An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Luo Chen’s Withering-Flourishing Fire had come from the Flame Alliance. Although he had refined it in secret, it could not have escaped the notice of those who watched closely. Dan Yangzi had personally taken part in that battle. He would certainly have seen traces of it. So now that Green Pill Valley had come seeking him, it was clear that they valued not merely his abilities as an alchemist, but also the fact that he had a primordial true fire.

Still, if he involved himself in such a matter, would it not bring trouble later?

Seeing he was still wavering, Tao Wan spoke softly to reassure him. ”I understand what worries you, but there’s no need for concern. Everyone’s attention is on the Frontier War right now. No one will pay any notice to Green Pill Valley. Besides, you’re still a retainer of my Tao family. A visit to Green Pill Valley would be natural. Publically, we can announce it as an exchange of alchemical insights.”

By all logic, given the close ties between their two sects and the reasonableness of her words, Luo Chen should have agreed. Yet he still gave no answer.

Tao Wan faintly sensed what he was thinking, and she decided to speak more directly. ”The previous agreement that we would stop supplying top-grade second-tier Ascending Dragon Pills after your Core Formation can be voided. From now on, Green Pill Valley will continue to provide the Luo Tian Sect with a steady supply of top-grade Ascending Dragon Pills.”

If such a deal was secured, the Luo Tian Sect’s Initiates would no longer lack cultivation resources. But even so, Luo Chen kept his composure. ”My Luo Tian Sect already has a few alchemists. We are not particularly short on second-tier pills.”

That was no exaggeration. Over the years, Luo Chen had indeed created a second-tier cultivation pill from several incomplete formulas. Its effects surpassed those of the Rainbow Chrysanthemum Pill, although it fell slightly short of the Ascending Dragon Pill. The pill would not have much market value, but it was more than sufficient for internal use. He had already handed the formula to Qi Yi for refinement.

As for Qu Lingjun, Luo Chen had entrusted him with the refining methods for the second-tier Spirit Passage Pill and Jade Dew Pill. During the years that Luo Chen spent in seclusion, his disciple’s solid foundation in alchemy had allowed him to refine Jade Dew Pills consistently. Although the pills he produced were only low grade, the Ice Fortress found them acceptable, and with Luo Chen occasionally refining batches of top-grade Jade Dew Pills himself, the bond between the Luo Tian Sect and the Ice Fortress had remained exceptionally close. Once Qu Lingjun advanced enough to consistently refine mid-grade Jade Dew Pills, Luo Chen would be free from such trivial matters altogether.

Of course, that was easier said than done. If he could secure a steady supply of top-grade Ascending Dragon Pills, he would certainly not refuse. Tao Wan rolled her eyes inwardly, cursing him in silence. She knew well that such an offer alone could never sway him. After all, this concerned a Nascent Soul Pill!

”From what I’ve seen, you don’t yet have a life-bound enchanted treasure, do you?” she said suddenly.

Swish!

Luo Chen’s gaze locked sharply onto Tao Wan’s curvaceous form. At some point, a thin iron sheet rolled like a scroll had appeared in her hand.

”From what I know of you, you always pursue the finest. Whether in pills, Core Formation arts, or even the Frontier War, which you’re joining to claim a third-tier spirit land. There is no way you would settle for a mere mid-grade enchanted treasure as your life-bound one, like ordinary rogue cultivators,” Tao Wan said. ”Surely you’ve been wondering what kind of enchanted treasure would be the best for you, haven’t you?”

She slowly lifted the iron scroll and said, ”For an alchemist like you, what could be more fitting as a life-bound enchanted treasure than a cauldron?”

It was common sense! A life-bound enchanted treasure was a treasure refined together with one’s own life and cultivation. Through constant nourishment with mana, it grew stronger alongside its master. Yet if used often in battle, it faced damage and even risked breaking the spiritual bond between master and artifact. And if it were destroyed by accident, it could cripple one’s cultivation foundation entirely. That contradiction was what made the situation so troublesome.

Yet for an alchemist, using an alchemy tool for this purpose solved the problem perfectly. It could be used daily in refinement, deepening the connection and helping it advance in grade without the danger of battle damage. For this reason, nearly every great alchemist sought a cauldron or furnace as their life-bound enchanted treasure. For instance, the Shangshu Cauldron Luo Chen was using now used to be Shang Hu’s personal treasure.

Luo Chen gulped and asked, ”What is that?”

Tao Wan said slowly in an alluring tone, ”The Green Pill Valley has three great crafting methods for life-bound enchanted treasures. This scroll contains one of them. If you agree to help us, this blueprint will be yours.”

When she noticed that his eyes still held their clarity, Tao Wan continued patiently, ”Let me tell you, our sect’s foundational treasure, the Azure Sky Glazed Cauldron, was crafted through this very method, and it’s a top-grade treasure now. Ordinary enchanted treasures can hardly ever reach that grade. Well, the blueprint I’m offering isn’t for the Azure Sky Glazed Cauldron itself, but it has its own unique advantages.”

