Waiting at the eastern entrance of Celestial Sword Sect, Zhen Lu stood as the morning air brought a sense of fall. Senior Sister Mo Yu checked their travel supplies one last time next to him; four other Sword Heart Peak disciples nervously discussed the approaching trip.
Mo Yu told the group to "remember" we represent not only our summit but the whole Celestial Sword Sect. Act appropriately.
Approaching footsteps caught their notice as she completed speaking. Smirking, Hao Lu walked towards them flanked by three Thunderblade Peak students.
Hao Lu bowed a little. "Senior Sister Mo," he said. Sword Heart Peak heading this delegation is quite a nice surprise.
Mo Yu's face stayed neutral. Hao, disciple. I had no idea Thunderblade Peak was invited.
He said, "A last-minute addition." Might I present Senior Brother Nangong Shuang? He is very well-versed in alchemical theories.
A tall student with frost-white hair came forward. His calculating look stayed on Zhen Lu.
Nangong replied, his voice with a slight chill, "So this is the new talent everyone's whispering about." "Quite remarkable to be chosen for such a significant task so shortly after entering the sect."
Zhen bowed respectfully, his face betraying nothing. Unusually, this Nangong Shuang's energy signature was tightly packed with lightning essence yet under very exact control. Undoubtedly a strong adversary.
Mo Yu clapped her hands one time. It's time for us to leave. Danxia Sect is three days' travel away.
The trip was tense but uninteresting. Hao Lu and Nangong Shuang stayed quiet, sometimes whispering and looking towards Zhen. Zhen, for his part, used the opportunity during the trip to talk with Mo Yu about what he had discovered regarding Danxia Sect.
He observed, "Their alchemy emphasizes essence transformation rather than just physical chemicals." Similar to how we control sword energy, but with materials instead of qi.
Mo Yu nodded in approval. You have studied well. Many sword practitioners overlook the nuances of alchemy, considering it inferior.
Zhen just said, "Knowledge is power."
On the third day, they ascended a ridge to see the Danxia Sect—a huge compound tucked between five vermilion peaks. Unlike the simple design of Celestial Sword Sect, Danxia preferred opulent structures with gold roof tiles shining in the sun. From several buildings steam and rainbow smoke erupted, bearing unusual scents.
Alchemist Yun Yao waited for them at the front gate in formal red robes, her Soul Vessel pendant clearly shown.
She welcomed them, doing the customary politeness, "Welcome, honored visitors from Celestial Sword Sect." Her gaze briefly caught Zhen's, an unmistakable glimmer of recognition dancing between them.
Yun Yao took them to their rooms following official introductions. Tomorrow marks the start of the major conference. Tonight, relax and get used to the energy milieu of our sect; it varies greatly from sword cultivation settings.
A junior alchemist came with news as the students settled in. Should Senior Disciple Mo allow, Alchemist Yun asks Disciple Zhen to help with preliminary experimental calibrations.
Mo Yu nodded despite raising an eyebrow. Zhen, go on. Being asked especially is a privilege.
Zhen quickly found himself in a secret alchemy chamber following the messenger down twisting halls. Standing in front of a little formation array, Yun Yao meticulously organised supplies.
She said, hardly looking up, "Thank you for coming." Your energy signature is really appropriate for what I'm trying.
What experiment we're running, may I ask? Examining the array—a complicated configuration meant for essence extraction—Zhen asked
She said, "Resonance calibration." When I say, "Please stand there and channel your energy into the central focus crystal,"
They labored in harmonic focus for the next hour. Zhen was amazed by Yun Yao's accuracy; her control competed with what he recalled of the best alchemists from his former life. Over the course of the session, he covertly watched her Soul Vessel pendant, verifying without a doubt that it held pieces of his own eternal soul.
Yun Yao's official attitude hardened a little after they finished. You manage energy like a great alchemist, not a sword cultivator.
Zhen said shyly, "I just follow your lead."
She looked at him with uncommon intensity. The pendant catches your attention. I see you gazing.
Zhen did not refute it. Its workmanship is outstanding. Family legacy?
In fact, a present. She touched it without thinking. From your sect, Grand Elder Yun, my uncle. He claimed it belonged to a famous grower who died ages ago.
Though Zhen's face stayed neutral, his heart raced. Your uncle has great artifact taste.
Publicly, he hardly admits our relationship, she said, her tone falling. Politics, you know.
Yun Yao hesitated before saying goodbye. Though later, the conference will be primarily ceremonial; I would value your help with a more important experiment. One I have not talked about with the sect officials.
Zhen said, his interest really aroused, "I would be honored."
Zhen sat in meditation that night, concentrating on the delicate link he'd had with the Soul Vessel as other pupils slept. He meticulously widened his awareness inside his mind looking for resonance with his shattered being.
There was a slight reaction—not precisely words but rather impressions. Images danced over his mind: a hidden chamber, ancient books, a ritual circle, and most alarmingly, a familiar face. Ye Qingqing, just as she had looked five hundred years ago, standing next to a shadowy figure.
Zhen was left gasping when the link shattered. The consequences were obvious: his essence had been deliberately kept for some particular use, not just gathered. Somehow, his enemy was engaged.
Zhen awoke at daybreak with fresh resolve. The Danxia summit was a vital chance to find the truth about the last minutes of his prior life—and the forces still controlling his legacy centuries later, not only a political duty.