An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Before long, the three of them arrived at Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion. The familiar old man, Sun Shou, stood at the entrance and waved them over.

Once they entered, Sun Shou scolded them with a tone of disappointment, ”You juniors only know how to fight and kill every day. Can’t you treat yourselves better?” He clicked his tongue and added, ”This is the second time you’ve lost this hand, right?

”In my opinion, even if we attach a new hand for you, you probably won’t have any hope of reaching Foundation Establishment in this lifetime. The body and skin are gifts from your parents; they are the foundation of your cultivation. How can you be so careless with it?”

Hearing his nagging, Qin Liangchen remained silent, while Murong Qinglian showed a worried expression.

After a while, Sun Shou led the three to the entrance of a quiet chamber, then extended his hand.

Murong Qinglian promptly handed over a cloth pouch containing thirty mid-grade spirit stones, the fee for reattaching the arm. It covered both the cost of hiring the practitioner and the materials.

Sun Shou weighed the pouch in his hand, then waved them on. ”Go on in,” he said.

Qin Liangchen took a deep breath and stepped into the chamber.

Luo Chen and Murong Qinglian stood outside, waiting for good news.

Sun Shou couldn’t sit still and struck up a conversation with Luo Chen and Murong Qinglian.

”Charging three thousand spirit stones is really not expensive. Even within the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, it would cost at least two thousand.

”The one reattaching Little Qin’s limb this time is True Inheritor Luo Tianhong. He’s using the Golden Silkworm Reconnection.”

Under his explanation, Luo Chen finally learned how remarkable this Luo Tianhong truly was. He was not only from a prestigious family, but also exceptionally talented, having been designated as a True Inheritor early on.

Beyond his formidable swordsmanship, he also possessed impressive medical skills. In other words, he was not only a sword cultivator but also a healer. He even had considerable expertise in treasure appraisal and auctions.

His visit to Dahe Market was part of a required Foundation Establishment mission for True Inheritors. Once the mission was completed, he could return and focus solely on cultivation.

Upon reaching mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, he might even vie for the title of Dao Scion within Jade Cauldron Sect. If he succeeded, he would be almost certain to become a Golden Core Adept in the future!

”During the reconnection, part of Little Qin’s flesh and bones will be transplanted, along with golden silk spun by the Azure Gold Silkworm. Only this way can the new arm properly integrate with his body and function as naturally as his original limb.

”Speaking of which, it’s fortunate Little Qin has a gold element spirit root; otherwise, he would have needed the Fragrant Reconnection or Netherflame Reconnection, which are far more expensive. Those two methods are currently only known by our sect’s Golden Core Elders, and their fees would be beyond what you can afford.”

Listening to the old man’s rambling, Murong Qinglian’s anxiety gradually eased. She carefully inquired about any precautions and the process of adapting to the new arm after the procedure.

Sun Shou held nothing back and gave her detailed instructions.

Suddenly.

Ah!!!

A heart-wrenching scream erupted from the quiet chamber.

Luo Chen’s brows furrowed. This chamber had a soundproofing array set up! Just how agonizing must it be for Big Brother Qin to lose control and scream so loudly that it pierced through the soundproofing array?

In an instant, Murong Qinglian clenched her hands, her fingers interlocking tightly. Her fair fingers bore deep marks from the pressure.

Sun Shou sighed and said, ”I hope he can endure it. This method of reattachment is rarely used even within the Sword Sect. The pain involved is beyond what an ordinary person can bear.

”You two wait here. I have other matters to attend to.”

”Take care, Elder Sun.”

”Take care, Elder Sun.”

Murong Qinglian remained outside the quiet chamber.

Luo Chen walked Sun Shou out, taking the opportunity to inquire about the progress of transferring Poshan Gang’s former shops in the outer city.

By the time he returned, silence had fallen inside and outside the chamber.

A man, tall and sharp as a sword, with striking, jade-like features, was stepping out.

Luo Tianhong!

Luo Chen recognized him. During the auction, it was he who had presided over and conducted the sales on behalf of Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion. However, unlike his warm demeanor at the auction, in private, he appeared cold and indifferent. He did not spare Murong Qinglian a single glance and walked straight out.

Luo Chen immediately stepped aside and lowered his head respectfully.

Suddenly. The footsteps halted in front of him. He could faintly feel a gaze cast a deep glance at him. A moment later, the footsteps resumed.

Only a single sentence reached Luo Chen’s ears. ”The spell was successful. Go in after six hours.”

Luo Chen was momentarily stunned. When he lifted his head, the figure was already gone.

Why did he look at me differently? Was it because of Mi Shuhua or Miao Wen? Luo Chen couldn’t understand it but quickly relayed the message to Murong Qinglian.

The two could only wait outside, full of anticipation yet powerless. Only after six hours did they carefully push the door open and step inside.

With just one glance, Murong Qinglian covered her mouth, tears streaming silently down her face.

On the jade bed lay a man, completely bare.

His abdomen was split open, revealing the absence of two ribs. Medicinal powder had been sprinkled over the wounds, and the exposed flesh was slowly knitting itself back together. Both of his thighs bore deep, gaping voids where chunks of flesh had been torn away.

