Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

Chapter 739: Chapter 305: Luo Chen gets an Inch, wants a Mile – Part 1

“Friend, you really are hard working!”

In the moist mountain breeze, a cold voice seeped into the ears.

Dan Taijun descended from the clouds, her eyes burning as they fixated on Luo Chen.

“You’re already up reading this early in the morning.”

Luo Chen casually flicked the alchemy book in his hand, seemingly unsurprised by her arrival.

He replied, “The path of pill refinement is profound and vast. While our lifetimes are limited, knowledge is boundless. How could one not strive ahead?”

Dan Taijun’s eyes flickered, “We true cultivators pursue the path of longevity, anticipating immortality in the future. Why should we entertain the notion that life has its limits?”

Luo Chen laughed heartily.

“May it be as you say, friend Dan Tai!”

“Please, have a seat!”

Without any hesitation, Dan Taijun took a seat on the wicker chair opposite Luo Chen.

Luo Chen put down the alchemy book and personally poured her a cup of hot tea.

Dan Taijun’s gaze immediately landed on the “Shang Hu Pill Formula”. Precisely on the book he was reading.

Upon seeing the book’s title, a complex expression flashed across her eyes, before disappearing.

She picked up the cup of spirit tea Luo Chen had poured, took a sip, and did not offer any comments on the taste.

She went straight to the point and asked, “I heard that you, Dan Chenzi, have made quite a few gains in alchemy recently?”

Dan Chenzi, not the Fire Spirit Lord?

Luo Chen’s mouth curled into a small smile.

Just as he thought!

The conversation was being steered in this direction

He modestly went along with her words and said, “Some gains have been made, indeed.”

In response to his modesty, Dan Taijun’s mouth twitched.

It was more than just some gains!

There were countless small clans and sects skilled in pill refinement within Tian Lan Immortal City, yet recently, Luo Chen’s Luo Tian Creed had obliterated two of them in one fell swoop.

Added to that was the Li family, which leaned towards him, a renowned alchemical clan known for their medicine cultivation.

With such a wealth of resources in alchemy gathered, Luo Chen, as a second-order pill refiner, must have benefited enormously.

She took a deep breath, deciding not to beat around the bush anymore.

Clearly.

Being a hardworking cultivator herself, there was no way she could outwit Luo Chen, who had built everything from scratch, in a war of words.

She decided to hit the nail on the head.

“Dan Chenzi, are you able to refine a Medium Grade Jade Dew Pill now?”

After asking, she stared intently at Luo Chen’s face, determined not to miss any changes in his expression.

Under her gaze, Luo Chen’s face revealed a hint of surprise.

But quickly, he hid it again, as if nothing had happened.

‘This cunning fellow, I’m afraid he won’t tell the truth,’ Dan Taijun thought to herself.

As expected.

“It’s quite a challenge to refine a Second Order Middle Grade Pill. Friend Dan Tai, aren’t you overestimating me?” Luo Chen said with a strained smile.

Dan Taijun’s face twitched.

Then, with a smile that was not quite a smile, she looked at Luo Chen, “Dan Chenzi, there’s no need to hide it in front of me.”

Luo Chen thought to himself, ‘Sister, with your icy expression, it’s better not to try to pull off a half-smile half-grimace.’

It’s a bit awkward!

Nevertheless, he had to carry on with her and continue the drama.

“Cough, cough!”

He coughed lightly and said, “Recently, I indeed made a bit of progress in refining pills. However, given the effort and cost involved in refining Medium Grade Pills, it’s really quite high.”

“As you know, unlike you, the sect’s true disciples, who don’t have to worry about anything and can focus solely on cultivation, I still have to manage the Luo Tian Creed, earn resources for cultivation, and deal with all sorts of trivial matters.”

Just as he was about to continue his tirade of complaints.

Dan Taijun suddenly asked, “If I could help alleviate your worries, would you be able to spare some time to refine a few more furnaces of Medium Grade Jade Dew Pills for my Jueqing’s Clan?”

Luo Chen was slightly astonished.

Alleviate my worries?

He had been babbling on and on just now, all in an effort to raise the price for the pills down the line.

Where had she gotten that idea from?

But since she had already laid down the ladder, there was no reason for him not to push it further.

“How would you alleviate my worries?”

