An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Since it was an incomplete pill recipe, Luo Chen wasn’t particularly invested in it. Yet, after reading it, his emotions remained unsettled for a long time.

Spirit Passage pill.

Its primary ingredients included Phantom Ghost Grass and first-tier demon fox blood. Its auxiliary ingredients included Broken Sun Ginseng, Seven-Element Flower...However, one auxiliary ingredient was missing and the precise ratio data was absent. The refining methods and corresponding contraindications were also left unexplained. Much of it had been lost along with the burned half of the bamboo scroll.

However, the description of the Spirit Passage pill’s effects caused ripples in his heart.

”It can enhance the foundation of spirit consciousness and, with long-term use, make one highly sensitive to phantom and ghostly entities.”

This single statement made Luo Chen wish fervently for a complete recipe. It can enhance the foundation of spirit consciousness! Ever since the Qin Liangchen couple had taught him about the cultivation basics of the spirit soul, spirit consciousness, and divine consciousness, he had paid close attention to them.

Through further inquiries, he learned of a vague rumor. It was said that those with sufficiently strong spirit consciousness foundations often found it easier to break through to Foundation Establishment compared to others. Wouldn’t this directly increase the likelihood of achieving Foundation Establishment?

Luo Chen, with his five-spirit-root aptitude, already struggled with cultivation, and breaking through to Foundation Establishment would likely be equally arduous. Although he was currently only at the fifth stage of Qi-Refining, he couldn’t deny the possibility of one day reaching Perfected Mastery in Qi-Refining.

Thus, how could he not take matters related to spirit consciousness seriously?

An incomplete pill recipe doesn’t mean the pill can’t be refined! Luo Chen thought to himself.

The system had clearly indicated that with enough achievement points, the recipe could be completed, and he could gain beginner proficiency.

Moreover, it seems that Mi Shuhua doesn’t care much about this incomplete recipe. He probably gave it to me just to use as a reference to accumulate alchemical knowledge so I can refine the Jade Essence pill for him.”

I’ll study it carefully for now. When the time is right, I’ll see if I can secretly refine it.

With this thought settled, Luo Chen carefully stored the Spirit Passage pill bamboo scroll.

He placed it in the same category of importance as the Blood-Fiend pill and Jade Dew pill.

***

In the past, Luo Chen had been penniless and destitute, in name an alchemist but in reality only capable of making fasting pills. Those fasting pills couldn’t even be called first tier pills; they were merely substandard fasting concoctions. It was only after learning to make Myriad Wonders pills that his true journey into alchemy began.

Now, owning three brand-new pill recipes at once was a cause for celebration for any alchemist. He was almost tempted to dive straight into the grand endeavor of pill refining.

However, Luo Chen didn’t immediately begin refining pills. Instead, his life became noticeably more relaxed. Aside from his daily cultivation, he spent time inspecting the construction of the alchemy room at Crescent Moon Valley. Additionally, he managed to borrow a book from the Poshan Gang’s Merit Hall after much persuasion.

Compendium of Hundred Herbs

This was a book that had once been a fixture on Wang Yuan’s stall before he rose to prominence. Yet no one had ever purchased it. After Wang Yuan took over leadership of the hall, these items were returned to the Poshan Gang and handled by the Merit Hall.

When Luo Chen went to borrow it, Mi Junping stubbornly refused and insisted he buy it with spirit stones.

Hehe. Was Luo Chen the type to be taken for a fool?

We’re all part of the same family, and you still want me to spend spirit stones?

He directly used Mi Shuhua’s name, and only then did the other party reluctantly lend him the book.

”I knew it—once Mi Shuhua starts increasing his investment in me, my smaller requests will become easier to fulfill. This is what’s called effectively leveraging sunken costs!”

Reclining on a rocking chair with a mountain spring flowing beside him and juniors working in front of him, Luo Chen focused all his attention on the Compendium of Hundred Herbs.

The reason he chose to read this book instead of Qing Yuanzi’s Detailed Analysis of Alchemy was because it was a requirement outlined in Qing Yuanzi’s Detailed Analysis of Alchemy.

The path of alchemy begins with herb identification, progresses to material preparation, requires mastery of fire control, and then moves gradually into pill refining.

It was a long process of accumulation.

Luo Chen had always known his foundation in alchemy was rudimentary—calling it trash wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

His ability to refine high-grade fasting concoctions and mid-grade Myriad Wonders pills relied solely on the system’s direct impartation and his own daily practice to improve his skill.

But beyond those two pills, his knowledge was shallow. This was why he made a fool of himself when discussing alchemy with Xiangxiang. Now that he had the opportunity and guidance from an expert, he naturally wanted to solidify his foundation.

First, it started with identifying herbs!

