"Ben?" Emma's phone camera swiveled between me and the cauldron, capturing the wisps of silvery vapor curling from the heated chamber. "I hope you don't mind, but what are you cooking? It smells wonderful."
I gestured her inside with a wave. "Come in, come in. I'm concocting pills using alchemy."
Her eyes widened as she stepped closer, angling the phone to capture both my face and the cauldron. "Alchemy? Like in the cultivation novels?"
"Exactly like that." I pointed toward the shelves behind Rachel. "Those are finished products. What I'm working on right now is a Foundation Building Pill. It helps cultivators with low aptitude or older practitioners establish a better foundation for advancement."
Emma drifted toward the shelves, her camera following. She leaned close to the bottles, reading the labels I'd carefully inscribed on each one.
"Foundation Building Pills come in courses of six," I continued, monitoring the temperature as Dawnroot dissolved into liquid. "One per day. They digest normally without requiring meditation, just a warm feeling in the stomach as they work."
"How much do they cost?" Emma picked up one of the bottles, turning it in the light.
"Twenty merit points each, or a hundred for the full course."
She moved to the next shelf, where crimson pills gleamed through crystal containers. "And these?"
"Foundation Breaking Pills." I added Cloudmoss to the mixture, watching it absorb the vapor and liquid. "Those forcibly raise someone to Body Tempering fourth layer, but they damage your foundation permanently. Only terminal patients or people with destroyed meridians would use them. Fifty merit points each."
Emma's nose wrinkled. "That sounds terrible."
"It is. But for someone dying who wants a few more years, it's better than nothing." The mixture solidified into six perfect spheres, and I guided them into a waiting bottle. "The last type is Meridian Surge Pills. Those replenish your meridians with vital energy during combat or training. Thirty merit points each."
"This is incredible." Emma panned the camera across the shelves. "I've read about this stuff, but I never thought I'd actually see real pills."
Rachel stepped forward, recognizing an opportunity. "Would you like to see our weapons while Master Ben finishes this batch?"
Emma glanced at me, and I nodded encouragement. Rachel led her toward the weapon displays, pointing out the different categories and explaining the inscriptions I'd inscribed on each blade. Emma's enthusiasm bubbled through her narration as she showed her viewers the gleaming edges and perfect balance.
I bottled the Foundation Building Pills and placed them on the shelf with the others, then moved on to start another batch. The familiar rhythm of measuring and heating let me half listen to Rachel's pitch.
"The edge preservation inscription maintains sharpness even with heavy use," Rachel explained, lifting a longsword for the camera. "And the materials are far superior to anything you'd find in normal weapon shops."
Emma tested the weight of a dagger, her petite frame handling it with surprising confidence. "This is amazing, guys. If you need pills or weapons, definitely check out the Heavenly Forge Emporium. I'll put the location in the stream description."
She ended the broadcast a few minutes later, lowering her phone with a satisfied smile. "That was perfect. My viewers are going to love this."
An idea struck me as I sealed another batch of pills. "Hey, would you be interested in taking some of these products and passing them out to your fans as rewards? Maybe for contests or giveaways?"
Emma's expression shifted, uncertainty replacing enthusiasm. "I couldn't ask you to just give away your inventory."
"It's advertisement more than anything." I leaned against the counter, meeting her eyes. "I don't have a fan base like yours. The people I'd give freebies to are friends who wouldn't need to buy from me anyway. But your fans? They'd see the quality, spread the word, and I'd get customers I'd never reach otherwise."
She bit her lip, considering. "You're sure?"
"Completely sure. Think of it as a business arrangement. You get prizes for your community, I get exposure to potential customers."
"Well, if you're sure about it, I know my fans would love it!" Emma's face lit up with genuine excitement. "Thank you!"
I moved to the shelves, selecting an assortment of pills from each category. A dozen Foundation Building Pills, half that many Meridian Surge Pills, and even a few of the Foundation Breaking Pills for educational purposes. Then I grabbed several daggers, a short sword, and one of the longswords, balancing variety with value.
Rachel watched me pile the items on the counter, her eyebrows rising higher with each addition.
