Every plant, every herb, every blade of grass contains its own story—its own path to power. The master alchemist reads these stories not just with their eyes, but with their spirit, understanding the deeper truths hidden within nature's simplest forms.
—Sage Tang Xue, Mistress of the Eternal Frost
Xiulan slipped through the green-painted door, the sharp scent of medicinal herbs hitting her nose. Rows of wooden benches provided seating like a modern lecture hall, most already filled with other students. A few heads turned at her entrance but quickly returned to their conversations and notes.
At least they're not all staring like before. She spotted an empty seat at the end of the front left row. The wood creaked as she settled onto the bench.
The boy next to her stiffened. "Not the best spot to pick."
"What? Why not?" Xiulan frowned.
Before he could answer, silence swept through the room. Elder Wang Mei strode in wearing an intricately embroidered green and gold robe. She carried a massive leather-bound tome with green and brown binding under one arm.
Interesting. Unlike Elder Chang, she teaches the beginners herself.
The complete stillness of the room was a hint. Either Wang Mei commanded deep respect, or her students feared her strict nature. The elder's emerald eyes surveyed the class as she placed the heavy tome on the lectern.
"Welcome to this year's beginner alchemy and herbology class. I am Wang Mei, First Elder of the Herb Hall here at Aeris Treasure Pavilion."
"Some of you newcomers might wonder why an elder teaches this beginner course." Elder Wang Mei's emerald eyes swept across the room. "The foundation shapes everything that follows."
Xiulan leaned forward.
"Teaching beginners brings fresh perspectives. While I've mastered much in my years, your questions might spark new insights. The quiet student beside you could be a hidden genius."
The words resonated with Xiulan .
"This philosophy has led to numerous breakthroughs in the Aeris Herb Hall. Many originated from questions asked in this very classroom." Elder Wang raised her hand and snapped her fingers.
The sound echoed through the room. Hidden drawers clicked open in front of each student. Xiulan pulled hers wide, revealing a thick tome and several unfurled scrolls.
Another class synopsis. But as she examined the neatly organized materials and clear formatting, Xiulan felt herself reconsidering. This might not be so bad after all.
Xiulan listened intently as Elder Wang Mei explained the basics of spiritual herb cultivation and medicinal refinement. The information matched what she'd already studied, but she didn't want to miss anything new.
"The foundation of alchemy lies in understanding how spiritual energy flows through every object and being," Elder Wang Mei said. "Each herb requires specific conditions to thrive."
A small clay pot appeared on the demonstration table. "Today, you'll each begin to grow medicinal herbs for a basic healing pill. This exercise will test your comprehension of herbology fundamentals."
Elder Wang Mei called students forward one by one to collect their materials. Xiulan watched the line crawl forward from her position at the far left of the front row. Of course I'd end up last.
The wait stretched as each student received their pot and seed packet. Finally, Xiulan stood to collect hers.
"Excellent, that completes everyone." Elder Wang Mei placed a hand on Xiulan's shoulder as soon as she started to head back to her seat. "Actually, since you're already up here, I need a volunteer for a demonstration."
Xiulan glanced at the student who sat beside her. He shrugged with a knowing look that screamed 'I tried.' So that's why he warned me about this seat.
"I'd be honored to assist, Elder Wang." Xiulan bowed respectfully.
Elder Wang Mei swept her hand across the demonstration table. Three bronze pill furnaces materialized, along with an array of ingredients, tools, and measurement devices. The polished metal surfaces gleamed under the room's spirit lights.
"What kind of introduction would this be if I didn't show you the height I expect you to reach here?" Elder Wang Mei adjusted the furnace positions. "By the end of this course, you'll understand the fundamentals needed to create everything needed up to qi refining pills."
The elder's emerald eyes fixed on Xiulan. "Tell me, do you have experience crafting qi refining pills?"
"No, Elder Wang." Xiulan straightened her posture. "I've only made basic element pills and healing pills—nothing beyond the most fundamental level."
