Chapter 3614: Redstreak
Redstreak walked in a few minutes later, wearing a white robe with a long red raiment around her that floated far behind her like a stroke made with crimson ink in the air.
Alex had been expecting a man, so when the woman showed up, he was a little surprised. Although, he probably shouldn’t have been since Bearskin had just told him her name, and it was a name Alex had heard before.
He stood as the woman arrived before them all, a smile on her cherry-red lips. "Welcome, everyone. I was not expecting such an array of company."
Alex bowed toward the woman. "Greetings, senior Redstreak."
Ronron bowed as well.
"Alchemist Redstreak," Greensoul said in greeting.
"Reverend Greensoul," she replied accordingly.
Greensoul had told Alex that she was an acquaintance, and he could see that was the truth. These people weren’t close at all.
Redstreak sat down on her couch and looked toward Ronron. "May I ask who this is?"
"Just a tagalong," Greensoul said. "Don’t mind her."
Redstreak was very intrigued, but she wouldn’t push further if a Reverend himself told her not to. She looked toward Alex. "So, I had heard you might have come to this realm. I never realized you would actually come to my Alchemy Pavilion."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "You had heard about me?"
"News has spread among the Divinities to be on the lookout for you," the woman said. "I assumed you knew."
Alex thought for a moment and shrugged. "I didn’t, but I’m not surprised either."
This must have been the Storm God’s doing.
"So, what brings you to my place? Surely you didn’t come to meet me," the woman asked.
"It’s a coincidence, senior. I needed to buy some ingredients, and I had heard this was the greatest alchemy store in all of the Sky God’s realm."
The woman smiled upon hearing that. "I do take pride in being the greatest Alchemy store outside of the Medicine World. But based on what you’re saying, I assume you do not know much about me at all."
"I know the bare minimum, senior. I’ve heard your name from my master’s mouth multiple times when he spoke of the greatest alchemists of his generation," Alex said. "You are one of the Ten Stars of Alchemy after all."
Redstreak gave a faint smile. "I was worried you might not have known that, but brother Silvermist must have given you our names at least."
Alex nodded. "That was the only thing I got from him."
The Ten Stars of Alchemy were the top 10 finalists in the alchemy competition that took place nearly 200 thousand years ago. Unlike the recent tournament that was only for the younger generation, the tournament back then allowed everyone to enter. It was an attempt from the upper echelon of the Human Realm to find worthy alchemists to use in the backlines of the war.
Alex’s master, Silvermist, had ended up coming second in a tie with Wineweed, Aethersage’s master, and Redstreak here was one of the 10 finalists.
Alex wasn’t aware where she had ranked, but he knew that she had ranked below his master, for the one who came first in the tournament had gone on to become the third Alchemy God, who had long since perished, most likely to Godslayer.
"I am a little disappointed I didn’t go to the alchemy tournament you participated in. I was busy cultivating around that time and could not afford to leave. Had I the time, I would’ve searched for a disciple as well," she said before laughing a little. "Not that it would have mattered. You and the red-haired young man were true monsters when it came to alchemy. I fear that you will surpass the two of us very soon."
Alex gave a faint smile. "I still have ways to go, senior. I have no doubt you are a Peerless Alchemist, aren’t you? Until I reach a similar stage, I cannot even begin to think of surpassing you."
Redstreak held a grin. "But you do think it’s inevitable, don’t you?"
Alex hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. There was no point in lying in this situation anyway. "I have my own understanding of my abilities, so I do not doubt that it is just a matter of time."
Even Greensoul appeared surprised at Alex’s words. There was a level of arrogance to them, but he felt it was most deserved. Especially considering the information he had received regarding Alex’s talent that the Sky God had tested.
"With the right teaching, you should inevitably become a Peerless Alchemist as well," Redstreak said. "But that can only place you alongside us. Not above us. To truly be above us, you do understand what it is that you must do, don’t you?"
Alex thought for a moment and nodded. "The only one above you at this point is the Alchemy God, which I must become."
Redstreak nodded. "But it won’t be so easy."
"Because of his book?" Alex asked.
"That’s part of it. That book of his is easily the greatest artifact any Alchemist could hope to gain in their lifetime," the woman said. "But that is not all. If a simple artifact was all one needed to become the Alchemy God, then the title of Alchemy God would hold no respect in the hearts of any of us Alchemists. There is a reason it does. There is a reason why we accept senior Whitesong as the Alchemy God."
Alex took in her words and gave the answer she was pushing him toward.
"He is the greatest alchemist of our time."
Redstreak nodded. "Indeed. He is the greatest alchemist of our time. He has the book to help him, but he also has his own effort. His skills. His perseverance. He has spent more time than any of us practicing alchemy. While the rest of us opened stores and started selling our services, he continued focusing on learning and improving his alchemy skills."
"So, if your intention is to defeat such a man to take his title, you’re going to have a very difficult time ahead of you."
