An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

”Do you know where I can rent a cave residence in this city?” Luo Chen asked casually.

He didn’t ask whether such places existed; instead, he simply asked where to find them. It was entirely reasonable, Tianlan Immortal City was a vast metropolis, said to gather over a million cultivators. Surely there were designated places for cultivation. While most spirit lands were likely controlled by the seven great sects, and since Tianlan Immortal City wasn’t a holy land for them, it would be a waste for those spirit lands to sit idle. So the most efficient solution is to rent them out.

Xu Xiaoliu wasn’t surprised. ”I know the place, Senior. Do you want to check it out now?”

Luo Chen turned slightly and glanced back at the guesthouse Xu Xiaoliu had arranged. It was indeed affordable and decent, yet more than enough to accommodate over a hundred people. The Luo Tian Society cultivators were already settling in, as were those from the Nangong family. Only the Li family remained unaccommodated. Off to the side, Li Yixian was speaking awkwardly with the guest housekeeper, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Seeing this, Xu Xiaoliu gave a wry smile. ”This one’s not on me. This is the cheapest place in the city. Five spirit stones for ten days per person, and it even comes with a free bowl of spirit rice.

He tilted his head toward Li Yixian’s group. ”Senior Li probably finds the cost a bit too much, considering how many people she brought.”

Luo Chen said nothing. He understood the Li family’s situation well enough. They still had a decent amount of resources, but Li Yixian had recently spent a hefty sum on a low-grade enchanted treasure to guard against unforeseen dangers. That single purchase had gutted nearly half their reserves. Of course, they had some spirit stones left, but ever since arriving in Tianlan Immortal City, those stones had been vanishing like water through open fingers. Even if Li Yixian wasn’t the most hands-on leader, she could clearly see that if things continued this way, it wouldn’t be long before they were completely bled dry. And worse... they still had no clear way of earning money in this city, and cost-cutting had already begun.

Having grown up in the pampered environment of a noble family, all Li Yixian had ever known was cultivation. When it came to practical matters like negotiation, she was completely out of her depth. After several rounds of back-and-forth, she only ended up annoying the guest housekeeper. Even Li Ao, standing beside her, flushed with embarrassment, looked just like a child watching their parents haggle in public.

Eventually, she failed. The price stood firm. She had no choice but to dip into the family funds and fork over several hundred more spirit stones just to accommodate her people. Li Yixian knew full well that many eyes had witnessed her struggle. Even so...

”I’ve made a fool of myself, Fellow Daoist,” Li Yixian said with a bitter smile to Luo Chen.

Luo Chen simply shook his head, not showing a hint of ridicule. In fact, he admired her willingness to put aside pride. When someone’s status was low, pride was often the most worthless thing they could cling to. He himself had once stood at market stalls, bargaining over half a spirit stone at a time like a nagging housewife.

Just then, Nangong Jin stepped over. Luo Chen said directly, ”I’m planning to check out some cave residences. Do you want to come?”

”Cave residences?” Nangong Jin blinked. ”Second-tier spirit vein?”

Under their expectant gazes, Luo Chen nodded.

Nangong Jin immediately replied, ”Of course I’m coming!”

Li Yixian thought for a moment, then clenched her teeth. ”Fine, let’s take a look.”

But before leaving, she turned and sent a voice transmission to Li Ao. Standing at the entrance of the guesthouse, ready to head out, Li Ao received the message and immediately pulled a face. He had been tasked with staying behind to look after the family members.

As for the Luo Tian Society, under Sima Huiniang’s coordination, the rules had already been laid down. On the first day, no one was allowed out. Everyone was to rest and recover. Starting the second day, people would be sent out in batches to familiarize themselves with Tianlan Immortal City. They weren’t allowed to wander freely either. They had to follow Xu Xiaoliu, their appointed guide, and explore with caution.

***

”The cart is here!” Xu Xiaoliu called out from beneath a pavilion, waving frantically to catch their attention.

A striped giant tiger-shaped carriage rumbled to a halt in front of him, drawing curious glances from passersby. Once the vehicle came to a complete stop, Xu Xiaoliu turned back with a grin. ”Seniors, this way. Please board!”

