Currently, it's the next day; Illumia and I had spent practicing our techniques for quite some time through the night before we eventually decided to stop, though by then, it was already past midnight, so the remaining time I just cultivated until the first rays of sunshine entered my room; prompting me to quit meditating, as I landed on the bed I had been floating above.
Gracefully touching the soft bed, I released a breath as I opened my eyes and glanced at the window, looking at the morning sky, only to suddenly remember that given we are currently inside a volcano, sunlight shouldn't reach this area, at least not in the morning. Curious, I stood up and floated off the bed toward the window to get a better look; however, in doing so, I happened to spot the sun, or at least a replica of the sun.
'Hmm, seems to be a formation, and quite a complicated one at that; I can't understand anything.' Mused Elif curiously as he scanned the floating ball of densely packed fire with his divine sense, only to be left clueless.
Since I couldn't derive anything from the formation, which was located at the center of the ball of fire, I gave up as I retracted my divine sense before deciding to bathe, figuring I should at least experience some slight enjoyment, considering what is planned for today. Stepping into the bath, I quickly got nude as I entered the already prepared bath, something Illumia had most likely done before she had departed from my room; sitting down, I leaned my head back while enjoying the warm water as it gently caressed my skin ever so pleasantly.
"Haa, this is the life; I would love it if I could just spend most of my days lazing about in a bath." Muttered Elif with a delighted expression while sighing in satisfaction.
Unfortunately, I couldn't stay in here for too long. I still needed to prepare the ingredients for the cauldron burning, and I also needed to acquire a decently powerful Phoenix to assist me, preferably an Alchemist if possible; however, either way, it should be fine. Exiting the bath, I dried myself off with my Qi before putting my clothes back on as I left my room. Heading toward the back courtyard where the massive cauldron is, Illumia appeared beside me just as I exited the residence and approached the cauldron.
"Considering you've never experienced cauldron burning, I'm assuming you don't know the proper ingredients?" Asked Elif as he glanced at Illumia.
"Just because I've never experienced cauldron burning doesn't mean I don't know the required ingredients. Don't forget, your Highness, before this, I was the General of the North; I've tortured many spies and enemies throughout my life." Replied Illumia blandly while walking beside Elif.
"Heh, I suppose you're right, Battle Maniac General." Remarked Elif with a light smile, causing Illumia to smirk in amusement.
"So then, since you know the required ingredients, I'll have you prepare the cauldron while I go and acquire an alchemist; hopefully, it won't take long." Added Elif lightly as he tossed his dimension ring to Illumia, which contains various treasures and resources, before flying off into the air.
"Don't forget this, your Highness; if the Majesties find out you left without this, both you and I will receive heavy punishments." Stated Illumia as she summoned a small tree branch with a single leaf from Elif's dimensions ring before tossing it to him.
Catching the seemingly ordinary tree branch, which is actually a mid-Immortal tier artifact given to every single descendant of the Royal Elves before they ascend to the throne. It's a branch broken off from the trunk of the Realm Tree, and although it looks and feels like an ordinary branch, it's capable of protecting me from anyone with a cultivation base of an Immortal Nascent Soul and below, meaning I'm practically invincible, well as long as some Grand-Ancestor from an Immortal Hegemony doesn't attack me since only they could house someone that powerful.
'A little amusing knowing that with this, I'm untouchable to Divine and Ancient Hegemonies; well, not completely; I wouldn't really be surprised if a Divine hegemony had someone in the Immortal Nascent Soul realm, though it would be unexpected.' Thought Elif with a pondering expression as he wrapped his hair into a bun and stuck the tree branch right through the middle.
"How do I look, Illumia? Fabulous?" Asked Elif seductively while his hair, which contained a streak of purple, hung forward in front of his face, giving him a slightly more feminine look.
"If I'm being honest, your Highness, I find it very hard to ever imagine you looking nothing but heavenly; however, this look makes you appear more womanly." Stated Illumia truthfully, though her words hardly phased Elif.
"That just goes to show whether I was born as a man or woman, I still would've been gorgeous beyond belief." Said Elif with a slight smile while winking at Illumia before flying off into the distance, leaving her alone as he headed toward the Alchemist hall.
