Leaving the Merchant Hall behind, Qinxuan headed toward the "Golden Chalice."
At the entrance, she noticed workers from the same Hall unloading crates that most likely contained herbs.
Watching over the process was Qinshan, who observed every movement with an unchanging, impassive expression.
The speed of delivery surprised her, and she decided to make sure everything was in order.
Before a step could be taken, Qinshan called out to her:
— Oh, Anna, there you are! These men claim they've delivered goods for you — he said, pointing at the crates.
— Yes, that's correct. Though I admit, I didn't expect everything to arrive this quickly. Thank you — the girl said to the workers, inclining her head slightly.
One of the workers hurried to respond, noticeably nervous.
— No-no, Miss Anna, there's no need for thanks. This was a direct order from Lady Irina. We… we didn't dare waste even a second…
The anxious tone in his voice did not escape Qinxuan.
Brows drew together.
(Is Irina really that frightening?)
— In that case, please tell your lady that I'm very grateful — she said softly, trying to put him at ease.
— Y-yes, of course, Miss Anna! — he replied with obvious relief.
(Though can he actually tell her? He probably wouldn't even dare speak in her presence…)
Suppressing a smile, the blonde watched the workers carry the crates inside with impressive speed, fleeing the scene as if afraid to linger even a moment longer.
Soon, the herbs and spirit stones were neatly transported into the alchemy room on the third floor.
The room itself — once one of the Qinshan family's most expensive investments — had been built long ago, back when Qinshan sought to become a great alchemist.
Fully furnished and equipped, it was eventually abandoned as his passion faded, used only occasionally by alchemists acquainted with the Qinshe family.
Now, it belonged entirely to Qinxuan.
Besides the main section with the cauldron and shelves for herbs, there was a small adjoining room—a bedroom with a simple bed.
It was designed for alchemists who worked themselves to exhaustion.
By the time she arrived, the room was spotless, its tools neatly arranged.
Locking the door so no one would disturb her, Qinxuan surveyed the space where she would spend the next several hours.
— Well then… let's begin — the small master murmured, rubbing her palms together.
She carefully laid out the necessary herbs, ignited the cauldron, and began her work.
Her task was simple: create two kinds of Mortal-rank pills — one for cleansing and strengthening the meridians, the other for stabilizing the foundation.
As the former Saint of Alchemy in her past life, Qinxuan possessed experience that allowed the process to flow smoothly and steadily.
Half an hour later, the first batch was ready.
The short girl picked up a pill, examining its smooth, glossy surface and faint herbal fragrance. But a small flaw immediately drew her attention.
— Purity… eighty-five percent — the alchemist exhaled with mild displeasure. — Some impurities will remain after use. But once my sacred flame awakens, this problem will disappear entirely.
First batch boxed. Work went on.
The high-quality cauldron proved remarkably efficient. After three hours, thirty pills of each type lay neatly arranged in small boxes.
It was time for cultivation.
Qinxuan moved to the bedroom and prepared everything.
On the low table rested the boxes of pills, and beside them lay pale yellow spirit stones the size of a thumb.
Sitting in a lotus position, the cultivator held a stone in each hand and swallowed one pill of each type. Taking a deep breath, she began absorbing energy.
Warmth spread through her meridians, cleansing and strengthening them.
The energy currents flowed faster; stones dimmed and crumbled into dust. The girl replaced them one after another.
At first, the sensations were subtle—her body felt cleaner, lighter.
Then the energy collided with the first barrier. The pressure grew, and suddenly a powerful surge broke through, causing her aura to flare.
The youth inhaled sharply and felt herself grow stronger.
Opening her eyes, the heroine smiled.
— Second rank… — she whispered, closing them again and moving on.
After the first breakthrough, energy moved more freely, but each next step demanded more resources. Her hands replaced stone after stone, and more pills dissolved within her.
At one point, her body began to tremble—her meridians reaching their limit. Sweat covered her face, but she persisted, focusing on the key points.
A powerful flow shattered another barrier, and her entire body seemed to ignite from within. Her breathing grew heavy, but Qinxuan stabilized her state, once again sensing a sharp increase in strength.
The young girl had reached the Third Mortal Rank.
Her body, accustomed to previous strain, now demanded even more.Her consciousness sank fully into the movement of energy.
She directed the currents into her meridians, pushing them to their absolute limit. Stones cracked in her hands, releasing their final drops of energy.
A storm erupted within her.
Energy surged so violently it felt like she might burst apart. Her expression tightened—yet in the final moment, the storm calmed, transforming into a pure, steady tide of power.
Her aura flared brightly, filling the room.
Opening her eyes, the our heroine inhaled deeply, satisfaction settling on her face.
— Fourth rank… in eight hours.
A stretch cracked the quiet.
The body felt lighter, yet filled with strength.
— Acceptable — she said to herself, smiling at the piles of dust. — That's my limit. Time to rest.
The small cultivator wasn't tired at all — quite the opposite, energy still crackled under her skin — yet sleep kept tugging gently at the edges.
(Everything is going well.)
Already in bed, her thoughts started spinning
(I hope she's alright too…)
Closing her eyes, the heroine tried to sleep, but the bed still felt too big without "her".
Qinxuan slid her palm across the cool sheet and felt the small, unexpected sting of loneliness — the kind the old soul thought she'd outgrown after years of cultivation.
Something low in her chest — intuition, maybe imagination — refused to let her drift off.
Hand pressed to her heart, the black-eyed counted its uneven beats in the dark.
(What is this? I've changed so much since reincarnation. Now I worry over trifles. With her level of strength and skill, this stage shouldn't pose a problem. I prepared her thoroughly. Of course, there's always risk.)
Only twenty minutes later, when her mind finally drifted from intrusive thoughts, a sudden, insistent knock snapped her awake.
Door opened to frantic Qinshe.
— What happened?
— I'm not sure, but something strange occurred in the forest. The city lord and the others rushed there immediately. I thought… you should know.
— You were right. Thank you for coming. I need a horse to get there fast.
— I knew you'd want to go. They're ready downstairs. I'm coming with you. Let's go.
The night was dark, illuminated only by faint moonlight.
The city lay asleep; most residents, unaware of what had transpired in the forest, rested peacefully.
Thus, the two reached the gate in no time — where a third person awaited.
The newcomer sat atop an impressive magical beast: a massive silver leopard nearly four meters long.
His soft fur shimmered under the moonlight, black stripes across its sides forming the illusion of a shadowy forest.
Аmber eyes were deep, eerily intelligent.
Long tail swayed slowly with calm confidence.
Back could easily carry two riders.
The beast's magical aura inspired both respect and awe.
Bathed in moonlight, the familiar figure atop it spoke:
— Anna, how unexpected. We meet again — the girl said with a faint, playful smile.