The Amber Viper Clan's gates rose like blackened sentinels against the fading light of dusk, their serpentine carvings glimmering faintly in the late afternoon sun. Smoke drifted from the alchemy furnaces inside, curling in thin streams above the courtyard, carrying the sharp, acrid scent of medicinal minerals and rare herbs. The convoy slowed as it entered the expansive plaza, the horses' hooves echoing on the polished stone. The fire-drakes of Lu Mao's team, crimson scales glowing faintly in the evening light, ran beside the caravan at lightning speed, moving so fast that wind rippled through the surrounding grass and trees as if the land itself bowed to their passage.
Lu Mao's eyes swept over the courtyard, analyzing every detail with the scrutiny of a seasoned strategist. His mind catalogued the placement of guards, the distance between them, the subtle flows of protective qi emanating from the ranks of disciples, and the soft pulses of medicinal energy that radiated from the inner buildings. This was no ordinary sect—every element spoke of meticulous preparation and mastery of alchemy. Behind him, Li Xian, Yan Mei, and the loyal Spirit-Accession disciples let their muscles relax for the first time since the recent battles, yet Lu Mao's sharp gaze betrayed no such ease. The scars of previous encounters with the Red Hawk and Jade Owl Syndicate's forces still lingered in his mind.
Wei Quing awaited them at the center of the courtyard. Even at only eighteen, his composure was extraordinary, each movement precise, each gesture deliberate. Silver hair catching the dying sun, his calm, calculating gaze swept over Lu Mao's team. He stood flanked by his comrades, all at the peak of the Spirit-Accession Realm, each one prepared to defend the convoy with unyielding loyalty. His presence radiated a quiet confidence, the kind that only years of perfecting both martial skill and alchemical craft could instill.
"You've come," Wei Quing said, his voice carrying easily across the courtyard, yet calm and measured. "The path you took here was not without risk."
Lu Mao dismounted from his fire-drake, landing with a soft thud that caused the crimson scales to shimmer faintly. "Your defenses were formidable," he replied evenly. "Not just the formations, but the aura flowing through your disciples. You've built a strong line of defense."
Wei Quing inclined his head slightly. "It was a close call. The Red Hawk and Jade Owl teams… they're bold, but your strikes were precise. Even so, the timing, the coordination… it was impressive. Yet, I must admit, I remember your earlier intrusion into my records." His silver eyes met Lu Mao's, sharp with both scrutiny and intrigue.
Lu Mao's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Ah… the pills, yes. You're referring to those."
Wei Quing's expression darkened for a brief instant before softening again. "At first, I was furious. Someone had taken my creation—the Spirit Transcendence Pills. Half-finished, imperfect, a waste… And yet, when the Golden Sparrow Thieves Guild offered me a refined version, traced back to your hands, my anger shifted to curiosity. That batch… near perfect. The methods, the nuances, the refinement… remarkable for someone of your age. I was enlightened when I studied it."
Lu Mao's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of pride hidden beneath his calm demeanor. "So, my theft wasn't entirely fruitless, then."
Wei Quing allowed a faint chuckle. "Useful is a modest term. When I analyzed it, I gained insight into methods of alchemy I had not yet mastered. Since then, I knew one day I had to meet the one capable of such skill. My own attempts at similar pills… they pale in comparison. And now, you are here."
Lu Mao's mind raced, assessing the possibilities. "And you want something from me?"
Wei Quing shook his head. "Not from you. I wish for collaboration. I will share my pills with you—fifty in total. You may return a few refined versions to test their efficacy. Even one perfected pill will suffice. Together, we can explore new heights of alchemical mastery. You will gain knowledge, experience, and skill, and I will have a rival capable of pushing me further. Perhaps even a friend."
Lu Mao's eyes sparkled faintly, the black-gold veins along his neck and hands pulsing with a slow, deliberate rhythm. "A clever offer. I've never met someone so young who possesses both skill and foresight. Very well… we strike this pact." He extended his hand, which Wei Quing grasped firmly, sealing the agreement.
The two retreated into Wei Quing's private chamber shortly afterward. The door closed behind them with a quiet thud, separating the conversation from the rest of the courtyard. Inside, the chamber smelled faintly of herbs, smoke curling lazily from small alchemy furnaces. Shelves lined the walls, crammed with vials, powders, scrolls, and instruments. The air vibrated subtly with medicinal energy, concentrated and potent.
