An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

”President, what is happening to Dahe Market?”

Zhou Yuanli, who was usually composed beyond measure, now looked utterly horrified. The calm demeanor he maintained even in the face of calamities had completely vanished.

Beside him, Liu Qiang trembled uncontrollably.

Luo Chen swallowed hard, fear evident in his expression. From those three towering black figures, he sensed a faint but eerily familiar aura.

He blurted out, ”Ghost Kings!

”Those are the three Ghost Kings that have been suppressed beneath Dahe Market for centuries!”

Suddenly, he recalled where that familiar feeling came from. The Ghost King in the northernmost position—if he wasn’t mistaken—was the one sealed beneath the backroom where he had lived for years.

On the very first day he moved into the SiHeYuan, Gu Caiyi had mentioned this being.

The reason rent was relatively cheap in the northern part of the city was precisely because the Ghost King was sealed there. The overwhelming yin energy made the area unsuitable for many cultivators to practice.

”Who exactly is that gray-robed cultivator? How insane must he be to unleash such terrifying creatures?”

Ghost Kings were not common entities one could encounter on the streets.

Among ghosts, their ranks were clearly defined—Ghost Soldier, Ghost General, Ghost King, and Ghost Emperor. It was a straightforward classification system.

Ghost Kings were equivalent in strength to human Golden Core cultivators and Beast Kings of the demon races. In other words, Pang Renxiong was currently battling three opponents of the same tier.

No... it’s not just three. That gray-robed cultivator must also be at the Golden Core Realm.

Pang Renxiong is fighting one against four!

Can he win?

Luo Chen didn’t dare continue that line of thought.

If Pang Renxiong lost, the fate awaiting Dahe Market would be beyond imagination.

No, perhaps the first signs of disaster had already surfaced.

With great difficulty, Luo Chen tore his gaze away from the heart of the battle, letting it fall upon the ruined streets of Dahe Market. The once-thriving district was now shrouded in ghostly energy, a desolate wasteland filled with death. He had no way of knowing how many inner-city cultivators had already perished within its depths.

Even though Zhou Yuanli and Liu Qiang had mentally prepared themselves, their faces still turned deathly pale upon hearing that Ghost Kings were involved.

A terror that had only existed in legends had now become a reality before their very eyes.

They were mere Qi-Refining cultivators—against such overwhelming power, an unbearable sense of helplessness crept into their hearts.

Seeing them frozen in place, Luo Chen cursed inwardly.

This battle was something they absolutely could not get involved in.

”We can’t stay here. Head to Crescent Moon Valley immediately!”

Crescent Moon Valley was several hundred li away from Dahe Market’s inner city. It was far enough to remain unaffected by a battle between Golden Core cultivators, at least for now.

More importantly, he had spent time fortifying the valley, embedding a Five Elements Formation to serve as their line of defense.

Hence, their best chance at survival was to retreat, regroup, and defend their ground. And most crucially, they had to inform the members of Luo Tian Society about what had transpired in the inner city.

With that, the three of them wasted no time, accelerating at full speed as they crossed the outer city.

As he flew, Luo Chen’s mind spun with countless thoughts, but in the end, all he could do was let out a bitter chuckle.

He had already made all the preparations to leave Dahe Market, yet now, at the last moment, an unexpected catastrophe had erupted. As expected, plans could never keep up with the pace of change. He had no idea how the friends who had just bid him farewell would react when they saw him return.

Suddenly, Luo Chen’s figure stiffened mid-flight. His gaze locked onto the ground below.

”President, what’s wrong?”

Zhou Yuanli and Liu Qiang immediately halted, following his line of sight.

Below them, a group of ten black-robed cultivators were not retreating but instead advancing, heading straight for the inner city of Dahe Market amidst the flood of escaping figures.

And they weren’t the only ones.

Across multiple areas, similar squads were emerging—silent, methodical, and resolute in their approach.

One of the leaders seemed to notice the scrutiny and raised his head, locking eyes with Luo Chen.

”It’s him!”

Seeing that familiar golden flood dragon mask, a chill ran down his spine, but he forcibly steadied himself. Without breaking eye contact, he clasped his fists in a gesture of respect.

Then, without a moment’s hesitation, he turned and led his two companions away.

On the ground!

”Leader, what is it?”

Tian Xingzi withdrew his gaze and smiled faintly. ”Nothing. Just spotted an interesting little fellow.

”Don’t waste time. Hurry and support Elder Linghu. If we’re late, we’ll miss our share of the credit.”

