An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Outside, the sun was blazing. Inside the spacious hall, figures were sparse. Despite that, the seemingly palpable aura emanating from each person was suffocating, like a vast ocean.

Luo Chen glanced around briefly, then smiled and walked in with an air of confidence. He felt nothing in the face of their overwhelming auras; he was now a Sage himself, not a junior who had to tread carefully before Sages for fear of uttering one wrong word.

”Fellow Daoist Luo, please take a seat!” Ye Lingtian introduced Luo Chen to the room while gesturing his hand toward the foremost chair to the left.

This important position showed how highly he regarded Luo Chen. The rest of the people in the hall cast sideways glances, but no one questioned the city lord’s decision. The fact that Luo Chen had taken only a second to destroy Old Ghost Skyscraper’s life-bound True Artifact warranted such a seat.

Luo Chen nonchalantly sat down, and the atmosphere in the hall loosened up at once. Ye Lingtian laughed heartily, lightening the mood even further before he spoke up.

”Fellow Daoist Luo, since you’re new to... No, my apologies. Since you’ve only recently returned to the Eastern Wilderness, things are probably quite different from what you used to know. If you don’t mind, let me help you reintegrate!”

Luo Chen had already learned from Idle Crane that Ye Lingtian was the enthusiastic, sociable, and chivalrous kind. It was precisely this character that led the Nether Origin Sect to appoint him as the lord of Skypiercing Pass, giving him command over the joint army.

Since the host had offered so warmly to connect him to the others, Luo Chen had no reason to refuse. ”That’d be great. Thank you, City Lord.”

”Hahaha!” Ye Lingtian gave another hearty laugh, then gestured his right hand to an old and venerable-looking man. ”This is Old Tal[1], founding master of the Divine Talisman Sect. I’m sure you have heard of him.”

Oh, so he is the former leader of the Divine Talisman Domain! It used to be one of the Far East Six Domains back in the day...

Luo Chen cupped his hands toward the elderly man. ”I frequently heard your great name when I was still a rogue cultivator. It is my honor.”

Old Tal had been looking at Luo Chen with a hint of curiosity. Upon hearing the latter’s praising words, he chuckled and slightly shook his head. ”I merely have the advantage of being born a few centuries earlier. Meanwhile, you, fellow Daoist Luo, rose to fame while you were only an Initiate!”

Luo Chen raised a brow. ”You’ve heard of me, Old Tal?”

”I’ve certainly heard a few things about the number one Initiate of the Jade Cauldron Domain. Now that I’ve seen you in person, I can say those stories don’t do you justice. You are barely over 200, yet you’re already a Sage. It’s hard to find a genius like that anywhere!”

Upon hearing this, all faces in the hall changed color. All gazes turned involuntarily to Luo Chen and confirmed it was indeed the case. While his eyes were deep and his air was weathered, like everyone else here, his excessively youthful face and sharp, assertive aura distinctly set him apart from them. Only a prodigy among prodigies could possess such poise!

Luo Chen openly welcomed the gazes of the crowd. From the moment he decided to return to the Eastern Wilderness, he had gotten himself ready in every aspect. He could have used his aged appearance to conceal certain things, but there was no need to. Anyone who cared enough to investigate would eventually discover roughly how long he had been a Sage. Trying to hide it would only make him seem narrow-minded. On the contrary, the more outstanding he demonstrated himself as, the more it would force lurking people with ill intentions to restrain themselves.

”Good fortune blesses those who survive a great calamity, I guess,” said Luo Chen humbly, subtly hinting at something.

As expected, someone immediately ate it up. The pale-skinned Skyscraper hastily asked, ”How did you survive Green Parasol Mountain and escape?”

Luo Chen glanced at him but offered no explanation. Everyone assumed he was mad at the Old Ghost for what he had done to Wang Yuan and therefore didn’t want to answer.

Ye Lingtian tactfully moved on. ”This is the Mistress of Windflower Palace, Fairy Windflower!”

