Li Yan's gaze lingered briefly on the technique scroll before he looked up again. His expression remained calm, but there was a clear intent behind his eyes.
"Senior Bai," he asked, "what about pill recipes? What are the prices for Tier-1, and how many types are available at each level?"
Bai Ru turned back toward him, her silver hair catching the light as she set the remaining scrolls aside.
"Tier-1 recipes are fairly inexpensive," she replied. "Low-Level costs fifty Shadow Points, Mid-Level seventy-five, High-Level one hundred, and Peak-Level two hundred."
After a brief pause, she continued, "As for quantity—there are eleven Low-Level types, nine Mid-Level, thirteen High-Level, and eight Peak-Level."
Li Yan's eyes sharpened slightly as he processed the numbers. "I'll take all of them," he said without hesitation. "And… twenty sets of ingredients for each recipe. Also, include pill bottles."
Bai Ru blinked, clearly caught off guard. "All of them?" she repeated.
Li Yan nodded calmly.
A soft laugh escaped her lips as she shook her head. "You really don't do anything halfway." Then her tone shifted slightly. "But I should clarify something—you won't find the ingredients for these here."
Li Yan frowned faintly. "Then where should I get them?"
Bai Ru smiled patiently. "The ingredients for Tier-1 pills are extremely common. No one bothers selling them here because they're easy to obtain."
She continued, "If you go to the Tier-1 Hunting Ground, you'll find them everywhere—grass, flowers, leaves. Most are free for the taking."
After a short pause, she added, "Only a few Peak-Level recipes require slightly rarer herbs, and even those can be found in the deeper areas of the Tier-1 Hunting Ground."
Li Yan nodded, understanding immediately. "I see. Thank you for explaining."
"It's nothing," Bai Ru replied lightly. "Let me prepare the recipes."
She moved through the shelves with practiced ease, selecting scrolls one after another. Her movements were smooth and precise, reflecting years of experience.
Soon, a total of forty-one white scrolls were neatly arranged on the counter. Each bore a distinct seal and inscription, faintly glowing under the ambient light.
Moments later, she placed a set of pill bottles beside them—a hundred in total—each polished and inscribed with simple runes designed for preservation.
"That's everything," she said, stepping back slightly. "Anything else?"
Li Yan glanced over the items, then asked, "One more thing. The Pill Furnace and Pill Tester—do I get them here or from the Treasury?"
"Here," Bai Ru replied. "Both are alchemy tools, so they're handled within the Alchemy Hall. You'll find them on the third floor—there's an Alchemy Vault at the end of the hallway."
Li Yan nodded. "Understood."
Then he asked calmly, "What's the total cost?"
Bai Ru tapped her chin lightly, calculating. "9,225 Shadow Points," she said after a moment.
Without hesitation, Li Yan retrieved his disciple badge. Bai Ru did the same, placing her golden badge forward.
A faint hum filled the air as both infused their Qi.
The two badges connected briefly—
A flash of light—
And the transaction was complete. Then Li Yan extended his hand.
A faint ripple of Qi moved through his fingers, and in the next instant, the technique scroll, the stack of recipe scrolls, and the pill bottles dissolved into strands of light, vanishing cleanly into his storage ring.
The soft glow faded.
Silence lingered for a brief moment, as if the room itself had paused to acknowledge the weight of what had just been exchanged.
Behind the counter, Bai Ru rested one hand lightly against the polished surface, watching him with quiet interest. A small smile curved her lips—not exaggerated, but genuine.
"It's always a pleasure dealing with you, Li Yan," she said, her tone warm but measured. "Most disciples hesitate even when spending a few hundred points. You… don't even blink to spend thousands."
Li Yan returned the smile faintly and bowed his head. "Resources are meant to be used, Senior Bai. Keeping them unused is the real waste."
Bai Ru's eyes flickered slightly, amused by the answer. "And you intend to use all of this?" she asked, glancing at where the scrolls had vanished.
"I will," Li Yan replied simply.
There was no boast in his voice.