Luo Chen stepped forward, eyeing the beast-shaped carriage with a curious look. Unlike the fully enclosed Black Python model they had taken earlier, this one was an open-air design. It allowed passengers to sit in cushioned seats while enjoying the scenery of Tianlan Immortal City. However, it was limited in size, barely enough for a dozen people. A few passengers already seated turned to eye the three of them.

Without any hesitation, Luo Chen handed over two spirit stones and climbed aboard. In the back row, Xu Xiaoliu was already wiping down one of the seats with his sleeve.

”Senior, this one’s for you!”

”Mm. Thank you.”

Luo Chen sat down, and both Li Yixian and Nangong Jin followed suit, taking the same row.

”To reach Binglan Palace from Yuelu Street, there are only two routes,” Xu Xiaoliu explained. ”This Giant Tiger carriage is one of them.”

Intrigued, Luo Chen asked, ”Why do all the vehicles in Tianlan Immortal City look so different? There’s no standard design?”

Xu Xiaoliu scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. ”That... I’m not entirely sure.”

”Then how many of these vehicles does the city have in total?”

”Oh! That I do know!” Xu Xiaoliu’s eyes brightened. ”There are five puppet beast vehicles, two are python models and three are tiger models. All of them are crafted by the Luoyun Sect. Then there are three Flowing Cloud Long Carts, those are enchanted artifacts built by the Flame Alliance, and two more Iron Mountain Seats from Ai Lao Mountain.”

Luo Chen paused for a moment, then rubbed his chin thoughtfully. This meant that the operational businesses within Tianlan Immortal City were currently monopolized by three major sects. Though the carriage fares seemed cheap, the constant daily transport trips would generate an immense income in spirit stones.

Luo Chen glanced at his two companions from the corner of his eye. Nangong Jin sat with his eyes closed, seemingly uninterested in anything outside. But Luo Chen knew that he had sustained serious injuries earlier. What he needed most now was a safe location rich in spirit energy to recover. Li Yixian, in contrast, was leaning forward to admire the view, her eyes sparkling with wonder. Her expression shifted between surprise and delight, like a young girl visiting a grand city for the very first time. It was a stark contrast from the leader who had haggled so tenaciously with the guest housekeeper back in the tavern. Perhaps, this was her true self.

Luo Chen turned his gaze to the street outside, quietly observing. Towering buildings lined either side of the road, each one a shop or business bustling with activity. In particular, the tall buildings and storefronts lining the streets.

”So many enchanted robes?” Luo Chen murmured aloud, eyes landing on a particularly prominent storefront.

Xu Xiaoliu replied, ”Senior, that’s Tianyi Tower. They specialize in enchanted robes, especially for female cultivators. It’s run by the Chen family of Tianyi Workshop.”

”The Chen family of Tianyi Workshop?” Luo Chen raised an eyebrow.

Xu Xiaoliu continued, ”Yes. They’re a cultivation family with three Foundation Establishment Initiates. They’re closely tied to the Ice Fortress and are based near Tianlan Immortal City. That’s how they secured such a prime location for their Tianyi Tower.”

Luo Chen nodded in sudden realization. Cultivation families like the Chen family were much like the Huo and Duan families; each had some degree of connection with the Flame Alliance or the Luoyun Sect. But the Chen family’s strength far surpassed the other two.

As Luo Chen’s gaze drifted to a nearby building, a sharp yet invigorating fragrance wafted toward him, pricking his senses. He narrowed his eyes slightly. ”What’s that place selling?”

Xu Xiaoliu followed his line of sight and replied, ”Ah, that’s the Fragrant Delights Pavilion, a sect that specializes in researching rare and unusual aromas. Their famous Three Scents and Four Flavors are incredibly popular among cultivators.”

”Three Scents and Four Flavors?” Luo Chen raised a brow with interest.

Xu Xiaoliu grinned and continued, ”The Three Scents are Soul-Summoning Incense, Divine Fiery Incense, and Body-Scent Incense.”

