An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

As an alchemist, Luo Chen’s wealth was substantial, boasting a collection of top-grade artifacts. Yet, to this day, he hadn’t possessed a single supreme-grade enchanted artifact.

Even though it was an offensive enchanted artifact, one of the more affordable types within its tier, it was still a supreme-grade enchanted artifact!

In truth, it wasn’t just him, ninety-nine percent of Qi-Refining cultivators would struggle to own a supreme-grade enchanted artifact.

Enchanted artifacts and treasures are typically divided into three grades, top, medium, and low. This is the standard classification based on compatibility with formations, material quality, power, and other criteria.

However, beyond these three standard grades, there exists another classification, supreme-grade. The idea of supreme-grade artifacts is widely accepted by the general public, but orthodox artifact forgers firmly dismiss it.

After all, supreme-grade enchanted artifacts simply do not exist. What people call supreme-grade enchanted artifacts are actually flawed enchanted treasures!

When forging artifacts, artifact forgers always work toward a predetermined goal. They are well aware of the potential grade of the artifact they are creating. Whether it’s a low-grade or high-grade enchanted artifact, both outcomes are part of their plan—success or failure is merely determined by the final result.

No artifact forger deliberately sets out to create a ”supreme-grade enchanted artifact.”

Why? Because it’s the most wasteful, incompetent, and downright foolish thing to do.

Every supreme-grade enchanted artifact contains at least three formations and is made from exceptionally high-quality materials. Anyone with a bit of common sense would immediately realize that such an enchanted artifact can only be compared to one thing,

An enchanted treasure!

Hence, in truth supreme-grade enchanted artifacts are flawed products created during the process of forging enchanted treasures.

Due to specific circumstances, these artifacts are not entirely ruined and retain about one-tenth of an enchanted treasure’s power. The artifact forger left with no other choice, is forced to sell these artifacts to recoup a fraction of their losses.

However, do not underestimate this one-tenth power of a low-grade enchanted treasure—it already surpasses the capabilities of any top-grade enchanted artifact.

Only a supreme-grade enchanted artifact can stand against another supreme-grade enchanted artifact.

Back then, Qin Liangchen was able to defeat Bai Qi, who wielded sword orbs, precisely because he possessed a supreme-grade enchanted artifact comparable to the orbs—the Purple River Daoist Robe.

Imagine a Qi-Refining cultivator wielding an enchanted treasure, even if it is a flawed product, just like a Foundation Establishment Initiate or a Golden Core Adept. It’s no wonder these enchanted artifacts are exorbitantly priced.

Speaking of which, Luo Chen actually owned a flawed enchanted treasure himself.

The Four Symbols Cauldron!

Coincidentally, the Prismatic Treasure Compass was also crafted by the artifact-forging master Huyan Zhuo from Tianfan City. But why was the Four Symbols Cauldron classified as top-grade rather than supreme-grade?

Huyan Zhuo had been overly ambitious, attempting to create an enchanted treasure that combined five functions: attack, suppression, defense, alchemy, and artifact forging. Thus, he inscribed four formations onto the Four Symbols Cauldron.

However, when he attempted to inscribe the fifth formation, he failed at the final step. Due to the unique materials used, the Four Symbols Cauldron was preserved.

However, the failure to inscribe the fifth formation meant it never even achieved the prototype of the envisioned enchanted treasure.

Furthermore, the formations were not harmonious and subtly conflicted, resulting in the final product being downgraded to top-grade.

Luo Chen had learned much of this information from Duan Feng. The Duan family was an artifact-forging clan, far more knowledgeable about such matters than he was. Even second hand knowledge from them was well-founded.

“The Blue Musk Gathering Serpent Banner can summon three wood-element flood dragons, each possessing the power of a ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivator. Additionally, the dragons emit a musk fragrance that subtly obstructs the enemy’s spirit power, significantly reducing their combat effectiveness.

“But its drawback is equally evident—a common flaw among supreme-grade artifacts—it consumes an immense amount of spirit power. Late stage Qi-Refining cultivators can use it only once, while ninth stage ones can use it twice.”

One had to admit, Tian Xingzi was remarkably honest. While praising the power of the Blue Musk Gathering Serpent Banner, he also meticulously pointed out its flaws. In this way, even if buyers faced difficulties using it, they couldn’t blame the Precious Dragon Black Market for not warning them in advance.

However, this flaw was something no one cared about.

After all, supreme-grade enchanted artifacts were essentially aimed at becoming enchanted treasure, and their fundamental requirement was the use of abundant spirit power. Even as flawed products, supreme-grade enchanted artifacts largely retained this inherent shortcoming.

