Shen Yuan's face formed a smile. "Exactly. That's your starting point. Once you master Lotus Spark, you'll find controlling your furnace flame so much smoother. And from there, you can progress to Blossoming Inferno, then Petals of Precision—though that's a ways off."
Qingyu smiled in return, glancing briefly at the pill furnace, then back at him. "I'm ready to try it whenever you are."
He rose, extending a hand to help her up. "All right, then. Let's see the might of your new flame arts, Lady Alchemist. Show me just how steady your Qi flow can become."
Blushing a bit at his playful tone, Qingyu stood. "You won't be disappointed," she said, her eyes speaking of her resolve.
Qingyu took a deep breath, letting the warmth of the Crimson Lotus Flame Art settle into her meridians.
She rolled her shoulders, blinked once or twice, then raised her hand. This time, when she summoned the flame, it emerged in a gentle swirl of embers—noticeably steadier and more refined than before.
