2 Reality can make ones dreams dissapear

Li Chang sat in front of his cauldron controlling the heat of the fire and began placing the ingredients in one by one.

As part of his training he had gone to all of the pill shops in the capital to look at their pills and admire the business they were doing. Li Chang learned that he could tell roughly what was in each of the pills and also how they were made. He didn't know all of the ingredient but he could tell what essence was in each ingredient and how they worked together.

During the time he had spent learning about his ability he realized that the same essences in the extraordinary ingredients for pills, could also be found in much more mundane sources. Albeit in much smaller quantities.

However, the fact remained that he could use these lesser sources and still make a similarly effective pill. True it would be a no-rank low quality pill, but it was still an effective pill nonetheless. Especially for someone with low cultivation like himself.

As he was concocting his pills he was having a good time making all sorts of plans for his future. He was going to get into school on his first try. Then once he was there he was going to slowly build up a business making no-rank pills and selling them to his fellow students. As his fame would spread and his skill got better he would make more and more better and better pills. With his ability in understanding ingredients he would have much higher profits than any other pill shops or alchemists. And finally after he graduated he would found the pest pill shop in the whole empire get married and bring happiness and honor to his family. These thoughts put a stupid grin on his face while he was attempting to making his pills. Today would be the start of his great dream.

Suddenly the sound of a pill being completed pulled him from his fantasy. As Li Chang opened the lid he was elated to discover 3 perfectly round pills in his cauldron. Li Chang was quite satisfied with the outcome of his concocting. It was rare for him to make more than 2 pills at a time and he took it as an auspicious sign.

Li Chang cleared his mind and prepared to solidify his cultivation. The more solid ones foundation the easier it would be to have breakthroughs in the future. So naturally he took this process very serriously.

Li Chang steadied his breathing and swollowed his pill.

He circulated his qi and felt the process was much smoother than when he first reached teir 6. There was also a comfortable warm sensation that accompanied his qi through his body. He felt all of the passages in his body becoming wider and far more sturdy.

He was excited. This result was better than he ever expected for this pill. Soon he heard the tell tale pop from his body, telling him that he reached perfection in his tier. With this, he believed that he would be able to attempt another breakthrough in a matter of days and he was thrilled.

However the strengthening inside his body didnt stop. There was no limiting or negative efect that he could feel while circulating his qi. In fact he felt that circulating his qi continued to get even easier. It was just that he felt the passages in his body continuing to harden. He didnt know what this meant but he knew that a solid foundation was a good thing.

Finally the strengthening within Li Changs body was complete. Li Chang thought to himself that he probably had the greatest cultivation foundation ever in this realm. And so he excitedly slipped off to his room and had a peaceful sleep.

During the next couple of days Li Chang told his parents and his tutor that he needed high quality pills in order to break through tier 6 and assault tier 7. Everyone was thrilled and immediately left to get the pills that he would need. the admission requirements for the capital's 3 great schools were; you had to be at least 8 years of age and no more than 10 and have at least a peak tier 4 cultivation level. So it could be seen that only the elite would be at tier5 or 6 and to this very day the number of kids at tier 7 when they applied could be counted on one hand.

Of course Li Chang had his special talent and unique pills to explain why he had reached this level. But since no one knew his secret they thought he was a genius. And he was happy to let them believe this.

When his family had prepared the pills for his breakthrough Li Chang sat down in front of his tutor, took the 1st pill and began assaulting tier 7.

He felt massive heat raging in his dantian and began circulating his qi through his body. The heat became more and more intense but there was no signs of a breakthrough.

He took the next pill and began to direct the swiftly increasing fiery sensation in the proper direction. Still no sign of a breakthrough.

Li Chang's tutor began to look concerned as Li Chang took the 3rd pill and there was no sign of a breakthrough.

Li Chang felt like his body was on fire and about to explode. In fact his tutor could tell just by looking at him that something had gone wrong. Li Changs entire body became bright red and began to swell. Li Chang didn't know this because his eyes were tightly closed. He started to lose control of his qi and as the excruciating pain reached an unimaginable level and he could hold on no longer, Li Chang directly passed out.

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Li Chang, opened his eyes and looked at his surroundings. He was in his room lying on his bed. The only thing that was different about his room right now was that it was full of people. His parents were there as was his tutor and a couple of other people who looked to him like doctors. He could tell by the faces of those around him, as well as the pain throughout his whole body that he had failed in his attempt to breakthrough.

Li Chang endured the pain and lightly circulated his qi in order to find out how much his cultivation had dropped. To his surprise, apart from the immense pain, he could tell that his cultivation had remained the same. He couldn't understand why this was but by looking at the solemn faces around him he could tell that it wasn't anything good.

His father, upon seeing that he was finally awake took the opportunity to escort everyone from the room and show them out of the house with his thanks.

His father returned to the room with Li Changs crying mother. They both had even sadder faces than were displayed previously. His father sat down and let out a big sigh for his son.

"Your cultivation is fully capped. You can never progress farther than where you are now." His father said dejectedly.

This news was like a hammer stroke to Li Changs heart and he could barley process what he heard. When he came back to himself, he told his father that that was wrong and his cultivation was fine. He told him that he was even still at tier 6 so how could it be capped.

His father only frowned and shook his head. "There can be no mistake. I'm sorry son. We don't know how this happened but your cultivation is definitely capped. your meridians will never grow again and you will remain at your tier forever."

Li Chang was again shocked and tears began to fall from his eyes. He knew after hearing those words that his dreams would never come true.

Seeing this, his mother tried to console him by telling him that the family would take care of him and it would be alright. They would definitely be able to find something for him to do.

Li Chang let out a big sob and said, "it is all my fault"! Before his mother could try to console him again he added, "it must have been because of that stupid pill" and promptly continued crying.

This last statement left both of his parents dumbfounded and surprised. "what pill?" They both asked at the same time.

Through his tears and sobs Li Chang said, "the pill I made to solidify my cultivation".

both of his parents jaws nearly hit the floor after hearing this bit of news and for a moment they had no reaction at all.