Another person rose from the water. I recognized the brown-haired woman because she looked like Lan-Yin; one of the top ten contestants. It seemed everybody who got first dibs for the Breath Gel made it through without any issues.

"One flag remaining!"

The crowd's interest was reaching its crescendo. Many hurled curses at the remaining competitors, either for losing the crowd their bets or for giving up. The body language was visible from here; shoulders sagged, eyes facing downward...Many of the participants had given up already.

I felt my stomach churn as Ma Hualong's voice echoed, announcing only one flag left. My gaze was locked on the water's surface, each ripple a tease, a hint of movement from below. Come on, Zhi Ruo. The whispers and jeers around me were like a tightening coil in my gut.

"Zhi Ruo's just lucky," scoffed Duan Jian, his voice loud enough to carry over the murmurs of the crowd. "Preliminaries mean nothing in the real challenge!"

Several of the other contestants nodded their hands in silent agreement. All of them seemed to hold some sort of prestige or renown, based on their gaudy outfits and serious expressions. Even with my strong results, it felt like they weren't taking me seriously as a competitor.

I clenched my fists, feeling the tension knot further in my chest. The desire for him to surface with that last flag wasn't just about seeing a friend succeed—it was about proving these doubters wrong.

The crowd's restlessness mirrored my own internal turmoil. Every second stretched longer, the weight of the final flag heavy in the air. Parents shuffled, children stood on tiptoes, all eyes fixed on the shimmering blue that had become the arena for this spectacle.

"Useless! He's too slow," someone else shouted, a sneer in his tone.

I scanned the water's edge, the cool breeze off the lake doing nothing to soothe the heat of my frustration. How can they judge so harshly from the comfort of their seats? Alchemy isn't just about speed or flashiness—it's about precision, understanding, and sometimes, sheer endurance. Making the Breath Gel or Gill PIll was immensely difficult given the circumsta-

A splash.

A collective gasp swept through the crowd, snapping all heads towards the source. A figure emerged, gasping for breath, his hands empty. It wasn't Zhi Ruo.

Disappointment crashed over me, but I shoved it away, replaced instantly by renewed hope. He’s still down there. He can still make it.

The invigilators started to murmur among themselves, glancing at their timepieces and then back at the still water. The last flag... was it claimed? The tension was palpable, almost a physical presence that pressed down on all of us watching.

Then, another splash. Louder, closer.

He emerged.

Zhi Ruo's head broke the surface, water sluicing off his face, his hair plastered to his skull. And there, in his right hand, clutched with a grip that spoke of no intention to let go, was the final flag.

A cheer erupted from some, a stunned silence from others. Duan Jian’s group was momentarily speechless, their sneers wiped clean.

The librarian’s eyes met mine across the distance, a flash of triumphant relief visible even from afar. I couldn't help but smile back, pride swelling within me. He’d done it. Against the odds, under pressure, and in the face of doubt, he’d proven himself.

As he swam to shore, the crowd's energy shifted, some cheering, others muttering about their lost bets. But none of that mattered. Zhi Ruo had shown them all. He wasn’t just a scholarly alchemist with theoretical knowledge; he was a competitor in his own right.

"UWOHHH! WHAT A MAN!" Tao Ren shouted, looping his arms around my and Bai Hua's neck while jumping like a maniac.

"Get off me! Can't! Breathe!" The perfumer wheezed, trying to escape the chokehold. I struggled similarly as well. What on earth was Tao Ren made of?! It took a fair bit of effort to get him off.

All the contestants' shoulders seemed to droop even further, looking at Zhi Ruo as he walked past them all with a multitude of emotions; anger, jealousy, resignation...Eighty people were eliminated, just like that.

Ma Hualong shouted at the top of his lungs as the contest came to a close.

"THE FIRST ROUND IS OVER!" His voice boomed through speakers enchanted for clarity, reverberating across the arena.

The crowd erupted, the noise a mix of jubilation, disappointment, and the sharp exhalations of those holding their breaths. Zhi Ruo, drenched and panting, stood beneath the arena wall, the flag still clutched white-knuckled in his fist. As Ma Hualong's announcement registered, a grin split his face, wider and more genuine than I'd ever seen.

We watched as Ma Hualong stepped onto a raised platform. His gaze swept the arena, and the crowd quieted, a ripple of anticipation washing over the spectators.

"Competitors, congratulations on reaching this stage," he began, his voice carrying an undercurrent of authority. "But the true challenge has only just begun. Those who have failed, learn from this setback. There is no shame in defeat, only in not learning from it."

A few of the unsuccessful contestants looked up, their faces tight, but most kept their heads bowed. Ma Hualong nodded solemnly, then raised a hand.

At his signal, an enormous scroll unfurled from the ceiling—a list, I realized, written in elegant calligraphy. As names glowed one by one, a collective gasp swept the arena. There, near the top, Zhi Ruo's name shone brightly, followed by the names of the nineteen others who had secured a flag. My own name was there too, further down, along with Tao Ren, Bai Hua, Duan Jian, and Jingyu Lian's.

