I stood on the balcony of my quarters at the Celestial Apothecary Guild, watching the sunset paint Eldoria''s skyline in shades of crimson and gold. My mind, however, was consumed with darkness.


    The dark energy I''d absorbed from Conrad Thornton swirled within me like a restless storm. Unlike the golden energy that had be my signature power, this new force felt vtile, untamed. Every attempt to channel it left my meridians burning with resistance.


    "What am I missing?" I muttered, clenching my fist as I tried to coax the dark energy into flowing through my arm. Instead, it scattered chaotically, causing a sharp pain that made me wince.


    A knock at my door broke my concentration.


    "Enter," I called, turning from the balcony.


    Alistair Northwood stepped into the room, dressed more formally than I''d seen him before. His usual practical attire had been reced by an elegantly tailored silver silk robe with subtle embroidery.


    "Good evening, Liam," he said with a nod. "I hope I''m not interrupting."


    "Not at all." I gestured for him to sit. "Though I''m curious about the formal attire."


    Alistair smiled, smoothing a hand over the expensive fabric. "That''s actually why I''m here. I''d like to invite you to apany me this evening."


    "Where to?"


    "Somewhere that might help take your mind off recent events." He leaned forward. "You''ve been secluded for three days. The entire guild is whispering about what you did to Conrad Thornton."


    I shrugged. "I''m trying to understand something new."


    "All the more reason for a distraction," Alistair insisted. "Besides, in our world, opportunity and leisure often go hand in hand. The venue I''m suggesting is where many influential people gather."


    I considered his words. Perhaps a night away from my frustrated attempts to master the dark energy would provide a fresh perspective.


    "Give me a moment to change," I said finally.


    ---


    The carriage took us to the western district of Eldoria, where the streets grew wider and the buildings more ornate. We stopped before an imposing structure with no visible signage, just a pair of stone lions guarding the entrance. Two men with the unmistakable bearing of Inner Strength Masters stood watch, nodding respectfully to Alistair as we approached.


    "What is this ce?" I asked quietly as we were ushered through heavy wooden doors carved with intricate scenes of mountains and rivers.


    "The Jade Chamber," Alistair replied. "One of Eldoria''s most exclusive establishments. Only those with proper connections or sufficient wealth can enter."


    Inside, the opulence was immediately apparent. Crystal chandeliers illuminated a vast main hall where well-dressed patrons engaged in various activities. Some sat at tables with games of chance, while others conversed in hushed tones over expensive drinks. <cite ss="story-note-vis">Chесk Мy Virtuаl Librаry Еmpirе (МV1LЕМР1YR) fоr thе lаtеst updаtеs.</cite>


    "Alistair! There you are!"


    A heavyset man with an impressively groomed beard waved to us from across the room. As we approached, I recognized Leopold Shepherd, a prominent merchant I''d met briefly at a guild function.


    "Leopold," Alistair sped the man''s hand warmly. "Good to see you. This is Liam Knight, a promising alchemist from the Celestial Apothecary Guild."


    Leopold''s eyes widened slightly. "Ah, so you''re the one everyone''s talking about. The man who''s given the Thorntons something to think about." He chuckled, then lowered his voice. "Good. Those pompous bastards have needed humbling for years."


    Before I could respond, Leopold gestured to a thin man standing slightly behind him. "This is Alvin Ward. He has a remarkable talent we''ve been putting to good use tonight."


    Alvin nodded politely. His most striking feature was his eyes—keen and calcting, as if constantly assessing everything around him.


    "What talent is that?" I asked.


    Leopold grinned. "Stone gambling! Alvin here has an uncanny ability to identify valuable stones before they''re cut open. We''ve won three consecutive rounds."


    "Stone gambling?" I looked to Alistair for rification.


    "It''s quite popr among Eldoria''s elite," Alistair exined. "Raw stones are selected and purchased for a set price. Then they''re cut open to reveal what''s inside—perhaps nothing, or perhaps gemstones worth a fortune."


    "Pure chance, to most people," Leopold added. "But Alvin has a gift. Show them thetest win, Alvin."


    Alvin produced a small pouch and carefully emptied its contents onto his palm—three gleaming emeralds that caught the light brilliantly.


    "From a stone that cost us fifty gold pieces," Leopold said smugly. "Worth at least five hundred now."


    Alistair''s eyes lit up. "Are you heading back for another round?"


    "Absolutely," Leopold nodded. "Care to join us?"


    Alistair nced at me. "What do you say, Liam? Care to try your luck?"


    I hesitated, then nodded. "I''m curious to see how this works."


    We followed Leopold and Alvin through the hall and down a corridor to a quieter section of the establishment. Inside a well-lit room, about twenty people gathered around tables disying various uncut stones of different sizes and colors.


    "Each table has stones of different origins," Alvin exined quietly as we walked among the disys. "Desert stones, mountain stones, river stones—each with their own characteristics and potential treasures."


    I watched as Alvin moved methodically from table to table, asionally picking up a stone, holding it to the light, sometimes even pressing it against his forehead with closed eyes.


    "What''s he doing?" I asked Alistair.


    "His evaluation process," Alistair replied. "Some say he can sense the energy within the stones."


    After careful consideration, Alvin selected three modestly sized stones. Leopold paid the attendant, and we moved to a cutting station where an artisan waited with specialized tools.


    The first stone, when split open, revealed a cluster of small but high-quality rubies. The second contained a wless piece of jade. The third held an unusual crystal formation that had several onlookers gasping in appreciation.


    "Magnificent," Leopold beamed. "Alvin, you''ve outdone yourself tonight."


    Alistair stepped forward. "I''d like to try my hand as well."


    Under Alvin''s guidance, Alistair selected a stone that, when opened, contained a modest but valuable blue gem. His face lit up with pleasure at the discovery.


    "Your turn, Liam," Alistair encouraged.


    I hesitated, scanning the remaining stones on disy. Most appeared ordinary to my eyes, but as I moved down the row, something strange happened. Near one particrlyrge, nondescript stone, I felt a faint pulse—simr to how I sensed qi in living beings.


    Curious, I approached and ced my hand on the stone. The sensation intensified—a definite fluctuation of energy contained within the rough exterior. This wasn''t just a stone; it contained something powerful.


    "How much for this one?" I asked the attendant.


    The man raised an eyebrow. "That''s significantlyrger than what most choose for their first attempt. Two hundred gold pieces."


    Leopold coughed in surprise. "Liam, perhaps something smaller to start—"


    "I want this one," I insisted, the pulsing energy calling to me like a beacon.


    Alvin frowned, stepping closer to examine my choice. "I wouldn''t rmend this stone. The patterns on the surface suggest it''s likely empty."


    But I knew better. Something inside me—perhaps the same instinct that had guided my martial development—told me this stone held something extraordinary.


    "I''ll cover it," Alistair offered, though I could see the concern in his eyes.


    As the attendant prepared to cut the stone, a small crowd gathered, drawn by the unusual size of my selection. I felt my heart beating faster as the artisan''s tools made contact with the rough surface.


    The first crack appeared, and suddenly the room filled with a subtle blue glow emanating from within the stone. The artisan paused, looking up with wide eyes.


    "In all my years..." he whispered.


    With greater care, he continued the cutting process. As the stone split further, the light intensified, revealing the source—a fist-sized crystal of deepest blue, with swirling patterns that seemed to move within its depths.


    My eyes lit up as I felt the strong fluctuation of qi pouring from the revealed crystal. This was no ordinary gemstone.