An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

The fasting pills sold for eleven spirit stones, and the Myriad Wonders pills sold for one hundred and fifty. Altogether, that was one hundred and sixty-one spirit stones. This was Luo Chen’s income for the day.

After counting the spirit stones, Luo Chen was grinning so widely he could barely close his mouth.

He had been breaking even with his sales for a long time, but he finally made a small profit this time. Including the ninety-two spirit stones left by the short-lived fool, his savings had suddenly skyrocketed to two hundred and fifty-three!

This was an unprecedented peak!

He could buy two lower-grade enchanted artifacts, two and a half bottles of qi-nourishing pills, or enjoy nearly half a month’s worth of spirit energy feasts at the Zhongding Restaurant. He could even afford to book a few nights at Tianxiang Tower.

However, these thoughts didn’t linger in Luo Chen’s mind for even half a second.

With more working capital, what should he do? Of course, it was to expand production, grow stronger, and achieve greater success!

”Little Luo…” Old Man Chen called out. He continued, ”Fellow Daoist, about that thing you were supposed to pay me…”

”Uncle Chen, want some fish? I caught this yesterday and slow-roasted it for half an hour using the Fireball. Just heat it up a little—it’s delicious.”

”But…”

”Spirit stones? Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten—they’re on my mind. I am just in a phase of improving my craft, so I need more materials to practice. Once I’ve earned enough, I’ll definitely pay you back. I’ll even host a banquet at Zhongding Restaurant to personally treat you!”

Zhongding Restaurant was the most upscale establishment in Dahe Market. They served ingredients infused with spirit energy, drinks brewed from spirit veins, and rare delicacies—snacks and fruits imported via the Lancang River!

Seeing that Old Man Chen was tempted, Luo Chen struck while the iron was hot.

”Besides, we’re both mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators now. Do you really think I’d stiff you for a measly fifty spirit stones? Don’t worry, I’ll definitely pay you back then,” Luo Chen assured. Then, he said, ”I’m in a hurry to buy herbs, so I’ll be off for now!”

This little rascal! Old Man Chen thought as he watched Luo Chen vanish in a flash, feeling a bit frustrated.

It reminded him a bit of himself back in the day, carefully budgeting even one or two spirit stones.

”I just hope your promise of a Zhongding banquet isn’t just a way to fool me!”

***

”Double the Red Flame Chicken Blood?”

”Yes, the more, the better!

”There are only a few pieces of Jade Yam left? I’ll take them all. Please save more for me next time.

”Give me five jin of this!”

After a flurry of purchases, Luo Chen was sweating from his forehead.

The rogue cultivator market was great in many ways, but people loved to haggle. Even those who had done business with him several times loved to bring up seasons and market trends.

In comparison, the goods at the Hall of Hundred Herbs were expensive but at least shopping there wouldn’t require so much talking.

Besides, the high prices weren’t a flaw of the Hall of Hundred Herbs—it was Luo Chen’s limited budget!

”Four hundred pieces of conpoy and forty Fire Hound Whips? Fellow Daoist Luo, are you sure you can handle this much stock?”

The chubby shopkeeper, Liu Hecai, was a bit surprised.

It hadn’t been long, just two or three transactions, and this little Qi-Refining cultivator’s purchases had already quadrupled. For someone physically frail, this was overdoing!

”Your store is a chain across the Four Domains with a five-hundred-year history. Surely you have this much stock, right?” Luo Chen said.

Shopkeeper Liu shook his head. ”The stock is there, but you…”

Shopkeeper Liu suddenly sniffed the air and asked in surprise, ”Young friend, are you an alchemist by any chance?”

”A crude skill, not worth mentioning, but you’ve got a good eye, Shopkeeper.”

Wow, a wild alchemist!

Shopkeeper Liu looked at Luo Chen with a peculiar expression, one that seemed to blend mockery and admiration.

These days, even rogue cultivators dared to dabble in the lofty and mighty art of alchemy?

This person truly seemed oblivious to their own limitations.

Of course, in business, the key was to foster harmony and bring prosperity.

Shopkeeper Liu gave a warm smile. ”To be practicing alchemy at your age, you must be exceptionally talented. If you refine any fine pills in the future, don’t hesitate to show me.”

These words piqued Luo Chen’s curiosity.

