An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Half a month had passed since the grand opening of the Debate Platform.

During this time, Luo Chen deviated from his usual routine and stopped refining pills. There were many reasons for this. Firstly, he needed to familiarize himself with the people and affairs of the Poshan Gang.

Secondly, his supply of spirit stones wasn’t lacking either. He already had hundred fifty low-grade spirit stones, and after scalping tickets, he made another two hundred. On top of that, he had stocked up on five bottles of Qi-Nourishing pills which was enough to sustain his cultivation for a month.

But none of these were the most important factors.

The key reason was the series of battles he had witnessed, especially the deathmatch involving eighteen Qi-Refining Realm cultivators, which had been immensely enlightening.

He had always thought the late stage cultivators were a different breed. Yet, watching them fight, he realized something—the difference in stage primarily affected the quantity of spirit power in one’s body and their s were still within the scope of what he could comprehend.

After observing the battles, he gained significant insights into spells, enchanted artifacts, and the nuances of offense and defense. While this enlightenment wasn’t the fabled ”sudden realization,” it was still incredibly valuable.

Thus, he needed to seize the moment to absorb and internalize these lessons, transforming them into his actual combat prowess.

After all, there was still Gao Tingyuan out there, eyeing him like a predator. Luo Chen couldn’t break through to the next stage in a short time. But improving his combat prowess was within reach.

Fortunately, he had the perfect conditions for rapid progress.

His Grandmaster level Long Spring Art constantly replenished his spirit power, which allowed him to unleash plenty of spells. On top of that, he also sparred with Qin Liangchen everyday. While helping Qin Liangchen to regain a feel for combat and familiarize himself with the new arm, Luo Chen’s spell proficiency also skyrocketed.

Now, it was time to reap the rewards.

[Status Panel]

Name: Luo Chen

Lifespan: 27/75

Spirit Roots: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth

Realm: Qi-Refining Realm Stage Five (6/100)

Achievement Points: 21

[Techniques]

Long Spring Art : Grandmaster (560/1000)

[Spells]

Fireball: Perfected Mastery

Carefree Wander: Grandmaster (712/1000)

Wind-Control: Grandmaster (510/1000)

Traction: Grandmaster (550/1000)

Entangle: Perfection (370/500)

Spirit Eyes: Perfection (310/500)

Cleanse: Proficient (201/300)

[Skills]

First-Tier Alchemist

After reviewing his current status panel, Luo Chen felt a surge of excitement.

He had finally maxed out the proficiency of one of his spells.

Perfected Mastery Fireball!

With a thought, a fireball appeared in Luo Chen’s palm. The fireball was the size of a fist, radiating intense heat and capable of a significant explosive force.

He frowned slightly. The Fireball didn’t seem to have changed much. With a slight manipulation of spirit power, the fireball transformed into a sparrow yet bearing the majesty of a phoenix, vivid and lifelike.

If an experienced cultivator were present, they would likely marvel at the sight.

Such precise control was usually the hallmark of disciples from the Five Elements Divine Sect. And yet, Luo Chen had achieved it on his own. And even then, not just any disciple—only inner disciples with hopes of reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm could manage it.

However, Luo Chen was still somewhat dissatisfied. This control wasn’t solely the result of Perfected Mastery. It was a technique he had developed while sparring with Qin Liangchen, blending the subtleties of his Traction

The technique incorporated elements of the Traction’s subtle applications. Fundamentally, neither its speed nor its power had changed significantly. It merely elevated his control over spirit power to a higher level.

Oh, and it had incidentally pushed his Traction to the Grandmaster level. This still wasn’t the result Luo Chen had hoped for.

So, where exactly is the change? Luo Chen pondered deeply, gradually increasing the spirit power in his hands as one small fireball after another materialized.

Soon, the count reached ten.

Previously, this would have been his limit, allowing him to use ten small fireballs to execute his signature move Blazing Fireflies.

Suddenly, Luo Chen had a peculiar feeling. It seemed as though his limit had been broken.

With a thought, another fireball slowly formed. Luo Chen raised an eyebrow and increased his spirit power output. The twelfth fireball appeared!

More! Thirteen! Fourteen... twenty fireballs! Sitting cross-legged on his bed, the young man controlled twenty small fireballs, which spun and danced in the air, brimming with lethal energy.

Luo Chen was utterly astonished—not just by the quantity but also by the fact that he felt he could go further.

With his current spiritual power reserves, he estimated that this Fireball could currently produce nearly a hundred fireballs!

Although they were not at their maximum explosive state. But this was already terrifying.

What did this mean?

