Chapter 420: Stunting For Power (2)

"Let’s start with the basics," Luna said, clearing her throat and briefly shifting her attention away from Ash.

She lifted her hands, and the ambient light in the Alchemy domain softened, drawing all eyes toward her.

"Before we dive into advanced conceptual weaving, we need to grasp the essence of what Alchemy really is."

With a casual wave, she summoned a few glowing examples in the air beside her — a sprig of fresh herb, a tiny vial of liquid, and a perfectly round pill.

"First... what are herbs?"

The simple stalk of grass moved to the front of attention.

"Herbs are the raw building blocks of alchemy..."

Her voice flowed effortlessly, captivating and enchanting the thousands of cultivators gathered before her.

Everyone there was likely some kind of scholar or alchemist, so even though she was going over the basics, it didn’t matter.

Especially when the one teaching was among the top alchemists in all of Reality.

"Each herb holds within it a fragment of a concept—growth, healing, poison, fire, time, or any other fundamental idea. They’re not just ingredients, but concentrated potential, waiting to be understood and refined."

With a wave of her hand, the herb dissolved into shimmering motes of light.

"Next... what is an elixir?"

A small, elegant vial of swirling liquid came into view—pure white, laced with shimmering threads of gold.

"An elixir, as you know, is power in liquid form.

When it matches a pill in rank, people usually choose the elixir for its instant effects—healing injuries, boosting cultivation, sparking brief insights, or even altering one’s very being."

"They’re versatile and quick-acting... but short-lived. Their strength fades fast and must be taken before it’s gone."

The vial disappeared.

"What’s a pill?"

A perfectly round, glowing sphere drifted into view — smooth and pearl-like, with faint runes etched across its surface.

"A pill is the most concentrated form of Alchemy... They last longer, hit harder in their effects, and are often used for major breakthroughs — advancing realms, awakening hidden powers, or granting lasting abilities. They’re the ultimate expression of control in Alchemy."

As the pill gradually vanished from view.

Luna’s yellow eyes scanned the crowd, her voice taking on a hint more fervor.

"And what exactly is Alchemy?"

HUMMMMM!!!!!

She stretched her arms wide, and the air around her shimmered with countless fine threads of light.

"Alchemy is the art of transformation through understanding.

It’s about grasping the core principles that shape reality, then reshaping them into something new. A true Alchemist doesn’t force matter to comply — they listen, persuade, and gently guide it toward the desired form.

At its height, Alchemy is creating something from nothing... or doing what should never have existed."

----

Time flew in the Alchemy domain as Luna swiftly advanced to the higher stages of her craft.

Along the way, she explained the various ranks of pills and elixirs, starting from the Transcendent rank.

From Transcendent (4D) to Eternal Hierarchy Saint (up to 12D), these items didn’t seem extraordinary—at least not for beings of that level.

But beyond that, at the Primordial Hierarchy Saint stage, pills and elixirs could do downright unbelievable things, like reviving universes, mending fractured timelines, creating worlds, and more.

At the pinnacle, the Origin Ranks, these items could even gain sentience, making any Origin Ranked Pill an unimaginable treasure.

Still, while the others were captivated, Ash noticed the other six alchemists acting suspiciously.

One of them—the Third of the Top Seven, a tall, sharp-featured man with striking green hair and eyes—rose from his floating platform, his voice slicing through the air with measured politeness.

"Three... two... one," Elysia counted down, and right on cue...

"Forgive the interruption, Weaver Luna," he said smoothly, "but the showcase would be far more believable if you had an actual disciple to testify for your words. After all, theory is one thing... but seeing the results through a living student is quite another."

After a short and abrupt silence....

The crowd murmured in agreement, many nodding.

However, there was one thing.... it was publicly known that Luna had never taken a formal disciple — her standards were considered... too much and she had always worked alone.

Luna paused mid-weave, the glowing threads of reality script hovering in the air around her hands.

She turned toward the Third Alchemist, her expression calm but with a faint edge of irritation.

Before she could formulate a reply, Ash’s voice resonated clearly in her mind.

’Well, it seems luck is on your side," he said smoothly. "Choose me for the moment... and I assure you, future wifey, you will not be disappointed.’

Luna’s yellow eyes immediately sought him out amidst the crowd, locking onto his figure with unerring precision.

He stood there, wearing that effortlessly captivating smile, the kind that seemed to disarm without effort, and punctuated it with a discreet yet deliberate wink.

For the briefest moment, she faltered—her pause lasting no longer than a single, fleeting heartbeat.

’Wifey?’ she echoed, but when he didn’t respond—turning away completely as if he hadn’t spoken at all—she let it go.

[Luna Gilbert’s Affection – 15%]

In that moment, she faced the audience again, her voice steady and unwavering.

"Very well. Since the Third insists on proof... allow me to introduce my one and only disciple."

At those words, every eye widened slightly, even the third, as a few of the six, aim was to only spoil her display.

He, in particular, was determined not to drop in the rankings, yet she was steadily becoming more formidable with time.

All eyes followed her as she reached out a hand toward Ash.

"Come forward."

The entire domain fell into a hushed silence as Ash drifted out from the crowd, hands casually tucked in his pockets and made his way to the dais with easy confidence.

Luna rested a hand on his shoulder, her voice ringing out across the realm.

"This is Ash, my disciple."

[Luna’s Affection 30%]

’Touching... you know that’s a terrible mistake, right?’ Ash’s voice echoed in her head before he went on.

’But since you’ve chosen to trust me... I’ll make you both the most renowned teacher and alchemist in all of reality~’

As those words sank into Luna’s mind, she turned toward him, but he was already speaking like he owned the place.

His gaze fixed on the third. "Well, since you challenged my beautiful master..." he said, gesturing toward Luna.

"Why don’t you bring up a disciple?"