An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Three Golden Core Adepts sat as if ready to impart solemn judgment. In the middle was Fairy Ruthless. On one side stood Fei Ming of Ailao Mountain, who had once spoken on Luo Chen’s behalf. The third figure, however, was not Long Quan of Green Pill Valley but an unfamiliar face.

Although Luo Chen had never met this man, he knew his identity. He was a cultivator who had once belonged to a great Golden Core sect, the Haoran Sect. His true name had long since been forgotten, and he was now only known by the Dao title Hao Ranzi. That title had not been conferred upon him by others but chosen by himself after advancing to the Golden Core Realm, as a tribute to his fallen sect.

For years, he had cultivated in seclusion on Tianlan Peak. While quietly cultivating, he accepted offerings from the Seven Sects and kept control of the city, ensuring its safety. His appearance suggested middle age, yet the vicissitudes in his eyes betrayed a far older soul. His aura was hidden to perfection, but although he seemed harmless, the pressure he exerted on Luo Chen surpassed even that of Fairy Ruthless and Fei Ming.

Under the combined scrutiny of the three Golden Core Adepts, Luo Chen stood tall, with an unshaken bearing. Not even the faint traces of spirit pressure leaking due to Fairy Ruthless’s recent advancement in cultivation were enough to disturb his composure.

The heavy silence broke when Hao Ranzi released a low sigh of admiration. ”Such extraordinary talent, and a spirit so clear and resolute. Truly, a promising talent. Yet your schemes run too deep, and the way you kill is far too ruthless. That is not the way of a true cultivator.”

Luo Chen’s eyes flickered in surprise, but he cupped his fist and bowed. ”Greetings, Senior Hao Ranzi.”

Hao Ranzi smiled faintly. ”There is no need for such formality. As a guest elder of the Ice Fortress, your status is the same as ours. Be at ease.”

The words drew a faint crease across Fairy Ruthless’s brow. By contrast, realization dawned upon Fei Ming, and he struck his forehead lightly. ”I nearly forgot. Our young friend here is an elder of a major sect. How could we possibly treat him with anything less than respect? My bad, my bad!”

As he spoke, he casually waved his hand, and an ochre stone chair took form behind Luo Chen. The earth-element spell came so naturally, with not a trace of effort, that Fei Ming’s mastery over the Dao of Earth could not be clearer if he’d talked about it himself.

Luo Chen lifted his brow slightly and turned his gaze toward Fairy Ruthless. Her expression was as cold and detached as ever. She merely said, in an indifferent tone, ”Sit.”

Luo Chen nodded to express his thanks and sat calmly upon the stone chair.

The moment he settled into his seat, Hao Ranzi spoke, unable to restrain his curiosity any longer. His question, however, was a little unexpected.

”You were the first to enter Bai Ye’s residence. What did you discover inside?”

”Bai Ye’s residence?” Luo Chen frowned.

Hao Ranzi explained, ”The Divine Transformation pocket world in the Jilei Nine Mountains. We have now concluded it to be the immortal estate of Bai Ye, a mighty cultivator of the Nether Origin Sect a thousand years ago. He was unmatched in lightning control and even advanced to Divine Transformation by following that road. Yet a thousand years ago, he vanished on a wandering journey. None imagined he had passed away in meditation[1] within the Lianxia Mountain Range.”

The ancient Lianxia Mountain Range was now known as the Jade Cauldron Domain.

”Passed away in meditation? Does that mean you have seen his remains?” Luo Chen asked in surprise.

Hao Ranzi shook his head. ”No, nothing of the sort. But when an Ascendant falls, the heavens and earth inevitably reveal signs. The Jade Cauldron Sword Sect lacked the foundation to recognize the peculiar nature of the Jilei Nine Mountains. Once the ruin was opened, the environment was forced to its utmost, and only then was it confirmed that Bai Ye had indeed perished within.”

The Haoran Sect had once produced Nascent Soul Sages. Decline had eventually forced them from their homeland, and in the end, they had joined the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect during its founding wars. Yet in terms of heritage and knowledge, the fallen Haoran Sect had surpassed the Sword Sect itself.

Even Fairy Ruthless and Fei Ming, who had already heard such secrets, grew thoughtful at Hao Ranzi’s words. For Luo Chen, it was the first time he learned that the fall of a Divine Transformation cultivator could give rise to natural phenomena. No wonder the Jilei Nine Mountains were perpetually shrouded in thunderclouds, with storms breaking out from time to time. It was the resting place of a grandmaster of the Dao of Lightning!

