An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Ten days was neither too much nor too little.

During this brief period, Luo Chen dedicated himself entirely to his cultivation. Each day, he practiced the Long Spring Art and consumed two qi-nourishing pills without fail. Beyond that, he set everything else aside. He refrained from practicing spells, avoided sparring, and rarely ventured beyond his courtyard.

Qin Liangchen and the others often saw him holed up in his room, occasionally hearing small explosions from within. Curiosity flickered in their eyes, but they dared not pry. They assumed he was practicing alchemy or crafting something experimental. Meanwhile, the atmosphere within the Poshan Gang had grown increasingly tense.

The impending establishment of the Alchemy Hall was no small matter.

Alchemy, the art of refining pills, was the cornerstone of cultivation resources. Of the four great immortal cultivation arts, pill alchemy, array formations, artifact crafting, and talisman making, alchemy was the most valued. This was because it was hard to master, required strict training conditions, and demanded immense resources.

Even if a cultivator managed to train an alchemist, without a marketable core product, they would often only fulfill internal needs rather than generate external profits. As a result, only sects had the means to train alchemists and establish Alchemy Halls.

Some large cultivation clans would also cultivate their talented kin in alchemy whenever possible. Renowned alchemists were almost never rogue cultivators; they all hailed from major sects or noble families.

But now, the gang leader had revealed that the Poshan Gang was about to establish an Alchemy Hall. What did this signify?

It meant that Mi Shuhua had somehow recruited an alchemist! An alchemist!

If the gang had its own alchemist, wouldn’t the pills they refined be prioritized for internal use? If it was related to cultivation, that would be ideal. Even if it wasn’t, as long as it could be sold, everyone could benefit in some way.

It could be said that once the Poshan Gang established an Alchemy Hall, its development would only get better and better. For newcomers hesitating to join, the mere presence of an alchemist in the gang would solidify their decision.

Thus, during this period, anything related to establishing the Alchemy Hall in the Poshan Gang was approved without resistance. A new division was rapidly taking shape, complete with its own territory, manpower, enchanted artifacts, and even supply channels.

On the tenth day, Luo Chen finally emerged from seclusion. Dust clung to his robes, his face was haggard, and his eyes were bloodshot. The once-sharp and refined young man now looked as though he had battled flames and smoke.

Murong Qinglian gasped upon seeing him and asked with concern, ”Are you alright? How did you end up like this?”

”It’s nothing, just the usual setbacks and failures during alchemy,” Luo Chen gestured dismissively, glanced at the three waiting outside, and estimated the time.

”It’s today, right?”

”Yes, it’s today.”

Luo Chen’s lips curved into a faint smile. ”Let’s go, then!”

***

This was Luo Chen’s second time visiting the Poshan Gang’s main headquarters. The first had been for the victory banquet after his victory on the Debate Platform. Since then, his interactions had largely been confined to Crescent Moon Valley, where the Medicine Hall operated. He had heard the Alchemy Hall would also be built there.

As for why the Alchemy Hall wasn’t built at the headquarters, the gang claimed that Crescent Moon Valley was safer and more suitable for alchemy. Luo Chen had no comment on this matter.

Early-stage matters were something he could let them decide. But from here on, it was time for meticulous negotiations.

As Luo Chen stepped into the Radiant Moon Hall, almost everyone had returned from outside. This was also Luo Chen’s first time facing all the important members of the Poshan Gang directly.

The four elders, Wang Yuan, Qin Liangchen, Luo Wudi, and Sikong Shoujia.

The eight hall leaders, the three Combat Hall leaders, including Sick Tiger Zeng Wen, Dragon Coil Tiger Yang Wei, and Luo Wudi, who also held the elder title. Murong Qinglian of the Medicine Hall, Ke Yuelin of the Beast Hall, Zhang Shicong of the Mining Hall, Mi Junping of the Merit Hall, and the newly established Water-Dragon Hall led by Wang Yuan.

If Alchemy Hall is added, Luo Chen would be its leader.

Then these eleven individuals would become the most influential figures in the entire Poshan Gang.

Of course, above these eleven stood the highest-ranking and most powerful figure in the gang, the Foundation Establishment cultivator Mi Shuhua.

The once-bustling Crescent Moon Hall fell silent the moment Luo Chen and his group entered.

”Haha, let us welcome the hall leader of the Alchemy Hall, the esteemed alchemist Luo Chen!” With a hearty laugh, Mi Shuhua was the first to rise.