The once-empty stump of his right arm now bore a thin, frail arm, eerily resembling that of a youth. It hung unnaturally, twisted and deformed. Strands of golden silk slithered in and out of the flesh, writhing as though they were alive. Beside his body, a lifeless gray silkworm lay motionless.

Luo Chen pressed his lips together and stepped forward, carefully placing the gray silkworm into a jade box.

According to Sun Shou’s instructions, after undergoing the Golden Silkworm Reconnection, the lifeless husk of the Azure Gold Silkworm should be simmered with a potent blend of innate energy-infused medicinal herbs to create a restorative tonic. Drinking this concoction would greatly enhance the healing process, accelerating the fusion of the reattached limb.

Once the arm fully matured, it would function as naturally as before. After all, the Azure Gold Cicada was a first-tier spirit insect, and every part of its body was valuable.

”Sister-in-law, stay here for the next two days to take care of Brother Qin and I’ll handle the medicine.

”I’ve spoken with Elder Sun. No one will disturb you in this chamber for the next three days.”

Murong Qinglian slowly sat beside the jade bed, reaching out to touch the face that had contorted in agony.

She choked back a sob and said, ”Thank you.”

Luo Chen pursed his lips and forced a smile. ”Don’t worry, sister-in-law. The True Inheritor Luo said the spell was successful. Brother Qin will be fine—he won’t have to be a one-armed swordsman forever.”

As he spoke, he glanced at the small, childlike arm and quickly turned away, unable to bear the sight.

”I’ll be going now!” Luo Chen left immediately, giving the couple their space.

***

”Two qian [1] of dried slug.

”Three pieces of ferocious insect beans.

”Do you have freshly picked Heavenly Sun Fruit? No aged stock—I want it fresh. And bring me a stalk of one hundred-year-old ginseng as well.”

Hearing the list of medicinal ingredients, Bai Meiling glanced at Luo Chen in confusion.

”Are you feeling weak lately? These are all strong tonics! Besides, freshly picked Heavenly Sun Fruit has the most innate energy, but it also contains scorching sun energy, making it unsuitable for consumption.”

Luo Chen sighed and said, ”It’s for Brother Qin. He just had his arm reattached and needs to replenish his vitality.”

Bai Meiling blinked before quickly running to the back.

Shortly after, she returned with all the medicinal ingredients Luo Chen had requested.

After paying the spirit stones, Luo Chen chatted with her for a while. Only when someone called for her did he finally leave.

Back at his courtyard, Luo Chen immediately began brewing the Azure Gold Vitality Soup. There was no time to waste—Qin Liangchen had to drink it tonight, or its potency would be greatly reduced.

By nightfall, the vitality soup, with Blue Gold Silkworm husk as its main ingredient, was finally ready.

Without hesitation, he took off, rushing through the air at full speed. He barely made it in time, delivering the soup to Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion just before its gates closed for the night.

As he turned to leave, he caught a fleeting glimpse—his sister-in-law, in just a single afternoon, had visibly withered, her face etched with exhaustion.

Perhaps she could accept a husband with a severed arm, but she could not bear to see the man who had always been strong show such vulnerability! Brother Qin probably didn’t want his wife to witness that moment either.

Just how agonizing must it have been for him to scream out like that? Luo Chen shook his head and returned to SiHeYuan.

A quick glance revealed that the courtyard was cold and empty. Duan Feng, Feng Xia, and Gu Caiyi had all remained at Luo Tian Society.

Due to the division of Poshan Gang’s assets among various factions, Beast Hall’s milk supply had been completely cut off.

Mi Xu Ice City milk tea shop had to shut down temporarily. Feng Xia simply closed the shop and went to help at Luo Tian Society.

However, the Li family and the Nangong family had recently reached a compromise, with both sides making concessions to fairly divide Beast Hall’s resources.

The Fu Zhu Deer industry had also fallen under the control of the Nangong family. After all, they already raised a herd of Fu Zhu Deer themselves.

When the time came, Luo Chen planned to negotiate with the Nangong family, and the milk supply issue should be resolved. This was not just about the milk tea shop—it also concerned Luo Tian Society’s operations, something he could not afford to abandon.

Where was Bai Meiling? She should have gone home by now!

That girl never liked socializing!

Luo Chen had intended to invite her to dinner. The batch of medicinal ingredients he had bought that afternoon was of the highest quality.

The Heavenly Sun Fruit still had morning dew on it. Using these ingredients to make the vitality soup would elevate its benefits for Qin Liangchen by several levels.

As he pushed open the door to his house, Luo Chen’s hand suddenly paused. A small cauldron fell into his palm, and a pair of bells appeared on his waist.

But in the next moment, he put everything away and grinned.

”I knew it, Brother Wang. You wouldn’t die that easily!”

1. 二钱 (er qian) A traditional Chinese unit of weight, where 1 钱 (qian) is approximately 5 grams. Therefore, 二钱 (er qian) is about 10 grams. This measurement is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), alchemy, and historical weight systems ☜