As the towering trees of my mind's library shimmered, a wave of exhaustion washed over me as I emerged from my Memory Palace, my eyes blinking open to the soft glow of sunlight peeking through the windows of the Million Books Pavilion. I glanced over to check at the progress of my quest.

Quest: Mind Refinement (Breakthrough)

- Revise one-hundred alchemical recipes and improve upon the processes within your Memory Palace. (55/100)

Not bad for one night's work, I suppose.

Rubbing my temples, I stretched my stiff limbs and surveyed the scene around me. Dozens of open books lay scattered across the table, their pages filled with intricate recipes and alchemical diagrams. The air filled with the scent of aged parchment and ink.

Across from me, Zhi Ruo remained hunched over his own mountain of books, his expression a mask of serene focus. He hadn't even blinked, it seemed, since I'd last looked up. A wry smile tugged at my lips as I watched him methodically turn the pages, his fingers tracing the characters with the delicate precision of a seasoned scholar.

The stack of books beside him had grown exponentially. In the time I'd spent within my Memory Palace, it seemed Zhi Ruo had traversed entire libraries. I couldn't help but feel a pang of admiration for his unwavering diligence. The man was a walking encyclopedia.

But something else struck me – the sheer speed at which he was consuming the information. It was like watching a whirlwind devour a scroll, each page a mere blur in his hands. He paused, tapping a finger against his temple as if committing a particularly elusive passage to memory, then resumed his relentless pace.

A thought sparked in my mind, a connection between his rapid reading and my own. Could it be...?

"Zhi Ruo," I said, my voice a bit hoarse from disuse. I glanced over at my cup of tea that had gone cold long ago, and drank it to soothe my parched throat.

He startled, his head snapping up from the book. A lock of his unkempt hair fell across his forehead, partially obscuring his baggy eyes, evidence of the late-night cram session we'd both embarked upon.

"Ah, Kai," he replied, his voice raspy and a little bewildered. "Finished your meditation already?"

"Something like that," I chuckled, gesturing towards the mess of books around us. "Do you often pull all-nighters like this?"

He shook his head, a rueful smile touching his lips. "Only when I have to. My wife wouldn't be too happy if I spent all my time holed up in here."

"I can imagine," I said, nodding in sympathy. "But you seem to be making good progress."

A spark of pride flickered in his eyes. "I'm trying my best. This competition is no joke. The only reason I can keep up with the likes of you and the others is because I've been doing this."

He was right; comparing Zhi Ruo of the first round to the one who made the finals was like night and day. He was growing in real-time, as his skills grew to match his well of knowledge.

"Indeed," I agreed. Then, taking a deep breath, I decided to broach the subject that had piqued my curiosity. "Zhi Ruo, do you have a skill called Accelerated Reading?"

He froze, his eyes widening slightly. The air crackled with a sudden tension. "What... what makes you ask that?"

I leaned forward, my voice barely above a whisper. "Because no one could possibly read this many books in such a short time without it. And well... I have it too."

A long moment of silence passed. The only sound was the rustling of pages as Zhi Ruo slowly closed the book he was holding. He met my gaze, his eyes narrowed in contemplation.

"Kai," he finally said, his voice low and measured, "why would you think I possess such a skill? It's not exactly common knowledge."

"It's not common knowledge," I agreed, "but it makes perfect sense for someone like you, a librarian of the Million Books Pavilion. And besides," I added with a sly grin, "I'm pretty good at recognizing my own kind."

His lips twitched into a reluctant smile. "I see. Well, I suppose there's no point in denying it. Yes, Kai, I have Accelerated Reading."

"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me," I assured him. "I wouldn't want everyone knowing about my little shortcuts either."

I couldn't help but ponder his revelation. Zhi Ruo, a librarian with a hidden talent for Accelerated Reading... it made a strange sort of sense. But why would someone with such a gift choose to participate in the Grand Alchemy Gauntlet? It wasn't exactly a common path for a bookworm.

Leaning forward with genuine curiosity, I asked him a question. "If you don't mind me asking, what prompted you to enter the Gauntlet? Was it the fame? The recognition? The opportunity to showcase your alchemical prowess?"