I pulled a low quality storage ring from my pocket, the black metal gleaming under the shop's lighting. The familiar tingle of qi flowed through my fingers as I transferred the weapons and pill bottles into the ten foot pocket space, each item disappearing the moment I willed it inside.
Rachel's gasp came first. "Is that what I think it is?"
Emma leaned forward, her eyes locked on the ring. "A storage ring? I thought those were just theoretical."
"They're real enough." I held it up, letting the light catch the smooth surface. "Just not common."
Rachel circled the counter to get a better look. "I've read about them in the knowledge crystals, but I didn't think anyone had actually made them yet."
I extended the ring toward Emma. "You'll need to drop blood on it to recognize ownership. Here." I fished a sterile lancet from my personal storage ring and handed it to her.
She took both items, but her hands remained frozen. "Are you sure I can have this storage ring? I've never seen anyone have these."
"I'm not making them for the public yet, but I will in the future." I met her uncertain gaze. "For now, just don't reveal it to the public. It could be dangerous if someone wants to steal it."
Emma studied the ring, turning it between her fingers. The weight of the decision played across her features, excitement warring with caution. Finally, she positioned the lancet against her index finger and pressed down. A bead of crimson welled up, and she touched it to the ring's surface.
The blood absorbed instantly, vanishing into the metal. Emma's eyes widened as the binding completed, the connection between person and object forming in that indefinable way cultivation made possible. She slipped the ring onto her finger, and it resized automatically to fit her slender hand.
"Wow! I can feel it." Wonder colored her voice. "There's all this space inside, and I can sense everything you put in there."
"Try taking something out," I suggested.
She closed her eyes, concentration furrowing her brow. One of the daggers materialized in her hand from nowhere. Emma jumped back, then laughed at her own reaction.
"That's incredible!" She made the dagger disappear again, then brought out a bottle of pills. "This is so cool! I can carry props and equipment for my streams without lugging around bags anymore."
Rachel's gaze lingered on Emma's storage ring, her fingers twitching slightly before she caught herself. She turned back to organizing the weapon displays, her movements perhaps a touch more deliberate than necessary. The longing in her expression lasted only a moment before professionalism smoothed her features.
Emma rotated the ring on her finger, watching it catch the light. Her excitement dimmed as she studied me with new intensity. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"I've been reading about alchemy in the All Paths Library." She crossed her arms, her tone shifting toward analytical. "The knowledge crystals clearly state that the minimum cultivation level for pill concoction is Meridian Opening first layer. The vital energy control required for managing multiple flames simultaneously is impossible with an unopened meridian system."
I kept my expression neutral, waiting.
"So that means you're at least Meridian Opening first layer, right?"
No point denying what she'd already figured out. "You're correct. I reached Meridian Opening first layer about a week ago."
Emma's gasp echoed through the shop. "Seriously? I thought your sister was the highest level cultivator so far at Body Tempering sixth layer! How did you advance so fast?"
A smile tugged at my lips. "I don't really care to reveal my cultivation level. Seems I was careless, or you're too smart."
She studied me for several seconds, her expression thoughtful. The wheels turned behind her eyes as she processed implications I couldn't guess at.
The shop door chimed, announcing a new customer, but I kept my attention on Emma.
"Would you be willing to be my bodyguard for a concert coming up?" The words tumbled out in a rush. "I've been really worried about it because it's the first time I'm leaving the country. But if a strong person I can trust comes with me, I'd feel much more comfortable."
I raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you strong yourself? Body Tempering fifth layer isn't weak either, right?"
"Yes, I'm not weak." Emma's shoulders drooped slightly. "But I also have no combat experience. Even if someone is weaker than me, if they're skilled I might still stand no chance. I've spent my whole life singing and streaming, not fighting."
Fair point. Cultivation power meant nothing without the knowledge to use it. I considered her request. Between crafting and cultivating, my schedule remained flexible. The portal anchors moved on their own now, and the cities ran themselves with Sarah's administrative network.
