Master Elara's piercing gaze, a mixture of fear, greed, and profound scientific curiosity, lingered on Kenji for a long moment. "Impossible… who are you truly?" she had repeated, her voice hushed with disbelief. Kenji had met her gaze calmly, offering only a polite, humble smile and reiterating his fabricated story about a unique, awakening 'Inheritance'. He had kept his explanation vague, hinting at an innate sensitivity that defied conventional spiritual resonance tests, a sensitivity now amplified by the Emberlight Sanctum's rich Qi.
To Kenji's profound relief, Master Elara, despite her initial suspicion, seemed to accept his explanation, or at least, decided not to press. Her fascination with his "unconventional talent" clearly outweighed her skepticism. She even offered him access to her personal collection of basic alchemical texts and a small, unused lab, warning him sternly to be discreet and not to "blow up her precious instruments." It was a grudging mentorship, born of scientific curiosity, but a mentorship nonetheless. Kenji, understanding the System's subtle guidance, knew this was a crucial step in fulfilling his mission.
Over the next few days, Kenji divided his time meticulously. He continued his preparations for Grand Elder Seraphina's expedition, pouring over ancient maps and texts detailing the Sunken Archives of Eldoria and the Crystal Veins of Aethelgard. The danger of these locations became increasingly apparent; fragmented warnings spoke of ancient guardians, hidden traps, and volatile elemental disturbances within the Crystal Veins. He realized the standard elixirs and wards provided by the Emberlight Sanctum for such missions might not be enough.
This was where Master Elara's reluctant mentorship, and his new Basic Alchemical Crafting Skill, became invaluable. Under the guise of simple 'practice,' Kenji began to forge various low-to-mid grade alchemical compounds. He synthesized basic protective wards against spiritual erosion, refined common Qi recovery elixirs, and even began experimenting with rudimentary elemental resistance potions. The System, of course, was his true guide. It effortlessly integrated Master Elara's ancient texts with its own vast knowledge, streamlining complex formulas, optimizing energy expenditure, and subtly correcting his Qi infusion techniques. What would take a seasoned alchemist days, Kenji, under the System's precise guidance, could achieve in hours. He was building his own, self-sufficient arsenal.
He was in Master Elara's small, secluded lab one afternoon, carefully coaxing a volatile elemental warding elixir into existence, when the door burst open. Lord Valerius stood there, his face contorted in a mask of incandescent fury. He was flanked by his usual sycophants, including the smirking Kaito, and a few new faces – disciples from other influential noble houses, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disdain.
"So! The commoner tries his hand at alchemy now!" Lord Valerius sneered, his voice cutting through the quiet hum of the lab. His eyes, blazing with hatred, swept over Kenji's focused stance, the glowing elixir in his crucible, and then landed on Master Elara, who merely raised a single, disapproving eyebrow. "Even Grandmaster Orin's praise wasn't enough, was it? Now you seek to corrupt the noble art of alchemy with your… whatever that is!"
Master Elara finally spoke, her voice surprisingly sharp. "Lord Valerius. This is my private lab. And Disciple Tanaka is engaging in sanctioned research. You are interrupting."
Lord Valerius ignored her, his gaze locked onto Kenji. His pride, already wounded by Kenji's victory in the Spiritbeast Hall, had been further inflamed by the whispers of Kenji's unexpected alchemical prowess. This was an affront too great to bear.
"Sanctioned research?" Valerius scoffed, his eyes blazing. "A commoner, who barely passed the spiritual resonance test, crafting perfect elixirs? It is an insult to every true alchemist in the Emberlight Sanctum! I suspect foul play. Cheating! Or worse, forbidden arts!"
Kenji remained silent, carefully maintaining the Qi flow into his crucible. He didn't want to be provoked, not here, not now. But Valerius's words grated on him.
"I challenge you, Tanaka!" Lord Valerius declared, his voice echoing loudly through the small lab. His finger shot out, pointing directly at Kenji, his face crimson with rage. "A formal cultivation duel! One month from today, in the Grand Training Arena! I will expose your tricks and prove your inherent worthlessness!"
A murmur swept through Valerius's entourage. A formal duel. This was serious. It wasn't just a petty squabble. Lord Valerius was staking his reputation on this.
"And the stakes, commoner?" Valerius continued, his eyes gleaming with malicious triumph. "A Core Condensation Orb! A rare resource that can propel a cultivator directly to the Foundation Establishment Realm! If you win, it's yours. If I win… you will formally renounce all claims to your so-called 'inheritance' and publicly declare yourself unfit for cultivation, leaving the Emberlight Sanctum forever!"
Kenji's breath hitched. A Core Condensation Orb? That was an incredibly valuable, almost legendary resource. It could be his next major breakthrough, far beyond Qi Condensation Level 1. But the cost of failure… utter humiliation, expulsion from the only path he had. This was Lord Valerius's ultimate gamble to reclaim his lost prestige and crush Kenji completely.
The System flickered into vibrant existence before Kenji's eyes.
Crucial Opportunity Detected: Formal Cultivation Duel.Mission: Defeat Lord Valerius in Duel.Reward: Core Condensation Orb + Reputation (Major).Failure: Expulsion from Emberlight Sanctum.
