Re-birth: The Beginning after the End - Chapter 182

Chapter 182: MEETING ELDER FU
The first bottle contained the basic spirit-gathering pills—her initial successes that had given her the confidence to progress. The second held blood-replenishing pills, their crimson surfaces perfect for emergency healing. The third bottle, smaller but infinitely more precious, housed five breakthrough aids that had required all her skill to stabilize.

Her practical nature showed in the fourth and fifth bottles: poison-cleansing pills glowing with purifying energy, and stamina-restoration pills that sparkled like morning dew. But it was the final bottle that brought the smallest smile to her lips—essence-masking pills, a subtle creation that could temporarily alter one’s spiritual signature. These weren’t mere concealment pills; they could make the user’s essence appear completely different—perfect for infiltration or escape. The recipe had come from combining the text’s principles with her understanding of deception.

According to the ancient texts she’d studied, each pill type had its own strict hierarchy—low grade, middle grade, high grade, and the rare perfect grade—determined by the cultivator’s refinement technique. The subtle cloud patterns swirling on her pills’ surfaces and their translucent glow indicated most had reached high grade, unusual for a novice alchemist. The breakthrough aids even showed faint signs of perfect grade status in their crystalline clarity.

Little Firefly hopped between the bottles, his golden feathers reflecting off their surfaces. “Master, you’ve already developed your own refinement style,” he observed, noting how each pill carried traces of her precise, efficient energy signature.

A rare expression of genuine contentment softened her features as she surveyed her work. The achievement warmed something long cold within her—a reminder that her hands, once instruments of ending, could also create with exceptional skill.

Li Hua rose with fluid grace, brushing her robes with practiced efficiency. The night’s successful refinement session had infused her movements with a quiet assurance, the subtle confidence of a master who had proven her abilities once again, if only to herself.

“Today, I need to talk to Elder Sun and Elder Fu,” Li Hua said, already mentally rehearsing her approach.

“I’ll be here, Master.” Little Firefly nodded, his golden feathers catching the library’s eternal light.

When Li Hua exited her space, she found herself back in her physical quarters. Her eyes immediately scanned the room with practiced caution. “No Mo Xing, thank heavens,” she whispered, though part of her wondered if she was more relieved or disappointed by his absence.

After washing away the night’s work and changing into fresh sect robes, she made her way toward the main hall. 

When she arrived, the main hall’s grand doors stood open to the morning light, the space already bustling with sect business.

“How may I help you?” The attendant greeted with a warm smile.

“Is Elder Sun available?” Li Hua asked politely, her tone respectful but composed.

“Ah,” the attendant consulted a shimmering formation floating beside her desk. “Elder Sun is currently in a meeting. Let me check his availability for you.” Her fingers traced patterns in the air, consulting the sect’s scheduling array.

Li Hua nodded with quiet patience, taking the moment to observe the morning activities in the hall. The steady flow of disciples and elders created a peaceful rhythm to the day’s beginning.

“Oh, actually he’s expecting you,” the attendant said, brightening.

“Me?” Li Hua’s surprise showed in her voice, her composed expression giving way to genuine curiosity.

The attendant nodded and led her through the corridors to Elder Sun’s study. When the doors opened, Li Hua’s carefully maintained composure wavered slightly. There stood Elder Sun, and beside him—because of course he would be there—was Mo Xing, along with another man she didn’t recognize.

Her expression settled into something carefully neutral, though she couldn’t quite suppress the slight arch of her eyebrow.

“Ah! Li Hua.” Elder Sun smiled warmly, gesturing toward the seats. “Come, take a seat.”

Li Hua nodded politely and with deliberate casualness, chose the seat furthest from Mo Xing. His low chuckle at her obvious maneuver made her maintain even more rigid composure.

“This is Elder Fu,” Elder Sun introduced, seemingly oblivious to the subtle interplay.

“Elder Fu.” She offered a respectful bow, maintaining the proper formality for meeting a senior elder.

“So you’re Master Yu’s granddaughter!” Elder Fu’s face lit up with genuine warmth as he approached, his scholarly robes rustling as he patted her shoulder with grandfatherly affection. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you!”

“It’s nice to meet you as well, Elder Fu.” Li Hua’s response carried genuine respect, touched by his friendly welcome.

“Now then,” both elders settled into their seats, turning expectant gazes toward her. “What brings you to see us?”

Li Hua straightened slightly, gathering her thoughts. “Actually,” she began, her voice clear and steady, “I was hoping to join the special request expedition to the Forbidden Zone.”

The elders exchanged glances at her request. Elder Sun leaned forward, his expression gentle but concerned. “Li Hua, you’ve only just joined our sect. The Forbidden Zone isn’t a place for…” he paused, choosing his words carefully, “newer disciples.”

“Indeed,” Elder Fu added, his warmth now tinged with worry. “Most who undertake this mission have trained here for years. Are you certain about this?”

Before Li Hua could respond, Mo Xing’s voice cut through their concerns. “She’s a lot stronger than you both think.” His tone carried such quiet certainty that both elders turned to look at him. The way he said it—not as a suggestion but as simple fact—made Li Hua’s pulse skip despite herself.

Elder Sun’s brows rose slightly. “Lord Mo—” he caught himself, a flicker of something passing across his face, “I mean, Disciple Mo, you’ve seen her capabilities?” The hasty correction hung in the air, drawing Li Hua’s attention. That slip of proper address suggested layers to Mo Xing’s identity and the reason why he’s here.

“I have.” That knowing smile played across his features again, and Li Hua found herself fighting the urge to look away. “In fact, I’d be more concerned for whatever we might encounter in the Forbidden Zone than for her safety.”

Li Hua’s jaw tightened imperceptibly. Why was he speaking up for her? Did he think she couldn’t prove herself without his intervention? His words acknowledged her strength, yet his presumption to speak on her behalf left a bitter taste in her mouth.

The elders exchanged glances at her request, their concern evident. But before they could voice more objections, Li Hua straightened in her seat, determined to demonstrate her worth on her own terms.

“I can prove my capabilities,” she said with quiet confidence. “Your special request requires disciples with exceptional concealment abilities, correct?” Without waiting for confirmation, she continued, “Then please, judge for yourself.”

Li Hua closed her eyes, drawing upon the technique she’d mastered in the Sixth Realm. Her breath slowed, synchronized with the world’s natural rhythm. The air around her began to shift subtly, and then—like ink bleeding into water—her presence started to fade. Not just her physical form, but her entire spiritual signature merged with the ambient energy of the room. She noticed Mo Xing’s eyes sharpen with recognition, though he carefully masked his reaction from the two elders.