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

He shook his head, his smile tinged with wistfulness. "Nothing so grand, I'm afraid. It's simply... I want to provide a better life for my family."

My eyebrows rose in surprise. "Your family?"

"Yes," he replied, his gaze fixed on the worn pages of a book he had picked up. "My wife and children. They deserve more than the meager living I can provide as a librarian. The Gauntlet, with its potential rewards and recognition, offered a chance to change that."

"But surely there are other ways to earn money," I pointed out. "With your skill and knowledge..."

He chuckled dryly. "Not as quickly or as reliably as this, Kai. Alchemy is a lucrative profession, and the Gauntlet provides unparalleled exposure. Besides," he added, a glimmer of determination in his eyes, "I've already received offers from a few prominent clans to come under their wing and practice alchemy."

I was taken aback. "That's incredible, Zhi Ruo! Congratulations."

"Thank you," he said, a hint of pride coloring his voice. "It would mean safety, security, and a future for my children. Generational wealth, even." His tone turned somber. "But I know, realistically, I won't win against the likes of you and Jingyu Lian. However, a strong showing in this Gauntlet will give me leverage to negotiate even better offers."

His words resonated with a quiet resolve. He wasn't here for glory or fame; he was fighting for the future of his family. It was a motivation I could understand and respect.

A comfortable silence settled between us. Then, Zhi Ruo looked up, his eyes meeting mine with a newfound intensity.

"And you, Kai?" he asked. "What are your plans? With your talent, you'll have plenty of eyes on you, win or lose. Have you considered what you'll do with the attention?"

I hesitated, caught off guard by his directness. "I... I haven't thought that far ahead," I admitted. "My main goal is to repay the Verdant Lotus sect for their kindness and guidance. Another thing I had in mind was expanding my shop back home. How does Kai's Emporium sound?"

Zhi Ruo nodded thoughtfully, and he stifled a giggle at the thought of my Emporium. How rude!

"A noble goal," he said. "But life is rarely so simple, Kai. You're young, and you have a unique talent, a gift that could open doors you never imagined. Don't dismiss the opportunities that come your way."

He paused, his gaze unwavering. "If I were you, I'd seriously consider any offers from the Alchemy Association. With your performance here, you could very well end up serving directly under the elders, just as Ma Hualong did when he won the Gauntlet."

i stayed quiet for a moment. The idea of joining the Alchemy Association, growing under their tutelage... It would be a life-changer. I'd be set for life!

"...Well, regardless of what happens," I got up, dusting my maroon robes off as I did so. "I know we'll put up our best effort. Do you mind if I come back this evening to study again? Same time?"

"You know where to find me, Kai."

I bade him farewell, carefully putting all the books I read back in their place.

Opening the double-doors leading out of the pavilion, I was greeted with the crisp morning air, a refreshing change from the stuffy library. The sun, though still low in the sky, cast a golden glow over the city, its light reflecting off the frost that had formed overnight. A shiver ran down my spine, reminding me of the winter chill.

Despite the early hour, the streets were already bustling with activity. Merchants were setting up their stalls, hawkers were crying out their wares, and cultivators of all stripes were going about their daily business. As I made my way through the crowds, I couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation.

"...crazy night, it was," a woman muttered to her companion, shaking her head in disbelief. "A bunch of cultivators, drunk as skunks, tearing up the streets."

"I heard one of them got kicked in the face by Old Man Wowang's horses," a nearby man chimed in, chuckling. "Lost a few teeth, he did. Serves him right for being such a rowdy drunkard."

Another voice joined the chorus. "Cultivator or not, there's no training to strengthen your teeth against a horse's hoof..."

I stifled a laugh as I moved on, the image of a toothless cultivator flashing through my mind. The events of the previous night, while concerning, seemed to have provided the city's gossipmongers with ample fodder for amusement.

As I walked, I noticed several areas where the streets were damaged – overturned carts, broken stalls, and scattered debris. It seemed the drunken rampage had been quite extensive. I shook my head, wondering what could have possessed a group of cultivators to behave in such a reckless manner.