The others also rose, showing Luo Chen the utmost respect.

Luo Chen smiled and returned the gesture with clasped hands, his eyes almost capturing the expressions of everyone present.

The frowning Wang Yuan, the kindly Qin Liangchen and his wife, the winking Zeng Wen. The sizing expression of Dragon Coil Tiger Yang Wei, and Zhang Shicong, the head of the Mining Hall. The skeptical Luo Wudi, Sikong Shoujia, and Ke Yuelin from the Beast Hall. Mi Junping from the Merit Hall showed no change in expression, quietly standing beside Mi Shuhua.

Various expressions filled the room, each unique. The only thing missing was hostility.

In truth, without direct conflicts, everyone would naturally maintain a friendly attitude toward an alchemist.

With just one glance, Luo Chen felt reassured and offered a humble bow. ”My humble alchemical skills are hardly worthy of such honor. It is truly humbling to receive everyone’s support.”

Humble words flowed out of him as if they cost nothing. But Luo Chen’s actions were deliberate as he naturally seated himself on the last chair.

Mi Shuhua nodded approvingly, signifying that Luo Chen had tentatively accepted his new role. He gestured for everyone to sit before bringing up the topic of today’s meeting.

”The Alchemy Hall is essential to the future of the Poshan Gang. Think about it, two thousand brothers in the Poshan Gang struggle to eat, to dress warmly, and their cultivation consists of nothing but bitter meditation without even a single qi-nourishing pill.

”Thus, only with an Alchemy Hall Poshan Gang will only be a complete Poshan Gang.

”A Poshan Gang with an alchemist is truly a place for proper cultivation! Without an Alchemy Hall, how are we any different from mundane street gangs?”

”Though we are still building, no matter how small a sparrow, it must have all its vital organs. Only in this way can we go further!”

Everyone listened with knowing smiles at these well-worn platitudes.

Over the years, everyone had grown accustomed to Old Man Mi’s manner of speech. They knew the real substance always came after the niceties.

Turning to Luo Chen, Mi Shuhua continued, ”Little Luo, I trust you will lead the Alchemy Hall to prosperity. You have already proven your talent by producing mid-grade pills. With the gang’s support, your achievements will surely reach even greater heights. Your name will surely spread across the Jade Cauldron Domain in the future!”

Even though everyone had already heard this news, they couldn’t help but feel admiration. After all, mid-grade pills are not bought, they are crafted.

Luo Chen quickly waved his hands. ”Leader, my crafting of mid-grade pills is merely due to practice; I am unworthy of the title of alchemy genius.”

Mi Shuhua’s smile remained kind. ”Practice or not, for someone like you to produce mid-grade pills alone is remarkable. With the entire Poshan Gang behind you, top-grade pills will soon be within your grasp.”

Luo Chen put on a woeful expression. ”But the pills I make don’t contribute much to cultivation!”

Mi Shuhua’s smile grew even warmer. ”How could they not be useful? Your fasting concoctions help our brothers hunt demonic beasts and collect spirit treasures with ease. And your Myriad Wonders pills, marvelous beyond words, fetch sums of spirit stones, enabling our brothers to purchase enchanted artifacts and pills.”

Luo Chen looked bitter. ”Spirit stones are hard to come by, and life is bitter! After all my years of effort, I’m still at the fifth stage of Qi-Refining, barely scraping by.”

”Don’t worry about that!” Mi Shuhua waved grandly. ”As head of the Alchemy Hall, the gang will provide you with a bottle of qi-nourishing pills every month, easing your cultivation worries!”

A bottle of qi-nourishing pills is worth a hundred low-grade spirit stones. This treatment far surpassed that of attendants and servants in the city’s major establishments. The only comparable earners were likely the female cultivators at Tianxiang Tower, who earned their way by their skills.

Luo Chen sighed. ”Unfortunately, with my five-spirit-roots and poor aptitude, a single bottle of qi-nourishing pills won’t do much good.”

What a joke. I can cultivate two qi-nourishing pills in a single day. A bottle a month,barely enough for five days. Who are you trying to fool?

Mi Shuhua’s expression froze momentarily.

The elder, Sikong Shoujia, sitting nearby, chuckled, ”One bottle is indeed a bit low. How about two? If used sparingly, it should be enough for the month.”

After saying this, he turned to Luo Chen with a benevolent smile.

”Little Luo, as a rogue cultivator in the past, you probably couldn’t even afford a few qi-nourishing pills a month. Two bottles are quite generous!”

