An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Luo Chen wasn’t in a rush to reach out to Wang Yuan. Visiting him alone would undoubtedly draw attention, especially with bodyguards in tow. If there wasn’t a clear reason, it would seem suspicious.

Although most in the Poshan Gang knew Luo Chen as Wang Yuan’s former subordinate, Wang Yuan’s aloof personality meant he rarely interacted with anyone. Even with Luo Chen, their interactions within the gang were minimal.

If there wasn’t a specific reason, the two wouldn’t meet at all. A sudden, unannounced visit would signal that something important was afoot—something Mi Shuhua would undoubtedly investigate and uncover in no time.

So, Luo Chen made a quiet decision. He would wait until the gang’s scheduled monthly assembly at the start of the next month. Meeting Wang Yuan then, at the main headquarters, would appear completely natural—and raise no eyebrows.

***

Time flew by in the blink of an eye.

From gathering ingredients for the Blood-Burning pill to refining it and conducting the first round of testing, nearly a full month had already slipped past.

Two days later, Luo Chen slowly opened his eyes, emerging from a quiet meditation. His movements were unhurried, his breath steady and calm. As always, the first thing he did was open his status panel—a habit ingrained in him by now.

[Status Panel]

Lifespan: 28/75

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

Realm: Qi-Refining Realm Stage Seven (67/100)

Achievement Points: 23

[Techniques]

Long Spring Art: Grandmaster (927/1000)

[Spells]

Fireball: Perfected Mastery

Wind-Control:Grandmaster (870/1000)

Traction: Grandmaster (900/1000)

Entangle: Grandmaster (610/1000)

Spirit Eyes: Grandmaster (780/1000)

Cleanse: Grandmaster (512/1000)

Spirit Suppression Seal: Grandmaster (570/1000)

Heal: Proficient (230/300)

[Alchemy Techniques]

Jade Fracture: Proficient (275/300)

Unadorned Heart: Skilled (180/200)

[Martial Arts]

Carefree Wander: Perfected Mastery

Mountain Cleaving Monument Breaking Palm: Grandmaster (580/1000)

Heavenly Maiden Scatters Flowers: Skilled (125/200)

[Skills]

First-Tier Alchemist

Luo Chen smiled faintly as he reviewed the familiar statistics laid out before him, satisfaction flickering in his gaze. His eyes skimmed through the status panel with practiced ease—spells, alchemy techniques, martial arts, utility skills—none of it drew much attention from him anymore. He had reviewed them often enough during quieter moments.

The last time something had truly sparked his interest was when Cleanse reached Grandmaster level, and the Blood-Burning pill rose to Beginner level.

Instead, his gaze lingered on the earlier sections of the panel.

Another year had passed, yet his maximum lifespan remained unchanged. He could only assume it was due to his identity as a transmigrator. No matter how much he cultivated, that ceiling didn’t budge. Still, Luo Chen was no longer anxious about it. So long as the world around him remained stable, he was confident he’d eventually reach the peak of the Qi-Refining Realm. Only then would the matter of lifespan become worth fretting over.

In comparison, the steady—if modest—progress in his cultivation realm brought him real joy. At his current pace, he estimated he’d step into the eighth stage of Qi-Refining in another month. Though he knew well that each advancement would come slower than the last, breaking through early was always better than delaying.

And then there was the Long Spring Art!

With the help of calming incense and Moonlight Herb, he had been able to circulate the technique seven times daily. After a few months, his proficiency had reached nine hundred and twenty seven out of one thousand, just about ten days away from Perfected Mastery.

He wasn’t sure what unique transformations would come with Perfected Mastery of a technique. However, the Perfected Mastery of Fireball and Carefree Wander had both led to significant qualitative improvements. This left him eagerly anticipating the same for the Long Spring Art.

After reviewing his status panel, Luo Chen left the spirit vein cavern.

At the Alchemy Hall, as he saw the internal cultivators arriving one by one, he remained where he was. He lounged there leisurely, reading The Treatise on Green Origin pills—alchemy books always felt fresh no matter how often he read them.

