"Jingyu Lian!"

A raucous round of applause resounded throughout the arena. She closed her eyes, almost sagging in relief.

I clapped along politely, biting down on the rush of disappointment and the slightest hint of regret.

But between the regret of losing honorably and winning disgracefully, I knew I'd choose the former a hundred times over.

Well, maybe ninety-nine times. Sometimes I got tempted by the easy way out.

Ma Hualong promptly removed the silk covering the mystery item, revealing what was hidden underneath.

A thin, glass vial containing an intense violet color.

"Behold," Ma Hualong announced, "the original Violet Bloom Antidote."

The crowd murmured in awe as the vibrant hue shimmered under the arena lights.

"This antidote," Ma Hualong continued, "is made of wolfsbane, bloodthorn seeds, activated charcoal made from lotus rhizomes and skullcap, distilled water, and one final key ingredient."

My heart quickened. Wolfsbane, bloodthorn seeds, activated charcoal—these were all key ingredients that I had guessed correctly. It strengthened my case for making it to the final round.

But I knew Jingyu Lian was correct. The final ingredient. It was...

"The last ingredient is angelica root, otherwise known as female ginseng."

A collective gasp rose from the audience. I cursed silently, realizing my mistake. I had been peripherally aware of angelica root, but more familiar with its other name as female ginseng. That explained why Ma Hualong had paused when I asked my question on whether or not ginseng was included in the recipe.

"Jingyu Lian," Ma Hualong said, turning towards her with a respectful nod, "you were the only contestant to correctly identify the final ingredient. Could you explain how you came to this conclusion?"

Jingyu stepped forward, the picture of serene confidence. "Angelica root, or female ginseng, is often overlooked due to its misleading name," she explained smoothly. "While unrelated to ginseng, it's equally valuable, particularly in women's health for centuries. As a powerful blood tonic, it enhances the efficacy of wolfsbane, a key component of the antidote." She paused, her gaze sweeping over the judges. "Through extensive research and a fortunate familiarity with women's health practices, I was able to deduce its inclusion in this formula."

Humility laced her tone, yet there was an underlying edge, a reminder that she was not just knowledgeable, but confident in her abilities.

The judges nodded approvingly, impressed by her depth of knowledge and the grace with which she handled her victory. Elder Wei Lian clapped along politely, but his smile didn't reach his eyes.

I couldn't help but notice Jingyu Lian's reaction was subdued despite her triumph. She kept glancing at the latest addition amongst the judges, her gaze lingering with an indescribable emotion. Was it... suspicion?

Lei Ren, maintaining his stoic demeanor, finally spoke. "Jingyu Lian, your understanding of the ingredients and their interactions is commendable. Your ability to draw connections from your research to this ancient recipe demonstrates both skill and insight. Alchemy is not just about knowledge but also about precision and adaptability. You have shown both today."

Jingyu Lian bowed slightly, acknowledging Lei Ren's words. "...Thank you, Master Lei Ren. I will strive to continue learning and refining my skills."

The judges continued their deliberations, and the tension in the arena was palpable. Ma Hualong stepped forward again, his expression serious. "The contestants who have qualified for the final round, based on their skill, knowledge, and the effectiveness of their antidotes, are as follows."

He paused, letting the suspense build. "Second place goes to Kai Liu."

I smiled as I stepped forward. I was only one ingredient short, but I had made it. The applause felt like a validation of my efforts.

Third and fourth place went to Tian Zhu and Fang Xiang, perennial high-performers since the first round. I eyed them, seeing their elation upon qualifying. The remaining contestants fidgeted, looking amongst each other for who would be selected. Bai Hua seemed resigned, closing his eyes with a sad smile on his face.

The final spot hung in the balance. Ma Hualong finally announced, "The fifth and last spot goes to... Zhi Ruo."

The librarian's eyes widened in surprise, and he let out a breath he had been holding. He stepped forward, bowing deeply to the judges.

Bai Hua, who stood just outside the qualified group, took his elimination with grace. He approached both me and Zhi Ruo, shaking our hands warmly. "Congratulations to both of you," he said sincerely. "I wish you the best of luck in the final round. I'll be watching in the stands with Tao Ren, I suppose."

He glanced over in the crowd. A certain loud-mouthed blacksmith was whooping and hollering from the stands.

"Thank you, Bai Hua," I replied, shaking his hand firmly. "I'll win for you!"

Zhi Ruo added, "Yes, best of luck to you in your future endeavors."

Regardless of his loss, he certainly made his mark on the audience. The Summer Sun Cosmetics made their debut with a resounding impact here in the Gauntlet. Perhaps I could ask Bai Hua for a discount? I think everyone from back home would enjoy what he had to offer.