Only certainty.
For a moment, Bai Ru studied him more closely. Then she leaned back slightly, folding her arms.
"A Superior Element affinity, a skilled fighter… and now alchemy," she murmured. "You're not leaving much for others, are you?"
Li Yan let out a quiet breath, almost a chuckle. "I'm only exploring what I can do."
"Mm." She nodded once. "Let's see how far that takes you."
He gave a final respectful bow before turning.
The door closed softly behind him.
The hallway outside felt quieter in comparison.
Li Yan didn't stop. His steps were steady as he made his way up to the third floor.
____
Meanwhile, inside the Alchemy Exchange Hall, Bai Ru stood quietly behind the counter, her gaze lingering for a moment where Li Yan had just disappeared.
Then, without delay, she raised her hand and summoned a palm-sized silver badge-like artifact. As her Qi flowed into it, faint engravings lit up across its surface, and within seconds, a subtle wave of energy pulsed outward. A calm yet authoritative voice emerged from it. "What happened, Ru'er?"
The voice belonged to Cao Lian.
Bai Ru straightened slightly, her expression turning respectful as she replied, "Mother, Li Yan has decided to start alchemy."
A brief silence followed before Cao Lian's voice returned, carrying a hint of surprise. "Really?"
Bai Ru smiled faintly, her tone steady. "Yes, Mother. He just purchased a Mortal-Tier Mid-Level Alchemy Technique and all forty-one Tier-1 pill recipes."
Another pause settled between them, heavier this time, before Cao Lian spoke again, slower and more deliberate. "Amazing… Ru'er, keep this secret."
Bai Ru didn't hesitate. "I understand, Mother." She paused briefly before continuing, her voice lowering slightly. "That's why I informed you—Li Yan has already gone to the Alchemy Vault to purchase a Pill Furnace and a Pill Tester."
"I think it would be best if Elder Chu keeps his transaction confidential as well."
A faint trace of approval entered Cao Lian's voice. "Good thinking, Ru'er. I'll handle it myself. You did well."
A small smile appeared on Bai Ru's lips. "Thank you, Mother."
The light on the artifact dimmed, and the transmission faded, leaving the hall wrapped once again in its quiet rhythm. Bai Ru lowered her hand slowly, her gaze drifting toward the exit.
____
Meanwhile, Li Yan arrived on the third floor, the air there was noticeably different—less crowded, more controlled. Conversations were quieter, movements more deliberate.
A long corridor stretched ahead, lined with identical doors. At the far end stood a larger one, darker in tone, reinforced with thick metal edges.
Alchemy Vault.
Li Yan approached without hesitation. His hand pressed against the surface—
The door opened with a low, heavy sound.
He stepped inside—
And stopped.
For a brief moment, he simply stood there.
The space before him was vast.
Warm light from suspended lanterns illuminated rows upon rows of alchemy tools and materials. Pill Furnaces rested on stone platforms, each different in size and build—some compact and sturdy, others broader with thicker bodies meant to withstand intense heat.
To one side, shelves held neatly arranged Pill Testers, their surfaces etched with faint runes that shimmered softly.
Further in, rows of sealed containers stored herbs—some fresh, some dried, each radiating subtle traces of Qi. Bottles of refined pills were displayed behind protective barriers, their glow steady and restrained.
The air itself carried a layered scent—earthy, bitter, sharp, and faintly sweet.
Not chaotic.
Controlled.
Balanced.
"This…" Li Yan murmured inwardly. "This is not an Alchemy Vault."
"It was an Alchemy Paradise."
A place where knowledge, tools, and results all coexisted.
"Li Yan?" The voice was calm, steady, and carried a hint of curiosity from Li Yan's left side.
Li Yan turned.
An elder—Chu San—in green robes stood a short distance away. His posture was relaxed, but his gaze was sharp, observant.
"Greetings, Elder," Li Yan said, bowing slightly.
Chu San nodded. "I've seen you in the Competition. You played well." His eyes lingered briefly, as if measuring something beyond the surface. "What brings you here?"
