An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

The scorching sun hung high in the sky, its relentless heat mirrored by the surging tide of spirit power. The air was thick with tension as the sounds of battle echoed through the fortress, each clash and explosion fueling the chaos of a brutal, all-out war.

High above the battlefield, Luo Chen stood in midair, his robes fluttering in the turbulent currents of spirit energy. Only Zhou Yuanli and Liu Qiang remained at his side, standing resolutely to guard his back.

From his vantage point, the battle below had already taken a decisive turn. The Fu family’s cultivators, already limited in number, were now visibly struggling. Even including those in the early stages of Qi-Refining, their total barely reached fifty—a starkly insufficient force for a Foundation Establishment family.

Yet, considering they had managed to survive the transition from Tianlan Immortal City to this remote stronghold while still retaining this many members, it was a testament to Fu Zhang’s capable leadership.

By comparison, Luo Tian Society had even fewer cultivators—just a little over thirty.

However, when it came to high-end combat strength, Luo Tian Society held an undeniable and overwhelming advantage.

The Fu Family had only four cultivators at the ninth stage of Qi-Refining, and even adding Fu Zhang himself only brought the count to five.

In contrast, Luo Tian Society had a formidable lineup: Duan Feng, Zeng Wen, Qin Liangchen, Sima Xian, and Sima Wenjie—each one matching the Fu Family’s top fighters in strength.

But what truly tipped the scales was Wang Yuan, the Battle Hall Master. He moved freely across the battlefield like an unstoppable force of nature. With each strike, he reaped the life of a late stage Qi-Refining cultivator from the Fu Family.

As for Fu Zhang, the formidable expert of the Fu Family, he had been intercepted by Duan Feng, who had personally volunteered to face him.

Duan Feng was no weakling—he had long held a top-three ranking on the Dahe Elite Prodigy Board.

Even Nangong Qin, the current number one, had suffered a defeat at Duan Feng’s hands upon first arriving in the region. Though Nangong Qin later reclaimed his position, that initial loss was proof of Duan Feng’s extraordinary strength.

Moreover, after the Battle of Crescent Moon Valley, Duan Feng had acquired several top-grade enchanted artifacts, addressing nearly all his previous shortcomings.

Now, even Fu Zhang was struggling against him, forced onto the defensive in their clash.

”So this is the great patriarch of the Fu Family? He’s nothing special!”

Liu Qiang watched with excitement, and was itching to jump into the fight himself. From his tone, it was clear that he didn’t hold Fu Zhang in high regard at all.

However, Luo Chen’s expression remained serious as he said, ”That’s only because he has too many concerns as the patriarch of his family. He doesn’t dare go all out.”

Luo Chen recalled vividly the battle at Crescent Moon Valley.

The Dajiang Gang had gathered five ninth stage Qi-Refining experts—aside from Shan Xiu, none of them were weak.

In that battle, three of them had died, and even the immensely powerful Min Longyu had been forced into a desperate retreat. Yet Fu Zhang alone had easily slain Sikong Shoujia and departed unscathed.

From beginning to end, he had not sustained a single injury.

This man was truly powerful, but for the sake of his family, he did not dare to risk himself.

Right now, it seemed as if Duan Feng was pressing the advantage against him, but if he was truly pushed to the brink, who knew what trump card he might reveal?

After all, the Fu Family possessed an inherited talisman treasure!

Moreover, Luo Chen’s attention was not solely on this battle. His keen eyes swept across the battlefield, occasionally pausing before shifting away swiftly.

He was counting.

”One!

”Two!

”Four Foundation Establishment Initiates have arrived!”

A thought nagged at him. I wonder if Miao Wen is among them?

Right now, Wang Yuan is fighting purely with the raw strength of a ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivator and a Foundation Establishment physique. However, he could not use blood techniques or he’ll risk exposing himself.

The other Foundation Establishment cultivators are not a major concern, but Miao Wen is different. Coming from the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, he has most likely used Clarity Essence, making it easy for him to see through Wang Yuan’s true strength.”

But in this battle, Wang Yuan must make a move.

Not only to achieve a decisive victory but also to solidify his position within the Battle Hall. However, dragging this out for too long wouldn’t be ideal.

Luo Chen’s mind spun with countless thoughts.

He moved his lips slightly. Zhou Yuanli, standing beside him, raised an eyebrow before whispering instructions to one of his juniors.

***

A li from the battlefield, four strands of spirit consciousness intertwined.

”Who would’ve thought that in such a short time, Luo Tian Society would gather such formidable strength?”

”What’s so surprising? The Poshan Gang was practically a small sect. Luo Tian Society only needed to absorb a fraction of its strength to surpass most rogue cultivator factions.”

