Chapter 1: The Pitch-Black Ring

In the early morning, sunlight scattered like fragments of gold across the window of the dormitory at the Capital University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, gently caressing the face of Li Hongjun, who still wore a trace of drowsy confusion. At eighteen, in the prime of his youth, a freshman at the university, Li Hongjun leapt out of his warm bed on this tranquil Saturday, unable to contain his excitement. His passion for antiques ran deep in his bones, nurtured since childhood by his grandfather’s tales—legendary stories hidden behind ancient relics, mysterious and enchanting legends that had taken root in his heart, growing into an obsession.

After a quick wash, Li Hongjun set out with the anticipation of an adventurer about to embark on a search for hidden treasure, hurrying to Panjiayuan by subway. In his mind, Panjiayuan was a labyrinth of mysteries, a treasure trove where every corner might conceal a surprise yet to be discovered.

The moment he stepped into Panjiayuan, the lively, bustling atmosphere swallowed him whole. The crowd, all hunting for bargains and hidden gems, surged between stalls like a tide. The air was thick with a unique blend of the old and the new—a scent born from the clash of time's sediment and the thrill of the unknown. Li Hongjun's eyes sparkled like stars; he prowled the stalls with the keen senses of a hound, as if he could sniff out the faintest trace of treasure hidden among the wares, focusing intently as he searched each display.

"Hey, young man! Take a look at this—genuine antique! Miss it and you won't get another chance!" A plump stall owner, his face alight with a welcoming grin, called out loudly to Li Hongjun. His stall was crowded with all manner of items that appeared ancient, but Li Hongjun gave them only a cursory glance, inwardly scoffing, "Hmph, most of these are modern imitations. He really thinks I’m some clueless fool."

Just as Li Hongjun was about to leave, a blackened ring in the corner of the stall caught his eye, like a faint glow in the darkness. The ring was utterly unremarkable, caked with thick grime resembling an aged patina, as if abandoned and forgotten by time. If not for his innate intuition, he might have overlooked it. Curious, he reached out and picked it up—no sooner had he touched it than a strange sensation, like an electric current, surged through him. It was as if the ring was gently calling to him, whispering secrets yet untold.

"Boss, how much for this ring?" Li Hongjun tried to sound calm and casual, though his heart pounded like a startled rabbit in his chest.

The stall owner’s eyes flickered with delight—he was certain this young man was an easy mark, naive and inexperienced, the perfect opportunity for a hefty profit. He plastered on a broad smile and replied with enthusiasm, "A thousand! I put in a world of effort to acquire this piece. Anyone with an eye for value can see its worth at a glance. Wear it and your entire aura will transform!"

Li Hongjun snorted inwardly. The ring might have some age, but a thousand yuan was daylight robbery. He curled his lip in feigned disdain, saying, "A thousand? Come on, boss, don’t take me for a fool. Look at this ring—it’s pitch black, who knows what it’s made of? At best it’s worth a hundred. Any more and I’m not interested."

The stall owner slapped his thighs dramatically, feigning distress. "Young man, you drive a hard bargain! I paid more than that just to acquire it. Tell you what—give me eight hundred and it’s yours. Just to make a friend. Next time you come, I’ll give you the best prices!"

Li Hongjun saw through the act. Without another word, he turned to leave, muttering, "A hundred and fifty—any more and I’m not interested. I just think it looks amusing, something to keep as a souvenir. Not like I expect it to be worth much."

The stall owner hesitated, torn between profit and losing the sale, but at last gritted his teeth. "Fine, a hundred and fifty it is. Consider it my lucky first sale of the day. Only because it’s fate for you to have this ring—anyone else and I wouldn’t sell at this price."

Elated, though keeping his composure, Li Hongjun paid and carefully pocketed the ring, shielding it with his hand as if it were a fragile treasure. Back in his dorm, he was like a child opening a long-awaited gift, eagerly taking out the ring and finding a soft cloth to gently clean it.

