An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

The appearance of the violet flame caused a ripple of disturbance within the Celestial Palace. Several Golden Core Adepts from the outer sects watched with great interest.

The Mistress of Fragrance exclaimed, ”This Sourceless Flame carries fearsome might, perhaps no weaker than the Withering-Flourishing Fire of the Flame Alliance. And you people of Green Pill Valley actually entrusted it to a mere Foundation Establishment disciple?”

That the Flame Alliance possessed a Sourceless Flame was common knowledge. The Withering-Flourishing Fire was known for its power to wither, to flourish, and to incinerate all cycles of time. It was the very fire that allowed the Flame Alliance to establish itself as the premier artifact-forging sect of the Jade Cauldron Domain.

Qing Yunzi smiled faintly. ”We did not entrust anything to anyone. Dan Yangzi discovered it himself in an ancient cave dwelling. It was his fortune. Besides, when he obtained the Violet Skyfire, it was extremely weak. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have subdued it so easily. Even after decades of cultivation, its actual power is only around the level of a minor third-tier earth fire. It holds no real use for Green Pill Valley, so allowing him to take it as his true fire was perfectly fine.”

Mistress of Fragrance nodded in realization. Sourceless Flames were indeed rare, but not impossible to find within the Jade Cauldron Domain. She herself knew of several varieties. Most of them were weak and required centuries of nurturing before they became valuable. Situations such as the Flame Alliance’s acquisition of a full-power Withering-Flourishing Fire were exceedingly rare strokes of fortune.

”No wonder Dan Yangzi employed it only at the critical moment,” she remarked. ”It is a trump card, not a tool he can rely on in every battle.”

Qingyunzi nodded. ”Indeed. It benefits his alchemy, but in combat, its applications are limited.”

That was what he claimed aloud. Whether the others believed it or not, that was another matter. It was clear he intended to dissuade any covetous thoughts. Out of courtesy, the other Golden Core Adepts did not press further; for them, a weak Sourceless Flame was hardly worth scheming over.

Luo Chen, on the other hand, watched with a hint of envy. If he could obtain a Sourceless Flame of his own, his pill refinement process would become far more efficient. Yet he also knew that even though such heavenly treasures could be found in the Jade Cauldron Domain, their strength varied, and even the weaker ones were monopolized by the great sects. For him to acquire one for himself... wouldn’t be so easy.

While the combatants below took the chance to recover, the Golden Core Adepts above engaged in quiet conversation. Adept Chi Ding, for once, could not conceal his dissatisfaction. ”Dan Yangzi’s talent in alchemy is extraordinary, and now he has refined a true fire. He should join Danyang Peak and the Grand Alchemy Institute to inherit the Grand Elder’s mantle. You people of Qingyun Peak, insisting on grooming him as the next sect leader... What a waste of his gifts!”

Qing Yunzi offered a weary smile. ”Senior Brother, nobody forced him to do anything. Dan Yangzi himself chose this path. And besides, Longshou Peak has also expressed interest in him. Why single out Qingyun Peak alone?”

Adept Chi Ding scoffed, clearly unconvinced.

As Luo Chen listened and pieced together what he had learned, a clearer picture of Green Pill Valley emerged. The sect revolved around the five peaks: Yuanhua Mountain served as the gateway; Luojia Mountain housed the female cultivators; Danyang Peak presided over alchemy; Longshou Peak was for those devoted to cultivation alone. At the center of it all stood Qingyun Peak, the heart of the sect, where successive sect leaders and the majority of elders resided. The entire sect’s operation revolved around Qingyun Peak’s administration.

From this vantage point, it became clear why the prodigious Dan Yangzi was being pulled in multiple directions. Danyang Peak sought his alchemical genius, Longshou Peak sought his cultivation potential, and Qingyun Peak sought him as future sect leader. His path might have been destined for alchemy or pure cultivation, yet he insisted on striving for the title of Dao Scion, the sect leader’s heir. That ambition was precisely why so many restrictions had been placed upon him during this Dao Scion competition.

Allies were forbidden in the first round, and the Violet Skyfire was prohibited in the second. Those rules were clearly constraints imposed by Longshou Peak and Danyang Peak. As long as Dan Yangzi failed, those peaks would have an opportunity to recruit him.

Because Dan Yangzi had made mistakes yet still wished to compete, he had accepted these harsh conditions to return to the arena. Now, against all odds, he had reached the final round.

Luo Chen could not help but praise him inwardly. What a man! If I were in Dan Yangzi’s place, would I have made it this far? Likely not. That first round of one-against-many battles is already a headache. But once I reach late-stage Foundation Establishment, my power and abilities will not fall short. There’s no need to belittle myself.