It was the start of the month, one of the rare rest days. The Alchemy Hall’s work primarily involved restocking raw materials and tallying last month’s consumption and production.

Around this time, Mi Junping’s side would usually send someone to deliver Luo Chen’s dividends from the previous month along with his salary pills for the current month.

But today, Luo Chen wouldn’t need her to send them over.

Once Gu Caiyi and Sikong Shoujia arrived, Luo Chen put away his book, waved his sleeves, and led the two straight to the main headquarters.

As the yield rate of Jade Essence pills improved, so did the profits, and Luo Chen’s standing in the gang rose steadily.

Even though his seat was still in the last row. When he took his seat, all eyes were on him.

For no other reason than the fact that last month’s Jade Essence pill earnings had once again exceeded eight thousand spirit stones. Even after deducting material and labor costs, each Hall Leader present received a cut of one or two hundred spirit stones.

It wasn’t much, even seeming a bit modest. After all, the bulk went to Mi Shuhua, and Luo Chen claimed a twenty percent share.

But to be fair, these Hall Leaders hadn’t expended much effort. Getting a few hundred spirit stones for essentially doing nothing—who wouldn’t be happy?

Moreover, since the Alchemy Hall’s profits were visibly increasing. The initially operating at a loss, to breaking even, and now starting to turn a modest profit.

In the future, it was likely to grow even further. As a result, everyone maintained a friendly attitude toward Luo Chen.

After taking his seat, Luo Chen casually listened to them discuss gang matters.

It was nothing more than the usual topics—territory, conflicts, cultivators, demonic beasts, and business. Ultimately, it all boiled down to cultivation resources.

This time, no one gave him any trouble. On the contrary, they occasionally asked if the Alchemy Hall needed support, offering their assistance.

Luo Chen naturally declined with a smile. The Alchemy Hall already had enough staff. Adding more people would just mean sharing the pie.

What a joke—he barely had enough for himself.

After the meeting adjourned, Luo Chen collected his dividends from Mi Junping. Four bottles of Dust Transformation pills, a box of calming incense, and a dividend of one thousand two hundred spirit stones.

With the spirit stones in his bag, Luo Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

Last month, he had spent quite a bit, using over eight hundred spirit stones on additional Dust Transformation pills, calming incense, and essence-nurturing liquid. He spent another three hundred on materials for Blood-Burning pills and a Swallowing Waves and Oceans Jar.

If not for the Chen Yue Snack Stall and the milk tea shop earning him nearly a thousand spirit stones, his savings would have dropped below three thousand.

With this new dividend, his savings jumped to four thousand spirit stones! It was, undoubtedly, an unprecedented fortune for him.

But Luo Chen was still unsatisfied! He had attended auctions and witnessed grand scenes. Good items often cost hundreds or thousands, and treasures like enchanted artifacts or pills for forming a core could exceed tens of thousands.

By comparison, a mere four thousand spirit stones was truly insignificant.

For example, if someone auctioned a Foundation Establishment pill, Luo Chen would certainly bid on it.

And would he stand a chance of winning?

The answer was obvious—he could not. After all, during the last auction the Foundation Establishment pill designated for rogue cultivators sold for a staggering six thousand spirit stones.

Moreover, Luo Chen’s aptitude couldn’t guarantee success with just one pill. So, spirit stones were still something he needed in abundance!

Once he received his items, Luo Chen prepared to leave, paying no mind to Mi Junping’s slightly awkward expression.

But Mi Shuhua stopped him. ”How’s that Qi-Refining Insight coming along?”

Luo Chen’s expression stiffened, and he tactfully took out the jade scroll. ”I’ve memorized it.

”Thank you, Gang Leader. It has indeed clarified many of my cultivation doubts.”

To say the least, the insight detailed many aspects of the Qi-Refining Realm and even offered subtle hints about Foundation Establishment after reaching Perfected Mastery of Qi-Refining.

