An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Amidst the Ancient Mountain Forest, snow blanketed the landscape, and the cold wind howled through the towering trees. Two figures walked side by side, their contrasting appearances stark against the frozen wilderness.

One, slender and graceful, wore a white robe, his hair tied neatly, and his eyes shone like stars. The other, robust and powerful, had loose, flowing hair, wore hemp garments and straw sandals, and carried muscles like coiled steel.

”How did the conversation go?”

”Not bad. We’ve ruled out the Nangong family’s involvement and confirmed Nangong Jin’s intent to form an alliance.”

”Then where did the beast tide come from?”

”The Li family, the Duan family... I lean toward the Duan family.”

”Oh?”

Crunch!

The man’s foot snapped a fallen branch, and he halted his steps. He gazed at a small mountain ahead, where the snow at its base showed signs of melting.

Luo Chen spoke calmly, ”The Li family has no direct conflict with us. In fact, we even have close business ties in the pill trade.

”If she merely wanted to target the Nangong family, with someone like Li Yixian’s style, she wouldn’t act in such a blunt and reckless manner.”

Wang Yuan paused in his steps.

This was already a scheme of using others to do the killing and framing another [1]. And that was considered ’blunt’ ? You people... your minds are terrifyingly devious!

”Compared to that, the Duan family has far too many reasons to make a move against us.”

”That many?” Wang Yuan furrowed his brows. ”Isn’t Duan Feng the only reason?”

Luo Chen nodded slightly. ”Duan Feng is indeed the reason. His cultivation speed is extremely fast, and his hatred runs deep. If it were me, I’d be tempted to kill him before he becomes a real threat.

”But beyond being a reason, he could also be the bait.

”Through Duan Feng, Duan Qiankun’s attention was drawn to Luo Tian Society.”

Wang Yuan was puzzled. ”Is Luo Tian Society really worth the attention of a Foundation Establishment cultivator?”

Everyone knew that the Luo Tian Society appeared strong on the surface. But in reality, its foundation rested entirely on Luo Chen, the alchemist.

Without Luo Chen, this faction would crumble like scattered sand. Even if Duan Feng became its core and started a magical artifact business, his skill in artifact forging and his personality wouldn’t be enough to sustain the faction.

Therefore, the Foundation Establishment cultivators didn’t really value the Luo Tian Society itself. What they valued was ”Dan Chenzi”—Luo Chen’s reputation as an alchemist. And by borrowing the reputation of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, Luo Chen had successfully deterred these Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Thus, he had managed to create this brief period of peace over the past few months.

Faced with Wang Yuan’s doubts, Luo Chen gazed toward a small, not particularly steep mountain in the distance.

This mountain was called Xiao Huan Mountain, the territory of the Duan family.

”An ordinary Foundation Establishment Initiate wouldn’t care about something as small as the Luo Tian Society. But Duan Qiankun is no ordinary Foundation Establishment Initiate.”

”You mean... his lifespan?”

”Yes. His lifespan is reaching its end!”

Luo Chen sighed. ”A man whose time is almost up will naturally be most concerned about what happens after he’s gone.

”The Duan family is his weakness.

”If Duan Rui successfully reaches Foundation Establishment, then even if Duan Qiankun perishes, the Duan family can continue. But unfortunately, Duan Rui is useless. And once that happens, the Duan family becomes a lamb waiting for slaughter.

”Brother Wang, the ones who could take the knife to slaughter this lamb aren’t just the few Foundation Establishment forces!”

At those words, Wang Yuan immediately understood.

The root of this matter traced back to when Luo Tian Society attacked the Fu family.

Back then, Miao Wen acted as a constraint from above, and trade routes were blocked below. In order to break the deadlock, Luo Chen chose to strike at the relatively weakest faction—the Fu family.

After succeeding, the move proved to be highly effective.

Now, because of that very precedent, Duan Qiankun feared history repeating itself. If he were to fall, then against Luo Tian Society’s powerful lineup, its dozens of late-stage Qi-Refining cultivators and more than ten ninth-stage cultivators—the Duan family would be utterly powerless.

One could say that after absorbing the essence of the Poshan Gang, Luo Tian Society held an overwhelming advantage in mid-tier power compared to most factions.

”That’s the second reason.

”As for the third reason...”

Luo Chen’s lips curled into a cold smile. ”If Luo Tian Society falls, then naturally, I will be isolated. At that point, all the major factions will shift their focus onto me.

”That way, the Duan family can avoid drawing the attention of the real powerhouses. If Duan Qiankun plays his hand well and recruits a few external Foundation Establishment cultivators, then the Duan family will be even more secure.”

After hearing this analysis...

