Lin Wei, her initial surprise now replaced by a thoughtful expression, led the way through the Verdant Veil Woods. The group of aspiring disciples followed, their earlier nervousness around the Demon Boar slowly giving way to curious glances at Alex. He walked casually, the Fisherman's Satchel light on his hip, the Blade of Fate Severing sheathed at his side.
"You all did well on your trial," Lin Wei addressed the teenagers, her voice carrying a calm authority. "Identifying and collecting ten Veridian Heartleaves within the time limit is a commendable feat for those aspiring to the Alchemy Division. As Alchemy Assistants, precision in herb identification and collection will be paramount." The teenagers puffed out their chests slightly, a flicker of pride in their eyes.
As they walked, Alex decided it was a good time for some answers. He subtly brushed the hilt of the Blade of Fate Severing. Alright, fancy-pants, you're awake, right? he thought, directing his query to the sword spirit. What's your name?
A familiar, ancient voice resonated directly in his mind, tinged with a hint of long-dormant weariness. "My name is Kael."
Kael, huh? Nice to finally put a name to the voice, Alex mused. So, what exactly is this world we're in? And how did you end up in that cosmic being's vault?
"This world, as you call it, is but one of countless Mortal Realms within the vast cosmos," Kael explained, his voice now a little less weary. "As for how I came to be in his vault... that 'cosmic being' you encountered is the Weaver of Souls, responsible for the reincarnation cycle of all sentient beings across the myriad universes. His vault contains the legacies of the most powerful deceased experts that have ever existed – their tools, their knowledge, their very essences. I was sealed within it after my original master, a true hero, passed into the Great Beyond."
Kael's voice lowered, a subtle warning in its tone. "Be wary of him, Alex. The Weaver, despite his grand title, is as greedy as an old dragon. He hoards power and legacies, rarely granting them without a hidden agenda. You were merely an unfortunate, yet convenient, anomaly."
Alex processed this, a frown creasing his brow. A cosmic bureaucrat with a hoarding problem. Figures. He then thought of his own body. Speaking of power, Kael, what about my physique? What's my 'cultivation' level right now? I feel... different.
"Your Primordial Flame Emperor Physique is indeed extraordinary," Kael affirmed, a rare note of approval in his voice. "However, your 'cultivation' as you perceive it is still at the very early stage. You are merely at the First Level of Qi Condensation. That slight boost you felt was solely from consuming the Dragon Koi's spiritual essence. While you can produce flames, that is an innate ability granted by your physique, not a result of your cultivation progress. Your physique will grant you unparalleled speed and potential, but it will not do the work for you. It is merely a stronger engine; you still need to drive it."
Alex grunted. "Great. More work. At least I've got a strong engine."
After another hour of walking, the forest canopy thinned, and a breathtaking sight unfolded before them. Nine majestic mountain peaks, wreathed in swirling mist and vibrant Qi, pierced the sky. Each peak seemed to possess a distinct aura, some radiating with the sharp glint of metal, others with the gentle hum of spiritual herbs. Bridges of shimmering light connected several of the peaks, and waterfalls cascaded down their sides, feeding into serene rivers that wound through the valley below. This was the Azure Cloud Sect.
Lin Wei led them to a bustling plaza at the base of the central peak. Disciples in various colored robes moved with purpose, some meditating, others practicing martial arts.
"Welcome to the Azure Cloud Sect," Lin Wei announced, gesturing with a sweep of her hand towards the towering peaks. "We are comprised of nine distinct summits, each specializing in a different path of cultivation. Over there," she pointed to a peak shrouded in a gentle, earthy glow, "is the Pill Cauldron Peak, home to our alchemists. And that one, shimmering with metallic light, is the Spirit Forge Peak, for weapon refiners. We also have the Mystic Array Peak for formations, the Soaring Sword Peak for blade masters, the Iron Body Peak for physical cultivators, and the Beast Tamer Peak for those who bond with spirit beasts. Further afield are the Veridian Grove Peak for spiritual herbs and the Crimson Fist Peak for martial techniques."
Her gaze then drifted to the tallest, most ethereal peak, shrouded in perpetual mist. "And finally, there is the Unseen Summit. It is our most mysterious and exclusive peak, a place for only the strongest and most uniquely talented individuals. Disciples of the Unseen Summit are not bound by minimum work requirements or mundane sect quests, allowing them to pursue their tivation with unparalleled freedom. However, their trials are exceptionally rigorous, and only held once every three years"
Alex's eyes, which had glazed over slightly during the descriptions of alchemy and herb cultivation, snapped to attention at the mention of the Unseen Summit. No minimum work requirements? Unparalleled freedom? That sounded exactly like his kind of retirement.
"I'll join that one," Alex stated, pointing directly at the mist-shrouded Unseen Summit.
Lin Wei blinked, a flicker of surprise returning to her eyes. "The Unseen Summit, are you sure? The next trial is around two month from now."
"Two month, huh?" Alex mused, a familiar, scheming grin spreading across his face. "Plenty of time to prepare. I'll wait. I'll join the Unseen Summit."
Lin Wei simply nodded, her expression unreadable, but a new, deeper curiosity was evident in her gaze. This Alex was certainly... unconventional.