Kulu Capital City…
The sun had barely risen above the tall towers of the Royal Academy when Kent made his way through the mist-veiled alleys behind the merchant district.
Following Ai Ping's directions from last night, he moved towards a secluded courtyard known to few—a hidden garden said to belong to a rising alchemist who worked in the shadows of the prestigious Royal Pearl Store.
The gate was old but enchanted, opening without a sound as Kent pushed against it. Inside, soft purple flowers swayed in the morning breeze, and spirit butterflies glowed faintly under the wide branches of a moonleaf tree. In the center of the garden, seated on a carved jade bench, was a young woman dressed in sky-blue alchemist robes, her sleeves marked with three pale golden stars. Her black hair was tied in twin loops, and her pale eyes held the clarity of a quiet lake.
Mei Lin.
