The sun hung high in the sky as Ling Xian and Yan Ruyin passed through the ancient gates of Heaven's Whisper City, a bustling yet refined settlement nestled between mountain ranges. Its streets buzzed with cultivators, merchants, and scholars, each weaving through stalls and towering structures shaped with spiritual architecture.
Their first destination was the Heavenly Ember Alchemist Guild. Tall pillars lined the white stone walls, and the scent of herbs, smoke, and spirit fire lingered in the air. Inside, the scent thickened, along with the warm pressure of ambient qi. A row of receptionists stood behind long marble counters.
Ling Xian and Yan Ruyin, both veiled in simple travel robes to hide their identity, approached a young woman with short-cut hair and sharp eyes.
"Welcome to the Heavenly Ember Alchemist Guild," she greeted. "How may I assist you?"
"I'm here to refine a pill," Ling Xian said plainly. "But I lack a compatible flame to control the alchemic reaction. I need a helping hand."
The woman narrowed her eyes slightly. "Do you have the recipe and the required herbs?"
"All the ingredients are with me," he replied. "I simply require a skilled flame-wielder."
"There is one," she admitted, lowering her voice, "our finest—Mu Yelan, the Flame Whisperer. She is in the neighboring Jadefire Province on an alchemy exchange but will return in five days."
Ling Xian and Yan Ruyin exchanged a glance. "We'll wait. Please record our names as… Mo Ling and Ruyu."
The receptionist nodded. "I'll leave a note for Lady Yelan. Return in five days."
With their appointment scheduled, they departed the guild and made their way deeper into the merchant district, heading to a renowned equipment shop called Iron Cauldron Treasures.
The inside of the store gleamed with polished shelves lined with cauldrons, talismans, and artifact scrolls. A thin, elderly man with a long gray beard and bright eyes greeted them.
"Ah, customers! Welcome to Iron Cauldron Treasures. I'm Shopkeeper Lao Wei. What are you looking for today?"
Ling Xian stepped forward. "We're seeking a dual-element alchemy furnace—compatible with both ice and fire attributes."
Lao Wei's smile faltered slightly. "That's a very specific request. I do have a few mid-grade furnaces, but nothing of that exact compatibility."
He disappeared into the backroom, rummaging, clattering metal. Ten minutes passed before he emerged with two furnaces—both functional but lacking in the refinement Ling Xian needed.
Sitting quietly in the corner of the shop was an old man in black robes patterned with silver thread. He had arrived before them and had been watching silently. His eyes, calm and deep, had remained fixed on Ling Xian since their entrance. He did not speak until now.
"Still can't satisfy your customers, Lao Wei?" the man said with a faint chuckle.
Lao Wei turned quickly. "Senior Ming Shen, I didn't know you were here."
The old man stood and approached. "I rarely interfere in sales, but this young man has caught my interest."
He turned to Ling Xian, observing him carefully. "You didn't find what you were looking for, did you?"
Ling Xian shook his head slightly. "Not yet."
Ming Shen nodded thoughtfully. "Bring out the Sun-Frost Divine Furnace, Lao Wei."
Lao Wei froze. "Senior, that furnace is—"
"I know exactly what it is. Bring it."
A few moments later, two attendants carried out a stunning cauldron with intertwining blue and red lines etched along its surface. The inscriptions shimmered with balanced qi of frost and flame.
Ling Xian's eyes gleamed. "This is exactly what I need."
But the price tag? Thirty thousand spirit stones.
Yan Ruyin frowned. "We're short by at least half."
Ming Shen looked between them. "You are no ordinary cultivator. I see a trace of ancient insight in your gaze. You might not tell me your name, but I sense you have something of value."
Ling Xian replied calmly, "If you're willing to part with this furnace, I can offer something even rarer—a pill recipe. One that could help with your condition."
Ming Shen's expression twitched.
Ling Xian continued, "You're injured internally. Your meridians are fraying due to a soul-based poison. You've suppressed it well, but the damage is spreading."
The old man's eyes narrowed. "You… saw through that?"
"I've studied many such cases. I know of a pill that can restore and stabilize your condition. But I need time to prepare it. In exchange for the furnace, I'll give you the recipe now."
Ming Shen stared for a long moment, then said, "Write it."
Ling Xian did so on a slip of spiritual parchment:
Ninefold Jade Spirit Root
Sky-Searing Cinnabar Essence
Violet Flame Orchid Petal
Lunar Salve Stone Powder
Dragonheart Myrrh Resin
Ming Shen studied the recipe with interest, then nodded slowly. "Very well. The furnace is yours. In return, I ask only this—when you refine this pill, you make the first dose for me."
"You have my word," Ling Xian said. "But I'll need time. These ingredients are rare."
"Time I can give. I will handle the gathering."
As they turned to leave, Ming Shen glanced toward Lao Wei and spoke softly, "Prepare a shadow escort. And send word to the auction house. The list of five ingredients must be collected. Spare no effort."
Lao Wei bowed. "Yes, Master Ming."
As Ling Xian and Yan Ruyin walked through the bustling street with the furnace sealed in a spatial ring, they remained unaware of the eyes that now followed them.
Later that night, atop the tallest spire in Heaven's Whisper City, Ming Shen stood gazing at the stars. A man in black robes appeared beside him.
"Begin gathering these ingredients," Ming Shen ordered. "Use every channel of the Azure Sky Auction House."
The man bowed. "At once, Master Ming."
Ming Shen looked toward the horizon, a faint smile touching his lips. "I don't know who that young man truly is… but I have a feeling fate just walked through my door."
To be continued...