"I don't have much to do other than cultivate and craft right now. I might as well take the job." I met her hopeful gaze. "I accept your offer, but I'd prefer payment in US dollars if you can. I still have an apartment in San Jose that I rent, even if I'm spending a lot of time here."
"Deal!" Emma's excitement returned full force.
"I found you!"
I turned to see Christine bouncing through the entrance, her phone clutched in one hand. She stared at Emma, then whipped around to face me.
"Brother, when did you open a shop?! I only know now because I was watching Emma's stream!" Her words came rapid fire, barely pausing for breath. "And what's all this talk about being a bodyguard for a concert?! I hope you need two!"
Emma spun around at Christine's voice, her eyes lighting up with recognition. Before my sister could say another word, Emma pulled her into an enthusiastic hug.
"Christine! It's so good to see you!" Emma squeezed her tight, genuine warmth radiating from the gesture. "Your brother's shop is amazing, isn't it?"
Christine returned the embrace, laughing. "I had no idea he even had one until I saw your stream! He never tells me anything."
"Hey, I've been busy," I protested.
Emma released Christine but kept her hands on my sister's shoulders. "Actually, this works out perfectly. I'd love to hire both of you as bodyguards for my concert. Having two people I trust would be even better."
Christine's face transformed into pure excitement. "Really? You mean it?"
"Absolutely." Emma nodded, her expression sincere. "Ben already agreed to the same payment terms I offered him."
"It should be fine, but you're only fifteen so you'll need to get written permission from Mom and Dad before you can go."
Christine waved off my concern with a dismissive hand. "No problem. I'm a strong cultivator now, and you'll also be with me, so I'm sure they'll be happy to let me go."
"Wait, is this the concert in China you've been talking about?" Christine bounced on her toes, her phone still clutched in one hand. "The one that's been on your schedule for months?"
"That's the one." Emma's smile widened. "It's going to be huge. The venue holds twenty thousand people, and tickets sold out in three hours."
Christine's enthusiasm dimmed slightly, replaced by thoughtful curiosity. "You know, something just occurred to me. All those cultivation novels everyone reads? They're pretty much from China, right? Does that mean they actually have cultivators over there? Like, real ones who've been around for centuries?"
Emma tilted her head, considering the question. "Before the Eastern Region appeared, I would have completely doubted it. I mean, I didn't think cultivators were real at all. But now this world exists, and cultivation turns out to be legitimate, so honestly? I don't know anymore." She gestured vaguely at the shop around us. "Based on the news coverage I've seen, the portals seemed to spread from San Jose rather than originating in China. The first reports all came from California, then spread across America before going global."
"That's true," Christine mused. "Though the name Eastern Region could be understood as referring to the East, like China. Maybe there's a connection we're missing."
I cleared my throat, drawing both their attention. "Actually, I know the answer to that. According to the Eastern Region God…"
Both women turned to stare at me.
"This is the Eastern Region of the continent we're currently on," I explained, keeping my voice matter of fact. "The Western Region is actually a far more dangerous area on the opposite side of the same continent. It has much stronger spiritual beasts and a significantly higher density of spiritual energy. The naming has nothing to do with Earth's geography. It's purely about the layout of this cultivation world."
Emma's eyes widened. "You've talked to the God? Like, actually had a conversation?"
"A few times." I shrugged, keeping the details vague. "He's established the rules for the cities and distributes identity tokens. Sometimes he appears to handle major issues or answer important questions."
Christine grabbed my arm. "And you never mentioned this because?"
"It never came up?" I offered weakly.
Rachel had been listening from behind the counter, her expression thoughtful. "So China doesn't have some ancient cultivation tradition we didn't know about?"
"Not as far as the God indicated," I confirmed. "As far as we know, this is new for everyone on Earth, regardless of where those old novels came from."
"Though honestly," I continued, "the similarities between those Chinese novels and the actual cultivation knowledge in the All Paths Library are too strong to be coincidence. The realms, the techniques, even some of the terminology matches up pretty well, even if there are differences."
Emma nodded slowly. "So maybe China did have real cultivators at some point in history? And those stories were based on actual events that got passed down over time?"
"That's my guess," I admitted.