An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

By the banks of the Qinhua River, under the deep night sky, the water gurgled softly as it flowed. An old man sat alone on a bluestone, his weary gaze fixed on the river rolling endlessly eastward.

Behind him, a man stood with hands clasped behind his back, his eyes filled with filial piety as he looked at the old man’s silhouette.

The night wind howled as it brushed against the old man’s wrinkled face.

Once, Li Jinhuang had thought of this wind as nothing more than a gentle breeze, but now he felt a chill that made his body tremble.

Li Yingzhang spoke with concern, ”Grand Elder, the wind is strong here. Let’s go back.”

Li Jinhuang raised his hand and refused the suggestion. Instead of lowering his hand, he reached forward as if trying to touch the mighty river flowing beneath him.

”Yingzhang, my lifespan is nearly at its end, and I feel the hardship of life deeply. It’s like a never-ending Qinhua River. Though it longs to reach the sea, its journey is long and fraught with obstacles. Yet the river always finds its way to the sea. As for my wish to see our family thrive, that remains unfulfilled. I am leaving with a lifelong regret,” Li Jinhuang said, his voice drifting into the night.

Grand Elder Li Jinhuang had dedicated his entire life to the prosperity of the Li family of Qinhua. Even now, at the end of his life, he was still making connections, fearing that after his death the Li family would crumble like the Fu family of Mirror Lake. One could say he had truly exhausted himself for the family, hoping to die with no regrets.

To outsiders, Li Jinhuang’s life had seemed glorious, but only those closest to him knew how much bitterness lay beneath that glory. Life simply had not given him enough time.

Li Yingzhang felt as though his heart was being squeezed, making it hard to breathe. With a trembling voice, he said, ”Grand Elder, I understand a little of your heart. You have always been wise and farsighted, hoping to strengthen our family. That is indeed the ambition of our generation.

”Yet, for mere drops to become a river is no small feat. And as the river flows toward the sea, it realizes its insignificance. You and I are both mere flies in this vast world. The family’s prosperity doesn’t lie in just one or two generations, but in its enduring legacy, its unbroken bloodline.”

The morning wind blew, and water birds took flight, scattering countless droplets.

”An unbroken legacy...” Li Jinhuang murmured, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter. ”Hahaha!”

His laughter rolled like thunder, echoing for several li.

On the Qinhua River, fish leaped, birds were startled, and many lowly rogue cultivators dwelling on the banks woke abruptly from their dreams.

After a few breaths, the laughter faded. Li Jinhuang looked pleased. ”It seems practicing the Ninefold Origin Cyclehas indeed tempered your character.”

”It was all thanks to your guidance,” Li Yingzhang said.

Li Jinhuang smiled faintly, then beckoned. A sheathed longsword floated into his hand. The sword was three chi and seven cun[1] long, and its scabbard, crafted from the skin of a fierce shark, was etched with wave-like patterns. Though still sheathed, it radiated a powerful spirit energy.

”Since that’s the case, you now have the right to inherit this Hornless Dragon Sword.”

Li Yingzhang was stunned. ”This is your personal enchanted treasure! How can I, merely a Qi Refinement cultivator, inherit it?”

The sword had not undergone a blood-essence sacrifice; it could not be passed down by bloodline alone. Yet under Li Jinhuang’s intense gaze, he gathered his courage and accepted the sword.

”Your grandson will surely reach Foundation Establishment one day and uphold the might of the Hornless Dragon Sword!”

Li Jinhuang nodded, satisfied. ”Very good. From this day forward, you are the patriarch of the Li family of Qinhua River.”

Li Jinhuang turned slightly, his weathered eyes gazing toward the east. Darkness still blanketed the great river as it flowed endlessly eastward. Then, suddenly, a faint golden light rose slowly from the distant horizon. The darkness faded, and light began to blossom, casting its brilliance on the countless green waves that sparkled in the morning breeze.

