With a final inspection, Manuka nodded and passed her the pill.
Luma swallowed it.
The next moments...
Golden-green light spread through Luma's veins, forcing out the black wisps of poison that clung desperately to her meridians. She arched backward as the energy surged. Then—as suddenly as it had begun—she slumped forward, breathing heavily but peacefully.
Manuka moved close, inspecting her pulse.
Clear. Even.
The corruption—gone.
A sigh of astonishment escaped her lips. The room remained still as Manuka slowly stood, turning toward the door.
"Bring him here," she ordered.
Phillip was already waiting just outside the herb compound's moon gate, seated cross-legged under a Red Mist tree, playing with a strand of his hair as though expecting this moment.
When the door opened, and the senior alchemist beckoned him in, he stood with a calm smirk and entered slowly.
Manuka waited near the central lotus pool, her arms crossed and her tone unreadable.