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

Ma Hualong addressed the qualified contestants once more. "You have all shown great promise and skill to reach this stage. However, the final round will be the most challenging yet. It will take place in three days, not only to give us time to prepare the Marble Jade Arena but also to ensure you are ready for what lies ahead."

He paused, his gaze intense. "Do not take these three days as an opportunity to relax. The final round will test you in ways you have not yet imagined. It will be both dangerous and intense. Prepare yourselves accordingly."

The warning sent a shiver down my spine, filling me with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. What could the final round possibly entail? I was dying to know!

Maybe I should eavesdrop on Jingyu Lian and her father again...Ha!

As we were dismissed, I couldn't help but ponder the upcoming challenge. I knew I had to make the most of these three days, studying and refining my skills to ensure I was ready for whatever the final round would demand.

I summoned the Heavenly Interface to look at the progress on my most recent quest.

Quest: Mind Refinement (Breakthrough)

- Revise one-hundred alchemical recipes and improve upon the processes within your Memory Palace. (36/100)

I needed to complete this over the next few days. But revising alchemical recipes and improving them was difficult; most of them were already refined to their utmost limit. And even if they weren't, I wasn't at the level where I could spot the areas they could be improved.

But if there was a place where I could learn more recipes, as well as methods to improve them, there was only one in Crescent Bay City.

"Zhi Ruo, would you mind if I used that favour from the first round now?"

----------------------------------------

Gu Bei, a proud disciple of Narrow Stone Peak, stumbled through the maze-like alleys of Crescent Bay City. The city's labyrinthine layout, with its sudden turns and shadowed recesses, would have been disorienting even for a sober mind. But the trained cultivator was anything but sober.

"Blasted city!" Gu Bei cursed, nearly tripping over a loose cobblestone. "Can't even walk straight in this maze!" He hiccuped, a sour smell of cheap wine wafting from his breath.

The alcohol had dulled his senses, making him easy prey for the shadows that seemed to dance around every corner. The din of the night was filled with the chirping of crickets, but Gu Bei could swear he heard the faintest sound of wings flapping, a barely perceptible hiss cutting through the darkness.

"G-Get away from me!" Gu Bei hissed, his eyes widening in fear. "Do you know who I am?!"

The paranoia was thick in the air, fueled by both the alcohol and what happened to the rest of the Five Fists.

He hunched over a wall, taking a few seconds to catch his breath. His eyes darted around the narrow alley, struggling to grasp what had just happened.

"What's going on?" he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the pounding of his heart. "Who’s doing this to me?"

Just then, a streak of light plummeted from the sky, landing squarely on Gu Bei's shoulder. An oil lantern shattered, showering him in hot oil and igniting his robes.

"AIIIIIEEE!" Gu Bei shrieked, flailing wildly. He ripped off his burning clothes, the flames licking at his skin as he rolled on the ground in a desperate attempt to extinguish them.

Gu Bei recoiled from the sudden heat, a strangled cry escaping his lips. The lantern's oil clung to his robes, turning them into a fiery shroud. Panic seized him as he clawed at the fabric, each tug met with the agonizing sting of burning flesh. He thrashed in the alley, his movements wild and uncoordinated, the flames casting grotesque shadows on the brick walls.

As he tumbled through the dirt, the sound of his own frantic breathing filled his ears. He finally managed to snuff out the fire, but not before singeing his hair and leaving angry red welts on his skin. Naked and humiliated, Gu Bei staggered to his feet, his eyes darting around the narrow alley. He clutched at the air, his mind struggling to grasp what had just happened.

He could hear the faint flapping of wings and the soft hiss again, making his paranoia spike. The alley opened into a crowded street, and as Gu Bei stumbled out, gasping and naked, the city folk erupted in laughter. Pointing fingers and mocking jeers surrounded him.

"Look at the drunkard!" someone shouted.

"Lost your clothes in a bet?" another mocked.

Gu Bei tried to cover himself with his hands, his face burning with shame. Just as he thought things couldn’t get worse, a pair of city guards pushed their way through the crowd.

"Public indecency! You’re under arrest!" one guard barked, grabbing Gu Bei roughly by the arm.

"No! You don’t understand! I was being chased by...by spirits!" Gu Bei howled, struggling against the guards’ grip. But his protests fell on deaf ears as they dragged him away.

High above, in the shadows of a rooftop, Tianyi and Windy watched the spectacle unfold. Tianyi’s blue wings shimmered faintly in the moonlight as she communicated her satisfaction through a wave of triumphant feelings to Windy. The young Wind Serpent, with his pure-white scales glistening, flicked his tail in approval.

