0042. The Challenge of Alchemy

The weight of the morning's encounter with the guards still lingered in the air as Nile sat back down at the table. Though the tension had eased slightly, the questions remained—who was behind the inspection, and what other challenges lay ahead?

Veena, ever composed, traced the rim of her teacup as she regarded Nile with a knowing look. Around them, the others resumed their activities—Arin jotting notes with precise strokes, Jessica absentmindedly folding her napkin. Yet, an unspoken uncertainty hung between them.

"You handled that well," Veena finally said, her voice gentle but firm. "That could have gone much worse."

Nile gave a slight nod, but his unease clung to him like the morning fog. He had avoided conflict, but the guards' cryptic warning still gnawed at him.

Jessica leaned in, her brows furrowed. "You were calm under pressure, but this doesn't sit right with me. They weren't just doing a routine check. They're watching us."

"Maybe that means we're on the right track," Lyra mused, her tone light but thoughtful. "Attention isn't always a bad thing."

Nile considered her words, but the nagging suspicion remained. "I hope you're right," he muttered. "But something tells me it's not that simple."

Arin looked up from his notes, his sharp gaze cutting through the conversation. "If the guards are already sniffing around, others will follow. We need to be careful. Everything we do has to be beyond reproach."

Veena nodded. "Trust is currency here. We need to prove that we belong—not just to the locals, but to the authorities."

"But trust is a two-way street," Jessica countered. "If they want us to follow the rules, they need to show that they're worth trusting too."

Before Nile could respond, the sound of light footsteps reached them. Jennifer, the innkeeper, emerged from behind the reception desk, making her way to their table with a calculating smile.

"I see you've already handled the guards," she said, settling onto the edge of the table. "So, I assume you've got the message loud and clear?"

Nile exhaled slowly. "Something like that."

Jennifer leaned forward, her expression unreadable. "Good. Then let's talk about our arrangement. I assume you're ready to discuss lodging?"

Instead of answering directly, Nile met her gaze. "That can wait. I have a business proposal for you."

Jennifer's eyes sharpened, her curiosity piqued. "Oh? Let me guess—free lodging and unrestricted access to cultivation rooms in exchange for… something?" She tapped her fingers against the table. "I've seen plenty of ambitious cultivators try to strike a deal. What makes you different?"

Arin spoke first. "We'll protect your inn. Our group is strong, and we can offer support."

Jennifer's expression flickered—not with amusement, but something closer to disbelief. For a brief moment, her usual confidence wavered. This was the root of her troubles, after all.

Her gaze shifted to Veena and James, seeking confirmation. They responded with a simple nod, releasing a fraction of their aura.

Jennifer stiffened. A chill ran through her. The sheer pressure of their presence—it was beyond anything she had expected. Even the five Protectorate overseers stationed in this town paled in comparison. The ten Island Assembly members? Perhaps a match, but nothing more.

Realization dawned on her. These weren't ordinary cultivators.

Still, she wasn't fully convinced.

Jennifer's lips curled into a half-smirk, regaining her composure. "Strength is useful. But it's not enough. I need more than muscle—I need value."

Her gaze settled firmly on Nile. "You're the one leading them, aren't you? Show me that you're not just another overconfident rookie."

Veena's expression darkened. "What do you mean by that?"

Jennifer shrugged. "A simple test," she said, the challenge evident in her tone. "Alchemy."

Jessica blinked. "Alchemy? What kind of test?"

Jennifer leaned back slightly, watching Nile carefully. "I want him to make Body Stimulus Paste. It's a basic concoction used by Level 1 cultivators to strengthen their bodies with conquered mana. Simple, but precise. A real test of knowledge, mana control, and craftsmanship."

The room went still.

Arin's fingers tightened around his pen. Even for trained alchemists, this wasn't a task to take lightly.

Jennifer smirked. "What? Didn't you say you were shifting your focus to alchemy? Don't tell me that was just talk."

Surprisingly, Nile remained calm. He met Jennifer's gaze without hesitation. "I'll do it," he said.

Veena's eyes widened. "Nile, wait—alchemy isn't something you can just pick up overnight!"

Jennifer, for the first time, looked genuinely surprised. "You mean… he's never done alchemy before?"

Before she could fully process that revelation, Nile turned to Veena with quiet confidence. "I know. But I've been experimenting with something else."

He returned his attention to Jennifer. "I'll take your test, but I have three conditions."

Jennifer arched a brow. "Conditions?"

"First, I need a full set of ingredients for the Body Stimulus Paste."

Jennifer chuckled. "That's expected. Fine."

"Second, I need a sample of the paste you want me to make. I'll analyze it before attempting my own."

Jennifer's amusement deepened. "Bold. Alright."

"And third," Nile continued, "I need a Level 1 cultivation room to prepare it."

A brief silence. Jennifer studied him closely, searching for any sign of hesitation.

Then, she nodded. "Fine. You've got your conditions."

She stood and gestured toward the stairs. "Let's see if you're worth the trouble."

As the group followed her toward the cultivation rooms on the third floor, Jessica's concern deepened. "Nile, you can't just 'wing' this. Real alchemists train for years."

Nile glanced at her, surprised. "You thought I had some secret tool from Frost to pass a Level 1 Alchemist test?"

Jessica hesitated before nodding. "It seemed… possible."

Veena chuckled. "No, dear. Nothing like that exists—at least not within the human sphere. There are rumors of such artifacts beyond the Boundary of Indus, but it will take another 25 years before our strongest cultivators can even attempt to breach it."

That knowledge settled over them like a quiet storm.

Nile, however, remained unfazed.

His mind was already focused. He recalled his experiments with the black and white sphere. The sensation, the shifting energies—it had given him a glimpse into something more.

He turned to Jessica, his voice steady. "Trust me."

The others exchanged uncertain glances, but they followed in silence.

They all knew Nile.

And when he set his mind to something—he never backed down.