After Helena absorbed the Flame Seedling, it rests in her Dantian like a precious jewel. Surtr’s influence had been removed, and more importantly, the fires are not hot in its crystalised form, giving Helena plenty of time to refine it.

After a few hours of concentration, a new alchemic fire appeared in her hands. Her eyes beamed with delight as she reopened them, and unable to contain herself, she flew forward and hugged Kairos.

It’s the dream of all alchemists, herbalists, and pill masters to be the owner of a divine flame. Moreover, the purple flame had such amazing properties.

But, almost as quickly as she held him, she realised her impropriety and pushed him away.

The boy smiled wistfully, then Helena said, “Don’t misunderstand… I… I still haven’t forgiven you for taking away my child. But… I do know… it’s not young master’s fault. My heart just … it just… couldn’t.

She broke down in tears at the end, and then she started hitting him with her fist. It was weak, powerless punches, but each was heavy enough to strike at Kairos’ soul.

“And, you had done well. You have really done well…

I’m sure… I’m sure that Xiu Xiu would be able to smile in heaven, knowing that she had given her life for someone as great as you.

I only wished you had given me a reason, a person, to direct my hatred… But you’ve given me none.”

The room became silent, except for the sound of tears dropping onto the cold concrete floor.

The entire time, Kairos stood there without saying anything.

Then, after the sobbing became softer, he gently placed his hand on her shoulder and said gently, “All of these you see around you – the happiness of those families in the Snowdrifts’ employment, the improvement in everyone’s life – they are all because of the sacrifices of Xiu Xiu, Sieg, and Luk.

I promised before that I will honour them, so thank you, Helena, for giving me the chance to do so. Please, don’t shed your tears anymore. Only by having a smile will be the proof to my brothers and sisters that they had not given their lives in vain, and I had not failed them.”

The two other names he mentioned were the sons of Siegfried and Laksa.

Kairos had not forgotten them.

These are the heroes that had built the Snowdrifts. No matter how great their guild grew, it will never be separated from the ones who started it.

If not for them, he would’ve left with Jones to the Immortal Blue Sect in the upper realm, and in the process, missed the chance to have such a large and wonderful family.

Helena wiped her tears away with a still trembling hand. Then, she struck him lightly once more, “Don’t you dare tell the two old fogeys that I cried.”

“Never… I wouldn’t dare!” he quickly threw his hands up in surrender.

“Good. Then, let's continue what we are doing?”

“Before that, I’ve meant to ask you, how did you acquire so much Unknown Flame Sovereign? I had tried before, but even my connections did not help me, although, I haven’t yet contacted with Fritzgen.”

“Oh, the undercity merchant? He might be able to get his hands on some, but otherwise, it would be hard for young master.

Although the purple flame could not be called a rare material, many of these things are controlled by the Pill Tower. An organisation that is spread throughout Gaia, and whose might can match any empire. With your talent, you will be able to join them for certain and gain access to their latest discoveries, but before that, it’s difficult to get certain things through the normal channels.”

“The Pill Tower… I’ve heard of them I think? However, while I couldn’t get my hands on the flame, why could I still purchase ingredients to make pills?”

“Oh, you misunderstand, young master. The Pill Tower only limits things that could train up new Pill Masters, things like Manuals, Alchemic Flames, or even lectures above a certain quality.

Once you reach a certain level in pill creation, you will find yourself stuck from progress, unless you join the Pill Tower. Most Pill Masters are part of their organisation. Well, except those that had been driven out, like me.”

“That’s odd, why would they expel an excellent Pill Master like yourself?”

“Because I broke one of their greatest rules. I was bound in loyalty to the northern kingdom before it fell, and Pill Masters that belongs to any country may not stay within the Pill Tower. They claimed that we have given up the art for fame and fortune, but the truth is, I simply couldn’t watch my home burn down around me – though it still happened in the end.

Incidentally, before I was kicked out, my rank was at Emerald Lord, the highest rank amongst masters. Ohoho!

Although I couldn’t return, I can write a referral letter for you. Young master, be sure to visit them at first chance, they will surely be of aid to you!”

Kairos conveniently ignored the strange laughter in the middle. He could understand how difficult it was to become one, and the immense pride Helena as an Emerald Lord. Instead, he replied, “Most likely, I’d be kicked out just as quickly.”

