Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

The young woman fixed her gaze, their eyes quietly meeting.

Luo Chen fell slightly silent.

Because of this silence, the expectancy in Chu Yan’s expression slowly faded into despondence.

Suddenly—!

The man’s hands, hidden beneath his wide sleeves, were revealed; ten slender fingers, joints flexing and bending.

As Qi Power circulated, a vague and Mysterious rhythm began to flow outwards.

The Refining Celestial Secret Technique was originally meant to seize the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism and turn it to one’s own use.

Yet just as Heaven and Earth possess Spirit Mechanism, living beings also bear Qi Mechanism, and Spirit Medicine and Strange Flower hold vital life-force within.

By reversing this technique, one can, in the midst of refinement, precisely control the blending, and even the separation, of the medicinal power within.

The man performed Pill Technique toward empty air. Though there was no True Body target, his method was no different from what Chu Yan had displayed earlier, and even, toward the latter half, faintly extended beyond it.

Clearly, he had already grasped the unspoken intent behind her actions.

By the time those hands once more withdrew into his broad sleeves, the girl beside him already wore a radiant smile upon her face.

”You did learn quite a bit, after all!”

With that said, she stepped lightly into the Mountain and Sea Palace.

Behind her, Luo Chen showed a helpless look.

What he had just demonstrated was no different from completely exposing his identity.

But it no longer mattered.

From the moment she noticed he could also employ Pill Technique of Refining Heaven Machine, she had in fact already locked onto who he was; excessive concealment would rather seem lacking in candor.

It was only that Luo Chen had not expected, after three months of such cautious and meticulous disguise, that he would finally reveal himself along the very Path of Pill Refinement he excelled at most.

Or rather, this exposure, though unforeseen, was not beyond reason.

For the Dao of Alchemy was likewise the field Chu Yan was most proficient in, and even surpassed Luo Chen therein.

She had deliberately waited until the final day to test him, and moreover chose the Five Elements Divine Pill. No matter how Luo Chen suppressed his brilliance, in that single instant of variance, she still saw him clearly.

”Ah...”

With a sigh, Luo Chen could only return to the palace as well.

Night fell.

The two did not interact further.

Chu Yan, now aware of Luo Chen’s true identity, controlled herself admirably.

Perhaps she likewise understood Luo Chen’s current situation; so long as she kept it to herself, that was enough.

And Luo Chen, too, did not dare approach too much—not because he feared Chu Yan would denounce him to the Tianyuan Daoist Sect. If she truly did so, Luo Chen could only admit his misfortune and prepare to flee; he believed she would not. The reason he avoided deeper contact was that he still planned to remain within the Su Ling Sect. If his ties with Chu Yan became too close, it would easily draw the notice of the Taisu Spirit Monarch.

The night passed without further words, until dawn.

Early the next morning, the ceremonial entourage that had stayed several months in the Su Ling Sect gathered outside the palace.

The Taisu Spirit Monarch had arrived long beforehand and entered the Alchemy Saint Hall to bid Chu Yan farewell.

Only, what surprised the Taisu Spirit Monarch somewhat was that at the moment of parting, Chu Yan’s features showed no trace of sorrow, but instead were often lit by a heartfelt smile.

”Perhaps these three months in the Su Ling Sect truly were enjoyable,”

the Taisu Spirit Monarch thought thus.

As the mild sun first rose, the two women stepped out.

Luo Chen was as he had been for the past three months, following silently behind them without a word.

Beside his ear, he still heard, now and then, the two women’s casual conversation.

Just as they were about to board the ornate Cloud Chariot of the Tianyuan Daoist Sect, his path was blocked by a Divinity Transformation Elder.

”Let Xuan Luo see you off. Three months have already passed; a brief moment longer makes no difference.”

From within the Cloud Chariot, Chu Yan’s voice rang out, clear as spring water.

The Divinity Transformation Elder swept a glance over Luo Chen’s face, then sensibly stepped aside.

Luo Chen boarded the Cloud Chariot and urged the driving Spirit Beast, flying toward the mountain gate.

On the Cloud Chariot, the Taisu Spirit Monarch unexpectedly withdrew her gaze from Luo Chen.

”Younger sister, it seems you are quite satisfied with Xuan Luozi.”

Chu Yan lightly smiled. ”The prodigies of your noble Sect indeed each have their own splendor, not only Xuan Luo, but also Dean He and the rest. Thus, sixty years hence, in the Demon Suppression Trial, the Su Ling Sect may truly have a chance to produce another one or two Divine Transformation Great Power.”

The Taisu Spirit Monarch could only sigh. ”If it were really that simple, it would be well. The Demon Suppression Trial may hold great opportunity, yet it also bears great peril. This time the Daoist Sect granted the Su Ling Sect several extra quotas on your account, but whether this is blessing or calamity for the Disciples is still unknown. After all, when the Demon Cave stirs, it is a major event that even the Holy Sect Source Court must treat with caution.”

Chu Yan lightly patted the Spirit Monarch’s jade-like wrist. ”Take heart. The records in the classics speak of countless Demon Cave stirrings, and only that one time ten thousand years ago did any real turmoil arise. Even if the sky were to fall, is there not the Youdu Source Court to bear it? Let this serve as a trial for the Nascent Soul under your command.”

The Taisu Spirit Monarch responded softly and could only thus comfort herself.

No Sect can grow and flourish relying on her alone.

The Eight Great Divinity Transformation Elders are mostly of the old generation; for most, breaking through to Refining Void is already beyond hope.

The future must rest upon the younger generation.

If this cohort of Disciples can endure the Demon Suppression Trial, then even if one does not speak of an Achievement in the Void Refining Stage, at the very least their chances of breaking through to the Divine Transformation Stage will be somewhat increased.

When they have grown, only then can the Su Ling Sect truly secure its position as a Refining Void Power, and not suffer a severance of talent.

For that, even if there is some loss, it is a price that must be paid!

When sending one a thousand miles, parting must come at last. Amid idle talk, the Cloud Chariot had already passed ten thousand miles and arrived at the Sect’s mountain gate.

Inside and outside the Cloud Chariot, the two women exchanged wishes of good fortune.

Chu Yan suddenly turned her gaze toward Luo Chen, who had kept silent all this time.

”Xuan Luo, do not betray that innate gift you bear in the Dao of Alchemy. I hope that someday I may exchange insights on the Path of Pill Refinement with you.”

In front of everyone, Luo Chen calmly cupped his hands. ”Many thanks for your encouragement, Senior.”

Chu Yan said no more, stepped into the Cloud Chariot, and, under the escort of the group, departed from the Su Ling Sect.

After they left, a man and a woman still stood quietly before the mountain gate.