An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

”You have all read the intelligence on the Nine Sects’ Sword Enforcer Hall. It is an organization formed by the nine upper sects. It functions somewhat like a law enforcement unit and a firefighting unit.

”The cultivators within are geniuses in the Foundation Establishment Realm and Adepts from the nine upper sects. They participate in battle to temper their Dao hearts and combat techniques. Such an organization is actually not as dangerous as it sounds. You have all seen this year’s casualty figures. There have been virtually no deaths among them, so there is truly no need for everyone to be overly anxious.”

***

”I know that no one wants to go, since there is risk involved. However, the alliance’s interests are not mine alone. You all have a share as well.

”How about this? We implement a rotation system with a three-year term. Every three years, someone else takes over. If someone is severely injured, they may return early.

”Would this be acceptable?”

***

”As for Initiates, we will not just have a single faction send them. We will send Initiates from each of our factions and also draw a few from the Myriad Phenomena Sect.”

”Fellow Daoist Diwu Qi, what do you think? I personally think that Zong Jiulang is quite capable.”

***

”The first person to go will bear the greatest risk, so the rest will naturally contribute a portion of resources as compensation. As the alliance leader, I will not be stingy. I’ve had countless failed refinements recently, but I finally succeeded in refining a bottle of mid-grade Starfield Pills. I’m not even willing to use it myself. It will go to the first person who heads to the front lines! In addition, I will provide a batch of mid-grade spirit stones!”

***

One month later, after rounds of negotiations, repeated discussions, and constant compromises, the Luo Tian Alliance finally settled on its expedition candidate.

It was Jiang Yu! Within the alliance, his cultivation was not the strongest, his prestige was not the highest, and he possessed no particularly noteworthy cultivation techniques. Within the alliance, he was of limited value. However, his combat methods were relatively well-rounded, his experience plentiful, and when faced with danger, his capacity for self-preservation was among the best of his peers.

Most importantly, he had already spent an enormous amount of wealth on the Frontier War. The mountain-moving plan and the improvement of the spirit land had both consumed unreasonable amounts of resources. On top of that, he had to repair his life-bound enchanted treasure and replenish the Eerie Corrosive Fluid, which had drained his remaining assets. As a result, after Luo Chen and the others offered substantial compensation, he finally relented and accepted to be the first to go to the front lines.

At the departure ceremony, Jiang Yu stood atop the Crimson Flame Dragon Boat that Luo Chen had lent him, looking spirited and confident. He did not look like someone heading into battle. Instead, he looked more like he was going on a sightseeing trip to the front lines.

On the mountain peaks, the two Initiates that each family was sending were bidding farewell to their elders and relatives.

Over at Snow Wolf Flats, Luo Chen looked toward the two juniors before him: Zeng Yilong and a lady Initiate named Mei Ruoqi.

”This time going to the front lines is both a risk and an opportunity. Fighting demonic beasts is always better than fighting humans. As long as you follow the arrangements, nothing major should happen. Within the Sword Enforcer Hall, there are many True Inheritors from the upper sects. It’s a good opportunity form connections with them and expand your network. You shouldn’t worry about cultivation. The treatment at the Sword Enforcer Hall is the best. You will not lack cultivation lands. In addition, I have prepared suitable pills and protective enchanted treasures for both of you.”

As he spoke, Luo Chen took out two unsealed storage pouches. One contained the last of the supreme-grade Blood-Boosting Pills he had. The other held supreme-grade Jade Dew Pills, which Luo Chen had recently refined in haste, specially prepared for Mei Ruoqi.

Beyond that, each of them also received a supreme-grade defensive enchanted artifact, along with a third-tier offensive talisman.

Seeing the two of them brimming with excitement, Luo Chen felt a twinge of regret. If only he were proficient in talisman crafting, he could seal his spells into talismans. With his mastery, they would undoubtedly become top-tier killing tools within the Foundation Establishment Realm!

Luo Chen had, in the past, considered learning talisman arts to make full use of his spell attainments. But the possible earnings from talismans were not particularly significant to him; they could not compare to the speed at which pills generated wealth. As for actual combat use, his spellcasting was already fast enough. To him, talismans were little more than icing on the cake.

After the two thanked Luo Chen, they flew up onto the Crimson Flame Dragon Boat.

Luo Chen beckoned, and Xing Zhonghan walked over. After many years and sustained support from the Luo Tian Sect, he had become a powerhouse at the fifth stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm. It was hard to say how strong he was in direct combat, but in terms of survival and stealth, he was already among the very best of Initiates.

He had learned all the concealment techniques Luo Chen specialized in, including Spirit Suppression and Turtle Spirit Armor. Not only that, but he was also equipped with a full set of supreme-grade enchanted artifacts and enchanted treasures tailored to him. In his black robes, he seemed more specter than man.

”Supreme Elder!” Xing Zhonghan saluted.