A top-grade first tier talisman like the Fury Meteor Rain only contained a hundred fireballs at most and such top-grade talismans were usually associated with late stage Qi-Refining cultivator’s attacks.

”It seems like the changes don’t stop there?” Luo Chen hesitated and slowly brought two fireballs closer together.

Sizzle...

Sparks flew, and then the two fireballs merged seamlessly.

The resulting fireball doubled in size. ”It’s not just two that can be fused!”

Luo Chen was typically timid, especially when it came to combat. That was why he had recently agreed to spar with Qin Liangchen to acclimate himself to fighting. Unlike his previous two experiences of murder and stealing treasure, which were primarily defensive retaliations.

Luo Chen also had a daring side. This boldness showed in pursuits like alchemy and spells, where he didn’t have to engage in conflict. He had risked his entire fortune to refine Myriad Wonders pills and had dared to practice the slightly dangerous Spirit Eyes without any guidance.

Now, faced with another transformation of the Fireball. He cautiously yet fearlessly began his journey of fusion.

After two came three, then four, then five...

Luo Chen’s eyes widened as he gazed at the fireball which is now as massive as a small sun.

In the next moment, his Grandmaster level Carefree Wander and Wind-Control instinctively activated.

Whoosh!

A figure darted out in a flash. Behind him, the small sun grew unstable and began to expand.

The blazing sun suddenly erupted!

Boom!

”Luo Chen, you bastard, what are you doing...” Qin Liangchen dumbfounded and stared at the house, half-collapsed and engulfed in roaring flames.

”Big Brother Qin, if I said I accidentally blew up the house while refining pills, would you believe me?” For some reason, Luo Chen had appeared by his side, looking utterly innocent as he spoke.

Qin Liangchen fixed him with a stare and spoke slowly. ”Do you think I’m an idiot?”

Luo Chen chuckled sheepishly and offered no further explanation.

Suddenly, he remembered something and shouted. ”Put out the fire!”

Some of his belongings were still inside.

In the end, they refrained from calling anyone else for help.

Qin Liangchen, possessing gold, earth, and water elements spirit roots, typically used gold-based artifacts and spells in battle but also knew a few water-based techniques.

With a simple Cloud Rain, a light drizzle fell and saved the remaining half of the house from total destruction.

As the flames began to die down, Luo Chen rushed back inside.

Before long, he came out carrying a copper furnace.

”Thank goodness, thank goodness. The processed medicinal materials weren’t destroyed, just a bit dirty. They can still be used after a wash.

”Sister Xiuxiu’s flowers and plants, placed outside during the day, remain completely unharmed.

”My most cherished Purple Cloud Copper Furnace is also intact.”

The small sun had exploded in the bedroom. Naturally, the bedroom sustained the most damage. However, the bedroom only contained a bed, a wooden table, and a few clothes which didn’t worth much.

Upon coming out, he found an old man hopping mad, cursing up a storm. ”A fine! There must be a fine!”

Qin Liangchen sighed. ”Old Sun, it was just an accident during alchemy. There’s no need to impose a fine.”

”What do you mean, ’just an accident’? These houses were specially constructed by our sect, harmonizing with the five elements, elegant and magnificent. Now that the house has collapsed, there must be compensation,” Sun Shou grumbled, looking utterly heartbroken.

Qin Liangchen smiled apologetically. ”I’ll immediately have some juniors from the sect repair the house. We’ll restore it to its original state.”

Sun Shou sneered. ”Can your sect’s juniors compare to the cultivators of Ai Lao Mountain?”

”Five! Five spirit stones!” Luo Chen gritted his teeth.

”Deal, hand over the spirit stones!”

Sun Shou’s sneer vanished, replaced by a warm smile as refreshing as a spring breeze.

Luo Chen reluctantly handed over five spirit stones, thinking to himself how quickly the old man’s expression changed—faster than a dog’s mood.

After pocketing the spirit stones, Sun Shou mentioned as he left, ”Next quarter’s rent is coming due. Make sure to pay it on time. Oh, and Little Qin, you need to pay your rent too. Honestly, you might as well buy this west wing. It’s not expensive—just a few thousand spirit stones.”

”Take care, Old Sun!”

”Watch your step, Old Sun, don’t trip!”

Little Luo and Little Qin hurriedly saw the old man off.

Then, they dejectedly turned to look at the smoldering, half-collapsed backroom.

”Buy a house? Impossible in this lifetime! If I buy one, it’ll be near the Luoyun Sect, closer to my son.” said Qin Liangchen.

While Luo Chen said, ”My poor house, what a tragedy!”