Wang Yuan couldn’t help but click his tongue in admiration. ”If that’s truly the case, then there’s no doubt about it. The Duan family is responsible.

”So, what do we do now? Settle our scores, exact our revenge, and march straight up the mountain?”

That was said with such ease!

Luo Chen was genuinely taken aback. ”Brother Wang, you’ve been getting a little too confident lately!”

Wang Yuan let out a hearty laugh. ”I’ve nearly mastered those second-realm Physical-Refining and I really do want to test them out on someone.

”Foundation Establishment cultivators among the human race are not the same as mindless demonic beasts.” Luo Chen reminded him, worried that Wang Yuan was becoming arrogant.

Wang Yuan smiled confidently. ”If this were before, I’d have been worried. But now, I really want to test myself against a Foundation Establishment cultivator!”

Seeing his confidence, Luo Chen didn’t try to dissuade him further.

Confidence was a good thing. It meant that Luo Tian Society finally had battle power at the Foundation Establishment level.

But right now, it wasn’t the right time to act.

”No rush. I still need a little more time.” Luo Chen spoke simply and then turned to leave.

Wang Yuan didn’t push the matter. When he wasn’t in combat, he was calm and composed, his temperament steady like a mountain at rest.

***

Time!

Luo Chen didn’t actually need much time. It was just a matter of one or two years.

He needed this time to cultivate the Perfected Mastery of Qi-Refining and obtain the three Foundation Establishment pills from Tian Xingzi to attempt his breakthrough.

If he could establish his foundation, then even without Wang Yuan, he would have enough confidence to face all the Foundation Establishment forces head-on.

However, knowing that the Duan family likely harbored ill intentions, Luo Chen wasn’t sitting idle.

Surveillance on the Duan family had become more frequent in the marketplace, a precautionary measure to guard against anything unexpected.

Meanwhile, privately, Luo Chen dedicated more time to cultivation.

With his Perfected Mastery Fireball which he had now refined and optimized to the max, allowing him to shift focus toward mastering other techniques.

Just as he was settling into his cultivation, Duan Feng hesitantly came knocking.

Inside the quiet stone chamber, after hearing Duan Feng’s intentions, Luo Chen raised an eyebrow.

”You’re saying the beast tide might have come from the Duan family?”

”It’s not a possibility—it’s a certainty.” Duan Feng’s expression darkened. He hadn’t expected that because of him, Luo Tian Society would suffer such a calamity.

Eleven brothers had died, and two late stage Qi-Refining cultivators had lost their ability to fight. Such losses were anything but minor.

Seeing Luo Chen’s calm and collected demeanor, Duan Feng hesitated. ”You’re not surprised?”

Of course, Luo Chen wasn’t surprised. The list of suspects was short to begin with. It was only a matter of having someone verify the truth.

However, what Duan Feng said next did catch him off guard.

”They sure played a clever hand, thinking that after destroying Luo Tian Society, I would return to the Duan family.

”They even went so far as to offer me generous conditions to tempt me.

”But how could I be swayed? A blood feud must be avenged!”

Luo Chen was momentarily taken aback.

From the sound of it, they didn’t actually want to kill Duan Feng. Instead, they wanted to isolate him and force him back into the Duan family?

Suddenly, he recalled how the Duan family had frequently reached out to Duan Feng in the past few weeks.

Of course, Duan Qiankun wouldn’t bear to kill his own grandson. What he wanted most was for Duan Feng to let go of his grievances and return to the Duan family and perhaps even offering lavish rewards in exchange.

So, the beast tide attack was more of a warning to show Duan Feng how weak Luo Tian Society truly was. But they miscalculated Wang Yuan’s and my strength with which we survived the beast tide.

Luo Chen pondered deeply.

Rather than relaxing, Luo Chen only grew angrier.

For high-ranked cultivators, this kind of ‘warning’ was nothing but for low-tier cultivators like them, it was a battle of life and death.

I still need time—I must endure!

Taking a deep breath, Luo Chen forced himself to suppress the agitation rising within him.

***

Another scheduled black market auction had begun.

Luo Chen, already familiar with the process, sat in the VIP section, his expression solemn as he watched the gradually thinning crowd in the auction hall.

There was a reason for the low attendance and it was directly related to the fact that the Precious Dragon Black Market was offering fewer and fewer items.

This trend made Luo Chen increasingly uneasy. It meant that the Precious Dragon Black Market was wrapping things up, their operations would only shrink from here on out. This could very well affect his collaboration with Tian Xingzi.

Suppressing his unease, Luo Chen quietly observed the auction unfold.

One enchanted artifact after another, along with various materials, were auctioned off like flowing water.