”You also need to go to the front lines. Gathering intelligence is the primary task, and if there is an opportunity, look after them as well,” said Luo Chen, motioning with his head in Zeng Yilong’s direction.

Xing Zhonghan nodded, but still said in a low voice, ”Zeng Yilong’s strength is not bad. He is at the sixth stage of the Blood River realm, has comprehended Bright Force, and has learned the Divine Blood Tribulation Finger and Giant Spirit Transformation. He is also a third-stage Initiate. He probably does not need me to look after him, right?”

Luo Chen replied calmly, ”He has been sheltered by Wang Yuan and me since childhood and has experienced little hardship. Sometimes, strength alone is not enough to resolve everything.”

Xing Zhonghan was puzzled. ”If that is the case, why send him at all? There should be more suitable candidates within the sect.”

Luo Chen let out a sigh. ”The bloody storms of the battlefield batter many others, so why should he be spared? If he wishes to become the first Dao Scion of the Luo Tian Sect, he must experience these trials.”

Xing Zhonghan froze. The what now?

It made sense that now, after the Luo Tian Society had turned into a sect, it would follow the example of other major sects by selecting someone for the Dao Scion position. But if that was the case, why would Luo Chen not consider Qu Lingjun, his own disciple?

Luo Chen did not elaborate further. He knew very well that although Qu Lingjun had succeeded in reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, it was by sheer luck. With his four-element spirit root, he was limited in how fast and how far he could go. In contrast, Luo Chen placed great hopes on Zeng Yilong. With dual spirit roots not inferior to True Inheritors of major sects, he had been taught by Wang Yuan since childhood and cultivated in both qi and physique. Naturally, he had the full backing of the Luo Tian Sect.

It could be said that as long as Zeng Yilong survived this trial, the gains would be immense. Given his age and aptitude, he had the potential to inherit the strengths of both Wang Yuan and Luo Chen.

Yes, Luo Chen also planned that after Zeng Yilong advanced to the Furnace Realm, he would cultivate the Fine Dust Primordial Art and condense a Golden Core. By then, his combat ability would vastly surpass that of an ordinary Adept. The Luo Tian Sect would then gain another formidable powerhouse.

Qu Lingjun would inherit Luo Chen’s alchemy. His cultivation might progress more slowly, but steadiness was all that was required. In time, he would become the Luo Tian Sect’s new generation alchemist master, its foremost emblem in the eyes of the outside world. On the other hand, Zeng Yilong would inherit Luo Chen’s and Wang Yuan’s combat power. He would advance faster in cultivation and possess greater strength. He would become a pillar the Luo Tian Sect could rely on in the future, a powerhouse capable of suppressing threats from all directions.

Simply put, Qu Lingjun would be the emblem of the Luo Tian Sect, while Zeng Yilong would be its pillar.

This approach was not the result of a sudden whim on Luo Chen’s part. It was a strategy based on years of observation. The Falling Cloud Sect had once been the same. Han Zhan was the pillar, while Cheng Yan was the emblem. It was precisely because the Han Zhan underwent a decisive transformation that the Falling Cloud Sect leapt into the ranks of the upper sects.

In truth, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect had also cultivated its next generation in this manner. Ren Pingsheng was the strongest in combat, while external affairs were mostly handled by Yaoguang. Likewise, Green Pill Valley had also recognised this principle. They turned Dan Yangzi, who wanted to be the emblem, into the pillar, and then let Tao Wan assume the role of the emblem.

Naturally, each situation required its own consideration. On the Luo Tian Sect’s side, the Dao Scion position in Luo Chen’s plans was not meant to inherit the sect leader position. It was merely a status that openly and fairly received the sect’s full support in terms of resources. The sect leader role would be simplified into an administrative position, and in the future, it would most likely be handed to Sima Huiniang’s eldest disciple, Yao Mingyue.

All in all, a sect needed a good-looking face, a strong spine, and a good brain to handle specific affairs. With such a structure, even a small sect could function in full. It was perfectly suited to the Luo Tian Sect, whose foundation was still shallow and whose resources were limited.

”It is the right approach, isn’t it?” Luo Chen murmured as his gaze shifted toward the territory occupied by the Myriad Phenomena Sect.

Zong Jiulang, the eldest disciple of the Myriad Phenomena Sect, stepped onto the Crimson Flame Dragon Boat with a resolute expression under the reluctant gazes of his junior brothers and sisters. The Myriad Phenomena Sect had consecutively lost both its pillar and its emblem in one breath, which was why it had fallen to its current state. Now, they were reduced to being manipulated by Luo Chen and the others and unable to act of their own will.

”This is the best I can do to help the next generation. The rest is up to them.”

Meanwhile, Luo Chen himself was still shouldering the responsibilities of both the pillar and the emblem, and in both respects, there was plenty of room left for growth. In particular, he was close to reaching Grandmaster level in the Concealment Veil Formation.

”It won’t be long before I can inscribe the formation patterns directly onto my body. Let’s hope it lives up to its name.”