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"Besides specific stellar alignments and rituals, creating the Philosopher's Stone requires certain essential conditions."

In Rivendell's Hall of Fire, Elrond said to Kael.

"I've come to understand the meanings of those runic symbols on the blueprints. According to the explanations, creating the Philosopher's Stone requires the Three Principles and Four Elements. These conditions are indispensable. Without them, the Philosopher's Stone cannot be completed."

"What are the Three Principles and Four Elements?" Kael asked.

"The Three Principles are Salt of the Body, Mercury of the Mind, and Sulfur of the Soul, while the Four Elements are Water, Fire, Air, and Earth."

Elrond explained while showing admiration.

"I don't know which sage created such a miraculous Philosopher's Stone, but the creator clearly wasn't merely seeking longevity. Rather, they sought to use it as a medium to perceive and understand the secrets of the universe, thereby achieving 'perfection of the soul' and ultimate spiritual transcendence."

"As for longevity, it's merely an extension of the Philosopher's Stone. More like a byproduct."

Hearing Elrond's words, Kael was very surprised.

Wasn't the Philosopher's Stone supposed to grant immortality and transmute base metals to gold? How could there be such an interpretation?

Kael told Elrond about Nicolas Flamel's situation with doubt.

After hearing this, Elrond thought for a moment and shook his head.

"I believe the Philosopher's Stone this person created was not a true Philosopher's Stone, but a half-finished product. Because the process of creating the Philosopher's Stone is itself a spiritual journey, requiring the creator to achieve harmony of mind, soul, and matter and to reach the state of 'spiritual perfection' at the moment the Stone is completed. Only then would the resulting Philosopher's Stone be perfect and flawless."

The person you mentioned clearly hadn't achieved soul perfection when he created his Stone, which is why his Philosopher's Stone was imperfect."

Such an interpretation existed? Kael was astonished.

Then came a wave of distress.

Even Nicolas Flamel, who had lived so long, hadn't achieved soul perfection. Could he create a perfect Philosopher's Stone?

"Never mind, being able to create a half-finished Stone first wouldn't be bad! At worst, I'll extend my lifespan first and recreate it when my soul is perfected later," Kael thought.

So he continued asking with confusion. "Lord Elrond, I understand the Four Elements you mentioned, but how do we explain Salt of the Body, Mercury of the Mind, and Sulfur of the Soul?"

Elrond answered. "The Three Principles for creating the Philosopher's Stone aren't ordinary salt, quicksilver, and sulfur, but products of the unity of body, mind, soul, and material reality."

Kael understood somewhat and asked further. "Then where can these three substances be found?"

Elrond nodded.

"Mercury of the Mind represents mental fluidity. At the Grey Havens on the western shores, the departure point for elves sailing west, it bears the weight of elves' attachment to and farewell from Middle-earth, precipitating the weight of time and countless unspoken memories.

If you want to find Mercury of the Mind, you can search there. I think the lord of the Grey Havens will help you."

"This is also the easiest of the three Principles to find."

Then he continued.

"Next is Sulfur of the Soul, representing soul fire, which can only exist where souls gather. In all of Arda, besides the Halls of Mandos where souls go, I know of some places where souls refusing Mandos's call linger. Like the oath-breaking Dead Men of Dunharrow at the end of the Paths of the Dead in the White Mountains. They were cursed by Isildur never to rest for breaking their oath, their souls imprisoned there after death."

"If you want to find Sulfur of the Soul, you'll need to go there. But the dead there refuse entry to the living. Even I wouldn't dare venture there lightly. So if you plan to go, you must be mentally prepared."

Kael nodded.

He'd certainly heard of the Paths of the Dead.

Legend said that when Gondor was established in the Second Age, Isildur made the Men of the Mountains dwelling south of the White Mountains swear loyalty before a black stone: if Gondor faced crisis, they must help resist enemies.

But when Sauron later attacked Gondor, these mountain folk broke their oath out of fear of Sauron.

Isildur cursed them never to rest until they fulfilled their oath.

So these Dead Men's souls remained trapped there after death, unable to rest, building the Paths of the Dead to guard the area and refuse all living entry.

Baldor, the eldest son of the second King of Rohan, had once sworn to walk the Paths of the Dead but never returned, dying there.

Only during the War of the Ring did Aragorn, needing more forces against Sauron, go to the Paths of the Dead on Elrond's advice. As Isildur's direct descendant wielding the reforged sword Andúril, he summoned the Dead to serve him.

