Hundreds of braziers lit the great alchemical conference, casting amber light from Danxia Sect's main hall. Twelve major sects' worth of cultivators packed the tiered seating, their different robes forming a lively tapestry of colors. A huge forming platform where prominent alchemists showed their work stood in the middle.
Sitting next to Mo Yu, Zhen Lu watched every presentation closely. The controlled precision of energy manipulation captivated him—so different from sword methods, yet ruled by the same basic ideas.
He murmured to Mo Yu, "Observe their balance of fire and water energies." Like the harmonizing in sophisticated sword movements.
She nodded in appreciation. Your knowledge of energy ideas is exceptional.
Sect Leader Fang came to the central platform, thereby interrupting their talk. A stately man with a waist-length white beard, his red robes were decorated with golden symbols identifying him as a ninth-rank alchemist.
Our last show, he said, invites students from our guest sects to help in a cooperative formation. This will evaluate compatibility between several growing techniques.
Among the six chosen disciples were Zhen Lu and, surprisingly, Nangong Shuang. Alchemist Yun Yao detailed the process as they assumed positions around a complicated array.
On my cue, direct your energy into the forming crystals. Keep total control; any change could upset the reaction.
Most disciples found the strange approach difficult as the demonstration started. Though Zhen observed the Thunderblade disciple's method showed hints of prior alchemical training, only Zhen and Nangong demonstrated remarkable control.
Zhen felt a slight disturbance from Nangong's direction as essence started to materialize at the heart of the array; it was a planned interference disguised as inexperience. Zhen immediately changed his own energy flow to balance the formation.
A flawless spirit crystal formed and the display ended with a dazzling flash. The audience clapped.
Studying Zhen with further attention, Sect Leader Fang said, "Remarkable control." Young swordsman, you have the accuracy of an alchemist.
Selected disciples were invited to visit the historic archives of the religion afterwards. Zhen noticed a slight touch on his sleeve as he walked down passageways lined with unusual manuscripts. Yun Yao made a little move towards a side path.
"Meet me there when you can escape," she said softly. I discovered something you ought to see.
Twenty minutes later, Zhen quietly left the tour group and discovered Yun Yao waiting next to a hidden door. Pressing her Soul Vessel against a concealed panel, she uncovered a short stairwell leading down into darkness.
She said as they went down, "This room is not on the official tour." Studying the history of my pendant, I came upon it.
The small room at the bottom held only a circular chamber whose walls were covered with a huge fresco; there were no books or items. Yun Yao's spirit light illuminated the picture, which showed an ancient battle scene.
Zhen gasped. The key characters were clear-cut: himself, in his former incarnation as Jiang Zhen, locked in mortal fight with Ye Qingqing. Every detail fit his recollections of that last fight five hundred years ago.
Yun Yao said, "This mural predates official records." It shows the Immortal Schism of the Endless Sword Sect—the forerunner of your Celestial Sword Sect.
Zhen found it difficult to keep his cool. Who made this?
Not known. It was sealed until lately when particular energy oscillations started influencing surrounding formations. She touched her necklace. Fluctuations akin to those I feel from this.
Examining the fresco more closely, Zhen saw a backdrop figure watching the fight that sent cold through his veins. Though done in antique style, the visage unmistakably mirrored Grand Elder Yun Wuhen.
Yun Yao went on, "This pendant was presented to me by my uncle, Grand Elder Yun. He said it had essence from a great cultivator who attained immortality by sacrifice.
"And he told you to learn it?" Zhen inquired cautiously.
She agreed. Over many years. He seems especially curious about extraction methods that could distinguish the awareness imprint from the essence.
A faraway gong rang out to stop them. Yun Yao remarked, "We should go back." The banquet will start shortly.
The evening feast ran with much formality. While his thoughts raced with consequences of what he had witnessed, Zhen kept ideal politeness. Servants served the third course—spirit fruits in heavenly honey—as he saw Hao Lu whispering to Nangong Shuang, both looking back at him often.
A server's specific meal for Zhen revealed a slight alchemical trace—a little toxin meant to induce transient cultivation deviation. Rather than declining, he agreed but applied a method from his past life to counteract the poison while he seemed to eat it.
A few moments later, Nangong Shuang spoke to him loudly. Disciple Zhen, maybe you could show Sect Leader Fang such remarkable energy control?
It was a smart trap: any effort at energy manipulation would have led to embarrassing failure had the poison worked.
Mo Yu stepped in front of Zhen's response. My youngster, I think, has already shown enough ability for today. Though her tone was nice, it had clear authority.
Mo Yu drew near Zhen as the feast went on. You neutralized whatever was in that dish, she said quietly. Sword Heart Peak does not teach that approach.
Zhen said quietly, "An ancient cure my family taught me."
Her gaze lingered on his for a little longer than required. Zhen Lu, you have many unexpected skills.
Later that night, Zhen encountered Yun Yao once more in a quiet garden while most disciples retired.
The mural validates my suspicions, she stated bluntly. My uncle is looking for something particular, not academic curiosity in this jewelry.
Has he ever mentioned Ye Qingqing? Zhen inquired.
Yun Yao blinked. How did you find out? Once, when he believed I wasn't paying attention, he said that name. He was talking via a spirit transmission array.
"Yun Yao," Zhen began thoughtfully, "I believe your pendant carries more than simply eternal essence. Your uncle's consciousness imprint serves a goal.
She examined him closely. You know more than you let on.
So do you, he replied softly.
She took off the pendant and set it in his hand after a brief pause. Your energy affects it differently. From our first encounter, I have observed.
Zhen felt the resonance become stronger the moment the jade touched his flesh. Images raced through his head—not just memories this time but shards of will kept in his own eternal core.
He said quietly, nearly to himself, "This has a failsafe." "A contingency I—", he said, catching himself. The one the former owner made.
Their fingers brushed briefly as he gave back the pendant. Their relationship had changed from curiosity to something close to alliance.
Yun Yao warned, "Be careful around my uncle when you come back to Celestial Sword Sect." Whatever he wants, it calls for more than normal farming power.
Zhen agreed. You may keep researching, but safeguard yourself. Some information draws hazardous interest.
Both realized as they separated that secrets ages in the making had inescapably connected their routes and that foes whose ambitions were just starting to surface from the shadows of the past shared this knowledge as well.