Amidst the breathtaking view, Li Yingzhang found himself momentarily lost. By the time he returned to his senses, the old man before him had fallen silent. A wave of sorrow washed over his heart.

”Grandson Li Yingzhang respectfully sends off the Grand Elder,” he said with a trembling voice.

***

In the Grand Hall of the Luo Tian Society, Luo Chen played with a yellowed jade slip in his hand, a heavy feeling weighing on his heart.

”Old man, did you really have to be so thorough?” he murmured. He could understand, but he could not fully agree with Li Jinhuang’s final decisions.

With a sigh, he carefully placed the yellowed jade slip in his pocket.

Crisp footsteps echoed from outside the hall, and moments later, Zhou Yuanli entered.

”Reporting to the President,” he said solemnly, ”the Li family has sent word. Their patriarch, Li Jinhuang, passed away this morning. His lifespan had reached its end. He died peacefully by the riverbank as the first sun rose. His grandson, Li Yingzhang, saw him off, and many rogue cultivators along both banks witnessed it.”

”So, he finally died?” Luo Chen murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Yet Yuan Dongsheng, a ninth-stage Qi Refinement expert, heard him clearly in the vast hall. He froze for a moment. What does he mean by ”finally died”? Has he been waiting for that man’s death?

He clenched his jaw and shook off the improper thoughts, then asked respectfully, ”President, will you be visiting in person?”

Many knew that Luo Chen shared a good relationship with Li Jinhuang. Ever since the marriage alliance had been arranged, the two had often visited one another. That was why Yuan Dongsheng had asked.

Unexpectedly, Luo Chen shook his head.

”I won’t go,” he said calmly. ”An old friend has just departed. Going there would only bring more grief. Here, the custom is to keep the body for seven days, right?”

Zhou Yuanli replied, ”That’s correct.”

Cultivators believed that after one’s lifespan ends, the soul returned on the seventh day. Hence, the body was kept for seven days to await the soul’s return. This practice was especially common among cultivation families.

Cultivators either followed the heavens or defied them to rise. In life, they faced every honor and shame; in death, they were buried beneath green hills. Who cared what came after? Only cultivation families placed stock in such traditions.

Luo Chen said lightly, ”Then I will wait until the seventh day to pay my respects. But let Yuan Dongsheng and his wife return to her family to fulfill their filial duties.”

”Yes, Director!” Zhou Yuanli accepted the order and departed immediately.

During the year Luo Chen had been in seclusion, the marriage between the Luo Tian Society and the Li family had been finalized. Yuan Dongsheng had married Li Jinhuang’s granddaughter, Li Yingjun, becoming her Dao companion.

When Li Yingjun heard the news of her grandfather’s passing, tears gushed forth immediately. After settling the matters at the Medicine Hall, Yuan Dongsheng accompanied her back to the Li family estate at Qinhua River.

Not only that, under Murong Qinglian’s arrangements, the Luo Tian Society had also sent a generous gift, demonstrating the close ties between the two faction.

***

The death of a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator meant little in Tianlan Immortal City. But for those with connections, the news spread like wildfire.

At the Danyuan Sect, Sect Leader Dan Yuanzi heard the news from an informant. At that moment, he was overjoyed!

”I’ve cultivated for over a hundred and fifty years, yet I’m only at the fourth stage of Foundation Establishment, all because of a lack of funds and resources,” he said, his voice trembling with excitement. ”If I can seize those medicinal fields, I can control the cost of essence nourishing pills. Then I might reverse my decline and surpass both the Luo Tian Society and the Zheng family!”

He wasn’t a fool. At first, the Luo Tian Society and the Zheng family had fought fiercely, but after so long, both had only grown richer instead of weakening. Meanwhile, onlookers like him were left starving. It was obvious the two factions were colluding behind the scenes.

It was absolutely infuriating. But he dared not provoke either faction; one was far too powerful, and the other had the Ice Fortress behind it. He could not afford to offend either side.

