I yawned, stretching my arms as I strode towards the Marble Jade Arena. After staying out late with Tianyi and Windy, walking them around to see the sights post-dinner with Bai Hua and Tao Ren, I felt the pleasant fatigue of a night well spent. Keeping Windy from slithering out of my sleeves had been a task—his curiosity for the world was as vast as the sky.

"Ugh, did Windy get even heavier? My arm is killing me..." I muttered to myself. Combined with the chilly weather, I ended up with quite a stiff neck and arm.

I considered learning acupuncture, recalling Elder Zhu's lessons on its dual nature—harming and healing. The seamless blend of martial arts and medicine never ceased to amaze me.

As I approached the arena's grand entrance, a figure blocked my path. His hair was impeccably tied up, and his robes shimmered with enough gold to feed a family for years. Duan Jian stood there, exuding his usual air of superiority.

I attempted to sidestep him, but he mirrored my movements, effectively barring my way. My patience wearing thin, and I met his gaze squarely.

"What do you want?" I asked, my tone edged with irritation.

Duan Jian's eyes flickered, a hint of amusement playing across his features. "Just observing the competition, Liu. It’s nothing personal, you understand. We're all here to prove ourselves, aren't we?"

His words, though smooth, carried an underlying challenge.

"If you have any thoughts of sabotaging me this round, don't think I'll sit idly. You understand?"

Duan Jian's smile thinned, his gaze sharpening as he leaned in slightly, the gold threads of his robe catching the sunlight, making him look almost aflame. "Sabotage? You think too little of me, Liu. But I must say, I won't tolerate being ridiculed by a mere peasant."

I stiffened at his words. The arrogance, the disdain—it was all too clear. But I didn't have time for this. I took a step forward, my intentions set on moving past him to the arena. He tried to block me again, his hand shooting out to grab my arm.

In a swift motion, I grabbed his wrist, feeling the soft, unblemished skin that had likely never known a day of hard labor. His hands, smooth and pristine, contrasted my own, which bore the marks and calluses from countless hours of training and work. It was a reminder of our different paths, of the grit and resilience that had shaped me.

"You might want to rethink where you place your hands next time," I said, my voice low and steady. With a firm push, I forced his hand down and away, breaking his grip easily.

Duan Jian recoiled slightly, his expression a mix of surprise and anger. "You dare? Against the son of the Jian—"

"I dare," I interrupted sharply. "This competition isn't won by gold or birthright. If you step out of line, expect me to respond."

Turning away, I heard no more from him. I felt my heart beating wildly out of my chest. I couldn't help but feel cold sweat run down my back.

I'm so glad I didn't stutter. Practicing those lines, and playing up my 'young master' persona truly helped in scaring him off.

This was just getting annoying at this point. Maybe Feng Wu was right; provoking him, even if he talked badly about Tao Ren wasn't the smartest idea. Now I have to keep an eye on him while giving out my best effort during the Gauntlet.

Sighing deeply, I straightened my back and moved forward. What's done is done. The only thing now is to improve from here on out. No more provoking unnecessary fights! Unless it's necessary!

But how will I know when it's necessary? Should I list out a set of prerequisites? Is it a case-by-case situation?

"Argh! All this thinking is getting me nowhere."

Breathe in. Breathe out. Let's just focus on the Gauntlet.

My breathing exercise continued, helping me calm down as I walked. The winding hallways eventually led me to the reception, where a worker led me to the contestant's lounge.

"Ma Hualong will be providing the contestants with further information. Please wait here, we have refreshments available until then."

They opened the lounge, revealing tables laden with delectable treats and drinks stretched as far as the eye could see, the aroma of roasted meats and spiced fruits teasing my senses. This wasn't just a lounge – this was a banquet hall straight out of an indulgent emperor's dream.

My stomach rumbled in protest, reminding me of the simple fare I've been eating at the Verdant Lotus sect for the past few months. I was about to reach out for a pastry when I froze. I wasn't alone.

The other contestants were already mingling, their conversations a mixture of nervous laughter and calculated sizing-up of one another. A few were focused on the food, sampling delicacies with practiced refinement, while others perched on velvet armchairs, gossiping in hushed tones. My fingers twitched at the thought of grabbing a plate and joining the feast, but a flicker of hesitation held me back.

No, Kai. Stay focused. Remember, this is a battleground, not a buffet. I couldn't afford to look like some country bumpkin drooling over fancy pastries when everyone else was strategizing. I forced myself to straighten, pushing any thoughts of a sweet snack to the deepest recesses of my mind.

Suddenly, the air filled with boisterous shouts, and I spotted the unmistakable figure of Tao Ren bounding across the room. His hands were laden with food.

