Ling Li paused for a moment, allowing the memories to swirl before her like shadows. Her eyes closed briefly, and then, with a deliberate shake of her head, she cleared the emotions from her mind like smoke dissipating into the air. There was no space for sentimentality in this moment; she had other potions and elixirs to concoct — body conditioning, boosts to strength, enhancements, breakthroughs, and healing. But the Nirvana Elixir was her priority.

To achieve this, she would need:

Rare Alchemical Components for the Nirvana Elixir

Flame of the Universe: A primordial fire captured from the heart of a dying star, sealed within a crystal prism that shimmered with celestial light. Its flame burned with cosmic qi, capable of purging karmic residue and reigniting soul threads. Only those blessed with celestial clearance could harness its power safely.*

Four-Pole Floating Soil: A rare earth element collected from the sacred poles of the world — North, South, East, and West. Its texture transformed between sand and mist, responding to the user's intent while anchoring the soul during rebirth.*

Firewood of Yin and Yang: This dual-natured wood, painstakingly harvested from the Twin Flame Trees of Mount Wudao, possessed an extraordinary quality — one half burned with tremendous restraint, while the other blazed with infernal heat. When ignited together, they forged a harmonized flame capable of tempering volatile ingredients and fusing opposing energies.*

Fire of Nine Flavors: A legendary ignition method that artfully blended nine elemental flames — metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, lightning, ice, and void. This technique initiated a multi-phase refinement cycle, empowering the elixir to transcend its usual limitations and adapt to any constitution.*

Ling Li arranged each of these precious components within their protective arrays, activating seals that pulsated with a silent promise of safety. The chamber resonated with anticipation, as if the very walls understood the monumental undertaking about to unfold.

She inhaled deeply, centering herself amidst the rising energy, and began her sacred task.

The Hunt Ends: Solaris's Final Stand

At the same time, the arena lay cloaked in an eerie silence, the kind that whispered of ancient conflicts. Shi Min and his team found themselves at the heart of it, their feet resting on the cracked stone that still reverberated with echoes of past duels. Dust spun lazily in the air, caught in the dawn's golden light like forgotten dreams suspended in time.

All eyes were fixed upon Four Eyes, whose visage held a seriousness that belied his name. He blinked slowly, a deep breath escaping his lips as he recalled his purpose. The black aura swirling around him — both a gift and an ominous burden — pulsated with potential.

With a resolute nod, he lifted both hands to the sky, calling forth the mist that awaited his command. It poured from his palms like a living shadow, thick and dark, churning with potent qi. The air itself grew heavier, the temperature dropping as an unsettling chill crept over the arena. The mist slithered across the ground, undulating like serpents on the hunt, searching for its quarry.

The First Shah stepped forward, his movements deliberate as he uncorked a small, ornate vial within lay a solitary droplet of Solaris's blood, glimmering like a precious gem — a remnant salvaged from their last tumultuous encounter.

As he released it into the void, the droplet lingered momentarily, suspended in a fragile state before plummeting to the earth. The mist responded as if awakened from slumber, engulfing it in an eager embrace, swirling and pulsing like a pack of wolves zeroing in on their prey. It surged low across the arena floor, infiltrating every crack and shadow, seeking out the lingering traces of Solaris's essence.

Shi Min, El Padre, and El Capitan observed, their expressions a mix of astonishment and apprehension, as the mist continued to weave its intelligence around them — persistent, relentless, and hauntingly alive.

Then, as if it had found its target, the mist coalesced in a single spot, rising in a spiraling column of darkness like a beacon in the night.

"They've found it," Four Eyes declared, his voice a low murmur, yet imbued with certainty.

Without hesitation, the First Shah drew a teleportation talisman, its surface gleaming with ethereal power, and activated it with a flick of his wrist. The mist surged around them, enveloping them in a shroud of swirling darkness.

In the blink of an eye, they vanished.

Confrontation: Solaris's End

They materialized in a desolate ravine — jagged cliffs loomed overhead, their harsh silhouettes stark against the somber sky. The earth around them was scorched and barren, an acrid scent of sulfur clinging to the wind as it whispered mournfully through the ravine.

And there he was.

Solaris slumped against a jagged boulder, his robes tattered and his body trembling as if the weight of the world crushed him. Blood pooled along his side, a vivid reminder of his vulnerability. His once-radiant aura flickered sporadically, resembling a flame that waned with every passing moment.

His eyes widened in bewilderment as they met Four Eyes's gaze. "You…" he rasped, voice hoarse and incredulous. "How did you find me?"

Four Eyes stepped forward, the black mist still swirling from his fingertips, a dark halo of intent. "You left a stain on the world," he replied coolly. "I simply followed it."

Solaris attempted to rise, but his legs betrayed him, buckling beneath his weight. Shi Min unsheathed his blade, El Capitan cracked his knuckles with a sound like thunder, and El Padre's narrowed gaze bore into their adversary.

"You won't escape this time," Shi Min said, his voice low and resolute, like the stillness before a storm.

A broken laughter erupted from Solaris, bitter and twisted, echoing against the cliffs. "Escape? I'm already dead," he scoffed, the despair tainted with defiance.

His fingers twitched with dark energy.

The First Shah's eyes widened in horror. "He's going to—!"

Suddenly, Solaris unleashed a piercing roar, his body igniting with erratic waves of unstable qi. Flames erupted from within him, wild and chaotic, engulfing the air in a blistering inferno. The ground beneath them trembled violently, and an anguished scream reverberated through the ravine.

He was self-destructing.

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*Sources: Imperial Harvest – Five Elements in Chinese Metaphysics, Chinese Five Elements Theory

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