Journey Towards Dao

Auslen stepped out of the curtain of light, but where he arrived to was certainly not the inside of any building.

Walking through the dusky terrain, Auslen experienced faint intoxication as a dense floral aroma washed over him.

The environment he beheld was dominated by stretches of freely growing, luminescent, purple grass that blanketed the hilly landscape, lighting the entire scenery with a dim, ethereal hue. Within that grass were generous varieties of flowers and trees, all of which carrying at least a couple bizarre distinctions about them; flaming petals, frost-covered leaves, and golden tree trunks, to name a few.

Walking along the limestone steps in line with the other Outer Sect Disciples, Auslen’s face was full of incredulity.

Are these true Spirit Plants? All of them?

Staring in the distance with awestruck fascination, a repeated tap on Auslen's shoulder from behind demanded his attention.

“Woah. What’s wrong with the sky, Auslen?” Nathaniel whispered.

At the befuddlement-filled question, Auslen raised his gaze upwards to an unforgettable moving picture.

This sky was nothing like any sky he had ever seen before. Enormous surges and whirlpools of tumultuous energy were contesting in the space above, crashes and waves of terrific spatial dissonance participating in a violent, eternal war for dominance. Colors were born, then distorted. Light and darkness intersected repeatedly.

"This is..."

Chaos.

After another moment, Auslen pulled himself together and withdrew his gaze. Although breathtaking, the view was something he had been expecting to see. This spatial disorder was described in many texts as one of the defining features of a Ruin Fragment.

Ruin Fragments were rare, independent, and incomplete concentrations of untethered land, floating miraculously within the encasement of the boundless void. Ruin Fragments were not whole, life bearing planets. The size of the largest, publicly known Ruin Fragments failed to exceed the scope of a large city. The Five Profound Elements Sect possessed access to a tidy sum of them. Unfortunately, Auslen couldn't find any sources that definitively explained the origin of such inexplicable landmasses.

Too lazy to come up with a suitable explanation for Nathaniel, Auslen glanced back towards the competent Tarek with gleaming confusion in his eyes.

Noticing both cousins’ ignorant expressions, Tarek chuckled before supplying in a low tone, “We're in a Ruin Fragment, similar to the one that's connected to the Elixir Refinement Hall. The Professional Examinations are all held within their own proprietary Ruin Fragment."

Eyes darting around the environment in appreciation, he continued, "The one I was sent to for the Apprentice Botanist Exam looked a good deal different from this one.”

"Actually," Mia, who also appeared knowledgeable on the subject, contributed from behind Tark. "That Assessment Hall is really just one big, teleportation-type Mystic Artifact."

"Yup." Tarek nodded in agreement. "The Assessment Hall has access to each of these Ruin Fragments, and the Professional Exams are the only times that we Outer Sect Disciples are allowed to enter them. Operating the Assessment Hall exhausts a lot of resources and is the main reason why Professional Examinations cost so many Merit Points.”

“Where’d you guys learn all this stuff?” Nathaniel frowned, feeling as if he was left out.

“The Library,” Both Tarek and Mia replied at the same time.

Seeing that his cousin was occupied with the other two, Auslen turned back around.

No longer concentrating on the abundant volume of Spirit Plants, he moved his gaze ahead towards the massive, uniquely-constructed venue they were arriving upon.

This immense and extravagant architectural masterpiece was a four-story palace, its surface area eclipsing almost every other building he had seen since arriving to this world. Other than on the fourth floor, no walls could be found, offering a 360-degree panoramic view across each of the pavilion-esque floors. Huge columns supported the structure, gilded with gorgeous flower patterns, leading up to the thick arches decorated with beautiful geometric arabesques. The roofing was also gilded with shining plates of gold, framing the building like a golden crown.

The longer Auslen looked, the more he could see the vague similarities between this palace and the Elixir Refinement Hall.

As they approached closer, Auslen could see the long rows of tables and chairs, with white tablets sitting in front of each sitting area, lining the first floor.

Eventually, they stepped under the the covering of the expansive first floor. Under the light emitting from the plentiful number of illumination crystals decorating the impractically-tall ceiling, Auslen was enlightened to a detail that he failed to comprehend previously. The traffic of disciples he was a part of was not alone. From four other equally-spaced directions, disciples, presumably from the other Outer Sect Mountains, marched into the open-air first floor.

…

Around five minutes later, nearly 2,000 Outer Sect Disciples had arrived inside the first floor of the Examination Venue, each of which seated behind one of the long tables. Standing in front of the disciples was Elder Lin, alongside four other black-robed Elders, of varying aged appearances. As observed by many of the disciples present, the Inner Sect Disciple, Yue Ximeng, had disappeared at an unknown point in time.

