Caleb Thorne stood by the window of hisvish suite at the Grand Eldoria Hotel, looking out at the city lights below. His mind wasn''t on the breathtaking view, however. It was fixed on more pressing matters.


    "Master, is it wise to dismiss Liam Knight so quickly?" Jaxon asked from behind him. "Roman Volkov seemed convinced of his abilities."


    I waved my hand dismissively without turning around. "Roman is easily impressed these days. This Liam Knight is nothing but hype—a man riding on the Ashworth family''s coattails."


    "But his knowledge of the Nine Transformation Pill ingredients was urate," Ss pointed out.


    I finally turned to face my disciples, my expression stern. "Anyone with ess to ancient texts could recite ingredients. True alchemy requires something more—something I doubt this so-called ''King of Eldoria'' possesses."


    The truth was, I hadn''te to Eldoria to waste time on pretenders. I was here for one thing only—the thousand-year divine medicine rumored to have surfaced in this region. Such a treasure appears once in a millennium, if that. I couldn''t afford distractions.


    A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.


    "Enter," I called.


    A hotel attendant stepped in. "Mr. Thorne, President Westwood of the Eldoria Martial Guild is here to see you."


    This was unexpected but potentially useful. "Send him in."


    Darius Westwood strode into the room momentster. He was a powerfully built man with sharp features and calcting eyes. The new president of the Eldoria Martial Guild carried himself with the confidence of someone who''d recentlye into significant authority.


    "Master Thorne," he said with a respectful bow. "I hope I''m not intruding."


    "Not at all," I replied, gesturing to a seat. "What brings the Guild President to my door at this hour?"


    Darius settled into the chair, his posture rigid. "Word travels fast in Eldoria. I heard you met with Liam Knight today."


    I raised an eyebrow. "And this concerns the Guild how exactly?"


    "I believe it''s my duty to warn distinguished visitors about... problematic individuals in our city," Darius said, his voice hardening. "Liam Knight is one such individual."


    Now this was interesting. I took a seat across from him. "I''m listening."


    "Knight is dangerous—unpredictable," Darius continued. "He''s responsible for the death of my predecessor, Gage McBride."


    "Directly?" I asked, my interest piqued.


    Darius hesitated. "The situation was...plex. But make no mistake, McBride would still be alive if not for Knight''s meddling with the Ashworths."


    I could read between the lines. The man was afraid to openly use Liam because of the Ashworth family''s influence, but his resentment was clear.


    "I see," I said thoughtfully. "So you believe this partnership I''m considering would be ill-advised?"


    "Absolutely," Darius nodded firmly. "Knight can''t be trusted. Whatever he''s offered you, it''s not worth the risk."


    I studied Darius carefully. His words aligned with my initial impression of Liam Knight, but I wasn''t naive enough to take them at face value.


    "Tell me, President Westwood, what''s your interest in my affairs with Knight?" I asked pointedly.


    Darius leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I''ve heard rumors about why you''re really in Eldoria, Master Thorne. The divine medicine."


    My eyes narrowed. "Those are sensitive matters."


    "The Guild has resources that could help you locate it," Darius offered, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Resources far beyond what Knight could provide."


    And there it was—his true motivation. I couldn''t help but smile slightly.


    "An interesting proposition," I said. "What exactly would you want in return?"


    "A mutually beneficial arrangement," Darius replied smoothly. "The Guild assists you in acquiring the divine medicine, and in return, we receive a portion of it."


    I nodded slowly, appearing to consider his offer while my mind worked quickly. The Guild''s resources could indeed be valuable, especially if they had information about the divine medicine''s location. Liam Knight, regardless of his actual abilities, couldn''t offer me that.


    "I believe we have the foundation for an agreement, President Westwood," I finally said. "Though specific terms will need to be negotiated."


    Darius smiled, extending his hand. "I look forward to a prosperous partnership."


    We shook hands, sealing our preliminary agreement.


    After Darius left, Jaxon approached me cautiously. "Master, do you truly believe what Westwood said about Knight?"


    I chuckled. "It hardly matters. What matters is that the Guild has information we need. Whether Liam Knight is truly dangerous or simply annoying Westwood is irrelevant to our goals."


    "And the Nine Transformation Pill you promised Knight?" Ss asked.


    "A small deception," I admitted with a shrug. "I never intended to share the real recipe. What I gave him was... iplete."


    My disciples exchanged knowing nces. They understood my methods by now.


    "The divine medicine takes priority," I dered firmly. "Everything else is just a diversion."


