Xiao Yue hummed softly as she worked, the kitchen filled with the smell of herbs and simmering broth. Max returned from washing up just in time to see her sitting at the wooden table, sleeves rolled up, a tiny cauldron in front of her.
Inside it—an unstable swirl of green and red smoke flickered.
Max raised an eyebrow.
"You're already trying pill refinement?"
Xiao Yue didn't look up. Her entire focus was locked on the small flame dancing beneath the cauldron—the Purple Cloud Crane Beast Flame she had just awakened that morning.
"I followed the early steps from the legacy," she said, voice tight. "It said the first thing an alchemist must do is temper their flame with mixtures that react violently. If I can stabilize this… I can refine basic pills."
Max folded his arms.
"Ambitious."
She grimaced. The mixture inside cracked loudly.
"…And very difficult."
He leaned over. "Which attempt is this?"
She held up four fingers without breaking focus.
"This is my fifth try."
Max whistled.
"That's fast. Most novice alchemists explode their cauldrons before reaching attempt two."
She gave a tight laugh. "I… almost did. Twice."
The liquid inside the cauldron bubbled, turning from an angry swirl to a smooth, glowing mixture.
Max's eyes narrowed. "Control the beast flame. Lower it just a bit."
Xiao Yue inhaled deeply and willed the flame to shrink. It responded instantly, compressing into a thin, stable line of heat.
"Good. Now start the extraction cycle."
She did as he said—slowly drawing impurities upward until a black mist escaped the cauldron.
The mixture turned brighter.
Brighter.
Then—
DING—
A small, greenish-red pill popped up from the cauldron, landing neatly on the table with a soft bounce.
Xiao Yue gasped.
"I… I DID IT!"
Max picked up the pill between two fingers, examining it with an approving nod.
"Low-grade, but perfectly refined. Zero cracks. You passed your first step as an alchemist."
Her hands shook. "My first pill… my first real achievement…"
Max grinned.
"You're officially on your way."
Xiao Yue took the pill in both hands, cradling it carefully like a newborn treasure. Her eyes sparkled with pride and disbelief.
"I'll get better… I'll refine stronger ones… I'll become someone worthy of standing beside you."
Max flicked her forehead again.
"Stop talking like that. Just keep improving."
She smiled, tears forming at the edges of her eyes—but this time, she didn't let them fall.
"When you go to the Miteer Auction House today… can you sell this for me?"
Max blinked. "You want me to auction your first pill?"
She nodded firmly.
"I want to see its value. And… I want to leave a mark. Even if it's small."
Max grinned.
"Alright. I'll make sure it gets noticed."
The System chimed.
[ Host, she will be famous by nightfall if you do that. ]
"That's the plan."
Xiao Yue took a deep breath and handed Max the pill box.
"Then… I'll start my foundation practice again. I want to refine a second pill before noon."
Max nodded. "Go for it."
As she returned to her practice, fire flickering calmly in her palm, Max pocketed the pill box and stretched.
"Time to visit Ya Fei."
Max slipped the pill box into his sleeve. Even without opening it, he could sense the faint medicinal aura leaking through—Xiao Yue's first refined pill was a Tier 1 Healing Pill, perfectly stable.
A good start.
A dangerous start.
He exhaled slowly.
The continent praised talent…
But it also devoured it.
Alchemists had strong spiritual power.
Strong spiritual power drew predators.
Especially them.
The Soul Hall.
A parasite of an organization that hunted prodigies, devoured gifted souls, and erased entire families just to create better vessels for their rituals. Max had no intention of letting Xiao Yue appear on their radar before she had the power to defend herself.
"Fame can wait," he muttered as he opened a drawer and pulled out a black face mask—simple, unadorned, with a thin formation carved along the edges to suppress aura signatures.
He tied it over his face, tucked his hair into a hood, and let the System suppress his presence.
[ Concealment Formation Active. Your identity is now untraceable. ]
"Good."
He walked to the door, glanced back at Xiao Yue one more time—she was already seated with her legs crossed, flame hovering above her palm, expression focused.
A soft smile touched his lips.
"She's too earnest," he whispered. "Too bright."
Bright things attracted shadows.
He stepped outside.
Miteer Auction House – Early Morning
The building stood tall and luxurious even at this hour, its guards alert and its doors open to early customers. Max walked up calmly, his aura locked down so tightly he seemed like any ordinary passerby.
Two guards crossed their spears in front of him.
"Purpose?"
Max raised the pill box slightly.
"Consignment. A pill."
The guards exchanged looks. Ordinary people didn't bring pills here. Alchemists were rare. And most alchemists were arrogant enough to flaunt themselves.
Not this one.
"Understood. Follow me."
They led him through the side entrance to a smaller evaluation room.
A familiar young woman in a red dress entered moments later—Ya Fei, radiant as always, carrying the confident smile of someone who dealt with treasures daily.
She glanced at the masked figure and raised an eyebrow.
"You're certainly… mysterious this morning. May I see the item?"
Max handed the pill box over without a word.
Ya Fei opened it—and froze.
A Tier 1 Healing Pill.
Perfect sheen.
Uniform color.
No cracks.
No impurities.
Her pupils constricted slightly.
"This… is exquisite." Her tone became serious. "Which master refined this?"
Max kept his voice calm and steady. "The alchemist does not wish to reveal their identity."
Ya Fei studied him carefully. "A newly promoted alchemist?"
"Something like that."
She nodded slowly. She knew better than to press. People who wore concealed masks either had enemies or were cultivators who valued discretion.
Both categories were dangerous.
But business was business.
"I will personally handle the auctioning of this pill," Ya Fei said. "With the quality this high, it will cause a stir… but I will keep the seller's identity strictly confidential."
"Make sure of it," Max said.
***
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