"However, the ones who made it deserve a reward; not just for their skill, but for their perseverance and clever use of their knowledge under pressure," Ma Hualong continued, his voice swelling with pride. "Each of you will be granted a unique opportunity—unrestricted access to choose any ingredient from the Alchemist Association's vault. This vault is filled with treasures of great value and rarity, collected to both promote this tournament and empower its participants."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I didn't know they gave rewards like these! I could only imagine what sort of treasures were available in their vaults!

Ma Hualong's eyes twinkled as he let the information sink in. "And let me remind you," he added, his voice dropping to ensure everyone leaned in, "the further you advance in the rounds, the more treasures you will be allowed to claim. The ultimate reward awaits the winner, an honor that will define your career as an alchemist."

I felt a surge of adrenaline at the thought. The vault! To have such an opportunity was beyond what I had imagined when I first entered this competition. My mind raced with the possibilities—what could I discover there?

"Please, visit the Alchemist Association's building tomorrow at any time you wish to collect your reward. The next round is in two days, giving you all some time to prepare and relax."

As the group left the artificial lagoon, the cheers of the crowd began to fade into a dull roar, then silence. The thrill of the crowd was replaced by a quiet anticipation as we walked back through the corridors leading to the competitors' area.

I felt a mix of exhilaration and tension. The chance to access the vault was a game-changer. I needed to play my cards right. What was the best thing to grab from the vault?

As we reached the area where competitors could relax and gather their belongings, I bid farewell to Bai Hua, Tao Ren, and Zhi Ruo. Zhi Ruo, still damp from his time in the water, clasped my hand with a grateful look.

"Kai, I can’t thank you enough. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have made it past the first round," he said earnestly, water dripping from his hair.

I shook my head, dismissing his thanks with a light smile. "You owe me nothing, Zhi Ruo. Just make sure you choose wisely at the vault tomorrow."

As I turned to leave, someone blocked my path.

Jingyu Lian approached, her white hair stark against the deep blue of her eyes, which scrutinized me intently. "That Gill Pill of yours was quite shoddy. The texture was inconsistent, and your timing and heat control were mediocre. Even from a distance, it was clear your recipe wasn’t up to par."

This rude girl! Did she neglect the fact that Duan Jian spilled water on me in the middle of my work?

Her words stung, more because they were true than anything else. My first instinct was anger, but I caught it, turning the edge of my response into something smoother, more pointed. "Watching me that closely, huh? Must be because you know I’m a threat."

Her lips tightened. "Don’t flatter yourself too much. The next round will show just how wide the gap is between us," she retorted, her tone icy.

"Clearly it can't be that wide, since your Breath Gel was breaking down so quickly under the water!"

She stomped towards me, affronted. "That's because of the Slickweed Kelp, you dolt! Not because of a mistake on my part!"

I rolled my eyes, talking in a falsetto tone. "You'll regret underestimating the Jianghu, look at me, I'm the infallible Jingyu Lian! I'd never make a mistake!"

My impression of her words from our last meeting rang true, and she flushed red.

"You're...You're insufferable!" she sputtered, finally finding her voice.

I grinned, enjoying her frustration a little too much. "Takes one to know one," I retorted. "Seems like an oversight for someone of your… supposed caliber."

Her eyes narrowed. "I don't need to explain myself to the likes of you." She spun on her heel, but not before throwing over her shoulder, "Just know this, Kai Liu. The next round is where the real competition begins. Don't get too comfortable."

I waved her off. There were more important things to worry about other than some snobby aristocrat. How was I going to find Feng Wu?

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

"...And he accused me of sabotaging him! Can you believe it?"

"Well, did you?"

"...That's neither here nor there."

Feng Wu looked at me sternly.

I sighed, stirring my soup absentmindedly. His eyebrows had arched ever so slightly—a clear sign he was gearing up for one of his 'wisdom drops.' "Like throwing a stone in your own road," he finally said, his voice steady and firm. "It might trip up your enemy, but it’s you who’ll have to walk that path again."

I pushed the food around my plate, the irony of his words sinking in. He was right, of course. In my eagerness to get back at Duan Jian, I had nearly compromised my own standing in the competition. Still, the satisfaction of seeing him flounder had been too sweet to resist at the moment.

"I know, I know," I muttered, more to my food than to him. "It won’t happen again."

Feng Wu nodded, seemingly appeased by my response.

"Is Duan Jian from a powerful clan?" I asked, pouring him some more tea.

"They're more wealthy than powerful," he responded, picking at a piece of tofu with his chopsticks. "But wealth often equates to power in its own right. And regardless of their actual strength, it’s unwise to provoke them so needlessly."

The restaurant buzzed around us, the clatter of dishes and murmur of conversations. Wealthy, not powerful—yet wealth could muster resources, sway opinions, perhaps even influence judges. I mean, he convinced a few participants to part with some of their ingredients during the first round.