Luo Chen grew interested. ”What are the scents used for? Why are they so popular among cultivators?”

Even Li Yixian, who had been enjoying the view, leaned in with curiosity. Nangong Jin opened his eyes as well, fixing Xu Xiaoliu with a sharp, focused stare. The weight of both gazes made even the thick-skinned guide feel a subtle pressure.

Xu Xiaoliu steadied himself and explained carefully, ”Soul-Summoning Incense, as the name suggests, is used to summon souls. Normally, when a cultivator dies, if they haven’t reached the Nascent Soul Realm, their divine soul will quickly dissipate under the influence of the environment.”

Luo Chen nodded. This was common sense in the cultivation world. A fallen cultivator’s soul would usually return to the Nine Netherworlds and fall back to the cycle of reincarnation. Only after reaching the Nascent Soul Realm could one barely escape this fate, allowing their divine soul to remain undying and their spirit to linger. The only exceptions were cases of death in unique environments. Take the battle at Dahe Market, for example, when three Ghost Kings perished together, the land was tainted into a ghost abyss. Cultivators who died in that ghost abyss had their souls altered by the environment, transforming into lingering spirits or malevolent ghosts, preserving them in the world.

Xu Xiaoliu continued, ”However, if one possesses Soul-Summoning Incense and ignites it with their own blood, provided a strong bond through family, karma, or deep ties, it is possible to call that person’s soul back from the brink. Most of the time, families use it to recover the souls of fallen members. They bring the spirit back to the ancestral grounds, where it can fade peacefully. That way, there’s a better chance they’ll reincarnate within the family line. And if their fortune runs deep, they might even awaken fragments of their past life’s memory!”

When Xu Xiaoliu finished, he let out a quiet breath. Nangong Jin’s eyes were shining, visibly stirred. ”Can it really have such miraculous effects?”

Xu Xiaoliu pressed his lips together and said, ”It’s just what I’ve heard. If you want the full picture, best to go in and ask.”

Nangong Jin turned to look at the storefront of the Fragrant Delights Pavilion, as if he intended to etch it into his mind.

Xu Xiaoliu glanced at Luo Chen and, seeing him give a subtle nod, continued his explanation with renewed confidence. ”Divine Fiery Incense, I’m quite certain about this one.

He gestured slightly as he spoke, his voice steady. ”It’s a cultivation aid, much like calming incense, but with very different properties. Unlike the balanced and mild varieties from the Spirit Herb Pavilion, Divine Fiery Incense is intense; its effects are potent and overwhelming. Only those with exceptionally deep divine soul foundations can handle it. That’s why it is usually bought by late stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.”

Luo Chen echoed the phrase in his mind, a faint gleam in his eyes. A stronger version of calming incense?

He made a mental note to check it out when he had the chance. He had always considered his divine soul foundation to be far beyond others of his realm, though whether it rivaled those in the late stage of Foundation Establishment remained to be seen.

Xu Xiaoliu said, ”As for Body-Scent Incense, it has nothing to do with cultivation. Once used, it reacts with your physical constitution and produces a personal fragrance that’s most compatible with your body. Female cultivators are the main buyers. Rumor has it that the scent can supposedly last for several months!”

Li Yixian’s eyes sparkled at that, but her excitement dimmed a moment later as if something had weighed down her thoughts.

Xu Xiaoliu went on. ”The Three Scents and Four Flavors, those were the Three Scents. The Four Flavors refer to sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy...They are a different product line.”

He concluded with a small flourish. ”Although most of their goods aren’t intended for direct cultivation, the unique effects make the Fragrant Delights Pavilion’s offerings highly sought-after here in Tianlan Immortal City.”

After hearing his explanation, all three Luo Chen, Li Yixian, and Nangong Jin were clearly intrigued. These kinds of goods weren’t something they could ever encounter back in the remote and underdeveloped Dahe Market. Each item he mentioned sparked genuine interest among them, enough that they were already considering paying a visit. Among them, the Soul-Summoning Incense had instantly become a must-have on both Li Yixian’s and Nangong Jin’s mental shopping lists.