As he wiped away the grime, the ring suddenly emitted a faint, mysterious glow. A tiny bead floated slowly out of the ring, hovering in midair. It radiated a soft and otherworldly aura, and before Li Hongjun could react, it streaked into his forehead in a flash of light.

In an instant, torrents of information surged into his mind—heritage of medicine and martial cultivation, the immortal arts of the Chaos Devouring Heaven Manual, and the miraculous power of clairvoyance. Knowledge and skills exploded in his mind, so overwhelming that his head throbbed with pain for an hour before it eased. Eyes wide and mouth agape, Li Hongjun was torn between astonishment and delight. "Have I just been granted a cheat code? This is unbelievable!"

As he finally regained his senses, excitement welled up inside him like a volcano about to erupt. He was eager to test this new power of clairvoyance. Conveniently, his roommates were gathered around the table, playing cards and shouting boisterously. Li Hongjun activated his newfound ability, and instantly, it was as if a mystical veil had been lifted—the suits and values of the cards lay exposed before his eyes.

"Let’s see how you all beat me now," Li Hongjun grinned with self-assured confidence, swaggering over to join the game.

Fatty Wang, one of his roommates, noticed his newfound bravado and joked, "Hey, Hongjun, what’s with all the confidence today? Have you been secretly practicing some sleight of hand? I’m warning you, if I catch you cheating, don’t blame me for being rough!"

Li Hongjun chuckled, feigning indifference. "What sleight of hand? It’s just luck. You guys just aren’t very good—don’t make excuses when you lose. Today, you’ll see what a real card god looks like." He knew full well he couldn’t reveal the truth about his ability, or he’d risk being treated as a freak and hauled away for experiments.

After a few rounds, Li Hongjun was winning handily, leaving his roommates groaning in defeat. Fatty Wang tossed his cards aside and slumped in his chair, grumbling, "Hongjun, your luck’s too good. Big hand after big hand. Are you hiding cards up your sleeve?"

Another roommate chimed in, "Exactly! This is too weird. You’ve never had this kind of luck before."

Li Hongjun collected his winnings with a grin, teasing, "Don’t be sore losers. If you gamble, accept the outcome. If you’re not as skilled, don’t complain."

Fatty Wang puffed out his cheeks. "Fine, you win this time. But next round, we’ll see who’s really got the skills. I refuse to believe your luck will hold forever."

Li Hongjun waved him off, laughing. "Anytime you want. Just don’t blame luck when you lose—maybe you should work on your technique."

That night, lying in bed, Li Hongjun followed the cultivation path of the Chaos Devouring Heaven Manual, circulating his energy through several cycles. He advanced smoothly to the first level of Qi Refining, feeling power surge through his body, as though he could kill an ox with a single punch. The next morning, impatient, he headed to the hillside behind the university and struck a tree as thick as a bowl with his fist. With a satisfying crack, the tree snapped in two—he truly possessed the strength of a bull. Quickly, he sat cross-legged and cultivated again, drawing in strands of spiritual energy from the air, absorbing them like a whirlpool. By noon, he had reached the second level of Qi Refining and began practicing fireball and gravity techniques until he’d mastered them by three o’clock, then hurried down the mountain.

After a bath at the school’s public bathhouse, he bought a few packs of silver needles and returned to his dorm. Lying in bed, he reviewed the medical inheritance in his mind—his memory now twice as sharp as before. By the end of the afternoon, he had firmly memorized the knowledge. Using the silver needles, he skillfully performed acupuncture on his own acupoints, the movements so familiar it was as if he’d practiced for years.

The weekend ended, and a new week began. Li Hongjun attended his classes as usual, but his thoughts wandered restlessly between immortal cultivation and treasure-hunting. While the teachers lectured passionately from the podium, he drifted off, barely enduring until the next weekend. Then, like a homing bird, he once again rushed eagerly to Panjiayuan.