Although Luo Chen disliked fighting and killing, he acknowledged that in a world ruled by individual power, combat remained the most efficient way to resolve disputes. Even when an issue could not be solved outright, one could always remove the person causing it. He had developed his own understanding of deadly techniques. At the very least, he did not consider himself inferior to the so-called True Inheritors of the major sects.

***

Inside Pill Valley, the atmosphere was electric.

”The final battle is about to start!”

”Yes, we’re finally going to see who becomes the next Dao Scion. I’m not even competing, and I still feel excited.”

”Will the eldest senior brother reclaim the Dao Scion title, or will Senior Sister Tao overtake him? Who do you think will win?”

”Isn’t it obvious? Senior Brother Dan Yangzi, of course! The sect has never explained why he was demoted in the first place. He has done well all these years, so why replace him?”

”He’s strong, true, but can’t you see how tired he is? I actually favor Senior Sister Tao.”

”I agree. Senior Sister Tao comes from a powerful lineage, descended from the seventh sect master. Her combat techniques won’t be lacking.”

”She might be strong, but not as strong as he is! And I really think Senior Brother Dan Yangzi still has one more fight left in him. Worst case, he unleashes the Violet Skyfire again. What could she possibly use to defend against that?”

”But Senior Sister Tao has honed her combat skills in debate platforms across the great immortal cities. Her cultivation may be slightly weaker, but both are at the ninth. She is well-rested and prepared, while the eldest senior brother’s trump cards are already exposed. That gives her the advantage.”

Within the Pill Valley, over ten thousand cultivators were deep in discussion. Each expressed their own opinions on the upcoming final duel. Their words were impassioned as they pointed out strengths and weaknesses, each with their own favorite contender.

While the crowd speculated, time slipped by. Dan Yangzi’s brief period of rest came to an end. The Longshou Peak elder activated the defensive formation, and a ripple of spirit light shimmered across the platform. The final duel was about to begin.

”True Inheritor Dan Yangzi and True Inheritor Tao Wan, please ascend the Sword Duel Platform!”

As the words rang out, two figures leapt into the air and landed on opposite ends of the stage in perfect synchronicity. One’s face was tinged with a crimson hue, and the strange violet markings between his brows radiated danger. The other was stunning in appearance; as she stood there, with the wind making her robes flutter, her well-proportioned body and the fierce battle intent she radiated made everyone unable to look away.

Tao Wan raised her hand lightly and said, ”Senior Brother, I’m afraid I’ll be offending you today.”

From her sleeve, a soft silk ribbon slipped free, twisting like a spirit serpent flicking its tongue. The Flowing Cloud Sleeve was an heirloom of the Tao family and an enchanted treasure she had been using since childhood. Its fluidity concealed its lethality; she had precise control over it, and whether the snake would coil around the prey or bite directly, it was entirely up to her.

Dan Yangzi regarded her with a solemn gaze as a long sword materialized in his hand. It was not the supreme-grade enchanted artifact he had used earlier, but his most familiar weapon—his flying sword, Violet Malice.

”Bring it on!” he said.

There was no need for pleasantries. With only that brief exchange, the battle erupted.

Tao Wan immediately adopted a strategy unlike that of anyone who had previously faced Dan Yangzi. Rather than retreating, she advanced boldly; she raised both hands, and countless sleeve ribbons burst outward with a thunderous surge. They no longer seemed silky, but rather like bands of flexible steel, striking like torrential rain blown by the gale of a summer storm.

Dan Yangzi remained composed, his expression solemn. He refrained from launching a full offensive with his flying sword. Instead, he guided it with spirit energy, cutting through the storm of ribbons. His swordsmanship revealed extraordinary precision and skill, proving that his reputation for excelling in both alchemy and swordplay was not exaggerated. Even Zuo Song, the leader of Iron Sword Hall, might have been forced to yield before such a technique.

The two exchanged fierce blows, using their enchanted treasures with abandon. Spirit power was consumed in staggering amounts, as though it were inexhaustible.

Dan Yangzi formed a sword seal with his fingers, remotely directing Violet Malice. Though the weapon’s movements appeared aggressive, his approach leaned more toward defense. Given his depleted condition, an all-out assault was not feasible. His strategy was to conserve energy, counterattack when possible, and seize victory with a single decisive strike. As had been proven in previous matches, an all-out assault was bound to reveal fatal openings.

A sudden flash of insight lit his eyes. Violet Malice split into nine beams of sword light, encircling Tao Wan from every direction.

Junior Sister... You’re still too inexperienced.