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"Kai!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the luxurious chamber. "You gotta try this!"

With remarkable speed, he reached my side, shoving a steaming dumpling under my nose.

"It's so juicy! And the filling, so savory…" Tao Ren's eyes rolled back with exaggerated pleasure as he chomped into another dumpling. He was a force of nature, a whirlwind of unabashed enthusiasm, and my carefully constructed facade of cool composure began to crumble.

"Okay, okay, give me a second," I managed, my voice betraying the slightest hint of desperation as I snatched a bun from his overflowing tray.

Seeing him gorge himself without a care in the world was admirable. The disgusted looks from the contestants was as good as invisible to him.

Bai Hua and Zhi Ruo came over, carrying much more modest plates.

"You're here! What was so important you had to ditch us, eh?" I asked the librarian, who scratched at his head slightly.

"Well, my family wanted to celebrate making the first round. I couldn't leave my wife and son alone to eat with you all, so I apologize for that."

My jaw hung open slightly. "You had kids?! And a wife?!"

Because of his demeanor, I completely forgot that Zhi Ruo was a full-grown man. It shouldn't have been surprising for him to have children, but for some reason, his lackadaisical mannerisms and occupation as a librarian made me subconsciously disregard that possibility.

As the four of us chatted, I couldn't help but scan the rest of the room. The other contestants were watching us with varying degrees of curiosity and disdain.

Suddenly, the room fell silent. I turned to see Duan Jian striding in, his gaze flickering coldly over our group. His presence seemed to radiate tension, an unspoken challenge hanging in the air. My eyes met his, and for a brief moment, we held each other's gaze before he finally looked away, a sneer crossing his face. Moving further into the lounge, he settled into a corner.

Then, another figure entered the room, drawing all eyes to her. Jingyu Lian moved with the grace of a wintry wind, her pale features a mask of perfect calm. As she brushed past me, a whiff of icy herbs and a hint of something indefinable filled my nostrils. It was a strangely captivating scent, both cool and alluring.

With her arrival, the full complement of contestants was gathered, almost immediately, Ma Hualong came in, carrying something in his hands.

"Welcome, competitors," he began, his voice carrying an undercurrent of authority. "This luxurious spread has been provided as a respite before the real challenge begins. Before the round begins, I'd like to explain what this round will contain.

He drew our attention to the item in his hand, clothed in a purple silk. Ma Hualong swept the cloth away with a flourish, revealing a chunk of gleaming, golden mineral. It sparkled deceptively in the soft light of the lounge.

"Competitors, today's challenge centers around this," he declared, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement, "pyrite."

A ripple of surprise and murmurs swept through the crowd. Several contestants leaned forward, their eyes widening. Others scoffed, their expressions dripping with disdain.

"Pyrite?" Duan Jian questioned, his face twisting in confusion. "Isn't that...useless?"

"You're not entirely wrong," Ma Hualong admitted, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Pyrite, often referred to as 'fool's gold', lacks the beneficial properties of its more illustrious cousin. It deteriorates over time, is brittle and unusable for practical purposes. Historically, many were deceived by its golden luster, mistaking it for something far more valuable."

A hush fell over the room, the initial surprise shifting into a mix of skepticism and a hint of apprehensive excitement. The challenge was taking shape, and it was already clear this wouldn't be a straightforward test of alchemical skill.

"Indeed, pyrite is largely useless in its natural form," He continued. "However, alchemy is, in essence, about transformation. Your task is to create something from this...unpromising material. It can be anything: a potion, an elixir, a powder, an ointment...even a new alchemical tool, should you deem it possible."

The room erupted in whispers. Some faces paled, while others flushed with a determined glint. I felt a sudden, familiar thrill shoot through me. Challenges like these were where I thrived.

"A panel of esteemed judges will evaluate your creations," Ma Hualong pressed on. "We will consider three main factors: quality, ingenuity, and how effectively you incorporate the pyrite."

I caught Bai Hua's eye, his brow furrowed in concentration, already deep in thought. Jingyu Lian, with her usual icy composure, remained outwardly unmoved, although I noticed her fingers drumming lightly against her thigh.

Duan Jian, however, was smirking openly. "So," he drawled, his voice loud enough for all to hear, "it seems this round is tailor-made for the peasants among us. They likely have plenty of experience working with useless things, wouldn't you agree?"

Some of the other contestants snickered, and a flush warmed my cheeks. I clenched my fists, but before I could react, Tao Ren was on his feet.

"Hey!" he bellowed, "What's wrong with being from the countryside? At least WE know how to work hard and find somethin' valuable where others see nothing!"