“I heard that the Luo Tian Creed under your command has an abundance of talented Qi Refinement cultivators, but is sorely lacking in Foundation Establishment Pills.”

“Hmm?”

Luo Chen’s eyes lit up instantly!

Could it be?

Anticipating his expectations, Dan Taijun didn’t keep him guessing.

“I currently have two Foundation Establishment Pills on hand. I can share one with you first.”

“So generous?”

Luo Chen was taken aback.

However, Dan Taijun’s expression remained calm, “It’s just a Foundation Establishment Pill. To cultivators of our Foundation Establishment generation, it’s already of little use.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Chen suddenly understood.

Indeed!

After Foundation Establishment, the once invaluable Foundation Establishment Pill becomes much less important to Foundation Establishment cultivators themselves.

Only those like him who had subordinates or ran small forces would be worried about it.

For these true cultivators of the Great Sects who had attained the Foundation Establishment, the ways to acquire them were certainly numerous.

One could tell from how Tian Xingzi bragged about finding three for him back then.

In the midst of his surprise, Dan Taijun threw another bait that tempted Luo Chen.

“I heard that the Luo Tian Creed has not yet found an excellent beast tamer, causing the position of the Spirit Beast Hall Master to remain vacant for a long time?”

“I know a Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator who has been quietly practicing in Tianlan for many years. He has some unique insights about taming beasts.”

Seeing Luo Chen’s surprised face.

Dan Taijun continued, “His background, character and conduct are absolutely reliable. As long as you can afford his monthly salary of four thousand spirit stones, he’s will serve the Luo Tian Creed for ten years!”

Four thousand a month!

So expensive!

Luo Chen furrowed his brows. This was far beyond the usual three thousand spirit stones of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

It might seem like it was only a thousand spirit stones more, but over a year, it would mean more than ten thousand additional spirit stones.

The key point was that the person would only serve for ten years.

He couldn’t help asking, “Is he really good at handling spirit beasts?”

After asking, he added another sentence.

“I’m not talking about being able to control spirit beasts, but about breeding and raising them.”

Dan Taijun nodded, “Since I recommend him to you, I naturally have done my homework about these matters, you can rest assured.”

Luo Chen hesitated a bit.

The economic situation of the Luo Tian Creed was currently good thanks to the inheritance they had obtained from a few families.

However, having to support an additional Foundation Establishment cultivator would be quite a strain.

But if one were to consider the long term, if the business of breeding spirit beasts was done properly, the profits would be considerable.

The Nangong Family, the Li Family, and the Broken Mountain Gang had all specialized in dealings with demon beasts and tamed spirit beasts in the past.

Luo Chen noticed all the benefits they reaped.

If the Luo Tian Creed could develop this path as well, it would gain yet another leg to stand on in the future.

Nonetheless, this would require a long-term perspective.

Ten years… It’s not that far off!

One thought crossed Luo Chen’s mind, prompting him to say, “Would my friend be willing to offer guidance to the younger generation?”

Dan Taijun looked at Luo Chen in surprise: she knew what he meant.

But, she couldn’t make that decision for him.

“You can talk to him in specific detail about it. Given his personality, I believe he would agree.”

Looks like he’s an agreeable type!

Luo Chen felt a surge of morale.

Being agreeable is good!

If he could prepare a few Beast Tamers for the Luo Tian Creed within ten years, that would be simply fantastic!

Under such circumstances, a monthly salary of four thousand Spirit Stones would no longer seem expensive; it would be worth every stone!

Even if he were to resign after ten years,

The Spirit Beast business of Luo Tian Creed wouldn’t halt abruptly.

Having spent some time discussing these two matters,

Their interaction noticeably softened.

Dan Taijun asked, “With this arrangement, my dear friend, you will have plenty of time to spare. Would you be willing to refine the Medium Grade Jade Dew Pill for my Jueqing Clan?”

In her view, Luo Chen shouldn’t refuse this time.

And as expected, he did not.

“If the matters of the Foundation Establishment Pills and Spirit Beast Hall are resolved, I believe I could spare quite a bit of time.”

“However…”

Even though this woman remained calm, Luo Chen had already seen the urgency beneath her composed demeanor.

Given this, he decided to make an audacious demand!

At Luo Chen’s words, Dan Taijun’s brows furrowed, “As a rogue cultivator, I have no sect or inheritance. My future path seems bleak.