    ---


    I rushed through the morning streets of Eldoria, clutching the list of ingredients Caleb had provided for the Nine Transformation Pill. My heart was pounding with excitement. If I could sessfully craft this legendary pill, it would mean a tremendous breakthrough in my cultivation.


    The recipe Caleb had given me after our meeting seemed authentic but surprisingly simplepared to what I expected. Still, I wasn''tining—simpler meant more achievable.


    "The Cloud me Grass might be found at Mount Qinvor," I muttered to myself as I walked. "But the Seven Star Root..."


    That particr herb was known to be extinct in the wild for over a century. My only hope was that Caleb himself had some in his collection.


    I reached the hotel where Caleb was staying and asked the front desk to call his room. Minutester, I was being escorted up to his suite.


    When I entered, I found Caleb examining some ancient scrolls with his disciples. He barely nced up at my arrival.


    "Master Thorne," I said respectfully, "I''ve reviewed the recipe you provided for the Nine Transformation Pill."


    "And?" he asked disinterestedly.


    I hesitated, noting his cold demeanor. Something had changed since our meeting the previous day.


    "I believe I can craft it," I continued, "but some of these ingredients are extremely rare. I was hoping you might have them in your collection, as we discussed."


    Caleb finally looked up, his expression unreadable. "Show me your list."


    I handed him the paper where I''d meticulously written down everything I would need. He scanned it quickly, his lips curling into what almost looked like a sneer.


    "Is something wrong?" I asked. <small ss="in-imprint-b">Read ahead and get updates at *.</small>


    "If the Nine Transformation Pill only needed these ingredients, it wouldn''t have been called the rarest pill!" Caleb said dismissively, tossing the paper back to me.


    I felt like I''d been pped. "But this is the recipe you provided."


    "A simplified version," Caleb replied with a wave of his hand. "A test to see if you''d recognize its inadequacy. A true master alchemist would have immediately spotted the deficiencies."


    My excitement deted instantly, reced by confusion and frustration. "Why would you intentionally give me an iplete recipe?"


    "To test your knowledge," he said coldly. "And you failed spectacrly."


    I noticed Jaxon and Ss exchanging smug nces. This had been a setup from the start.


    "I see," I said, struggling to keep my voice even. "What''s missing from the recipe, then?"


    "That''s not information I share freely," Caleb replied. "Especially not with those who overstate their abilities."


    I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "I came to you in good faith, Master Thorne."


    "And I responded ordingly," he countered. "The alchemy world is full of pretenders iming mastery they don''t possess. I had to determine which category you fall into."


    His dismissal stung, but I wasn''t ready to back down. "Then give me theplete recipe. Let me prove myself with the actual pill."


    Caleb studied me for a moment before shaking his head. "I have more pressing matters to attend to in Eldoria. My time is too valuable to waste on uncertain ventures."


    Before I could respond, there was a knock at the door. Ss opened it to reveal Darius Westwood standing in the hallway.


    "President Westwood," Caleb greeted him warmly. "Right on time."


    My eyes narrowed at the sight of the Eldoria Martial Guild president. His presence here couldn''t be coincidence.


    "Knight," Darius acknowledged me coldly. "I didn''t expect to find you here."


    "I was just leaving," I replied, my mind racing. These two forming an alliance could only mean trouble—especially for me.


    Caleb smirked slightly. "Mr. Knight was disappointed to learn that alchemical mastery requires more than just memorizing a few ingredients."


    Darius''s lips twitched with barely concealed satisfaction. "Some people in this city have an inted sense of their abilities."


    I understood the situation clearly now. Darius had poisoned Caleb against me, likely feeding him the same biased narrative he spread throughout Eldoria. And Caleb, already skeptical, had eagerly embraced it.


    "I''ll leave you to your meeting," I said, heading for the door. "But Master Thorne, remember that true wisdom includes recognizing when you''ve been misled."


    As I walked out, I heard Darius begin speaking about "the matter we discussed." Whatever they were plotting, it involved something valuable enough to bring together an alchemical master and the head of the Martial Guild.


    In the hallway, I clenched my fists in frustration. The Nine Transformation Pill had been within my grasp, or so I thought. Now I''d not only lost that opportunity but potentially gained two powerful enemies in the process.


    "Fine," I muttered to myself as I reached the elevator. "If Caleb won''t share the true recipe, I''ll find another way."


    What troubled me most wasn''t the deception or the lost opportunity—it was wondering what exactly these two were nning, and whether their alliance was formed specifically against me.