An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

A few days later, a large flying boat descended steadily onto Danxia Peak. The vessel brought back the delegation sent to congratulate the Ice Fortress Dao Scion on her advancement to the Golden Core Realm. When it departed, it had been carrying with it a wealth of gifts. Upon its return, it now bore crates filled with specialty goods from the Ice Fortress.

As the attendants unloaded the resources, it became clear to everyone that the ties between the Luo Tian Society and the Ice Fortress had grown even closer. None of the other vassal factions under Ice Fortress enjoyed such treatment. Typically, gifts were sent only one way, yet this time, the gesture had been reciprocated.

Gu Caiyi’s bold move drew considerable attention, and as a result, the forces around Tianlan Immortal City became increasingly respectful and eager to befriend the Luo Tian Society. In truth, even without such efforts, the Luo Tian Society’s influence within the Tianlan Immortal City region had already risen dramatically.

Inside the main hall of the Luo Tian Society, the high-ranked members gathered to deliver reports on recent developments and the shifting political landscape around the city.

”The Flame Alliance’s vassal forces have either surrendered to other sects or been wiped out. There are no remnants of the alliance left in Tianlan Immortal City. The former Flame Alliance base at Incense Burning Valley is gone. Two Golden Core Adepts from another domain have since joined hands to found a new force called Stormwind Manor. The Six Sects of the Jade Cauldron Domain have not officially recognized it, yet no one has moved to interfere. The whole situation is rather strange.”

”Strangely, aside from the Sword Pavilion, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect has withdrawn all its industries from Tianlan Immortal City. Even several of its vassal families have begun relocating. At present, the dominant powers in the city are largely made up of forces tied to the former Four-Sect Alliance and their vassals.”

”Our society has recently received several new privileges. We’ve leased all four first-tier spirit lands surrounding Danxia Peak and secured the management rights to the Thousand-Li Bamboo Sea. This has always been a disputed territory. It was originally part of Green Pill Valley’s domain, but that was contested by the other sects. After years of fighting, it was left untended and gradually became overrun, falling into the hands of rogue cultivators.

”The Falling Cloud Sect stepped in to mediate. They brought together the Six Sects and reached a mutual agreement with Green Pill Valley. From now on, the society will oversee the Thousand Li Bamboo Sea’s operations. The profits will be divided into three portions—one for the city, one for Green Pill Valley, and one for ourselves. It may seem like an uneven deal at first glance, but I have made some calculations and it’s actually quite profitable. More importantly, it will provide opportunities for our Qi Refinement cultivators to earn spirit stones. Speaking of that, our existing trades are running smoothly and growing steadily. Here’s the ledger, President, you can take a look.”

”Elder Sun Sifang of the Succession Palace passed away a year ago at the age of 275. It was a remarkable lifespan for an Initiate, and she seemed to be at peace and satisfied. Before her passing, she personally compiled a medical scripture titled Radiant Youth Scripture, which has since been added to the inheritance of the Succession Palace. Several gifted ladies have begun studying it under the guidance of her senior disciple, Su’e.”

”On the same page, Elder Wang Yuan also acquired a battle formation method from the Flame Alliance. The method allows Qi Refinement cultivators to combine their strength in combat. He has passed it on to the Battle Palace.”

One by one, the senior members of the Luo Tian Society reported the affairs of their respective departments. As the meeting continued, Luo Chen gradually gained a clear picture of the society’s progress over the past few years.

When the reports finally came to an end, he rubbed his temples and said tiredly, ”You’ve all done well. During my absence, it was thanks to your efforts that our family was kept in order. You’ve worked hard.”

But even though he pushed all the credit toward them, none of them reached out to claim it. Instead, every one of them spoke from the heart.

”This is our duty!”

”President, you’re the one who has worked hardest.”

”President, please take care of your health!”

As they spoke, their gazes instinctively lingered on Luo Chen’s tired expression and the streaks of white in his dry hair. So the rumors were true—the battle at Incense Burning Valley had left their President gravely wounded. Otherwise, how could someone so young and advanced in cultivation already show such early signs of old age? And all of it had been for the sake of avenging Luo Tian Society’s humiliation from years past, when their gates were besieged, and for honoring their brethren who had perished in that battle.

Leaders with such integrity and courage were exceedingly rare. Once, the Lianyun Trade Alliance had stood as a dominant force in Tianlan Immortal City. Yet when the vassal forces of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect besieged them, they surrendered their Second and Third Elders as scapegoats to save themselves. Though the decision had indeed resulted in the survival of the alliance, its reputation never recovered. For generations afterward, their name was spoken with contempt.

Luo Chen was the complete opposite. He had not only stood with the Luo Tian Society, which involved a distinct possibility of falling with it, but had even struck back, personally storming the enemy’s stronghold and burning a once-mighty major sect to ruins. Such a feat stirred people’s blood and commanded boundless admiration.

