Chapter 10: Awakening Power
Lucas sat cross-legged on the floor, carefully arranging the ingredients before him. Lira had already ground the herbs into a fine paste using a stone mortar, her delicate hands working with surprising diligence. The aroma of crushed lotus petals and spirit ginseng filled the room, mixing with the faint scent of burning incense from the small brazier in the corner.
With steady hands, he picked up a vial filled with a translucent golden liquid—one of the base elixirs needed for strengthening meridians. He poured a few drops into a small ceramic bowl and then added the mashed herbs, stirring slowly with a jade spoon. The mixture thickened slightly, taking on a deep crimson hue.
Next, he reached for a blank talisman paper and dipped a thin brush into black ink infused with spiritual energy. With smooth, precise strokes, he began inscribing runes onto the paper, his mind completely focused on the task. The runes glowed faintly as he chanted a low incantation, his voice steady and deliberate.
"By the ancient laws of alchemy, let the energies merge... By the balance of Yin and Yang, let the body be fortified... By the will of the heavens, let this elixir bring strength."
As the last rune was completed, a faint golden shimmer passed over the talisman, indicating that the energy had successfully been sealed within. Lucas placed it aside and turned his attention back to the elixir, watching as the mixture settled.
Lira, who had been silently observing, couldn’t hide her amazement. She had never seen anyone perform such intricate alchemy before, let alone someone who was supposedly recovering from a coma. Her hands trembled slightly as she handed him another set of herbs.
"My Lord... how do you know all these things?" she asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lucas chuckled lightly, his fingers deftly crushing a sprig of moonflower between his thumb and forefinger. "I’ve studied a lot," he replied simply, though the truth was far more complicated. His knowledge came from a future era where cultivation had evolved into a science, where scholars and warriors alike spent their lives deciphering ancient techniques. Compared to what he had once known, this era was still in its infancy.
As he worked, a thought crossed his mind, and he glanced at Lira. "Lira... you can’t cultivate, right?"
Lira hesitated before nodding. "No, my Lord... my meridians are too weak for cultivation." Her tone was quiet, almost resigned.
Lucas sighed, shaking his head as he poured another vial into the bowl. "Such a pity, dear," he murmured, his voice laced with genuine regret.