An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

”Luo Chen, is it?”

Though it sounded like a question, the certainty in the tone made Luo Chen’s scalp tingle.

For a moment, he almost mistook the man before him for that old man who had passed. Back then, that same question had been asked once before and what followed was Luo Chen becoming the hall leader of the Alchemy Hall, toiling like an ox under his command.

Swallowing hard, Luo Chen forced himself to stay alert.

What’s there to fear? He’s Golden Core, I’m just Qi-Refining—if he wants to kill or carve me up, so be it.

”Congratulations to the Elder for slaying the devil cultivator.”

”Devil cultivator? Hehe...”

Pang Renxiong actually chuckled. His laughter was light and casual, unlike before when his mere presence weighed like a mountain.

Shaking his head, he said, ”No need to crown me with righteousness. I killed him, that’s all. In the Jade Cauldron Domain, no one dares trouble me for it.”

Luo Chen spoke righteously, ”This man ambushed and killed both Fei Bowen and Mi Shuhua, both honorable and loyal men. Especially Mi Shuhua, he was my benefactor, upright and willing to help others. To even lay hands on such righteous figures, this man had surely fallen into the demonic path.

”Elder, your sword has vanquished evil, spread the tale, and it shall become a grand legend! Even the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect will take pride in your deed!”

As these words left his lips, Luo Tianhong and Miao Wen were left momentarily dumbfounded.

Miao Wen, in particular, found them oddly familiar. It reminded him of when he had gone to Crescent Moon Valley to protect Luo Chen—this guy had showered him with praise, as if words cost nothing.

But this time, he might have flattered the wrong person.

Elder Pang was neither swayed by softness nor toughness—he wasn’t the type to be moved by flattery...

”Haha! You sure have a glib tongue.” Pang Renxiong laughed heartily. ”But you’re not wrong—this man had indeed fallen into the demonic path, deserving death by all.”

Then, without turning back, he instructed, ”Miao Wen, Tianhong—spread word of today’s events. Say that the devil cultivator who murdered Fei Bowen of Ai Lao Mountain and Gang Leader Mi Shuhua of Poshan Gang was slain by my hand at the Lancang River.

”Make sure the tale sounds more dramatic. Understood?”

Luo Tianhong hesitated momentarily before responding immediately, ”Yes, Elder!”

Miao Wen also hurriedly acknowledged the command, though he felt somewhat stifled inside.

Wasn’t Elder Pang someone who disliked flattery? And he didn’t seem like the type to seek fame either... Was there a deeper reason behind this?

Miao Wen and Luo Tianhong exchanged a glance before nodding in silent understanding.

With the intelligence of Foundation Establishment cultivators and their direct involvement, they quickly pieced together the rationale behind it.

They were sure of it. The Elder’s actions weren’t for personal glory. It was to safeguard the honor of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect.

After all, that devil cultivator had murdered Fei Bowen and pinned the blame on the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. This even led to Ai Lao Mountain’s Supreme Elder personally coming to the sect to demand justice. Therefore once this news spread, it would not only restore the sect’s reputation but also serve as an explanation to Ai Lao Mountain!

Having figured everything out, Miao Wen’s gaze toward Luo Chen turned rather strange.

This kid... whether intentional or not, his timing was impeccable.

Even his flattery landed so precisely.

After giving his instructions, Pang Renxiong turned to look at the pale-faced Luo Chen.

”You, too, played a part in this battle. Without that soul seed guiding us, we might not have tracked this vermin down so quickly.

”From the look of you, you’ve only just reached the ninth stage of Qi-Refining. I imagine you’re troubled over achieving Perfected Mastery.”

Luo Chen opened his mouth slightly before barely containing his joy.

He immediately replied, ”Yes!”

Standing slightly behind Pang Renxiong, Miao Wen cast a deep glance at Luo Chen. He hadn’t noticed at all that Luo Chen had broken through to the ninth stage of Qi-Refining.

He had assumed the kid was still at the eighth stage, just as he was during the battle at Crescent Moon Valley.

This brat sure hid it well... and he’s damn sly! As he silently cursed in his mind, Pang Renxiong’s voice echoed in his ears.

”Ah?”

Ah, what? I don’t have any first-tier spirit purification pills. You definitely do. Give him a few bottles.

Miao Wen muttered reluctantly, ”I don’t have any first-tier ones either—only five second-tier spirit purification pills.”

”Second-tier works just fine. Give them all to Luo Chen,” Pang Renxiong said indifferently.

Having no choice, Miao Wen retrieved five bottles of spirit purification pills from his storage pouch and tossed them to Luo Chen.

Holding the five jade bottles in his hands, Luo Chen still couldn’t believe it.

This elder... was he really this generous?!

First, he casually rewarded attack and defense artifacts to his sect disciples.

Luo Chen had thought it was just his way of looking out for juniors. But to think even a lowly rogue cultivator like him would benefit from it?

These were spirit purification pills!

A rare pill that refined spirit energy—Mi Shuhua had mentioned them before.

