Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

The grand City Lord Mansion is brightly lit tonight!

Fine wine and exquisite dishes are served from the kitchen like a flowing stream, setting up over a hundred banquet tables.

All of this is solely to celebrate the successful return of three merchant caravans.

This wouldn’t have happened in previous years, but this year is somewhat special.

The City Lord Mansion dispatched a total of five caravans, yet two were lost, while the remaining three also suffered heavy losses.

Logically, with such losses, one should lick their wounds quietly. However, the young City Lord Xiao Feng has gone out of his way to host a grand banquet to reward the heroes who protected the caravans.

”In times of crisis, maintaining one’s composure, this young city lord surely has a good sense of leadership.”

In the main hall, Luo Chen gazed at the lively scene outside with a serene expression.

He had once overseen such a great entity like Luo Tian Sect, naturally knowing that the tougher the times are, the more one must not expose their weakness, lest enemies swarm in.

However, judging by the arranged tables and chairs in the hall, he was not considered a true guest of honor tonight.

One by one, figures entered from outside in an orderly fashion.

There was an elderly woman leaning on a cane, a man with a red face, and a relatively young man.

Upon entering, these three displayed surprise upon seeing Luo Chen.

”Tonight’s banquet, there’s someone not of the Three Realm Body Cultivation at the same table?”

The speaker was the young man with an air of arrogance.

Luo Chen, as if not hearing what he said, continued quietly sipping his drink.

The young man, upon seeing this, showed a look of anger, seeming displeased with Luo Chen’s arrogant demeanor.

The difference in their demeanor was stark.

The elderly woman and the man shook their heads slightly.

”Xiao Zirui is still too young!”

”He seems overly affected, suspects everyone looks down on him; yet this stranger is indeed a bit arrogant.”

Of course, they did not reveal these thoughts.

After taking their seats, the three newcomers began conversing among themselves.

”Chi Huo, you’ve returned extraordinarily fast, far beyond us.”

”Just because the distance to the main city is close, the attacking bandits could not form a threat. Granny Yu, however, I heard you greatly wounded that Meteor Thief leader Tong Huaijin? That’s remarkable, Tong Huaijin with his horizontal refining skills, could move freely on the battlefield, yet suffered a major setback at your hands.”

”It’s an overstatement; battlefield skirmishes differ from direct combat. Nonetheless, I narrowly outsmarted Tong Fei in a single move, hardly a great formidable display.”

”Brother Xiao, why sulk? It’s merely some goods. You are kin to the young city lord; I’m sure he wouldn’t blame you.”

”Indeed, now that the City Lord position is undecided, and the young city lord needs help, retaining a useful body will surely find a place.”

”Thank you both for your consolation. I won’t take it to heart. I was indeed careless this time, the second leader of the Meteor Thieves thought to be merely at the peak of Blood River Realm proved otherwise, taking me by surprise. When we meet again, I shall crush them to dust!”

”Haha...”

Luo Chen watched coldly, quickly understanding the basic circumstances of these three through their conversation.

Granny Yu relying on a cane, Chi Huo the man with the red face, and the young man was a junior of the original City Lord’s lineage.

Previously, they were stationed elsewhere by the young city lord to manage respective industry and security affairs of the City Lord Mansion.

This year-end return, like Master Yan, encountered the Meteor Thieves’ sudden assault.

In terms of results, those seated here, aside from Xiao Zirui, were naturally heroes who succeeded in escorting the caravans back.

As for Xiao Zirui’s inefficiency, he remained only due to familial ties.

Luo Chen did not care about such matters; familiar with these proceedings.

Next, he awaited the young city lord’s appearance to acknowledge merits and reward efforts.

He could then legitimately enter the view of the host, temporarily residing in Yixian City.

Being subordinate to others, Luo Chen was accustomed; strength dictates status. Though his prowess disregarded these people, without understanding the realm’s true situation, he did not mind lying low temporarily.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from outside.

Everyone stood to watch the entrance, figures passing through the crowd from the banquet outside the main hall.

Wherever they went, praises of ”young city lord” arose.

Luo Chen looked, leading was a handsome man in white holding a fan, a sinister-looking elder to his left, and a beautiful woman in palace attire to his right. Behind them were several old people.

Master Yan was among them.

Currently, he was crossing the crowd, gesturing at Luo Chen who remained seated.

Feigning ignorance, Luo Chen maintained a serene demeanor.

The group arrived at the hall’s entrance, the other old servants retreated, leaving the leading three entering.

”Greetings to the young city lord!”

Everyone in the hall paid their respects.

Xiao Feng clasped hands, fan in hand, ”Xiao Feng pay respects; thanks to you all for safely escorting the caravans, ensuring future Yixian City business remains unaffected.”

With these words, Granny Yu and Chi Huo waved their hands, ”Merely our duty.”

Luo Chen calmly accepted the ceremonial salute, which was deserved.

Beside him, Xiao Zirui furrowed his brow, ”How dare you!”

Xiao Feng extended his fan blocking Xiao Zirui, smiling at Luo Chen: ”This elder indeed helped greatly, single-handedly defeating dozens of Meteor Thieves, safeguarding the caravan. Xiao Feng is sincerely grateful.”

Everyone looked at Luo Chen in astonishment, then understanding dawned.

No wonder Luo Chen could sit in the main hall; his merits matched that of everyone!

Yet soon, someone caught the implications in Xiao Feng’s words, face subtly changed.

Granny Yu tentatively inquired, ”Elder?”

Luo Chen seemed young based on appearance, even ignoring his unique ethereal aura, appeared the youngest among everyone present.

Anyone would think him a young man in his twenties.

Neither his realm nor status warranted Xiao Feng, nominally the young city lord, to address him as ”elder.”

Only one possibility existed!

Chi Huo blurted in surprise, ”Could you be an Immortal Cultivator from the Outer World?”

Luo Chen didn’t reply, only looked at Xiao Feng.

”You investigated quite a bit, was it Master Yan who told you?”

Xiao Feng bowed, ”Please forgive me, elder, as it is indeed times fraught with trouble, caution is warranted.”

Luo Chen acknowledged with a nod, then gracefully drank a cup of wine, exuding an aura of elegance and composure.

Seeing this, the seating crowd, initially deeming him arrogant, now understanding Luo Chen’s identity, perceived him as having a celestial presence.

An Immortal Cultivator fallen into the Great Destruction Realm, having lived for hundreds or thousands of years, even witnessing the ages, was no ordinary mortals could disgrace.

Even in initial shock, Xiao Zirui still showed disdain.

So what if an Immortal Cultivator?

Those fallen into the Great Destruction Realm were as ordinary mortals, especially due to Immortal Cultivation practicing the Path of Martial Arts often confined to the Third Realm of Body Refinement. Moreover, the abrupt power drop often obscured their judgment, leading them to meet their demise.

In this case, why bother with superficial respect?

During the banquet, with drinks passed freely, Xiao Feng, adept at maintaining harmony, sustained a pleasant atmosphere.

Until he raised an issue.

”Come spring, a special envoy from Wuyou City will arrive; if bearing my father’s decree, fine, if not, inevitably martial combat to decide the master shall return, hoping for everyone’s support!”

In an instant, the banquet fell silent.