A slim, amiable-looking Elder, that seemed to be around the age of 30, stepped forward, the sight of which causing the scattered whispers around the first floor to silence.

His clean shaven face carried a gentle smile that slightly opened at this moment, releasing a deep, but soothing and unclouded voice.

“Welcome, everyone, to the Alchemist Assessment Palace. I am a Chief Elder of an Outer Sect Elixir Refinement Hall, and you all may refer to me as Elder Judas.

"We don’t have too much time to spare, so I’ll jump right into it.

“The white jade tablet placed in front of each of you is your testing apparatus. Once held, the apparatus will interact with your Soul Force, and your Examination will begin.”

Smile deepening and eyes squinting, Elder Judas continued, “Although I’m sure that none of you would ever consider it, I’m still required to advise against cheating of any kind. In addition, attempting to examine your neighbor's testing apparatus will be a waste of your precious time, as neither the questions nor answers will appear for anyone besides the disciple using it.”

After glancing at the silver timepiece that appeared in his raised right palm, he nodded in satisfaction.

“The second section of the Apprentice Alchemist Examination will forcefully conclude in six hours’ time. Once the prescribed time has elapsed, the 25 highest-scoring examinees will be identified to participate in the final portion of the Examination. The rest will be guided back to your respective Outer Sect mountains. Does anyone have any additional questions? No? Then you may begin!”

A moment later, each of the Elders disappeared from their location, and the disciples reached for the testing apparatuses in front of them.

…

After making sure that Nathaniel pulled the tablet off the table to begin his Exam, Auslen turned his attention away from his cousin and did the same.

Fingers caressing the cool, two-inch-thick slab of jade, the tablet shuttered, an indiscernible connection between Auslen and the testing apparatus quickly manifesting. Suddenly, light began dancing upon its smooth surface, the phenomenon not ceasing until two explanatory sentences were formed.

…

Section 1.

Describe an Elixir Refinement Technique of your choice. (Time Limit: 1 Hour)

An Alchemist will manually assess your score for this section by the completion of the Examination.

…

Satisfied that the first section was presented as anticipated, Auslen focused on manipulating his thoughts while he re-experimented with the application of the testing apparatus, dimly lit writing magically appearing in flowing scripts directly underneath the prompt.

Each of the examinees were familiar enough with the usage of the tablet, because they were allowed to test its functionality during the registration process, which explained Auslen’s apparent ease.

A few moments later, Auslen erased his practice writing and commenced operating his Soul Force, willing words onto the tablet once more at a controlled pace. By the time that the words reached the bottom of the tablet, new space would appear as the writing above ‘scrolled’ up.

The Elixir Refinement Technique that Auslen had chosen was named the Five Aspects Convergence Elixir Refinement Technique. It was one of the many Refinement Techniques designed to concoct Qi Refinement Elixirs. Auslen focused on this subsection of Spirit Elixirs due to their being the most lucrative within Tier 1.

Like any Technique, the Five Aspects Convergence Elixir Refinement Technique had its benefits and detriments. Its greatest benefit, and the reason why Auslen chose this Technique over the rest, was the promise of favorable cost basis and output. At its highest proficiency, the Five Aspects Convergence Elixir Refinement Technique could produce a total of five Qi Refinement Elixirs during one concoction section! Most importantly, not a single strand of Profound Qi would be wasted from the Pseudo Spirit Plants refined, such is the case with nearly all other Elixir Refinement Techniques.

This would provide Auslen with the greatest profit, provided that he could fully master the Technique in a timely fashion. If the practical learning process took longer than expected, then the expenditure would be extraordinary, which was why very few Apprentice Alchemists chose this Elixir Refinement Technique and why Michail had advised him against choosing it so many times.

But Auslen wasn’t all too worried, as he had his own advantages. And even if achieving mastery took a little longer, it wasn’t like he would be spending all that many Merit Points. The most expensive item, sitting at 5 Merit Points each, were the Peak Pseudo Spirit Plants he needed, which he was already producing himself.

The sole reason he had yet to begin practicing the Elixir Refinement Technique on his own was because concocting Spirit Elixirs was a very dangerous process! A single mishap would likely result in an array of dreadful effects, noxious fumes and explosions not an uncommon occurrence within the Elixir Refinement Hall.

Unlike Victor, who was one of the chief culprits, Auslen valued both his health and his hair. If he had to wait until he became an Apprentice to safely practice under the guidance of a true Alchemist, then that’s what he would do.

…

Alchemist Assessment Palace. Third floor.

