Blossoming Path

I made my way to the Alchemy Association's towering building. It rose like a monolith among the bustling cityscape, dwarfing nearby structures with its imposing height and grand design. As I approached, the sun cast long shadows from its spire, a silent sentinel over the city's alchemical pursuits. It was probably one of the tallest buildings here in Crescent Bay City.

Stepping inside, I was struck by the sheer number of people milling about. The lobby buzzed with activity; mainly merchants and nobles haggling over prices and materials. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and the undercurrent of magic—a treasure trove for any alchemist, and a hive of shared knowledge and ambition. Judging by the luxurious decor, the Alchemy Association had money to spare; no wonder they could procure so many ingredients for the preliminaries and the first round.

From my time with Feng Wu and the teachings at the Verdant Lotus Sect, I knew well the Alchemy Association's role. It was the foremost organization in spearheading growth and setting the standards for alchemy across the region. Here, one's skills could be honed, tested, and certified, while standing within these walls. Elder Zhu mentioned that one of their elders had taken a position here, which helped bring the Verdant Lotus sect closer to the Alchemy Association, and that I'd likely see her during my time in the Gauntlet.

I approached the reception, where a clerk looked up at me with a practiced smile. I had to conceal the fact I was a country bumpkin!

"Good morning. I'm here to collect a reward from the vault," I announced, trying to sound as composed as possible despite my inner excitement, flashing my entry token.

"Ah, yes, from the tournament...Kai Liu, correct? Congratulations," the clerk responded, her voice carrying the crisp efficiency of someone well-used to handling queries. After verifying my identity, she stood up and ushered me over. "Please follow me."

She led me through a series of secured doors, each entrance seeming more fortified than the last. We descended a wide staircase that spiraled into the lower levels of the building, where the air grew cooler and the buzz of the lobby faded into a hushed silence. This area was distinctly less crowded, guarded heavily by men—cultivators, I assumed— who glanced at us with a yawn, waving us down to come in.

Finally, we arrived at a heavy, ornate door. Standing before it was an elderly man, his back straight, eyes sharp—a vault-keeper. He held a talisman in one hand, which shimmered faintly with intricate glyphs.

"Here to access the vault?" he asked, his voice carrying an undercurrent of curiosity as he sized me up.

"Yes, sir. I'm Kai, one of the twenty qualifiers," I replied, extending the token I had been given as proof.

The vault-keeper nodded, a flicker of approval crossing his features. He stepped forward, placing the talisman against the vault door. The glyphs glowed brighter, and a series of clicks echoed as the lock mechanisms disengaged.

"Welcome to the vault," the vault-keeper said, his voice aged like fine wine. He pushed open the heavy door with a grunt, revealing rows upon rows of shelves laden with alchemical treasures.

"As you are one of the fortunate ones," he began as we stepped into the cool, dimly lit room, "you are entering only the first level of our vault. Here, we keep rare but non-essential goods—the kind that can significantly aid an alchemist, but are not pivotal to the major operations of the Association."

The vault was a meticulously organized labyrinth of ingredients, pills, and alchemical tools, each category neatly labeled and sectioned. My eyes widened at the sight; every shelf was an alchemist's dream, stocked with vials and containers gleaming under the soft magical lighting.

"You may ask about anything you find," the vault-keeper continued, gesturing broadly with a slight wobble that made me briefly question his age. "I can provide information on them, young man."

Intrigued by his offer, I decided to dive straight into my primary interest. "Can you show me to the herbs and plants section? I’m particularly interested in those."

"Ah, a herbalist then!" he exclaimed, chuckling softly as if pleased by my choice. He led me past several aisles to a section filled with a diverse array of botanicals. Some were vibrant, pulsing with an energy that tugged at my senses, while others were more subdued, their power hidden beneath mundane appearances.

As we walked, I glanced over the myriad of ingredients, many of which I had only heard of in my studies. Breezesong Fruits, Moonlit Grace Lilies...rare ingredients, including those that didn't belong to this province, littered the area. My Plant Whisperer skill felt like needles along my skin, telling me that everything here held untold potential. But among them, I was drawn to a peculiar sight.

A see-through container carrying golden seeds that shimmered with a subtle, enticing luster. "What are these?" I asked, pointing to the seeds that resembled bamboo, yet were distinctly golden.

The vault-keeper followed my gaze and nodded sagely. "Ah, those are Golden Bamboo seeds. Not very creatively named, but quite rare. They come from a distant province and were once abundant here in the Tranquil Breeze Province. Sadly, they haven't grown here for centuries. The innate qi in the environment has diminished, and with it, their ability to thrive."

His explanation piqued my interest. "What were they used for?" I inquired, my mind already racing with the possibilities of such a plant.

"Golden Bamboo was primarily used in body refinement pills," he explained, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "It helps cleanse one's body of impurities, strengthens resistance to diseases, and has a myriad of other beneficial effects not dissimilar to ginseng. Quite a valuable ingredient for any cultivator looking to fortify their physique."

