William Graham's alchemy is, at its core, still based on Chinese alchemical principles. Therefore, he naturally believes that the fusion of water and fire, the balance of hardness and softness, is the true path for dual attributes. Coupled with the ancient Chinese concept of yin and yang—where there is yang within yin and yin hidden within yang—creating a knight's sword with both water and fire attributes is not a difficult task.

However, because he felt that Charles Barnes's payment was too little, he didn't put much effort into it and only met the basic requirement of the challenge: dual attributes. As for whether the sword was sharp or convenient for a knight to use—practical factors like these—William Graham couldn't care less. You get what you pay for.

Even so, when young master Charles Barnes saw a ball of water and a ball of fire shoot out from the knight's sword, he was so excited that he trembled all over and handed a bag of gold coins to William Graham without hesitation.

Charles Barnes ordered someone to bring a beautifully decorated long case, wrapped the bare knight's sword in silk, placed it in the case, and left in high spirits. Having received his payment, William Graham also left on his own.

Charles Barnes's carriage stopped in front of an inconspicuous building in the city. He got off the carriage holding the case. At the door stood a warrior in black armor, who lowered his spear to block Charles Barnes.

Charles Barnes smiled obsequiously and said, “Lord Quentin Graham, it's me, Charles Barnes. I've solved the problem set by Master Thomas Graham.” The warrior named Quentin Graham looked at him with suspicion in his eyes behind the helmet: “You solved it? Hand it over. Wait here.”

Although this warrior was quite rude, Charles Barnes didn't dare to lose his temper. The person inside was one of the top ten alchemists on the continent, a mentor in the Alchemy Department of Dongsheng Academy—one of the five great academies—and a level-twelve alchemist, Thomas Graham. He was only a step away from the legendary craftsman Paracelsus.

No one knew why Master Thomas Graham had quietly come to Wangshan City, but alchemists are a respected profession in the Star Refining World. If one could become a disciple of Master Thomas Graham, it would undoubtedly mean a bright future and honor for the family. Although the master had come to Wangshan City in secret, some influential families still got wind of it and kept coming to offer generous gifts, earnestly begging the master to teach their children.

Master Thomas Graham was quite annoyed, but couldn't directly refuse these people. So he set a challenge: whoever could solve it would become his student and could return with him to Dongsheng Academy for further study.

The difficulty of this challenge was extraordinary—even an eighth-level alchemist might not be able to solve it. As expected, once the challenge was issued, it blocked all the “aspiring students,” and Master Thomas Graham finally had time to deal with the real business that brought him to Wangshan City.

Quentin Graham took the case inside and soon came back out. Charles Barnes was about to speak with a smile when Quentin Graham grabbed him and turned to walk inside. Charles Barnes's attendant shouted, “Young master!”

Quentin Graham's strength had reached the level of a ninth-level war general, and with his tall build, he picked up Charles Barnes as easily as an eagle snatching a chick. Charles Barnes turned pale with fright, but managed to stay calm and quickly said to his attendant, “Don't worry, it must be that Teacher Thomas Graham wants to see me. Wait here for me…” As soon as Quentin Graham turned a corner, the attendant could no longer see the young master.

This time, Thomas Graham didn't want to attract attention, so the residence was very simple inside and out. Quentin Graham dragged Charles Barnes in, and Master Thomas Graham, dressed in plain clothes, was waiting for him. Sitting beside the master was his student and one of his attendants, the eighth-level alchemist Oscar Graham. On the table in front of the master lay the knight's sword with both water and fire attributes.

Charles Barnes straightened his clothes a bit and gave a standard noble's bow. “Greetings, Master.” Thomas Graham nodded and gave a faint smile in return, then pointed at the sword on the table and asked, “You made this?” Charles Barnes braced himself and replied, “Yes, I did.” “Then make another sword like this for me.”

Sweat was already forming on Charles Barnes's forehead. “I'll go back and prepare right away…” “No need, I have all the materials here. You can make it right here.”

Charles Barnes was dumbfounded, his hands hanging at his sides, head lowered, stammering and unwilling to move. Thomas Graham chuckled, stood up, patted him on the shoulder, and said, “No need to panic. Go and bring the person who helped you make this sword. Although your aptitude isn't suited for alchemy, I can recommend you to study in another department at Dongsheng Academy.”

“Really?” Charles Barnes was overjoyed. Master Thomas Graham nodded with a smile; with his status, he would never deceive Charles Barnes. Filled with great hope of entering Dongsheng Academy, Charles Barnes happily went out to look for William Graham, even forgetting such basic etiquette as bidding farewell to the master.

Oscar Graham withdrew his gaze from Charles Barnes's disappearing figure around the corner. “Teacher, I didn't expect that in this small Wangshan City, someone could actually solve this challenge.” Thomas Graham's expression grew serious as he handed the sword to him. “Take another look.”

Oscar Graham swung the sword, infusing it with a bit of magic. Instantly, a curtain of water shot out from the blade, followed by a firebird. Oscar Graham was shocked. “Water and fire attributes! That's impossible…”