(iii.) The Alchemist

While others made their way to immortality from unlikely beginnings, everyone knew Zhongli Quan was born destined for greatness. Heavenly beams of light filled the labor room during his birth. He spoke his first words at one week old. As a young man he mastered the elusive art of alchemy in three days - three days! Creating gold and silver from mere stones, he raised up the poor, fed the hungry, and inspired millions. Put it this way - you would not want your mom to be friends with Zhongli’s mom. And though of course he inevitably earned his foretold spot among the immortals, we’ll never know if Zhongli saw these immense expectations as a blessing or a burden on his way there…