An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Luo Chen wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, confused. ”Why am I crying?”

He looked around in a daze. The spirit energy in the cavern, drawn in by the spirit-gathering array, was denser than ever. This was an environment he had never even dreamed of cultivating in. Lowering his gaze, he noticed the pristine, top-grade robes he wore, luxurious, immaculate. Every piece of it was earned through his alchemy, refining pill after pill.

Luo Chen smiled. ”How could my persistence in alchemy ever be wrong?”

With a carefree spirit, he rose and left the cavern, heading toward Changyin Mountain.

Winter had settled in, and frost and snow blanketed the land. Icicles hung high from the treetops, shimmering in the pale light. The crisp, wintry air mirrored his newfound clarity, a mind unburdened, a heart unrestrained. Deep within, he could feel an unfamiliar sensation, a swelling, an expansion, an almost intoxicating fullness coursing through his soul. His thoughts flowed more swiftly than ever before.

”A dream of ten years, yet only a fleeting moment in reality.”

He exhaled a slow breath, allowing the cold air to clear his mind. Now was the time to analyze the effects of the Spirit Passage pill.

Induces a simple dream state, originating from Phantom Shade Grass and Snow Fox Demon Blood. This effect has both advantages and drawbacks, likely due to the lack of an ingredient to suppress the Snow Fox Demon Blood in the completed formula.

The pill formula remains incomplete and requires further refinement.

Spirit Passage Dream: Within the dream, simple trials appear. If one remains steadfast, they will gain insights upon awakening.

This pill should not be used by those with weak willpower. At best, it may harm their Dao heart; at worst, they could become trapped in obsession and succumb to inner demons.

When he reached the third point, Luo Chen felt a wave of relief.

Thankfully, he had been persistently cultivating the Divine Breaker of Malevolence.

His willpower had strengthened over time. If not, he feared that the Spirit Passage Dream might have lasted far longer, potentially trapping him in a state of confusion.

The duration of the pill’s effects varies by individual. The longer the dream, the better the results. The shorter the dream, the weaker the effect.

Luo Chen contemplated this as he rubbed his temples. The dream had felt like ten years, yet in the outside world, only the time of one incense stick had passed. And in that short time, he had experienced an entire decade of struggle and growth.

A span of ten years was enough for a child to grow into an adolescent who understood the ways of the world.

The increase in his spirit consciousness was self-evident.

Luo Chen felt as his thoughts now moved with an ease and clarity he had never known before. Many past doubts regarding cultivation had faded, as if covered by nothing more than a thin veil, ready to be pierced with the slightest effort.

This was the manifestation of a strengthened divine soul.

There were legends of great cultivators reincarnating with powerful divine souls, allowing them to grasp knowledge at an unimaginable pace.

Luo Chen now had a faint illusion of possessing such an ability. Still, there was a clear limitation.

”However, this Spirit Passage pill cannot be taken too frequently!”

The aftereffects were already setting in. A throbbing ache spread through his temples, a result of the sudden surge in his soul foundation. It was not something that calming incense or Moonlight Herb could alleviate, it would take time to subside.

Standing amidst the silent, snow-covered expanse of Changyin Mountain, a thought surfaced in his mind.

Perhaps... I can continue practicing Soul-Intimidation!

This technique, which he had obtained from Gao Tingyuan and originated from Hermit Gu Yue’s Soul-Refining True Art, was something he had already grasped at a beginner level.

But understanding the basics was one thing, continuing to cultivate it was another.

Each practice session required activating the Soul Suppression Technique, but unlike elemental spells like Fireball or Earth Summit, it could not be cast into thin air.

It needed a living target.

A target that possessed both spirit and soul!

Now, with his divine soul significantly enhanced, he was unsure of the precise increase in his strength. However, even before this breakthrough, his soul foundation had already surpassed that of cultivators in his realm. Now, after the Spirit Passage pill, he could only imagine how much stronger he had become.

”I must continue cultivating the Soul-Intimidation...”

Having made up his mind, Luo Chen hesitated no further.

***

Early the next morning.

At dawn, after refining a fresh batch of Jade Essence Pills, Luo Chen called Zhou Yuanli and Liu Qiang to join him. As they left Crescent Moon Valley, he spotted Qu Lingjun passing by and suddenly called out to him.

”Oh? Not bad, you’ve reached the second stage of Qi-Refining.”

Qu Lingjun scratched his head with a bright, innocent smile unique to young boys.

Luo Chen reached over and pinched his cheek. ”Go bring me that soul-nurturing tree.”

Qu Lingjun looked up at him and asked, ”Didn’t you say I should take care of it until it grows up?”

”Just do as I say. Why are you asking so many questions?” Luo Chen scolded, feigning a fierce expression.

The boy pouted but ran off without another word. Moments later, he returned, clutching the small flower pot tightly.

Luo Chen took the plant and said, ”Focus on your cultivation. If you have free time, go help out at the Alchemy Hall. Your sister Mi Li has been swamped with work lately.”

”Oh...” Qu Lingjun responded gloomily, staring at the plant he had nurtured with clear reluctance and thought, you said I could take care of it...

Luo Chen shook his head, patted the boy lightly on the back of his head, then left with Zhou Yuanli and Liu Qiang.

Before long, the three arrived at the barren lands behind Crescent Moon Valley.

”President, are we practicing spells again today?” Zhou Yuanli asked.

Luo Chen nodded. ”Yes.”

Liu Qiang, volunteered eagerly. ”Want me to be your sparring partner?”

Luo Chen gave him a quick glance before nodding slightly. ”That works.”

Liu Qiang was excited, sparring with the president always led to great improvements. However, his enthusiasm quickly vanished with Luo Chen’s next instruction.

”Go to Huiye Mountain and capture some wild beasts. If you come across any weak demonic beasts, catch them too.

”Make sure to bring them back alive!”

Liu Qiang was completely confused, but Luo Chen’s orders were absolute. Without another word, he left.

With Liu Qiang gone, Luo Chen sat cross-legged on the ground, closed his eyes, and began meditating on the Soul-Intimidation. He silently recited the incantations over and over, focusing his mind.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yuanli stood guard, scanning their surroundings vigilantly.

Unlike before, Zhou Yuanli was now much stronger. Two months ago, he had successfully advanced to the ninth stage of Qi-Refining, making him the twelfth person in Luo Tian Society to reach that stage.

Since he was already fifty years old, the chances of him reaching Foundation Establishment were slim. Thus, aside from his role in security, Luo Chen had granted him an honorary title, Law Enforcement Elder.

He had no subordinates yet, but the title allowed Luo Chen to increase his pay.

With the mountains covered in snow, wild beasts were less active, making it difficult to find them.

It took an hour before Liu Qiang finally returned. He looked embarrassed as he carried a large sack over his shoulder.

”I only managed to catch a few pheasants... and one hyena.”

”That’s enough,” Luo Chen said calmly, still meditating.

Without opening his eyes, he instructed Liu Qiang, ”Take out one of the pheasants and place it in front of me.”

Liu Qiang hesitated but obeyed, setting down a flapping pheasant in front of Luo Chen.

The next moment! His eyes snapped open!

A ghostly green glow shot from his pupils, locking onto the pheasant.

The pheasant, which had been flapping and struggling moments ago, suddenly froze in place like a wooden statue.

Liu Qiang instinctively took three steps back, his expression filled with shock and horror.