An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

That ominous shadow loomed, spreading rapidly. Anyone could see the storm brewing in Mi Shuhua’s expression—dark and heavy as stagnant water.

“Why panic? Stay calm!” His voice was steady, cold, like a bucket of ice water poured over Mi Junping, jolting her into clarity.

“Speak slowly. Tell me everything.

Mm... mm! Mi Junping took a deep breath, steadying herself before she spoke. “A coded message just arrived from the Main Hall.

“Right now, Water-Dragon Hall, where Wang Yuan is stationed... Battle Hall, where Zeng Wen and Qiu Wu are... even Beast Hall, under Ke Yuelin... They’re all under heavy attack.

“Yang Wei, who was seriously wounded after returning from Ancient Plains, was found dead at home by Battle Hall cultivators who had been sent to request reinforcements.

“The Main Hall is also under siege,” Mi Junping pressed on, her voice now carrying an unmistakable urgency. “Four ninth-stage Qi-Refining cultivators are leading the attack. Mi Zijun is doing everything he can to hold the line, but... the situation is deteriorating fast.

“Father, the Dajiang Gang’s attack this time is even fiercer than last year!”

Hearing this, the gathered Mi family cultivators were all shaken.

Restlessness spread like wildfire through the crowd. Yet Mi Shuhua’s first reaction wasn’t concern over the Poshan Gang’s predicament. He had spent his life building an empire from nothing, rising from a mere rogue cultivator to Foundation Establishment, seizing control of a gang, and founding a family.

Under his leadership, the Poshan Gang had expanded to rival a small sect. If he had enough resources, he would have even dared to challenge the Golden Core Realm.

But in the end... what kind of heirs had he produced?

His eldest daughter—impulsive, short-tempered, and narrow-minded. Despite her promising talent, she had thrown away her path to power over a petty love affair.

His son and youngest daughter are untalented, unremarkable, not even worth mentioning and his grandson, Mi Zifan the only one who showed promise had collapsed after a single battlefield defeat.

Pathetic. Had the Mi family’s fate truly rested on my shoulders alone?

“Father, say something!”

“Silence!” The word cut through the air like a blade.

Mi Junping shuddered under Mi Shuhua’s piercing gaze. The last time she had seen that look in his eyes was when she had returned home, clutching her daughter Mi Li, covered in shame.

Taking a deep breath, Mi Shuhua finally spoke. “Crescent Moon Valley has five ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivators. The Main Hall has four. Wang Yuan and Zeng Wen are both formidable. To deal with them alone, the enemy would need no less than two ninth stage Qi-Refining experts per target.

“If we add in Qiu Wu, Yang Wei, Ke Yuelin, and the Mining Hall, how many ninth-stage cultivators would the Dajiang Gang need to mobilize?

“Do they even have that many experts?”

Mi Junping wasn’t foolish, she quickly picked up on the deeper meaning behind his words.

Her expression tightened. “Father... are you saying this isn’t just the Dajiang Gang?” she asked cautiously. “Is the Lianyun Trade Alliance involved as well?”

“Aunt, isn’t it obvious?” Mi Zifan sneered, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Don’t tell me you’re only realizing it now.”

Mi Junping shot him a glare sharp enough to cut stone, but Mi Shuhua merely let out a weary sigh. He was too tired to rebuke them for their squabbling.

“I thought we had reached an understanding after the incident at the Debate Platform...” he said slowly, his voice heavy with disappointment.

“But this time, with the opening of the Golden Core Ruins, they entered the Ancient Plains themselves and stumbled upon several domains we’ve been quietly profiting from. Now that greed has taken hold, they can no longer restrain themselves.”

He left certain details unsaid, carefully choosing his words to avoid exposing everything.

Mi Junping, her voice tight with worry, stepped forward. “Father... what should we do now?”

Mi Shuhua rubbed his temples, pondering for a moment before speaking at an unhurried pace. ”The other halls will have to fend for themselves. If they can survive on their own, that’s ideal. If they’re destroyed, we can rebuild them later. Dahe Market never lacks rogue cultivators.

”However, Crescent Moon Valley must be prioritized. Especially the Alchemy Hall! This is the most critical point. It cannot be lost!”

Mi Zifan couldn’t help but interject, ”Is that really necessary? It’s just a base full of old, weak, and non-combatants. If you ask me, the three Battle Halls are far more important.”