“Respectful greetings to the Outer Sect Elders.”

Yue Ximeng's head was inclined to a slight bow towards the five Elders sitting together at the head of a large wooden conference table, twenty other Elders joining them around its circular structure.

Each of the Outer Sect Elders observed the saluting Inner Sect Disciple with slivers of praise hidden within their otherwise tranquil irises.

This beautiful woman was a famous genius within the Inner Sect. An illustrious Personal Disciple of an Inner Sect Peak Master, Yue Ximeng had reached the True Core realm at the young age of 23. This outstanding feat was commendable across any of the Major Sects, perhaps even more so, considering that she was practicing a notoriously difficult Heaven Tier Cultivation Method. At this speed of cultivation, it was only a matter of time before she became a Core Disciple of the Five Profound Elements Sect.

Seeing the controlled and respectful actions being displayed before them, they couldn’t help but look upon her differently. It was not normal for those of her station to behave with such propriety. Although the five men she was specifically bowing towards were Chief Elders within the Outer Sect, each possessing revered Dao Soul realm cultivation, their status within the Sect could only be seen as lesser than Yue Ximeng's.

After a brief bout of silent voice transmission, the group of Elders allowed Elder Lin to speak, as Yue Ximeng had come to chaperone a disciple from his Outer Sect mountain.

Placing down his warm porcelain cup of spirit tea onto the table, Elder Lin let out an uncharacteristic smile.

Chuckling, he spoke, “Stand, child. It’s not proper for you to behave in such a way towards us old folk.”

Straightening out her white robes, she slowly stood to reveal her cold, expressionless face. However, her stunted emotional state did not bother the Elders in any way.

After all, she was within the True Core realm.

Elder Lin gestured to his left, an empty chair appearing beside him as he continued, “Come and sit! The Examination won’t be finished for a long while.”

Yue Ximeng thought for a moment, and then she walked to the seat, her long lashes lowering in quiet indifference as she elegantly sat down.

Raising her clear eyes after another cold moment, Xue Yimeng’s sublime, yet monotonal voice sounded once more. “Thank you, Elder Lin. Master has asked me to help send her regards for your assisting her with taking care of Natalie.”

After her subdued voice abated, she extended one of her hands and a large box, expertly carved and painted with the scenery of clouds and rain, appeared on top of her white palm.

“This is a gift from Master Grania in return for your continued assistance until Natalie can join the Misty Lake Peak as an Inner Sect Disciple.”

Without scanning the contents with his soul, Elder Lin quickly accepted the gift. Not an ounce of the rapturous ecstasy building inside his heart appeared within his slightly wrinkly face or voice as he thanked Xue Yimeng politely.

Signs of envious curiosity were visible on the figures of the other four Outer Sect Elders, but not one made their thoughts truly public.

All of a sudden, Xue Yimeng inquired, “Tell me about Auslen Rinaldi Lawrence.”

Happiness withdrew as silent caution rippled inside Elder Lin's chest. He considered his next words carefully. It was not wise for a mere Outer Sect Elder to casually converse about disciples with such distinguished backgrounds as his. Child or not.

“Is it Peak Master Grania who's requesting this information?” Elder Lin hesitated before probing, only choosing to continue when she nodded affirmatively.

No longer concerned, he stroked his beard with pleased sentiment. “I’ve been watching him closely during his time at the Elixir Refinement Hall. He’s a very congenial child, a sadly lacking trait when it comes to the nobility that grace our Sect, as you're very much aware. I’m sure he gets that from his mother. She was always famous for her tenderness and copiously kind-hearted actions.

“He certainly cultivates fast, but that’s mostly due to the fact that he has inherited his abundant Soul Force and Dao Roots from his parents, which provides him with both an outstanding Profound Qi absorption speed for his age and a plentiful allowance of cultivation resources. However, the fact that he was still able to advance from the 4th to the 6th Stage of Qi Refinement during his short time here proves that he’s extremely diligent with his cultivation and intelligent enough to utilize his time-limited assets well.

“Even one of my most valued and trusted Refining Assistants, Michail Nikolaou, frequently remarks on the boy's talent and assiduity." Fondness was growing unnoticeably in his tone as he concluded, "With his Pure Water Elemental Affinity, I’m positive Auslen will be a wonderful addition to the Misty Lake Peak in four to five years, once he successfully builds his foundation.”

After committing the Elder’s unforeseen praise to memory, slight curiosity tickled Xue Yimeng’s suppressed consciousness. Without much thought, she expanded her Soul Force, extending her perception down two entire floors until it landed on one golden-haired child, whose particularly calm gaze was utterly focused on the white jade tablet in his small grasp.