Looking at an image in the compendium of a long, thin organ, Luo Chen suddenly understood.

”So the Fire Hound Whip not only boosts virility but can also aid in practicing fire-attribute spells. Simply holding it in the mouth allows one to feel an intense... uh, never mind, let’s skip that use!

”Tsk, tsk, Blue Citrus Grass looks so ordinary, yet it has forty-nine types! No wonder the Duan family nearby planted such a large field of it.

”Washed Jade? Isn’t that the main ingredient for the Jade Essence pill? Let me take a closer look.”

As Luo Chen was engrossed in his studies, completely absorbed,

Sikong Shoujia hurried over. ”They left!”

”Who left?” Luo Chen didn’t even look up.

”The Ai Lao Mountain cultivators from Immortal Build Residence—they just left! They didn’t even collect the remaining spirit stone payment!”

Luo Chen looked up and blinked. ”Isn’t that a good thing? We don’t even have to pay the balance!”

Sikong Shoujia shook his head. ”I fear something has happened.”

”Hehe, whatever happened, it’s an issue for the Ai Lao Mountain sect. What does it have to do with us?”

”But the alchemy room isn’t finished yet!”

Luo Chen jumped to his feet and cursed loudly. ”These contractors are so irresponsible—leaving a small project unfinished like this, what the hell!”

After saying this, he hurriedly ran over to the alchemy room.

After carefully inspecting it, he let out a sigh of relief. ”It’s fine. Sect cultivators do have integrity. The alchemy room’s framework is basically complete. Adding the materials later will be enough.”

Hearing this, Sikong Shoujia also felt relieved.

These three alchemy rooms, from labor to materials, had cost two thousand spirit stones—enough to buy a decent high-grade enchanted artifact. Such an expensive building was something he had never experienced in his entire life. Now that there were no issues, he broke into a smile.

”Sect cultivators, reputation first—got to give them a thumbs up!”

Seeing Sikong Shoujia mimic the hand gesture he had used a few days ago, Luo Chen couldn’t help but shudder. ”Old man, could you not be so trendy, please?”

”Also just a heads-up, I won’t be here tomorrow. Keep a close eye on things.”

Sikong Shoujia asked in confusion, ”Where are you going?”

”Seeing off a few friends. Their ten-year rotation period is up, and they’re returning to their sect,” Luo Chen said casually.

The old man blinked, his body stiffening.

Ten-year rotation period, returning to the sect! This wasn’t the rule of some small shop in Dahe Market but a tradition of the six major upper sects.

When did Luo Chen start knowing these sect cultivators, and when did they become close enough that he’d personally see them off?

”I’d slipped away now!” Luo Chen made a quick getaway.

As he left the valley, he greeted Gu Caiyi and Murong Qinglian, who were both busy.

Gu Caiyi didn’t follow. Having just joined the Poshan Gang, she was in the phase of networking with cultivators and establishing familiarity. With her ninth stage Qi-Refining Realm, she was destined not to be an ordinary member. Under Luo Chen’s recommendation, she was now also a steward of the Alchemy Hall, roughly equal in status to Sikong Shoujia within the hall.

***

Crescent Moon Valley was part of the outer district, but in reality, it was far removed from the true outer district. The road there was prone to accidents.

As such, the Poshan Gang routinely arranged escorts to protect Luo Chen.

Two late stage Qi-Refining cultivators were assigned to him—one surnamed Zhou and the other Liu. The two were skilled in joint combat techniques, and together, they feared no ordinary ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivator.

Fortunately, nothing unexpected happened along the way.

Upon entering the inner city, Luo Chen waved goodbye to the two.

Watching his carefree figure disappear, Liu Qiang’s face was full of envy. ”Look at the life he’s living compared to ours. A mere fifth stage Qi-Refining cultivator, yet he needs two eighth stage Qi-Refining cultivators to escort him daily. He must’ve been an emperor assassinated in his past life!”

”Watch your words, Brother Liu!” Zhou Yuanli said softly, ”Hall Leader Luo isn’t someone you and I can criticize.”

Liu Qiang snorted, said no more, and turned to leave.

Zhou Yuanli then added, ”Don’t be late tomorrow, or you’ll have a hard time explaining yourself to the Gang Leader.”

Liu Qiang’s body stiffened for a moment before he sped up his flight.

At the city gate, Zhou Yuanli shook his head. His brother always had aspirations beyond his reach.

Earlier, he had overestimated himself and tried to compete for the Mining Hall leader position, claiming that if Wang Yuan could lead the hall as an eighth stage Qi-Refining cultivator, so could he!

And then, he got thoroughly beaten up.

Now, after finally securing an easy job with a substantial spirit stone income, he was still dissatisfied.

”I really need to talk some sense into him!”