An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Red Pillar was the name of a prison constructed by the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion, tailored to fit the geography of the region. The prison derived its name from the legendary Fallen Phoenix Mountain.

According to ancient lore, the Jade Cauldron Domain was once part of the Great Million Mountains, a region famed for its connected mountain peaks, abundant resources, and breathtaking sceneries. Its beauty earned it titles such as ”Endless Cascading Jade” and ”Ten Thousand Li of Sunset Glow.”

However, a celestial phoenix from the upper realms once shattered the spatial barrier and descended upon this area. Its enormous body radiated boundless True Phoenix Flame, engulfing the land. In mere moments, the once-majestic mountain range suffered catastrophic destruction where numerous mountain peaks were reduced to ash. Even the iconic Purple Glow Mountain barely survived, reduced to a modest peak less than a hundred meters high. From that moment, Purple Glow Mountain was renamed Fallen Phoenix Mountain.

The descent of the celestial phoenix left behind feathers that fell to the land. These were no ordinary feathers; imbued with divine power, a single plume created a massive fissure hundreds of meters long when it struck the ground. The impact gouged a long, glowing fissure deep into the land. From the sky, this fissure appeared as a glowing red pillar, scorched into the land.

Since establishing Dahe Market along the Lancang River and the Ancient Plains, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect had continually modified the area. Fallen Phoenix Mountain became not only the core terrain for a massive formation but also the main structure for the Debate Platform. Meanwhile, the enormous fissure was repurposed into a narrow prison, now known to everyone as Red Pillar Prison.

After the prison’s official opening was announced, the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion laid out its rules. Any Raiding Cultivators caught committing crimes in Dahe Market’s inner city or outer district would be thrown directly into Red Pillar Prison. Leaving the prison required one of three methods: paying a hefty ransom in spirit stones, serving the full sentence, or winning ten consecutive battles in the Debate Platform.

Due to these new measures, Dahe Market had become safer than ever before. Even cultivators in the early stage of Qi-Refining Realm dared to walk alone at night. Truly, the area’s atmosphere had transformed.

At the bustling crossroads, a curious crowd gathered along the roadside. They watched as a patrol team escorted a captured cultivator toward Red Pillar Prison.

”This is the thirty-second raider caught this month, right?”

”Wrong! It’s the thirty-fifth!”

”Why parade them through the streets like this? Wouldn’t it be quicker to send them straight to prison?”

”It’s about making an example, scaring off others who might have similar ideas!”

”Fair point. The more people see this, the safer Dahe Market becomes.”

Meanwhile, Luo Chen, observing from the sidelines, remained unfazed by the scrutiny. Watching the hapless lackey get marched into Red Pillar Prison, he quietly sighed in relief. He slowly retreated into the crowd and vanished among the sea of people.

***

The tail following me has been dealt with, thanks to the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion.

But that’s only temporary!

When Gao Tingyuan has free time, my troubles will surely start again.

Wearing a straw hat, Luo Chen walked at an unhurried pace, veering further off the main path and into the labyrinth of alleyways. He wasn’t heading home at all but deliberately chose the opposite direction.

This was all thanks to Sun Shou showing him many properties back when he was house-hunting, especially the larger ones. Luo Chen had a good memory, particularly for those spacious homes in desirable areas. Envious as he was, he had memorized their locations. He had even planned to move into one someday when he had enough spirit stones. This time, that sharp memory came in handy.

His home was a small SiHeYuan courtyard in the northern part of the city. The place he visited earlier was in the southern section near the rogue cultivator market—an expansive three-part SiHeYuan. Such a spacious, serene, and safe property wasn’t something he could afford even with years of hard work. But it worked perfectly for throwing off any pursuers. Escaping was also easy; he just had to climb over a courtyard wall.

”Still, this is just a temporary fix.

”I’ll need to keep setting up my stall to sell pills, and no matter how careful I am, my address will eventually be exposed.

”Unless I hire some underlings to sell pills for me and stop showing my face altogether.”

There was a solution, but unfortunately, Luo Chen was only at the fourth stage of Qi-Refining. How could he recruit anyone? In the end, it all came down to his lack of strength.

If he had Wang Yuan’s power, he could silently sneak into Gao Tingyuan’s place and finish him off with a single strike.

When he returned home, the courtyard was still filled with a rich, savory aroma. It was the Blood Fiend Tiger Bone Soup that Murong Qinglian had been simmering earlier that morning. But the courtyard was empty now, and the Qin family’s west wing doors were shut tight.

He walked into his backroom, now transformed and filled with signs of life, and stood silently for a moment. Perhaps, when trouble came again, he’d have to move out like a stray dog. He couldn’t help but feel reluctant to leave this house, even if it was a bit chilly. Nor could he bear to part with his neighbors.

There was Gu Caiyi’s enthusiasm, Fu Xiuxiu’s gentle grace, Bai Meiling’s lively spirit, and Qin Liangchen’s hearty directness. Oh, and Sister Feng Xia, who rarely spoke due to her damaged voice.

He took out a qi-nourishing pill, swallowed it, and began circulating the Long Spring Art. The powerful medicinal energy spread instantly, its gentle spirit essence coursing through his meridians and finally converging in his dantian. His spirit power grew noticeably stronger!

Luo Chen opened his status panel at just the right moment.

[Status Panel]

Name: Luo Chen

Lifespan: 27/75

Spirit Roots: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth

Realm: Qi-Refining Realm Stage Four: (96/100)

Achievement Points: 13

[Techniques]

Long Spring Art: Perfection: (499/500)

[Spells]

Fireball: Grandmaster (700/1000)

Carefree Wander: Grandmaster: 512/1000

Entangle: Proficiency (291/300)

Cleanse: Skilled (170/200)

Traction: Perfection (427/500)

Spirit Eyes: Proficiency (287/300)

Wind-Control: Proficient (230/300)

[Skills]

First-Tier Alchemist:

Another half-month had passed. The past two weeks had been uneventful. However, the progress in cultivation was remarkable.

Perhaps thanks to Qin Liangchen’s occasional guidance, his proficiency in techniques like Traction, Entangle and Fireball had all improved significantly.

In particular, under the immense pressure of combat, his movement techniques had advanced greatly. Carefree Wander had reached Grandmaster level, and Wind-Control had skyrocketed from Beginner to Proficient level. This progress often left Qin Liangchen, a seasoned ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivator, in awe.

These advancements in technique proficiency had earned him two more achievement points. Yet, Luo Chen’s focus remained on his cultivation realms and techniques.

Realm: Qi-Refining Realm Stage Four (96/100)

He only needed four more points in his progress bar to advance to Stage Five of Qi-Refining. Four points—equivalent to four qi-nourishing pills.

Since he could only refine one pill per day, he’d need four more days of effort. This was the time Luo Chen was willing to wait.

By comparison, what prompted him to cultivate unexpectedly that afternoon was his cultivation.

[Techniques]

Long Spring Art: Perfection (499/500)

”Just one more step!” Luo Chen was eager to find out what changes would come with advancing Long Spring Art to Grandmaster level.

As he contemplated, there came a gentle knock at the front door. Luo Chen was puzzled, walked to the living room, and opened the door.

Outside stood Murong Qinglian, holding a small bowl. ”Little Luo, come have some soup.”