The moon hung high in the sky, bathing the land in its gentle, silvery light. Yan Zi stood alone under its glow, his lean frame silhouetted against the quiet night. His piercing blue eyes reflected the moonlight, but their intensity was dulled by the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind.
"What if...?" he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible over the faint rustle of leaves. His fists, still bandaged from the previous night's frustration, tightened. "What if there's a way to fix my cultivation core?"
A sudden idea struck him like a bolt of lightning, and his eyes widened. "There has to be something—medicine, herbs, pills... anything that can mend a broken cultivation core. It's not impossible." His thoughts raced. His head tilted slightly as he pondered aloud. "Alchemy... advanced alchemy. It might hold the answers I need."
His lips pressed into a thin line as determination flickered to life in his heart. The frustration and helplessness he had felt only hours ago began to melt, replaced by the faint glimmer of hope. Yan Zi exhaled sharply, nodding to himself. "Tsk, of course. If I want answers, I need that advanced alchemy book."
Without another word, he spun on his heels and began walking toward his home, the moonlight still casting shadows across the empty paths. As he trudged forward, his pace quickened, driven by a growing sense of urgency. Yet, by the time he reached his home, the weight of the day's emotions caught up with him.
The house was silent, save for the faint creak of the wooden floorboards under his steps. The world outside seemed so still that even his own movements felt intrusive. He glanced toward the faint glow of his parents' room and sighed. "I'll figure it out tomorrow," he muttered, his voice laced with exhaustion. He collapsed onto his bed, sleep taking over almost instantly.
---
The Main Hall
The morning sun rose over the Yan Clan's estate, casting a warm golden hue across the bustling grounds. In the grand main hall, the elders had gathered, their robes pristine and their expressions ranging from calm to thoughtful. The clan leader, Yan Shengtian, sat at the head, his presence commanding yet composed.
First Elder Yan Guang cleared his throat and leaned forward slightly. "It's been three months already," he began, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and pride. "I wonder how the five geniuses are faring inside the secret grounds. They've had ample time to cultivate; surely, their progress must be remarkable."
Yan Shengtian, ever the pillar of confidence, chuckled lightly. "Geniuses are called geniuses for a reason, Elder Guang. I wouldn't lose sleep over them."
Elder Guang nodded but raised an eyebrow. "True, true. But still, three months is a long time. They might surprise even us."
The Third Elder, Yan Gong, interjected with a sly smirk. "Surprise us? Hah, they better not shock us so much we faint! Though, I wouldn't mind if one of them gave you a heart attack, Guang. You've been boasting about Yan Ru's talent for weeks now."
Elder Guang let out a dramatic sigh and raised his hands in mock surrender. "What can I say? Yan Ru is my pride and joy. It's not boasting if it's true."
The hall erupted into light chuckles. Yan Shengtian joined in, shaking his head. "Enough, enough. The spiritual energy in the secret grounds is five times that of the outside world. It was built by our ancestors for this very purpose—to nurture talent. Whether it's Yan Ru or the others, they'll all benefit greatly."
Yan Gong stroked his beard, his tone turning thoughtful. "It's a shame, though. The grounds can only be used for a year before the spiritual energy is depleted. It takes a full decade for it to replenish."
"Tsk, ten years," Yan Guang muttered. "If only they could cultivate there for three years straight before the big competition... Imagine what they'd achieve!"
Yan Shengtian nodded, his expression calm but firm. "One year is enough. Geniuses don't need extra time to shine. Let's wait and see what they accomplish when they emerge."
Amidst the chatter, Yan Hong, Yan Zi's father, sat silently. His gaze remained fixed on the polished wooden floor, his jaw tight. The weight of the previous night still lingered heavily on him. Though the hall was filled with laughter and banter, he felt isolated, unable to shake the shame that clung to him like a shadow.
---
Yan Zi's Home
The morning sun poured through the cracks in Yan Zi's window, illuminating his small, tidy room. He stirred awake, blinking against the brightness. For a moment, he lay still, the events of the previous day replaying in his mind. The humiliation, the helplessness, his father's clenched fists—it all came rushing back.
"No time to waste," he muttered, sitting up abruptly. His dark hair was a mess, and his eyes still carried a hint of exhaustion, but his resolve burned brighter. Without bothering to freshen up or even greet his mother, he darted out of the house.
"Where's he off to in such a rush?" his mother called out from the kitchen, raising an eyebrow.
The streets of the Yan Clan grounds were already bustling with activity, but Yan Zi paid no attention to the noise or the people around him. His destination was clear—the Yan Clan's library.
"If there's anything in this world that can help me, it has to be in the library," he thought. His pace quickened, the sound of his hurried footsteps echoing off the cobblestone paths.
The towering structure of the library loomed ahead, its ancient architecture a testament to the clan's rich history. As he reached the entrance, Yan Zi paused, his chest heaving slightly from the run.
"Let's see if this place has the answers I need," he whispered, stepping inside.
The Yan Clan library was vast, its towering shelves lined with ancient tomes and scrolls, their spines whispering of the knowledge of generations past. Yan Zi stood at the entrance, his bright blue eyes scanning the rows with determination.
"Advanced alchemy... it has to be here somewhere," he muttered under his breath as he stepped in, the faint creak of the wooden floor beneath his feet breaking the silence.