That must be their bottom line! Very well, the focus wasn’t here anyway. Luo Chen cupped his hands toward him. ”Elder Sikong shows great compassion; Little Luo has no objections!”

Hearing this, Sikong Shoujia, Mi Shuhua, and even the others visibly relaxed.

Two bottles of qi-nourishing pills a month were hardly a big deal for experts at the ninth stage of Qi-Refining.

”Little Luo, if you have any more concerns, speak freely,” Mi Shuhua said. ”We can’t let you feel aggrieved while refining pills for the gang.”

”Aggrieved?” I’m not aggrieved at all! I just fear everyone else might feel aggrieved!” Luo Chen said, clutching his chest with an expression of anguish.

Everyone was stunned. Even Qin Liangchen, who knew Luo Chen’s agenda for the day, looked utterly bewildered.

What grievance could everyone have? The establishment of the Alchemy Hall would mean a stable source of income for the gang. That was far safer than venturing into the mountains to hunt for resources. Everyone was more than happy; how could there be any grievance?

Facing everyone, Luo Chen wore a grief-stricken expression, clutching his chest as he spoke. ”Little Luo’s aptitude is poor. I fear I’ll never break through to Foundation Establishment in this lifetime, with a lifespan capped at just one hundred and twenty-one years. A passing sage once said I was born frail, and I might only live sixty or seventy years.

”Sigh. I can hardly imagine what would happen if I were to die young. How would the gang cope after growing used to me refining pills for everyone?”

”Ah! This...?

”Impossible! Little Luo, you seem pretty energetic... uh, well, maybe not so much. Did you not sleep well last night?”

Luo Chen’s bloodshot eyes and haggard face didn’t exactly seem ”energetic.” If one were to claim he looked prematurely aged, there was some merit to the observation.

”So, Luo Chen, are you planning to draft your will first?” The one speaking was Ke Yuelin, the Beast Hall’s leader and Qin Liangchen’s sworn brother.

Luo Chen’s expression stiffened and thought. You’re the one who needs a will! Your whole family needs wills!

He reined in his exaggerated reaction and said seriously, ”Therefore, I must ask: should our gang come across any life-extending treasures in the future, I hope to receive priority consideration.”

As soon as he said this, the entire room visibly fell silent. Not one to relent without results,

Luo Chen continued, ”The Great Million Mountains of the Eastern Wilderness are incredibly rich in resources. Surely, there must be life-extending treasures within. From what I know, three years ago, our gang obtained a Six-Leaf Heavenly Emperor Lotus.”

The Six-Leaf Heavenly Emperor Lotus, with each leaf representing ten years, could extend one’s lifespan by sixty years when fully matured.

Mi Shuhua blinked. ”That was nothing but exaggerated rumors. It was merely a two-leaf lotus. Moreover, once obtained, it was sold at a high price to two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Spirit Herb Pavilion and Hall of Hundred Herbs.”

”I don’t care about the past. If it’s encountered again in the future, it must go to me first.” Luo Chen clapped his hands and rose abruptly.

Looking at his tall, upright figure, everyone remained silent.

This was not a promise to be made lightly. Life-extending items were incredibly precious. In the face of high-tier cultivators in urgent need, their worth far surpassed what spirit stones could measure.

The extra Foundation Establishment pill in Mi Shuhua’s possession was said to have been acquired in exchange for that Six-Leaf Heavenly Emperor Lotus.

How dare you, a mere fifth stage Qi-Refining cultivator, make such a demand? And yet, you did! Gradually, some people’s expressions turned rather unfriendly.

To put it bluntly, without having seen the profits of the Alchemy Hall, it was impossible for them to make such a weighty promise.

After a long pause, Mi Shuhua spoke softly, ”This matter will be discussed later. Little Luo, you’re in the prime of your life. Why wouldn’t you aim for Foundation Establishment and extend your life by another two centuries?” After saying this, he added one more thing. ”Young man, you must have ambition. Don’t lose faith in the Great Dao.”

This sly old fox, he’s so conniving! Like I’d ever believe you!

Luo Chen’s face was filled with sorrow as he rose from his seat, making his figure fully visible to everyone in the room. ”Fine, it was my foolishness that made things difficult for everyone.

”In that case, let me propose another bold request. I hope everyone will consider it carefully.”

Under everyone’s gaze, he declared firmly, ”I want half of the profits from the pills!”