An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Since he had resolved to take things seriously and produce tangible results, Luo Chen knew he couldn’t afford to muddle through like before.

The Purple Cloud Copper Furnace, after all, was only a first-tier low-grade enchanted artifact—it had limitations. Its firepower and capacity for handling raw materials were limited, making it barely suitable for high-grade pills.

In contrast, the Drain Cloud Cauldron—a first-tier mid-grade enchanted artifact—was vastly superior. When refining Myriad Wonders pills, it could handle two sets of ingredients at once, with room to spare. And after two successful batches and over a dozen failures of Jade Essence pills, Luo Chen had become familiar enough with the process. Now, it was time to use the Drain Cloud Cauldron.

As the apprentices arrived, Luo Chen instructed them to transport the necessary medicinal materials into the main alchemy room. He stood at the center, facing the large cauldron with a look of quiet determination.

”Starting today, all morning sessions will be dedicated to refining Jade Essence pills,” he announced. ”Since you’re all still unfamiliar with the refinement process, I’ll handle the actual refining for now. Aside from processing ingredients, you guys should diligently study the Compendium of Hundred Herbs.”

Luo Chen handed the Compendium of Hundred Herbs, which he had borrowed from Mi Junping, to Gu Caiyi. As the Alchemy Hall’s steward, she oversaw internal operations: coordinating the apprentices, managing fire-handlers, and organizing the pill caretakers who stored and distributed the final products.

When Luo Chen needed his subordinates to learn something new, he rarely taught it himself. He left the supervision to Gu Caiyi, trusting her to handle things efficiently.

”Make twenty copies,” he instructed. ”Have them memorize the herb characteristics.”

Gu Caiyi hesitated as she took the Compendium of Hundred Herbs. ”This is a book from Merit Hall. Are we really allowed to distribute it so freely?”

”There’s nothing wrong with it. If there are any issues, I’ll deal with Mi Junping myself.”

That was no idle boast. Luo Chen’s mindset had shifted again. While he couldn’t let his subordinates learn the true essence of his craft, there was no need to keep everything hidden from them either. If they could grasp some foundational knowledge, it would be of great help to his grand alchemy endeavors in the future.

”Additionally, Elder Sikong,” Luo Chen called out, ”go to the Merit Hall and borrow the Flame Manipulation for the Alchemy Hall.”

Standing nearby, Sikong Shoujia frowned. ”That’s a premium first-tier spell, not some general technique. What do you need it for?”

”So what if it’s premium?” Luo Chen waved a hand dismissively. ”It’s not an offensive or defensive spell—just a method for controlling enchanting power.”

Turning toward the fire handlers, his voice sharpened. ”Their flame control is far too crude. It’s barely sufficient for refining fasting pills and Myriad Wonders pills. When it comes to the Jade Essence pills, they’re no help at all. Teaching them Flame Manipulation will benefit you, me, and the entire Poshan Gang.”

Is that so? Sikong Shoujia remained silent for a moment, half-convinced, but ultimately didn’t argue. Without another word, he left Crescent Moon Valley and made his way toward the Merit Hall at the gang’s headquarters.

As for the merit points needed to borrow such a technique? That wasn’t a concern. When the Alchemy Hall had first been established, Mi Shuhua had made a clear decree: any spell deemed beneficial to the hall could be freely provided. Otherwise, Luo Chen would never have gotten away with borrowing the Compendium of Hundred Herbs. Dealing with Mi Junping, of course, might still require a bit of persuasion from the old man.

Watching Sikong’s retreating figure, Luo Chen let out a subtle sigh of relief. The additional tasks he’d assigned to the apprentices and fire handlers were, as he’d claimed, genuinely necessary—but there was another reason he hadn’t voiced.

His own proficiency in refining the Jade Essence pill was still stuck at the Beginner level. At this stage, he could only manage the process alone. Allowing others to assist, as they had with fasting pills and Myriad Wonders pills, was simply beyond his current capability.

Truthfully, most alchemists probably need help to refine even basic pills, Luo Chen thought. And yet none of them can achieve what I’ve already done.