If he could keep costs under control and get essence-nourishing pills back into the low-tier market of Tianlan Immortal City, the profits would be enormous. After all, those two factions hadn’t just driven the Danyuan Sect to ruin; the entire market had been swept clean.

Thinking of the Luo Tian Society’s hundreds of thousands in annual profits, and the Zheng family’s similar earnings, Dan Yuanzi’s eyes burned red with envy. If I could make that much... perhaps, in this lifetime, I might even glimpse the Golden Core Realm.

He immediately summoned his disciples. Yet as they gathered, he hesitated. That old bastard Li Jinhuang was always thorough. Would he really die without making any preparations? What if he didn’t die of old age, but faked his death to trick me into attacking early?

The moment the thought struck, a cold sweat broke out across his back. Yes... yes! That old bastard is cunning to the core. He might be planning one last move to secure his family’s future before he dies, a move to wipe out all hidden threats in one stroke. I can’t fall for that! I have to think this through carefully.

With that, he dismissed the rest and kept only his most trusted aides.

”You, go investigate the exact details of Li Jinhuang’s death!

”You, contact the Hu family of Sandalwood Hill. They have an irreconcilable feud with the Li family, and they definitely can’t wait to strike.

”Oh, right! Don’t forget the Luo Tian Society. I heard they’re allied through marriage now.”

Dan Yuanzi paced in the hall, one thought after another flashing through his mind like a storm.

In great matters, one must be calm! This time, it might be the most important decision of his entire cultivation journey. There was no room for even the slightest mistake!

***

Sandalwood Hill was called a hill,[2] but in reality, it was nothing so small.

In the past, Sandalwood Hill had been blanketed in purple sandalwood, its picturesque scenery truly magnificent. However, ever since the Hu family had nurtured three Foundation Establishment cultivators, Sandalwood Hill had not grown more prosperous. Instead, it had slowly declined.

Now, jagged rocks littered the land, and layers of withered trees covered the hills. Several seemingly grand palaces sprawled across the slopes, their ostentatious presence clashing harshly with the desolate surroundings. Some were even jarring to behold. All the purple sandalwood that had once graced these hills had been cut down, their precious timber sold to gather the resources needed for the Fourth Brother’s Foundation Establishment breakthrough.

Now, all three Hu brothers alive had gathered in one place. Even the eldest, Hu Changxi, who had been in seclusion, had emerged. Their sole purpose was to settle accounts with the Li family.

”Father and Third Brother were killed by Li Jinhuang! I will definitely avenge this!” Hu Changnu roared. True to his fiery name, his voice bristled with such unrestrained anger that it seemed even the smallest spark could ignite him.

The Fourth Brother, Hu Changle, only shook his head. ”Second Brother, a gentleman’s revenge can wait for generations. There’s no need to be so hasty.”

Hu Changnu glared at him. ”Of course you’re not in a hurry! You were too young then to understand the grudge between our families. All I know is that I’ve thirsted for revenge day and night!”

Hu Changle pursed his lips, not bothering to argue. Instead, he spoke slowly, ”Revenge must be planned with absolute thoroughness if it is to succeed.

”First, we have to consider the possibility that Li Jinhuang faked his death. Back then, the Golden Core elder of the Heavenly Blade Fort faked his death to drag a newly promoted Golden Core cultivator from a rival sect down with him. After that, the supposedly dying Heavenly Blade Fort not only survived but revived. I don’t want that happening to our family.”

Hu Changnu was momentarily stunned. That old story between the Heavenly Blade Fort and the Cold Raven Abyss had long been famous in the Jade Cauldron Domain. He naturally knew it well. Now, the Heavenly Blade Fort had another Golden Core elder, and its prestige was second only to the seven sects of Jade Cauldron. Meanwhile, the once-dominant Cold Raven Abyss had long since seen its gates destroyed. Its ravens fled south, its former glory was gone.