Mi Shuhua retrieved the jade scroll and said with a smile, ”Glad it was helpful. I only made one copy, and someone else in the family is waiting to use it.”

The family? Luo Chen now had a general understanding of the Mi family’s situation.

Mi Shuhua had two daughters and one son, Mi Junping, Mi Junwang, and his youngest daughter, Mi Junpei. Among the three, Mi Junping had the best talent, but due to certain events in her youth, she would likely remain stuck at the ninth stage of Qi-Refining for the rest of her life.

As for the other son and daughter, their situations were even worse. Mi Junwang had the lowly qualification of five spirit roots, causing Mi Shuhua to give up on him early. His youngest daughter was only at the sixth stage of Qi-Refining, with little hope of advancing further on the cultivation path.

This was why the gang often gossiped that the second generation of the Mi family was largely useless. Although their aptitudes were lacking, Mi Shuhua had arranged futures for all three children.

Mi Junping managed the affairs of the Poshan Gang for him. Mi Junwang was tasked with enjoyment—yes, enjoyment!

Marriage and child-rearing, over and over again. It could be said that the dozens of members of the Mi family’s third generation, and the newly born fourth generation, were almost entirely Mi Junwang’s direct descendants.

The third generation had produced some promising individuals, such as Mi Zifan, who had just entered the ninth stage of Qi-Refining, and Mi Zihao, who gained some fame outside.

However, those people had likely already read the Qi-Refining Insights.

Suddenly, Luo Chen recalled a rumor.

It was said that Sikong Shoujia’s only son was about to marry into the Mi family and tie the knot with My Shuhua’s youngest daughter, Mi Junpei. Could it be that the arrangements had already been finalized?

If so, then this Qi-Refining Insights was likely intended for Sikong Shoujia’s son, Sikong Yuanhong.

Thinking of how much Mi Shuhua had to worry about his numerous family members, Luo Chen felt a headache coming on.

Dealing with descendants was far too troublesome. Unless he met someone he truly liked in the future, he thought it better to remain carefree and alone.

”I heard you bought some Earth Fire Fiend?” A voice came from beside him.

Luo Chen paused for a moment, then naturally nodded. ”Yes, ten strands.”

”What are you using it for?” Mi Shuhua asked with a smile.

Luo Chen shrugged. ”What else? The Treatise on Green Origin Pills mentioned Earth Fire alchemy and the use of Earth Fire Fiend, so I figured I’d buy some and give it a try.”

Mi Shuhua nodded. He had also read the book thoroughly and knew about the mentioned applications. However, he still seemed somewhat doubtful.

Luo Chen clicked his tongue. ”I suspect the reason I can’t produce high-grade Jade Essence pills might not be my fault, but an issue with the alchemical fire.”

Mi Shuhua was taken aback.

”I couldn’t find earth fire, but if Earth Fire Fiend is properly utilized and added to the alchemical fire, it might produce a similar effect. So, I gave it a shot.”

Hearing that it was related to Jade Essence pills—specifically, high-grade ones—Mi Shuhua’s interest was immediately piqued. ”What were the results?”

”What do you think? Malevolent energy entered the fire, and the alchemical fire produced by ordinary firewood lost control instantly.” Luo Chen showed a bitter smile, with a hint of unwillingness.

Mi Shuhua sighed as well. ”Earth Fire Fiend is of even higher quality than regular earth fire, but it’s extremely violent. It’s certainly not easy to integrate into ordinary fire.”

Seeing his expression, Luo Chen felt a weight lift from his heart.

It should count as getting away with it. He knew that Mi Shuhua likely monitored him closely, and anything he bought would inevitably draw some attention.

Heavenly Sun Fruits were fine since ordinary cultivators often bought them to eat. But Earth Fire Fiend? That wasn’t something a typical rogue cultivator would purchase.

Luo Chen suddenly grinned. ”Gang Leader, you’re a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Can’t you secure a territory with earth fire? Let me tell you, if I had earth fire for alchemy...”