Xiao Yue stared at the tiny lotus-shaped flame hovering above her palm.
It flickered gently… then merged back into her skin with a soft glow.
She exhaled shakily.
"…Fire affinity… I actually awakened fire affinity…"
Then her expression stiffened.
"…But I already have wood affinity."
For most people, dual affinity was impossible.
For a low-talent girl with mediocre roots like her…
It should've been completely impossible.
And yet—
Wood + Fire.
Life + Destruction.
Her heart pounded as she realized:
"This… this is the foundation of an Alchemist."
She covered her mouth, overwhelmed.
"This is… a miracle…"
Outside
Max sensed the flame inside the bathroom settle down.
"Alright… breakthrough done."
He knocked gently. "Sis? You alive?"
A moment later, the door opened.
Xiao Yue stepped out, freshly cleaned and dressed. Her eyes shimmered faintly with two colors—a soft green glow of Wood affinity and a newly born fiery red.
Max smirked knowingly.
"Dual affinity suits you, sis."
Xiao Yue froze.
"H-How did you know…!?"
Max shrugged casually.
"I gave you that pill because I knew it would awaken fire affinity in you. Flame Lotus Rebirth Pill forces a secondary fire seed to appear. With your natural Wood affinity… you were destined to become an alchemist."
Xiao Yue blinked rapidly.
"You… you planned this from the beginning?"
"Of course," Max said, stepping aside. "Strengthening your talent was only the first goal. Giving you the qualifications to become an alchemist was the second."
Before she could respond, he reached into his spatial ring and took out an object wrapped in golden silk.
An ancient scroll, sealed with multiple runes.
Xiao Yue's breath hitched.
"T-This pressure… what is it?"
Max smiled faintly.
"Tier V Alchemist Legacy."
Xiao Yue nearly dropped the scroll.
"WHAT!? Tier V!? That's something even major clans would kill for! How did you—!?"
"Traded for it."
Max's voice was totally flat.
The System corrected him in private:
[ With a rock ]
Max ignored it.
He gently placed the scroll in her hands.
"With Wood and Fire affinity together, your control and flame strength make you a perfect alchemist. Your talent is no longer low—this legacy will push you beyond everything holding you back."
Her hands trembled as she clutched the scroll.
"Xiao Tian… this is too much… I can't accept—"
"You can." Max cut her off softly. "You've always protected me. Now it's my turn."
Tears gathered in her eyes, shimmering like molten glass.
"…I won't waste this chance," she whispered.
Max nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Good. Starting tomorrow, we begin your foundation training. With this legacy… you'll rise faster than you ever imagined."
Xiao Yue wiped her eyes quickly, trying to regain her composure, then she gave him a warm smile.
"…You've grown up so much."
Max smirked.
"I try."
The System scoffed.
[ Host only shattered the world's balance. Nothing impressive. ]
Max mentally smacked it.
Suddenly Xiao Yue gasped.
"The stew! It's getting cold!"
Max's eyes widened.
"Oh no—NO! Emotional scenes don't taste good unless the food is hot!"
They ran back to the kitchen like two children escaping chores.
But in Xiao Yue's heart—
She knew her entire destiny had changed.
And in Max's—
This was only the beginning of his fun trip he planned.
Max closed the kitchen door with his foot, the smell of the stew filling the room again. Before Xiao Yue could return to stirring the pot, he gently grabbed her wrist.
"Yue… before anything else—keep everything I give you a secret. No one can know."
Her expression sharpened instantly. She nodded, serious."I understand. I won't tell anyone."
Max relaxed slightly."Good. Because I'm not just giving you that alchemy legacy."
He reached into his spatial ring, and in a soft flash of light—three items appeared on the table.
Xiao Yue froze.
A translucent purple feather–flame pulsed gently, releasing a clean but terrifying heat.
"T-This aura… Xiao Tian… this is—"
"Yes." Max smiled."Purple Cloud Crane Beast Flame. One of the rarest pure-element fire sources. Even high-rank alchemists dream about it."
She covered her mouth, trembling.
"With this flame, your control will multiply. Your pills will refine cleaner, faster… stronger."
Max tapped the feather once, and it glowed.
"And most importantly—you'll be able to advance as an alchemist at least five times faster. Your 'low talent' ends today."
Next, he pushed a small jade bottle toward her.
"This contains a Soul-Strengthening Dew. Drink it little by little. It will expand your soul sea and raise your spiritual sense. Every alchemist needs that."
Finally, he placed a small, glowing orb on her palm—warm, gentle, yet carrying a profound depth.
"W-What is this…?"
"A Soul Embryo Core," Max replied softly. "It helps stabilize your soul foundation while you start cultivating alchemy flames. With it, you won't suffer backlash or instability."
Xiao Yue stared at the three treasures.
Her lips trembled.
"Xiao Tian… I… I don't deserve—"
Max flicked her forehead gently.
"Ow—!"
"You do," he said firmly. "You protected me when I was useless. Now I'm returning the favor."
She looked down, tears slipping again—but this time from overwhelming relief, not sadness.
"I'll keep everything silent," she whispered. "I won't fail you. I'll become someone who can stand beside you… not behind."
Max smiled.
"That's the spirit. Starting tomorrow, we'll reshape your foundation. And with these…? Your rise begins today."
The System sighed dramatically.
[ Host, are you planning to turn your sister into a walking calamity? ]
That's the plan, Max replied mentally.
Xiao Yue lifted the ladle again, her hands steadier now.
Xiao Yue sniffed once, wiped the corners of her eyes, then straightened her shoulders with that stubborn determination Max had always admired.
But the very next second—gurgle…
The stew bubbled loudly, threatening to overflow.
Her eyes widened."I—ah! No, no, no—if it boils too long, the broth will turn bitter!"
She hurriedly returned to the pot, stirring it with careful, practiced movements.Her earlier tears were still hanging at the edge of her lashes, but her voice regained its gentle warmth.
"…I'll take all of these after we eat," she said softly. "If I touch them now, the food will get cold again."
***
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