Power surged through my veins like liquid fire. I sat cross-legged on the stone floor, basking in the newfound strength that the shadow entity had granted me. The Grandmasters Realm power felt intoxicating, making even the air around me seem to bend to my will.
"With this power, I can do anything," I whispered to myself.
My thoughts turned immediately to crafting. If I was going to save Isabelle, I needed every advantage possible. The Nine Transformation Pill was legendary—capable ofpletely rebuilding one''s foundation and multiplying their potential. Few alchemists could even attempt it, but with my current power level, it was within reach.
I gathered my tools methodically—jade mortar, spirit-infused pestle, and rare ingredients I''d been saving for a special asion. The most precious was a millennium-old spirit fruit that pulsed with ethereal light. Its juice alone could sustain a cultivator for months.
"Six days," I murmured, calcting. "That''s what it''ll take."
I sealed my chambers with energy barriers and began. The process required absolute concentration—one slip could waste ingredients worth fortunes. Hours melted into days as I manipted spiritual energies with precision impossible at my previous level.
On the third day, the effects of my work began to manifest beyond my chamber walls. Golden mist leaked through my barriers, creating a shimmering cloud that hung over White City. Citizens stopped in the streets, pointing skyward at the phenomenon.
Inside my chamber, I remained focused, my fingers dancing throughplex patterns as I guided the pill''s formation. Sweat beaded on my forehead, evaporating instantly in the spiritual heat generated by the process.
---
"Look at that! Above the Knight residence!" a merchant called out, pointing at the golden cloud that had been growing for days.
Caleb Thorne, master alchemist of White City, narrowed his eyes at the sight. "Impossible," he muttered, stroking his long beard. "That pattern of energy dispersion... someone''s attempting to craft an Earth Rank pill."
His apprentices gathered around him, eyes wide with wonder.
"Master Thorne, could it really be?" asked the youngest. "Earth Rank pills are beyond even most Grandmasters!"
Caleb''s expression darkened. "We shall see. Very few have the skill, regardless of their power level."
---
On the sixth day, Ipleted the final refinement. The chamber had be a maelstrom of energy—furniture floating, windows vibrating with resonant power. The pill floated before me, absorbing thest streams of concentrated essence.
When it finally stabilized, I nearlyughed at the irony. After all that spectacr energy and effort, the Nine Transformation Pill looked utterly ordinary—a small, gray sphere with faint lines running across its surface.
"Appearances truly are deceiving," I mused, carefully cing it in a jade box.
Exhaustion hit me like a physical blow. Even with Grandmaster-level energy, crafting such a pill had drained me significantly. I copsed onto my bed, slipping immediately into deep meditation to recover.
The next morning, I awoke feeling refreshed but purposeful. I dressed carefully in simple but elegant robes and ced the pill box in my inner pocket. It was time to fulfill my end of another bargain.
No.1 Winery was bustling when I arrived. The establishment served as both a high-ss wine retailer and the unofficial headquarters of Caleb Thorne, White City''s most respected alchemist. I''d arranged to meet him days ago, promising payment for information about ancient pill formtions.
The proprietor recognized me immediately. "Master Knight! Master Thorne is expecting you. Please, follow me."
He led me through the main hall to a private room in the back. The space was elegantly furnished, with shelves of rare wines and alchemical texts lining the walls.
Caleb Thorne sat at arge table, nked by three apprentices. He was older than I expected—perhaps in his seventies—with keen eyes that betrayed his sharp mind.
"So, you''re the famous Liam Knight," he said, not bothering to stand. "I''ve heard interesting rumors about you. A nobody who somehow gained the backing of powerful forces."
I smiled politely, ignoring the barb. "Master Thorne, thank you for meeting me. Your reputation as an alchemist is unparalleled in White City." <cite ss="in-imprint-a">Chapter provided via *.</cite>
He nodded, epting the ttery as his due. "You mentioned payment for my knowledge. I''m a busy man, so let''s proceed."
"Of course." I reached into my robe and withdrew the jade box. "As agreed, I''ve brought something of value."
When I opened the box and ced the small gray pill on the table, confusion flickered across Thorne''s face. One of his apprentices leaned forward, frowning.
"What is this supposed to be?" Thorne asked, voice already tinged with disappointment.
"The Nine Transformation Pill," I replied calmly. "I crafted it myself."
There was a moment of stunned silence before the oldest apprentice burst intoughter. The others quickly joined in.
"The Nine Transformation Pill? That legendary Earth Rank pill?" Thorne picked it up, rolling it between his fingers. "This is nothing but amon medicinal ball. Do you take me for a fool?"
I kept my expression neutral. "I understand your skepticism. The pill''s appearance is deceptively simple."
"Simple? It''s worthless!" Thorne ced it back in the box with distaste. "The Nine Transformation Pill would emanate spiritual light, have nine distinctyers visible beneath its surface, and resonate with pure elemental energy."
"True Earth Rank pills often conceal their nature," I countered. "Their power is contained within, not unted externally."
Thorne''s face darkened. "Young man, I''ve been an alchemist for fifty years. I know every grade of pill from the mostmon to the rarest artifacts. This," he pushed the box back toward me, "is not what you im."
His apprentices exchanged smirks, clearly enjoying my humiliation. The youngest one whispered something that made the others chuckle.
"Perhaps a demonstration—" I began.
"We''re done here," Thorne cut me off. "I don''t appreciate having my time wasted with cheap tricks and false ims."
I felt anger rising in my chest but kept it contained. "Master Thorne, with respect, you''re making a significant error in judgment."
"Am I?" His eyebrows rose. "Let me educate you, since you seem to need it. Creating an Earth Rank pill requires decades of experience, rare materials that most people will never even see in their lifetime, and an innate talent that appears once in generations."
He stood up, looking down at me with disdain. "You might have gained some power recently—yes, we all felt the energy disturbance—but power alone doesn''t make an alchemist. It requires understanding, finesse, and humility."
"I understand more than you realize," I said quietly.
"Then understand this," Thorne retorted. "You can''t fake true ability. Whatever game you''re ying, whatever shortcuts you think you''ve found, they won''t sustain you. Without real talent and skill, your path won''t be long!"
His words stung more than I wanted to admit. I''d poured everything into crafting that pill—my knowledge, the ancient techniques from my father''s legacy, and the new power I''d temporarily gained.
The apprentices were watching with barely concealed amusement, clearly enjoying seeing someone brought low by their master.
I slowly picked up the jade box and closed it. "Thank you for your time, Master Thorne."
"Some friendly advice," he called as I turned to leave. "Focus on what you''re actually capable of. Not everyone is destined for greatness, and pretending otherwise only leads to embarrassment."
I paused at the doorway, looking back at him. "You''re right about one thing, Master Thorne. Not everyone is destined for greatness."
I slipped the box back into my robe and walked out, ignoring theughter that followed me. As I stepped into the bright sunlight outside, I weighed my options. The Nine Transformation Pill was incredibly valuable—perhaps too valuable to waste on someone who couldn''t recognize its worth.
Caleb Thorne''s words echoed in my mind: "Without real talent and skill, your path won''t be long!"
If only he knew how far I''d alreadye, and how much farther I intended to go. One day, I''d make sure he remembered this moment—not with amusement, but with regret.