Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

The extra time, apart from adjusting the cultivation technique, Luo Chen spent on pill refinement.

Whether it was the Hong Yuan Pill or the Great Soul Pill, the proficiency was previously stuck at the perfection level.

The reason it was stuck had nothing to do with Luo Chen’s pill refinement technique; it purely was due to the insufficient quantity of medicinal herbs.

After Fu Chaosheng sent a large number of resources last time, Luo Chen could reignite the furnace and improve his proficiency.

He calculated his time well.

Once the proficiency reaches the grandmaster level, his realm would be stable enough.

By then, resuming cultivation with the assistance of top-grade Hong Yuan Pills and top-grade Great Soul Pills would allow his realm to soar swiftly.

Everything was in orderly fashion, carefree and delightful!

Perhaps out of concern for Luo Chen’s state, Fu Qinglan visited Cave Mansion No. 78 more frequently while Luo Chen was secluded for pill refinement.

The duration of her stays also lengthened.

Their interactions evolved from initial unfamiliarity to a gradual familiarity.

Luo Chen did not reject this mode of interaction, knowing that the five-hundred-year grand tournament of the Tianyuan Daoist Sect was far from simple as imagined.

The trip to Mirage Dragon Cave Heaven, according to historical records, although no cultivators had fallen, success required trust between contestants and their protectors.

Luo Chen was also using this opportunity to develop a rapport with her.

As for how to develop it?

That would be through playing chess!

In the cave mansion, between the confines of the chessboard, the man found each step difficult, while the woman remained calm and composed.

”My top!”

”I pressure! No, you need to brace here, without bracing how can you attack?”

”You’re cornering too tightly, surrounded on all sides, it’s all a setup.”

”Then make a transition, haven’t I taught you the method of transition? The ’Chunshan Hall Chess Manual’ also records seven solutions for this scenario.”

”I clearly remember, but obviously, you have a fallback move hidden here, right?”

”Seems you’ve spotted it.”

The woman smiled slightly, placing a piece down, creating a dragon-slaughtering stance.

Luo Chen conceded, gracefully admitting defeat.

He noticed that while she might lack the bearing of a Nascent Soul True Master in conduct, it was simply due to inexperience.

But in the realm of Go, she was confident, exuding the air of decision-making and determination.

If she could translate this demeanor into her conduct, she wouldn’t merely be a paper tiger.

Fu Qinglan counted the chess pieces, seemingly casually asked, ”Have you studied those twelve opponents, Brother Dao?”

Luo Chen smiled slightly, confidently saying, ”I’ve more or less reviewed the intelligence and made analyses.”

”Lin Bufan’s protector Lin Jingfang is from a collateral branch of the Lin Family, not a disciple of the Tianyuan Daoist Sect. He roams the Outer Continent for years. Formed his Nascent Soul at four hundred seventy-eight years, average talent, outstanding in spell battle, owns a True Device, Alarm Bell...”

”Yu Xu’s protector, the master of the now-declining Heavenly Mountain Sect in the South Border, known as Tianshan True Master due to the sect name. Having recently formed his Nascent Soul, logically, he should not be feared. However, having cultivated to the Nascent Soul Stage in the South Border, he must have unique capabilities, I should be cautious of gu insects.”

”Giant House descendant Gu Yuan...”

Upon mentioning this name, Luo Chen paused, seemingly recalling a familiar place in memory.

Fu Qinglan awaited the continuation.

Luo Chen, with a slight chuckle, continued narrating.

”His protector comes from the Mou Family of the Thirty-Six Noble Clans, Mou Jianxiong. This person cannot be underestimated. Though from a noble family, he was taught by the Ancient Giant House from a young age. However, he is skilled in the Water Method, I am confident that using the principle of water countering fire, I can suppress him.”

”Regarding the Shi Family’s contestant disciple, the intelligence is somewhat unclear...”

Luo Chen spoke methodically, exuding extraordinary confidence in his tone.

While listening, Fu Qinglan quietly relaxed her mind.

It turned out the other party was not as indifferent as appeared on the surface, but had indeed kept track of all potential opponents.

Finally.

Luo Chen said, ”Of course, these are all just intelligence on paper; specific situations require specific analysis. If I could see these people firsthand, or if there were records of their past actions, I would feel more assured.”

Fu Qinglan nodded in agreement.

”Quite right, as intelligence could intentionally be misleading others too.”

Suddenly, her tone shifted.

”Currently, there is an opportunity for you to meet these people.”

”Oh?” Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Ever since arriving in Zhongzhou, he actually hadn’t interacted much with the Nascent Soul True Masters here.

Even the Outer Continent cultivators on Heaven and Earth Peak, apart from that late-stage Nascent Soul Elder, he had little contact with others.

If there was now a chance to meet a few, he wouldn’t mind.

”Tomorrow the Peach Garden will open, and Renowned Dao Yin will challenge Chess Saint Ke Lianshan, which will surely draw a large gathering of talents. Brother Dao, why not accompany me? It’s a good chance to glimpse these opponents’ depths.”

Peach Garden, the cultivation place of Chess Saint Ke Lianshan.

Rather than the opponents, Luo Chen was more interested in this rumored Chess Saint.

Someone revered as a saint must have achieved peak mastery in a particular path, much like Alchemy Saint Chu Yan.

Moreover, that Chess Saint was a great cultivator in the late-stage Nascent Soul!

Truth be told, after arriving in Zhongzhou, Luo Chen felt somewhat unaccustomed.

In the past in Eastern Wasteland and North Sea, Nascent Soul True Masters were rare, but in Zhongzhou it seemed they were everywhere.

Going out, whether looking up or down, it wouldn’t be surprising to encounter a Nascent Soul True Master.

This entirely shattered the pride he had painstakingly acquired after reaching this realm.

Of course, he knew this wasn’t a typical circumstance.

Zhongzhou, after all, was the accumulation of the essence of the Mountain Sea Realm.

After ancient times, it was also the only peaceful place not threatened by demon beasts.

With thousands of years of accumulation, such depth was indeed logical.

”I’ve been cooped up here long enough, let’s head out for a change!”

Luo Chen stood up, stretching lazily, saying so.

”Alright, I’ll go make arrangements today to secure an invitation for Brother Dao!”

Fu Qinglan left Luo Chen’s cave mansion happily.

Seeing her joyful appearance, Luo Chen couldn’t help shaking his head, wondering if she was happy because he took interest in her affairs, or excited about witnessing an epic chess event?