Soulbound: Dual Cultivation

The silence that fell upon the hall was absolute. One could hear the faintest creak of boots shifting and the light crackle of the incense that still burned gently in the corners. The large wooden doors at the far end of the chamber opened without flourish, and yet the presence that entered through them commanded more attention than any grand entrance ever could.

The man who stepped into the room wore flowing violet robes threaded with golden embroidery that shimmered faintly beneath the lantern light. His posture was straight, unbent by the weight of centuries, and his face, though lined by age, held the kind of calm that could only be achieved by someone who had seen kingdoms rise and fall without so much as a flicker of panic. His long hair was pure silver, pulled back and tied with a strand of crimson silk. His beard, equally silver, was neatly trimmed, and his eyes, sharp, deep-set, and impossibly clear, swept across the room with the quiet power of a storm held in check.

The moment he entered, every Alchemist in the room bowed in unison. Moments ago filled with murmurs and derision, became a shrine of stillness. Even the proudest among them now dipped their heads in deference.

Lucas watched the man with quiet attentiveness, Though he had no memories of this world before awakening in Xavier's body, he didn't need them to understand what this man was. The aura surrounding him was immense, heavy yet composed, like a mountain cloaked in fog. There was power there, unquestionable, old, and earned. But what stood out even more than his Cultivation and Alchemic strength was the quiet authority he carried. This was not someone who demanded respect with words or threats. He simply existed, and the world around him responded accordingly.

Lucas instinctively felt the depth of the man's cultivation. This was no mere Alchemist who spent his days mixing herbs and refining pills. The way energy curled faintly in the air around him, the subtle ripple in space that accompanied each step, this man had walked through fire and time. Lucas estimated him to be at least three hundred years old, if not more, and from the way the others regarded him, it was clear that even that was a modest guess.

The Grand Elder came to a stop near the front of the chamber, his eyes scanning the crowd slowly, settling on each face with a weight that made several of the younger Alchemists lower their gazes. When his eyes reached Lucas, they lingered for just a moment longer than the rest, not with hostility or suspicion, but with curiosity, as though the old man sensed something layered and unfamiliar in the youth's presence. Then his gaze shifted again, settling briefly on Isabelle, who returned the look with a composed nod.

He finally spoke, and his voice, though not loud, carried with it an echo of presence that reached every ear in the room.

"I am aware we have two new faces among us," he said, his tone calm and steady. "One from the Kingdom of Cameron, the other from Valerion."

A few glances flickered toward Lucas again, a fresh ripple of disbelief stirring in the eyes of those who had mocked him earlier. But none of them dared speak now.

The Grand Elder raised a hand and beckoned. "Step forward, both of you."

Lucas didn't hesitate, neither did Isabelle. With composed movements, the two of them walked from their respective positions across the wide chamber floor, approaching the center of the hall where a long table had been cleared.

As they reached the front, standing side by side before the Grand Elder, Lucas could feel the weight of many stares pressing against his back. He knew what they were thinking. That this was a waste of time, that he would be exposed as a fraud. That the meeting should not be distracted by some foolish display.

The Grand Elder gestured to the table, where several prepared ingredients had been laid out: spirit roots, essence stones, binding powders, flame pearls. Each one pulsed faintly with alchemical energy, untouched, waiting.

"I will test your proficiency myself," the elder said. "To rank you. And respect are earned through demonstration, not assumption. If you are Alchemists, then let your skills and knowledge speak for you."

Lucas gave a respectful nod. Beside him, Lady Isabelle inclined her head as well.

Ii

Lucas and Lady Isabelle moved toward the long, polished table with quiet resolve. The table itself was long and sturdy, carved from old Duskwood and darkened further by the oils and ash from countless alchemical attempts over the years. On its surface, various ingredients had already been laid out in pairs, glowing faintly with Qi-rich essence. Roots, powders, stone shards, essence pearls, rare herbs dried in careful bunches, and a few unfamiliar liquids in crystal vials all waited in quiet expectation.

The Grand Elder stood calmly at the head of the table, his long sleeves folded neatly before him. His presence still anchored the entire room, and the energy around him seemed to deepen in density as he finally spoke again, his voice deliberate, resonating like a bell struck in still air.

"You will each refine a solution of moderate difficulty," he said, turning slightly so that all could hear. "The Flame-Binding Essence. It is a foundational elixir that strengthens the flow of internal Qi and clears minor blockages in the spirit veins. While it is not rare, it is a precise mixture, one that exposes even the smallest flaws in a person's alchemical discipline. The ingredients you need are here. Nothing is missing."

A stir moved through the crowd. Though it wasn't an impossible task, the Flame-Binding Essence was no beginner's concoction. It required patience, control, and a strong familiarity with temperature management. More than that, it required the Alchemist to attune their flame and Qi to the subtle resonance of each ingredient so that none of them conflicted before the fusion stage. Many here had likely practiced it in their early Adept years, but attempting it under the watch of the Grand Elder, in front of other seasoned peers, was pressure not easily dismissed.

"You will not be told how to begin," the elder continued, his sharp eyes flicking between the two of them. "If you are who you say you are, then you already know what to do. You will be ranked not only by your success, but by your method, speed, and how much energy you retain by the end. This is not simply a test of theory. It is a measure of instinct, experience, and control."

He stepped back with a faint nod, giving the signal that they could begin whenever ready.

Lucas approached his side of the table, scanning over the ingredients carefully. He could feel the scrutiny burning at his back like sunlight through a magnifying glass, especially from the other Alchemists who had dismissed him the night before. But none of that mattered. What mattered now was the task. The ingredients pulsed faintly in rhythm with the ambient Qi in the hall, and as he picked up the first root and laid it gently into the shallow heating basin before him, his mind had already entered a different space....one of flow and focus.

Beside him, Lady Isabelle had taken her place as well. She had removed her outer robe for better movement, revealing a tightly fitted inner tunic more suited to precise work. Her hands moved smoothly, confidently, arranging her tools with practiced care.