His description resonated deeply with me. In the competitive world of alchemy and cultivation, such benefits were invaluable. I leaned closer, examining the golden seeds with a new sense of reverence. "And there's no record of how to cultivate it anymore?" I asked, a hint of disappointment threading my voice.

The vault-keeper’s eyes twinkled with a mixture of nostalgia and mischief. "The methods were lost, indeed."

It was an itch I couldn't ignore, an opportunity too tempting to pass up. While others might dismiss the Golden Bamboo as a relic of the past, lost to the annals of time, I sensed it—the potential, just waiting for its time to bloom. Was it the work of my skill? It felt like I just knew the Golden Bamboo was something special.

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Both my pride as a herbalist and the desire to strengthen myself as a cultivator united. I want to revive the Golden Bamboo.

But I couldn't do this blindly. "Can you tell me more about the Golden Bamboo? Anything at all? Was it native to the Tranquil Breeze Province?" I asked, eagerness creeping into my voice. If I understood what the plant once thrived on, perhaps I could replicate the conditions here.

"Oh, certainly not. It was brought here from a different region, although the specifics of which were unfortunately lost. The last known sect to have grown this Golden Bamboo died out several centuries ago, and our attempts at reviving the species have failed time and time again."

I sighed. It was worth a shot. Hearing that, I couldn't help but feel discouraged. So many alchemists have attempted to...who could say that I was any better than them?

"Tell me," I said, focusing my gaze on the vault-keeper, "do you think there's any chance…even a small one…that I could revive this plant?"

"Young man, the word 'impossible' is a dangerous one to an alchemist's vocabulary." He paused, a twinkle dancing in his eyes. "Reviving the Golden Bamboo…difficult, yes. But with dedication…and perhaps a hint of good fortune...who knows what you might accomplish?"

That was all I needed.

Quest: Seeds of a Lost Era

- Revive the Golden Bamboo.

SCENE BREAK

"You got seeds?!" Bai Hua exclaimed. "Of all the treasures available in the Alchemy Association's vault, you got those?"

I looked at him, affronted. "How can you judge me? You took a Beauty Preservation pill! Pot calling the kettle black!"

"Well, it can't be worse than Tao Ren's..."

I turned to the blacksmith in question. He gave me a wide grin, before pulling out a large, black rock from his pocket.

"...Coal?"

"NO!" Tao Ren shouted, slamming his fist, clenching the coal in his hand and rattling the dining table. "It's an Ember Stone! Feel it!"

The Ember Stone? I can't recall the name. What was it for? I placed a finger on it, feeling warm to the touch. No, it was actually really hot! Like a boiling cup of water! How was Tao Ren just holding onto it like that?

Tao Ren chuckled at my confused expression. "It's used as a material to light up flames, part of the nine-hundred Human Flames. This Ember Stone is rare and valuable because it can raise its heat to incredibly high temperatures, perfect for both alchemy and smithing. It's like having a furnace in your pocket!"

Intrigued, I nodded, understanding the potential of such an item in his crafts. Of the nine-hundred and ninety-nine flames under heaven, there was no doubt that it was a valuable piece of treasure. "So, it's similar to the Qinglian Jadeite then," I mused aloud, remembering the one used in the Verdant Lotus sect to produce the Jade Alchemic Flame. "Both are used to induce specific effects with their flames."

"Bah! You maniacs and your flames! All that matters is that of all the items in the Alchemy Association's vault, you chose that! When there's a myriad of ingredients to choose from!"

"You have eyes but fail to see Mt. Tai! The nine-hundred and ninety-nine flames under heaven are far more valuable than a mere pill that keeps you less wrinkled! Some of them are so valuable, that certain recipes can only be made using them! Like the Jade Alchemic Flame, for ex—"

He waved us off. "Bah, I know what the flames are! I'm saying it doesn't make sense to get them when there's so much more useful things to get!"

Tao Ren only shook his head. "Don't worry, Kai! Bai won't understand; only true men of academia could understand the value of this," He said, tossing the rock up in the air.

"How rude! I'll have you know I aced my imperial examination! With flying colors!"

The restaurant we'd chosen for the evening was a bustling hub in the heart of the city, known for its fiery cuisine. The interior was a vibrant mix of red and gold, with lanterns casting a warm, inviting glow over the intricately carved wooden panels. Every table was occupied, the air filled with lively conversations and the clattering of chopsticks against porcelain. Our own lively exchange seemed to blend seamlessly into the restaurant's spirited atmosphere.

Some of the patrons seemed to recognize us from the contest, but didn't say much further apart from that.

The dishes arrived in quick succession. The first was a platter of chicken, bite-sized pieces of chicken buried under a mountain of dried red chilies and peppercorns. The intense heat was a shock to the system, but in the most delightful way, making my lips tingle and our taste buds dance.