He even had a sense that if he became stronger, he could expand his operations even further. One day, he wouldn’t be limited to just a few assistants and furnaces. With enough power and proficiency, he could command a whole hall of alchemists, all working under his guidance to produce high-grade pills.

That confidence stemmed from the perverse efficiency of achieving Grandmaster level proficiency in any pill, which ensured a stable output of top-quality products.

”Speaking of which, what would happen if a pill reached Perfected Mastery?

”Supreme-grade pills?”

His gaze landed on the skill nearest to Perfected Mastery: the Fasting Concoction.

***

That morning, only two furnaces of pills were refined.

One furnace was the Jade Essence pills that Luo Chen refined personally using the Drain Cloud Cauldron. . He used two full sets of materials—both failed. Forty pills, all discarded. Luo Chen wasn’t upset. On the contrary, he chuckled as he thought.

Hehe, Another forty disposable items for practicing the Primordial Pearl.

The other furnace of pills was refined during his break after completing the Jade Essence pills. He guided Mi Li and a few apprentice alchemists and fire handlers in the process.

”This fasting pill, though called a pill, is essentially a non-graded fasting concoction. Compared to first-tier pills, its refinement is relatively simple, making it suitable for beginners like you.

He walked slowly around the furnace as they watched. ”Unlike first-tier pills, the refinement of this concoction isn’t about precise timing or complex flame control. The real key is in merging the medicinal herbs with yellow beef from demonic beasts. You need to blend them until the mix forms a single, unified paste. That’s your only priority.”

Under Luo Chen’s guidance, the apprentice alchemists, who had been tormented by the task of processing medicinal materials, regained their energy and enthusiasm.

Luo Chen glanced around and pulled one of the apprentices aside.

”Tang Quan, right?” he asked, handing the boy a small pouch. ”Take these five high-grade Myriad Wonders pills to your uncle when you go home.”

Tang Quan accepted them with a conflicted look. His uncle was none other than the Sick Tiger, Zeng Wen. Recently, Fellow Daoist Zeng had complained several times about the insufficient quantity of high-grade Myriad Wonders pills, leaving him dissatisfied.

Luo Chen recalled this and had set aside a few pills during collection to give this loyal client. Since it didn’t cost him anything, as he intentionally withheld from the official count to obscure the true extent of his alchemical skill. Giving a few away smoothed relations and helped maintain his carefully crafted image.

”Alright,” Luo Chen said, returning to the group, ”let’s collect the concoction.”

”I’ll handle this part myself for now. Later, you’ll all do it on your own.”

He lifted a hand, and with a flick of his fingers, summoned his Grandmaster level Traction. The lid of the cauldron rose slowly.

A light, savory aroma drifted out, instantly refreshing everyone in the room. Mi Li, Tang Quan, and the others instinctively took deep breaths, and their spirits were instantly invigorated. It even felt as if their stomachs were full.

Luo Chen’s eyes narrowed as the paste inside came into view. With a subtle shift in his fingers, he guided a thick, golden mass upward.

”This,” he said, ”is the original form of the fasting concoction. The pill shapes you’re used to seeing are made by shaping this paste with spirit energy inside the furnace.”

He gave a fond smile, as if remembering something. ”When I first refined this, I’d scoop out the paste by hand and roll it into shape myself.

”This batch should give us around fifty fasting pills. Mold it quickly while it’s still warm. And be careful—don’t touch it directly. Use the bamboo scrolls we prepared.”

The glowing paste drifted over to Mi Li, who caught it using a specially wrapped bamboo tray. She hurried off with the apprentices, their chatter already erupting into laughter and excitement outside the alchemy room.

”It’s hot!”

”This is actually fun!”

”Is this what real pill makers do?”

Inside, now alone, Luo Chen turned back to the cauldron. With no one watching, he extended his hand and flipped the lid one more time.

There, clinging to the inner surface, a golden-hued pill attached to it.

Luo Chen held it in his palm, heart quickening. ”So this is the result of a Perfected Mastery fasting concoction?”