The next day, Arthur was seated cross-legged before his pill furnace, sleeves rolled up and hair bound loosely behind his head. Thin wisps of pale smoke coiled upward as streams of Qi coursed steadily from his palms into the cauldron. The fire beneath it flickered with disciplined rhythm, every flicker responding to his control.
Just as he was adjusting the Qi infusion, the heavy doors creaked open. Elder Yan stepped in, his robes rustling faintly against the stone floor.
"Qing Tian— " the elder began.
Arthur's brows twitched. Without lifting his eyes, he raised one hand, gesturing to make him halt in silence. Elder Yan stopped immediately, his lips pressed shut.
Arthur's focus did not waver. His breathing was shallow, perfectly in rhythm with the fluctuations of the tempered claudron. The faint outline of inscriptions shimmered upon the claudron surface, glowing with life before dimming again. Every pulse of Qi was like a delicate brushstroke; even a moment's distraction would ruin it.
Elder Yan stood quietly, with his hands tucked within his sleeves, gaze fixed on the boy. Reverence crept into his heart. To be interrupted at such a crucial moment, yet still maintain balance. Such composure was rarely found even among senior alchemists.
Time stretched. The silence was broken only by the low hum and cracking sound of the cauldron's heat.
At last, as an incense stick's worth of time burned away, a rich fragrance spilled into the chamber.
Arthur exhaled slowly and flicked his sleeve. The furnace lid lifted with a muted clang, and a single lustrous pill was then rolled gently into the porcelain dish set at his side.
He studied it briefly, then, elevating the pill with his Qi, he captured it in a pill bottle with one movement. "Not wasted."
Elder Yan's eyes flickered, unable to conceal his admiration. Interrupted, and yet he still succeeded. To preserve calm in the storm of distraction, at his age…
The elder clasped his hands and bowed deeply. "You truly are an alchemy genius."
Arthur finally turned, regarding him with a faint smile. "Elder Yan, you seemed to have come in a hurry. What matter brought you here that you would risk interrupting a pill refinement?"
Elder Yan's tone was sharper than usual. His beard trembled as he huffed.
"Qing Tian, do you await any guest today?"
Arthur wiped his hands clean with a silk cloth, brows lightly furrowed. "No, Elder Yan. None at all."
The elder's eyes narrowed. "Then why the hell is Zi Xuan asking for you? Hmph! The last time I dealt with that brat, he stirred up trouble for my pavilion. And now he walks in here as if nothing ever happened?"
Arthur paused, fingers brushing idly across the pill dish. Inside, his thoughts rippled.
Zi Xuan? What game are you playing? Are youcoming here yourself?
Still, his expression remained calm. "Allow him in, Elder Yan. Since he has already come to the pavilion, it would be rude to drive him away."
Elder Yan clicked his tongue, glaring. "Tch! Very well, but listen to me, boy. If he tries to pull one on you, you say the word. He may be a contender for sect master, but he is not one yet!"
Arthur gave a faint shrug, a ghost of a smile tugging his lips. "I'll be careful. Elder's eyes are sharper than mine. If he dares, I'm sure you'll see through him before I do."
"Hmph," Elder Yan muttered, but he folded his hands behind his back and turned toward the door.
Moments later, Zi Xuan stepped inside. His robe was immaculate, his hair tied high, and his bearing as polished as jade. He walked in with measured calm.
When his eyes landed on Arthur, he bowed politely, cupping his fists.
"Greetings, nephew. Greetings, uncle. I trust you have been well."
Elder Yan snorted, refusing to return the courtesy. "Spare me your false civility. You said you wished to see the boy. Well, here he is." Elder Yan moved out of the chambers.
Arthur's gaze softened, his smile smooth as still water. He rose from his seat and inclined his head slightly.
"To what do I owe the honor of this visit, Uncle?" Arthur asked smoothly, lips curved with courtesy.
Zi Xuan's smile was shallow, eyes gleaming faintly. "I came to see my nephew. Is that not a valid reason?"
Arthur lowered his head just enough to appear respectful. "Not at all, Uncle."
Zi Xuan's gaze swept around the pill chamber, lingering on the furnace and the lingering fragrance of freshly refined pills. His tone shifted subtly, dipping lower. "Hmm… so how is the progress of the — " his eyes flicked toward the door, then back, "you know, the pill."
Arthur's heart stirred. Why is he in such a hurry?
He spoke calmly, "Uncle, your nephew has been working hard. As for the pill, it will be ready earlier than scheduled."
Zi Xuan's eyes brightened instantly. His lips curved, but his gaze remained sharp. "Good, good. So… when should I expect it then?"
Arthur folded his hands behind his back, his posture composed. "If things progress smoothly, I can give it to you within two moons, one moon before the agreed time."
But Zi Xuan's expression darkened instead of joy, his cheer dissolving into coldness. His voice was like iron scraping stone. "Two moons? Can it not be sooner?"
Arthur blinked once, studying him.
Why so eager? Did something happen?
He let a faint sigh escape, then said carefully, "Uncle, as you know, the thing you ask requires me to be at least at the Peak Amber Radiance Realm. Even then, many alchemists would hesitate to attempt such refinement. But I am confident I will succeed."
Is there some hidden urgency pressing him?
He placed a hand upon his chest, bowing slightly. "However, I am still only at the Early Amber Radiance Luminary. To bridge this gap will take at least two moons. After all, I have been consuming pills and potions left and right."
Zi Xuan's jaw tightened, his eyes betrayed unease. Even Arthur's reassurance seemed to do little to ease him.
Arthur, watching closely, felt a subtle thrill rise within him.
I am sensing an opportunity… Uncle, what are you hiding? Should I press more? Perhaps this will shift in my favor.