The stakes were clear. Kenji met Lord Valerius's furious gaze. "I accept," he said, his voice calm, resolute. A quiet gasp went through Valerius's companions. Kenji looked from the crucible to his arrogant rival. This wasn't just about winning; it was about securing his future, silencing his detractors, and proving his worth.
Lord Valerius let out a triumphant, sneering laugh. "Excellent! A month then, commoner! Prepare to face true cultivation!" He spun on his heel and strode out of the lab, his laughter echoing. Kaito gave Kenji a final, malicious smirk before following.
Master Elara, her ancient eyes sharp, looked at Kenji. "A Core Condensation Orb is a grand prize, boy. But Lord Valerius is no fool. He is Qi Condensation Level 3, and his noble house has immense resources. He will come prepared. He has likely hidden cultivation techniques. Are you certain you can win?" Her voice was devoid of judgment, only keen observation.
"I will prepare, Master Elara," Kenji replied, his eyes fixed on the remaining glowing elixir in his crucible. He had one month.
Word of the challenge spread like wildfire through the Emberlight Sanctum. The duel between the arrogant noble Lord Valerius and the mysterious, rapidly rising commoner Kenji Tanaka became the talk of every courtyard and training ground. Bets were placed. Whispers of Lord Valerius's previous humiliation and Kenji's strange talents fueled the excitement.
Master Thorne summoned Kenji that evening. His expression was stern, but his eyes held a glimmer of concern. "Kenji, you were rash. Lord Valerius is formidable. His family, the House of Valerius, are masters of unique defensive and offensive arcane arts. They possess ancient, hidden techniques that few know of. Do not underestimate him. He will use every resource at his disposal."
Master Thorne then began to advise him. He instructed Kenji on various basic combat formations, proper Qi distribution during a duel, and strategies for conserving spiritual energy. He explained the typical combat styles of noble cultivators, emphasizing their reliance on powerful, often ostentatious, arcane spells and valuable artifacts. He cautioned Kenji against flashy displays, advising him to focus on efficiency and precision.
"You have a month, Kenji," Master Thorne concluded, his voice heavy. "Train relentlessly. Focus on refining your Qi. And remember, your 'Inheritance'… whatever it is… might be your only true advantage." He was unaware, of course, that Kenji's 'Inheritance' was far more profound than he could possibly imagine.
Kenji nodded, absorbing every word. He knew Master Thorne genuinely wanted him to win.
His days became a relentless cycle of training and alchemy. Mornings were spent in his private cottage's training room, refining his Qi Condensation Level 1, pushing his Qi Sea to its limits. He practiced the basic physical combat forms he'd learned, attempting to infuse them with his nascent Qi, guided by the System's subtle instructions. He felt his physical strength increase, his agility sharpen. He also carefully started accumulating enough System Points to activate "Basic Body Fortification" (10 SP), feeling the raw power surge through his body as he finally activated it. His body felt denser, more resilient.
Afternoons were spent in Master Elara's lab, hidden from prying eyes. He continued to churn out various elixirs. Not just healing potions, but Qi recovery elixirs, subtle detoxification agents, even compounds that could temporarily enhance his physical senses or reaction time. He was building his own hidden advantage, a personal alchemical arsenal. The System's efficiency allowed him to produce these with remarkable speed and flawless quality, far beyond his official cultivation level. He was managing two concurrent challenges simultaneously, preparing for the duel while also subtly preparing for Grand Elder Seraphina's expedition.
One evening, as Kenji was leaving Master Elara's lab, his Spatial Pouch now subtly heavier with various alchemical vials, he decided to take a circuitous route back to his dwelling, avoiding the main paths. He was tired, but satisfied with his progress. The Sanctum was mostly quiet, illuminated by the soft glow of spiritual lamps.
As he passed a secluded, overgrown courtyard rarely visited by disciples, a faint, almost imperceptible shimmer caught his eye. His Qi Sensing ability, now much sharper after his recent cultivation and training, picked up on a subtle fluctuation in the ambient Qi, a strange distortion in the air that seemed out of place. It was almost like a faint, lingering spiritual signature, but it felt… sinister.
He paused, his senses on high alert. The feeling was unsettling, almost like a disturbance in the fabric of the spiritual world itself. It was gone as quickly as it appeared, like a whisper in the wind. He dismissed it as his imagination, perhaps just a residual effect from his strenuous alchemy. He continued his walk, his mind already drifting towards his next training session.
That night, as Kenji lay meditating in his dwelling, refining his Qi, a cold knot formed in his stomach. The subtle disturbance he had felt earlier came back to him with chilling clarity. It wasn't just a Qi fluctuation. It felt like something had been there. Something with malicious intent.
Suddenly, the System screen, usually a calming blue, flashed with an urgent, pulsating red light.
WARNING! Hostile Intent Detected.Anomaly: Subtle Energetic Trace Detected around Host's Dwelling.Recommendation: Investigate Discreetly.
Stealth Mission: Uncover the Plot.Reward: [Stealth Skill/System Trap].
Kenji's eyes snapped open. Lord Valerius. He had publicly challenged him. He was desperate. This wasn't just about winning a duel; it was about ensuring Kenji didn't even make it to the arena. Kenji felt a surge of cold fury. Valerius wouldn't just fight fair. He would cheat. He would sabotage. The disturbance Kenji felt was the opening salvo of Lord Valerius's treacherous path.