---
Su Yang returned to the Seven Valley Sect just after sunrise. The winding stone path leading up to the grand gates was quiet, the early mist still clinging to the cliffs like veils of silk. Max was perched lazily on his shoulder, tail swaying.
> "One week," Su Yang murmured. "Felt like a month."
Despite the weight of the mission, Su Yang's pace was steady. His robes were dusty from travel, but his eyes gleamed with quiet confidence. As he approached the gate, the two disciples on duty looked up and blinked in surprise.
"Su Yang? You're back already?"
"And in one piece?" the second muttered. "The last guy sent on a solo mission came back with a broken rib."
Su Yang only gave them a nod. "Where is Elder Yao?"
"Probably in the Alchemy Pavilion. You should report directly—"
But before they could finish, a white-robed disciple appeared midair, descending like a falling feather.
"Su Yang!" a calm, powerful voice echoed.
It was Mei Yuling, the Valley Master of Harmonious Fire.
She landed lightly in front of him, her sharp eyes scanning his figure. "You completed the mission?"
Su Yang removed a jade scroll from his inner robe. "The city is safe. The Zhao Clan was behind the corruption. A forbidden crystal was hidden beneath the city's mine."
Mei Yuling's eyebrows lifted slightly. She took the scroll and scanned it with her spiritual sense.
A faint trace of surprise flickered in her expression. "You handled all this… alone?"
"I had help," Su Yang replied, glancing at Max, who flicked his tail smugly.
She chuckled under her breath. "Very well. Come with me."
---
Inside the Sect Assembly Hall, elders from multiple valleys had gathered, having been summoned unexpectedly. Some looked irritated, others curious.
"Why are we here this early?" grumbled one.
But as Su Yang stepped in behind Mei Yuling, the hall stilled.
"That's the boy from the Seven Heavens Trial."
"Didn't he unlock the sixth illusion?"
"And now he's back from a mission?"
Mei Yuling stood before them and raised the jade scroll. "This report contains evidence of a corruption plot targeting Amberlight City. The Zhao Clan has long meddled in that region—but until now, we had no proof."
Murmurs spread.
"The boy completed a secret jade scroll mission in seven days," she continued, "purified a corrupted Heart Crystal, captured multiple culprits alive, and exposed their backers."
She turned toward Su Yang.
"For this, you are entitled to three rewards. Choose wisely."
The hall hushed.
Su Yang bowed respectfully. "Then for my first reward, I request access to the Inner Alchemy Flame Hall for one week."
Some elders blinked in surprise.
"He's not asking for spirit stones?"
"Or cultivation techniques?"
Mei Yuling nodded. "Granted."
Su Yang continued, "Second, I ask for a sealed scroll on advanced qi purification techniques. Not cultivation, but spiritual refinement."
Again, a few elders exchanged looks. This boy's requests were strange—but precise.
"Granted."
Su Yang took a breath. "For my third reward… I ask for a single martial technique scroll that enhances flame perception. I'll study it only under supervision, no copies."
Even Mei Yuling raised an eyebrow. "You want a martial art… to sense fire?"
"Yes," Su Yang said simply. "I believe I can build on it."
The elders looked at each other, then at the Valley Master.
She gave a soft chuckle. "All three requests are granted. You may report to Elder Ke tomorrow morning for your Alchemy Flame Hall access."
"Thank you, Valley Master," Su Yang said, bowing again.
---
As the meeting concluded, Su Yang began to leave—but not before someone blocked his path at the hall doors.
It was Xie Yu, the Profound-level alchemist from the Second Courtyard. She stared at him with her usual cold gaze, but this time, there was no challenge—just quiet observation.
"You returned faster than I expected," she said.
"I work quickly."
She hesitated. "Your name is spreading, Su Yang. I suggest you prepare. The Pill Spirit Competition is no longer the only event with your name on it."
Su Yang blinked. "What do you mean?"
She looked over her shoulder, lowered her voice, and said, "Three inner sect alchemy clans have started investigating you. They think you're hiding a special bloodline—or worse, a forbidden flame."
> "Of course they are," Su Yang sighed inwardly. "They've seen my flame in public more than once now…"
Then Xie Yu added, "The Zhao Clan has put a bounty on your head outside the sect. Low-tier mercenaries for now… but that might change."
Su Yang didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he turned and looked toward the sky. The Seven Valley Sect's grand peaks rose into the clouds, each a pillar of legacy.
> "Then I'll just have to grow faster than their fear can spread."
---
That evening, Su Yang sat in the courtyard of the Valley of Harmonious Fire.
He unsealed the scroll containing the spiritual qi refinement technique and slowly began to meditate.
Max slept beside him, tail flicking occasionally. The green snake slithered to the edge of the nearby pond, drinking gently.
Above them, the sky turned gold as dusk fell.
But Su Yang's heart burned brighter than the sunset.
> "I've taken my first step outside the sect. And I've already become a target."
> "Good. Let them come."
> "I'll burn everything that tries to bury me."
---