An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Swan Transformation.

The first section inscribed on the hide focused primarily on theory, detailing the fundamental principles of the technique. It involved integrating the essence blood of avian demonic beasts into one’s own body, forging a physique tempered by qi and blood. When mastered, the cultivator could briefly assume the form of the assimilated beast, drastically boosting combat prowess. However, the technique placed an extreme demand on the cultivator’s physical constitution.

Luo Chen’s eyes flickered with understanding.

No wonder Wang Yuan values this so much. The applications of qi and blood, the refinement of the physique, was only the tip of the iceberg, yet it was already immensely beneficial.

If fully cultivated...

Unfortunately, it was an incomplete manuscript.

Wang Yuan’s voice came through again. ”This technique was obtained from an ancient ruin in Tiandu Peak. The complete version supposedly consists of three refining stages.

”If I acquire it, even if I can’t cultivate it directly, I can extract its essence and refine my own physical cultivation techniques.”

Luo Chen understood. This was the principle of using another’s strengths to refine one’s own. Especially when that ‘other’s strength’ far surpassed one’s current foundation. A three-stage physical refinement technique was indeed a priceless find.

No wonder the seller dared to demand seven thousand spirit stones.

In truth, the price was on the lower side. Compared to spell techniques, cultivation methods had always been far more expensive.

Take the Long Spring Art, for example, Luo Chen knew that even its simplified version had a starting price of five hundred spirit stones in the black market.

Five hundred? He recalled that when he had purchased a five-in-one spell codex, it had only cost him two hundred.

And the advanced version of the Long Spring Art, the Medicine King Codex, had a listed price of five thousand spirit stones.

Even so, it remained unavailable for purchase.

At the very least, he had never seen it appear in any auctions at the Precious Dragon Black Market.

As for an even higher-tier evolution of the Long Spring Art, the only known alternative was the Medicine King Sect’s Eternal Youth Evergreen Sutra.

Both the Long Spring Art and the Medicine King Codex were derived from the Eternal Youth Evergreen Sutra. Such a technique would never be found circulating in the cultivation world. If it did exist in auctions, it would likely start at tens of thousands of spirit stones.

A third-tier technique was that formidable. Its value was no less than an enchanted treasure.

Luo Chen shook his head. ”An incomplete version for seven thousand? That’s really too much.” He directed his words toward the Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The man sneered. ”Are you taking it or not?”

This guy was really confident! Physical refinement techniques had little market to begin with, and this one was incomplete. Where did his confidence come from?

Luo Chen was puzzled and glanced at Wang Yuan.

His heart sank.

Brother, if you want to buy it, don’t make it so obvious! You’re just setting yourself up to be ripped off!

He sighed and transmitted his voice to Wang Yuan. ”If you really want it, just buy it. Didn’t I just give you three thousand in salary before we came?”

Wang Yuan’s expression was unnatural. ”I don’t have enough spirit stones.”

Uh...

Luo Chen truly hadn’t expected this.

He distinctly remembered Wang Yuan saying he had all the resources he needed to reach the Perfected Mastery of Qi-Refining.

So why was he suddenly short on spirit stones?

”At the auction earlier, I bought a lot of resources for physical refinement, plus some that help with Qi-Refining. So... basically, I only have three thousand five hundred left now.”

Luo Chen immediately understood.

Practicing both physical and qi wasn’t easy. The resource consumption far exceeded that of an average cultivator.

Wang Yuan had no means of making money. His entire fortune came from killing and looting. He knew that wasn’t sustainable, which was why he had settled down to build something with Luo Chen.

Luo Chen hadn’t shortchanged him either, granting him the same generous salary as a small sect’s Foundation Establishment offering. Yet, even with that, he hadn’t managed to accumulate much wealth in such a short time.

Luo Chen distinctly remembered that Wang Yuan had just spent a fortune on a supreme-grade enchanted artifact—a pair of gloves.

He sighed.

Luo Chen snatched up the beast hide, meeting the Foundation Establishment cultivator’s sharp gaze fearlessly.

”Look at this thing. It’s ancient. The techniques recorded on it probably don’t even align with modern cultivation methods. That’s gotta lower the price, right?”

The man nodded slightly, not refuting his words.

”Yes, its tier may be high, but it’s still incomplete. At most, we can use it for reference. That makes it even less valuable.”

The man continued nodding in agreement.

”Besides, it literally states at the beginning that you need the essence of a roc-type demonic beast to cultivate it.

”Brother, we’re talking about a second-tier beast here! What Foundation Establishment cultivator could possibly kill a second-tier roc? Wouldn’t it take a Golden Core Adept to extract that blood?

”That alone should lower the price!”

The man seemed to agree.

Luo Chen smiled. ”So...”

”So, just tell me. Are you taking it or not? Seven thousand spirit stones, final price!” Hearing the cultivator’s unwavering tone, Luo Chen turned to Wang Yuan with a look of utter grievance.

Luo Chen’s voice carried through the air with Condensed Sound Transmission, ”This is all your damn fault! My flawless haggling skills have completely failed! And to think—I’m someone who’s even bargained with Old Chu at the Treasure Pavilion!”

