A stunning girl sat cross-legged on a weathered stone overlooking the depths of the vast valley. Her long crimson robes fluttered gently in the morning breeze, and her raven-black hair cascaded like a waterfall down her back. With eyes closed and breath steady, she radiated an ethereal grace that seemed untouched by time.
Around her, the sword aura that once flared like a raging flame had calmed. What had begun as chaotic and forceful was now focused and refined. Slowly, it condensed and withdrew, as if becoming one with her. Time passed unnoticed, and when she finally opened her eyes, a new light danced within them—sharp, calm, and resolute.
Her gaze fell on a white-robed figure beneath a nearby tree. The boy lay peacefully asleep, his long black hair dancing with the wind. The sunlight filtering through the leaves cast soft shadows across his face. There was a strange harmony in his slumber, as if the world dared not disturb him.
Lu Yan's heart stirred with emotions too complex to name. The first time she met Li Yang, she had dismissed him as a disgrace—a crippled young master surrounded by rumors and pity. Yet now, that image had been torn apart. The boy who lay sleeping had shattered her pride, enlightened her path, and forced her to confront her own arrogance.
He opened his eyes slowly, as if awoken by her thoughts. Their gazes met, and the corners of his lips lifted into a faint, knowing smile.
"Looks like the young lady has succeeded," he said, approaching her with a casual grace. "Now that you've achieved your goal, shouldn't we settle our deal?"
He was genuinely impressed. Breaking through the lower stage of sword intent was no easy feat, yet she had done it with just a few hints. In the past, he had taught many geniuses, but none as freakishly talented as Lu Yan. Her progress bordered on the unnatural.
Lu Yan gritted her teeth. Pride swelled in her heart at her breakthrough, but the fact that she owed it to him irritated her deeply.
"What do you want?" she asked curtly. "You should know this time, things are different. The opposition isn't just from the usual suspects. There's someone more dangerous pulling strings—someone like Yun Han."
Li Yang only smiled. "The plan is crude. Dogs barking for their masters, thinking they can make the Li family pay for their greed." His voice turned cold, and his gaze sharpened. "But I'm still here. And since I haven't left yet, they will pay for what they've done."
Lu Yan's breath hitched. There was no pretense in those words. His disdain for his enemies wasn't a bluff. It was real—like a lion watching ants scurry beneath its feet.
She hesitated for a moment, then asked seriously, "What should I do?"
Li Yang chuckled softly, appreciating her change in tone. "It's not difficult. Use your spies to spread rumors in the town. Let it be said that the Alchemist Association is colluding with noble families to exploit and drain the wealth of others. Today it's the Li family. Tomorrow, who knows?"
Lu Yan's eyes widened. Her heart skipped a beat.
"You want to smear the Alchemist Association's name? Do you even know what you're suggesting? That's suicide!"
He leaned closer, his smile unfading. "And yet, what happens if the rumors spread? What will the other major families think?"
Lu Yan was silent, but her thoughts raced. If others believed the Alchemist Association could turn on them at any moment... mistrust would spread like wildfire.
She looked at him again. Gentle and handsome on the surface—yet beneath it all was a fox, cunning and calm. She clenched her fists.
"Fine. I'll do it. Just don't make me regret it."
Several Days Later – Alchemist Association Branch, Green Cloud City
A letter lay crumpled at the base of the dais, its contents still echoing in the silent hall. Lou Rou sat atop a high-backed chair, her long lavender robes draped elegantly over the armrest. Her expression was cold, her brows furrowed, and her flawless face tinged with displeasure.
Elegant and poised, Lou Rou was famed not only for her unmatched talent in alchemy but also for her beauty that captivated many across the realm. Yet at this moment, her charm was overshadowed by her fury.
"This… nonsense," she muttered, her voice like chilled silk. "Who dares drag the Alchemist Association through the mud like this?"
She turned sharply to a trembling messenger. "Find the source. I don't care who they are. Deal with them."
An elderly woman stood beside her—Grandma Yu, her long-time advisor and guardian. Wise and serene, the old woman didn't panic.
"This wasn't the Li family's doing," Grandma Yu said slowly. "They don't have the resources or the madness to attack us directly."
Lou Rou's eyes narrowed, shimmering with both fury and thought. "Then who? The rumors spread so quickly... it was like someone had been waiting for this."
Grandma Yu's gaze turned east, toward the distant Li clan compound. "Someone cunning. Cruel. And fearless. Someone who dares provoke even us."
Lou Rou fell silent.
A single face surfaced in her mind—one she hadn't seen in two years. Her expression softened, her lips curving into an unreadable smile. Her cold demeanor faded briefly, replaced by something bittersweet.
"So… you're finally moving again," she whispered, almost to herself. "It's been two years. I've waited so long to see you rise once more."
She stood, her figure casting a tall shadow against the wall behind her.
"The era is changing," she said. "Let the games begin."