An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

”Seventh Elder, are we really going to let that thieving bird escape?”

In the depths of the dark sea, three demonic crabs raised their heads toward the sky. Their gazes seemed to pierce through the endless seawater and behold the scene above.

The three were hideously ugly. Eyes covered their bodies, streaks of pale markings coiled around their shells, and the crab pincers pressed against the seabed were bristling with sharp and grotesque hairs. They bore the unmistakable appearance of Demon Spider Crabs! Although they were not large in size, they emitted terrifying auras that inspired dread. They were clearly Demon Kings, and their deliberate reduction in size was no coincidence. This was an arrangement made specifically to deal with the Heavenjade Battle Gull.

Over the past five years, second-tier demonic crabs from various crab clans had repeatedly gone missing in the Profound Rock Sea Region. It was later discovered that a vicious flood dragon from the foreign seas had been hunting them. The Green Emperor Crab clan had taken action several times, and even the Overlord Crab clan had acted under the leadership of its Great Elder Golden Claw in an attempt to kill the flood dragon.

It was during that attempt that they discovered the flood dragon was not alone. It had strangely joined forces with a Heavenjade Battle Gull, and the two supported each other in offense and defense. This was more than a little unusual, given that the Heavenjade Battle Gull was a natural enemy of the Black-Scaled Flood Dragon.

After that, dealing with the flood dragon became increasingly difficult. It grew more cunning, and its actions also became more brazen. Not only did it continue hunting demonic crabs, but even the Heavenjade Battle Gull joined openly in those hunts. The two roamed the Profound Rock Sea Region like ghosts, appearing and vanishing without a trace. A flood dragon and a seagull moved across sea, land, and sky, leaving the crabs utterly unable to guard against them.

In previous years, such unchecked predation would have drawn a joint suppression from the five major royal clans. Yet the situation turned strange. After a single intervention, the powerful Overlord Crab clan withdrew and ceased further pursuit. The Green Emperor Crab clan, which suffered the heaviest losses, inexplicably sealed off their territory and reduced their clan members’ range of activity.

The Crimson Rock Crabs dwelled among deep-sea volcanic ravines and rarely ventured into shallow waters. The Nine-Legged Poison King Crabs paid no heed, as the Black-Scaled Flood Dragon and its companion had never targeted them. Instead, it was the infamous Demonic Spider Crab clan that became the prey of that vicious flood dragon and gull. Let alone second-tier members, even first-tier ones were not spared. Such acts could not be endured. Thus, the three Demon Kings of the Demonic Spider Crab clan had joined forces to ambush and slay the flood dragon and seagull.

However, plans never kept pace with changes. After sacrificing one clansman to lure the Heavenjade Battle Gull into the trap, an unexpected turn occurred. Before they could act, a group of human cultivators suddenly arrived in this stretch of sea. The moment they saw the Heavenjade Battle Gull, they attacked without hesitation.

Beneath the sea, the leading Demonic Spider Crab revealed a flicker of uncertainty. It watched the battle above and blinked. ”I’m afraid that the damn seagull will not escape.”

The two beside it did not understand. ”There’s only an early-stage Adept there. He might be able to fight it, but how do you think he’s going to kill it?”

The Seventh Elder shook its head. ”Your cultivations are too low to sense the situation. Those people are not trying to kill it. They intend to capture it alive.”

Capture it alive! At those words, the two companions exchanged glances. An early-stage Adept wanting to capture the powerful and lightning-fast Heavenjade Battle Gull alive seemed like sheer fantasy.

Seeing their doubt, the Seventh Elder explained softly, ”That great ship is surrounded by a powerful formation, and there is an even stronger presence inside. They have not acted yet because they are confident. Forget about the seagull; even if the three of us intervened, we probably wouldn’t be at an advantage.”

The other two were stunned. Though their own cultivation was mediocre, the Seventh Elder was a genuine mid-stage expert. With the Demonic Spider Crab clan’s innate abilities, the three of them together could contend with any human cultivator below the late-stage of the Golden Core Realm. Unless...

The two exchanged glances and formed a silent conclusion. The Demonic Spider Crab clan was famed for their keen perception, and the Seventh Elder had encountered a fortuitous opportunity in his early years that further strengthened its senses. It was very likely that it had detected a presence aboard that great ship powerful enough to inspire fear even in it.

”Then what do we do now?”

The Seventh Elder hesitated. After a brief silence, it replied, ”Let’s wait and see. If that Heavenjade Battle Gull really escapes, we can hunt it down later. No rush. And if it’s captured, well, tough luck. Either they’ll butcher it for materials, or it’ll end up as some cultivator’s mount. Either way, that works for us. We won’t have to do anything to get rid of it And once the seagull is gone, the flood dragon won’t have anyone backing it. When that happens, killing it will be as easy as flipping a claw.”

