An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

”Is that all you’ve got?” Wang Yuan’s voice was a deep growl that rolled across the plains outside the mountain. ”Why do you keep dodging? And you call yourself a Physique Refinement cultivator?”

With each barked challenge, his massive frame moved like a thunderbolt; every step triggered an earthquake, every strike was a titanic hammer pounding at Lu Rong’s defenses. Under the relentless assault, Lu Rong was driven back again and again. The ancient armor encasing his body, proud and unyielding just minutes ago, crumbled piece by piece under the onslaught.

Even though black smoke continuously poured from his body, knitting the armor back together, it still fell to tatters within moments. The cracks running through it were like the cracks of parched earth. Under Wang Yuan’s attacks, it appeared utterly fragile.

Why... Lu Rong trembled. Why is there a Physique Refinement cultivator at this level? How the hell can he be so unreasonably strong?!

He was shaken to the core. He was being forced back again and again despite his resistance. His face flushed, and blood trickled from the corners of his mouth.

No... this can’t be happening! His Physique Refinement is better than mine. I can’t beat him head-on... I’ll have to use the Divine Fire Smoking Pipe.

With that thought, he decisively took a direct hit from Wang Yuan and let the impact hurl him backward dozens of zhang. The blackened smoking pipe appeared in his hand, and without hesitation, he bit down on it.

Nearby, the five-meter-tall giant Wang Yuan sneered, lifting a massive finger with unstoppable force and pointing it straight at Lu Rong.

”It’s either Qi Refinement or Physique Refinement! To switch paths at the last moment when you’re losing, what are you even cultivating!”Wang Yuan spat.

As his finger thrust forward, a streak of blood-red energy shot forth.

Lu Rong’s mind quaked. He was just about to risk everything, ready to unleash his final strike with the Divine Fire Smoking Pipe, when a spear of energy streaked from Danxia Peak straight toward him.

The terrifying might behind it shattered his composure. His hands froze for just an instant. By the time he snapped back and tried to activate his enchanted treasure, the blood-red force had already pierced his forehead. His Divine Fire Armor, sturdy enough to block a top-grade flying sword, was no tougher than ordinary paper in front of it.

His eyes went wide, and then he collapsed to the ground, dead as a doornail.

In the hollow gaze of his lifeless eyes, that Seven-Colored Spear lingered for a breath, while the actual energy spear continued its flight, vanishing into the sky behind him. Wang Yuan felt a chill run through his soul as he watched it.

”So this is the power of a well-prepared formation master,” he muttered. ”Waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Could I have taken that blow? Probably not.”

He let out a quiet sigh of relief. ”Good thing he’s a friend, I suppose.”

Wang Yuan could tell Min Longyu had intended to help him. That single strike had distracted Lu Rong just enough to ruin his final attack. Without it, Wang Yuan would have been forced to take a hit from the smoking pipe. Even if he had survived, the injuries would have been grave. He had been prepared to trade wounds for victory, but he had to admit that it felt a lot better to be completely unharmed.

Without hesitation, Wang Yuan shrank back to normal size and flew toward Lu Rong’s corpse. Behind him, blood serpents hissed and twisted.

”I promised you a worthy death. Now I’ll make sure you get it.”

The blood snakes slithered forward like a king’s retinue, burrowing into Lu Rong’s body. Moments later, they returned, thicker and clearly well-sated with blood qi. Slipping back into Wang Yuan’s body, they caused his blood qi to swell until it surged outward, nearly a third stronger than before.

***

Just two li outside Danxia Peak lay a stretch of rolling foothills, a natural divide between the towering mountain and the flat plains beyond. The terrain was uneven, the soil poor, and the spirit energy thin. For years, the Luo Tian Society had left it untouched, deeming it of little value.

Today, it has found its use. Mist hung heavy in the air, curling low over the ground, while waves of spirit power surged like a restless sea. Amid that crashing tide, Duan Feng stood tall upon a cresting swell, his long sword flashing like silver lightning. At his waist hung a rattle drum, its taut skin glowing faintly with energy.

This was his domain now! The Heluo Blade in his hand and his mastery of water-based spells worked together in perfect unison. This was the Duan family’s secret technique: the fusion of enchanted artifacts and spells into a single, seamless whole. He no longer fought by simply swinging a blade or casting a spell in isolation. Every move wove into the next like the warps and wefts of a steel net in a cycle of mutual reinforcement. Without it, a first-stage Initiate like him would have had no hope of matching Miao Yu, who stood a whole stage above him.

Even so, his situation was far from ideal.

Whoosh!

From deep within the waves, a thin strand of dust shot forward like a hidden needle. Duan Feng’s expression shifted. He slapped the rattle drum at his side.

Dong, dong!

At the sound, a shimmering blue water shield flared into existence beside him, intercepting the filament.

Splash!

”Found you!” Duan Feng shouted.

His mind snapped into focus. He spun and slashed backward with his sword. The tide split apart, revealing a graceful figure cloaked in mist.

Miao Yu’s lips curved into a cold smile. With a flick of her wrist, the whisk in her hand swept forward, deflecting his sword light with casual grace.

Boom!

The sword light crashed into the foothills with a deafening explosion that shook the plain.

Miao Yu surveyed the battlefield Duan Feng had carefully constructed, and a cold sneer formed on her lips. ”Your combat tactics are not bad. First you tried to ambush me, then you used the terrain to your advantage, and your combination of spells and enchanted artifacts is nearly flawless.”

She paused, then her voice dripped with scorn as she continued, ”Unfortunately, you’re only at the first stage of Foundation Establishment, and your spirit power is pitifully thin. How long do you think you can sustain this?”

Duan Feng’s face darkened, tension rolling off him in waves. His spirit power was indeed nearly drained, but retreat was not an option. If he let someone like her reach Danxia Peak, his family and friends would be doomed. That was something he could never accept. His heart steeled as he pulled a mid-grade spirit stone into his hand.

Miao Yu’s eyes narrowed. ”You plan to draw raw spirit power straight from the stone? Do you want to tear apart your sea of qi?”

”I will never retreat!” Duan Feng growled, his glare locked on her as he prepared to draw the energy into himself.

Suddenly, a voice transmission brushed past his ears. He froze, and his expression shifted slightly. The next instant, the spirit stone disappeared from his palm.

Miao Yu’s cold laughter echoed through the mist. She had thought him a man of iron will, one who would fight to the bitter end. As it turned out, he was just another coward.

Yet as she watched him gather his remaining strength, her expression turned grave. Her silk scarf unfurling from her waist, wrapping around her body like a shimmering cocoon. ”Once I block this strike, you’ll be at my mercy!”

Duan Feng ignored her mockery. He tossed aside his sword and gripped the rattle drum at his waist, beating it furiously. Wave after wave of spirit power flowed from him, reinforcing the drum. The dissipated waves around him surged back with renewed fury, layer upon layer crashing toward Miao Yu.

Ocean-Severing Triple Waves!

Miao Yu snorted. ”Again? That trick won’t work on me twice!”

Her silk scarf gleamed with a myriad of lights, blocking each wave as it came. Her whisk stiffened like a blade, ready to strike once his last attack failed.

Boom!

When the final wave receded, Duan Feng collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. At that moment, he could no longer muster a single drop of spirit power. His sea of qi was utterly drained; the vast cloud of spirit energy he usually relied on had vanished. Even if he survived this, it would take days to rebuild that foundation.

Through the thinning mist, Miao Yu stepped forward.

Duan Feng watched the scene as he whispered, ”Min Longyu, don’t let me down!”