Xiulan kept her face neutral, carefully omitting any mention of the meridian opening pill. That secret needed to stay buried.
"Which element pills have you crafted?" Elder Wang Mei adjusted a measuring tool on the demonstration table.
"I've made all five elemental variants—earth, fire, water, wood, and metal. Some independently, others under Senior Sister Ming's guidance."
Elder Wang Mei's emerald eyes sparkled. "Impressive. Most students arrive with no pill-crafting experience, save those specializing in alchemy."
Earth-Heart root. Storm grass. Thunder root. Blood lotus. The names flowed effortlessly from her lips.
Near the end, a few specimens gave her pause. Complex variations of common ingredients used in advanced crafting. Memories surfaced—rare components she'd collected for legendary quests in Phoenix Kingdom Chronicles .
The last page revealed an enormous tree illustration. Xiulan leaned closer, studying the intricate details. Twisted vines wrapped around its base in a familiar pattern. Something tugged at her memory.
Where have I— The realization hit like lightning.
The Phoenix tree.
She'd seen its remnants in the game—just the bottom stump, cleaved in two, roots withered and dead.
She opened her mouth to identify it, then froze. Master Qingfeng's warning echoed in her mind. This specimen hadn't appeared in any of her recent studies. It was buried under the imperial palace.
Explaining such knowledge could raise questions.
"Unknown specimen," Xiulan stated firmly and closed the tome.
Ding. The barrier dissolved as her final score materialized: 128.
The remaining students closed their books one by one. Some rushed through the final pages, while others meticulously checked each answer. After ten minutes, Elder Wang raised her hand.
"That's enough for today. We'll have plenty of time to study these specimens in detail later."
Several students exhaled in relief. The barrier spell dissolved around the last few still working.
"Would the winner please come forward to claim her prize?"
A soft green glow caught Xiulan's attention. Her tome pulsed with spiritual energy. What? She glanced at the number floating above her desk—128.
Her eyes darted around the classroom. Most scores hovered between twenty and forty, with a handful reaching near one hundred.
The auburn-haired girl stood up with a confident smirk, striding down the center aisle. The number 127 floated above her head like a crown.
Oh no. Xiulan slumped lower in her seat, trying to become invisible behind her glowing tome. Not again. Why does this keep happening?
Elder Wang's emerald eyes fixed on the approaching student. "Su Yin, what are you doing?"
Su Yin stopped mid-stride. "Elder? Is something wrong?"
"You are not the winner." Elder Wang pointed directly at Xiulan.
Bah. Xiulan pushed up from her seat with reluctance.
Su Yin's shocked expression morphed into an icy glare.
Xiulan trudged to the front of the classroom. What a waste. She could have bought an advanced furnace with her spirit stones if needed—maintaining a low profile would have been nicer.
"I am impressed at Elder Qingfeng's thorough teaching of his young disciple," Elder Wang said.
Xiulan bowed deeply. "Thank you, Elder. My master proves generous and wise in his teachings." She accepted the pill furnace, stealing a quick glance at Su Yin, who slumped in her seat with a pronounced pout.
Xiulan retreated to her seat. Politics exhausted her—especially the petty classroom variety. Twice in one day.
At least tomorrow would be personal lessons with Ming.
Tao Jun leaned closer to Xiulan's desk. "That was incredible. I never thought anyone would beat Su Yin."
"Thanks." Xiulan traced the intricate patterns on her new pill furnace.
"She's Elder Wang's great-granddaughter, you know." Tao Jun scratched his neck. "No one's beaten her at herb identification in the junior classes."
Xiulan's fingers froze on the bronze surface. Perfect. Just perfect. Was it really just random or did she have some type of label on her head? Was attracting trouble a talent? She'd joked about that, but it didn't feel like a joke.
Elder Wang cleared her throat. "For next class, study the properties of earth-aligned herbs, pages one through twelve. We'll begin crafting basic qi pills, one element per week." She tapped her lectern. "Dismissed."