Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

Chapter 1659: Chapter 610: The So-Called Soul Essence, Duan Li’s Promise_3

Duan Li blinked, implicitly acknowledging the situation.

At that moment, he truly couldn’t bring himself to speak.

After some time had passed.

Duan Li, now refreshed after washing up, arrived at his cave mansion.

As soon as he entered, he saw Luo Chen inspecting the Black Banner.

”What’s wrong?”

Luo Chen pointed at the Black Banner. ”If I’m not mistaken, this black aura is likely the legendary Soul Essence.”

All living beings possess the Three Souls and Seven Spirits.

They are intangible, without physical form or sound.

Only when one’s realm reaches great heights can the soul and spirit condense into physical substance, revealing their true form.

Ghost Generals and Ghost Kings appear to have corporeal bodies, but in truth, most are filled with Yin Energy.

Clever cultivators extract the essence from countless souls using secret techniques, creating what is known as Soul Essence.

It is rumored that this Soul Essence is an extraordinarily rare sacred medicine!

When paired with secret techniques during consumption, it can significantly enhance a cultivator’s Divine Soul Endowment.

Moreover, if someone refines Soul Essence and turns it into an offensive skill, its power will far surpass ordinary Divine Soul Attack Techniques.

Duan Li froze momentarily before his face showed sudden realization.

”No wonder I used so many doctrines and still couldn’t remove these things. If this really is Soul Essence, even though its master has fallen, it still retains spirituality and relentlessly attacks my Divine Soul.”

”Falling prey to this move—Duan Li cannot say he was wrongly defeated.”

Luo Chen, intrigued, directly requested, ”Give me this Soul Essence!”

Duan Li hesitated but, recalling the years of suffering he’d endured, finally nodded.

”For the favor you’ve shown me, Friend, mere Soul Essence is yours to take.”

He also sighed with relief: ”The Bone Creeping Maggots are gone—it truly feels like a heavy burden lifted, a clarity and comfort I haven’t felt in five years.”

Although his face remained pale, it was no longer as ghastly as before.

A hint of healthy redness showed the results were evident.

Bowing to Luo Chen, Duan Li saluted deeply.

”This time, I owe you dearly, Friend. Duan Li is indebted to you!”

Luo Chen stepped aside. ”It was but a trifling effort—no need for thanks. Didn’t you draw your blade to assist me when Huangfu Song provoked us earlier?”

Duan Li straightened and shook his head.

”It’s not the same.”

Indeed, it wasn’t the same. Debts of gratitude differ in weight.

What Duan Li did for Luo Chen was a mere embellishment, whereas Luo Chen’s aid to Duan Li was akin to delivering coal during a bitter winter.

”In the future, if you ever have need, Duan Li promises to lend you his full support—my vow will never be broken!”

Seeing Duan Li’s solemn expression, Luo Chen swallowed back the polite words he had initially intended to say.

Having the support of a Golden Core Cultivator at a crucial moment was no small boon.

Duan Li was no weakling.

He possessed the ability to forcibly break through the Dark Realm when faced with Yuan Mo Sect remnants of equal realm—this spoke volumes.

Keep in mind, those opponents were true disciples of a Holy Land, far beyond the typical sect disciples.

After advising Duan Li to recover well, Luo Chen left the Hidden Wind Cave and returned to Penghu.

Upon his return...

He first summoned Zhang Jiadi, praised his composure in the face of adversity, and discussed the progress of Golden Dragon Carp cultivation.

Next, he met with Tian Xuan to delegate some minor affairs.

Lastly, after a brief meeting with Han Zhan, he brought along the Black King and commanded his flying boat, setting course toward the Quyang Sea Area.

The teleportation formation in Longyuan Immortal City required costly Spirit Stones for use, except during assessment missions or wartime deployments, and Luo Chen was unwilling to spend that much.

Fortunately, the Quyang Sea Area was not far from the Hidden Dragon Mountain Range. While traveling by sea vessel would take much longer, traveling by flying boat would be considerably quicker.

Carefully managing the normal consumption of Qi Power, the flying boat raced northward.

A streak of white appeared in the sky wherever it passed.

...

Five days later.

In the Quyang Sea Area, a patrol team of cultivators stopped in their tracks.

From the horizon, a cluster of Spirit Light broke through the skies.

As it drew closer, the unmistakable outline of a flying boat emerged.

Those who dared to cross the North Sea on a flying boat were either taking short trips through safe zones or individuals who deemed themselves bolstered by Great Power.

Clearly, this was not a safe zone amidst the demon beast-ridden Quyang Sea Area.

That left only one possibility.

The leader of the patrol team stepped forward.

”Senior, this is the second frontline of the Ten Thousand Immortals Gathering. Please report your identity and purpose.”

On the flying boat, a red-robed Daoist casually tossed out an object.

”Four-Star Demonic Beast Hunter Qingyang Zi, here to execute a defense mission.”

The patrol leader froze momentarily, then glanced at the Identity Token in his hand, instantly understanding everything.

A deferential, ingratiating smile spread across his face.

”This way, Senior. Another Ascendant Master arrived here days ago—you are the second. Would you care for an introduction?”

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. Naturally, he knew who the earlier arrival was.

It was the Demonic Beast Hunter replacing Xiao Buhuan, also tasked with a long-term mission lasting ten years. If nothing was amiss, it would be a rogue cultivator by the Daoist title Lu Shanjun.

What surprised him was that the other individual doing a short-term defense mission like himself had yet to arrive.

”Take me there first.”