I thought about the various competitors, the alliances forming, the quiet exchanges of favors and promises. This competition was as much about navigating these treacherous social undercurrents as it was about alchemical prowess.

"So, they could make things difficult for me?" I asked, trying to gauge just how much I should worry.

"Possibly," Feng Wu replied, his tone noncommittal but his eyes sharp. "It’s always prudent to choose your battles wisely, especially when the stakes are as high as they are now."

I nodded, a plan beginning to form. Avoiding direct confrontations with Duan Jian might be wise, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t prepare for any indirect challenges he might throw my way. If the Jian family’s influence was as extensive as their wealth suggested, I needed to be ready for anything.

The meal continued, the flavors of the dishes somewhat muted by the heavier thoughts about the Gauntlet.

"Thanks, Feng Wu," I said as we got up to leave, feeling more prepared and a bit more cautious. "For the advice, and for... well, keeping me grounded."

He clapped me on the shoulder, a smile breaking through his usually stern demeanor. "Just remember, Kai, the smartest warrior is one who knows when to sheathe his sword. And remember, the vault visit tomorrow could be a game-changer for you. Focus on that."

As we left the bustling ambiance of the restaurant, the cool evening breeze felt refreshing after the intense discussions. We made our way through the lantern-lit streets towards the Jade Harmony Inn. The inn, with its flowing banners and the soft, melodious sounds of a qin playing somewhere in the background, felt like stepping back into a world of tranquility away from the competitive fervor of the day.

Upon entering my room, the first sight to greet me was Tianyi, fluttering around the space with an almost ethereal grace. Close by, Windy, lay coiled on a silk cushion, his eyes bright and attentive as he sensed my presence.

"It feels like a lifetime since I last saw you two!" I said, reaching out to let Tianyi land gently on my finger, her wings tickling my skin. I pulled out a small bottle of fruit wine from my bag, the one I’d saved just for her, and poured a little into a shallow dish. Tianyi fluttered down, her proboscis delicately sipping the sweet liquid.

For Windy, I fetched some fresh meat from a pouch, laying it out on a small plate. He uncoiled slowly, slithering over with evident enthusiasm.

Seeing them both so vibrant, so alive, grounded me. It was a reminder of the simple pleasures, the life beyond alchemy and competitions.

Feng Wu, having followed me into the room, watched the scene with a soft smile. "They've missed you," he observed, settling into a chair by the window.

I nodded, sitting down across from him, the warmth from Tianyi's gentle weight on my hand spreading through me. "I missed them too. It’s strange how a couple of days felt like months."

As the spirit beasts settled, I turned the conversation back to the upcoming challenge. "So, about the vault," I started, leaning forward, "any thoughts on what I should be looking for? There’s bound to be hundreds of rare ingredients and items, but I need something... impactful."

Feng Wu stroked his chin, pondering. "It's a rare opportunity, indeed. They have many items that can boost your cultivation, if that's what you so please."

I nodded thoughtfully, tracing patterns on the wooden table with my finger. The options were enticing. "I suppose you wouldn't know what they'd have in their vaults, would you?"

"No, but the association would surely provide that. Instead of thinking a specific item, maybe look into what you want from the vault instead." Feng Wu added, his eyes gleaming with a strategist’s intensity.

My eyes widened as Feng Wu's words struck a chord. "You're right," I murmured, the realization dawning slowly but with clarity. "Instead of looking for a powerful consumable that might give me a temporary edge, perhaps I should look for something sustainable—something that grows."

Feng Wu nodded with a hint of approval in his expression. "That's certainly a good idea, Kai. Finding a rare herb or a plant that you can cultivate would be a gift that keeps on giving. You could use it repeatedly, not just in this competition but beyond, enhancing your abilities and concoctions over time."

I leaned back in my chair, my mind racing with possibilities. "That makes sense. An herb or a plant... something that can adapt to my garden's conditions. Something resilient yet potent." I felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of nurturing a rare plant, and watching it grow and harness its properties. Another addition to my garden back home, alongside the Moonlit Grace Lily!

Feng Wu chuckled softly. "I've seen your garden, Kai. You have a knack for making even the most stubborn plants thrive. Whatever you choose, I'm confident it will flourish under your care."

As we discussed the potential candidates, the excitement of what lay ahead filled the room. Each plant had its merits, but finding one that aligned with my goals as a cultivator and an alchemist was the real challenge.

Finally setting the scroll aside, I looked up at Feng Wu with a determined smile. "Thanks for helping me see things differently, Feng Wu. I was so focused on immediate gains, that I almost overlooked the long-term benefits."

He nodded, his face serious but kind. "It’s easy to be swayed by the allure of instant power, especially in the heat of competition. But remember, true strength is built over time and with patience."

"I'll keep that in mind," I said, feeling more grounded and focused than before. "Tomorrow, I'll visit the vault with a clear goal. Not just to find something rare, but something that will grow with me."