For days, Yan Zi had returned to the library, searching tirelessly through its endless shelves. His hands brushed over dusty covers, pulling out book after book, only to sigh in frustration and shove them back when they didn't hold the answers he sought. "Tsk, what a mess... All this knowledge, but nothing useful," he grumbled.
The clan's lack of emphasis on alchemy was evident. Despite their wealth and status, the Yan Clan had no practicing alchemists. The healing pills they used were imported from outside and were of the lowest tier—tier 2. Even those were considered a luxury, their prices steep and availability limited. The few tier 3 pills they obtained, like the Mystic Qi Pill, which accelerated cultivation, and the Jade Essence Pill, which instantly restored spiritual energy, were treated like treasures, handed out sparingly during crucial moments. As for tier 4 pills? They were nothing more than a pipe dream, reserved for dire emergencies or used in clan battles.
"No wonder no one bothers with alchemy here," Yan Zi sighed, shaking his head. His voice echoed faintly in the quiet halls. "Tsk, stingy old elders. Can't even invest in something useful."
Day after day, Yan Zi combed through the library, his frustration mounting. By the tenth day, his patience was wearing thin. His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, his hair a wild mess. Yet, he refused to give up.
As he reached for yet another nondescript book, his gaze caught something unusual—a faint glow emanating from the corner of a high shelf. His breath hitched. "What's that?"
He moved closer, craning his neck to get a better look. There, on the topmost shelf, sat a book with a glowing cover, its faint light pulsating like a heartbeat. His lips curled into a triumphant grin. "Finally!" he exclaimed. "It has to be the one!"
Balancing precariously on a stool, Yan Zi stretched his arm upward, his fingers barely brushing the spine. With one final push, he grabbed the glowing tome and brought it down. Dust exploded into the air, causing him to cough violently. "Tsk, couldn't this thing be cleaner?!" he muttered, waving his hand in front of his face.
When the dust settled, he stared at the book in his hands. The cover was elaborate, adorned with intricate patterns of golden flames, and the title gleamed: "The Art of Advanced Alchemy."
Yan Zi's grin widened, but as he opened the book, his face froze. His jaw slackened, and his eyes widened in disbelief.
"What in the... This thing is massive!" he groaned, flipping through the thick pages. The book was enormous, packed with diagrams, formulas, and dense text. "How am I supposed to read all this?! Forget reading—I don't even know if I can lift this thing for much longer!"
He plopped down onto the floor with a heavy thud, letting the book rest on his lap. "This could take months... no, years!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up dramatically. "Why couldn't they write a short version? Like, 'Advanced Alchemy for Beginners' or something!"
After several moments of sulking, Yan Zi sighed deeply, standing up and dusting off his robes. "Alright, no use complaining. Let's see how much this is going to cost me."
---
Yan Zi approached the librarian, an elderly man with a long white beard and a perpetually sour expression. He sat hunched over a desk, scribbling away at some records. Without looking up, the librarian grumbled, "What do you want, boy?"
Yan Zi held up the book, its glowing cover catching the old man's eye. "How much to borrow this?" he asked, already dreading the answer.
The librarian squinted at the tome and stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Hmm, that one? Fifty spirit stones per day."
Yan Zi's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "What?! Fifty spirit stones? Per day?!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the library. A few disciples nearby glanced over, snickering at his outburst.
The librarian shrugged nonchalantly. "That's the rate. Take it or leave it."
Yan Zi's face twisted in frustration. He sighed heavily, scratching the back of his head. "Do you know how much I get in a month? Fifty spirit stones! That's it! And you're asking for all of it for just one day?!"
The librarian leaned back in his chair, an unimpressed look on his face. "Then I suggest you either find a way to pay or put the book back. Don't waste my time."
Yan Zi clenched his fists, his thoughts racing. "Tsk, stingy old man..." He forced a smile and leaned forward, his tone turning almost pleading. "Isn't there any other way? I really need this book. Maybe... maybe I could do some chores for you? Clean the library? Organize the shelves?"
The librarian snorted, his expression one of utter disdain. "Do I look like someone who needs help cleaning? This place has been spotless for decades!"
Yan Zi groaned, slumping onto the counter. "You're killing me here, old man. How about a discount? Just this once? Please?"
The librarian waved him off. "No discounts, no exceptions. If you can't pay, put the book back and don't bother me."
Yan Zi sighed deeply, ruffling his hair in frustration. "Tsk... Of all the luck! I finally find the book, and now this!" He glanced back at the glowing tome in his hands, a mix of longing and despair in his eyes. "There has to be another way..."
The librarian gave him a pointed look. "If you're done whining, step aside. You're blocking the line."
Yan Zi turned around to see a few other disciples waiting impatiently, their expressions a mix of amusement and annoyance. He sighed again, muttering under his breath as he stepped aside. "Stingy, cold-hearted old man... You'll regret this when I become the greatest alchemist in the clan."
Clutching the book tightly, he walked toward a corner of the library, plopping down on the floor to brood. His mind raced with ideas, none of them practical. "How am I supposed to come up with fifty spirit stones a day?" he grumbled, his head resting in his hands.
Still, as he glanced at the glowing cover of the tome, a flicker of determination returned to his eyes. "No matter what... I'll find a way."