An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

The rushing wind chases the sun; time flows westward like a swift current.

Time was fleeting, slipping away in the blink of an eye and just like that, half a month had passed.

During these two weeks, Luo Tian Society had almost completely withdrawn from the outside world. Cultivators no longer ventured out, and Jade Essence pills ceased to be supplied externally, even to the major Foundation Establishment factions.

Such an unusual state of affairs drew the attention of many rogue cultivators. Yet, no one dared to question it.

The reason was simple, everyone knew why Luo Tian Society had suffered a terrifying beast tide attack. Rumor had it that a second-tier demonic beast had personally led the assault.

In the end, only a supreme-grade defensive formation had allowed Luo Tian Society to barely hold the line. Even so, Luo Tian Society suffered heavy losses, with over a dozen late stage Qi-Refining cultivators perishing in the beast tide’s assault.

Under these circumstances, Luo Tian Society’s retreat to lick its wounds was the most reasonable course of action.

The major Foundation Establishment factions remained silent on the matter as well. Or rather, there was nothing for them to say in the first place. They couldn’t possibly step forward unprovoked and declare that they were responsible or that they weren’t, for that matter.

That would be as good as a confession!

Yet, unbeknownst to outsiders, Luo Tian Society had ignited an unprecedented training frenzy within its ranks!

The two hundred-plus first-tier demonic beast corpses, aside from those utterly destroyed, had left behind a massive stockpile of beast meat.

A staggering two hundred thousand jin!

Faced with such an immense stockpile, Sima Huiniang set aside half for sale to recover spirit stones. The rest was kept entirely for Luo Tian Society’s cultivators to consume.

Moreover, Luo Chen personally took action, spending ten full days refining a total of one thousand six hundred mid-grade Jade Essence pills.

He kept six hundred for himself and distributed the remaining one thousand in one sweeping motion. They weren’t handed out for free, but sold at half the usual price exclusively to internal members.

Did the cultivators of Luo Tian Society accept this arrangement?

Every single one of them would answer, bring as many as possible, and they’d buy them all!

Though mid-grade Jade Essence pills were primarily effective for early and mid stage Qi-Refining cultivators, their efficacy in large quantities was nothing short of remarkable.

After all, not everyone could afford to live like Luo Chen, treating pills as daily meals.

But now, Luo Chen had made them available internally at half price. Even the logistics cultivators tightened their belts and gritted their teeth to purchase a few bottles.

Luo Chen had only three demands for them.

First, no one was allowed to leave during this period.

Second, Battle Hall cultivators were to refine their combat techniques and familiarize themselves with their newly acquired enchanted artifacts.

Third, logistics cultivators were to consume the pills diligently and strive to improve their cultivation base.

Amid such intense preparations, everyone could sense the brewing storm on the horizon and as for their President, Luo Chen—after finishing his alchemy, he vanished from sight.

***

Inside Changyin Mountain, Luo Chen stood atop the white clouds, his enchanted robe billowing fiercely in the wind. He did not suppress his energy flow in the slightest, surveying Changyin Mountain like a sovereign inspecting his domain.

Yet, it was clear that he was not the ruler of this mountain.

Thus, it didn’t take long for a deep, resounding howl to echo through the mountains, expressing discontent at his audacity. Luo Chen gazed at the aged giant wolf that had appeared atop the peak, his mind as clear as still water.

In just a brief survey, he had already made an observation.

For the past year, neither the Frostfang Wolf clan of Changyin Mountain nor the Grayleaf Wolf clan of Huiye Mountain had seen their main packs return. What remained were only the old, weak, and crippled.

Of course, what he considered “old and weak” were still deadly foes to an ordinary Qi-Refining cultivator.

”A second-tier Frostfang Demonic Wolf... Not a bad opponent for practice.” Luo Chen’s lips curved into a faint smile as he exhaled sharply.

A streak of sword light shot out in an instant.

On the mountain peak, the demonic wolf gazed indifferently at the incoming attack, casually lifting a paw.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Three sharp ice spikes shot forth, knocking the sword light askew in an instant.

With the naked eye, it was clear that the sword light came from a sword orb.

