Chapter 490: Alchemy Competition
Chapter 490: Alchemy Competition
That same dream, but this time... it was different.
Now he was certain. He wasn’t alone in that place. That woman truly existed; she wasn’t a projection of his mind, nor an illusion created by his subconscious.
She could see him too. She had reacted to his presence, she had shown surprise. And, more importantly, she had asked questions, questions that demanded answers.
’Who was she?’
Kyrian pondered the mysterious silhouette, the gentle voice that spoke to the gigantic eye with such emotion.
’And why was she standing before that enormous eye?’
The connection between the woman and the eye was obvious. She spoke to it. She promised to free it. She called it a "prison."
’And... what was that prison?’
Questions arose one after another, a chain of curiosity that found no answers. Was the eye a prison? For whom? For what? And what relationship did the woman have with all of it?
But answers... there were none.
After thinking for several minutes, Kyrian simply shook his head. His thoughts circled endlessly, never finding solid ground.
’There’s no point thinking about it now.’
If he truly returned to that place the following night... perhaps he would discover more. Perhaps he could speak with the woman again, ask questions, and obtain answers.
He got out of bed. His feet met the cool wooden floor, and he stretched his arms above his head, feeling his muscles loosen.
He walked to the small table near the window. The morning light bathed the wooden surface, illuminating every grain.
From his spatial ring, he took out a small white porcelain teapot and a delicate teacup. He had purchased both during one of his visits to the Hall of a Thousand Trades, a small investment that brought him immense pleasure every morning.
Next, he took out a small container filled with dried spiritual herb leaves. Though dried, the leaves still released a gentle fragrance, a blend of mint and honey with a hint of something floral.
Soon after... the pleasant aroma of tea spread throughout the room. Steam rose from the teapot in delicate spirals, carrying the essence of the herbs with it.
Kyrian slowly poured himself a cup. The golden liquid filled the cup, its surface gleaming beneath the morning light.
He sat beside the window. The view was peaceful, the garden below, the spiritual tree swaying gently, the pond reflecting the morning sky.
He watched the sun slowly rise above the rooftops of the Sky Caravan as he drank in silence. It was a beautiful sight, golden light spreading through the streets, shadows retreating, the city awakening.
The tea’s flavor was gentle. Slightly sweet, with a hint of bitterness that quickly faded away. The warm drink gradually spread through his body, filling his meridians with a soothing sensation.
It calmed his mind as well. His thoughts about the dream, the woman, and the eye gradually settled, becoming less urgent, and easier to process.
When he finished... he stored the entire tea set back into his spatial ring. The movement was automatic now, part of a routine he had established.
His thoughts naturally shifted to that day’s events.
’The alchemy competition.’
From what he had heard over the past few days, only the preliminary rounds would take place today.
It was a stage designed to quickly reduce the number of participants, an initial screening that separated serious competitors from mere enthusiasts.
Those who were truly talented would hardly encounter any difficulty. The tests would be simple and straightforward, designed only to eliminate the least prepared.
’It’ll be easy.’
Kyrian wasn’t arrogant. He knew his limits and understood there was still much to learn on the path of alchemy. But he was also realistic about his own abilities.
After so many months refining pills, practically living immersed in the study of alchemical techniques... after achieving Perfect Purity in his creations... being eliminated at this stage was virtually impossible.
He slowly put on a purple robe. The fabric was soft, flowing over his body like water. The color was understated yet elegant, a deep shade reminiscent of twilight.
He carefully adjusted his hair, smoothing it with his fingers. The gesture was automatic, part of his daily preparation.
The next instant... his eyes returned to their usual appearance.
The violet color returned, glowing softly beneath the morning light. Tiny purple arcs of lightning subtly appeared around his pupils, like miniature bolts of lightning.
The strange, completely black appearance vanished as though it had never existed.
Kyrian glanced at his reflection in the small window. The face staring back at him was familiar, violet eyes, fair skin, dark hair.
Then, he opened the door.
The cool morning breeze brushed against his face, carrying the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers. The garden was bathed in the golden light of dawn, every leaf sparkling with dew.
Without the slightest hesitation... he left the courtyard.
The city was already fully awake. The streets were filling with people, merchants preparing their stalls, cultivators heading toward their destinations. The air vibrated with energy and anticipation.
And the first challenge of the new day awaited him at the alchemy competition.
Kyrian walked calmly along the broad avenues of the Sky Caravan, following the flow of cultivators heading in the same direction.
As he advanced, the buildings became less numerous, giving way to vast open fields specially prepared for the Celestial Descent Festival.
A few minutes later, he passed through one of the city’s enormous gates.
Outside, a gigantic area had been completely transformed for the competitions.
Numerous stone platforms were spread across the entire plain, each designated for a different category.
Colorful banners fluttered in the wind while thousands of spectators already occupied temporary grandstands built around the arenas.
Just ahead, Kyrian found the area reserved for alchemists.
Hundreds of stone tables were perfectly aligned, each equipped with a cauldron, spiritual flames, and the basic materials for the first trial.
At the center of the field, dozens of elders from the Alchemists Association chatted calmly while waiting for the preliminary rounds to begin.
Kyrian observed the entire setup for a few moments before heading toward the entrance reserved for participants.
Finally...
The alchemy competition was about to begin.