”What do you know!” Mi Junping seized the opportunity to mock him. ”If the Alchemy Hall wasn’t important, why would Dajiang Gang and Lianyun Trade Alliance send five ninth-stage Qi-Refining experts all at once?”

The enemy’s actions proved just how crucial the Alchemy Hall was!

Mi Zifan had no argument. He stood in silence, his expression uneasy.

Seeing Mi Zifan didn’t respond, Mi Junping allowed herself a faint, triumphant smirk. But given the gravity of the situation, she wisely refrained from pressing her advantage.

“Father, we’re already stretched too thin,” she said, her tone more serious now. “I doubt we have any cultivators to spare for reinforcements.”

Every hall was under siege. This was far worse than the assault they had faced last year.

For a brief moment, Mi Junping found herself at a complete loss. No matter how she turned the situation in her mind, no easy solution emerged.

Just as she was feeling helpless, she noticed her father’s gaze settling on them.

”Aren’t you all still here? I’ve raised you all for long enough. It’s about time you started pulling your weight. Otherwise, when the Mi family formally takes over Poshan Gang, people will have plenty to say about it.

”In fact, this is an opportunity.”

Upon hearing Mi Shuhua’s words, the cultivators of the Mi family stirred uneasily.

For years, under Mi Shuhua’s protection, they had lived comfortable, sheltered lives, rarely facing true combat. The dangerous work of battles, bloodshed, and dirty assignments had always been delegated to the Poshan Gang’s rogue cultivators.

But now, it was their turn to take action?

A ripple of discomfort passed through the group. Faces tensed. Hands clenched.

Even Mi Zifan, who had once earned recognition on the Debate Platform, hesitated. A real battle was nothing like a controlled duel. His loss to Duan Feng had left more than just a bruise to his reputation, it had carved a scar deep into his psyche.

”Father-in-law, I am willing to fight and reinforce Crescent Moon Valley!” A steady voice rang out among the crowd.

The crowd parted, revealing the resolute and imposing figure of Sikong Yuanhong.

Seeing this, Mi Shuhua sighed inwardly but kept a radiant smile on his face. ”Yuanhong, your resolve is commendable. You will lead the reinforcements. Choose whoever you need.

”Crescent Moon Valley has a first-tier Earth Guardian Array protecting it. It can hold out long enough for you to arrive.”

Sikong Yuanhong took a deep breath, scanning the crowd. He noticed that many instinctively avoided his gaze.

Even Mi Zifan, who was at the ninth stage of Qi-Refining!

”Junping, stay here. Coordinate with the Main Hall and gather our forces outside to reinforce them.

”As for you, Mi Zifan... head to the inner city and inform Elder Qin Liangchen about the situation in Crescent Moon Valley.”

Mi Shuhua gave a few simple orders before waving his hand dismissively, signaling the end of the family meeting.

After everyone had left, Mi Shuhua couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile. At such a critical moment, it was the son-in-law who stepped up to take the lead.

***

The outer district of Dahe Market was in chaos! It was the largest upheaval in a hundred years.

It wasn’t just a few raiding cultivators committing robberies, nor was it a casual skirmish among rogue cultivators over a disagreement. It was an all-out war between two factions!

The sky blazed with streaks of light as flying cultivators darted through the air. Below, enchanted artifacts collided with thunderous force, and wild surges of spirit energy shook the earth.

Flames roared, hailstones crashed, mud churned, and golden light flashed countless deadly techniques were unleashed without restraint as the two sides clashed in a brutal, no-holds-barred battle.

The lone rogue cultivators in the outer district either cowered in their cellars in terror or fled desperately toward the safety of the inner city. The bolder ones even took advantage of the chaos to moonlight as raiding cultivators.

At Lancang Dock, the last traces of the setting sun slowly faded, giving way to the cool rise of a crescent moon climbing steadily toward its peak.

Wang Yuan stood alone atop a rooftop, his white enchanted robe tattered and torn. The rips exposed his hardened frame, muscles honed like tempered steel, unmoving even in the face of the encroaching night.

He raised his head, eyes locking onto the three figures hovering in the sky above him.

Three ninth-stage Qi-Refining cultivators—an overwhelming show of force. Quite the honor, he thought grimly.

But it was the man in the center, flashing a cruel grin, who made his heart truly sink.

“You’re not dead...” Wang Yuan muttered, his voice low and tense.