As ancient as it was, the wolf had developed a degree of spirit intelligence. Thus, it found itself perplexed by this human who had so boldly provoked it.

A mere Qi-Refining cultivator dared to act so brazenly?

As the sword orb came flying again, it neither dodged nor retreated but simply extended its paw to seize it. Thick layers of frost began to form across its massive paw.

Yet, before the sword orb even reached, it suddenly burst into a dazzling golden radiance. Blinding golden light scattered into dozens or hundreds of sword rays, enveloping the entire mountain peak in layers of brilliance.

Such an attack, however, was of no real threat to the demonic wolf. It simply exhaled two streams of white breath from its nostrils, sending them rolling forward like a storm.

Wherever the white mist passed, the air itself froze into layers of ice. Every sword light that touched the ice layers was immediately snuffed out.

As the mist swirled back toward it, the demonic wolf lost interest, it had no desire to play with this human any longer. It still had a litter of young wolves to care for. If other demonic beasts entered the valley, it would be more trouble than it was worth.

However, before it could act, an overwhelming sense of danger suddenly surged through its entire being.

Awooo!

A piercing wolf howl rang out as multiple layers of ice walls erupted from the mountain peak.

From high above in the distant sky, Luo Chen observed the scene, the miniature sun in his palm growing ever more scorching.

”Not bad. It’s quite perceptive.

”As expected, the older a demonic beast gets, the more acute its instincts become.”

Luo Chen chuckled softly before letting go of his grip.

The miniature sun plummeted straight toward the peak of Changyin Mountain.

Boom!!!

A thunderous explosion erupted without warning. Terrifying spirit power, searing heat, and an unmatched explosion instantly engulfed the mountain peak.

Boom!

A horrifying scene unfolded.

A massive fireball, brilliant as the sun and crimson like a red lotus, roared with deafening force, accompanied by countless smaller explosions. Like a chain reaction, it culminated in an unimaginable resonance.

Beneath the azure sky, waves of fire spread outward, layer upon layer. The towering mountain peak crumbled abruptly under the violent explosion. Jagged rocks tumbled, ice and fire clashing in a chaotic fusion.

Amidst the scorching heat, a colossal white wolf leaped from midair, its fur singed and charred, its body shrouded in both icy mist and blistering heat.

Its chest was a mangled mess of flesh and blood. Its left forepaw was grotesquely twisted, pale blood dripping steadily onto the ground.

It was wounded and quite severely at that!

Wuuwuu...

A furious howl rang out, sharp and unrelenting.

Its eyes darted wildly, nostrils flaring as it sniffed the air frantically. It searched madly for its foe, yet no matter how desperately it looked, not even a trace of its enemy remained.

***

Within the narrow mine shaft, Luo Chen strode forward, his expression relaxed, showing no signs of strain.

”That old wolf is no simple creature!”

Even among second-tier demonic beasts, it was considered a formidable existence, capable of rivaling a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the human race.

Luo Chen was well aware that the old wolf had not exerted its full strength earlier. The only time it had gone all out was in defense. Yet defense was not the forte of the demonic wolf, their strengths lay in speed and offense.

However, Luo Chen was not disappointed, for he had tested his most refined technique.

The Perfected Mastery advancement of Fireball—Solar Flare!

Even in haste, using only half of its power, he had forced the mighty Frostfang Wolf into such a miserable state. It had likely sustained severe injuries.

Given enough time, he was certain he could pose a real threat to a Foundation Establishment Initiate.

”With this, I finally have a means of self-preservation.”

Luo Chen had a clear grasp of his strengths and weaknesses. Compared to a Foundation Establishment Initiate, his shortcomings were insufficient spirit power, an inability to project his spirit consciousness, and weak defenses.

However, he held a major advantage in speed, even surpassing some of the renowned sword cultivators of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect.

Speed alone, however, would have made him nothing more than an annoying fly. But now, having Perfected Mastery of his Fireball, he was far more than just a mere pest. With his immense speed, he could now deliver explosive attacks that could threaten a Foundation Establishment cultivator. In brief skirmishes, he was already no weaker than an average Foundation Establishment Initiate.

”The Nangong family should have an explanation ready for me.” Luo Chen sneered as he stepped out of the mine shaft.