READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 52: Seeking Answers
Seeking Answers
Unable to sit idle, Rui left the estate under the cover of night. He made his way into the city, his steps purposeful as he navigated the labyrinth of streets leading to the secluded alchemy shop he had visited months before.
The alchemist, an older woman with piercing green eyes, looked up as the doorbell chimed. Her expression shifted from surprise to mild amusement. "Back so soon? What brings you here this time, Rui of the Kirean Estate?"
"I need something stronger," Rui said, his voice steady but edged with urgency. "Something that can push me past my limits."
The woman's brow furrowed. "Stronger than what I gave you last time? Most cultivators wouldn't dare ask for more after that."
"I'm not most cultivators," Rui replied firmly. "If you have something that can help me strengthen my foundation—my soul—I want it."
The alchemist studied him for a moment, her gaze sharp and calculating. Finally, she nodded and disappeared into the back room. When she returned, she held a small vial filled with a dark, swirling liquid that seemed to pulse with an ominous energy.
"This," she said, placing the vial on the counter with deliberate care, "is a soul-tempering elixir. It's designed for rare cases like yours, where the limits of the body, mana, and aura are at odds with the strength of the soul. It will force your soul to evolve, strengthening your foundation and allowing you to harness your power more effectively."
Rui stared at the vial, the liquid inside glowing faintly in the dim light. "What's the catch?"
"The risks," the alchemist replied, her tone grave. "The process is excruciating. The elixir doesn't just strengthen the soul—it tears it apart first, breaking down every weakness before rebuilding it stronger. Half who take it die. Most of the rest survive crippled, their souls shattered beyond repair. Only a rare few emerge whole."
Rui's jaw tightened. "And the ones who succeed?"
"They come out stronger than ever before," the alchemist said, her voice softening. "But the cost is steep. You'll need to stay in seclusion for months, and even then, there are no guarantees."
"Come to think of it, normally its nameless nobody's asking for this, but... looking at you..."
The alchemist's piercing green eyes scrutinized Rui, lingering on the sharp lines of his face, the confident yet restrained posture, and the faint flicker of silver in his eyes that seemed to shimmer even in the dim light of the shop. She leaned forward slightly, her curiosity intensifying.
"You don't look like a nameless nobody," she repeated, her voice tinged with both intrigue and caution. "Who are you really, boy? And what makes someone like you so desperate that you'd risk your life for this?"
Rui hesitated, his jaw tightening as he considered her question. Finally, he spoke, his voice steady but reflective. "I have everything a person could ask for," he began quietly. "A home, a family, mentors who believe in me. My life at the estate is good… too good. But that's exactly why I can't stop here."
The alchemist tilted her head, her gaze narrowing slightly as she listened. "Go on," she prompted.
A Life Worth Protecting
Rui's silver eyes turned distant, his thoughts drifting to the estate—the warm mornings spent sparring in the courtyard, his parents watching proudly from the balcony; the quiet evenings where laughter and light conversation filled the air, his mother's voice scolding him for overtraining while his father nodded approvingly in the background. It was a life of balance, of safety. And yet, it was fragile.
"I've been given so much," Rui continued, his voice tinged with a rare vulnerability. "And I've learned that the stronger you are, the more responsibility you carry. I want to protect the people who've stood by me, the ones who've given me everything. But the enemies I'll face… they won't care about how much I love my family or my home. They'll be stronger, crueler, and far more relentless."
The alchemist leaned back slightly, her expression softening as a flicker of understanding crossed her features. "So, this isn't about ambition," she said, more to herself than to Rui. "This is about duty."
"No," Rui said firmly, his silver eyes locking onto hers with unwavering determination. "It's about being ready for what's coming. I won't let my limits cost me the people I care about."
The Weight of the Elixir
The alchemist studied him for a long moment, her gaze sharp and assessing. Finally, she sighed and disappeared into the back room. When she returned, she carried a small vial, its contents swirling with an unnatural vitality. The liquid within was dark, almost black, but faint streaks of gold shimmered like veins running through it, pulsing faintly as though alive.
"This," she said, placing the vial on the counter with deliberate care, "is a soul-tempering elixir. But not the kind you've heard of. This is… different."
Rui's eyes narrowed. "What's different about it?"
The alchemist rested her hands on the counter, her green eyes locking onto his. "This isn't the standard formula. It's something I've only made a handful of times. Its potency is far greater—far more dangerous. It's designed for special cases like yours, where the limits of the body, mana, and aura have outpaced the soul's foundation. It will strengthen your soul, yes, but the process is… world-breaking."
"What do you mean, 'world-breaking?'" Rui asked, his voice low.
She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping as though sharing a dangerous secret. "This elixir doesn't just temper the soul—it reforges it. It'll tear apart every weakness, every crack, and rebuild you into something… other. If you survive, your strength won't just grow—it'll redefine what's possible."
The Cost
Rui stared at the vial, his heart pounding as he processed her words. "What's the cost?"
The alchemist straightened, her expression hardening. "The process is excruciating. It'll feel like your very essence is being ripped apart and stitched back together. Half of those who take it don't survive. Most of the rest are left crippled, their souls too shattered to function. Only a rare few emerge whole."
Rui's jaw clenched. "And those who succeed?"
"They become something more than human," the alchemist admitted, her voice softening. "Stronger than anyone you've ever met. But they're also… changed. The elixir forces you to face the deepest parts of yourself. If you're not ready for what you find, it will break you."
A Gambler's Choice
Rui's fingers hovered over the vial, his expression unreadable. "If it's so dangerous, why give it to me?"
The alchemist smirked faintly, leaning back against the counter. "Because you're not like the others. Most of the people who ask for this elixir are desperate fools looking for shortcuts. You, though… you're different. You don't want power for its own sake—you want it for a purpose. And frankly," she added, her gaze sharp and calculating, "I'm curious to see what someone like you will become if you survive."
Rui picked up the vial, its weight feeling heavier than it should. "What do I need to do?"
"You'll need to seclude yourself," the alchemist said, her tone serious. "No distractions, no interruptions. The process will take weeks, maybe months, and you'll need complete focus. Even the smallest break in concentration could mean failure—and death."
Rui nodded, slipping the vial into his pack. "I'll make the preparations."
A Final Request
As he turned to leave, the alchemist's voice stopped him. "One more thing."
Rui glanced over his shoulder. "What is it?"
The alchemist's green eyes glinted in the dim light, her voice quieter but no less firm. "If you survive… come back to me."
"Why?" Rui asked, his tone cautious.
She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Because I want to see what becomes of you. That elixir isn't ordinary, and neither are you. And I'd like to witness it."
Rui gave her a faint nod, his silver eyes gleaming. "I will."
As he stepped out into the night, the alchemist watched him go, her thoughts swirling. The faint glow of the swirling liquid lingered in her mind as she whispered to herself, "Let's see if the world can handle what I've just unleashed."