An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

By the banks of the Qinhua River, the once-surging waters slowed as they curved into a wide bend. This stretch of the river was vast, spanning dozens of zhang across. Even under the soft touch of a gentle breeze, the surface lay smooth.

Two figures sat side by side on the riverbank with a pot of medicinal tea resting between them, each holding a fishing rod that glowed with spirit energy.

”My family’s foundation lies in alchemy and cultivating seven types of medicinal materials, and we have earned a modest reputation in Tianlan Immortal City,” Li Jinhuang said. ”But in reality, apart from medicinal materials and pills, we also have three spirit fish ponds as a supplementary income.”

Li Jinhuang stroked his graying beard, then continued confidently, ”Beneath our feet lies Huilong Bend, one of our spirit fish ponds. This is where we raise the Huahua Fish that thrives only in running water.”

The various businesses he mentioned were all lifelines of the Li family. For Li Jinhuang to speak so openly suggested he had no fear of the man beside him coveting them.

Luo Chen smiled slightly, glanced at the motionless fishing rod, and casually remarked, ”If you want to fish, why not go to real rivers and streams? Fishing in this small pond is truly dull.”

The implication was clear: Fishing in a pond didn’t showcase true skill. One had to fish in the big rivers to prove real ability.

Unexpectedly, Li Jinhuang waved his hand. ”Fellow Daoist, you’ve misunderstood. What you’re fishing for is not the captive Huahua Fish.”

”Oh? What do you mean by that?” Luo Chen asked.

Li Jinhuang explained, ”Huahua Fish thrive in running water, so the pond can only be built here in Huilong Bend. But in the Qinhua River, there’s a species called Green-Scaled Dragon Fish that loves to eat Huahua Fish. Now that the two areas are connected, the Green-Scaled Dragon Fish often swim in to hunt for Huahua Fish. Even with enchanted artifacts blocking them, some still manage to slip through. It’s caused great losses for my Li family.”

Li Jinhuang paused and gestured toward the fishing rod. ”Our bait is made of Huahua Fish bones, and it’s especially attractive to the Green-Scaled Dragon Fish.”

Luo Chen suddenly understood. ”So, I’m working for free for your family!”

With a weathered tone, Li Jinhuang replied, ”Fellow Daoist, you’re trying to use my channels to sell your pills. Isn’t that also making me work for free?”

Luo Chen frowned. ”Of course not. I wouldn’t leave you out of your share of the profit.”

”I’m on the verge of death. What use are a few spirit stones to me?” Li Jinhuang said calmly, looking at Luo Chen.

At that moment, Luo Chen fell silent. The other man’s lifespan was limited; at most, he had a few years left. For him, earning spirit stones truly meant nothing. When Duan Qiankun was in that situation, in his final days, he had spent money recklessly to buy all sorts of resources for his family. Li Jinhuang was no different!

After a while, Luo Chen lifted his head and met those calm, world-weary eyes. ”Tell me, then: What do you want?”

Li Jinhuang nodded but didn’t immediately name his price; instead, he spoke of what he could guarantee. ”I will handle your pills for you, at a price that will satisfy you. I will ensure no one knows they were refined by you, and no one will trace them back to me, either. Everything will be seamless, safe, with no loose ends.”

”Are you sure?” Luo Chen sounded skeptical.

That his traces would be hidden was one thing; he could accept that. But even covering Li Jinhuang’s own involvement? That was impressive.

Li Jinhuang smiled faintly. ”I was born and raised in Tianlan Immortal City. Within maybe ten thousand li, I know every sect like the back of my hand. Selling a few stolen goods is easy. In fact, I don’t even plan to deal with those pills within Tianlan Immortal City. With that in mind, can you rest easy?”

With that, Luo Chen felt somewhat reassured. The other man was an alchemist himself, though not a particularly skilled one; he could only handle first-tier pills. However, when it came to the underground sales channels for pills, there was no doubt he knew far more than Luo Chen, who was still relatively new to Tianlan Immortal City.

Then the discussion returned to the most important matter.

Luo Chen said, ”Tell me what you want, and I’ll do my best.”

”What I want is very simple!” Li Jinhuang took a deep breath, his weathered eyes suddenly blazing as he locked onto Luo Chen. ”If Qilin achieves Foundation Establishment, let him join the Luo Tian Society and give him an honorary elder position.”

Hmm? Luo Chen was momentarily stunned. A Foundation Establishment cultivator joining the Luo Tian Society and only asking for an honorary elder position?

”What if he fails?” Luo Chen wondered, though he asked calmly.

Li Jinhuang sighed. ”If he fails, I hope you can promote Yuan Dongsheng to the Medicine Hall’s Hall Leader.”

Yuan Dongsheng was Granny Yuan’s grandson and the groom in the marriage alliance between the Luo Tian Society and the Li family of Qinhua. The engagement had already been arranged. If all went smoothly, the wedding would take place within the year.

Luo Chen was even more confused. ”It feels like, no matter what, it’s the Luo Tian Society that benefits.”

”Isn’t that good?” Li Jinhuang asked with a smile.

Luo Chen shook his head. ”I know there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Gains always come with losses.”

Li Jinhuang nodded. ”Of course. All I ask is that, in critical moments, you look out for my family.”

So that was it! Either the new Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Li family joined the Luo Tian Society, or their son-in-law, Yuan Dongsheng, was promoted to Hall Leader. Both moves would directly increase the Li family of Qinhua’s standing within the Luo Tian Society. When disaster struck, the Li family could naturally rely on the Luo Tian Society to weather the storm.

Luo Chen sighed. ”You truly go all out to protect your family! But... aren’t you afraid that after you’re gone, I’ll use Yuan Dongsheng to grab the Li family’s assets?”

Li Jinhuang stroked his beard and laughed. ”If I’m gone and the Li family has no strong leader, then even without you, there will be others coveting this wealth. Compared to those Foundation Establishment cultivators out there, I trust your character more. At least, with your tolerance, you wouldn’t wipe us out completely. You’d leave the Li family with a few scraps. Am I wrong, Fellow Daoist?”

Luo Chen’s eyebrows rose. For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond. The other man had clearly investigated his background thoroughly. Only then could he judge Luo Chen’s character and make such a request. It was a form of recognition for Luo Chen’s personal integrity.

”Fellow Daoist, you’ve got a bite!” Li Jinhuang called out.

A light chime rang in Luo Chen’s ear. He reacted instantly, pulling hard on the fishing rod. The fishing line went tight, straining as something heavy thrashed beneath the water.

With a splash, a massive dragon fish struggled as it was lifted from the water. Its green scales shimmered with intense demonic energy. It turned out to be a first-tier late-stage Green-Scaled Dragon Fish!

”Quickly, haul it up! That fish is quite a catch!” Li Jinhuang shouted.

***

”Master, Sister Mi Li’s alchemic skills have improved a lot lately. Ten batches of ingredients can now yield over twenty Myriad Wonders pills!”

Luo Chen raised a brow. ”And how did you know I caught a seven-hundred-jin Green-Scaled Dragon Fish?”

Uh... Qu Lingjun faltered, caught off guard by the sudden question.

Luo Chen burst into laughter, then turned to give Mi Li a few words of praise before heading up Danxia Peak.