The scene quickly devolved into chaos. Gu Bei, now completely naked, stumbled into a crowded street, his panicked cries echoing off the buildings. Onlookers roared with laughter, pointing and jeering at the spectacle of a drunken, naked cultivator.

Scattered throughout the labrynthine streets of Crescent Bay City, the rest of the Five Fists shared similar fates. The first lay unconscious in an alley, a pile of heavy roof tiles scattered around him – a clear sign of an "accidental" fall. Further on, the second disciple was found missing several teeth, trampled by a pair of spooked horses that were now running amok through the streets. A few blocks away, the third and fourth disciples lay buried under a pile of debris and rotting fruit, having crashed into a food stall and a cart full of miscellaneous goods.

Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, Windy and Tianyi observed the unfolding chaos with a shared sense of satisfaction. It was their doing, of course. A well-placed strike from Windy had caused the scaffolding of the food stall to collapse, a well-timed gust of wind from Tianyi's wings to dislodge roof tiles, and then – instant karma.

The area looked like the aftermath of a drunken rampage, a perfect cover for the chaos Tianyi and Windy had orchestrated. To the casual observer, it seemed like a group of inebriated cultivators had caused havoc, their actions resulting in a series of unfortunate accidents.

Windy raised his head and flicked his tongue into the air, navigating the city with grace and speed, followed by Tianyi from high above. This plan was only possible with the serpent's tracking skills, having an innate ability to find prey he's bitten. Eventually, they made their way back to the first disciple, groaning in a drunken stupor and hanging on to his last thread of consciousness on an empty street.

The serpent crawled over to the man's shaved head, coiling itself around his neck with instinctual precision. Disoriented and barely coherent, he felt the cold scales tightening around his throat. The disciple's eyes widened in terror as he struggled weakly, the grip slowly suffocating him and turning his face an alarming shade of blue.

Before Windy could tighten further, Tianyi flitted down and placed herself on the serpent's snout. She sent a wave of caution and restraint through their telepathic bond. The message was clear.

'It's enough. Let's go.'

Windy, ever the predator, narrowed his eyes in challenge. He could understand the intent, but something primal in him rebelled. Why leave them alive? Why not finish the job? This human was weak, pathetic. An easy kill.

Tianyi sensed his reluctance, a flicker of frustration passing between them. A struggle to pass on what she knew of the immortals. She fluttered in front of his snout, sending a telepathic message of assurance.

'Trust me.'

Windy's eyes flickered to the figure beneath him. He could sense the man's fear, the desperation in his shallow breaths.

A single thought passed through the serpent's mind.

'Why do I obey?'

He knew what he was. A snake. A predator.

He knew what he was. A snake. A predator. The natural order dictated that the strong devour the weak, that those who could not defend themselves were nothing more than prey. So why was he here, compliant, obeying a creature smaller and seemingly weaker than himself?

Memories came unbidden, flashing through his young mind like lightning. He remembered the first time he had seen Tianyi's power despite her small stature, rending scars on trees with her wings. It was she who had orchestrated and directed this intricate plan to avenge Kai, guiding him with a precision and foresight that defied her size and appearance.

Tianyi's insistence pushed through again, stronger this time. It resonated with a power that Windy couldn't deny, the pure, untainted energy of a being older and wiser than him. Reluctantly, he uncoiled himself, slithering away from the man's neck. A hiss of warning was his final act of defiance.

The butterfly fluttered ahead, leading the way back to their inn. Windy followed, a sense of unease lingering in his scales. He had conceded this time, but the question remained. Why show mercy to those who would harm them? He would wait, observe, learn. For now, he would trust Tianyi's judgment, but the predator in him was far from satisfied.

As the pair moved swiftly through the shadowed alleys of Crescent Bay City, The butterfly's sharp senses picked up a familiar figure approaching the inn. With a telepathic nudge, she urged Windy to increase his pace. The Wind Serpent, ever agile, scaled the inn's walls with ease, his body hugging the grooves and crevices.

In one fluid motion, the serpent flung open the window, allowing both of them to slip inside. Just as they did, Feng Wu walked in, his presence calm and composed.

"I've brought you some food," Feng Wu said, his tone gentle. He poured Tianyi a bowl of sugar and honey water, his face apologetic. "I can't be seen purchasing alcohol as a Taoist, but I hope this will suffice."

Tianyi fluttered her wings appreciatively, the faint shimmer in her gossamer wings conveying her thanks. Windy, meanwhile, was presented with a bunch of rats, which he eagerly began to consume.

As the two spirit beasts dove into their respective meals, Feng Wu glanced around the room, his eyes landing on the open window.

"Huh. I guess I must've left it open."