Rayen's rather unorthodox arrival into the Azure Serpent Sect's ranks had already sparked whispers. Beating Zhou Geng with what witnesses described as a "light beam and sarcasm combo" hadn't exactly been standard cultivation practice. Rayen, however, had no interest in fighting for glory or status. Not yet, anyway. His first target was a different kind of power—alchemy.
After all, what's the point of living in a magic-infused world if you can't cook up cosmic steroids in your backyard?
The Azure Serpent Sect's alchemy division was a tall, nine-tiered pagoda wreathed in silver-blue clouds. Spirit herbs thrived along its balconies, hanging in woven baskets and absorbing ambient Qi like solar panels.
Rayen approached the main counter where a weary old cultivator with a disapproving mustache looked up from a scroll.
"I would like to study pill refinement," Rayen said.
The elder gave him a once-over, gaze pausing on his spirit-robes—cheap cotton, borrowed—and his total lack of cultivation aura. "Do you even have a spiritual fire root?"
Rayen smiled. "No, but I have Q.E.D."
:: Confirmed. Thermal field mapping initiated. Local temperature gradients suggest beginner-level furnaces. Probability of explosion: 42%. ::
The elder sighed. "Fine. Take a practice furnace on the third floor. Don't inhale anything glowing."
The third floor reeked of singed robes and crushed ambition. Dozens of outer disciples hunched over squat brass furnaces, most surrounded by clouds of acrid smoke or soot. Rayen located an unused corner furnace, wiped it down with a sleeve, and began.
He placed a set of entry-level ingredients from the beginner's herb box into a mixing tray: Jade Root, Spirit Cress, and something labeled Laughing Bark.
"Alright, Q.E.D., let's turn magic soup into pills."
:: Analyzing. Herb volatility indexed. Cross-referencing standard low-tier Body Refinement Pill. Creating real-time atomic arrangement map... done. Initiating microthermal pulse control. Begin slow heat application. ::
The furnace glowed gently as Rayen followed instructions. The concoction bubbled.
:: Adjust heat to 132.4 degrees. Stir counterclockwise. Introduce Bark in spiral drop pattern. ::
Rayen moved with precision. He was in his element now—not the Qi-driven, sword-slashing chaos of cultivation, but the methodical logic of quantum synthesis.
The cauldron hummed.
Ten minutes passed. Then twenty.
Finally, with a delicate pop, a single glowing pill rose from the fumes. Perfectly round, warm to the touch, pulsing with faint energy.
:: Pill purity: 98.7%. Class: High-tier Body Refinement. Side effects: mild euphoria, increased appetite, vocal jazz hallucinations (temporary). ::
Rayen blinked. "That's better quality than half the crap sold in mortal pharmacies."
He looked around. Most other disciples were still struggling to solidify their pills—or worse, watching them melt into gloop.
"Hey, uh, new guy?" asked a nearby disciple with a soot-covered face. "Did your furnace just sing?"
Rayen slipped the pill into a vial. "Nope. That was probably just your hallucination."
And with that, he packed his things and left.
**[Rayen Wu – Cultivator Status Sheet]**
• Cultivation Stage: None
• Martial Techniques: None
• Alchemy Affinity: Promising
• Pill Formulas Attempted:
• High-tier Body Refinement Pill (success)
• Tools Available: Quantum Entangled Drive (Q.E.D.)