An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Faster! Faster! Just a little more!

The thought looped through Luo Chen’s mind as his wings trembled at their limit. A nine-zhang figure sped along the boundary between the Sunken Sea and the Flowing Sea Region. Behind him, the air warped as he chained bursts of Voidburst Step into his flight, each displacement carrying him hundreds of zhang forward.

Below, rogue cultivators of the Society caught sight of the streak tearing across the sky. At first, many mistook him for a Demon King, but the dense fluctuations of mana quickly gave him away as a human. Even so, none could understand how he managed to move so quickly, and by the time they snapped out of it, he was already hundreds of li farther on.

He pushed on in this manner, driving his speed to its limit in his Sky Roc True Form until the distance between himself and Three Pillar Gorge finally widened to something he could accept. Only then did he slow, his massive form angling downward as he dropped from the sky.

BOOMMM!

He crashed into a solitary peak rising from the sea, and the impact sent a violent gale sweeping outward as the mountain shattered beneath him. The stone broke apart and cascaded into the sea. When the dust and spray settled, Luo Chen stepped out from the ruins with a pale complexion. In truth, the pallor had nothing to do with exhaustion; the mana within him still surged. What shook him was something else entirely.

A Demon Emperor had appeared in the Sunken Sea! Worse, it had not come from any of the expected fronts but from the human hinterland, the one direction that should have been impossible! The thought struck him at once, and his gaze lifted, sweeping across the endless horizon before settling on a distant point. That place lay within the forbidden reaches of the Northern Sea, the Heaven of Northern Yama.

How is that even possible? Weren’t those two great formations supposed to keep high-tier demonic beasts in restraint for centuries?

He could not reconcile it, yet what he had just witnessed at the Three Pillar Gorge left no room for doubt. That eeriely handsome demon had arrived and slaughtered thousands of rogue cultivators as if they were nothing. With a single palm strike, he had forced the three towering peaks into the sea, and even Saberstorm had been knocked into the Sunken Sea before his eyes. He knew that level of power all too well. It was not something a mere high-tier demon could wield. Only those who had stepped into the Sage realm could command the Domain of heaven and earth.

”I can’t stay in the Sunken Sea any longer.”

He steadied himself, cast one last look toward the Three Pillar Gorge direction, then turned away. He poured in mana to his Moonbreak Wings, and in the next moment, his figure had already shot toward the direction of Peaceward Fortress.

***

That night, Luo Chen stood outside a grand hall with Shentu. Both wore a serious expressions as they talked in low voices.

”Are you sure?”

”Why would I lie about something like this? When the others get back, you can check for yourselves.”

Luo Chen was not the only one who had made it out of the gorge alive. Longwind and a few others had escaped as well, and some rogue cultivators had retreated early when the disturbance began. Anyone who fled would have noticed something, though none could have returned as quickly as he had.

Shentu studied him for a long moment before giving a slow nod. ”This concerns the Society. I doubt you would make light of it. If that’s the case, then we’re now in a state of war. Go ahead and act.”

Luo Chen felt some of the tension ease in his heart and cupped his fists. ”I’ll be going first. Take care, fellow Daoist.”

Shentu gave a wry smile and returned the gesture. ”Go on. Don’t forget to report this to the division. I’ll notify the Society as well.”

Luo Chen nodded and walked into the hall. Inside, he presented his five-star demon hunter token and released a trace of his mana and divine soul to confirm his identity. Under the watch of the formation masters, he stepped onto the platform at the center of the hall. As light flared, his figure began to distort within it. When the glow faded, the intricately patterned platform was empty.

Outside, the entire fortress stirred to life. The stillness of the night broke as the massive structure rumbled, like a colossal beast waking from slumber. Along the walls, rows of massive cannons extended outward in unison, their muzzles turning toward the darkness. Far out in the Flowing Sea Region, winds rose and waves began to churn, drawn into motion by a grand formation gathering power. The fortress stood in silence under the dark sky, waiting for what was to come.

***

Within Dragon Abyss City, deep inside a heavily guarded hall of the division, seven cultivators sat cross-legged before a raised platform. The air was quiet, almost stagnant, and boredom showed plainly on every face.

After a long stretch of silence, one of them finally spoke. ”Has it really been five months already? How much longer until the rotation?”

”About another month. We’re all on six-month assignments.”

”Fellow Daoist Xu, why the hurry? I get that guarding a teleportation formation isn’t exactly exciting, but the spirit energy here is peak second-tier. It’s a great place to cultivate. What’s the rush to leave?”

That was the truth of it. In the Society, guarding teleportation formations was known as a grueling post because it required cultivators to remain stationed for months on end. Yet it was also a coveted post because it offered access to a free high-tier cultivation environment. Besides, it was not a position anyone could take; only those with sufficient formation knowledge who had passed the necessary assessments and training were qualified.

