Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

Chapter 1694: Chapter 622: Wary in the Heart, True Intentions at the Crossroads_3

The other party’s guidance on the path of array studies was a heavy blow to him.

His previous arrogance now seemed so laughable under these pointed corrections.

He had thought that relying on the Proficiency Panel, he could endlessly learn various arrays, but now it was clear he had gone astray.

While reflecting inwardly, he found Han Zhan’s overarching reasoning in the path of Pill Refinement as well.

His Pill Refinement Technique, even after achieving Finalization, still maintained an Ascendant Grade pill creation rate of around fifty percent, meaning a failure rate of half.

This probability was already quite high.

It was enough to be considered a Pill Refinement Grandmaster.

Yet, something felt off—as Luo Chen, having refined the Fourth Order Transformation Pill, was already a Fourth Order Pill Refiner.

Such an existence, whether refining a particular elixir or various other pills, could unquestionably be regarded as an Alchemy Grandmaster, only a step away from the rank of an Alchemy Saint.

Moreover, at this level, one should handle Low-Order Pills with near-perfect success rates.

But he couldn’t achieve that!

Or rather, it wasn’t that he couldn’t—Luo Chen had long realized that the longer he refined a certain pill, even after reaching Finalization, the pill success rate could still improve at a slow pace, almost nearing the so-called perfect assurance.

At the time, he believed the reasoning was simply, ”Nothing special, just skilled hands.”

Now it seemed instead to be, ”Reading a text a hundred times reveals its meaning.”

Clearly, he was subconsciously grasping the essence of certain pills within the Pill Refinement path.

This moment, Han Zhan’s stern awakening in the path of arrays allowed him to understand another layer of meaning beyond the Proficiency Panel.

That is, above proficiency lies true intent!

From a commanding perspective, Luo Chen traced back his past experiences.

After achieving Finalization in the Fireball Technique, the ”Fierce Sun Technique” effect emerged, which represents the true intent of the Fireball Technique itself.

Upon achieving Finalization in the Spirit Vision Technique, it was rooted into his twin eyes. The original intent of this technique was undoubtedly to transform a cultivator’s eyesight, granting the ability to perceive the vitality and demise of things, and avoid hazardous zones.

Mirror Flower, Water Moon was like this, and so was the Slaying Dragon Technique.

Many such techniques were all like this.

As for other techniques without special effects, was it because their intrinsic limits were low, or because he hadn’t yet grasped the true intent, thus stopping at Finalization?

For a moment, in Han Zhan’s Cave Mansion, Luo Chen fell into deep thought.

Han Zhan did not disturb him.

It was only after Luo Chen awoke that he returned to the topic, handing over the advancement doctrine for cultivating the Taiji Formation.

When Luo Chen stepped away from the lifeless, desolate island, he couldn’t help but glance back in Han Zhan’s direction.

”I mistakenly judged him with petty suspicion.”

”Such selfless guidance and instruction—this is no less than the kindness of an esteemed mentor or a close elder.”

”Indeed, with the Oath of Dao sworn years ago, how could he harbor any ill intent towards me?”

Luo Chen chuckled self-deprecatingly and finally felt a weight lifted from his heart.

It was not only due to Han Zhan’s selfless guidance today but also because he had learned how to elevate the cultivation of the Taiji Formation to a higher level.

...

Night descended.

The pristine moon disk rippled gently on the water’s surface.

In the depths of a dark lake, within a coral-laden and algae-adorned water curtain cavern, a massive Flood Dragon curled up, eyes closed in slumber.

Beside it, however, was a slender figure seated cross-legged with upright posture, her hands forming incantations in front of her, inhaling and exhaling the extraordinarily pure Spirit Qi of the place.

Upon closer examination, the figure was a young maiden.

She wore a dress of water green, embroidered with lifelike white lotus flowers.

The white stockings under the hemline of her skirt were faintly visible, and her delicate waist seemed small enough to be held in a single hand.

As for her face, slender brows, snow-like skin, and a straight nose bridge stood out.

Unfortunately, while she exuded an impressive aura, her overly refined features lacked the slight baby fat typically seen in young girls.

Suddenly, a low voice sounded near her ear.

”You should return.”

The maiden opened her eyes, a mischievous glint flashing in her gaze.

”Uncle Long, how did you know I woke up?”

The Black King looked at the maiden with helplessness. ”You are absorbing the pure Spirit Qi I have refined and exhaled. Do you think I wouldn’t know when it’s time for you to finish?”

The maiden pouted. ”Tch, you’re no fun.”

The Black King sighed, ”Go back. I once heard my master say today is Mid-Autumn Festival. Shouldn’t you be reuniting with your family?”

During the full moon, it is a time for reunion.

Zhang Jingqing stared blankly outside, momentarily at a loss for words.

The sound of rustling filled the air as the Black King began to stir his massive body.

The maiden panicked suddenly. ”Uncle Long, please let me stay here for just one night. I beg you.”

The Black King was puzzled. ”You truly don’t want to see your mother, or even your father?”

”Father? He cares only for that younger brother.” The maiden lowered her head, her mood sinking. ”As for Mother, ever since she visited Quyang Island two years ago to deliver Spirit Stones to Lu Shanjun and then took him as her master, she’s left the Qingyang Store job to devote herself to cultivation under Lu Shanjun. I’ll go see her sometime later.”

Her tone carried traces of longing for her mother but was filled with resentment towards her father.

As the Black King listened, his body began to slide outward.

Seeing this, the maiden’s eyes almost glazed with tears.

”You don’t like Xiaoqing anymore?”

The Black King turned back helplessly, summoning her to his back with a sweep of Qi Power.

”My master has something to ask of me. What does that have to do with liking or disliking you, little girl? You sure have a lot on your mind. Come along with me. On this auspicious night, perhaps my master is in a good mood and will accept you as a disciple.”

The master Uncle Long spoke of?

The maiden sat atop the Flood Dragon’s back, her face showing a variety of complex emotions.

A mix of admiration and inexpressible fear, awe and reverence mingled in her gaze, but mostly unease.

It was hard to understand how someone so young could harbor so many conflicting feelings.

The Flood Dragon moved swiftly, exiting the water curtain cavern and breaking through the waves, swimming onward.

With a splash, water sprayed everywhere as the Flood Dragon surfaced on Great Marsh Lake.

On the dragon’s back, the maiden raised her head to look up.

Under the bright moon disk, a man and a woman hovered in mid-air.

The woman stood further back—someone the maiden had known well since childhood. The Outer World called her Tianxuan Fairy, though the maiden would sweetly address her as ”Aunt Tianxuan.”

And at the forefront stood a white-robed man, with skin like blazing fire and a towering physique. Even under the gentle moonlight, he resembled a volcano that could erupt at any moment.

The Flood Dragon bowed its head. ”Master, what orders do you have for Old Black?”