Volume Two: Naked Primitive Capital Accumulation - Don't Dismiss a First-Rank Clerk as No Official (Part One)

"Whoosh—" A brown Spirit-Accumulating Pill flew high into the sky. A huge black shape leaped after it, snapped it up, and swallowed it.

"Whoosh—" Another pill. "Snap." Another mouthful.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..." Spirit-Accumulating Pills shot in every direction. The black shape grew frantic, flashing through the air as it twisted and darted, swallowing every last pill.

Laughter rang out. "Hahaha... Bi'er, you cheated! We agreed you weren't allowed to use immortal arts." The Jadewater Qilin scratched its enormous head in protest and let out a low growl. "Grr..." Luo Qian clapped his hands. "Come on, crouch down and give me a ride."

The Jadewater Qilin growled twice, then reluctantly bent its forelegs to let Luo Qian climb aboard. It was as big as a hill; rather than riding it, Luo Qian was really standing on its back. The Jadewater Qilin rose, galloped around the valley on all fours, and stopped steadily where it had started. Luo Qian jumped down, shook the Spirit-Accumulating Pills in his hand, and grinned. "Let's keep going."

The Jadewater Qilin gave two low, dissatisfied growls. Luo Qian burst out laughing. "All right, I promise not to use that trick again." The Jadewater Qilin shook its great head, nodded, and crouched, its wheel-sized eyes wide as it readied itself to spring.

"Ready?"

"Whoosh!" A Spirit-Accumulating Pill shot into the earth at Luo Qian's feet. Agile and quick as the Jadewater Qilin was, it could not catch a pill faster than a bullet over such a short distance. The pill buried itself in the soil, and the Jadewater Qilin missed it. Luo Qian laughed triumphantly. "Bi'er, come crouch down like a good beast. A bet's a bet. This is a serious matter of your beastly honor, so no cheating!"

"Grr, grr!" The Jadewater Qilin growled at Luo Qian