Wu Tian emerged from the valley, the weight of his newfound alchemical mastery pressing upon him. He was no longer the same person who had entered that ancient ruin. Within his mind, countless alchemical formulas and secrets long lost to time had been engraved. He had reached the pinnacle of alchemy, yet no one would know it. Not yet.
The Mortal Realm stretched endlessly before him—a vast world filled with power, dangers, and opportunities. But before he could think about grand conquests, he needed a place to cultivate.
His first goal was simple: join a sect.
Seeking a SectWu Tian walked along a bustling trade road, watching cultivators and mortals alike engage in their daily lives. Towering mountains stood in the distance, their peaks shrouded in clouds. Among them were the great sects of this realm—powerhouses that dictated the balance of power in this world.
But joining a sect wasn't as simple as walking up to the gates. Most sects only accepted disciples through rigorous tests, or by recommendation.
As he moved through the crowd, he overheard a group of young cultivators speaking excitedly.
"Did you hear? The Ethereal Moon Sect is holding their entrance trials soon!"
Wu Tian's interest piqued. The Ethereal Moon Sect. A middle-tier sect known for its strict hierarchy and its brutal disciple trials. It wasn't the strongest, but it was influential enough to provide resources for his cultivation.
It would do.
With his path set, he continued forward, blending into the world around him.
Survival and Coin: The Alchemist's ShadowThe Mortal Realm was not kind to the poor. Without spirit stones or resources, even the most talented cultivators could be forced into a life of mediocrity.
And Wu Tian had no money.
His cultivation required materials, elixirs, and medicinal resources—none of which came for free.
That's when he saw it.
A towering building stood before him, its entrance adorned with the insignia of a flame-wreathed cauldron. The scent of rare herbs and medicinal powders filled the air. An alchemy guild.
Wu Tian smirked. The perfect place to earn a fortune.
Stepping inside, he was greeted by a large hall filled with cultivators—some bargaining for pills, others seeking commissions. Alchemy was a business, and business was thriving.
He approached the main counter, where a stern-looking elder was handling requests.
"I'd like to take an alchemy task," Wu Tian said calmly.
The elder barely looked at him. "Qualifications?"
Wu Tian shrugged. "Test me."
The elder sighed, clearly uninterested in wasting time. "Fine. Take this low-tier furnace and refine a basic Vitality Recovery Pill."
Wu Tian took the ingredients and suppressed a smile.
The materials were crude, the pill formula basic—but for a master alchemist, it was effortless.
A Hidden MonsterHe placed the ingredients into the furnace and barely used any Qi, controlling the flame with subtle movements. To any observer, it seemed like a novice attempting their first refinement.
The elder watched absentmindedly—until he noticed something strange.
Wu Tian wasn't struggling. He wasn't hesitating. His hands moved with practiced precision, adjusting the flame at just the right moments, allowing the essences to merge seamlessly.
Then, a perfect pill emerged.
The elder's eyes widened. Not a single impurity. A perfect-tier pill.
Wu Tian slid the pill across the counter. "Is this acceptable?"
The elder was speechless. No new alchemist should have such flawless technique.
"…It's acceptable."
Wu Tian suppressed his amusement. If he revealed his full skill, he would draw too much attention. For now, he would stay hidden, working small commissions, building his fortune while the world remained unaware that a grandmaster alchemist walked among them.
Entering the SectWith enough funds to sustain himself, Wu Tian made his way toward the Ethereal Moon Sect's entrance trials.
The sect's gates loomed high, flanked by elder cultivators who observed each entrant with scrutinizing eyes. Hundreds had gathered, each hoping to earn a place within the sect.
Wu Tian stepped forward, his eyes sharp.
He would pass their test. He would climb their ranks.
And when the time came—the world would know his name.