The sun hung high above the Seven Valley Sect, its warm light bathing the tiled roofs and green peaks in golden radiance. Today, however, Su Yang had no time to admire the view. He stood in front of the Alchemy Hall—a massive, circular building made of polished obsidian and blue crystal veins, humming faintly with spiritual energy.
He took a deep breath. This was the place where he would sharpen his alchemy skills, improve his understanding of flame control, and perhaps find a way to deepen his connection with his Karma Fire Body and Heavenly True Fire Art. The events of the Seven Heavens Trial and the meeting with the Valley Master still lingered in his thoughts, but now it was time to grow stronger through practice.
Pushing open the double doors, Su Yang stepped into the hall. Rows of cauldrons and pill furnaces lined the wide chamber, each emitting a faint scent of herbs and ash. Dozens of disciples in alchemy robes moved about, some deep in meditation, others mid-refinement. Elder Ke, the head of the Alchemy Hall, sat at the far end of the room near a massive pill furnace carved with dragon motifs. He looked up when he sensed Su Yang's presence.
"Su Yang," Elder Ke greeted with a nod. "You're the boy assigned to the Valley of Harmonious Fire, aren't you? Good, good. You have access to the mid-grade pill furnaces now. If you need anything, speak to Instructor Mu."
Su Yang bowed politely. "Thank you, Elder. I wish to refine Skin Tempering Pills today."
"Ah, a good place to start," Elder Ke said. "Simple, yet essential."
Su Yang found an empty pill station, set up his herbs, and carefully prepared his cauldron. As he sat cross-legged, drawing in the ambient fire energy from the room, he activated his Heavenly True Fire Art. A warm crimson flame danced in his palm—gentle, steady, yet pulsing with law-defying purity. The Karma Fire body within him responded, causing his spiritual flame to grow purer, more vibrant.
As Su Yang began refining, a subtle shift occurred in the room. Several nearby disciples paused their work, glancing at the flame in his hand with curiosity—and envy.
One figure in particular, a lanky youth with narrow eyes and dark alchemy robes, narrowed his gaze on Su Yang. He was Yan Luo, an outer disciple from the Black Pearl Peak—a talented alchemist who had failed three times to break into mid-tier Yellow-level pill refinement. His pride stung as he watched the younger Su Yang handle the flame with ease.
"Karma flame... or some secret variation. What is that flame? It's not ordinary," Yan Luo muttered.
His friend beside him whispered, "Don't mess with that guy. He was summoned by the Valley Master."
"So what? That makes him more dangerous. If I had his flame... I could pass the Earth-grade certification next month," Yan Luo said darkly. He stared at Su Yang, ideas forming.
Back at his station, Su Yang was focused. He guided his flame into the cauldron, and as the herbs simmered and fused, the concoction began taking form. A golden mist filled the air—a sign of high-purity refinement.
Suddenly, a ripple of energy brushed against his senses—a foreign spiritual thread, sneaking toward his flame.
Su Yang's eyes snapped open.
"Someone is trying to steal my flame? Here?" he thought.
He immediately suppressed his flame, shrinking it down into his palm.
"Nice try," he whispered.
Su Yang didn't act rashly. Instead, he activated his spiritual perception to its fullest and quietly traced the spiritual thread. It snaked through the room like a silver mist, invisible to most eyes. But his Karma Fire resonated with it, allowing him to follow it.
His gaze landed on Yan Luo, who was pretending to stir a brew. The moment their eyes met, Yan Luo looked away, but not before a flicker of panic crossed his face.
Su Yang stood up.
"You think you can steal from me? Inside the sect? In front of an elder?"
But instead of confronting him directly, Su Yang walked calmly to the side.
He didn't want to make a scene yet. No, he wanted to be sure—to trap him properly.
He returned to his station, seemingly resuming refinement. But this time, he let his flame flicker wildly, as if unstable—an invitation.
Yan Luo took the bait.
The moment Yan Luo sent his thread again, Su Yang twisted his spiritual force and snapped it midair, sending feedback into Yan Luo's mind.
CRACK!
Yan Luo yelped and clutched his forehead. Elder Ke immediately stood up.
"What is going on here?!"
Su Yang rose slowly, his eyes sharp. "Elder, someone tried to steal my flame while I was refining. Twice."
Gasps echoed through the Alchemy Hall.
Elder Ke's eyes flared. "Who?"
Su Yang calmly pointed at Yan Luo. "Him. I have witnesses, and I caught his spiritual thread the second time."
Yan Luo, still clutching his head, shouted, "He's lying!"
But before anyone could speak, Elder Ke waved his sleeve. A crystal orb floated from his side and hovered above the cauldron area.
"Memory Crystal. Let's see who is lying."
The orb shimmered and projected the events of the last few minutes, showing Yan Luo's threads reaching out toward Su Yang's flame. The evidence was clear.
Elder Ke's face darkened. "Yan Luo, attempting to steal another disciple's flame during official refinement is a grave offense."
Su Yang stood silently, his hands behind his back, calm and poised.
"We'll take it from here," Elder Ke said. "Guards, take Yan Luo to the Discipline Hall."
As the guards dragged him away, Yan Luo screamed, "I was only trying to look! That flame… it shouldn't belong to him!"
But no one listened.
The Alchemy Hall returned to silence, but the respect for Su Yang grew. Whispers followed him as he resumed his refinement.