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Arriving at the manor, I continued flying above the estate while heading to its left before spotting the alchemist's hall, to which I then landed on the ground as I approached the bustling building; however, something I noticed now that I didn't have Hayat with me, is that while walking through the building, hardly anyone actually paid me any kind of attention.
Not being the center of attention wasn't something I cared that much about, so I didn't really mind that they didn't notice me; it's just a little surprising since, everywhere I go, I'm almost always the center of attention, though it's not like everyone ignored me, a few people happen to notice my presence, and whenever it was a woman I would wink in their direction, which caused them to fall into a trance.
Approaching the desk at the end of the lobby, the elder, which was the same one from yesterday, quickly fixed his lazy sitting position as he greeted me respectfully.
"Prince Elif, how may I be of help? Was the cauldron you requested not up to par?" Asked the Elder respectfully with a friendly expression.
"Don't know, haven't used it yet, but it should be fine; however, I've come here since I require the assistance of a rather powerful alchemist, someone at least in the True God Lord realm." Stated Elif calmly while glancing at the Elder, who was startled at Elif's words.
"An Alchemist in the True God Lord realm? There are a few of them present, and I will, of course, lead you to them; however, I'm sure you know how alchemists of their status can behave, Prince Elif." Said the Elder as he stood up and began walking toward the stairs to the right of his desk, Elif following behind him.
"You don't need to inform me; I know perfectly well how Alchemists can behave; our Royal Alchemist is quite annoying and a slob to boot. However, I have no intention of requesting them to concoct a pill; I just need their assistance in a simple task, yet only they are capable of doing so." Replied Elif with an understanding nod while frowning as he attempted to summon his quạt tay from his dimension ring, only to remember he didn't have it with him.
"I see; if that's the case, I see no reason why they should refuse." Said the Elder with a nod as he and Elif descended into silence as they continued walking up the stairs while passing several floors.
Once we arrived at the floor second to the top, we headed down the hallway before stopping at our first door, which so happened to be on the right. Knocking on the door, we waited roughly a minute or so, and after getting no response, I signaled toward the elder to move on to the next door as I didn't feel like wasting my time.
"Who is it!? Can't you tell I'm in the middle of something!?" Exclaimed an angry man from the other side of the door.
"I-It's Elder Gu, and I-" Said the Elder, though he was rudely interrupted by the man's voice.
"I don't care what you're reasoning is, Gu; leave me the fuck alone unless you wish to be exiled from the Clan!" Yelled the man angrily as he used his Qi to forcibly suppress Elder Gu to his knees, causing blood to leak from his mouth.
"I-I understand, my apologies." Replied Gu calmly as he held back the rage he felt in his heart as he stood up.
"Tch, I don't care if you injure Gu, but don't do it on my time; I have things to do, and by injuring Gu, you're delaying my plans, you foolish alchemist." Stated Elf with a frown full of irritation as he spoke to the angry voice.
"Who dares call me a foolish alchemist!?" Said the angry voice full of wrath as he attempted to pressure Elif with his Qi, though the leaf on his tree branch slightly glowed, fighting off the pressure.
"I swear, you alchemists are always so arrogant and irritating; I dislike interacting with any of you." Commented Elif with a frown, causing the man on the other side to stop what he was doing as he approached the door while unleashing his killing intent, which was unusually potent for an alchemist.
"I don't care who you are or who you know; when I get my hands on you, I'll kill you in the most violent way possible!" Yelled the man as he opened the door, only to spot an inured Elder Gu and Elif, causing his anger to instantly disappear when he realized who he was dealing with.
"P-Prince E-Elif; w-what a surprise, t-to think I would m-meet you here." Said the man nicely while eyeing the annoyed Elif.
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Created a discord server, so if anyone wishes to join, [https://discord.gg/TGc9yymDJP]
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Elven Legacy (Chapter 246: Elaine's Secret Conversation) || Hero of Harmony (Chapter 128: Firemania Party Returns) || One Piece: Chaos Kong (Chapter 221: Water 7)|| Marvel's Black Steel (Chapter 188: Ritual Site Complete) at [patreon.com/Ozonelayer691]