The Search for Amrita.

“This should be interesting,” Ling Xuan thought as he delved into the next part of the book.

After the successful attack on the Archipelago, several alchemists travelled there to craft potions of greater quality. Among them was the Royal Alchemist of the Xia Dynasty, Xu Lingyao. She was considered the greatest alchemist of her time, known for inventing fourth-grade elixirs and pills, a feat that revolutionised the practice of alchemy.

Xu Lingyao’s prowess was legendary. Her elixirs could heal wounds that were deemed incurable, enhance martial abilities to unprecedented levels, and even extend life. It was said that she had an innate understanding of the properties of herbs and minerals, able to discern their potential with just a glance.

Inevitably, she was the first choice when the Xia Dynasty sought to send an alchemist to the Archipelago. The task was clear: to create elixirs of greater quality using the rare and potent ingredients found there.

During her travels, Xu Lingyao ventured across all the islands of the Archipelago, crafting several types of new elixirs that significantly empowered the Empire. Her expertise brought about a golden age of alchemy for the Xia Dynasty, with her potions and pills enhancing the abilities of soldiers and scholars alike. However, during one of these ventures, she encountered a mysterious event that would change everything.

Xu Lingyao arrived on Dewa Ling, then known as Rgyud Ling, which translated to "Reservoir of Plants." This island was renowned for its unique flora, a treasure trove for any alchemist. The island's name alone hinted at its vast botanical wealth, which drew Xu Lingyao's interest. She set up her alchemical equipment and began her research, eager to uncover new secrets and ingredients.

However, what transpired on Rgyud Ling remained shrouded in mystery. Historical records and the alchemist's own accounts remained vague and fragmented. Something inexplicable occurred, an event so profound that it left Xu Lingyao in a state of complete disarray.

When she returned to the mainland, she was no longer the brilliant, focused alchemist known for her razor-sharp intellect. Instead, she exhibited signs of severe mental distress. Her once-clear eyes were clouded, and her speech became erratic and fragmented. The Empire's top healers were summoned to attend to her, and though they managed to stabilize her physical condition, her mind remained deeply affected.

Despite the efforts of the healers, Xu Lingyao’s memories of Rgyud Ling were completely erased. She could recall nothing of her time on the island, leaving a void in her personal history. The only fragment of her previous experience that remained was a cryptic phrase she uttered before falling silent:

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“In The Garden, there lies Eternity.”

Within a single day, the call to find the Garden of Eternity ignited a fervent and unprecedented response. More than a thousand Experts were mobilized,all tasked with a singular mission: to scour Rgyud Ling,for the elusive Garden. The search was anything but subtle.

The Experts descended upon Rgyud Ling with ruthless efficiency, their every action marked by an urgency bordering on frenzy. Dense jungles were set ablaze, the roar of fire consuming the once-lush greenery as they sought to flush out any hidden secrets. The forests crackled and roared under the assault, and the sky was darkened by the thick, billowing smoke. They smashed through ancient groves, leaving only charred stumps and smouldering ashes in their wake.

After years of relentless searching and unyielding pursuit, Xia was ultimately forced to call off the search for the Garden of Eternity. Despite their exhaustive efforts, the elusive garden remained hidden, its secrets locked away from prying eyes. The once fervent quest gradually faded into legend, but the tale of the Garden and the elusive Amrita only grew in grandeur and mystique.

The island of Rgyud Ling had since become known as Dewa Ling, a place steeped in legend and whispered to be the Garden where Amrita lay concealed. The myth had evolved over time, with the island now considered a sacred and enigmatic location.

Ling Xuan stared at the ticket in his hand, a bemused smile playing on his lips. "And Feng Mui just had to give me tickets to this specific island," he mused. Ling Xuan couldn’t help but ponder the possibility of Amrita’s existence. Was the matchmaker’s foresight truly guiding him towards something extraordinary?

He shrugged, the uncertainty mingling with a sense of obligation. "Whatever," Ling Xuan thought, as he settled into his bed. "Since he has booked the tickets using his own money, who am I to ignore it?" With a sigh, he closed his eyes, letting the day's events and the weight of his thoughts drift away as sleep began to claim him.

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In the dense, shadowy embrace of the Kinnara’i Gyi Sangsum forest, two figures whispered beneath the thick canopy of lush trees. The forest was alive with the hum of nocturnal creatures, their eyes glinting in the dim light, but the two figures remained hidden in the darkness, their voices low and urgent.

“Tell me, is it really true?” one of them asked, their voice barely a murmur against the backdrop of rustling leaves.

“Of course you have to trust me!” the other responded with a tone that held both conviction and a hint of frustration.

“But how can I believe that ‘he’ is coming down here?” the first speaker pressed, skepticism evident in their voice.

“Humph! You stay on this island until morning and then you’ll realize I was telling the truth!” the second figure insisted, their eyes glinting with a mixture of secrecy and annoyance.

“It’s not that I don’t believe you; it’s just that ‘his’ arrival here is quite unexpected,” the first speaker replied, their tone reflecting their inner conflict.

“Yeah, I was completely shocked when I learned he was coming here! If Yimo Jin arrives and we are still on this island, we might not know when our last moments will come!” the second figure said with a shiver of dread.

“Alright, I’m coming with you!” the first speaker finally conceded, their decision tinged with both resolve and apprehension.

“You’ve made the right choice,” the second figure replied, relief evident in their voice. “We need to be prepared for anything.”