Fictional Transcension System - Chapter 44 Selecting The Cauldron

Lu Fengyi stepped out of the alleyway, walking towards the cauldron shop he had seen earlier. While other cauldron stores had displayed their goods outright, desperate for attention, this shop seemed unappealing and unnoticeable in front of the other stalls. While others would be most likely walk towards the more attracting stores, Lu Fengyi wanted to take his chances with this inconspicuous store. After all, who knew if it would be a gem in disguise.

As Lu Fengyi arrived before the entrance, he was met with a small sign hung upon the doorway.

[ Kin’s Cauldrons ]

[ The oldest establishment in the city ]

A simple, yet direct announcement that did not flaunt of any excessive information. The crumpled edges of the paper and the worn down state of the store only served to prove the point of the small sign. Licking his lips in anticipation, Lu Fengyi stepped into the store.

As the door swung open, a bell attached to the door rung, notifying whoever was inside of his entrance. While Lu Fengyi had expected the interior to be dusty and old in appearance, that was not the case at all. In fact, tens of customers were inspecting cauldrons, peering carefully at the measurements and information notices on each individual cauldron.

From the outside, the shop seemed to be rather small and gave off the aura of a pawn store, however the interior told a different story. The originally compact store front expanded to become so spacious that only a supermarket would be able to compare to the sheer size of the area. Not only that, rows and columns of cauldrons were lined up throughout the store, each organised under specific signs that indicated their uses.

“Hi, are you a new customer around here? If you require it, I can show you around to what you want to purchase.”

Lu Fengyi turned around to see a young man dressed in a robe with flowing sides and a logo pinned upon the chest area, ‘Ahh, he must be a shop assistant.’

“Ahh, I require something that is easy for beginner’s use, has thick walls and a large chamber which will decrease the risk of a cauldron explosion.” Lu Fengyi listed out the main qualities of his ideal cauldron.

Mentally noting down the points, the attendant nodded before smiling at Lu Fengyi, “I believe that I’ll be able to show you to the perfect cauldron today. Follow me.”

Lu Fengyi followed behind the attendant, walking across the store while staring at each passing cauldron. The simple arrangement, yet diverse amount of cauldrons had its own beauty, seemingly radiating the pride of a blacksmith. Even though Lu Fengyi had felt the aura of cultivation release before, the aura that the shop gave off was more profound, infused with the emotions of the creator of all the cauldrons.

“From your requirements, I assume that you’ve just become an apprentice apothecary, am I right?”

Turning towards the young man in front of him, Lu Fengyi answered, “Oh? What’s your reasoning.”

“Haha, since you wanted a beginner cauldron that had many protective measures, I simply assumed that it would be your first time forging a pill and hence, you would most likely have to be an apprentice apothecary. While some do try and forge pills by themselves, individual of the apothecary guild, they are few and far between.” the attendant responded.

Lu Fengyi grinned, “That’s quite the good eye you have there, however you are incorrect.”

This time, the attendant turned around to face Lu Fengyi, “Is that so? That’s quite surprising as I have never gotten anything of the sort wrong before. Could you please enlighten me on the truth?”

Nodding, Lu Fengyi continued, “I’m an official apothecary from the apothecary guild. I’ve recently developed a new technique for forging pills and it is an extremely volatile process that could result in cauldron explosions quite often.”

“Ahh, I didn’t realise that sir was an official apothecary. Please excuse my manners.” the attendant bowed slightly towards Lu Fengyi before continuing, “If you’ve just created a new technique, I can possible help you improve it if you describe the technique to me. Of course, if you don’t wish to reveal the technique, just act as if I said nothing.”

“You can do that too?”

Lu Fengyi thought for a moment, weighing the pros and cons to the decision before him. While revealing the technique would mean that it would not be solely his anymore, even if he made the man swear to not tell anyone else, the possibility that the man could provide help with improving his cauldron would be quite the experience.

Before long, Lu Fengyi came to a decision, “Alright. I’ll describe the technique to you, however you must not disclose it to anyone else.”

Seeing the young man nod in assent, Lu Fengyi began, “The main points of the technique are increase the ferocity of the flames before…”

After several moments, Lu Fengyi had finished his explanation, now looking expectantly at the young man who had his brows creased in contemplation.

“That’s quite the interesting forging technique, something that I’ve never encountered before. Here, I can offer several tips on improving the technique, however I’ll most likely need to see you forge a pill before I can tell you much. How about we go select your cauldron first?”

Agreeing to the proposal, Lu Fengyi followed the attendant over towards a set of larger, thicker cauldrons in the further corners of the shop.

“Most of the cauldrons here should match your description, however how much the user enjoys using it is the most important factor to choosing a cauldron. Of course, I can’t ask you to forge with every cauldron, however you should feel some sort of affinity to the cauldrons. Close your eyes and touch the one that attracts you the most.”

Following the instructions, Lu Fengyi shut his eyes, feeling for the cauldrons from his consciousness. Initially, Lu Fengyi could only see darkness, however seconds after, his entire consciousness lit up with hundreds of small flames, each burning with different intensities. Looking around for the brightest flame like he had been instructed, Lu Fengyi found before him a flame the size of a soccer ball. While the flame itself was not giving off as much light as the others, the deepened shade of blue seemed to attract him like a magnet, willing him to take it in.

Instinctively, Lu Fengyi reached out towards the flame. As his hand contacted the burning aurora of the ball of fire, his consciousness returned to the shop, instantly lighting up his vision once more.

“That seems almost the most perfect choice for you sir.”

Lu Fengyi looked down upon hearing the words, seeing the round, bulky and almost prideful cauldron beneath his hand.

“That one has been sitting her for longer periods of time than all of the other cauldrons, however it seems that it will finally be leaving the shop.”

Lu Fengyi looked towards the attendant, “This cauldron, I feel as if it is trying to speak to me.”