Wei Quing gestured toward the array of vials. "These are my recent concoctions, though nothing rivals the batch you helped refine in ways unbeknownst to you. My elders had acquired one pill from the Golden Sparrow auction—it allowed me to see the methods employed in your version. I have since been perfecting my techniques, but the insight you provided cannot be ignored."
Lu Mao examined the collection with careful scrutiny, fingers brushing the edge of a vial as he considered the implications. "Your trust is… surprising. Few would allow another to refine their own pills, let alone teach them a new method."
Wei Quing's silver eyes shone with a mixture of respect and eagerness. "Trust is built on skill and character. I see in you both. You are intelligent, capable, and—dare I say—clever enough to be a rival I can respect. My goal is not to uncover your secrets, but to improve together. Should our results be optimal, the knowledge and rewards are shared."
They spent hours in discussion, Wei Quing explaining the properties of each pill, the intended effects, and the subtleties of qi circulation he had perfected. Their dialogue moved from technique to theory, from methodology to philosophy, both pushing the other's understanding further with every exchanged idea.
At last, Wei Quing nodded. "The deal is sealed. I will send the batch immediately. Return what you deem perfected, or even a single example if that is all you can manage. The rest… remain with you."
Lu Mao's lips curled into a smile. "Then let us begin. Your insight, Wei Quing, may prove invaluable… and I will do my best to rise to your challenge."
Wei Quing inclined his head, a faint smile of satisfaction on his features. "I look forward to seeing your results. But for now… our paths diverge. You have your journey back, and I have my duties here. Farewell, Lu Mao. May our collaboration be fruitful."
Outside the chamber, the courtyard was a scene of quiet relaxation. Fire-drakes rested, their crimson scales glowing softly, while disciples and juniors shared meals, exchanged news, and tended to their mounts. Lu Mao and Yan Mei gathered their own team, readying the fire-drakes for the return journey to Golden Sparrow Thieves Sect. Li Xian, having already scouted ahead, transmitted a warning of potential retaliation from Jade Owl Syndicate and Red Hawk factions.
The fire-drakes ran, their glowing crimson scales streaking lightning across mountains, valleys, and rivers below. For four days, they moved without stopping, their speed unparalleled, leaving a blur across the land as they carried the Black Dragon Faction and their precious cargo. Yan Mei's eyes scanned the horizon, Li Xian's telepathic updates guiding their course, and the juniors absorbed lessons in coordination and discipline under extreme conditions.
Meanwhile, in the Jade Owl Syndicate's headquarters, chaos reigned. Elder Huo Chen, the Master of Jade Owl, and the elders of Red Hawk convened in grim silence. Zhou Feng had returned, battered but alive, carrying news that sent shockwaves through the room. Eleven War Blood cultivators had perished, along with nearly all Spirit-Accession practitioners of the Red Hawk faction.
"This… is catastrophic," Huo Chen growled, slamming his fist onto the table. "We sent our best. Eleven War Bloods… our standing among Tier-2 factions is at stake. Mid-ranking status… if this continues, we lose influence and control. The Black Dragon has humiliated us."
Red Hawk elders exchanged grim glances. "The Potent Foundation Pills remain in Amber Viper's hands. Their prodigy… survives. Their rise accelerates with each batch. The Southern Lands will not ignore them."
Master Zhou Feng spat blood onto the floor. "The Black Dragon's strategy… precise, ruthless. They struck without hesitation. Amber Viper's convoy intact. Wei Quing alive. Their coordination… unmatched."
Huo Chen's eyes darkened, and his tone dropped to one of near dread. "If it were not for that mad monk, Shen Mu…, we could have obliterated the Black Dragon Faction with our bare hands. His son's death… unleashed devastation upon even the top Tier-3 sect masters. They fell to their knees before him. The Golden Sparrow Sect nearly fell from within, and yet… the Master of the Black Dragon survived. It is almost unimaginable… that someone who has endured such a force lives to strike again. But we will have our revenge. Every strike, every plan… the Black Dragon will pay."
And so, while the Black Dragon Faction raced homeward, fire-drakes leaving streaks of red across the land, the Jade Owl Syndicate and Red Hawk faction stewed in fury and dread. The Potent Foundation Pill remained secure, the alliance between Lu Mao and Wei Quing forged in secrecy, and the shadow of the Black Dragon stretched far and wide, a relentless force poised for the next strike.