26:

As Alchemist Jun savored her second cup of Masala Chai, Xiao Feng took the opportunity to leave the alchemy vault and retrieve his pill furnace’s lid. On his way back, he once again found himself taken aback by how silent the passageway leading to the alchemy vaults could be.

To isolate sound to such a degree just showed the lengths to which Alchemists would go to just to secure a slight advantage. Xiao Feng had to be careful while using the Essence Cultivation Art for alchemy, whether it be seeing through spiritual herbs or refining a pill later on, lest one with the right knowledge and hunger see through what he was capable of.

It was unlikely, but Xiao Feng knew better than to underestimate cultivators.

Unsurprised to find the door to his alchemy vault locked, Xiao Feng inserted his Qi into the lock and turned it an entire rotation clockwise. It was annoying to have the door automatically lock into place once left ajar, but Xiao Feng saw the wisdom in such a decision. While alchemists might zealously seek out advantages, they were also creatures of passion.

He would not be surprised if their kind lost track of time and their surroundings as they threw themselves into the depths of alchemic experimentation.

As Xiao Feng stepped into the alchemy vault, he noticed that the second cup of Masala Chai Alchemist Jun had poured out for herself was now also empty. An observation that coincided with the growing blush that spread across her features.

Wisely choosing to ignore Alchemist Jun’s clear embarrassment. Xiao Feng seated himself at her side before he spoke, “Thank you, Alchemist Jun, for honoring my selfish request. I know you must have a lot of work that I rashly pulled you away from, so I will not hold you any longer.”

There. Xiao Feng had offered Alchemist Jun a clear out and he was certain that she would expect it. She liked the Masala Chai, not him.

“No, please,” Alchemist Jun replied hurriedly. “Let me help organize this, at least,” She said, gesturing to the sprawl of spiritual herbs scattered across the alchemy vault.

“I can do it myself,” Xiao Feng replied, only to almost immediately recognize the error in his ways. Alchemist Jun felt indebted. Xiao Feng’s memories reminded him that a cultivator hated being in the debt of another. “But, your help would naturally be welcome”.

Her expression brightened a little, as she started to wrest control from the blush coloring her features.

“Yes, naturally. It’s the least I can do, to repay you for treating me to this hometown speciality of yours. I can tell that it was made with a lot of care,” She said and then offered him a pleased smile.

This time, it was Xiao Feng’s turn to blush a little.

The two cultivators in the alchemy vault seemed to have unanimously reached the conclusion that it was best to work in silence for a little while. It did not take long for them to organize the spiritual herbs and stack the sheafs on top of one another.

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Xiao Feng’s gaze turned to the half a cup of Masala Chai that still remained within the cauldron and decided that it was better to keep it as proof of concept instead of drinking it right there and then. Unlike regular, mortal Masala Chai, the spiritual herb and spice version would not go bad.

Just based on the Qi contained within the Masala Chai, it would take days before it lost a sizable amount of its reserves.

He capped off the pill furnace’s cauldron with it’s lid, making sure to slow that process down by even longer, now that the remaining Masala Chai was preserved in an air-tight canister.

“You’re going to need a fiber bag to carry all this,” Alchemist Jun said, her tone cheerful. “Don’t worry, I have one. Follow me,” She said, picking up the stacked herbs, before placing the jars of spices on top of it along with the empty vial of bi-horn milk.

“Thanks,” Xiao Feng replied, as he moved to follow her out.

Neither of them had expected a third cultivator to be present in the passageway they had just stepped out of. An alchemist designate by the patch on his robes, the cultivator who had the appearance of a man in his early twenties was securing his pill furnace on one of those specialized backpacks he had seen earlier.

His gaze turned to Xiao Feng, a recruit and Alchemist Jun, most definitely not a recruit with the ajar door to the alchemy vault his only other witness.

The blush that spread across Alchemist Jun’s visage took even Xiao Feng by surprise. She did not speak a word, as she began to walk forward at a brisk pace, past the alchemist designate who still had half a step in his own vault, through the door, which creaked shut behind her.

“What are you looking at, mate?” Xiao Feng asked, as he met the alchemist designate’s gaze and stared right back.

“O-Oh,” The words escaped his mouth before he could even craft a response. He shook his head, pushed his backpack into the border of his alchemy vault and a click sounded out as it locked into place.

Xiao Feng’s annoyed expression turned into a mortified one, as he came to terms with what had just taken place. Oh man, not only did I just create trouble for Alchemist Jun, the rumors this is going to encourage…. There go my plans of trying to stay low-key in the Alchemy Division.

Maybe he should think twice before inviting a member of the opposite sex to a room smaller than a walk-in pantry.

In my defense, I was too excited to think of any such ramifications, He thought. Perhaps that was enough of a defense for a golden retriever, but Xiao Feng could hardly excuse himself.

When he stepped into the antechamber that served as the Alchemy Vaults’ reception area, he noticed that his belongings had already been bagged up for him.

Without a word, he plucked the fiber bag off the counter and moved to leave.

“Wait, Xiao Feng,” Alchemist Jun said, her voice coming across as small and delicate.

He turned around.

“This is for you,” She said, as she offered him a small, leather-bound notebook that was well-worn.

Xiao Feng kept the pill furnace on the ground, before accepting the gift.

“These are notes I made years ago, when I was still a recruit studying to become a full alchemist. Hopefully, you can make use of these,” Alchemist Jun said, her tone so soothingly gentle.

Xiao Feng bowed low in thanks, if only to hide the burn in his cheeks.

Not long after, he left, his heart still racing faster than even the Hero of the Zheyan Pass could run.