SUPREME ARCH-MAGUS

The sky above Kulu Capital was just beginning to lighten, a pale indigo wash creeping over the peaks as spirit birds chirped in the distance. Inside his modest courtyard, Kent sat cross-legged, meditating with deep, rhythmic breaths. The silence was absolute—until a faint hum echoed within his robe.

A jade slip shimmered with soft green light.

Opening his eyes, Kent channeled a thread of spiritual sense into it. A sweet, delicate voice—faintly mischievous yet noble—filled his mind:

"I am going to Pill King Market with my master today. There's an extra seat in the spirit cart. It's a three-day trip. Come if you want—but be prepared."

The voice belonged to Lin Lin.

Kent's lips curled upward. He rose to his feet, his eyes gleaming with interest. Pill King Market—a name even novice alchemists whispered with reverence. Rumors spoke of rare herbs growing in suspended gardens, of thousand-year-old auction houses, and of master alchemists from distant sects bartering divine pills for martial secrets.

"This is the perfect chance…" Kent murmured. Not just for alchemy—but to see the outside world beyond the strict walls of the Kulu Capital.

Without wasting time, he walked straight toward Master Yao residence on Poison peak.

Inside the poison mists of the peak, Master Yao was tending to a bubbling cauldron of venom, his aged fingers glowing with silver qi threads. He didn't even glance up as Kent approached.

"You came to take leave, didn't you?" The master asked.

Kent blinked. "How did you—"

"You reek of anticipation. That girl Lin Lin invited you somewhere, hmm?"

"Master! How do you know about Lin Lin?" Kent asked in surprise.

"You are my personal disciple. I will know whatever you do in this city!" Yao replied without turning. "So. tell me where are you going?"

Kent scratched his head sheepishly. "To Pill King Market… a three-day trip."

"Hmph," Master Yao grunted, waving a hand, causing the poison cauldron to settle down. "You're chasing women and herbs, not necessarily in that order."

Kent chuckled. "It's a good opportunity."

The old master studied him for a long moment, then reached into a dark storage ring and pulled out a black pouch. "Here. Ten thousand mana pearls. I want you to buy three poison beads of Night Mist Cobra—grade two or higher. Don't get cheated."

Kent's eyes widened. "This much…?"

"You think poison mages survive on penny coins?" Master Yao snorted. "Just don't die. Bring the beads, or bring my pearls back. And if you see anything with frost venom… get that too."

Kent bowed deeply. "I'll do my best, Master."

-

Later that morning, Kent moved swiftly through the outer markets of Kulu Capital. Stalls buzzed with low-level disciples haggling for basic talismans, dried herbs, and spiritual rations. The scent of roasted beast meat and spirit fruits filled the air.

Kent bought a supply of dry rations, spirit water flasks, and a few camphor jade leaves—to combat poison mists or forest rot during travel.

He tucked everything into his spirit pouch and stood at the edge of the market road, wind tugging at his robes, anticipation buzzing in his chest.

Kent stood quietly by a spirit lantern post, his figure calm and composed beneath the faint glow of jade-green light. His spirit pouch was strapped tight, his mind focused on the journey ahead to the Pill King Market.

Suddenly, the temperature seemed to shift.

A blast of spiritual pressure cut through the air.

Footsteps echoed—slow, heavy, regal. A tall young man in golden imperial robes appeared, his face proud and sharp, his hair tied with a phoenix jade pin. A tiger sigil gleamed on his belt—symbol of the Royal Ping Family.

He stopped in front of Kent, his eyes narrowing.

"Are you Kent?"

Kent glanced at him, calm as still water. "I am."

The young man sneered.

"Then let me give you a warning, trash from the lower court. Stay away from Lin Lin… or I'll break your legs myself."

His words were laced with arrogance, his voice steady and domineering. Around them, a few market-goers halted, sensing the tension thickening.

Kent's brows didn't even twitch.

The man stepped closer, his golden sleeves brushing Kent's arm.

"Don't think hiding in Poison Peak under that old crow Master Yao makes you invincible. I don't fear your poisons or your flames."

He leaned in, voice dropping to a venomous whisper.

"I am Ping Luo, third prince of the Royal Ping Family—soon to be the righteous heir to the imperial throne. Lin Lin will be my queen. You? You're not even worthy to polish her shoes."

Kent's gaze remained still. Like an ancient mountain, unmoved by thunder.

He said nothing.

Ping Luo's smile faltered for a moment, irked by the silence.

Just then, the wind shifted. A wave of sakura fragrance filled the air.

A graceful shadow descended from the sky.

Lin Lin, clad in soft lavender robes, her glossy black hair fluttering like ink in the breeze, landed atop a magnificent spirit beast—a Snow-Feathered Bird, its wings lined with pearl feathers that shimmered under the morning light.

"Kent," she called gently, ignoring Ping Luo entirely. "Sorry for the wait. Let's go."

Ping Luo immediately turned to her, putting on a noble smile. "Lin Lin, I was just—"

"I wasn't speaking to you," Lin Lin interrupted, her voice like cold jade.

She extended her hand to Kent.

Without hesitation, Kent stepped forward and took her hand lightly, mounting the soft back of the Snow-Feathered Bird behind her. The beast gave a harmonious cry before taking off into the clouds.

As they soared into the sky, Ping Luo stood below, face darkened with rage.

He raised two fingers to his throat in a kill gesture, his eyes burning.

"You'll regret this, Kent. I swear on the imperial name of Ping!"

But Kent, wind brushing against his face, didn't even look back.

Later...

The Snow-Feathered Bird let out a low cry as it descended gracefully onto a sky-bound spirit ship, gently rocking above the clouds. The ship, carved from black wood and inlaid with spirit jade, shimmered under the morning sun.

Thirteen disciples, dressed in various robes of alchemy factions, sat in silence—some meditating, others whispering softly. Soon, many of them began murmuring after seeing Kent beside Lin Lin.

At the ship's front, a middle-aged lady sat with poise and authority. Her face was youthful, unmarred by time, yet her sharp eyes and the golden alchemy sigil on her sleeve betrayed her immense status. Her presence alone silenced even the wind. This was Master Yun Rou, Lin Lin's vice master—a 5-star Alchemy Queen of the empire.

As Lin Lin dismounted, she bowed slightly. Kent followed with a courteous nod.

Before either could speak, Yun Rou snapped her fingers, her long sleeves fluttering in the wind.

Boom!

The ship surged forward with a burst of spiritual energy, slicing through the clouds like a heavenly blade. The sudden acceleration pulled Kent slightly back, but he quickly balanced himself.

Lin Lin whispered with a smile, "That's her way of saying welcome."

Kent chuckled under his breath, eyes narrowing in excitement as the world below blurred in streaks of blue and white.