Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

After much contemplation, Tian Douzi finally nodded.

”According to your description, this demon is indeed no different from the rumored Chang Ghost.”

”Chang Ghost?”

Luo Chen was taken aback, ”The Chang Ghosts from folklore stories?”

”Exactly!” Tian Douzi nodded, ”In secular tales, it is said that Tiger Demons have the means to gather souls to become Chang Ghosts, hence the saying ’acting as a Chang’. But in truth, this is a misconception. Just as mortals mistakenly believe that every cultivator like us possesses the power to move mountains and overturn seas, in reality, only the most elite can achieve the Sea Lifting power. And capturing Chang Ghosts is not something an ordinary Tiger Demon can accomplish.”

Luo Chen furrowed his brows, trusting Tian Douzi’s comparison.

Moving mountains and overturning seas sounds simple, but only a Nascent Soul True Master can easily do it, and ordinary Golden Core individuals usually need to join forces with others.

As for this so-called Sea Lifting Power, even Luo Chen himself hasn’t mastered it yet.

Thus, the technique of capturing Chang Ghosts is as rare as the Black King’s Spirit Gathering Talent; it is certainly not common.

”The Ancient Demon Di Tian, known as Ping Mountain Monarch, is essentially a Tiger Demon. Moreover, he is surely the most powerful Tiger Demon in the entire Eastern Wasteland and even the Mountain Sea Realm!”

Tian Douzi spoke gravely, his expression extremely solemn.

”And for a being like that, it’s not worth using such a method for just any being. This Gao Chang must have had an extraordinary original form, that’s why he was taken as a Chang Ghost and is guarded by a Commander Level Great Demon Emperor.”

Fenghua Fairy’s face was full of surprise.

The fact that Gao Chang might be an Ancient Demon Di Tian’s Chang Ghost was already shocking enough.

And now Tian Douzi was suggesting that his original form might be even more extraordinary, which was even more concerning.

”So, according to your perspective, would Gao Chang’s capture by Lei Daozi provoke the Ancient Demon Di Tian to take action personally?”

Tian Douzi took a deep breath, ”The entire city is now in lockdown, do you wonder why?”

”What should be done?” The thought of a possible Ancient Demon taking action caused Fenghua Fairy, despite her Nascent Soul Realm, to lose her color.

Luo Chen sighed softly, his eyes sweeping over the bustling grand hall.

”Under the collapsed nest, no egg can remain intact. Since the Dark Abyss Sect dares to take such risks, they must have something to rely on. And so today, we gather together to see what it is they rely on.”

”Later, I will inform everyone of this matter!”

Tian Douzi hesitated, ”Alchemy Sect, could this action offend the Dark Abyss Sect?”

Luo Chen grinned, ”Who knows?”

...

With more and more Nascent Soul True Masters entering the hall, and even Five Elements Divine Sect’s True Master Shenhuo and the ailing Old Ghost Mo Tian arriving, Luo Chen announced the formal start of the Dao Conference.

Unlike usual, Luo Chen skipped over the early sessions of bartering and cultivation experience sharing, stepping forward with determination.

Amid everyone’s gaze, he spoke with a heavy tone:

”On the ninth day of the ninth month, we should be gathering joyfully with friends.”

”Yet after over a century of war, we are deeply mired in its quagmire, with fellow cultivators constantly dwindling. Recalling the last gathering hosted by Shouyang Mountain Man, Master Li, Master Hua, and Master Mu linger in our thoughts...”

”In another century, among our fellow cultivators here, who knows how many will remain?”

At these words, the once lively atmosphere inevitably grew heavy.

Master Li, Master Hua, the three great True Masters of Dieyun Sect... were not they all renowned figures?

Shouyang Mountain Man and Tie Guan Daoist were no mere names either.

But beneath the torrent, their Dao cultivation suffered, forcing them to withdraw after the wars.

If this war continues to spread, how many here can ensure their own safety?

Someone spoke out, ”Alchemy Sect, your words are too pessimistic, too alarming. The Dark Abyss Sect has already made its move; the end of the war is in sight!”

Luo Chen glanced at the speaker, noting it was Miao Yin Mansion Master from Divine Sound Mansion.

Divine Sound Mansion had excellent relations with the Dark Abyss Sect, second only to East Sun Sect in closeness.

Luo Chen was not angered but asked, ”May I ask Miao Yin Mansion Master, how many True Masters and how many disciples has Divine Sound Mansion dispatched to support Lingtian Pass?”

Miao Yin Mansion Master frowned, ”Only myself as the True Master, three thousand disciples.”

Luo Chen chuckled, ”I heard Divine Sound Mansion has three great True Masters and eighty thousand sect disciples. If you are so confident about this battle, why not send everything? Do you perhaps not trust the Dark Abyss Sect?”

”You!”

Luo Chen shook his head, unwilling to argue further.