Eventually, I made it back to the Jade Harmony Inn, my mind still buzzing with the events of the morning. The warm, inviting atmosphere of the inn was a welcome contrast to the cold, bustling streets. I knocked on the door leading to my room, and I heard a muffled voice from the other side.

It swung open to reveal Feng Wu, grinning at me.

"Well? How was your time at the Million Books Pavilion?"

"Excellent," I replied, returning Feng Wu's grin. "Zhi Ruo's an excellent study partner, though he sure can read through books fast." I paused. "Speaking of partners, how are Tianyi and Windy?"

I poked my head in to see Tianyi, who was perched delicately on the windowsill, her wings shimmering in the sunlight. Windy, coiled comfortably on a cushion, raised his head in greeting, his forked tongue flickering in and out.

"They seem to have settled in well," Feng Wu chuckled. "I fed them yesterday, but they're always looking out the window for some reason. Perhaps they want to explore?"

"I have an idea," I said, a plan forming in my mind. "Why don't we all go out for breakfast? It's not good for them to be cooped up in here all the time."

Feng Wu's face brightened. "That's a wonderful idea, Kai. Let's go."

We set out, Tianyi fluttering gracefully beside me while Windy slithered along the ground, his scales gleaming in the morning light. I prepared her cage, so I could carry her with ease. As we walked, Feng Wu placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"I am so proud of you, Kai," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "You've come so far in such a short time. Your performance in the Gauntlet has been nothing short of extraordinary."

"...Thanks, Feng Wu. I appreciate it."

A wave of guilt washed over me as he spoke. I hadn't told him about Elder Wei's interference or Jingyu Lian's involvement in getting Lei Ren added as a judge. It felt like a betrayal, keeping this from him when he had been nothing but supportive. But the situation seemed to have resolved itself, and I didn't want to cause any unnecessary worry.

"Speaking of the Gauntlet," Feng Wu continued, "how interesting that Master Lei Ren was one of the judges for this round. I wonder how he ended up on the panel so late?"

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. Did he know? Had he somehow figured out my involvement in Lei Ren's sudden appearance?

"I... I don't know," I stammered, trying to regain my composure. "It was a surprise to everyone, I think."

Feng Wu studied me for a moment, his eyes narrowed slightly. I felt my back dampen with sweat.

"Are you alright, Kai?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "You seem a little... on edge."

I forced a smile, hoping to dispel his suspicions. "Just tired, I guess. All that studying has taken its toll." I quickly changed the subject, gesturing towards a nearby food stall. "What do you think about that place? It looks quite good."

But Feng Wu wasn't so easily distracted. He placed a gentle hand on my arm, halting my progress. "Kai," he said, his voice low and serious, "did you have anything to do with Master Lei Ren's addition to the judges' panel?"

A bead of sweat trickled down my back as Feng Wu's words hung in the air. My mind raced, conjuring up images of me being banished, or worse, forced to endure an endless lecture from Feng Wu.

"Me?" I squeaked, my voice betraying my nerves. "Why, I'm just a humble herbalist, barely scraping by in this vast world of alchemy. Surely, you don't suspect little ol' me of meddling in the affairs of esteemed judges?" I attempted a nonchalant shrug, hoping to mask my rising panic.

Feng Wu's eyes softened, and he gave my arm a reassuring squeeze. "Kai," he said gently, "you can tell me anything. You know that, don't you?"

And that was all he needed to say before I cracked.

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

Elsewhere, in Crescent Bay City, a certain blue-eyed alchemist was sitting across a table beside an old man in pristine, silver robes.

Jingyu Lian spoke, her voice firm but respectful.

"Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, Master Lei Ren. It's an honour."

"Spare me the formalities. What do you want?"

She remained in her seat, stiff as a rod. Jingyu Lian took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering as she looked directly into his eyes.

"Master Lei Ren," she began, her voice steady, "I need to know the truth. Were you instated as a judge by my father to give me a favorable result?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. The silence that followed was almost unbearable. Lei Ren's expression remained unreadable, his eyes locked onto hers, weighing her words.