The words flowed with measured logic. Had one only listened, one might easily have mistaken it for a human cultivator renowned for their wisdom. Naturally, the other two accepted the Seventh Elder’s plan wholeheartedly. Within the Demonic Spider Crab clan, it was renowned for strategy and often provided plans for the clan’s growth. If not for the interference of the human cultivators, they would have definitely slain the Heavenjade Battle Gull. Following his lead could not be wrong.

***

On the surface of the sea, a colossal ship stretched lazily across the waters. Its sails hung half-raised, and there were figures moving upon its deck. Though a formation concealed them, several silhouettes still revealed astonishing auras that inspired fear.

Among the crowd, six stood at the forefront; the man and woman at the center seemed to be the leaders, like the sun and moon among the myriad stars. The young woman’s delicate face revealed a trace of worry as she watched the battle between man and gull in the sky.

”Big Brother, can Sixth Senior Brother really capture this Heavenjade Battle Gull?”

The finely dressed man beside her let out a soft chuckle and shook his head. ”Sixth Junior Brother may be talented, but he hasn’t cultivated long enough. The fact that he can hold that beast down at all is already quite great. As for capturing it alive... heh.”

The unspoken meaning was understood by all. After hearing this, the young woman said worriedly, ”If that’s so, shouldn’t we call him back? I’m afraid he’ll end up hurting himself.”

The man looked at his younger sister with affection. She was simply too kindhearted. ”Sixth Junior Brother wants to use this fight to practice the new techniques he just mastered. Who am I to deny him the chance? And besides...” He reached out and ruffled her hair. ”Since you formed your core, I’ve been busy helping Father and I still haven’t given you a proper gift. This Heavenjade Battle Gull seems excellent, and its bloodline should be pure. I’ll grab it as your Golden Core present. Whether you use it as a ceremonial mount or as a guardian spirit beast, it’ll suit you perfectly.”

The young female cultivator was stunned as a warm feeling rose in her heart. So Big Brother was planning to capture that demonic beast alive... for me?

The four Adepts beside them also spoke with smiles, ”Junior Sister Xiaolian, don’t worry so much about Sixth Junior Brother. With us here, nothing’s going to happen.”

”Exactly. Even if you do not trust Sixth Junior Brother or us, you should at least trust your own brother!”

”In the entire Sea of Demons, who does not know that our Eldest Senior Brother Gu has extraordinary talent? He is one of the most promising prodigies, and he will very likely advance to the Nascent Soul Realm. Forget a mere early-stage Demon King, even a late-stage one has no chance against him!”

After this round of flattery, Gu Xiaolian’s worries were indeed eased. Still, she could not help but look at her elder brother. ”Big Brother, are you stepping in?”

In recent years, Gu Shaoshang’s cultivation had advanced rapidly. After reaching the seventh stage of the Golden Core Realm at the young age of two hundred, he had rarely taken action, but during the century of turmoil that followed the destruction of the Primordial Devil Sect, he had achieved a long series of notable victories. Now that he was a late-stage Adept, everyone was curious whether his abilities had grown rusty or, on the contrary, even more formidable.

Under the admiring gazes of the crowd, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Gu Shaoshang’s lips. His purple robes fluttered as he slowly raised his hand. ”This Heavenjade Battle Gull has already proven how formidable it is. But we didn’t come here for it. Our real purpose on this trip is to gather as many Ring-Head Turtle shells as possible for Father. We came all the way here from Flying Cloud just for this, and we can’t waste too much time here. That being said... it’s time to reel in the net.”

As his words fell, he clenched his hands together.

Pulled in by an unseen force, silk threads abruptly manifested between heaven and earth. Their scope was vast, encompassing hundreds of li across sky and sea, and as his mana continued to extend them, their reach still seemed far from exhausted. When the hundreds of cultivators aboard the massive demon-hunting ship bearing the Flying Cloud Ravine emblem saw those threads, they burst into cheers.

It was the Heavenly Silk Cloud Thread, a famed top-grade enchanted treasure that used to belong to Flying Cloud—the sect’s founder. After advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm, Flying Cloud bestowed this treasure upon his own son, Gu Shaoshang, and the latter did not tarnish its prestige. Time and again, he wielded this enchanted treasure to remarkable effect in battle.

Gu Xiaolian watched the scene with admiration in her eyes. No wonder Big Brother wasn’t worried at all... he’d already used the Heavenly Silk Cloud Thread to lay down a net. So this is what Father meant by planning before acting.... Well, I’ve already formed my core. I can’t keep relying on Father and Big Brother forever. This time, when we hunt the Ring-Head Turtles, I’ll work on my own combat skills... and I’ll make a name for myself.

As she silently made her vow, Gu Shaoshang let out a surge of mana and tugged at the Heavenly Silk Cloud Threads. When the threads passed the middle-aged man in the air, they opened a gap and left him outside the net. Only the massive bird at the center, with a ten-zhang wingspan, was completely enclosed.

Kiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeh!!!!