No one had realized it because the pocket world was closed. Only when the gates were opened was the weather anomaly connected to the energy within, due to which it grew even stronger. According to Hao Ranzi, such a place was one Nascent Soul Sages would avoid, though cultivators beneath that level could enter and leave freely. As for why Sages dared not approach, he did not explain.

Hao Ranzi pressed Luo Chen for his account because he had long guarded Tianlan Immortal City on behalf of the Seven Sects. His contributions had earned him the rare privilege of entry, granted by the two Nascent Soul sects. Thus, before venturing in, he wanted to gather every scrap of information.

Luo Chen considered for a moment, then spoke plainly. ”It’s not that I wanted to enter; I was forced inside. Before entering, I fought Di Wanyun and I was injured quite badly. Once I got away from him, I looked for a remote corner to recover. A year later, when my injuries healed, I just left. I did not actually explore the pocket world in the slightest.”

Hearing that, a look of disappointment crossed Hao Ranzi’s face. ”Is that so?”

After a moment’s thought, Luo Chen spoke again, in a hesitant tone. ”I heard that several True Artifacts surfaced within. I don’t know if such news would be of use to you, Senior.”

Hao Ranzi merely shook his head. ”True Artifacts may be fine things, but I have no fate with them. Only Sages can truly wield such treasures. But did you truly gain nothing at all? Not even a map or something of that sort?”

Luo Chen gave a bitter smile. ”Nothing of the kind. The only thing I can offer is a rough impression of the region where I stayed. If you want, I can draw you a map.”

Hao Ranzi thought for a moment, then gave a nod. Though it was only a remote corner, such information was still better than nothing. When he entered later, if trouble arose, it could at least serve as an extra route of retreat.

Luo Chen immediately produced a jade slip and began carefully inscribing a map. The paths he marked were the routes he had taken in and out, while the surrounding areas were reconstructed from his hazy memory as best he could.

As he worked, he could feel clearly that the other two Adepts were also paying close attention. A thought stirred in his heart, and he took out three pale flowers from a storage pouch.

”In truth, even though I didn’t explore much, I did not come away empty-handed. In that remote place, I found some minerals. Would you please appraise them?”

The words had barely left his mouth when startled cries rang through the cave.

”Lightning Essence!”

”Century-old Lightning Essence!”

”Hiss... Boy, your fortune runs deep. To think you’d come across a treasure like this!”

Luo Chen feigned sudden realization. ”So this is the famed Lightning Essence?”

Hao Ranzi beckoned, and a pale Lightning Flower, its roots still clinging to the soil it had been preserved in, drifted into his hand. He examined it carefully, nodding in approval as a spark of satisfaction lit his gaze.

”This is indeed a Lightning Essence matured over a hundred years. Its potency is several times that of the ordinary ten-year kind. If this is used for a life-bound enchanted treasure, it not only strengthens resistance against corrupting techniques but also increases the chance of survival when facing the lightning tribulation of Nascent Soul.”

”Is it truly so miraculous?” Luo Chen asked, unable to restrain his curiosity.

Hao Ranzi stroked the flower in his hand and spoke as though it were self-evident. ”Naturally so. Your years of cultivation are too short for you to understand the mysteries of higher realms. People say ’break the core to form Nascent Soul,’ yet in truth, there is also the stage of fusing the divine soul. The soul is yin in nature and fears lightning and fire, especially the tribulation lightning that can shatter it regardless of realm. If this Lightning Essence is added to one’s life-bound enchanted treasure, the soul will gradually develop a natural resistance to lightning. When the tribulation strikes, the Nascent Soul will not be so fragile. Furthermore—”

Midway through his explanation, Hao Ranzi abruptly stopped. When he lifted his gaze, he saw Fairy Ruthless and Fei Ming watching him with rapt attention, their expressions eager for him to continue.

Realization dawned. Neither the Ice Fortress, which stood behind Fairy Ruthless, nor Ailao Mountain, which had nurtured Fei Ming, had ever produced a Nascent Soul Sage. Neither sect knew the hidden truths of the lightning tribulation. What he had casually spoken was common knowledge to the upper sects, but to them, it was like a lantern illuminating the Great Dao.

With a carefree smile, Hao Ranzi pushed the Lightning Essence away, sending the pale flower drifting toward Luo Chen. Yet midway through its flight, a faint resistance stirred. Startled, he looked at Luo Chen.

”With only a few words, Senior, you have already spared me countless detours when I one day face my tribulation,” Luo Chen said respectfully. ”Allow this century-old Lightning Essence to serve as my thanks for your guidance upon the Dao.”

Hao Ranzi wished to refuse, but as his gaze lingered on the Lightning Essence, reluctance tugged at his heart.

While he hesitated, Luo Chen raised his hand and sent the other two blossoms drifting toward Fairy Ruthless and Fei Ming.

