10. Alchemy I
That night, Clay was brought to his new residence. It was isolated and the smell of newly furnished walls indicates it was constructed very recently. Even the seats and tables shows signs like it was decorated by an uncaring scuttling delivery boy and placed the furnitures without removing its protective cover.
When they entered the house, there was not a single soul inside.
"This will be your new residence. Remember you cannot go out without your master's permission. Start meditating and I will prepare an Essence Flame for you to integrate with.” Elder Ulvar instructed with his unsympathetic voice.
Like a mindless robot, Clay immediately sat in meditative position not far from the window and started circulating his Qi.
He had too many questions, but he did not dare utter a word. He had not lived long and he had already seen far too many deaths. With his new identity as a slave, he can only be obedient. If one day when he gets older, he will buy his freedom and freely roam the world.
Clay wanted to show off that he is already a Peak-Early Condensation practitioner but after witnessing the strength of other cultivators, he is beginning to understand how this world is ruled through literal power so he decided to control the flow of his Qi to only reveal the first stage of cultivation. He should in some way has a trump card if situation calls for him to take action.
After around five minutes, Clay suddenly felt an energy fluctuation agitating and causing him to open his eyes. He still has some lingering trauma from Buaki Siege so he stood up and stepped backwards.
"Do not be alarmed. This is Human Class Essence Flame from a Rockapur Salamander. Sit down and continue circulating your Qi", Seeing the boy panicked, Elder Ulvar tried to calm Clay.
At the same time, Clay looked at the unusual yellow flame the size of a fist wiggling above Elder Ulvar’s hand.
“Just relax and meditate. Otherwise this Flame here will be wasted.”
Clay wanted to refused but analyzing his situation, he was reminded that he might be sold off again if he dares disobey. He can only pray for the best.
Clay calmed himself and sat back down and resumed circulating his Qi and after a few seconds, Elder Ulvar was a few inches from him.
"I will now introduce the flame to your dantian. No matter what happens, do not resist. You will feel a little discomfort invading your dantian but do not stop circulating your Qi. You have to endure the pain, understand?"
Clay nodded in response.
After confirming that Clay did not put up a Qi barrier, Elder Ulvar pressed the essence flame into Clay's dantian and it vanished like how an item is stored in a spatial ring.
*Whop!
Clay was surprised and wanted to shout as he felt a warm mass of energy invaded his dantian. He thought he would be burned but it seems to fuse with his Qi reservoir and is slowly increasing his power.
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Confused, he continued circulating his Qi while observing the Essence Flame.
“What’s happening?” Clay does not understand why this elder said endure the pain when in fact, it felt comfortable. Like a relaxing bath of on a hotspring, it felt pleasant and soothing at the same time.
Meanwhile, Elder Ulvar could not help but be amazed that Clay not exhibiting the usual signs of difficultly and pain but he did not dare lower his guard as he watched and observe on the side.
As a Core Formation Expert, one of their abilities is helping other practitioners circulate Qi and this would include absorbing excess or violent Qi from pills or Essence Flames. He may not have that much experience but the number of people he has assisted is not that low either and this is the first time he is witnessing someone integrate with an Essence Flame like drinking water.
Sadly, Clay has no Elemental Affinity .
He did not need to investigate the kid’s background to understand why nobody wanted to nurture him. Even within their clan, despite being a superior race, even they are not exempted of the cruel reality that only a selected few will be allocated resources and the right to receive these resources is based on one’s Elemental Affinity.
It is still a mystery why cultivators with low Elemental Affinity consume twice up to ten times resources when achieving higher ranks and he would certainly not risk going bankrupt experimenting on it.
After a quarter of an hour, Elder Ulvar sensed that Clay has stabilized his Qi circulation and confirmed Clay had integrated with the flame successfully so he smiled inwardly. With this, the first step of controlling Kesh’a’s future should be secured.
"Two days later, your master will pick you up to attend Alchemy lessons. In the meantime, memorize these four books when you have nothing else to do. Someone will bring you food. Remember you cannot go out without your master's permission."
Elder Ulvar reminded him again before finally leaving. If not because this kid is an accessory to nurture their most talented youngling, he would not even bother meeting him.
Clay waited five minutes before opening his eyes. He was suspicious at first but it seems that Elder Ulvar did not wish to harm him and in fact, the Essence Flame he integrated had actually increased his power.
“Just you wait.” Clay mumbled as he looked at the items Elder Ulvar has left him.
There are four books, piles of gold coins, and a necklace with San Ruk emblem, and a spatial ring chained to it. He wanted to read now but he felt exhausted but first, he got up and started inspecting the residence and looked over the window.
Unlike his previous residence in Buaki Gang, his back yard has a pond with a Peach Tree near it.
Since there was no one around, he walked towards his room and sat on the bed.
*Sigh
The room is eerie quiet he could hear his breathing and unknowingly, tears started drop. He can't help but remember the orphanage he came from and the recent attack on Buaki Gang.
After a few minutes, he clenched his teeth. He knew that crying will not solve anything and without him realizing, he fell asleep.
Unaware, Clay started dreaming and at the same time, he recovered a new memory fragment.
This time he was standing in front of three white boards and written are complex mathematical equations. They have just performed an experiment using a white crystal the size of a thumb to tear space and it was a success.
It was a joyous occasion and everyone was celebrating except for him. He went back to his office and poured himself a cup of decaffeinated coffee.
He took out a necklace from his pocket and contemplated on how 19 years was spent just like that. He just turned 48. He sighed and sipped his coffee. He remembers 19 years ago when he was sitting inside a church at the far back watching a wedding unfold. He was conflicted and full of regrets. He asked himself, "Sometimes I wonder why I made those choices?”
He remembered that during that wedding when the couples were promising their vows, he slowly walked towards the exit.
"You may now kiss the bride."
He wanted to look back but part of him just wanted to keep walking and when he reached the church’s entrance, he whispered, “May you live happily ever after".
Clay woke up panting and tried to catch his breath. With his face full of sweat, he closed his eyes to recall the dream. He knew it is a memory from his previous life.
“Wait, am I a scientist in previous life? That can’t be.”
While those memories felt real, it was not consistent with his other memories.