An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

The crowd surged, and the air buzzed with deafening cheers.

The afternoon matches were about to begin, drawing waves of cultivators toward Fallen Phoenix Mountain. Those who could afford the ten-spirit-stone ticket fee didn’t mind spending an extra stone or two on snacks.

Besides, hadn’t the vendor put it perfectly?

The celestial beans were roasted with a unique, exclusive recipe.

The beef jerky came from the prime cuts of first-tier demonic yellow beef, slow-cooked, stir-fried, and seasoned with a variety of spices, painstakingly yielding just one batch.

And the popcorn? It was even better. Ten pounds of spiritual rice—costing one spirit stone—could only produce two or three servings.

These were all premium, spirit-infused delicacies!

Watching matches while munching on delicious snacks and sipping aromatic pineapple wine? Total perfection.

Wow, after cultivating for a lifetime, I deserve to indulge!

Luo Chen clapped his hands and squeezed out from the crowd.

Qin Liangchen stared at him with a strange expression before showing a thoughtful look of admiration.

Luo Chen’s eyelids twitched wildly; he couldn’t bear such a complicated expression. “Big Brother, if you have something to say, just say it. Don’t hold it in.”

Qin Liangchen sighed. “Back when I was at the seventh stage of Qi-Refining, I barely managed to rent a small house in the inner city. And that was only because your sister-in-law was pregnant, so for her safety, I gritted my teeth and moved in.”

“Hmm, a good man, good husband, and good father. And then?”

“But you, brat, back when you were only at the fourth stage of Qi-Refining, could already afford a big house in the inner city. I used to think it was because you were lucky, had a talent for alchemy, or possessed some specialized skill.

As he spoke, his tone turned full of emotion. “Turns out, the real reason you could afford a big house is because you’re shameless!”

Smack! Luo Chen slapped himself, regretting his previous compliments. How could he keep the banter with such a remark?

Qin Liangchen glanced toward Xiao Yue in the crowd. She was swamped with customers, her small face flushed, and her forehead glistening with beads of sweat.

“There are so many customers. Aren’t you going to help her?”

“She has a long life ahead. I can’t always help her like her father did, can I?”

“Hey, you brat! Why is your mouth so foul?”

Luo Chen dodged Qin Liangchen’s incoming kick. Now that he had mastered the Grandmaster level Carefree Wander paired with the Grandmaster level Wind-Control, his agility was much more impressive.

Such a minor attack? Hehe, he didn’t even take it seriously.

Casting a glance at Xiao Yue, who was frantically juggling sales, managing a pile of spirit stones, and worrying about potential theft, her teary expression was almost pitiable.

Luo Chen said indifferently, “She’s a second stage Qi-Refining cultivator, not a mortal. If she can’t even handle this, she might as well head to the mountains and feed the demonic beasts.”

At this, Qin Liangchen fell silent.

Xiao Yue wasn’t working for free. Luo Chen had promised her wages: one spirit stone a day, which amounted to thirty a month! Such compensation was already exceptional.

Back when Luo Chen was at the third stage of Qi-Refining, he worked himself to the bone and barely netted five spirit stones a month.

Even Bai Meiling, working as an attendant in the Hall of Hundred Herbs, earned only fifty spirit stones a month. It would take her three whole months to save up enough for a single bottle of Qi-Nourishing pills.

If someone had offered Luo Chen such a job back then, he would have treated them like a father.

The two men stood outside, watching Xiao Yue bustle around inside.

Someone nearby who recognized Luo Chen as the boss bought popcorn while scolding him. “You’re such a heartless boss. Can’t you help the poor girl?”

Luo Chen chuckled without retorting. Instead, he crossed his arms, looking completely indifferent as if the matter didn’t concern him. His gaze wandered around the area, seemingly uninterested in the situation here.

The person cursed again before leaving with their purchase.

Others, however, felt even more sympathy for the young girl being exploited by her unscrupulous boss.

They even became more generous with their purchases.