"I'm here to buy a Pill Furnace and a Pill Tester," Li Yan replied. "Preferably Tier-3 or Tier-4."
The elder's brows lifted slightly. "That's quite high for someone just starting," he said.
Li Yan didn't respond immediately. "I want to test whether I have the talent for alchemy," he said after a moment.
The elder gave a faint hum. "If that's the case," he said, "a Tier-1 furnace is more than enough. There's no need to spend so many Shadow Points on something you may not even continue."
Li Yan's gaze shifted briefly toward the furnaces nearby.
Then back.
"If I fail with a Tier-1 furnace," he said calmly, "it could explode." A short pause. "And I could be injured."
The elder's expression changed slightly.
"But with a higher-tier furnace," Li Yan continued, "it will withstand failure. I can experiment safely."
Silence followed.
The elder studied him again—this time more carefully.
Not judging. Understanding.
Then—
A faint smile appeared. "You're not just thinking about success," he said. "You're preparing for failure."
Li Yan said nothing.
The elder nodded once. "Good." He turned. "Come with me."
They walked deeper into the Alchemy Vault. The elder stopped at a row of furnaces placed on wide stone tables.
"These are Tier-3," he said, gesturing. "Stable. Reliable."
Then he moved slightly further. "And these are Tier-4."
The difference was subtle—but clear.
The Tier-4 furnaces were thicker, more refined in shape, their surfaces smoother, their structure more balanced. They looked sturdier—decorative and practical. Built to endure repeated use.
Li Yan stepped closer.
He didn't rush.
His eyes moved from one furnace to another, taking in the proportions, the material, the way each was constructed.
Then he looked toward the Pill Testers.
Simpler in appearance, but precise—each designed to measure the stability and success of refined pills.
After a few moments—
He made his choice. A Tier-4 Mid-Level furnace.
And a Tier-4 High-Level tester.
The elder gave a small nod. "Solid choices."
Li Yan retrieved his badge. A faint glow passed between it and the elder's.
One thousand Shadow Points.
Transferred.
The exchange was smooth. The furnace and tester disappeared into Li Yan's storage ring.
For a brief moment, Li Yan stood still. The weight of preparation settled quietly in his mind.
Technique. Recipes. Tools.
Everything was ready.
Then he turned and walked toward the exit.
His steps were steady.
Unhurried.
But his direction—
Clear.
Li Yan stepped out of the Alchemy Vault, the heavy door closing behind him with a muted sound. The faint scent of refined herbs still lingered in the air as he turned toward the staircase.
His steps slowed.
A figure was descending from the floor's stairs.
It was Cao Lian.
Li Yan cupped his hands without hesitation. "Greetings, Elder Cao."
Cao Lian paused a few steps away from him, her expression softening into a gentle smile. "Hello, Li Yan. How are you?"
"I'm fine," Li Yan replied calmly. "Thank you for asking."
Her gaze lingered on him briefly before she continued, her tone casual yet probing. "Li Yan, what are you doing here?" Even though she knew what he was doing here, she still asked him.
"Nothing much," Li Yan said evenly. "I came to purchase a Pill Furnace."
A hint of fake surprise appeared on her face. "A Pill Furnace?"
She paused for a brief moment before continuing. "So, you've decided to start alchemy?"
Li Yan nodded. "Yes, Elder Cao." He paused slightly, then continued in a steady tone. "I've already completed my task of collecting one thousand Tier-1 Magical Beast Cores. Since there's still more than a month before Senior Yao Fuhuo returns, I didn't want to waste that time."
His expression softened slightly. "Then I remembered your advice… so I decided to try my luck with alchemy."
For a fleeting moment, Cao Lian's eyes sharpened—the task—one thousand beast cores—completed so quickly. The reaction vanished almost instantly, replaced by her usual composure.
"I'm glad you took my advice seriously," she said calmly.
A brief pause followed before her tone shifted, becoming more instructive. "However, there are a few things you need to understand beforehand."