Fairy Windflower’s real name was long forgotten; she had inherited the Dao title Windflower after becoming the Supreme Elder of Windflower Palace. She wanted to say something as Luo Chen looked over, but before she could start, he had already stood up and bowed respectfully to her.

”Sage Luo, what are you...”

”Thank you, Fairy Windflower, for looking out for the Luo Tian Sect while I was away.”

Luo Chen had always had clear principles regarding repayment for those who hurt and those who helped him. Bowing to a benefactor under the eyes of the public didn’t make him feel inferior in the slightest. The people present also realized that beneath his sharp and ruthless exterior, Luo Chen wasn’t an entirely unreasonable person like some might have suggested.

This discovery particularly pleased Ye Lingtian. He continued, ”We have five Sages garrisoning Skypiercing Pass year-round. In the event of an enemy attack, they can summon fellow cultivators from the five domains. Sometimes we even have a dozen Sages in the city at once. It’s a pity many of them are absent today; otherwise, it’d be a great opportunity to introduce everyone to you.”

He then gestured toward a man who looked to be middle-aged and had a gloomy appearance that reminded one of a sword covered in dust. ”Anyway, here we have a rare cultivation prodigy like you, fellow Daoist Luo. At less than 300 years of age, he has already condensed his Nascent Soul and embarked on the supreme dao of the sword.”

Luo Chen smiled as he looked at the man. Although his aura had changed drastically, Luo Chen could still find some familiar features on his face. ”It’s been a long time, fellow Daoist Lin!”

Before Luo Chen claimed the title from him, Lin Qingxuan had been the number one Initiate in the Jade Cauldron Domain, consistently ranking first among its Foundation Establishment geniuses. Yet the two had only met during the Frontier War, after Luo Chen already formed his Golden Core. After Luo Chen went to the Great Snow Mountains, they had never seen each other again.

During the following century, the Jade Cauldron Domain collapsed, and the demons laid waste to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. Lin Qingxuan, along with the surviving disciples, had started drifting without a place and struggled to survive. He had then experienced the constant loss of those around him, and perhaps that was a factor in his sword heart becoming even purer and his swordsmanship progressing even faster. Now, through the numerous battles between demons and humans, he had earned the title of the Sword Domain’s Lone Swan!

Now, Lin Qingxuan wore a complicated expression mixed with curiosity as he returned the greeting. ”Indeed, fellow Daoist Luo, it’s been a whole century. You are much more impressive than in the past!”

Luo Chen smiled. ”As are you, fellow Daoist Lin. I heard about the Sword Domain’s Lone Swan as soon as I arrived in the White Crane Domain!”

Lin Qingxuan’s expression shifted at once at the mention of this. His sect’s only Sage, Jade Cauldron, had been pursued by Azure Frost eight thousand li from the Great Snow Mountains and ultimately had ended up killed at the foot of the Thundernet Nine Mountains. From then on, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect had begun its irreversible decline.

Lin Qingxuan took a deep breath and looked Luo Chen in the eye. ”Can you please tell me what really happened during the battle at the Great Snow Mountains back then?”

At this question, Luo Chen adjusted his robes and sat back down before he replied, ”The events of that year are like a ball of tangled spider thread, impossible to unravel. Although I know some details, what I made of them is merely the tip of the iceberg, as my cultivation at the time was too low. There’s nothing of essence I can give you.”

Lin Qingxuan frowned; he could tell Luo Chen was dodging this issue.

Is he truly unaware as he claims? Or is he deliberately keeping silent because he’s displeased that I sent Hong Ling to interfere with the infighting of the Luo Tian Sect? But it doesn’t matter. In this room, it’s not up to him whether or not he can just clam up!

With this expectation, Lin Qingxuan turned to Ye Lingtian.

The city lord, however, seemed oblivious to his gaze and instead asked Luo Chen, ”There are two fellow Daoists I’ve yet to introduce, but I suppose you won’t find it necessary?”

