The door opened with a whisper of spiritual energy, subtle yet refined.
The man who stepped in moved with elegance. His black robe, shining in the light as he walked in, his gaze carried the weight of many decades, he gave off the aura of an experienced master. His long hair, tied neatly behind his back.
Shang Di instinctively stood.
The man observed him quietly, then gave a slight bow, not one of submission, but of acknowledgment.
"Welcome," the man said, his voice low and steady. "I am Yao Chen, Master Alchemist of the Onyx Constellation Circle."
Shang Di met his eyes without flinching.
"I'm Shang Di. And I have something that may interest you, Master Yao."
Yao Chen stepped forward as Lian Feng, the young attendant from earlier, moved beside him with the pill still cradled on a cloth.
"My disciple tells me you claimed to have created a pure Qi Replenishing Pill," Yao Chen said. "Without inscription techniques. Without a visible cauldron mark. Without guild affiliation."
He stopped just short of the table and looked down at the pill.
"I must admit… that's unusual."
Shang Di's voice was calm, but every muscle was alert.
"I won't pretend to be part of a sect or known school. I learned through isolation, observation, and trial. What I create may not follow traditional patterns, but it works."
Yao Chen studied him. Silent. Calculating.
Then he gestured to Lian Feng, who activated a translucent scanning artifact.
A flickering spirit screen hovered over the pill.
[Qi Replenishing Pill – Gold Rank]
[Purity: 100.00%]
[Flame Type: Balanced (Unknown Classification)]
[Inscription Traces: None Detected]
[Structural Stability: 99.98%]
[Verdict: Authentic – Unprecedented in field conditions]
Lian Feng's brow twitched. Even Yao Chen raised one eyebrow, just slightly.
"…Impressive," Yao Chen finally said.
He turned fully to Shang Di now.
"You've walked into my city, bypassed guild procedures, presented a pill that would earn you senior status in most alchemy circles, and you claim no background."
Shang Di didn't blink. "That's correct."
A moment of silence passed.
Then, unexpectedly—
Yao Chen laughed.
A warm, controlled sound. Not mocking—but curious.
"You either possess outrageous talent," he said, "or you are an anomaly guided by fortune. In either case…"
He raised his hand.
A silver token appeared, shaped like a lotus petal with four stars around it.
"…I'm interested."
He handed it to Shang Di.
"This is a Silver Guest Token. It grants temporary lodging within the alchemy sector, access to our second-level market tier, and the right to request audience once per week." He explained as his gaze shifted from the tokens to Shang Di
Shang Di accepted it calmly.
But inside?
'HOLY HELL IT WORKED. IT ACTUALLY WORKED.'
"I'm honored," Shang Di said aloud, his tone steady.
Yao Chen turned.
"One condition."
Shang Di froze slightly. "Go on."
Yao Chen looked over his shoulder. "Tomorrow morning, you'll craft a pill of your choosing, here under my observation. No 'mysterious master' tales. No clever diversions. Just skill."
Lian Feng's lips curved ever so slightly into a smirk.
Shang Di inclined his head.
"I accept."
"Good," Yao Chen replied. "Then rest. And prepare."
Later that night…
Shang Di sat on a balcony in the guest wing provided by the alchemy circle. The room was large, too large for someone with no coin, no guild, and no name.
But here he was.
[System Update:
Trial Scheduled – Local Alchemy Verification
Reward for Passing: Circle Credibility, SP +200, Shop Expansion: Tier 2 Access
Optional Quest Activated:
Impress the Master Alchemist
Requirement: Craft a pill of 85%+ purity
Bonus: Rare Alchemy Technique Ticket x1 | SP +150]
He stared at the silver token in his palm.
Its faint glow pulsed like a heartbeat.
"…I bluffed my way in," he whispered. "Now I need to prove I belong."
Across the compound, in a private study…
Yao Chen stood by a window, watching the moon.
"Lian," he said.
"Yes, Master?"
"Have someone inform Ren Xun of tomorrow's demonstration."
Lian Feng hesitated. "Ren Xun may not take it well."
"Good," Yao Chen said. "Then we'll see how this 'Shang Di' handles more than just fire."
—
To be continued.