Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

The funeral was held at the Elixir Saint’s Blessed Land.

The ceremony was not particularly grand, after all, the sect was currently in a phase of rapid development, advancing towards the position of the East Desolate First Sect.

But all those who should come, did come.

All the high-ranking members of the Luo Tian Sect, both those in the spotlight and those behind the scenes.

Even cultivators who had reached the Nascent Soul Stage returned hastily to participate in this funeral, bidding Sima Huiniang farewell on her final journey.

The proceedings were so solemn, not only because she was Luo Chen’s Dao Companion, but also because she was the Luo Tian Sect’s First Generation Sect Master!

The one who led the Luo Tian Sect from merely a few Foundation Establishment True Cultivators to the rank of a Golden Core Great Sect.

She was also the heroine who, during the invasion of the Demon Clan when morale was disheartened, bit the bullet and united the leaderless Luo Tian Sect into one, persisting until Luo Chen’s return!

Even though she later exhibited some muddled behaviors, these could not ultimately overshadow her contributions to the sect.

In front of the tomb.

One figure after another stepped forward to pay their respects, among them were sounds of sighs and regret.

Even Gu Caiyi, who had competed with her all her life and once became Sima Huiniang’s Nascent Soul Heart Demon, could only sigh when approaching the tomb.

Not knowing what to say, she offered incense and silently stepped back from the crowd.

Away from the crowd, dressed in black, Luo Chen stood alone under a tree, his expression somber, lost in thought.

Unlike his ordinarily youthful and handsome appearance, over the past year, Luo Chen had grown gray hair, and wrinkles had formed on his face, making him appear akin to a middle-aged man.

Gu Caiyi approached him and whispered, ”Husband, my condolences.”

Luo Chen pursed his lips but said nothing.

Sad?

A bit, but far from what one might expect.

Perhaps at the moment when Huiniang’s Nascent Soul Formation failed, he had already anticipated this day would come.

Or maybe, much earlier, he foresaw similar occurrences would happen, and continue happening!

If he were to progress, inevitably, some would fail to keep pace.

Previously it was his subordinates, sect disciples, friends, even enemies, and this time it happened to be a family member, one of the closest people to him.

His gaze fell on Gu Caiyi, then on the crowd not far where mourners gathered.

Among them were his friends, old acquaintances, younger generations.

In the future, would it be their turn?

Within the crowd, sobs quietly echoed.

Huiniang’s direct disciple Yao Mingyue led a group of disciples and grandchildren to pay their respects.

She was the most sorrowful among them; to her, Sima Huiniang was as a teacher and mother, teaching her cultivation, as well as life and conduct, making her death all the more painful.

However, this atmosphere of grief would eventually dissipate with time.

Even now, as mourners gradually depart, the early morning sunlight has begun to dispel some of the sorrow.

Amidst the sparsely gathered crowd, a figure was moving against the flow.

He was an ordinary man without a trace of Spirit Qi, dressed plainly in coarse gray clothes, unnoticed by anyone.

If not for the fact that he was going against the crowd, likely no one would have realized he was there.

”How could a mortal climb this mountain?”

Someone was curious, but before they could investigate further, they were pulled away by the older generation of Luo Tian Sect cultivators.

In front of the tomb.

Luo Lingxi looked confusingly at the newcomer, especially examining that face which bore a resemblance to his mother’s.

”You are...”

The newcomer lit incense and bowed three times solemnly before the tombstone.

”Sister, fare thee well!”

Finally, he raised his head, studied Luo Lingxi closely, and then looked past the grave towards the man watching him from afar.

Their eyes met, and the man in gray averted his gaze.

He hesitantly reached out, patting Luo Lingxi on the shoulder.

”Do your best, don’t disappoint your mother.”

Luo Lingxi could have avoided this pat — with his Golden Core Period cultivation level, he certainly could have — but for some reason, he didn’t.

Because this pat conveyed concern and advice from an elder.

As the man in gray turned to leave the mountain, Luo Lingxi still felt somewhat puzzled.

”Who is he?”

...

”Sima Wenjie is actually still alive?”

Gu Caiyi looked in surprise at the gray-clad man’s back, seemingly surprised by his presence and existence.

Luo Chen said calmly, ”He has always been alive, right under Wang Yuan’s nose, in the Book Collection Pavilion.”

Gu Caiyi was astonished, ”But wasn’t he reduced to a criminal, with his cultivation level completely abolished?”

Luo Chen did not explain much more.

With his insight, naturally, Luo Chen saw that Sima Wenjie seemed to have some other fortuity, even though his Sea of Qi was empty and devoid of Qi Power, his ordinary body somehow appeared capable of obtaining immense power at any moment.

However, this was ultimately no longer related to him.

The mistakes Sima Wenjie made back then had long since vanished with severe punishment.

Now that even Huiniang is gone, it’s impossible to pursue it further.

Luo Chen was also unafraid of Sima Wenjie causing trouble in the future. The Luo Tian Sect was filled with powerful individuals, and Sect Master Luo Lingxi was not only Sima Wenjie’s own nephew, but whether in strength or familial emotion, Sima Wenjie should weigh these carefully.

Exhaling a breath of Turbid Qi, Luo Chen stepped forward.

With that step, the gray in his temples returned to its original color, the wrinkles on his face vanished completely, and his previously youthful and handsome visage reappeared.

Furthermore, an aura that had been dormant for over thirty years once again permeated from him, even surpassing its former presence, bearing a touch of mystical profundity.

His injuries had healed.

Watching his back, Gu Caiyi seemed to realize something and instinctively called out.

”Husband!”

Luo Chen said without turning, ”I am leaving. The sect has been entrusted to Lingxi, and this Blessed Land is overseen by you.”

Gu Caiyi showed a face of reluctance, murmuring, ”Husband...”