The Golden Leaf Tea House stood apart from White City''s modern skyline, a traditional wooden structure with sweeping roofs andnterns hanging from the eaves. As I approached the entrance, the faint scent of rare teas and herbs wafted through the air.
"This isn''t right," I muttered, checking my phone. "Roman said the meeting was at the No.1 Winery, not a tea house."
A text message had arrived while I was driving: "Change of venue. No.1 Winery on Eastern Boulevard. Caleb prefers their private rooms - Roman."
The winery was only ten minutes away. I hurried back to my car, not wanting to bete for this crucial meeting.
The No.1 Winery upied an elegant stone building with ivy climbing its walls. Inside, rich mahogany paneling and soft lighting created an atmosphere of exclusivity. A hostess led me to a private room at the back.
As the door opened, I was greeted by the sight of three men seated around a round table. The central figure was unmistakable – Caleb Thorne, the legendary King of Medicine. Despite being in his sixties, he had a robust vitality about him. His silver-streaked hair was pulled back in a traditional style, and his eyes held the sharp rity of a practiced observer.
"Liam Knight, I presume?" Caleb''s voice carried the measured tone of someone used to being listened to.
I nodded, stepping forward to shake his hand. "Thank you for agreeing to meet me, Master Thorne."
"Roman speaks highly of you," Caleb said, gesturing to the empty seat. "These are my disciples, Jaxon and Ss."
The two younger men nodded curtly. Both appeared to be in their thirties, with the stiff formality of long-term apprentices.
"We''ve heard many tales about the so-called King of Eldoria," Jaxon said, his tone carrying an edge of skepticism.
I took my seat, undisturbed by his tone. After years of being underestimated, I''d grown ustomed to proving myself through actions rather than words.
A server entered with a bottle of wine and four sses. As she poured, Caleb studied me with undisguised curiosity.
"Roman tells me you''re interested in my herb collection," he said once we were alone again.
"I am," I confirmed. "I understand you''ve gathered specimens that are virtually extinct elsewhere."
Ss snorted softly. "And what would a young man like yourself want with such treasures? These aren''t ingredients formon pills."
"I''m not interested inmon pills," I replied evenly.
Caleb raised an eyebrow. "So the rumors are true? You defeated Conrad Thornton?"
The question seemed toe from nowhere, but I understood its purpose. Caleb was testing me, gauging whether my reputation matched reality.
"I did," I said simply.
Jaxon exchanged a nce with Ss. "Conrad Thornton is one of the strongest cultivators in this region. Forgive us if we find that... difficult to believe."
"Conrad is strong," I acknowledged, "but his greater weakness was underestimating an opponent."
Caleb took a sip of his wine. "Or perhaps he simply feared offending the Ashworth Family by harming their... associate."
So that was their impression – that I''d won through political protection rather than ability. I''d encountered this perspective before.
"Think what you will," I said calmly. "I didn''te to debate past victories."
Caleb nodded, a slight smile ying at his lips. "Direct. I appreciate that. Very well, let''s discuss what brings us together. What exactly do you propose, Liam Knight?"
I leaned forward slightly. "A cooperation. I''m an alchemist with considerable skill. I can craft pills that most find impossible."
"Bold im," Ss muttered.
"In exchange for ess to your collection of rare medicines," I continued, ignoring the interruption, "I''ll craft any pills you desire."
Caleb''s expression didn''t change, but his eyes narrowed slightly. "Any pills?"
"Any that are within human capability to create," I rified.
The room fell silent as Caleb considered my offer. Outside, I could hear the faint sounds of other patrons enjoying their wine.
Finally, he spoke. "I''ve spent decades building my collection. Many of these herbs are thest of their kind, extinct in the wild and impossible to cultivate artificially. Why should I risk them on an unproven alchemist?"
"Because if I''m half as skilled as I im to be, the pills I can create for you will be worth far more than herbs sitting in storage," I answered.
Jaxon leaned forward. "Master, we shouldn''t—"
Caleb silenced him with a gesture. "I''m curious, Liam Knight. Let me test your knowledge. Can you create a Nine Transformation Pill?"
I nearly smiled. The Nine Transformation Pill was notoriously difficult to craft. It required precise control over nine different transformational processes, each urring at a specific temperature and pressure. Most alchemists wouldn''t dare attempt it.
I closed my eyes briefly, consulting the ancient knowledge inherited from my jade pendant. Within seconds, theplete form and crafting method appeared in my mind.
"I can," I said confidently. "Though it would require Cloud me Grass, Seven Star Root, and Dawn Dew collected at winter solstice."
Caleb''s eyebrows rose slightly – the first genuine reaction I''d seen from him. "Interesting. Most alchemists don''t even know the correct ingredients."
"I''m not most alchemists," I replied.
Caleb sat back, swirling the wine in his ss thoughtfully. "Very well. I propose a trial. Create a Nine Transformation Pill for me, and if sessful, we can discuss further cooperation."
"And you''ll provide the necessary ingredients?" I asked. My Virtual Library Empire (*)</abbr>
"I will," he nodded. "Though I warn you – failure will mean wasting extremely precious materials."
I extended my hand across the table. "I won''t fail."
Caleb took my hand, his grip surprisingly strong. "Then we have an agreement."
We raised our sses in a toast and drank to seal our arrangement. The wine was excellent – rich andplex with notes of ckberry and oak.
"I''ll need two days to prepare the ingredients," Caleb said. "Roman knows how to contact me when you''re ready to begin."
I nodded, finishing my wine and rising to leave. "I look forward to it."
As I walked out, I could feel their eyes on my back. I''d made a bold move, but I was confident in my abilities. With ess to Caleb''s collection, breaking through my cultivation barrier might finally be possible.
---
As soon as the door closed behind Liam, Caleb''s polite expression vanished.
"What do you think, Master?" Jaxon asked, refilling their sses.
Caleb snorted. "Another empty name. This city seems to produce them in abundancetely."
"He seemed confident about the Nine Transformation Pill," Ss noted.
"Too confident," Caleb replied, shaking his head. "Only a fool or a fraud would ept such a challenge so readily. Even I would approach that pill with caution."
Jaxonughed. "So you were testing him."
"Of course. And he failed spectacrly," Caleb took another sip of wine. "The true King of Medicine would know that confidence without proper respect for the craft is the mark of an amateur."
"Then why agree to the arrangement?" Ss asked.
Caleb''s eyes narrowed. "Because sometimes a lesson must be taught. When he fails – and he will fail – perhaps he''ll learn some humility."
"What if he seeds?" Jaxon posed, though his tone suggested he found this unlikely.
"Then I''ll be both surprised and impressed," Caleb admitted. "But decades of experience tell me otherwise. This Liam Knight is like so many others – protected by a powerful family, believing himself extraordinary when he''s merely fortunate."
"The Ashworths do seem to favor him," Ss agreed.
"Indeed." Caleb sat back in his chair, a satisfied expression settling on his face. "Fortunately, I didn''t tell Liam Knight about the Divine Medicine''s appearance..."
The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. His disciples exchanged knowing nces, understanding that their master had kept his most valuable secret to himself.