Ma Hualong raised his hand, restoring order. "The purpose of this round is to challenge preconceived notions and push boundaries," he stated firmly. "Remember, the most unexpected avenues often lead to the greatest discoveries."

"You have one hour to strategize before the competition officially begins..." his eyes swept across the eager yet nervous faces, "during which, you'll be provided with a list of ingredients and their quantities that will be readily available for your use. Choose wisely, competitors, for your success will depend heavily on your decisions. "

As servants began distributing scrolls, the room became a whirlwind of activity. Some competitors huddled in intense discussion, pouring over the lists, while others retreated into secluded corners, their focus intense. The luxurious lounge had transformed into a battlefield of ideas, buzzing with nervous energy and determined focus.

A grin escaped my lips as Ma Hualong finished his explanation. Pyrite being useless? Hardly. Maybe to someone who only saw shiny objects as valuable, but pyrite held a potential many overlooked. I discarded ideas before they fully formed. A potion of strength? Too obvious. An elixir of…what exactly? The key was in understanding pyrite's true nature, not the fool's gold image it projected.

The days I spent hunched over ancient texts in the Verdant Lotus library paid off at moments like this. Pyrite, that deceptive golden imposter, had a hidden secret – it could be refined into sulfur. Sulfur, a pungent yellow element, might not look impressive, but in the right hands, it became a powerful alchemical tool. With sulfur, you could create explosives. Not exactly the peaceful elixirs most alchemists strived for, but undeniably useful. More importantly, sulfur was a key ingredient in a whole host of potent concoctions – smoke bombs for distraction, sulfuric acid for etching and purification, and so on.

The possibilities unfurled before me. But this was a competition, not a time for brute force. A weaponized concoction might win points for ingenuity, but subtlety and control were valued even higher. Besides, causing explosions in an enclosed space wasn't exactly a recipe for success (or continued existence).

My gaze darted towards the approaching servant, a scroll clutched in his hand. The list of available ingredients would be the final piece of the puzzle. Before I could reach out and grab for it, Ma Hualong spoke once again.

"...Before you review your ingredient options, there is one additional benefit for those who excelled in the previous round," He paused, his gaze raking over the nervous faces, "The top five performers may request one additional ingredient for this round, within reason, of course. Ask for it now or at any point during the brainstorm session."

The lounge erupted in a chorus of gasps and whispers. My mind raced. An extra ingredient could be the key to unleashing pyrite's full potential.

"The top performers are," His voice boomed, "in no particular order, Tian Zhu, Fang Xiang, Bai Hua, Jingyu Lian and Kai Liu!"

Bai Hua, ever cool and collected, simply nodded in acknowledgment. Jingyu Lian, seemed more interested in overlooking the available ingredients on her scroll. The other two contestants only nodded, gazing over their scrolls and in deep thought.

Then, Ma Hualong's words turned my focus inward, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Remember competitors, this round is about embracing the unexpected. Do not let preconceptions or the opinions of others limit your imagination. You have one hour. Use it wisely."

An additional ingredient, eh? Looking over the scroll, I could see a distinct lack of qi plants here. But if we were allowed any ingredient, then it widened my options even further.

I had to narrow down my options, so I could choose my ingredient confidently. Out of all them, what was the best item I could think up using pyrite?

My mind raced as it read through the scroll, a kaleidoscope of potential ingredients swirling before my eyes. They were the standard alchemist's toolkit. But I needed something special, something to elevate my creation beyond a mere potion or powder.

Elixir. That seemed the most appropriate form. Elixirs were potent, precise liquids, their magic coursing through the bloodstream, capable of both subtle and profound effects. I was also specialized in them, even over pills, because of my history as a herbalist. But what elixir? My gaze lingered on the ingredient list, then strayed towards the opulent decorations adorning the lounge. Just past Duan Jian, who looked ready to rip his hair out in frustration. My eyes snagged on a golden tapestry depicting a majestic dragon wreathed in flames.

And just like that, inspiration struck.

A memory surfaced, not of a scroll or textbook, but of a warm summer night back in Gentle Wind Village. Wang Jun, at the time, just a lanky boy beginning his apprenticeship, had been fumbling with the forge. The coals refused to catch, and his frustration was growing. I'd offered a suggestion, a trick my father used when kindling a fire.

"Grind some pyrite into the coal dust," I'd told him. "It'll burn hotter."

Wang Jun had scoffed, but out of desperation, he had obeyed. The ensuing flare-up had been more than he'd bargained for, momentarily setting his eyebrows alight and sending him running for a bucket of water. But it had done the trick, the forge finally roaring to life. The memory faded, but the lesson lingered.

The plan was taking shape.

"I have my additional ingredient request."