As Luo Chen met the concerned gazes of his subordinates, friends, and beloved partners, warmth filled his heart, though he also felt a trace of helplessness. He was, in truth, perfectly fine. But since he had agreed to Ice Torrent’s plan, he had to see it through to the end. By presenting himself as weak, Luo Chen could spare both the Luo Tian Society and the Ice Fortress a great deal of unnecessary trouble.

The reasoning sounded amusing at first, but it actually made perfect sense. In the Jade Cauldron Domain, rumors had long spread that his combat prowess was unmatched, even surpassing the Dao Scions and True Inheritors of numerous Golden Core sects. Some even went so far as to crown him the number one Initiate of the entire Jade Cauldron Domain.

High reputation could sometimes serve as a stepping stone, and sometimes even as a shield. But at other times, it brought nothing but trouble. Those proud Dao Scions and True Inheritors of major sects were far too arrogant to tolerate being overshadowed by a mere rogue cultivator. If Luo Chen appeared strong and unscathed, it would take no more than three days before challengers came knocking one after another, and that was no small matter.

Although Luo Chen did not fear cultivators of the same realm, dealing with constant challenges was simply too exhausting. Fighting every day brought no benefit. How was he supposed to live like that, or continue cultivating at all?

Thus, he obediently maintained the appearance of poor health. He even went so far as to disguise his complexion and adjust his voice, expression, and gait to appear frail.

The only downside was that he had to fool his own people first. But even that wasn’t a real issue. Once he succeeded in forming his core, none of this would matter in the slightest. And in order to get there safely, he now had to plan his next stage of cultivation.

Hao Ranzi had returned two years earlier from the Divine Transformation pocket world at Jilei Nine Mountain, and his third-tier cave residence naturally had to be vacated. Luo Chen had no problem with that; he no longer intended to rely on a third-tier spirit land before reaching the ninth stage of Foundation Establishment. The risk was simply too great. He had no desire to experience another Heart Devil. Thus, when it came to cultivation, he would have to return to an old path once more—none other than the well-trodden path of performance-enhancement drugs.

”With all of you overseeing the affairs of Luo Tian Society, I can rest easy,” Luo Chen said calmly. ”For major decisions, Huiniang may act on her own authority. Unless it concerns the very survival of the society, there is no need to report everything to me.”

Sima Huiniang, who sat beside him, glanced around the hall. Every face she met showed nothing but trust and agreement. Over the years, her capability had earned the full confidence of all.

”In the meantime, while I recover, I will refine some pills. I’ll need everyone’s help to gather the necessary ingredients,” Luo Chen continued.

”Rest assured, President, the Medicine Palace will handle it,” said Feng Xia.

Since the death of Bian Zhen, she had taken charge of that crucial palace. Sima Huiniang gave a nod of approval as well. Within the Luo Tian Society, nothing ever took precedence over matters concerning Luo Chen.

Luo Chen nodded with satisfaction and handed Sima Huiniang a list. He had compiled it on his journey back, noting each ingredient with care. Most of the required materials were not difficult to obtain. They were for three kinds of pills: the Jade Dew Pill, the Blood-Boosting Pill, and the Dustfall Pill. The list also included a large assortment of materials, many of which were connected to the Spirit Passage Pill, among other things.

The refining of supreme-grade Spirit Passage Pills could not be halted. At the same time, the work of deducing a second-tier version of the pill would require extensive experimentation with a wide variety of medicinal ingredients. The matter of acquiring these ingredients would also have to be entrusted to the Luo Tian Society.

It was easy to imagine that Luo Chen’s days ahead might seem calm and uneventful, yet they would be anything but idle.

His gaze swept slowly across the gathered members before finally settling on Qu Lingjun, who had reached the ninth stage of Qi Refinement.

A thought stirred in Luo Chen’s heart. He thought back to his time in the Ice Prison, when his new Senior Sister occasionally offered him patient guidance. She truly embodied the kindness and wisdom of an experienced elder. In contrast, his guidance toward his disciple Qu Lingjun had been severely lacking.

Over the years, the young man’s cultivation had relied mostly on occasional advice from Li Yingzhang and the other Foundation Establishment members of the Luo Tian Society. As for alchemy, he had exchanged insights with the alchemists of the Alchemy Palace. But as his skill gradually surpassed theirs, he was left to explore the path on his own.

Truly, I’ve been an unworthy master, Luo Chen thought.

”Lingjun, from now on, visit my cave residence once every month,” Luo Chen said at last. ”I want to check on your cultivation and alchemy progress to make sure you don’t fall behind.”

The eyes of Qu Lingjun, who was seated beside Li Yingzhang, brightened instantly at those words.