Its shrill cry pierced the skies, and its flapping wings sent out blade of wind after blade of wind in an attempt to cut apart the net of threads. Yet wherever they struck, the Heavenly Silk Cloud Threads simply bent a little, showing no sign of damage. Seeing this, the Heavenjade Battle Gull beat its wings even more frantically. Spiraling gusts formed beneath them, gathering into a towering tornado that reached the heavens.

Gu Shaoshang snorted coldly. ”A last stand? Please. You’re nothing but a bigger chicken.”

At once, the Heavenly Silk Cloud Threads flared with layers of spirit light. They sliced the towering tornado, dissipating it into gusts of wind, and the encircling force pressed inward without pause.

THUD!

The majestic azure bird collapsed upon the massive deck, and its blood stained its feathers. Cheers erupted across the ship, and cries praising Gao Shaoshang’s might rang out without end.

Gu Xiaolian’s eyes shone with admiration. Yet when she looked at the miserable Heavenjade Battle Gull, a trace of pity surfaced. ”Big Brother, now that it’s been captured, can you loosen the net a little? Those beautiful feathers are all getting cut....”

Gu Shaoshang shook his head with a smile. ”Little Sister, you’re just too soft-hearted. If you stay like this, the cultivation world won’t be kind to you!”

Though he said so, he had already withdrawn the Heavenly Silk Cloud Thread. The Heavenjade Battle Gull struggled upon the deck. A talisman drifted down onto its forehead. At once, its demonic power ceased to move; no matter how much it tried, it could not stir even a trace.

After finishing all this, Gu Shaoshang said casually, ”If you want to take this beast as your mount, you can’t just force it. Otherwise, it’ll be just a glorified puppet. If you want it to really be in tune with you, you’ll have to tame it yourself. Little Sister, I’ll leave this Demon Suppression Talisman to you for now.”

Gu Xiaolian eagerly accepted the yellow talisman. It was identical to the one affixed to the Heavenjade Battle Gull’s forehead.

Suddenly, Gu Shaoshang’s expression changed abruptly. He struck out with a palm toward a patch of black cloud in the sky. ”Who’s there? Stop creeping around and show yourself! Get down here!”

In spite of his sharp shout, there was no reply from the sky. Instead, ghostly energy swirled through the air as black clouds pressed down upon the sea. Thousands of Ghost Generals surged forth, and two hundred-zhang-tall illusory figures stepped out from the black clouds, moving toward Gu Shaoshang’s palm projection. When they collided, thunderous tremors erupted.

”A Myriad Soul Banner! Remnants of the Primordial Devil Sect! Everyone, beware of sneak attacks!”

In an instant, Gu Shaoshang recognized the technique and issued warnings. Yet the black cloud moved too swiftly. The instant it erupted, it enveloped the demon-hunting ship entirely. Beneath the sky of black mist, ghostly figures flickered everywhere. The seven Adepts of Flying Cloud Ravine struck one after another to slay the Ghost Generals. Gu Shaoshang also displayed overwhelming might, battering the two Ghost Kings within the Myriad Soul Banner with relentless attacks.

High above in the heavens, Han Zhan watched this scene with approval in his eyes. ”As expected of someone who’s made a name for himself in the Sea of Demons... he’s no ordinary opponent. If we really fought to the death, with what I have now, it’d probably be an even match. But that’s not why I’m here.”

As he murmured, he issued a command. In the next instant, a massive shadow swam up from the deep sea. It opened its enormous maw toward the great ship above, and a terrifying devouring force erupted. The attack came without warning, and it was impossible to guard against. Large sections of the deck were torn away and dragged into the sea; the ship itself began to tilt toward the depths. Yet the true target, as it appeared, was not the vessel, but the demonic bird on the deck.

Plonk!

The demonic bird fell into the sea and was swept by the shadow into the depths. A moment later, the shadow disappeared, and the thick black mist shrouding the Flying Cloud Ravine ship dissipated completely.

Under the clear sky, the sea stretched blue and boundless, as if nothing had happened. But when Gu Shaoshang descended onto the ship, his expression was dark, and his divine consciousness spreading in all directions.

”What audacity!”

His well-thought-out plan had ended up much like drawing water with a bamboo basket. Nothing remained.

***

On Heavenjade Island, a flood dragon and a seagull landed in disarray, while a banner drifted toward the center of the island. The Black-Scaled Flood Dragon had not yet had the chance to mock the Heavenjade Battle Gull when a figure appeared before them like a ghost. As it looked up, it saw white robes fluttering and an indifferent expression. A terrifying aura surged continuously, as if not entirely stable.

It was their master, Luo Chen.

”Master, I—”

Before it could finish, Luo Chen raised his hand and cut it off. He faced the reef-filled shallows ahead and spoke coldly, ”Fellow Daoists, barging in like this isn’t exactly proper guest etiquette.”

Splash!

The seawater split apart, and three figures emerged into view—with many eyes, crab pincers, and pale markings. They were Demon Spider Crabs!