The black cauldron rumbled, releasing grey smoke that the cave quickly filtered away.
Meanwhile, Liam kept one hand on the burning log under the item, fueling the red flame with his Qi while his eyes were fixed on the black alloy, counting seconds, capturing every noise, smell, and heat it radiated.
Then, Liam released his true Qi, turning the alchemical flame and the cauldron's smoke pitch-black, before slapping the item's side to cause the sudden eruption of a dark cloud.
Liam kicked the burnt log away at that point, standing up to look inside the cauldron, uncaring of the dispersing cloud blowing on his face. He reached down, digging his fingers into the dark-brown layer at the item's base, finding it a bit sticky.
Liam quickly drew the pipe from his robe and filled its bowl with that dark-brown powder, lighting it and inhaling from its bit, savoring every detail in the revitalizing sensation that spread inside him.