”We are unlike you, having no mountain gate to rely on, no home to return to, forced to fight with our backs against the wall at Lingtian Pass, thus exerting all our might.”

”For this battle, how many disciples and descendants have given their lives, charging forward bravely!”

”Yes, the Dark Abyss Sect is intervening now. But they remain aloof, even if they have plans, they are too proud to share them with us.”

”Our sect finds it hard to imagine, when the great battle breaks out, will they see us as mere cannon fodder?”

These words caused everyone’s expression to change.

Miao Yin Mansion Master was even more taken aback, ”Alchemy Sect, those are words that sow discord!”

”Sowing discord?” Luo Chen seemed amused, his gaze scanning the crowd.

Seven Cave Mountain Master Yao pressed his lips, Fenghua Palace’s Fenghua Fairy looked sorrowful, Hundred Beasts Sect’s Qin Baixiang clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles cracking audibly.

Even the nearby Tian Douzi couldn’t help but sigh.

Their sects have all suffered greatly from it.

And these are just the surviving sects.

Looking back, the fallen Ba Dao, Bikong, Fire Ridge, Taihu Palace, and even the recent Void Emperor Sect and Dieyun Sect, no one speaks for them anymore.

”Ha!”

Luo Chen waved his hand, ”Let’s not talk about this matter. Our sect currently has one issue, and someone needs to give me an answer.”

Amidst everyone’s curiosity, he unfolded the matter of Gao Chang.

The rumors about Gao Chang actually had already started to show traces during the century-long Human and Demon War.

This time, it’s merely because there were surviving eyewitnesses.

Combining the two, the authenticity is beyond doubt.

Even True Master Shenhuo, who had always been at odds with Luo Chen, showed a look of resentment upon hearing that his own senior brother Jin Ling was killed by Gao Chang.

However, upon hearing that Gao Chang might be a Chang Ghost of the Ancient Demon Emperor, all that anger and hatred turned into fear.

”According to the information I received, the Dark Abyss Sect has already captured Gao Chang.”

”The way of thunder is most effective against Yin Ghosts and Evil Demons, so it’s not surprising.”

”What is surprising, however, is why the Dark Abyss Sect neither killed this Chang Ghost nor took him back to the Mingyuan Sacred Land, but instead imprisoned him at Lingtian Pass?”

”What do they intend to do?”

Facing Luo Chen’s inquiry, everyone’s heart began to sink.

Especially with the recent martial law at Lingtian Pass, it further corroborated Luo Chen’s words.

What does the Dark Abyss Sect intend to do?

Invite a full-scale attack by the demon clan’s army?

Or perhaps provoke the wrathful strike of the Ancient Demon Emperor?

If it truly comes to that, the fate of the Mingyuan cultivators is unknown to them.

But as for their own forces, they are certain to suffer heavy casualties!

Just as everyone was feeling anxious, a domineering voice suddenly echoed into the main hall.

”Our actions in Mingyuan need no explanation to you lot!”

Boom!

The tightly closed door swung open with a roar.

A tall, imposing figure suddenly appeared before everyone.

Seated on the high platform, Luo Chen did not get up, but simply stared at the person.

The face seemed somewhat familiar.

With just a single glance, he recognized this person as the mighty individual he saw using Heavenly Thunder for cultivation when returning to the Eastern Wasteland in the Azure Darkness.

If there’s no surprise, then this person is Lei Daozi, currently the most influential in the Dark Abyss Sect.

Luo Chen took a deep breath, suppressing the agitation in his heart, and spoke slowly: ”I need an explanation!”

These words seemed to resonate with everyone’s heart.

For a moment, the momentum suppressed earlier by Lei Daozi’s appearance began to gradually rebound, and even harbored a sense of collective antagonism.

Lei Daozi furrowed his brow, casting a glance at Luo Chen.

”You want an explanation?”

”Yes!”

”Fine, let me see if you are qualified!”

Amid everybody’s confusion, Lei Daozi suddenly raised his hand, and a burst of lightning exploded from his palm, directly targeting Luo Chen.

This move was so abrupt that no one reacted in time.

No one expected this person to act so presumptuously and domineeringly against the well-known Alchemy Sect.

For a moment, no one came to assistance.

Only Tian Douzi, who was very close to Luo Chen, was already on guard.

With a soft sigh, Qi power surged out.

But just as Tian Douzi was about to act, he suddenly uttered a soft ’eh’.

In his view, only to see Luo Chen slowly extend a palm, terrifying Qi power hidden within.

It was his most iconic Qingyang’s Great Handprint!

However, unlike usual, this palm strike was also entwined with strands of strange blue-white flames.

Thunder and fire clashed in an instant.

Then they vanished into thin air, returning to silence.

Only Luo Chen’s calm voice resounded once more.

”Now, can your sect provide us an explanation?”