Next came the water-boiled fish, a dish deceptive in name but ferocious in flavor. The tender slices of fish were submerged in a fiery broth that was both numbing and aromatic, enriched with more peppercorns and vibrant green herbs that did little to temper the dish's aggressive spiciness.

How could I return back home with meals like this in the city?! I'd have to bring everybody from the village here, at least once! Or rather, I should hire a chef from this restaurant to work at the Soaring Swallow Tea House!

"Is there a reason why Zhi Ruo didn't come for dinner?"

"Busy, he said," I murmured in between mouthfuls of food. The librarian was nowhere to be seen, although from what I surmised from his coworkers at the Million Books Pavilion, he wanted to be alone. "it's his loss! More food for the there of us."

Our dinner went by smoothly, talking amongst each other, sharing stories and bantering. If there was one thing I wasn't expecting is that I'd have the opportunity to make some friends in the Gauntlet. I expected a more cutthroat opposition, willing to sabotage each other to get the upper hand in the competition.

"Tao Ren, I have to ask. Why'd you choose to pursue smithing?"

He looked up from his bowl of food and answered with a smile. "Because it's cooler!"

I sighed. Perhaps expecting a more sophisticated answer from him was too much.

"I'm joking, I'm joking!" Tao Ren said, slapping me on the back. If he went any harder, I'd have to trigger Rooted Banyan Stance to avoid injury! He truly had a blessed physique.

His smile became softer, and he continued. "My old man always pestered me to take over the family business, inherit his techniques, yadda, yadda, yadda. That was until the Day of Awakening."

"The Day of Awakening?" Bai Hua interjected, pausing mid-chew, his curiosity piqued.

"Yeah, the day the Heavenly Interface manifested for everyone," Tao Ren explained, his tone turning a bit more reflective. "It changed everything. Gave me quests for smithing, aligning with what I truly wanted to pursue. It was like the universe telling me, 'Go for it, lad!' So, I did."

I found myself nodding along, understanding the profound impact such an event could have on a person's life. "And alchemy?" I asked, genuinely curious about how he balanced his passions.

Tao Ren sighed, a wistful look crossing his features. "Alchemy... well, that's more for my dad's sake. He's a life-long alchemist, after all. I couldn't just abandon that part of my heritage. So, I do both—smithing as my passion, alchemy to keep the family legacy going."

Bai Hua laughed lightly. "Sounds like a heavy burden to carry, my friend."

"Not really," Tao Ren countered with a grin. "It's like being handed two swords. One I wield for my dreams, the other for my duties. Not everyone gets to play with one, let alone two."

His analogy made me chuckle. It reminded me of my own dual pursuits of martial arts and alchemy. "I can relate to that. I train in martial arts and study alchemy. Each discipline supports and enhances the other."

Bai Hua raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised. "Martial arts, too? You truly are a man of many talents, Kai."

"It's all about balance," I replied, smiling at the notion. "Pursuing both paths keeps me grounded. Each discipline teaches me something valuable about the other."

The conversation lightened as we continued to enjoy our meal. The dishes kept coming, each spicier and more delicious than the last. The aroma of garlic, chili, and pepper filled the air, mingling with the sounds of laughter and the occasional cough from an underestimated chili.

As the evening wore on, our conversation drifted to the upcoming round of the Gauntlet. Despite being competitors, there was a genuine camaraderie at the table. We were all eager to see how far we could go, each driven by our own motivations but united by a shared respect for the craft.

"Tomorrow's going to be intense," I mused, picking up my cup. "But whatever happens, here's to making it a memorable one!"

"Cheers to that!" Tao Ren and Bai Hua responded in unison, clinking their cups against mine.

The perfumer ended up footing the bill this time around. I was thankful, considering how much Tao Ren ate. I clasped my hands and bowed to the heir of Summer Sun Cosmetics. Tao Ren followed suit, letting out a small, satisfied burp before bowing.

"This young master gratefully acknowledges the boundless generosity of Elder Bai, whose magnanimous spirit has nourished both our bodies and our humble paths. May your cauldron always bubble and your elixirs never sour!"

"Senior is too kind!"

Bai Hua took it in stride, inclining his head in acknowledgment. "Think nothing of it. Enjoy this meal. Mark my words, friends, for tomorrow, you shall taste the bitter defeat against me in the Gauntlet!"

We all laughed, the mood light and teasing, though a spark of competitive fire lit up each of our eyes. The challenges of tomorrow loomed over us, yet here we were, reveling in the camaraderie that only such trials could forge.

"As generous as you are, Bai, don't think we'll go easy on you just because you've paid for our meal," I said, raising an eyebrow playfully.

"And don't expect me to share my Ember Stone!" Tao Ren added, wagging a finger at Bai Hua.

Bai Hua grinned, waving us off with a dismissive hand. "Ah, but generosity is my weapon! I lull my rivals into complacency with kindness before I strike on the battlefield!"

As the night drew to a close, the cool night air felt like a balm, and the city lights flickered like distant stars—witnesses to our vows of facing whatever challenge laid in the Gauntlet.

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