The remaining two were Sage Divine Fire and Old Ghost Skyscraper.

Luo Chen nodded. He didn’t need an introduction, but it was clear that the other party wouldn’t let things go easily. And he was right.

Skyscraper resentfully criticized, ”Earlier today, Luo Chen disregarded the rules and forced his way onto the arena. Not only did he ruin the Ten Decisive Duels, but he also killed Yin Sixiang and even destroyed the life-bound artifact that I spent hundreds of years refining. I implore you, City Lord, to handle this matter and punish Luo Chen appropriately!”

Hearing that, Luo Chen fixed a murderous stare on the old man. ”Trying to condemn me before I can hold you accountable for leading my people astray and sowing discord in my sect? A thief who cries thief! Besides, you were the ones who broke the rules first!”

Skyscraper slammed the table. ”Enough with your sophistry and deceit! The Five Elements Divine Sect was kind to shelter the Luo Tian Sect for thirty years during a hard time, yet your sect betrayed that kindness and submitted to Windflower Palace! Such an act cannot be justified anywhere, no matter what excuses you pull!”

Luo Chen retorted, ”And what does all of that have to do with Skyscraper Cliff?”

”You!” Skyscraper’s finger trembled uncontrollably as he pointed at Luo Chen. His lips quivered to the point his beard did as well. Then, with reddened eyes, he turned to the red-robed elder in the adjacent seat. ”Divine Fire, say something!”

Such a loss of composure was unbefitting of a Sage. Still, the others couldn’t bring themselves to despise him, considering his life-bound treasure had been destroyed and his soul thus damaged. Moreover, the main purpose of this small gathering was to resolve the matter of the Ten Decisive Battles anyway. Old Tal and Ye Lingtian were only using this opportunity to get to know Luo Chen.

Divine Fire, faced with his ally’s indignant demand, was surprisingly calm. His demeanor was in stark contrast to how furious he had just been over the death of his prized sect disciple.

”Sixiang lost because he was unlucky, that is all. As for the Luo Tian Sect... The disaster rendered us powerless too, so they had every right to choose a better backer. That being said, though, everything they’ve done has trampled upon our dignity until there’s no goodwill left between the two sects. While it’s not my place to decide on how to settle this, our Supreme Elder will definitely visit you, fellow Daoist Luo, and demand an explanation in person!”

Skyscraper grew increasingly incredulous as he listened to Divine Fire’s speech, but the last sentence brought a look of ecstasy to his face. Meanwhile, the others’ expressions turned solemn.

The Five Elements Divine Sect’s supreme elder? Divine Origin is a late-stage Sage! If he personally steps in, then no matter how arrogant and domineering Luo Chen has been, he’ll look nothing more than a clown given the huge gap in cultivation.

In response, Luo Chen stood up with a booming laugh. ”Hahaha, very well! Tell your Supreme Elder I’ll be waiting! Now, I have matters to attend to, so I’m taking my leave.”

Having said that, he bowed to the city lord, Old Tal, and the others, then strode toward the door. No one stopped him, and Ye Lingtian even seemed to appreciate his character.

At the door, Luo Chen abruptly turned around and said, ”Once I have sorted out all the affairs in my sect, I will be hosting a banquet. At that time, I hope you will all do me the honor of attending.”

The doors opened with a smooth sound, and sunlight streamed in. Back in broad daylight, the man calmly and openly walked out. Behind him, the people in the hall exchanged perplexed glances.

Then, Ye Lingtian smiled and raised his voice to reply, ”I will surely be there!”

***

Behind the west entrance of Skypiercing Pass, a cloud carriage floated into the sky after it passed inspection.

”Longyu, you drive.”

”Yes. Hmm, most of the formations on this carriage are unfamiliar to me. They don’t seem to be from the Eastern Wilderness!”

Min Longyu, ever so eager for new knowledge, couldn’t wait to explore the unfamiliar formations on the Six Restriction Cloud Carriage. Truthfully, he was more happy about Luo Chen’s return, but he knew this wasn’t the time for reminiscence and thus tried to distract himself with the formations.

