Needless to say, the lesson didn't stop at that concoction. Something had changed in the Alchemy Elder, too, making him completely disregard prearranged time limits to focus on Liam.
Liam got to return to the Inner Hall only after more training with the alchemical flame and complicated words, but not empty-handed. The long pipe was safely in his robe, as was the small pouch with the powder he had concocted.
'One puff every night to keep the core healthy,' Liam recalled the Elder's instructions while navigating the dim environment, 'Another one if you need your dantian to produce more Qi right away.'
Developing a smoking habit wasn't really something Liam looked forward to. It actually went against his hunter upbringing to carry a traceable scent that could warn his prey.
