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Chapter 25 – Veins of Progress
The sun rose gently over the Outer Court. As always, Clinton blended with the crowd, performing daily drills, practicing basic techniques, and keeping his aura stable.
He had no interest in flashy techniques or duels—not now.
His focus remained inward.
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The Whispering Flame's Flow
Each night, when the world quieted, he'd slip into the forest outskirts, away from curious eyes.
The Whispering Flame, small and silvery blue, danced over his palm. It no longer needed his full attention—it responded like a partner.
> "You've entered the Intermediate Control Stage," Narvek commented.
"You can now perform basic alchemical shaping. Next, you'll learn multi-core channeling."
Clinton nodded. He didn't fully understand it yet, but he could feel the change in his meridians. His spirit veins were growing more compatible with the flame. Each cycle of Qi drew smoother.
His foundation in flame-body synchronization was solidifying.
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The Alchemist's Solitude
His crude furnace—made from leftover spiritual stones and hardened clay—was now a trusted companion. Though basic, it had survived dozens of refining sessions.
> "The quality of your pills is improving," Narvek noted.
"You've created three successful Grade-1 Clarity Pills. No explosion. No waste."
Clinton stored the pills in sealed jade bottles, carefully labeled.
He still didn't distribute them. Narvek's warning rang clear.
Too early, and he'd attract attention. His path needed shadows, not stage lights.
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Ranking Activity
Meanwhile, the Outer Court was lively. Ranking duels were beginning again.
Top disciples flexed their strength, challenging one another to claim cultivation spots, resources, or just pride.
Clinton watched from afar.
Not because he feared them… but because he was learning.
Qi movements.
Flame bursts.
Weapon formations.
He silently compared them to Narvek's ancient teachings and realized…
> "Their flames… most of them use low-grade Earth Flames or Mortal Flames."
Even the so-called top disciples weren't using anything close to what Clinton had access to.
Yet he didn't let it get to his head.
Because above them, in the Inner Court and beyond, were true monsters.
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A Whisper of Greater Realms
> "Clinton," Narvek spoke one night.
"You should know… this sect is just one corner of a massive cultivation world. There are other realms, star sects, and ancestral planes."
Clinton sat still, firelight flickering on his face.
> "This world is small compared to where you'll eventually go. There are flames that can burn time. Sects where one alchemist's sneeze causes mountains to crumble."
> "And soon… they'll be part of your story."
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For Now… Practice
Still, Clinton kept practicing.
He refined his Qi.
He reinforced his spirit veins.
He studied flame manipulation.
And while the sect's attention remained on public duels and shallow rivalries, he quietly walked his own path.
A path of silent growth.
A path of fire.
A path of power.
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Quiet Roots, Deep Growth (Continued)
Clinton's days passed in rhythm.
Morning drills with the sect.
Afternoon meditation under the whispering trees.
Evening flame refinement and alchemy training.
Nighttime studies with Narvek's ancient knowledge.
Every moment was deliberate.
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Refining the Flame Veins
Narvek guided him through an advanced but secret process—Flame Vein Molding.
> "Your body holds twelve major flame channels," Narvek explained from within.
"Most alchemists awaken only three. We will awaken all twelve—slowly."
Clinton's muscles tightened, veins glowing faintly as the Whispering Flame ran through him like warm threads of energy.
His body resisted at first. Burning heat. Intense numbness.
But he endured.
And in the silence of that forest edge… another channel opened.
> "Two down," Narvek confirmed.
"Ten more to go. You're ahead of most Outer Court disciples by at least a year."
Clinton didn't celebrate. He only drank a spiritual tea, regulated his breath, and continued practicing.
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The Inner Flame Theory
As Narvek taught, Clinton began forming his own theories.
> "Some flames aren't meant to conquer. They're meant to refine the self."
Unlike others who sought to dominate flames, he sought harmony.
He began crafting inner flame diagrams—mental symbols that helped him communicate with the Whispering Flame more efficiently.
By the end of the week, he could make the flame hover in shapes, split into strands, and rejoin in under a second.
> "No one will notice… but your control is now beyond most alchemy instructors in the Outer Court."
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A Chance Encounter (Minor, Peaceful)
While collecting herbs near the misty hills one morning, Clinton bumped into a young girl dressed in blue sect robes. Her name was Lan Yi, a quiet herbalist known for avoiding drama.
She blinked at the subtle warmth of his Qi but said nothing.
> "You have… unusual fire Qi," she said, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"Are you an alchemist?"
Clinton nodded simply, offering her a rare, well-preserved spirit herb as a trade. She blinked, surprised at its quality, but took it gratefully.
No fanfare. No questions. Just a quiet connection.
They parted without exchanging too much.
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The Calm Before the Storm (Much Later)
Narvek's final words that night echoed deeply.
> "Grow silently. Let them look down on you. That's fine."
"Because when the world notices you… it won't be because of loud battles or cheap titles."
"It'll be because no one can understand… how you got so far without being seen."
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Clinton exhaled. The Whispering Flame pulsed warmly in his palm.
He was not yet ready to rise.
But every spark, every breath, every quiet moment—was fuel for something greater.
The fire was growing.
And no one knew.
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End of Chapter 25 (Extended)