The underground market had given her exactly what she needed. Now, back in the quiet of her dusty hideout, Alice sat cross-legged, her cloak and mask set aside. The dim light of a single oil lamp flickered across the ancient stone walls, casting soft shadows as she placed the Qi Pills and the worn technique book before her.
She opened the book first.
The pages were filled with tight script, diagrams of meridians, and notes scrawled in the margins by whoever had used it before. It was a basic technique—Tier 1—but it was enough for her current level. It focused on guiding Qi through the body with precision and care, helping the cultivator build a strong foundation before pushing toward the next realm.
Alice consumed one of the Qi Pills. It melted on her tongue like bitter ash, but the effect was immediate. Warmth spread through her chest and limbs as raw Qi surged into her body, drawn into her dantian like water into a dry sponge.
She inhaled deeply and began guiding the energy through her body as instructed in the manual. Darkness and flame both answered her call—subtle, flickering, waiting to be molded. She smiled faintly.
Her Dark Element affinity responded to the stillness and silence of the night, while her Fire Element stirred whenever her emotions peaked. Two elements. Rare, even in this world of fantasy and power. But she had to be careful—dual-element users often attracted attention. Too much, too soon, and she would become a target.
Time passed unnoticed. Hours slipped by as she cycled the Qi again and again, building a stronger foundation. When the candle burned low, she finally stopped, her breathing even and calm.
The feeling in her core was unmistakable.
She was now Qi Condensation Level 1, and this time, fully stabilized.
Her body, once weak and malnourished, now pulsed with faint vitality. Her senses were sharper. Her movements, smoother. The world no longer felt as heavy.
It was only the beginning, but she had set her feet firmly on the cultivation path.
---
The next morning, Alice walked through the city under a hooded cloak. Her disguise was simple but effective—no one spared her a second glance. She entered a tea house near the city center, one often visited by merchants, mercenaries, and traveling cultivators. It was the perfect place to gather information.
She ordered a pot of jasmine tea and took a seat in a quiet corner, her eyes scanning the room. The tea house buzzed with conversation.
A pair of young cultivators sat at a nearby table, speaking in excited tones.
"Did you hear? The Royal Academy is recruiting again this week!"
"Yeah! Anyone under 18 who's reached Qi Condensation can take the test. If accepted, they'll gain access to real cultivation manuals, techniques, even spirit stone stipends."
"The branch here might not be as grand as the Capital's, but it's still part of the Crimson Empire's direct system. If I get in, I'm set for life."
Alice's eyes narrowed behind her cup. Royal Academy… She had seen its name mentioned in the library, but she hadn't realized how soon the next recruitment would be.
The Academy was founded by the Crimson Empire's Royal Family, and it was said to be the backbone of the empire's future strength. Its main branch sat in the heart of the capital city, but every city—no matter how small—had its own branch. Even Yuan City.
The academy offered access to Tier 2 and higher manuals, alchemical resources, and even weapon forges. More importantly, it offered protection—a place where she could grow stronger without constantly looking over her shoulder.
Alice had lived long enough to know what power meant. In her old world, it was money, connections, and shadows. Here, it was cultivation. If she wanted revenge, control, and freedom, she had to climb higher. And the Royal Academy seemed like the right step.
But there was a problem.
She was now 17. The recruitment only accepted those under 18 who had reached Qi Condensation.
Barely made it. But she had made it.
One week. That's all the time she had to prepare.
---
That night, Alice returned to her hideout with a focused mind. She had one week to prepare—physically, mentally, and strategically.
First, she concealed all traces of her dual-element affinity. She couldn't afford to expose her Darkness element so early. Fire was more common and less suspicious. She would pretend to be a single-element Fire cultivator. That was enough to get her through the initial tests.
Next, she gathered everything she had. The remaining Qi Pills. The manual. Her worn-out clothes and mask. The last few Spirit Stones from her savings. She'd need a new outfit—something appropriate for a cultivator-in-training, but still functional for movement.
Then, she trained.
Every day, she practiced the basic Qi circulation technique from the manual, refining her foundation. She didn't push for Level 2 yet—it was better to stabilize Level 1 fully than rush ahead with a weak base. At night, she meditated in silence, drawing in the Qi of the world and refining it slowly.
During the day, she observed the city. She mapped out the path to the academy, learned its layout, and identified the key figures who ran it. She watched the other applicants, listening to rumors and comparing their strengths.
Most were from well-off families. Nobles, merchants, and some backed by local sects. She would be an outlier—a poor orphan girl with no known background.
Just like she wanted.
Let them underestimate her.
---
On the final night before the recruitment, Alice stood before the cracked mirror again. Her reflection was clearer now. Her eyes brighter. Her skin had regained some color, and her posture was confident.
She was no longer the dying girl who had been left to rot in the forest.
She was Alice—the assassin reborn.
And now, she would walk the path of cultivation not in shadows, but through the gates of power.
The Royal Academy awaited.