Kyrian recognized so of the aromas. Wild ginseng. Rare aloe. Deep-sea algae.
He made no comnt.
From ti to ti, they passed closed doors. So bore complex inscriptions in languages Kyrian did not recognize, intertwined runes, and symbols that seed almost alive beneath the light. Others were protected by visible defensive formations, translucent barriers that glowed faintly, covering the entrances like curtains of light.
Clearly, they were not ordinary rooms.
After crossing two corridors and a small gallery decorated with paintings of ancient alchemists, n and won in magnificent robes, surrounded by furnaces and vials, with expressions of wisdom and power. Lio Han finally stopped in front of a double door made of black wood.
The wood was extrely dark, so dark that it seed to absorb the surrounding light, creating a small shadow around the fra.
But it was not ordinary.
Kyrian realized, through sight and perception, that the wood was infused with spiritual Qi. It was not rely decoration. It was a barrier.
Lio Han pushed the doors open.
The hinges moved silently.
Kyrian stepped inside.
His gaze swept across the interior of the room. It was spacious.
Far more spacious than it appeared from the outside. The modest entrance concealed a generous space, perhaps twice the size of the private room where he had waited.
Yet it was surprisingly simple. There was no excessive luxury. No extravagant decorations. Only what was necessary.
On the opposite side of the room stood three tables arranged side by side, each made of dark wood, each holding stacks of scrolls and writing tools.
Behind them were three high-backed chairs with carved armrests. Two were occupied. The central chair remained empty.
In the center of the hall stood a massive alchemy cauldron.
Its body was made of dark bronze, so dark that it appeared black from certain angles, yet shone with a reddish hue when struck by the light.
Runes covered its entire surface. They glowed faintly, pulsing in a slow and steady rhythm.
The cauldron looked ancient. Extrely ancient.
Yet it was also remarkably well preserved, without cracks, oxidation, or signs of wear.
In front of it lay only a circular cultivation cushion. Nothing else.
The entire room seed designed for a single purpose.
Evaluation.
As soon as they entered, the two seated n imdiately stood.
"Elder Lio."
"Elder Lio."
Both greeted him respectfully, with slight but sincere bows.
Lio Han responded with a nod. Then he turned toward Kyrian.
"The man on the left is Elder Wei."
Kyrian observed him.
He was a thin man with gray hair tied into a high bun, pulled so tightly that it slightly stretched the skin on his face. His robe was dark blue, simple, and without embroidery.
His eyes were narrow and attentive, like those of a bird of prey observing its target. There was no hostility in them, only constant evaluation.
"The man on the right is Elder Sun."
The second was more robust. He had a short, neatly trimd beard, so short that it looked more like a shadow on his face than actual hair. His body was broad, his shoulders powerful.
His expression conveyed seriousness.
But not hostility.
The two discreetly examined Kyrian.
Their eyes swept across his violet robe, good-quality but simple fabric.
His posture is upright, calm, and free of tension. His expression was neutral, confident, and composed. And above all, his eyes.
The violet lightning dancing within his pupils imdiately drew attention, impossible to ignore, impossible not to notice.
Lio Han pointed toward the cushion.
"Please. Sit."
Kyrian walked to the center of the room.
His steps were steady, neither hurried nor hesitant. He sat down calmly.
As if he were in his own room rather than before three elders of the Alchemists Association.
anwhile, Lio Han took the empty chair between the other two elders. The three now sat aligned before him.
Like judges.
Lio Han folded his hands atop the table.
"Kyrian."
"Elder Wei, Elder Sun, and I will be the evaluators of this examination."
"Our duty is to determine whether you possess sufficient qualifications to receive the Rank 5 Alchemist Badge."
Kyrian nodded.
"I understand."
His answer was simple. Natural.
As if he were rely having a conversation, not participating in an evaluation that would determine his future as an alchemist.
The three elders exchanged glances. The calmness of that young man was impressive.
Most candidates beca nervous in front of them. Especially during high-level evaluations, when Rank 5 was at stake.
But Kyrian seed completely at ease.
Like soone who already knew the outco.
Lio Han continued.
"The examination will be divided into three stages."
"mory and comprehension."
"Fla control."
"And refinent."
Kyrian nodded once more. Exactly what he had expected.
’Simple.’
That was his imdiate thought.
He had already refined countless Rank 5 pills, alone, without supervision, without assistance.
Regardless of the test, he did not believe he would encounter any significant difficulties.
Lio Han gestured toward Elder Wei.
The gray-haired elder rose, moving slowly and deliberately. He walked to a nearby bookshelf, a dark wooden shelf packed with books, scrolls, and jade slips.
He returned carrying an extrely thick book.
The volu was so large that it looked more like a block of stone than a book. Kyrian estimated it contained at least five hundred pages, perhaps more.
The cover was made of black leather, worn by ti, with tal corners that glead faintly.
Without warning, the elder tossed it toward Kyrian.
Kyrian raised a hand. He caught the book effortlessly. The weight was considerable, several dozen kilograms at least. But not enough to trouble him.
He placed the volu between his legs. Then looked at the cover.
Universal Compendium of the Thousand Herbs.
His eyes showed interest.
Elder Wei began to explain.
"This book contains records collected by the Sky Caravan over thousands of years."
"Spiritual herbs. Rare fruits. Poisons. Alchemical materials. Information gathered from the five great regions. Its contents exceed several thousand entries."
Kyrian listened attentively.
’Thousands of years. Five great regions. Thousands of records.’
The amount of knowledge contained within that book was absurd.
The elder continued.
"You will have exactly one hour."
"During that ti, you may study the book freely."
"After one hour, it will be taken back."
"Then we will begin the evaluation."
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