The Xu-surnamed cultivator complained, ”You call this a good deal? Being locked in this dark hall for half a year, who could stand it? Even when I broke through Foundation Establishment, I didn’t stay in seclusion this long. And you guys don’t even know, there’s a new place in the city. That place...”

At the mention of the shop, his eyes lit up. ”All the women there are beauties trained by Warm Jade Pavilion. You’ve heard of them, right? That major sect that used to raise consorts for the devil sect. And it’s not just the women. They’ve got wine from the Southern Frontier, or so they claim. The chefs are top-notch too, cooking all kinds of delicacies. The ingredients they used are either spirit plants from the Earth Mulberry Sect or Golden Dragon Carp from Surging Lake. They even source from the Blue Sea Alliance and Devil’s Snare.

”Mannnn, this Teleportation Hall... I don’t want to stay here a single day longer.”

Just as he was venting his frustration, the platform in front of them suddenly began to shake. The other six froze for a moment.

”At this hour? Who’s even using it?”

Though puzzled, they reacted fast. Each of them held the small formation disc and activated it with mana. At once, streams of seven-colored light flowed out like silk before settling onto the platform. The moment the lights connected, the entire hall and platform merged into one, and a powerful pressure enveloped the area.

At the center of it all, Luo Chen came to view. He took in the scene with a slight frown, but before anyone could question him, he simply raised his token. The leading Initiate stepped forward, pulled out a registry, and checked it against the token. A name surfaced: Five-Star Demon Hunter, Luo Hai.

Luo Hai? Who’s that? Is there even someone like that in the Society? They exchanged glances as if they could read each other’s thoughts, completely at a loss.

Luo Chen snorted, ”I am Azure Yang. Are you not letting me pass?”

The moment those words left his mouth, all seven felt their hearts jolt. Without a second thought, they immediately withdrew their mana and dispelled the formation, and the crushing pressure quickly got lifted. Luo Chen got off the platform as if nothing happened and walked straight out. As soon as the doors shut behind him, the tension finally snapped.

”Right... I do remember hearing that Azure Yang’s surname was Luo. Didn’t expect his real name to be Luo Hai. We almost offended him just now.”

”You’re already sure that’s his real name? Most rogue cultivators in the Society use aliases. Luo Hai could just be a fake name too.”

”Fair point. Still, the master of Surging Lake is seriously loaded. Traveling by teleportation formation like it’s nothing... even a short trip costs millions of spirit stones, doesn’t it?”

”Well, that’s why he’s the master of Surging Lake!”

”That’s not what caught my attention. Didn’t you notice? When Azure Yang came out of the formation, he looked completely fine. No reaction at all. Even Adepts usually stagger a bit, and some even feel sick or lose control of their mana.”

”Tskk... Now that you mention it, yeah.”

”The master of Surging Lake... he’s really something.”

***

While the seven guards were still discussing Azure Yang among themselves, things outside had already changed. Those who caught sight of Luo Chen along the way no longer addressed him as anything else. Instead, they greeted him with lowered heads as ”Devil Lord.” Over the past year, his deeds had traveled with the return of the late-stage Demon King corpses. Among those who served long-term in the division, that reputation had only grown clearer and heavier with time.

Yet as Luo Chen walked through the division, the scene before him did not match the urgency in his mind. The atmosphere remained calm and almost too calm. He slowed slightly. Has news from Peaceward Fortress not arrived yet?

Before he could dwell on it, he saw three late-stage Adepts with grave expressions: the Angler, the Purple Empress, and the Ghost Spirit Child. Aside from Saberstorm, these were the three eight-star demon hunters of the Society.

Upon seeing Luo Chen, the Angler spoke first. ”Let’s wait until the three Sages arrive before we go into the details.”

So they’ve already sent word. Luo Chen nodded and took a seat.

Not long after, a sharp gust of wind swept in from outside. Everyone turned at once as a streak of crimson light shot in from outside and settled on the central seat above. The moment it took form, everyone rose.

”Greetings, Sage,” the Angler, the Purple Empress, and Ghost Spirit Child said in unison.

Luo Chen stood as well. ”Greetings, Sage!”

”Hm. No need for formalities.”

A deep voice sounded from above, and Luo Chen instinctively straightened as he looked up. Seated there was a tall man with a rugged face and full beard, his piercing eyes sharp beneath the fall of his brow. A crimson robe draped over his broad frame, unable to hide the raw strength that seemed to pulse from his body. His presence carried a kind of untamed dominance, and when his gaze passed over the room, it felt distant.

So this was Blood Hermit Pang Bujue, one of the three great founding hermits of the Society. The name alone was enough to make Luo Chen’s heart tighten. He lowered his gaze slightly, and his posture turned more respectful.

Blood Hermit looked at him, then got straight to the point. ”Azure Yang, is it? Tell me everything about the Sunken Sea.”