***

Tian Xingzi! The master of the Precious Dragon Black Market in Dahe Market, a Foundation Establishment Initiate! That golden flood dragon mask was his most distinctive mark.

Advancing instead of retreating—this meant reinforcement.

But they were cultivators of the Precious Dragon Black Market, completely unrelated to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect.

Which meant that the one they were reinforcing was that suddenly appeared gray-robed Golden Core cultivator!

Luo Chen felt as if an invisible net had been woven for a long time, only to be pulled tight today. He had almost been caught in it himself.

However, the fact that the Precious Dragon Black Market was also a mastermind behind all this...

This was something he had never even considered.

Luo Chen recalled the words of the black market cultivator when he had handed him the embroidered ball. With that enchanted artifact, he could know when the black market opened each month. Even if he traveled to other markets, it would still function. At the time, he had speculated that the Precious Dragon Black Market must have backing that rivaled the Lianyun Trade Alliance.

But now, he realized he had underestimated them.

An organization bold enough to release the suppressed Ghost Kings and besiege a Jade Cauldron Golden Core cultivator—this was far beyond what the Lianyun Trade Alliance could ever compare to.

Judging from their level of organization and terrifying efficiency, they were not just some rogue cultivator faction.

I fear that behind the Precious Dragon Black Market and the gray-robed Golden Core cultivator lies a great sect willing to challenge the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect!

Which sect could it be?

As Luo Chen flew, he racked his brain, trying to deduce the answer.

The Jade Cauldron Sword Sect was an upper sect with Nascent Soul Sages!

Within the Jade Cauldron Domain, there was no upper sect that would dare openly challenge them. The well-known sects like Ai Lao Mountain, Luoyun Sect, Ice Fortress, and Hundred Flowers Palace were only major Golden Core sects at best.

They might squabble with the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect over resources and benefits.

But to secretly start a war? They wouldn’t dare.

Just look at Ai Lao Mountain—even when they lost a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, their Supreme Elder personally went to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect to seek justice.

The key here was that he personally went. They might have appeared imposing, but in truth, they were simply playing the part of the aggrieved party.

A Supreme Elder traveling to another sect’s headquarters to complain—placing himself in a vulnerable position—was already an act of submission.

So... could it be a force from outside the domain?

As Luo Chen pondered, a group of people flew toward them from the distance.

From afar, someone called out to them.

Seeing who it was, Luo Chen let out a sigh of relief.

It was a group of Luo Tian Society cultivators, led by none other than his close brother, Wang Yuan.

”Let’s return to Crescent Moon Valley first!

”We’ll talk as we go.”

By the time they arrived at Crescent Moon Valley, Luo Chen had recounted every detail of the shocking upheaval in Dahe Market.

Everyone was utterly stunned!

How could a mere Dahe Market, of all places, attract so many Golden Core cultivators?

After the initial shock came panic. Many of the cultivators had been living in the inner city—not to mention their possessions left behind, their greatest concern was the family members still trapped there.

For instance, Yuan Xiaoyue was in tears, nearly rushing back to the inner city on impulse.

Her grandfather was still there.

Feng Xia held her tightly, trying to stop her from making a rash decision. But even Feng Xia couldn’t hide the deep worry in her own eyes.

Her best friend, Bai Meiling, was still in the inner city too!

There were many others in a similar state of distress.

On the other hand, Qu Lingjun sobbed uncontrollably, desperate to return and save his parents.

Luo Chen knew the boy’s pain.

He had always valued Qu Hancheng’s craftsmanship, rewarding him with multiple pay raises over time. With those earnings, Qu Hancheng had been able to provide a better home for his family—one with an abundance of spirit energy, where Qu Lingjun could grow up in a more favorable environment.

Just a month ago, the entire family had moved into the inner city.

But now... Aside from the elderly and the young who had managed to escape, the other mortal members of their family were still trapped inside.

Luo Chen felt powerless in the face of the heavy, sorrowful atmosphere that had engulfed Luo Tianhui.

After multiple unsuccessful attempts to comfort everyone, he eventually stepped out of the Radiant Moon Hall with Wang Yuan.

”If what you said is true, that Elder Pang Renxiong from the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect is being besieged by four Golden Core opponents, his chances of survival seem bleak.”

”Yeah.”

”Then... can you still go to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect?”

Luo Chen scratched his head, showing a rare expression of youthful awkwardness.

Sure enough, he had anticipated that returning like this would put him in an embarrassing situation.

”So all those dramatic farewells last night and this morning were for nothing?!”

”I know this is really bad timing, but Brother Wang... can I have that bottle of spirit purification pills I gave you back?”