lord of heaven

The Valley of Harmonious Fire stretched silently beneath a hazy red sky, the air simmering with spiritual heat. As the afternoon light filtered through molten-colored leaves, Su Yang stepped purposefully toward the Alchemy Flame Hall.

His expression was calm, but beneath his steady gaze, his heart burned with ambition.

On his wrist, Zi Shu—the small violet-scaled snake—lay coiled and resting, her energy still recovering from the brief memory-sharing they had experienced earlier that morning. Max followed silently at his side, the golden-furred beast casting a proud, protective shadow.

Today, Su Yang wasn't just returning to refine an ordinary pill.

Today, he was going to attempt something no disciple had dared before—a Soul-Fused variant of the Profound-grade Fire-Soul Nourishment Pill.

---

As he entered the Alchemy Hall, the soft hum of furnaces and the muted chanting of incantations filled the space. Spiritual smoke coiled in the air like gentle spirits, and the warmth from the walls was more than physical—it resonated with fire essence.

Su Yang walked past several disciples who glanced at him curiously. Some whispered behind cupped hands, still shaken by the rumors of how he'd exposed Yan Luo's flame theft attempt weeks ago. Others merely watched his calm stride with veiled envy.

He didn't stop until he reached the front desk, where a female alchemist sat cross-legged behind a polished crystal counter. Her badge showed she was an instructor.

"Instructor Mu," Su Yang said respectfully.

She opened her eyes and blinked in surprise. "Su Yang. Back again? What do you need today?"

"I need access to a private refinement chamber. High-grade heat control. Preferably one that can isolate spiritual fluctuations."

Instructor Mu's brows rose. "That type of room isn't usually granted to Yellow-grade disciples. What are you planning to refine?"

Su Yang answered honestly. "A variation of the Fire-Soul Nourishment Pill. I've derived a potential enhancement to it."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Derived? From what?"

Su Yang tapped his forehead. "From within. During the legacy inheritance. I experienced many pill refinement sequences—hundreds. One of them hinted at a fire-type soul catalyst."

Instructor Mu leaned forward. "If you're lying and damage the refinement room, you could be banned."

"I'm not lying," Su Yang said quietly. "And if I fail, I'll clean the entire hall for a month."

She hesitated, then sighed and took out a jade token. "Room 9. You get two hours. If the temperature surges, the warding formation will eject you."

Su Yang bowed. "Thank you."

---

The private refinement chamber was smaller than expected—bare stone walls, a single black obsidian furnace at the center, and no window. But Su Yang didn't need distractions. As he stepped inside, the room sealed behind him with a soft hum.

Zi Shu stirred.

He gently placed her on a spirit-warmed cushion beside the furnace. "Just rest and observe. This might involve you."

Then, he sat cross-legged and summoned a familiar object from his storage ring—a cracked jade tablet, part of the legacy inheritance from the valley trial.

He closed his eyes and activated his spiritual sense.

---

Memories not his own flooded into him.

> Flame converging with soul light. A beast's essence dripping into a cauldron. A pill glowing red and gold, and then... cracking. Then again, refined slower. Soul first. Flame second. It held.

He inhaled sharply. The Soul-Fused Pill wasn't just a theory—it was something that an ancient alchemist had attempted, even failed, until they discovered a key insight.

> "Soul first... Flame second... but bound by blood."

Su Yang's eyes opened. He quickly reached for a clean jade slip and began etching the modified recipe:

Soul-Fused Fire-Soul Nourishment Pill (Prototype)

Thunderleaf Vine

Molten Amber Root

Fire-Spirit Marrow

Ghost Orchid Petal

Zi Shu's Soul Flame Essence (1 drop)

Su Yang's Blood (Karma-Tempered)

Lunar Blaze Powder

The last two ingredients hadn't existed in the original formula. But the legacy memories had shown their use in stabilizing volatile soul essences. Zi Shu's blood-derived fire wasn't something ordinary pills could handle. It needed balance.

He finished engraving the slip.

Then he whispered, "Max, guard the door."

The golden beast sat firmly by the entrance.

Su Yang lit his Karma Fire.

A golden-red flame burst forth from his palm, flickering with soul resonance. Zi Shu, still resting nearby, lifted her head and blinked. Her body shimmered faintly, reacting to the flame instinctively.

The refinement had begun.