Luo Chen had expected to wait for the others, but the impatience in that tone left no time for delay. He gathered his thoughts and began recounting everything from the Three Pillar Gorge. When he reached the part about the eerily handsome demon, Blood Hermit’s expression shifted slightly. ”Is it him?”

Before he could elaborate on that, another gust of wind sounded from outside. A young Daoist with a topknot stepped into the hall. ”Hermit, it has been a long time.”

Blood Hermit glanced at him and gave a small nod. ”Dragon Abyss, take a seat.”

Sage Dragon Abyss was finally out of seclusion. With his arrival, only one Sage remained.

They did not have to wait for long, the moonlight seemed to gather and pour into the hall. A woman walked into the hall like she was walking on the moon itself. The pale glow gathered around her, settling over her simple moon-white robe and softening her presence into something almost unreal, like Chang’e[1]. As she drew closer, her features became clear; they were delicate and refined, her skin smooth as jade, her eyes bright and distant like stars in the night sky. Yet that cool detachment did not make her untouchable. Beneath it lingered an undeniable allure. The natural grace of her figure, the slender line of her waist, and the fullness of her curves carried a captivating charm that drew the eyes of many.

In the Society or perhaps even across the entire Northern Sea, there was only one person who could evoke such a presence—Moon Hermit.

Luo Chen did not dare look any longer. After just a glance, he lowered his head and joined the others. ”Greetings, Sage Moon!”

Moon Hermit did not spare them a look, not even Sage Dragon Abyss. Instead, she looked straight at the rugged man at the center. ”Pang Bujue, you finally decided to show your face again?”

Blood Hermit let out a cold snort. ”I founded the Society. I come and go as I please.”

Moon Hermit laughed softly, her voice gentle yet captivating. Those who heard it felt a faint disturbance in their souls. She replied, ”Or maybe you just couldn’t stay away any longer.”

Still smiling, she took her seat gracefully. Blood Hermit ignored her teasing and directly relayed Luo Chen’s report to both the Sages. When he finished, the hall fell quiet for a brief moment as they absorbed the details. Moon Hermit’s gaze shifted toward Luo Chen, lingering on him for a heartbeat before she looked back to Blood Hermit and gave a slow nod. ”If Azure Yang’s right, then it’s probably Liu Jun.”

Blood Hermit also nodded. ”Among the transformed demon cultivators of the Northern Sea, he’s the only one I know who looks like that.”

”The emperor of the merfolk clan.” Moon Hermit said softly. ”He’s not the problem. Either of us could handle him. The real trouble lies with the Heaven of Northern Yama.”

Blood Hermit waved it off. ”We’ve always been lone wanderers. If the formation really breaks, we just leave. What’s the issue?”

Moon Hermit smiled faintly and glanced at the man beside her. ”I doubt Fellow Daoist Dragon Abyss would see it that way.”

Dragon Abyss had remained silent since taking his seat, looking completely at ease. Yet that composure sat strangely against his youthful appearance. ”We’ll do what we can. No need to force anything.”

Moon Hermit clicked her tongue softly but didn’t argue. ”Let’s talk about the Sunken Sea first. We should notify the two families and Endless Valley, as well as both the righteous and devilish factions. Divine Origin City needs to be informed as well.”

”That has nothing to do with me.” Blood Hermit waved his hand and rose from his seat. ”Merman Emperor Liu Jun destroyed the Three Pillar Gorge. He clearly intends to use the power of the Sunken Sea to break the formation at Heaven of Northern Yama. Whether it takes long or short, I will not let him ruin my plans. I will personally go to the Sunken Sea and kill him tomorrow. Angler, pick your people from the Society and follow after. Wipe those beasts out.”

Moon Hermit watched with a smile and added, ”Then I’ll lend you a hand as well. Those from the Endless Valley’s side have been comfortable for far too long. It’s time they moved.”

Blood Hermit turned and looked at her deeply before inclining his head. ”Very well!”

That whole exchange changed the atmosphere of the hall. The truth lay plainly to the four Adepts below: the Myriad Immortal Society had entered a state of war!

1. The text originally describes a celestial maiden descending from the Moon Palace. This imagery is closely associated with Chang’e (嫦娥 | Cháng’é) in Chinese mythology. According to legend, her husband Hou Yi shot down 9 of 10 suns to save the world and was later rewarded with an elixir of immortality. However, when his disciple Pang Meng attempted to steal it, Chang’e consumed the elixir to keep it out of his hands and ascended alone to the Moon Palace. Hou Yi later saw her silhouette on the moon and laid out her favorite foods in longing. Moved by their love, the Moon Goddess allowed Chang’e to descend and reunite once a year on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. This story also became the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival, when people admire the moon and share mooncakes as symbols of reunion. ☜