“I am still managing to find my way around the Foundation Establishment Realm.”

“As for Core Formation, I am utterly clueless.”

“I heard that your Sect has three secret arts for advancing to Core Formation. Could I possibly have a look?”

Upon hearing this,

The relaxed atmosphere immediately tensed up again.

“You’re overstepping!”

Dan Taijun’s eyes narrowed, her long lashes now hinted at dangerous intentions.

Luo Chen’s heart skipped a beat. He insisted,

“If you were in my position, presumably you would do the same! ”

Dan Taijun stared at him fixedly.

After a long silence, she firmly shook her head, “Choose another one!”

Luo Chen felt dejected.

As expected, these major sects were unwilling to share the secret arts of Core Formation readily.

Gathering his spirits, he remarked spontaneously, ” what if your side could provide me with a sufficient amount of Medium or Ascendant Grade Cultivation Pills? That way, I don’t need to worry about the cultivation of the Great Dao Path, besides refining pills. Consequently, my enthusiasm toward this task would definitely increase.”

“Or else, a supply channel could also be useful. I have a small fortune, after all!”

Upon hearing this request.

Dan Taijun’s narrowed eyes gradually widened, “The supply of high-grade elixirs within the Ice Castle is extremely limited. Even less are allocated to my Jueqing Clan, so it’s difficult for me…”

As she spoke, a thought suddenly struck her.

“If you’re looking for a supply channel, I can introduce someone to you.”

To Luo Chen’s surprise,

His eyes brightened up immediately!

…

In the end, Luo Chen concurred to work on refining the Medium Grade Jade Dew Pill for Jueqing Clan enthusiastically!

It was not that Luo Chen was not determined enough

But the other party offered too many benefits!

Each of these conditions that seemed trifling to Dan Taijun.

For him, they were all invaluable resources that could solve urgent needs.

The Foundation Establishment Pills would allow his facade to come into effect!

When others in the future would ask why the Luo Tian Creed could produce such numerous Foundation Establishment True Cultivators?

He could then wave the banner of Ice Castle.

That would put an end to all such questions.

The Beast Tamers would get the Spirit Beast Hall of the Luo Tian Nine Halls up and running.

Given time, the Spirit Beast business could become a substantial source of income for the Luo Tian Creed.

As for the high-grade Cultivation Pills.

These were what Luo Chen needed desperately.

However, in regard to this last condition, Dan Taijun stated straightforwardly.

It would only be an opportunity for him. Whether he could secure enough high-grade pills would depend on what he could offer to persuade Tao Wen!

That’s right!

The supply channel Dan Taijun would introduce to Luo Chen was Tao Wen, whom he knew.

She was a True Disciple of Qingdan Valley at Foundation Establishment stage and also had connections with a Golden Core Ascendant Master.

When it came to elixirs, Tao Wen never fell short from childhood till now.

If one had to point out who among the Foundation Establishment True Cultivators was most likely to offer a vast amount of high-grade pills, Tao Wen was the only person Luo Chen could approach.

However, Tao Wen was quite arrogant.

She would be hard to crack.

Right now, Luo Chen might not be able to impress her with what he had at hand.

The Jade Dew Pill?

Luo Chen, who was currently busy in the Pill Room, shook his head with regret.

If it were possible, the Jade Dew Pill would definitely win over Tao Wen, being a female cultivator.

But he had given his word to the Ice Castle long ago that he wouldn’t sell the pill externally for a hundred years.

“It seems that I will have to ask Su Xiaolin to collect more information about Tao Wen of Qingdan Valley and the Tao Family,”

“That way, I can prepare a proper strategy.”

Even though Luo Chen was urgent about this matter,

He couldn’t rush it.

Because after the determination of Tianlan’s next ten-year affiliation, the Cultivators of Qingdan Valley had already left the Immortal City.

Dan Taijun also said that she would contact Tao Wen as soon as possible,

So that they could meet.

“If only her brother Tao Yisheng were still in Tianlan. I could have gathered the information I wanted through some subtle questions to her indiscreet brother.”

With a sigh,

Luo Chen refocused his mind and concentrated completely on the medicinal herbs in front of him.

Purple River Carriage!

Netherworld Evil Qi!

Cultivator’s Essence Blood!

The Blood Evil Qi Pill, the three main ingredients!