Luo Chen tilted his head slightly, his curiosity piqued. ”From what you’re saying, the Fragrant Delights Pavilion must be making hundreds of thousands of spirit stones every year. Isn’t anyone jealous?”

By ”jealous,” of course, he meant the usual signs of trouble in a competitive world, encroachment, theft, counterfeiting, or undercutting. Such things were common. He’d experienced it himself. The profit margin from alchemy was sky-high. Back when he focused on refining mid-grade Jade Essence pills, even a year’s worth of work could bring in over ten thousand spirit stones in gross profit. That alone had earned him the envious attention of nearly every Foundation Establishment cultivator in Dahe Market. So how was it that the Fragrant Delights Pavilion, which operated at an even greater scale, had remained unchallenged?

But Xu Xiaoliu simply chuckled. ”Who would dare! No one even thinks about it. Because the Fragrant Delights Pavilion... belongs to a Golden Core Adept, Mistress of Fragrance herself.”

Golden Core Adept!

Luo Chen’s expression turned sharp. Under Xu Xiaoliu’s explanation, he learned that the Fragrant Delights Pavilion was the personal enterprise of a Golden Core elder from Hundred Flowers Palace. She was an extraordinarily powerful female cultivator, known by the Dao title ”Mistress of Fragrance.” Aside from the two Nascent Soul Sages, nearly everyone had to give her some respect within the Jade Cauldron Domain.

As the Giant Tiger carriage continued onward, Luo Chen and the others saw more of Tianlan Immortal City’s astonishing variety. The sheer diversity of businesses, people, and goods left them continually amazed. Among the shops they passed were the likes of the Treasure Pavilion and the Spirit Herb Pavilion, both are massive enterprises backed by the Nascent Soul sects. However, unlike the earlier specialty shops that focused on single resources, these places were behemoths in every sense. Their buildings alone spanned several acres and towered over their neighbors like giants.

After observing both types of establishments, Luo Chen arrived at a conclusion.

Shops like the Feather Garment Pavilion and the Fragrant Delights Pavilion operated like high-end specialty shops, catering to very specific needs. Meanwhile, the Treasure Pavilion and the Spirit Herb Pavilion were more like large-scale supermarkets offering a bit of everything under one roof. If a cultivator had a specific need, they would naturally go to a specialty shop. But if they didn’t, they might prefer browsing a large-scale store, seeing what was available, and picking something suitable.

Unspoken, yet shared between all three of them, was a single question:

If I were to establish myself in Tianlan Immortal City, how would I make a living?

Nangong Jin remained calm and unreadable. His family had already been reduced to just over a dozen members, so their survival was easier to manage. Worst-case scenario, they could simply find work, earn a basic living, and bide their time.

Li Yixian, on the other hand, looked far more troubled. Her family’s strength lay in taming spirit beasts, but they had already passed several stores offering similar services, whereas some sold demonic beast meat, others dealt in hides and pelts, and a few even specialized in young, tameable spirit beasts. Their edge was rapidly vanishing.

As for Luo Chen, the expression on his face was one of hesitation and deliberation. But he showed no signs of being lost or uncertain. He was skilled in alchemy and had numerous cultivators in the Luo Tian Society at his disposal. If he were to begin large-scale pill refinement, supporting himself would be no issue.

The only thing holding him back was deciding what kind of pills to sell! He hadn’t done any proper market research yet. Even his most prized creation, the Jade Essence pills, might not be in demand here. Selling the wrong thing in such a competitive environment could lead to devastating losses.

Once we get back, I need to have Huiniang look into this, Luo Chen thought

There was no room for guesswork here. Only a thorough investigation followed by targeted development was the only way forward.

As the three of them became lost in their own thoughts, time passed quickly. The Giant Tiger Carriage had crossed more than half the city and now stopped before a white palace.

Xu Xiaoliu hopped down first and waved to them. ”Seniors, we’ve arrived at Binglan Palace!”

After stepping down and raising his gaze, Luo Chen took in the icy energy emanating from the palace before him; its entire structure appeared to be built from thousand-year-old glacial ice. He straightened his robes, took a breath... and walked forward, into the palace.