NTR: Choice Based System

Ye Yang bowed, even he himself surprised to have achieved the unimaginable feat.

He had been accepted into the Alchemy Tower, a place of legends, and recognized as a prodigy.

But the memory of the Fire Demon still lingered, a chilling reminder of the dangers of blind trust. He would be vigilant, observe carefully, and never let his guard down.

Later that day, the Chief Alchemist summoned Ye Yang to his private chamber.

The room was a testament to the Chief's dedication, filled with shelves overflowing with ancient scrolls, rare herbs, and intricate alchemical tools.

Several other senior alchemists, their faces etched with years of study and contemplation, sat around a low table.

The Chief Alchemist, his expression grave, gestured for Ye Yang to join them. "Ye Yang," he began, his voice a low rumble, "I have a task for you, a task of immense importance."

Ye Yang sat down, his senses alert. He had expected to be assigned menial tasks, perhaps assisting senior alchemists with their research.

But the gravity of the Chief Alchemist's tone suggested something far more significant.

"For decades," the Chief Alchemist continued, "I have been pursuing a single, elusive goal: the creation of the Ascension Pill."

The other alchemists exchanged glances, their eyes wide with interest.

The Ascension Pill, a legendary concoction, was rumoured to enhance one's chances of successfully ascending to the higher realm.

It was a pursuit that obsessed many alchemists, but none had ever achieved it.

"The Ascension Pill," the Chief Alchemist explained, "requires an intricate balance of energies, a delicate work of Alchemy that I have struggled to achieve. The primary obstacle has always been the control of fire. The refinement process demands an unparalleled mastery of flame, a level of precision that even I have been unable to consistently attain."

He paused, his gaze fixed on Ye Yang. "Your display of fire control today… it was… extraordinary. Something I have never witnessed before, not even from peak-stage alchemists. It… it gives me hope."

Ye Yang felt a surge of apprehension. This was no ordinary task. It was a life's work, a pursuit that had eluded even the most brilliant minds.

He remembered the Fire Demon's obsession with power, his relentless pursuit of forbidden knowledge.

He would not let himself be consumed by this pursuit, would not allow his talent to be exploited.

"Chief Alchemist," Ye Yang said cautiously, "I am honoured that you would consider me for such a task. However, I must be clear: I will not blindly follow. I need to understand the risks involved and the implications of this research."

The Chief Alchemist nodded understandingly. "Of course. This is not a decision to be taken lightly. I understand your concerns. This research has been my life's work, a lifelong pursuit. I have failed countless times, but I refuse to give up. I believe… I truly believe that with your help, we can finally succeed."

He looked at Ye Yang, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and desperation.

"This is my last chance, Ye Yang. I am an old man; my time is running out. I cannot bear the thought of leaving this world without achieving my life's ambition. Please… help this old man."

Ye Yang felt a genuine sincerity in the Chief Alchemist's plea. The man was not driven by ambition or greed, but by a lifelong passion, a burning desire to leave a lasting legacy.

"How can I help, Chief Alchemist?" Ye Yang asked, his voice softer now.

"I will be refining the pill," the Chief Alchemist explained, "and I need you to assist me. Your control over fire will be crucial. You will help me manipulate the flames, ensure the perfect temperature and intensity are maintained throughout the process."

He paused, then added, "In return, I will offer you more than just knowledge. I will share the pills I have created to enhance cultivation, rare treasures to solidify your foundation, and I will grant you access to the most advanced alchemical techniques and resources within the Tower."

Ye Yang considered the offer. The rewards were indeed tempting, but he remained cautious.

"Before we proceed," he said, "I need to learn more about alchemy. I need to understand the intricacies of the process, the risks involved, and the potential consequences."

The Chief Alchemist smiled. "Of course. You will have ample time to learn. I will not rush you. I will provide you with the best teachers, the most comprehensive texts, and I will personally guide you every step of the way."

Ye Yang nodded, a sense of cautious optimism beginning to take hold. He would learn, he would observe, and he would make his own decisions.

He would not allow himself to be manipulated, nor would he let his past mistakes dictate his future.