As he was about to get to it, Luo Chen suddenly called out, ”Your...” and pointed to his head.

Seeing that, Min Longyu subconsciously touched his own hair; it was gray, dry, and brittle. This was an extremely rare sight for someone of his age based on the cultivation world’s standard. Min Longyu was only 260 as an early-stage Adept; on top of that, the Luo Tian Sect had a long tradition of refining Youth Preserving Pills. There was no reason for him to look this old.

”I got too engrossed in studying formations, and before I even noticed, it had already became like this. It’s nothing serious.” Min Longyu smiled nonchalantly and walked off.

Watching his figure getting further away, Luo Chen opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but he stopped himself.

His whole hair is white, and he looks old mentally too. What kind of exertion did it take for a cultivator who has taken the Youth Preserving Pill to age so prematurely?

With a sigh, Luo Chen walked to the railing. His heart was filled with mixed emotions as he gazed at the scenery rushing past below while sorting out things in his head.

According to Zhao Wu, Lin Qingxuan attempted to take over the White Crane Domain with the help of the Thousand Sword Pavilion, but the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect was so weak that the pavilion was reluctant to utilize much of its force, so they sought out the Five Elements Divine Sect, and in exchange, they sent some of the sword sect cultivators to help in the Ten Decisive Battles.

In short, Lone Swan is not the main enemy. As for Skyscraper, he definitely loathes me to death now, but it doesn’t matter because he has always been an open enemy. Since I’ve already offended him, might as well push his limits and make the most out of it. I don’t regret using the Withering-Flourishing True Fire to destroy his treasure. In fact, he should be thankful I didn’t kill him!

Still, it is a surprise that the Five Elements Divine Sect was willing to protect the Luo Tian Sect for decades. Drawing from this and the fact that Divine Fire brushed over my arrogant act earlier; they must be scheming something. Hmm... Nether Spring did say she searched Jin Buque’s soul and found that old fogey Divine Origin coveted my constitution. She said he wanted to reverse-refine it into some kind of Primordial Embryo Dao Body and used it to advance to Divine Transformation...

I see! He still wants my body, as one might say.

Luo Chen narrowed his eyes slightly.

There were two things that had worried him most about returning to the Eastern Wilderness. One was the possibility of the Nether Origin Sect calling him to give explanations about what had happened back then, and the other was precisely that late-stage Nascent Soul old bastard of the Five Elements Divine Sect.

He was fully prepared for the former, waiting for someone from the Holy Land to come find at any time. As for the latter... Back then, Divine Origin had plotted against him, even assembling a powerful lineup to find him at Green Parasol Mountain. Even after his disappearance, they had sought to control the Luo Tian Sect so they could wait for him to come back and surrender. Now, the ambiguous attitude of Divine Fire had confirmed everything.

Maybe I am still no match for a late-stage Sage, but as long as I take all the right precautions, he won’t dare attack me in the open. And if he attacks from the shadows... then let’s see who’s better, his secret arts or my Withering-Flourishing True Fire!

Suddenly, Luo Chen’s narrowed eyes relaxed and revealed a hint of tenderness. Almost at the same time, a beautiful figure emerged from inside the carriage.

”Aren’t you going to see him?”

”No, we’ll leave him to Huiniang to decide after we’re back!”

”Huiniang, she...” The woman sighed, gently leaning on Luo Chen’s shoulder. ”Have you been well these past hundred years?”

Luo Chen stroked her hair, and its subtle fragrance drifted into his nostrils. ”Of course everything was fine. I’m back now, aren’t I?”

The cloud carriage streaked through the clouds and mist, traversing countless mountains and rivers. Two figures stood atop it, nestled together intimately, just like they used to all those years ago.

1. His original nickame is Fu(符-fú) meaning ”talisman,” so we have simply shortened it to fit a nickname ☜