”Mi Shuhua was truly a remarkable figure, both in expanding the Poshan Gang and in his own immense combat prowess. A pity...”

”That Battle Hall leader, Wang Yuan, is powerful!”

”Hah, just physical cultivation techniques. He may seem capable of delivering a Foundation Establishment-level strike, but do you really think he can get within ten zhang of us?”

”Fellow Daoist Nangong speaks the truth. I don’t know how Wang Yuan managed to temper his body into Vajra-like resilience, but against our swords, he is nothing more than another target.”

”Hehe, Fellow Daoist Duan, you sure have time to waste. Instead of plotting your grandson’s Foundation Establishment, you came all the way here?”

”Ah, right. That Duan Feng is currently suppressing Fu Zhang—he’s your grandson too, isn’t he?”

”Tsk tsk, your Duan family is full of geniuses. One generation produced Duan Rui, who has achieved Perfected Mastery Qi-Refining, and another gave birth to Duan Feng, who’s ranked on the Elite Prodigy Board.”

Though the words seemed like compliments, they carried an unmistakable hint of sarcasm.

Duan Qiankun sighed inwardly but did not engage in verbal sparring.

Nangong Jin’s voice rang out again. ”Let them fight. After this battle, the Fu Family will be no more, and Luo Tian Society will suffer heavy losses.”

”Luo Chen is a clever man, but he’s still too young and hot-blooded, engaging in such reckless fights. If he keeps fighting like this, his Luo Tian Society will—huh?”

”Huh!”

Exclamations of surprise rang out repeatedly.

The situation had changed.

”A Foundation Establishment family, with such a long history, must possess countless treasures.” A rogue cultivator laughed greedily.

”Fellow Daoists, fortune favors the worthy. Since my virtue is profound, I’ll be going ahead!” Another snickered.

”Let’s go together, let’s go together!”

A righteous-sounding voice declared: ”Crafting blood talismans is a heinous crime! Today, I shall act on behalf of the heavens!”

The Fu Family’s defeat was clear, and everyone saw how Luo Tian Society was crushing them.

After this battle, the Fu Family would undoubtedly become nothing more than a footnote in Dahe Market’s history.

Since that was the case, why not take a piece of the pie?

Under the subtle instigation of a certain rogue cultivator... Countless rogue cultivators surged forward, their light beams illuminating the sky as they rushed into the Fu Family fortress. What had previously seemed like an enormous fortress instantly became crowded with the arrival of thousands of rogue cultivators.

Buildings collapsed sporadically as cultivators fought over the spoils, toppling in rapid succession. The downfall of the Fu Family was now an irreversible reality.

Luo Chen watched the scene unfold and let out a sigh of relief.

The junior Zhou Yuanli had already withdrawn from the crowd unnoticed.

Luo Chen cast him an approving glance before instructing, ”Inform Wang Yuan and the others to pull all Battle Hall cultivators back.

”Also, send the signal. If Duan Feng and the others see the situation turning, they are to retreat immediately.”

Zhou Yuanli responded solemnly and set off to deliver the message. Even though Zhou Yuanli was usually calm and composed, excitement still stirred in his heart as he carried out the task.

To be honest, Luo Tian Society had not been well-regarded when it was first established. Even within the organization, there were those who doubted it.

Most believed that Luo Tian Society was nothing like the Poshan Gang—it did not seize territories or compete for resources but merely existed to support Luo Chen’s alchemy.

But after this battle, everyone would realize—Luo Tian Society was not weak!

It had the strength to contend with any small faction. Even against a Foundation Establishment family like the Fu Family, it could still stand its ground!

Gradually, the cultivators of Luo Tian Society withdrew from the battlefield. However, the fighting inside raged on, growing even more intense. The clashes were now between Fu Family cultivators and rogue cultivators, as well as rogue cultivators fighting amongst themselves.

”Tally the casualties.”

”Loot doesn’t need to be turned in. Whoever gets it, keeps it.”

”Form up. Once the situation stabilizes, we’ll make another charge to seize the core resources of the Fu Family.”

Wang Yuan approached Luo Chen silently. Seeing the young man strategizing and issuing orders with ease, a glint of admiration flashed in his eyes. He knew very well that from planning to execution, this battle had been entirely orchestrated by Luo Chen.

Yet, the final outcome had yet to reveal itself—Luo Chen had already achieved nearly all his goals.

Using the Fu Family as a stepping stone, he solidified Luo Tian Society’s standing in Dahe Market. From now on, they had landed the first punch, preventing a hundred future ones—a brilliant move.