Wang Yuan also realized his mistake.

But in his entire life, he had rarely ever worried about money. During his mortal years, he had advanced rapidly and achieved innate martial arts mastery.

Back then, traveling the martial world, he had never lacked money, nor had he ever needed to hone any bargaining skills.

During his cultivation years, what he lacked wasn’t money. It was strength. Once he gained power, killing and looting treasures became his means of accumulating resources, and his speed of growth far surpassed others. He had never had to worry about spirit stones.

Only recently, as his realm advanced and the consumption of resources skyrocketed due to dual cultivation of both physical and qi paths, did he begin to feel the strain.

Luo Chen sighed, lowering his head as his fingers brushed over the coarse texture of the beast hide in his hands.

He had one last trick up his sleeve. A time-honored strategy, which was to pretend to lose interest and walk away decisively. Under normal circumstances, this would be enough to make the seller hesitate, grit his teeth, and begrudgingly lower the price.

But something told him that wouldn’t work this time.

The atmosphere was different. The man’s eyes gleamed with the unwavering confidence of a man who knew he held the upper hand. Even if Luo Chen turned and left, there was no doubt in his mind that someone else would eagerly step in to snatch up the deal.

Luo Chen blinked, pinching the thick beast hide between his fingers as if reconsidering. His lips pressed into a thin line, and after a moment, he sighed again and this time, with a hint of reluctant resignation.

Then, he looked up with a troubled expression.

”Alright, alright, senior, you’ve really got me.” He exhaled, feigning exasperation. ”Seven thousand, right?”

The man chuckled, his aloofness instantly replaced by a wide grin. ”That’s right!”

Luo Chen turned sharply. ”Brother Wang, hand over the spirit stones!”

”But...”

Wang Yuan, who had been standing idly by, visibly hesitated. His brows furrowed slightly as if weighing the decision, his fingers hovering over his storage pouch.

Luo Chen shot him a sharp look. Now was not the time for theatrics!

As soon as Wang Yuan realized the situation, he reached into his storage pouch and reluctantly handed over thirty-five hundred spirit stones.

The burly Foundation Establishment cultivator accepted the payment with a grunt, lifting the restrictions on the beast hide before tossing it over to Luo Chen. His lips smacked in dissatisfaction, his face contorting as if he had suffered a great loss.

”Why are they all low-grade spirit stones? So troublesome.”

Classic case of getting a good deal and still complaining!

Luo Chen had no intention of entertaining his nonsense any further. Without another word, he grabbed Wang Yuan by the sleeve and strode out of the Precious Dragon Black Market, his expression one of feigned disappointment.

Outside, the night sky stretched vast and unbroken, a pale moon casting its soft glow over the land. The air was crisp, and the remnants of the market’s commotion slowly faded into the background.

Beside him, Wang Yuan’s expression shifted. Gratitude flickered in his eyes as he exhaled deeply.

”Luo Chen, I really owe you for this. Consider the spirit stones a loan and just deduct them from my salary...”

”Shh!”

Luo Chen suddenly raised a finger, silencing him mid-sentence.

Wang Yuan blinked in confusion, but before he could ask, Luo Chen’s figure blurred. In an instant, he activated Carefree Wind-Control and Spirit Suppression, his presence vanishing like mist into the night.

Catching on, Wang Yuan wasted no time. With a flick of his sleeve, he activated Spirit Suppression and employed his own movement technique, following swiftly behind.

The two traveled for nearly half an incense stick’s time, distancing themselves from the Precious Dragon Black Market.

”Anyone following us?”

”There were two at first, but we lost them.”

”Good. Let’s head back to Luo Tian Society!”

Luo Chen’s movements were slow and meticulous, each touch light as if afraid of damaging the ancient beast hide. Even his breathing grew faint, his entire focus honed to a razor’s edge.

The dim moonlight illuminated the rough texture beneath his fingertips, revealing faint traces of hidden seams. With the utmost care, he slowly applied pressure, following the natural grain of the hide.

For a long moment, nothing happened.

Then, a whisper of movement.

The beast hide split apart with an almost imperceptible rustle, separating into two distinct pieces.

Luo Chen let out a long breath, relief washing over him.

In his hands, two separate beast hides lay side by side, both densely inscribed with intricate text.

”This...”

Even the usually composed Wang Yuan was left gaping in disbelief.

Luo Chen studied the hides, his eyes gleaming with admiration. ”What an ingenious trick... and what an extraordinary beast hides.”

Beside him, Wang Yuan furrowed his brows in confusion, still trying to process what had just happened.

Without hesitation, Luo Chen handed him the beast hide with Swan Transformation written on it.

”This is your three thousand five hundred spirit stones.”

Then, he held the other beast hide up with both hands, his grin widening.

”And this is my thirty-five hundred spirit stones.”

Wang Yuan’s eyes flickered between the two hides, then to Luo Chen, realization dawning.

”This deal? We didn’t lose out. We just hit the jackpot!”