For the Alchemy Association Winter was a time that was extremely important. The significance of this time period was at a level that made everyone including the Elders tense up.
Of course, the ones who were truly panicked were none other than the Rookies, as the coming of winter meant that the Concealed Scripture display was upon them.
The scale of this event was so grand that the Chairman himself would almost always make an appearance on the final day of the display to present gifts.
The previous Rookie Ranking tournament that only allowed Fire Guardians/Dual class members to participate could not even compare to the commotion that this event would stir.
This was one of those rare moments when the Associations gates would open welcoming hundreds to thousands of influential Beasts to come and witness the display. Why was this and why would people flock to this event?
Well, the answer to that was simple. The Association was known for its Alchemy, not it’s cultivation of warriors thus although the Ranking tournament was interesting its outcome didn’t affect the structure of the Association as much as the display did.
The reason the event was called the Concealed Scripture display was because, just as its name implies, scriptures of varying profundity and power would be hidden by the Chairman. Each year the method of concealing these scriptures changed however, the difficulty of obtaining them remained constant. Sometimes there were a few ‘lucky’ individuals who managed to attain powerful scriptures while other times the display would end with not even a single Beast finding these legendary Alchemy scriptures.
Despite the scriptures themselves holding extremely advantageous Alchemy techniques, they also served as a gauge/measuring tool of one’s potential. Should one obtain a ‘pretty good’ scripture, they would be able to accept a Master of a higher level.
In Alchemy, Master’s were very important. Some might even say that apprentices in Alchemy depended on their Master’s more than any cultivator could. After all, Alchemy is a ‘Way’ that is universally considered as too expensive. Regardless of the level, Alchemists would always need to spend and apprentices with limited earning potential relied on their Master’s for everything from their techniques, materials, funds and even their mind set. It was essentially a process that milked the Master dry thus one needed to be careful when choosing apprentice’s and occasionally vice-versa.
The number of Rookie Alchemists was not too high however, as the Association valued Alchemists highly the rankings of all Fire Guardians currently ranked at or near the top would immediately fall as soon as the Concealed Scripture Display concluded. Fujo was a prime example of this. He wouldn’t be thrown out of the top 100 but whether or not he could make it into the top 40 was hard to say. It all depended on this year’s crop of Alchemists. Needless to say, Kifo was a lost cause from the very beginning thanks to missing the Ranking tournament.
Zilan was beyond confident in his Alchemy thus he did not feel the need to prepare anything for the display. He could whole heartedly focus on his training during the months leading up to Winter time.
The same though could not be said for people like Yasen and Mr. Rock. Right now, they were both thoroughly practicing their Alchemy skills as they awaited the event. From what they’d heard, the display was far more than what it seemed on the surface. Passing it would most definitely not be easy.
……………………………
“I have just a few months until Winter. Before then, both my cultivation as well as my skills must reach a level where I can contend with Kring.” Thought Zilan, resting his eyes after a day of familiarising himself with both [Infinite Rain] and [Ki].
“If I staked everything and showed all of my cards, our strengths should be on par however, it’s too soon for that.”
Sighing, Zilan fell asleep. He would resume training early the next morning.
Standing within the field of the second level of the Cloud Inheritance Palace, Zilan looked towards shadow coach asking it, “’Optimise this area to facilitate training the first level of [Rain Storm] to the [Small Success] stage of mastery.”
It took a few minutes however, the empty field they were currently standing in suddenly began changing. The grass turned into concrete and the previously empty surroundings were now surrounded by a number of lifeless bodies resembling Zilan.
He was about to question how exactly this environment was going to help him succeed when without warning, a large quantity of his Blood Force abruptly dissipated. He was now left with approximately five percent of his total Blood Force that he could use.
The surroundings appeared devoid of any Universe energy which meant manufacturing more Blood Force would not be possible anytime soon.
The number ‘10’ silently took the place of the sky in this environment.
Shadow coach as if understanding his confusion tapped him on the shoulder. The information Zilan absorbed enlightened him on the purpose of this place.
“So it’s like that.”
He could feel a certain pressure in the atmosphere constraining his Blood force. If he was a Beast, he could only imagine how difficult it would be to control his Beast force from running wild in this place. Luckily, he cultivated his own way thus his Blood Force was still under his control.
“This place tempers one’s energy as well as bolsters their control.”
Tempering one’s energy may not sound glamourous however, its effects are beyond wondrous.
Looking at the number 10 in the sky, Zilan already knew what to do. With just five percent of his Blood force he needed to create 10 Rain Storm claws.
In the physical world creating 10 claws consumed about 15% of his total Blood force however, due to his ability to constantly absorb Universe energy, this loss was negligible as the energy was swiftly replenished. Over here though, things would naturally be different.
“No point thinking too much about it.”
Releasing his Blood force, two gigantic claws appeared on either side of Zilan facing upwards. He controlled his energy with absolute precision trying to find the optimal ratio that could allow him to form 10 Rain Storm claws.
“Voom”
Ten small, vague but definitely tangible Rain Storm claws suddenly took shape. A smile could be seen on Zilan’s face as an unordinary amount of sweat was dripping from his forehead.
Maintaining this amount of control was a first for Zilan. Having this little amount of energy to work with, was a first for Zilan. And facing this amount of pressure for Zilan, was also a first.
“I’ve succeeded.” The moment he thought that though, all ten of his vague Rain Storm claws were instantly crushed by a sudden spike in the surrounding pressure.
Zilan’s jaw dropped. He could not help but feel cheated. His calculations had been perfect and he had managed to complete the test of creating ten claws yet in the end, as if on a whim, the pressure suddenly increased to a level that he could not bear, causing his Blood force to chaotic.
“What’s going on?”
He looked to shadow coach for answers but this time it did nothing to help him.
“There must be more to it than simply creating ten Rain Storm claws.” Zilan thought out loud.
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