Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

The mention of ”Spiritual Treasure” alone was enough to explain the dramatic change in the expressions of the cultivators present.

However, what truly stirred the emotions of Shi Ju, Fu Qinglan, and others was the function of the Lan Ke Black Chess.

Through Fu Qinglan’s explanation, Luo Chen also gained a deeper understanding of this so-called [Lan Ke] Spiritual Treasure.

It is not a single Spiritual Treasure, but a set of Spiritual Treasures.

Composed of a chessboard, chess pieces, and a rumored ending position.

Together, these three form the Lan Ke Spiritual Treasure, each having distinct effects.

It is rumored that, in the hands of a Divine Transformation Great Power, the Lan Ke Chessboard can suppress the heritage of an entire continent and prevent the spirit mechanism from leaking out.

The so-called chess pieces are further divided into black and white, with 181 Black Chess pieces, each having the ability to protect the divine soul. The 180 White Chess pieces, each being a supreme treasure for assault and plundering.

And that ending position is even more marvelous and unfathomable.

Other than the one who made this treasure, if others enter this scenario, they would be unable to escape, trapped within it for life.

Indeed, if one wishes to refine this treasure, they must resolve this ending position.

The Lan Ke Spiritual Treasure has hung unwielded in the Tianyuan Daoist Sect for thousands of years; no one has been able to refine it to claim ownership, at most borrowing the power of one or two chessboards.

Until seven hundred years ago, Ke Lian Shan emerged, revealing an extraordinary genius in chess, which triggered a reaction from the Spiritual Treasure.

And he did not disappoint, as he reached the Nascent Soul Realm, he made a new move on the ending position, thereby gaining recognition from the Lan Ke Spirit and becoming the master of Lan Ke.

Thus began the renown of the Chess Saint!

What shook Luo Chen was not the marvel of this treasure, but the so-called Black Chess.

”Was the Lan Ke Black Chess piece I obtained back then also part of this Spiritual Treasure?”

”I don’t think so; that was just a lower grade magic item, worlds apart from a Spiritual Treasure.”

”Yet, based on the described effects and even the division between black and white chess pieces, they are astonishingly similar. I’ll never believe there isn’t some connection.”

”In this light, what is the relationship between the Golden Core Great Sect, Ghost God Valley of the Eastern Wasteland, and this Tianyuan Daoist Sect?”

For a moment, Luo Chen’s mood fluctuated, his thoughts disconnected from the ongoing chess match between the two.

...

”It’s about time.”

As the afternoon approached, Luo Chen had the thought of leaving.

He was not skilled in chess and did not wish to spend mental energy on deducing the chess game. Moreover, being uninterested, staying here no longer made sense.

Besides, the purpose of this trip had already been achieved.

Through Fu Qinglan’s introduction, he roughly saw the protectors of several contestants and got a preliminary impression.

With continuous calculation in his heart, he already had some confidence.

With that, it was time to leave!

Seeing Luo Chen about to depart, Fu Qinglan hesitated for a moment and followed.

Luo Chen glanced at her calmly and said nothing.

He could see clearly that she, too, was not focused on the chess match today.

For her to be disinterested in her beloved Go game, it showed how much pressure Shi Ju from the Shi Family exerted on her.

The two walked out of the Peach Garden at a modest pace. It was eerily silent around, a stark contrast from the previous bustling scene.

Fu Qinglan seemed somewhat displeased with the quiet and actively sought topics of conversation.

”The Cave Heaven Competition of Mirage Dragon concerns the future God Transformation opportunity for our Daoist Sect’s true disciples. Therefore, the protectors are often carefully selected by the major clans, not only outstanding in strength but well-understood and, preferably, utterly loyal.”

”Hence, family servants trained from childhood become the best choice. My friend Xiao Lin Zi Lin Bufan is such a case.”

”Regarding Brother Liuyuan, whom you were curious about, he doesn’t have this family background or the corresponding connections. But he received help from the lineage of master and disciple!”

”The lineage of master and disciple has long declined in our Tianyuan Daoist Sect. Even the Nascent Soul stage cultivators have been deprived of qualifications to enter the Mirage Dragon Cave Heaven. This time, under the guise of helping Brother Liuyuan, they sent the most outstanding disciple of this generation, Sister Ming Yan. This has also been a topic of debate among our major clans. Whether Sister Ming Yan will support Brother Liuyuan or vice versa remains uncertain.”

”The Lan Ke Spiritual Treasure is very famous, but no one could refine and claim it before. However, research on this treasure never ceased, which resulted in many replicas.”

”I noticed Brother Dao was quite interested in this treasure earlier. Once we return, I can offer you a replica of magic artifact level.”

...

Luo Chen stopped in his tracks.

At a place where the mountain path twisted and turned, and the Zhe River roared.

Fu Qinglan looked at him with incomprehension.

Luo Chen’s expression was calm, his gaze gentle, ”If you have something to say, just say it!”

Fu Qinglan parted her lips, her little mouth moist and trembling slightly.

Then, she let out a soft sigh.

”Brother Dao has eyes like burning torches. Little sister cannot hide anything from you.”

”Burning torches? Like Shi Ju?”

A calm statement, yet it seemed to pierce the heart.

Fu Qinglan lowered her head, her hair fluttering in the breeze.

”That man has always harbored ill intentions towards me. He once said he wanted me to join the Shi Family as his concubine. Not only that, but he also said he would provide family servants to protect me during the Mirage Dragon Cave Heaven competition. He even promised to help revive the Fu Family in the future; even the title of Giant House would not be impossible.”

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, ”If the conditions are so favorable, why say he harbors ill intentions? From what I know, intermarriages among your noble families are quite frequent!”

Fu Qinglan shook her head, ”It’s different. Intermarriage is for becoming a wife, while I would be a concubine. Moreover, what Shi Ju said sounded more like mockery to me, like he is teasing me!”

”Oh?”

”He has a history; during the Foundation Establishment Stage, he deceived a noble family lady with such words. That fellow disciple, at the time, was in the Golden Core Realm, quite remarkable, and had hopes of reaching Nascent Soul. But after joining the Shi Family, not only did her path stagnate, but even her supporting family was annexed by the Shi Family.”