and laughter erupted from the crowd. The pounding of feet echoed through the market, mixed with the merchant’s furious shouts and the children’s delighted squeals. Jiuwei darted and weaved with daring precision, her ears twitching at every turn.
Tian Hao's exasperation grew, muttering under his breath, "Why does every outing end like this?" Finally, sensing Tian Hao’s approach, Jiuwei made a swift beeline for him, her tiny heart pounding more from excitement than fatigue. She leaped onto his shoulder, her tiny claws digging into his robe for a better grip, her breath quick against his neck. The stolen trinket remained clutched firmly in her mouth, a tiny, smug grin flashing as if daring anyone to pry it from her.
The merchant, his face red with exertion, wheezed loudly, his face as red as a fire blossom, as he caught up just as Tian Hao stopped, finally managing to catch his breath, the chase seemingly over. He pointed a trembling finger at Tian Hao, his voice hoarse from shouting. “You! You’re in league with that thieving fox!” he accused, his gaze accusing. “You’ll pay for that!”
Tian Hao opened his mouth to protest, but Jiuwei's tiny form trembled, as though the merchant's accusations were a personal affront. “Do not speak on my behalf, mortal,” she hissed in Tian Hao’s ear, her voice far clearer than Tian Hao expected, each word vibrating with a tiny growl that carried unexpected weight. It made him wonder how powerful this small creature might truly become—if some fragment of the being he’d met in her pocket prison still lingered, despite her diminished size.
He looked at Jiuwei on his shoulder. Her golden eyes gleamed, a mix of threat and amusement, like molten gold ready to ignite. Her small paws kneaded the air, each gesture echoing something deeper, more dangerous. The clarity of her voice and her bold gaze only fueled his recklessness, her boldness a thrilling contrast to the dull, plodding path laid out by the Skyward Lotus Sect.
“No problem, Senior.” He met the merchant's furious gaze, a playful challenge in his own, his shoulders straightening, his usual arrogance tinged now with something deeper—a touch of the spirit fox's barely leashed power. “How much?”
The merchant sputtered, his outrage fueled by Tian Hao's indifference. To him, it was a casual dismissal of ancient law, an insult that placed his wares and status beneath the notice of a mere Skyward Lotus disciple. “This little whelp should be kowtowing and begging for forgiveness!” he thought.
“How… how dare you?! That fox stole from me! It’s a valuable charm—infused with protective runes! It’s worth a fortune, far more than a mere disciple such as yourself could ever hope to repay!”