”Shopkeeper, do you also buy pills?”

”The Spirit Herb Pavilion next door and our Hall of Hundred Herbs both hail from the Medicine King Sect. That should explain it, young friend!”

Luo Chen’s eyes lit up as he realized something.

If he could get his pills sold at the Spirit Herb Pavilion, it would be like a small distillery’s liquor getting prime-time advertising on national television back on Earth. Wouldn’t spirit stones just pour in like water?

For now, such things were out of his reach. Even though the demand for Myriad Wonders pills was high, his proficiency and production weren’t up to par to work with the Spirit Herb Pavilion.

After chatting a bit more, Shopkeeper Liu promised to ensure the supply of conpoy and Fire Hound Whips.

According to him, the Fire Hound Whips came from a cultivation family under the Medicine King Sect, with an annual output that was very stable and reliable.

Under Miss Little Ling’s strange gaze, Luo Chen packed the herbs into his storage bag and took his leave.

After he left, Shopkeeper Liu clicked his tongue in amazement.

”The bigger the forest, the more birds you’ll find. Even low-tier rogue cultivators dare to dabble in alchemy now.”

Bah!

Miss Little Ling spat, her face slightly flushed and said, ”I doubt he’s making anything good!”

***

Could the Myriad Wonders pill be a good pill? That depended on one’s perspective.

For cultivators aspiring for the Dao but still desiring worldly pleasures, it was nothing short of a blessing for men!

For those uninterested in the Dao and indulging in pleasures, it was an indispensable weapon of choice!

The only ones to pity might be the demonic beasts, the Fire Hounds.

Every time someone used a Myriad Wonders pill to indulge in carnal pleasures, a Fire Hound somewhere would let out a heart-wrenching howl.

It truly lived up to the saying, ”Though I bear no ill will toward Bo Ren, he still suffers because of me.” [1].

On the way home, Luo Chen was happy.

After so many trips to the market, this one had been the most relaxing.

He no longer had to carry a snakeskin bag and weave through the streets and alleys.

The storage bag was truly a fantastic item, perhaps the greatest invention in the cultivation world. Its starting price of ten thousand spirit stones was well-deserved for its noble status.

He wondered which sect produced such things—they were probably curled up on their beds every day, deliriously counting spirit stones!

Since it was broad daylight in the afternoon, the outer district seemed relatively safe.

Although there were occasional streaks of colorful blood along the way, Luo Chen was already used to it. With his Proficiency level Carefree Wander unleashed, he glided through the bustling market like the wind, eager to return home.

This round of purchases cost him over two hundred spirit stones, leaving only forty for emergencies. He bought materials for Myriad Wonders pills, fasting concoctions, and daily necessities. It almost felt like his previous life, where he would shop at a big supermarket once a month.

After returning home, Luo Chen organized his purchases and began his cultivation for the day.

In addition to the Fireball, he picked up the Entangle again.

After all, it was a foundational spell embedded in the Long Spring Art, and with a proficiency of 176/200, it was close to advancing to the next tier.

This spell was generally poorly rated, but as a wood-element spell, it perfectly complemented the Long Spring Art, with its power determined solely by the amount of spirit energy consumed.

If he could improve his proficiency in the Entangle, Luo Chen would have another method to deal with enemies.

And who said the Entangle couldn’t kill?[2]

Soon, it was night time.

After washing up, Luo Chen sat cross-legged on his bed, focusing his mind and running his cultivation technique to restore his spirit power.

The Long Spring Art at the Perfection Level was truly exceptional. It took less time while still being highly efficient, subtly attuned to his body, as if the technique had been tailor-made just for him.

Even without the help of qi-nourishing pills, Luo Chen could feel a cultivation speed completely different from before.

When he finished his practice, he lay down to prepare for sleep.

Suddenly, just as he closed his eyes, Luo Chen opened them again, staring intently at the door.

1. The phrase originates from a letter written by Fang Bao, a Qing Dynasty scholar and writer. It reflects Fang Bao’s remorse over the death of his friend, Zhou Jin, who was implicated and executed due to a misunderstanding indirectly related to Fang Bao. This phrase has since been used to express a sense of guilt or responsibility for harm caused unintentionally ☜

2. Author’s Note Here: (A certain God King silently gave a thumbs-up!) Not sure what he is referencing. ☜