Luo Chen was well aware of the Azure Sky Glazed Cauldron’s capabilities. The ”cauldron” was actually a grand formation consisting of one main cauldron and thirty-six secondary cauldrons. It could process a vast number of materials simultaneously and even enhance the quality of the pills refined within. Rumor held that the ancestor of Green Pill Valley had once relied on this cauldron to refine a fourth-tier pill despite being only a third-tier alchemist.

At that, Luo Chen suddenly understood why Qing Danzi, though merely a third-tier alchemist himself, had the confidence to attempt creating a Nascent Soul Pill.

I see. He must have fully refined the cauldron into his own treasure.

Luo Chen restrained the greed rising in his heart and asked calmly, ”If that’s the case, why not give me a finished cauldron? What use is just a blueprint?”

He had no interest in being taught the method instead of receiving the result. The sooner he could obtain his life-bound enchanted treasure, the better. Otherwise, he would still have to find a skilled third-tier artisan to bring the blueprint to life.

Tao Wan looked slightly surprised. ”Do you not know that a life-bound enchanted treasure is best forged by one’s own hand?”

Luo Chen blinked and replied instinctively, ”But not everyone knows how to craft. How could they make one themselves?”

Tao Wan smiled and shook her head. ”That’s true for ordinary Adepts, but you are an alchemist who commands a primordial true fire! You have the most important tool, so you can simply follow the blueprint to smelt and temper the artifact embryo. After that, all you need is a formation master to engrave the proper formations, and your life-bound enchanted treasure will be complete. Don’t tell me you can’t find a good formation master.”

Luo Chen stood speechless for a moment. It really did sound simple. He realized he had explored far too little of his Withering-Flourishing Fire’s potential. For years, he had used it only to draw life force from beasts. Since he was not an artifact maker, he had forgotten that it had once been the Flame Alliance’s prized flame, used precisely for smelting and forging. If they could use it to create artifacts, then there was no reason for him not to.

She continued, ”In fact, if you preferred an easier path, you could take any ordinary enchanted treasure and refine it for years with your primordial true fire. In time, it would still become a fine life-bound enchanted treasure. But I know you, and you’d never settle for that. Which is why I’ve brought you this blueprint. So then... are you willing?”

Tao Wan looked at Luo Chen with quiet confidence. She was certain that under such generous terms, he would finally agree.

However, Luo Chen said slowly, ”I’ll take the top-grade Ascending Dragon Pills, and I’ll take the cauldron blueprint, but there’s also the Nascent Soul Pill...”

In an instant, Tao Wan’s gentle expression turned razor-sharp.

”...formula! I want that as well!”

When he finished his sentence, Tao Wan quelled her rising anger. Even so, she still shook her head. ”Do you realize you’re being outright insatiable?”

Luo Chen replied solemnly, ”I know I’m asking for a lot. But tell me, which Adept does not yearn for the Three Flowers to crown their head and for the Five Qi to return to the origin?[1] Don’t you want that? But you have a sect to rely on; you don’t have to scour the world and face tremendous hardships. I am not the same. If possible, I wish to borrow the Nascent Soul Pill formula just once.”

Borrow it once? Please. I might as well just give you a copy and save everyone some trouble.

After Foundation Establishment, a cultivator’s comprehension and memory grew far sharper. After Core Formation, even a single glance was enough to remember something perfectly; doubly so if the person in question was a subject matter expert, like Luo Chen was in alchemy. Letting him see the formula was tantamount to letting him learn it to perfection.

Tao Wan could understand Luo Chen’s situation, yet from her sect’s standpoint...

After a moment of thought, she gave her answer. ”That decision is not mine to make. I have never even seen the formula myself. If you truly want it, you will have to speak with our Supreme Elder directly. Of course, I will relay your request, and for the sake of our connection, I’ll speak well of you where I can.”

Luo Chen cupped his fist respectfully. ”In that case, many thanks.”

Tao Wan let out a quiet sigh. This was not her first time dealing with him, yet his ability in bargaining had somehow grown sharper without her even realizing it. Fortunately, aside from that one demand for the alchemical formula, everything else remained within the Supreme Elder’s acceptable limits.

”When will you depart?” she asked.

”In half a month, I’ll be meeting with Stormwind Manor and the Cen family to form our alliance. We plan to make our move in the Frontier War,” Luo Chen replied.

”Half a month?” Tao Wan murmured to herself. That was still manageable; she could wait

Suddenly, a soft laugh reached her ears.

”Speaking of that, I heard Green Pill Valley will also be taking part in the Frontier War. If my Luo Tian Alliance happens to run into trouble, I hope Green Pill Valley will lend a hand,” Luo Chen said with a faint smile.

Tao Wan’s expression froze. She had once again underestimated Luo Chen’s shamelessness!

1. This is explained in 643. ☜