129 Defying the laws of nature (2/2)

After explaining the use of the single bead of liquid, the man became misty eyed and began to pour out his heart and story to the duo.

”I was a young genius with all the success one could imagine. I had mastered all types of potions which made me famous. I kept pushing the boundaries of what was possible through potion making, always searching for a new challenge.

One night with a sudden burst of inspiration, a theory popped into my head.

Was it possible to make a potion that could shatter the mortal shackles and allow a normal man to step right into the saint realm. Instantly giving one a thousand years of longevity?

Conventional thinking would answer no, but the more I thought about it the more obsessed I became, I lost everything of value and was eventually shunned by the fellow apothecaries of my era, labelled a madman I chased the theory and met with failure after failure but the formula was always swirling in my head as if teasing me. I couldn't give up.

I spent 50 years in constant disappointment but never wavered in my pursuit of this ultimate formula that seemed to be permanently implanted within my thoughts.

I had never once told anyone of the potential of the formula. I knew they would only chastise and think me mad or even worse, think I was a con-artist.”

Alrick's eyes went glazed and out of focus.

”Aim for the stars and if you miss you might still end up among the clouds.” He murmured to himself.

”Even though my ultimate dream has not been achieved, here in the western hills I made a giant step on the path to achieving that goal. All my sacrifices has finally reaped a small reward, confirming that I am on the right path.

I haven't quite broken the shackles of mortality and stepped into the saint realm, but I have stepped into the xiantian realm. Now I've got another two hundred years to try.”

Alrick's voice trembled and cracked as he had an enormous outpouring of emotions.

It was awkward for Qin Li and Hartley. They had had no words to console the man, and honestly they still couldn't shake the hint of suspicion in their minds.

Hartley relaxed as he sent for Shao Law. He was the orphan boy who had come to the capital from the Rykers crime guild in the wawrika province.

The boy had been cultivating with Fu Jianu and Zhi Ruo for the past months with the cultivating techniques Hartley had acquired from Prince Jian.

Shao Law turned up half an hour later with nervous eyes as he made his way pass the elites stationed outside the lab, when he entered there were three people present in the white building waiting in silence.

Hartley spoke to the boy as he stood staring, ”Shao Law, there is an opportunity for you to change you life right here in my hands, but it is up to you if you want to take this once in a lifetime chance, the risks might also include death.” Hartley looked over at the strange man, indicating that there was a chance the elixir could be poison. Turning back to Shao Law he finished by saying.

”I will not force you.”

Shao Law immediately dropped to one knee in a knight's salute. ”What do you ask of me young lord? as long as it is within my ability I will not refuse.”

”Take this elixir,” Hartley said, stretching out the jade bottle towards the youth.

Without hesitation the boy took the jade bottle and drank the single bead of liquid inside, almost instantly his eyes rolled back and he fainted on the floor of the lab...

It was a long night, Shao Law sweated profusely and had a high fever. Hartley and Qin Li watched the whole process side by side under the dancing flames of the mounted torchlight.

Alrick constantly checked the boys condition in the dimness of the corner where the boy was laying on blankets, taking measurements and scribbling notes ad usual.

From time to time the boy turned and twisted letting out howls of pain.

As another morning rolled in, the western hills burst into life once more except for the lab located at the east forest.

There was a nervous silence, this was the moment of truth. Three people watched silently as Shao Law roused from his overnight coma, as soon as the boy opened his eyes there was a flash of bright green light that illuminated the lab for a split second.

Hartley and Qin Li reacted quickly, rushing over to inspect the boy whose robes were soaked through.

Shao Law had a strong aura of vitality and subtle changes to his facial features. He stood at least two inches taller than he was the prior evening and his hair had lengthened by 3 to 4 inches.

However the most startlingly amazing change was that now the boy was a bonafide 1st layer xiantian expert giving off strong elemental fluctuations.

Alrick continued to scribble down notes on his parchment. ”So,” Alrick said with his head still down looking at the parchment, ”do you believe me now?”

Hartley and Qin Li were shaken to the core, what they witnessed defied the laws of nature.

”Alrick it is really you.” Hartley blurted while pointing at mature man's improved features.

Alrick snorted, ”why so surprised? I've been telling you that for five days.”

”What happened?” Asked

Shao Law in utter confusion. He felt hyperactive, like there was a tsunami of surging power within his body, battering against his skin demanding to be released.