Similarly, Luo Chen’s Four Symbols Cauldron had this flaw. However, Luo Chen’s spirit power was extraordinarily profound, far surpassing others of his tier, enabling him to use it normally as long as he avoided combat.

During combat, he would usually activate only one of its abilities to ensure minimal depletion of his spirit power.

After listening to Tian Xingzi’s detailed explanation, Luo Chen took a deep breath, feeling a faint urge to join the auction.

However, the first bid of six thousand spirit stones immediately made him retreat from the thought. He only had a total fortune of five thousand spirit stones; how could he outbid these people?

”Six thousand one hundred!”

”Six thousand five hundred!”

”Six thousand nine hundred spirit stones! I desperately need a handy enchanted artifact to explore the Golden Core Ruins for opportunities. No matter how much you bid, this treasure is mine!”

The speaker was a man wearing a black tiger mask. His tone was impassioned!

Moreover, he deliberately released his spirit power energy. The overwhelming energy of someone at the Perfected Mastery of Qi-Refining instantly silenced most of the crowd.

Luo Chen’s eyelid twitched—Perfected Mastery of Qi-Refining!

This man was certainly not a local cultivator from Dahe Market; he was most likely an outsider, possibly a ”dragon crossing the river” [1] from another market.

It seemed the competition over the Golden Core Ruins was growing more intense! Even cultivators from other regions had been drawn in.

Some cultivators who had intended to continue bidding gave up after seeing his overwhelming stance. It was just the first auction item; there would be more valuable treasures later. It wasn’t worth offending this man by forcing a bidding war.

In the end, the supreme-grade Blue Musk Gathering Serpent Banner was smoothly acquired by the cultivator in the black tiger mask.

However, an awkward scene unfolded when it was time to pay. He didn’t have enough spirit stones on hand.

Fortunately, he brought out some equivalent spirit materials to make up the difference. Seeing this, the cultivators who had previously given up bidding silently regretted their decision.

This man’s cultivation might have been high, but his pockets were empty—he was just putting on a show! If they had persisted for a few more rounds, they might have won the bid.

After acquiring the supreme-grade enchanted artifact, the black tiger cultivator was immensely satisfied and wasted no time in leaving the Precious Dragon Hall directly.

”Tch! This man is as cunning as a fox—clearly broke, yet pretending to be wealthy, using his cultivation realm to intimidate others and secure the supreme-grade artifact at such a favorable price.

”After winning, he was so afraid of being targeted that he left in a hurry.”

”Despicable outsider!”

Hearing the scoffing voices nearby, Luo Chen suddenly realized a critical issue.

Black market auctions were nothing like the formal auctions at the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion. Once someone left the Precious Dragon Black Market, whatever happened afterward was no longer their concern. The departure of the cultivator in the black tiger mask drew objections not only from the cultivator next to Luo Chen.

In other corners, whispers could be heard. These were meant to be overheard. What they didn’t want others to know was mostly communicated through sound transmission.

The host, Tian Xingzi, showed no change in expression—though that was likely due to the mask he wore.

Tapping his fingers on the wooden table, he chuckled. ”This is how our black market works. Bidding relies on sharp eyes, wealth, and guts. If any of you are bold enough, feel free to try and get treasures at a bargain price.”

That Blue Musk Gathering Serpent Banner was truly worth at least seven thousand five hundred spirit stones. By skipping the latter rounds of bidding, the black tiger cultivator had undoubtedly saved a significant amount of spirit stones.

”Alright, onto the second auction item!

”Everyone, stay sharp! Three bottles of revitalization liquid, starting bid is five hundred spirit stones per bottle. We’ll start with the first one.”

Though the price was low, it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the cultivators.

Almost immediately after those words were spoken, the previously quiet Precious Dragon Hall buzzed with excitement.

”Six hundred!”

”Seven hundred!”

”Seven hundred and fifty spirit stones!”

”I bid eight hundred spirit stones. Anyone who tries to outbid me better watch out—you might not make it out of this hall.”

”Who are you trying to fool? This is the Precious Dragon Hall. Go ahead and try something if you dare—I bid eight hundred and one spirit stones.”

”You!”

The bids rose in succession, accompanied by heated exchanges. Shouts and curses were not uncommon among them.

Amidst the flurry of bids, Luo Chen’s gaze steadied. With an air of unyielding confidence, he shouted two words.

”One thousand!”

1. 过江龙 (Guo Jiang Long) is a chinese idiom that describe a powerful, capable, or influential outsider entering a new territory where they quickly make an impact or disrupt the status quo. The ”dragon” symbolizes strength and authority, while ”crossing the river” represents entering a foreign or unfamiliar environment. ☜