They were produced by the Medicine King Sect, rarely available for purchase, and only occasionally appearing at auctions.

For late-stage Qi-Refining cultivators, they were nothing short of divine medicine. Even Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators could benefit from their effects.

But...

Luo Chen looked up and hesitantly said, ”Elder, second-tier spirit purification pills... I fear I won’t be able to use them right away.”

Pang Renxiong chuckled. ”That’s simple. You’re an alchemist—do you know Unadorned Heart?”

Luo Chen hesitated before nodding—he did indeed know that technique. Unadorned Heart was specifically used for processing plant-based medicinal ingredients.

”Then there’s no issue. spirit purification pills are actually semi-processed medicinal pills derived from spirit fruits. If you use Unadorned Heart to break them down, you’ll extract first-tier medicinal potency.

”One second-tier spirit purification pill is equivalent to ten first-tier ones.”

That simple?! Luo Chen opened his mouth slightly, still finding it utterly unbelievable.

So spirit purification pills weren’t purely alchemical pills but semi-processed spirit fruits? This kind of alchemy method existed?

Overcome with joy, Luo Chen hurriedly expressed his gratitude to Pang Renxiong and even offered thanks to Miao Wen, whose face still bore a look of grievance.

But Pang Renxiong merely waved his hand. ”I heard from Tianhong that your alchemy skills are exceptional, standing out even among rogue cultivators. You’re no less capable than those trained within sects.”

Hearing just the beginning, Luo Chen already knew.

Here comes the real deal!

Damn it, it’s about my alchemy again!

Don’t tell me...

”I ask you—would you be willing to join the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect and become my disciple?”

Was this really a question?

This was an order!

Luo Chen showed no hesitation, nor did he harbor any complaints.

He immediately bent at the waist and bowed.

”This junior, Luo Chen, is willing to become Elder’s disciple!”

”Haha! Good, very good! Slaying a devil cultivator in the morning and taking in a talented disciple by evening—what a marvelous day indeed!” Pang Renxiong laughed heartily, his voice filled with satisfaction.

Luo Tianhong smiled and offered his congratulations; Miao Wen, of course, wouldn’t be left behind in offering congratulations, though the look on his face spoke of utter reluctance.

”This is my elder’s token. Take it!

”You have one day. Go back, pack your things, and bid farewell to your friends and family. Tomorrow afternoon, you will return to the sect with me.”

He didn’t give Luo Chen a chance to negotiate.

After tossing him a sword-shaped token, Pang Renxiong enveloped the three of them in his enchanting power, shooting back toward Dahe Market like a storm.

As for the Lancang River after the battle, all that remained was devastation and a riverbed that had nearly doubled in width.

On the way back, Luo Chen held the palm-sized sword token tightly, his sharp eyes catching sight of countless rogue cultivators flying toward the battlefield.

They were too late—there was nothing left to scavenge. That black-robed Golden Core cultivator, his corpse, his core, and all his possessions had already been thoroughly looted by Pang Renxiong. Even Luo Chen himself had become part of Pang Renxiong’s spoils from this trip to Dahe Market!

When Luo Chen finally set foot on the familiar ground of Crescent Moon Valley, his mind still felt adrift.

Just like that... I’ve become a sect disciple? One moment, I was worried about my cultivation, scheming ways to counter Foundation Establishment cultivators. The next, a Golden Core elder personally took me in as his disciple.

Nothing is more unpredictable than fate!

Standing at the entrance of Crescent Moon Valley, Luo Chen let out a bitter smile. Yet now, everything he had painstakingly done for Luo Tian Society felt like a joke.

Once I leave, the newly formed Luo Tian Society will likely crumble into nothing.

He understood all too well—the true core of Luo Tian Society wasn’t the formidable battle prowess of Wang Yuan, nor the dozens or hundreds of Qi-Refining cultivators. It was him, the alchemist.

Once he left, the Luo Tian Society would lose its foundation. It had no true Foundation Establishment cultivator to support it.

Collapse might come in the blink of an eye.

”How do I even explain this to them?” Luo Chen lifted his gaze to the black-and-gold plaque newly mounted on the low city wall.

The three words—Luo Tian Society—gleamed brilliantly.

Murong Qinglian had even inlaid silver edges to match his preference.

”President, welcome back!”

”President, you’ve returned!”

Luo Chen opened his mouth slightly but, in the end, could only say one thing.

”You’ve all worked hard.”

The two night-watch cultivators grinned and replied cheerfully, ”Not at all, President!”

How could it not be exhausting? Crescent Moon Valley wasn’t even a true spirit vein location.

Well, technically, there was a minor spirit vein here, but Luo Chen had sealed it off. The others could only absorb the faint traces of spirit energy that leaked out—barely anything.

Essentially nothing.

Amidst the greetings of the night-watch cultivators, Luo Chen stepped into Luo Tian Society with a heavy heart.

Beneath the lush canopy of trees, someone was already waiting for him.