"Where should I find Salt of the Body?"

Seeing Elrond saving Salt of the Body for last, Kael grew worried.

Was this the hardest to obtain?

Elrond answered.

"Salt of the Body represents stability and life force, most likely to appear where life first originated. The birthplace of elves, Cuiviénen, sank long ago during the War of Wrath at the First Age's end. The birthplace of dwarves is unknown except to the Vala who created them. They were placed sleeping in different mountains until awakened after the elves' awakening.

Only the birthplace of men, Hildórien, offers the best chance of finding it."

But speaking of this, Elrond's expression grew serious as he earnestly told Kael.

"Hildórien is in the far east. I don't know its exact location. It may have been forgotten through human history's changes, but it's in Sauron's domain. If you want to search there, you're on your own, and you must beware of Sauron. You've thwarted his plans repeatedly. He must hate you deeply. One careless move could trap you there forever!"

Kael nodded seriously and gratefully.

"I understand. Thank you, Lord Elrond! Without your help, I wouldn't have learned about the Philosopher's Stone so quickly!"

Having an elder truly was like having a treasure.

If he'd had to explore alone, it might have taken forever to learn these things.

Fortunately, Elrond didn't know Kael's thoughts, or he'd have shown him what respecting elders meant.

Though Elrond had explained the Three Principles in detail, he still shook his head and sighed. "Honestly, I'd rather suggest you wait two years for Lady Galadriel to purify the Balrog's heart, then use the Balrog's imperishable fire to forge nirvana flame and gain immortality."

"Creating the Philosopher's Stone has too many uncertainties. The Paths of the Dead and the Far East are both perilous places. One mistake means eternal doom. I don't want to see Arwen heartbroken over you."

Hearing Elrond's heavy words, Kael raised his head with a very serious expression.

"Lord Elrond, I promise I will never put myself in hopeless situations, nor give Arwen cause for heartbreak!"

Seeing Kael's solemn promise, Elrond nodded, managing a warm smile.

"I'm willing to trust your promise."

The two then continued discussing the Four Elements needed for the Philosopher's Stone.

"Among the Four Elements, Water, Fire, and Air are easy to solve. Lady Galadriel's Water-ring Nenya, Gandalf's Fire-ring Narya, and the Air-ring Vilya in my possession can all condense the three elements of Water, Fire, and Air."

Elrond raised his hand, revealing a sapphire gold ring on his slender finger. Countless air elements gathered, forming a small elemental storm spinning in his palm.

"Only the Earth element requires your own solution."

"Earth element? How should I find the Earth element?" Kael couldn't help but frown.

Why hadn't Celebrimbor forged an additional Earth-ring when creating the three Elven Rings?

Then he wouldn't need to search for Earth element materials.

Elrond also shook his head.

"I don't know either. The only hint I can give is that it must be a treasure born from the earth itself, something extraordinary."

"Born from earth? Would mithril count?" Kael showed Elrond the Mother of Mithril.

Seeing the Mother of Mithril, Elrond was very surprised but still shook his head.

"I didn't expect you to have such a treasure as Mother of Mithril, but unfortunately, it's essentially the fusion of divine and demonic powers in special environments. Not something born from earth."

"What about this?" Kael produced another object.

Looking at the white-glowing gem in Kael's hand, Elrond was even more surprised.

"The Arkenstone?"

Kael nodded. "That's it. The Arkenstone, also called the Heart of the Mountain, is a treasure born from the mountain. It should work, right?"

Elrond didn't ask how this jewel symbolizing Durin's royal authority came to be in Kael's hands but took the gem and carefully examined it.

Then he showed a warm smile. "It seems fate favors you, Kael. This Heart of the Mountain contains earth's essence. You now have all the Four Elements."

Getting confirmation, Kael couldn't help but rejoice.

He'd taken the Arkenstone early due to Thorin's madness and kept it until now.

Who would have thought that today, by coincidence, it would complete the last missing element?

"What do you plan to do next?" Elrond asked.

"Start with the easiest. I plan to visit the Grey Havens first to find Mercury of the Mind, then go south to the Paths of the Dead in the White Mountains, and finally to the far east to find Hildórien," Kael planned thoughtfully.

Elrond nodded.

"If you're going to the Grey Havens, you can first visit their lord, Círdan. He's the eldest and wisest among us elves and also a member of the White Council. If you encounter unsolvable difficulties, you can seek his answers. I think he'll be happy to help."