Immortal Supreme: Sovereign of the Grand Dao

217  Scheduled Meeting With the Emperor

"Father I did it! I broke through to Tier 4!"

"Ava?"

"Father! You won't believe it! I broke through to the next alchemy level, and I refined a Low-rank Tier 4 pill!" Her voice carried the thrill of accomplishment.

The three elders turned their attention to Ava, their faces lighting up with a mix of pride and astonishment.

Elder Williams spoke first, "A Low-rank Tier 4 pill at your age! Remarkable, Ava. Your talent knows no bounds."

Elder Zard added, "The future of our Alchemist Association is in good hands."

Ava blushed, appreciating the recognition from the seasoned alchemists.

"Thank you, seniors. I'll continue to work hard."

Curiosity gleamed in Ava's eyes as she looked at her father. "What were you discussing before I came in?"

Ava's father the president of the Alchemy Association sighed, "The winds of change, my dear. Prince Arthur has become the Prime Disciple of the Royal Academy. The Royal Family's politics are afoot, and he might be the future Crown Prince."

Ava's eyes widened in shock. "Prince Arthur? The last time I saw him, we were six years old. I thought he was... well, not in favour."

Elder Williams chuckled, "Times change, Ava. Sometimes even a carp can leap through the dragon's gate. That lad's rise is nothing short of a surprise to most. The world underestimated him seeing him as a waste unable to cultivate."

Ava pondered the information, her mind racing through memories of a mischievous boy labelled a waste. "How could he have changed so much? What has he become?"

She wondered what Arthur would look like now, 'He was cute back then except he liked to tease me too much!'

Then remembered that he had a grudge, 'He even called me ugly! Ha, I'll see him soon anyway.'

Elder Zard, with a twinkle in his eye, remarked, "Sometimes, the ones labelled as wastes bloom into dragons and fly to the heavens after one great fortuitous encounter."

"I believe this kid must encountered a great opportunity that made him grow this fast."

"Hmm, what you said is a possibility," Elder Williams nodded.

"You two, have you ever considered that this could just be all him?" Ava's father asked with a smile.

"What?"

Even Ava listened to what her father had to say.

"I've met that kid multiple times and if there's one thing I can tell with surety is that that kid is not so simple!"

Fredrik left those words hanging in the air and made everyone thoughtful.

Amongst them, he wasn't just the oldest, but he was the most powerful and most experienced.

The President of the Alchemy Association stood at the pinnacle of influence in the continent and he had met no small number of mighty figures.

Hence if he says that the boy wasn't simple, then he isn't simple in any way!

The news left Ava in a whirlwind of thoughts.

As she returned to her alchemy room, she couldn't shake her curiosity about Arthur's transformation over the years.

The image of the five-year-old prince played in her mind, and she wondered about the twists and turns that had shaped the current times.

______

In her alchemy room, Ava couldn't shake the whirlwind of thoughts stirred by the news of Arthur's transformation.

Memories of the mischievous five-year-old prince played in her mind, and she found herself wondering about the twists and turns that had shaped the current times.

Ava's father, Fredrik, entered her alchemy room with a thoughtful expression.

"Ava, you seem very thoughtful, what is wrong?" he asked.

"Father, perhaps it's time for me to step out of this room and witness the changes in the world."

Ava looked at her father, contemplating his words. "But, I am just thinking that I can't afford to be distracted by external matters if I want to attain great levels in the Dao of Alchemy," Ava replied, her eyes fixed on the array of alchemical tools before her.

Fredrik nodded, understanding his daughter's dedication to her craft.

"Your commitment to alchemy is commendable, Ava. But remember, understanding the world around you can also enhance your skills. Sometimes, the answers you seek lie beyond the confines of your laboratory."

He glanced at the tier 4 pill Ava had refined, a sense of pride evident in his eyes.

"Your breakthrough is remarkable, but there's more to the world than alchemy. Just like the news of Prince Arthur's ascent which is one such example."

"The unexpected can become the stepping stone to greater knowledge."

Ava sighed, torn between her passion for alchemy and the intrigue of touring the world.

Fredrik smiled. "Take a break, prepare and  attend the Grand Martial Arts Tournament."

"But don't I already have a slot?" Ava was confused.

Her father sighed, "Indeed you do but even as an Alchemist, sometimes you need great personal strength. The world isn't as kind and peaceful as you might think and most importantly...you need friends."

"Father! I have friends!"

"Who? Those two? They aren't real allies, well at least not strong ones when it matters.

"Come on Father we've talked about this! Fine, I'll participate in the tournament."

Fredrik smiled, "Good, go and witness the clash of talents and the currents of power. It might broaden your perspective and perhaps provide insights that even the most intricate alchemical formulas cannot."

"Fine, I will," she smiled.

Fredrik nodded, "The Emperor summoned me for an important meeting.

The tone became serious.

Ava looked at her father and asked, "Is it concerning that matter?"

"He didn't say but he did infer that he had a deal for me, one that I will not refuse."

"A deal you can't refuse?"

"Hmm, he knows me so well so it must have something to do with alchemy or...the lands beyond."

"The lands beyond? You mean?"

"Yes, that is what I suspect. But I can be wrong also." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"So when are you going," Ava asked.

"What's this, you want to come?" Fredrik chuckled.

"Well you did say I should go out more, so what better chance than this right, hehe."

"Alright, you brat. You can tag along. Just don't ditch me for some boy like before."

"Father!"

Fredrik quickly disappeared from where he stood as Ava's face became beet red.

"You and that fellow are the same, hmph!"

'I hate being teased like this.'