He knew this was a dangerous path, a journey into the unknown. But he also knew that within him, there was a fire, a burning desire to learn, to grow, and to achieve greatness. And he would not let fear extinguish that flame.

The days that followed were a whirlwind of activity. Ye Yang immersed himself in the study of alchemy, spending hours poring over ancient texts, attending lectures by renowned alchemists, and practicing his skills in the Tower's well-equipped laboratories.

He learned about the different ways of manipulating Qi, the subtle interplay of elements, and the delicate art of refining herbs and minerals.

He also began to observe the Chief Alchemist closely, watching his every move, analysing his techniques, and trying to understand the nuances of his approach.

The Chief Alchemist, true to his word, was a patient and insightful teacher, guiding Ye Yang with gentle encouragement and insightful critiques.

But unknown to him, the Li family had begun their hunt. At first, they failed to find Ye Yang, but later, with the help of other young men and the innkeeper, they recreated his sketch and began asking about him.

Ye Yang discovered that the Chief Alchemist's methods were unconventional, his approach often defying traditional alchemical principles.

He relied heavily on intuition and instinct, pushing the boundaries of conventional wisdom.

Ye Yang, with his unique understanding of fire, began to see the potential in the Chief Alchemist's unconventional methods.

He saw how the Chief Alchemist struggled, how his control over fire, despite his years of experience, often faltered at the crucial moments.

He also began to understand the immense pressure the Chief Alchemist was under.

The pursuit of the Ascension Pill had become an obsession, a consuming passion that threatened to consume him.

Ye Yang saw the toll it had taken on the man, the lines etched on his face, the weariness in his eyes.

Later at the evening, as they were discussing a particularly challenging aspect of the refinement process, the Chief Alchemist turned to Ye Yang, his voice heavy with emotion.

"Ye Yang," he said, "I have seen greatness in you, a potential that surpasses even my own. Your background must be special. I'm not snooping, but the method of fire control and abundant Yang energy from you gave me a feeling of a certain man."

Ye Yang looked at the Chief Alchemist. His eyes were filled with surprise and curiosity.

He spoke, "Well, I'm not from some big background, but a usual one. And as for these arts, I was just lucky."

"Who... who are you talking about?" he asked, a thoughtful pause preceding his words.

He had a strong suspicion, a nagging feeling that the Chief Alchemist was referring to someone he knew, someone from his past.

The Chief Alchemist pondered, then spoke, "He was another person I know who had great control over fire and Yang energy. He is famous in our world as the Fire Demon."

He paused, a wistful expression crossing his face. "There was a time I even asked him to help me, and in return, I could give that Ascension Pill to him, as he would definitely one day ascend to the higher realm. But alas, he laughed at me and left… not taking my words seriously."

"Let's do our best, Ye Yang. I want to achieve my lifelong dream, to create something that was lost to time."

"I will do my best, Chief Alchemist," he said, his voice sincere. "I will not let you down."

The Chief Alchemist smiled, a weary but grateful smile. "I know you won't, Ye Yang. I know you won't."

Meanwhile, the Li family failed to find the whereabouts of the man who killed their young master. The elder of the family, himself a formidable figure, personally entered the hunt, but like the murderer, vanished without a trace.

"Third Elder," the Guard bowed his head.

"where is that man? Why can't we find him? He not only killed our Young Master but also spat at our great family by raising his sword against us!"

The Guard bowed, "Third Elder, the man was nowhere to be seen. We have asked all the Inns, brothels, dark alleys, and vendors, but no one has seen him."

They were finding Ye Yang throughout the city, but missed the Alchemy Tower. They avoided offending them by making a ruckus and offending the formidable figure, the Chief Alchemist. They also thought that the murderer wouldn't be related to the Alchemy Tower, so they didn't ask them.

The Third Elder, defeated, contacted the Family Head through a secure communication artifact. He relayed their failure to locate the murderer.

The Family Head, his voice a low growl of rage, demanded, "Have you searched every corner of this city? Every den of thieves, every brothel, every… every… place where he can hide?"

The Elder winced, admitting they had avoided the Alchemy Tower. The Family Head roared, "Go! Search every inch of this city! Leave no stone unturned! I will not rest until that murderer is brought to justice! Including that tower"