”The two of you saved my life,” he said. ”I have no way to repay such a debt, so please accept these as a token of my gratitude.”

Fei Ming’s eyes lit up. Without the slightest hesitation, he swept the blossom directly into his storage pouch.

”Not bad, boy. No wonder the Ice Fortress and Green Pill Valley both fought to claim you. It is a pity my junior brother failed to bring you back then. Otherwise, you and I would already be fellow disciples.”

Fairy Ruthless cradled the Lightning Essence in her palm, her lips pressed in thought. She had long heard that the mineral was best fused into a life-bound enchanted treasure, yet she had never understood why such a thing was necessary.

For centuries, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect had occupied the Jilei Nine Mountains, hoarding every fragment of Lightning Essence they mined. Almost none ever left the inner domain, leaving cultivators like her with only rumors and no chance to study it for themselves. Only now, after hearing Hao Ranzi’s explanation, did she finally understand.

When a cultivator nourished a life-bound enchanted treasure with mana, the divine soul linked to that treasure gradually adapted to the force of lightning. This adaptation made the tribulation of forming Nascent Soul far easier to endure. The principle sounded simple, but the hard-won knowledge behind it was beyond price. After all, who would dare risk their own soul against heavenly lightning just to test such a theory?

Even the way she looked at Luo Chen softened ever so slightly. According to Hao Ranzi, what he offered them was no ordinary Lightning Essence but a century-old cluster, many times stronger than the common variety. If she refined it into her life-bound enchanted treasure, then with her lifespan, she might very well have time to make good use of it before she made an attempt for the Nascent Soul Realm.

With a flick of her wrist, the Lightning Essence and its soil slipped neatly into her storage pouch.

Hao Ranzi, meanwhile, still had not put his own Lightning Essence away. He hesitated, then looked at Luo Chen. ”Since you hold such lofty aspirations of the Nascent Soul Realm, why not keep this for yourself?”

Luo Chen offered a modest smile. ”To speak frankly, I still have two more. They should be enough for my use.”

”Two more!” Fei Ming’s eyes lit with sudden delight.

”Ahem!”

A quiet cough cut through the air, dousing the flicker of greed in an instant. Hao Ranzi cast Fei Ming a sidelong glance before nodding. ”Since that is the case, I shall accept it. Truth be told, I do desire it.”

Luo Chen was slightly surprised. This Golden Core Adept’s manner was remarkably forthright. What he sought, he asked directly. What he desired, he admitted openly. His conduct carried the air of a gentleman, and with a cough, he had even defused Fei Ming’s momentary greed.

In truth, Luo Chen had already been prepared to part with two more century-old blossoms. To him, they were of little value. Within the storage ring he had hidden in the cave residence lay eighteen more blossoms, and not just century-old ones but millennium-old ones! When he had mined within Bai Ye’s cave residence, he had taken those eighteen millennial blossoms along with scattered century-old ones casually. Now, the latter served perfectly as gifts.

As for the former, they vastly surpassed ordinary Lightning Essence, even reaching the fifth tier. Such treasures would be more than enough to support him once he advanced to the Golden Core Realm.

With three gifts offered, the attitudes of the three Adepts toward Luo Chen shifted noticeably.

The change was most evident in Fairy Ruthless. She had never been ignorant of the Luo Tian Society’s struggles. Yet at the time, she had been on the verge of a breakthrough. The sect leader’s lineage had already set its sights on Tianlan Immortal City’s hard-won holdings. Worse still, Luo Chen’s life or death had been uncertain, his whereabouts completely unknown. In such circumstances, she had little reason to waste thought on a small faction like the Luo Tian Society.

When Xu Xiaoliu arrived carrying Luo Chen’s letter to seek her aid, she realized that he was not dead. He had already emerged safely from the Divine Transformation pocket world. Yet even after returning, he had not come to see her. That slight had made her determined to assert greater control over him.

Thus, she had chosen to intervene only at the last moment, striking just in time to save him, ensuring his gratitude, while also making her warning clear. As for the Luo Tian Society’s losses, such people were beneath her notice.

Now, however, Luo Chen had presented her with a resource of immense personal value. The gesture left her unexpectedly awkward. Judged as a simple exchange, this single century-old Lightning Essence was more than enough to balance the weight of her life-saving grace. Her means of leverage suddenly had no place.

For a moment, she asked herself whether she owed him an explanation. But then, she dismissed the thought with a cold smile. Why should she explain anything to him?

1. 坐化 (zuo hua) means to pass away while seated in meditation posture. It is seen in Buddhism as a way for a practitioner to end their life with composure and dignity, without the struggle or suffering of ordinary death. ☜