Once the crowd thinned out a bit, Luo Chen walked inside. “Xiao Yue, give me a pack of celestial beans. Oh, and one bottle of aged spirit wine, the ten-spirit-stone kind.”

“Okay, Brother Luo.” Xiao Yue wiped her sweat and timidly responded, handing the celestial beans and wine to Luo Chen.

After taking the items, Luo Chen headed toward the Sword Pavilion.

Qin Liangchen looked on in confusion. He saw Luo Chen walk to the ticket booth at the Debate Platform and start chatting with a Qi-Refining disciple from the Sword Pavilion.

During the conversation, Luo Chen occasionally pointed back in their direction.

Moments later, he returned empty-handed.

”Let’s go; this has nothing to do with us,” Luo Chen said, stretching lazily.

To be fair, after practicing spells and fighting for half a day this morning, Having a moment of indolence felt a bit odd to his body.

Walking alongside him, Qin Liangchen asked curiously, ”Did you just bribe the Sword Pavilion disciples?”

”Why phrase it so harshly?” Luo Chen replied confidently. ”It’s called building good relations with the neighbors!”

Qin Liangchen pondered for a moment, his expression turning slightly complicated. ”You want the Sword Pavilion people to look after Xiao Yue occasionally, don’t you?”

”Heh, you’re giving me too much credit. I just don’t want my business getting disrupted by some loafers,” Luo Chen scoffed, dismissing the topic.

Qin Liangchen sighed, and the two returned to their courtyard.

Looking at the desolate courtyard, he sighed again. His wife, Murong Qinglian, had been busy with the Medicine Hall matters for the Poshan Gang, and the other girls in the courtyard were occupied with their own affairs.

Luo Chen, who had been having fun earlier in the morning, locked himself in his room as soon as he returned home, tinkering with who knew what.

Now, Qin Liangchen found himself indolent once more.

He sat in the courtyard, basking in the autumn sunlight like a lonely old man. His gaze fell on the swing he had built for his son Xiaohu; the wooden board was so short that he couldn’t sit on it anymore.

Maybe he should take some time to rebuild the swing! It seemed like the little girl from the main house, who loved to dance, enjoyed sitting on the swing. That rascal Luo Chen always crouched nearby watching her, yet never thought to replace the short wooden board with a longer one.

Who knew how long it would take for this hand to fully adapt? Could he still perfect his Qi-Refining Realm and break through to Foundation Establishment in this lifetime?

Maybe he should save the Foundation Establishment pill for his wife? But she would probably want to save it for their son. No one understood her better than he did.

Urgent footsteps sounded outside the courtyard. Turning his head, he saw a gang brother rushing inside.

”Elder Qin, tonight the leaders of all the Dahe Market factions are hosting a banquet to bid farewell to the Golden Core Adept from the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. Leader Mi asked me to invite you to attend.”

”Got it. I’ll be there,” Qin Liangchen replied indifferently.

Qin Liangchen felt dispirited. He wasn’t attending to hold the fort but to act subservient. After all, those attending were Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators, truly influential figures. As a ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivator with a severed hand, he would likely only earn disdain if he attended.

With this thought in mind, he suddenly asked, ”Can I bring someone with me?”

The errand running brother paused, assuming he was referring to bringing his wife, Murong Qinglian, and quickly replied, ”Leader Mi said you can bring one person.”

”Alright then, off you go!” He waved his hand, dismissing the junior.

Qin Liangchen chuckled and knocked on Luo Chen’s door. ”Little Luo, big feast tonight. Are you coming?”

After a brief pause, an excited voice responded from inside. ”Count me in! Absolutely!”

A smirk tugged at Qin Liangchen’s lips. Heh, now there was another one to play the subordinate role!

***

Inside the room, Luo Chen stared at the status panel before him, his face brimming with excitement.

It was maxed out! Completely maxed out! The skill level of his Fireball had finally reached its limit!

Fireball: Perfected Mastery (1000/1000)