"Master."
At the entrance of Thousand Spirit Pavilion, Wei Yi greeted the elder respectfully.
The old man who had just entered Nine Stars City gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
This was the Third Elder of Medicine Valley, the one leading the group after receiving Wei Yi's message.
Behind him, a group of young disciples followed closely.
Each of them carried the potential to become future master alchemists—if nothing unexpected happened.
Without delay, they entered Thousand Spirit Pavilion.
The pavilion's owner, overwhelmed with awe, personally led them inside and arranged for their accommodations.
His hands trembled as he moved.
So many Medicine Valley disciples... and even an elder?!
Was the heavens playing a joke on him?!
The pressure weighed heavily on his mind, yet he dared not voice his anxiety.
He could only swallow his apprehension and endure in silence…
After a long journey, exhaustion had set in, and the group retired to their rooms to rest.
Inside one of the private chambers, the Third Elder sat cross-legged, his sharp gaze fixed on Wei Yi.
"Wei Yi, is what you told me before true?" he asked, his tone serious.
Wei Yi nodded without hesitation.
"Master, I wouldn't dare deceive you. The information I provided is completely accurate."
The elder remained silent for a moment before gesturing.
"Then explain everything about Origin Mall in detail."
"Yes, Master."
Wei Yi began recounting his experiences.
By the time he finished, the Third Elder's once-calm expression had shifted dramatically.
His brow furrowed, and his fingers tapped rhythmically against the table—a subtle sign of the storm raging within his heart.
"A game… that can increase one's strength?"
"Instant noodles? Spicy strips? Cola?"
"I've never heard of such things!"
He murmured, half to himself.
Wei Yi sighed with a wry smile.
"Master, I had the same doubts at first. But once I experienced it for myself… I realized how truly extraordinary it all is."
The Third Elder fell into deep contemplation.
"Ah! Right, Master, take a look at this!"
As if remembering something, Wei Yi suddenly raised his palm.
A brilliant ice-blue flame ignited, flickering with ethereal coldness.
It was Deep Sea Iceflame.
The Third Elder frowned slightly, at first unsure why Wei Yi was showing him his flame.
But the moment that followed shook him to his core.
The Deep Sea Iceflame... began to shift.
It twisted, morphed, and danced like a living entity, forming intricate, lifelike creatures one after another.
Each figure was crafted with astonishing detail, moving fluidly as if they had minds of their own.
Even with just this one demonstration, it was clear—Wei Yi's control over Deep Sea Iceflame had reached a terrifying level of mastery!
The Third Elder was well aware of Wei Yi's struggles with the flame.
It had taken immense effort just to claim it as his own.
While Deep Sea Iceflame was undeniably powerful, it was also notoriously difficult to master.
The elder still vividly remembered that when Wei Yi left Medicine Valley, his control over it was barely at the beginner level.
Yet now…
How much time had passed?
How had he suddenly gained such absolute control over it?!
His rate of improvement was simply terrifying!
It was unbelievable.
"How did you accomplish this?" the Third Elder asked in shock.
Wei Yi grinned.
"Because I obtained a technique called Fire Spirit Art from Casual Mode."
"Casual Mode?"
"Fire Spirit Art?"
The Third Elder's mind raced.
He recalled that Casual Mode was a feature of the Tower of Trials that Wei Yi had mentioned earlier.
And the Fire Spirit Art—it must have been an ability he acquired from within.
"But there's a catch," Wei Yi added with a shrug, his tone carrying a hint of regret.
"The skills and martial arts you obtain in Casual Mode… can only be used within the mode itself."