“Don’t worry young master. As long as you reached the ranks of Grand Pill Master, your value will be more than mine, and they would not let you go even if you wanted.”

Kairos couldn’t help but smile at the thought. He vowed to himself to head to the Pill Tower as soon as it is possible. There is a myriad of benefits in doing so. Getting more purple flames, in particular, would improve his Alchemic Flame’s strength, and at the same time, it would feed the Fire and Lightning Dragonlings.

The Frost Dragonling was unable to absorb such fearsome fire and remained small, causing him to have less elemental stamina in that area, not that he had any martial techniques that required it. So far, all of his combat techniques were fire and lightning based, but given more time – and exposure – he would be able to remedy the areas he still lacks in. Time is the number one factor hindering him right now.

Hearing the herbalist’s advice, Kairos asked, “There’s one question that popped up. Instead of going through the trouble of joining the Pill Tower, wouldn’t it be easier if you taught me?”

Personally, Helena didn’t have any qualms about teaching Kairos her knowledge. However, she sighed and shook her head, “The truth is, divulging the secrets of the Pill Tower is dangerous. They do much more than hunt renegades down because they do not want powerful nations and certain big organisations to steal their members and create their own pill masters. Anyone who betrays the Pill Tower comes to a horrifying end.

At first, there were organisations strong enough to stand against the Pill Tower, until one simple message was passed down, stopping everything. Can you guess what they said?”

“They’ll cease trade with those who harbour renegade pill masters?”

“Exactly. I’ve avoided that fate since a third of those in the Pill Tower was once my disciples, and my banishment was out of my loyalty to my homeland but, I still wouldn’t dare to break their rules. It will cause endless problems to the Snowdrifts.”

Without the cultivation, healing and other types of crucial pills, nations could end in ruins, and no one dared to risk affronting the Tower. Even those who found ways to become a Pill Master by their own efforts were sent over by their families to register. In the end, almost all high-level pill creation methods were monopolised, but still, most people supported the Tower that is like Saint Empire’s academies on a grander scale.

The two of them then started studying how to create the healing scent.

The thought, ‘is it even possible?’ was on Kairos’ mind the entire time as he tried to imagine applying healing salves to those around with vapours alone.

The problem wasn’t of a medical nature, because it is easy to clot one’s blood or cover open wounds. Instead, it was the application method that stumped Helena, or in a more technical term, they lacked alchemic knowledge.

“We’ll need a vapour that is attracted by blood. One that would not cover our intended targets all over their bodies but only specific parts that were hurt. Otherwise, whatever creation we made will be used up in a matter of seconds or simply ineffective,” the herbalist explained.

Kairos thought for a moment, and started mumbling to himself, “Magnet… magnetic. No, static electricity. That’s it. It’s found on every person.”

He started pacing back and forth, then rubbed his hands on his robes.

“Friction. No, it’s not needed. I can increase the static in the air. Lightning elemental spirits. They are everywhere. Granted, talismans or magic would work better, but those aren’t easily accessible. Yet.

Something portable will be good as well.”

He looked left and around, “Wood and water elements will be needed as well. They are better suited with lightning. Tempest, have you a way to wield lightning and thunder to heal a person instead of harming him?”

The Greater Storm Spirit that had a spirit contract with Kairos were stumped by the sudden question. It gave a non-existent wry smile. In the first place, to ask an Elemental without a physical form on how mortals recover from wounds is a ridiculous notion.

But, Kairos isn’t one who gives up easily. He started delving into the Greater Lightning Elemental’s knowledge and began studying it. At the same time, he started introspecting his own body using Soul Perception.

He could keenly feel that the human body is filled with tiny electric signals, then without hesitation, he sliced apart the skin of his arm, frightening Helena in the process.

“Young master! What are you doing?”

He seemed like he was in a trance and did not react, instead, he focused his Soul Perception on his arm and traced how his body responded. More specifically, how his body healed itself.

There were weak electric currents at the site of his wound, which causes his blood to flow over and towards the surface of the damaged portion. Then, in his detailed observation, he noticed another fascinating reaction. The blood that touches air started becoming scabs before his eyes.

“Air… that’s the trigger?”

“Aunt Helena,” he turned and looked at her, “I think I might have a method.”