A deep introspection flickered through Wang Yuan’s eyes as he stood amidst the brewing storm of conflict. He had walked the solitary path of cultivation for years, yet in this moment, the truth became undeniable.

If I cultivate alone, I won’t last long.

His gaze shifted to Luo Chen, the man who had stirred this chaos, yet also created an opportunity. A faint smile tugged at his lips, his conviction settling into place.

Helping Luo Chen is helping myself.

Wang Yuan understood this well—the Dao was vast, but a lone cultivator was easily swallowed by the tides of history. Power alone was not enough—one needed allies, a foundation, a path that led beyond mere survival. But aside from his combat skills, he had little else to offer.

Despite leading Water-Dragon Hall in Taishan Market for so long, he had never truly broken into its inner circles. It was a reality he had long come to accept.

Rather than waste time and effort struggling to build a power base of his own, it was far more practical to stand with Luo Chen. At the very least, Luo Chen was someone he could trust—someone he could be completely honest with.

And Luo Chen, in turn, had never mistreated his own people. The Blood-Burning pills he had refined, the Spirit Suppression he had gifted—all of it proved that he took care of his brothers.

The only pity was that Luo Chen’s cultivation realm was still too low.

If he could reach Foundation Establishment, it would be even better. With the two of them working together, they could easily claim even more cultivation resources in Dahe Market.

As his thoughts raced, a shrill and desperate roar erupted amidst the deafening battle cries.

Fu Zhang’s voice boomed across the battlefield, a mix of rage, despair, and unrelenting hatred. ”My Fu Family is utterly destroyed—the true culprit is Luo Chen! Today, I, Fu Zhang, have shamed my ancestors and can only atone with my death!”

As this sorrowful and thunderous cry rang out, a terrifying energy surged from within the countless cultivators present.

A colossal golden melon hammer materialized in the air! It was not just an enchanted artifact, but a phantom manifestation of immense power, nearly blotting out the sky.

Under the colossal golden melon hammer, Fu Zhang’s blood-soaked figure seemed insignificant, his entire body was covered in blood, riddled with wounds. Yet, his blood-red eyes were locked onto the man dozens of li away.

In his hand, a golden talisman frantically absorbed his spirit power. The free-flowing spirit energy in the surrounding heavens and earth swirled into a vortex, sucked into the hammer’s phantom.

The battlefield fell into stunned silence.

Someone shouted, ”Enchanted treasure!”

Then came the frenzied escape, as no one dared to linger in the stronghold for even a moment longer.

Fu Zhang did not even glance at them. His gaze was fixed solely on Luo Chen, as if he wished to tear him apart and devour him alive.

”Even in death, I will drag you to hell with me!”

In the next instant, his body shot forward like an arrow. The colossal golden hammer above him came crashing down like a tidal wave.

”Danger!”

”President, retreat now!”

”Luo Chen!”

Amid the frantic cries, Luo Chen did the unexpected—he did not retreat but advanced! There were moments when falling back was simply not an option.

Behind him, Wang Yuan’s heart trembled. His outstretched hand hung frozen in midair, hesitation flashing across his face. A faint trace of blood energy had already begun to seep from his body.

Yet, after a moment, he exhaled softly. This was Luo Chen’s choice to make.

”Come then! I want to see for myself the true power of a talisman treasure!”

Luo Chen’s expression remained calm, but a hint of madness flickered in his eyes.

It was the rage he had long suppressed—the threats from Gao Tingyuan, the manipulations of Mi Shuhua, and the constant condescension of Miao Wen. This fury had built up a madness within him, long restrained.

This battle had already been a glorious victory, but it was not perfect yet!

And he, as the president of Luo Tian Society, would complete it himself!

As he surged forward, a massive azure banner unfurled behind him.

”Roar!”

A flood dragon materialized before him.

”Out!

”Out!

”Again!”

Luo Chen let out a low roar, gripping the banner tightly with both hands.

In the next moment, six azure flood dragons roared into existence.

With a powerful sweep of his banner, the six flood dragons surged forward, charging at the colossal golden hammer.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Thunderous explosions shook the air, the clash of gold and azure engulfing the battlefield.

A figure suddenly leaped into the sky, like an unsheathed sword, he lunged at the last remaining vestiges of the hammer’s phantom.

Fu Zhang stared in shock at the charging man. ”How does he dare to face a talisman treasure head-on?!”

A blinding golden radiance erupted before him, like the rising sun, it swallowed him whole.

The massive hammer phantom vanished completely.

In the sky, only the blazing sun and that smaller, radiant sun remained—and a lone figure, stepping forth with ethereal grace—like a god, like an immortal.