The Fourth Brother, Hu Changle, glanced at him and continued, ”Next, we must pay attention to the movements and attitudes of the Li family’s allies. The Green Pill Valley has old ties with the Li family and will rule Tianlan Immortal City for the next ten years. If we want to survive here, we have to consider the Green Pill Valley’s stance.”

Hu Changnu frowned. ”And how are we supposed to ’consider’ the attitude of a major sect?”

”It’s simple,” Hu Changle said with confidence. ”See if Green Pill Valley sends anyone to Li Jinhuang’s funeral. The Li family is now nothing more than a small family with no Foundation Establishment cultivators left.”

Hu Changnu instantly understood. Usually, major sects would not stoop to mingle with low-tier factions. Only if the relationship was exceptionally close would they send people to attend such events.

”There’s also the Luo Tian Society, the Danyuan Sect, and the Geng family. All three have good relations with the Li family through marriage, partnerships, or shared struggles. Especially the Luo Tian Society. Li Jinhuang has gone out of his way these past few years to curry favor with that upstart force. We have to keep an eye on them!”

Hu Changnu furrowed his brow in confusion. ”They’re just a bunch of cocky newcomers. Why should we bother with them?”

Hu Changle sighed. ”They have four Initiates. If they decide to meddle, do you think we can ignore them?”

Hu Changnu opened his mouth but had nothing to say. He just wanted revenge. Why did it have to be so complicated?

”Is there anything else?” he asked.

”Of course there is!” Hu Changle sneered. ”The Li family is no benevolent house. They’ve got plenty of enemies besides us. If we can get them all together to strike, even if the Luo Tian Society, Danyuan Sect, and Geng family throw all their support behind the Li family, they’ll still be nothing but cheap knockoffs!”

”Ah! Yes, yes!” Hu Changnu finally heard something he liked. ”Then we’ll charge in together, slaughter the entire Li family, and bathe the Qinhua River in blood!”

Haih...

Hu Changle sighed, unsure if their father had actually known how accurate he’d been when naming the four brothers Xi, Nu, Ai, and Le. [3] The Second Brother was indeed impulsive and hot-tempered, with no sense at all. It was no small wonder that he was still alive and well.

The Third Brother, who always planned every detail and considered defeat before victory, had died under Li Jinhuang’s sword. If the Third Brother were still alive, how could the mighty Hu family have declined so far? And Hu Changle, the youngest, wouldn’t have had to bear all the plotting and planning alone.

Now, the Hu family of Sandalwood Hill seemed like a grand force with three Foundation Establishment cultivators, but it was all just a facade; nothing more than a thin gilding that barely hid the weak plaster beneath. They had a top-heavy structure, but no real foundation below. In other words, the Hu family was on the verge of collapse.

Hu Changle, feeling heavy-hearted, turned to the long-silent Hu Changxi. ”Big Brother, what do you think?”

Hu Changxi’s face was cold, showing not a trace of joy. Ever since his father and Third Brother were beheaded by Li Jinhuang’s sword, he had never known joy again.

He looked at Hu Changle, catching the hint of self-satisfaction Hu Changle couldn’t hide, and thought, The little one is indeed clever, but his temperament...

He spoke slowly. ”I think you’re wrong in some ways.”

1. 寸 (cun) is a traditional Chinese unit of measurement equal to approximately 3.33 centimeters (about 1.31 inches). ☜

2. 丘 (qiu) in 檀丘 (Tanqiu) typically means hill or mound in Chinese. While it often implies something small compared to a mountain (山), it can also be used metaphorically in place names to refer to elevated terrain, ridges, or even larger areas that are historically or culturally significant. ☜

3. 喜怒哀乐 (xi nu ai le) literally means ”joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.” This classic four-character idiom represents the basic human emotions in traditional Chinese culture. It’s often used to describe the full spectrum of human feelings or the complexity of human nature. In the given context, Hu Changle is reflecting on how his father named the four brothers after these emotions, Xi (joy), Nu (anger), Ai (sorrow), and Le (happiness), and perhaps reflecting their personalities. ☜