Tian Xingzi didn’t seem too concerned about the final prices; the whole auction had the feel of a clearance sale.

”The next item up for auction is a beast-controlling technique—the Myriad Beasts Sutra.

”This sutra originated from beyond the domains. Though it is only at the second-tier, its techniques are quite unique. When used in conjunction with the correct methods and specific pills, it enables cultivators to command low-tier demonic beasts.

”Rumor has it that this sutra originates from the Myriad Beasts Sect—an immensely powerful sect, far surpassing the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect!

”A second-tier technique, with a starting bid of three thousand spirit stones, and a minimum increment of one hundred spirit stones per bid.”

Upon hearing the name of this technique, many cultivators became intrigued.

It wasn’t just because it was a second-tier technique suited for Foundation Establishment cultivators. Rather, it was because this technique allowed them to enslave demonic beasts.

For rogue cultivators in Dahe Market who frequently dealt with demonic beasts, this technique would be highly beneficial.

Moreover, the price wasn’t too steep. Ordinarily, a second-tier technique would start at five thousand spirit stones. Three thousand was indeed a significant markdown.

Luo Chen’s eyes gleamed as he gazed at the jade scroll.

Beast control? There’s still that second-tier Explosive Ape imprisoned beneath Crescent Moon Valley, could this technique be used to tame it?

A few thousand spirit stones weren’t a big deal to him now.

Without hesitation, he joined the bidding.

In the end, he secured it for five thousand five hundred spirit stones. The price wasn’t exorbitant, but it certainly wasn’t cheap either. Since it wasn’t a core cultivation technique, the other cultivators weren’t desperate to obtain it.

After acquiring the Myriad Beasts Sutra, Luo Chen lost interest in the remaining auction items.

The truly valuable treasures had long been auctioned off in the past few months. What remained might still be enticing to rogue cultivators, but for Luo Chen, they were hardly worth noticing.

Before long, Tian Xingzi finished handling the auction affairs and approached Luo Chen.

”This is this month’s batch of Blood-Burning pills. Please verify the count, senior.

He neither hesitated nor made any show of generosity.

Tian Xingzi dutifully scanned the contents with his spirit sense. Once he confirmed the count was accurate, he completed the transaction with Luo Chen.

The two of them sat in the VIP section, surrounded by a soundproof barrier, ensuring that no one outside could overhear their conversation.

Tian Xingzi sighed. ”Without major sects stationed here, it has indeed given rogue cultivators more room to grow unchecked. But the number of cultivators has still been steadily declining.”

He wasn’t exaggerating—it was the truth.

The number of rogue cultivators in Dahe Market had been shrinking continuously.

With the ghost city looming inside and frequent demonic beast invasions outside, even a spiritually abundant land like this offered no real sense of security.

Many rogue cultivators had already left Dahe Market. Those who remained were mostly waiting for spring to reassess the situation before making their next move.

”Young friend, this may be our last collaboration.”

The words were spoken plainly, yet they struck out of nowhere. But to Luo Chen, it was nothing short of earth-shattering.

”You’re leaving?”

Tian Xingzi nodded, his expression carrying a mix of apprehension, anticipation, and regret. He spoke with an incredibly complex tone.

”It will be within the next few days.

”Unfortunately, there are still many things left unfinished.”

Luo Chen’s mouth slightly opened in shock. This truly caught him off guard. No matter how he looked at it, the Precious Dragon Black Market had seemed to have long-term plans in the area. Why would they suddenly leave in such a rush?

Or could it be that the war he had suspected was about to begin?

Sensing Luo Chen’s confusion, Tian Xingzi didn’t bother with unnecessary formalities.

He retrieved a pile of pills from his storage pouch.

”This is the Clarity Essence I promised you—three bottles in total. It should last you quite a while.

”This is the Spirit Purification pill your friend requested—second-tier. As for the first-tier ones you wanted, I’m afraid someone else bought them first. There was nothing I could do.”

The tier didn’t matter, he could use either.

Luo Chen took the two sets of pills and gazed at Tian Xingzi with anticipation.

Under that expectant stare, Tian Xingzi looked somewhat uncomfortable.

Both of them knew exactly what Luo Chen wanted the most.

Awkwardly, he said, ”The Foundation Establishment pills have indeed been arranged for you, but as I mentioned before, it will take some time, so...”

Damn it!

Luo Chen had known all along that high-tier cultivators had an entirely different concept of time compared to Qi-Refining cultivators.

For rogue Qi-Refining cultivators, soon meant ten days to half a month, but for Foundation Establishment cultivators, soon could very well mean years.

If the Precious Dragon Black Market ceased operations here, how would he ever find Tian Xingzi again?

So those three Foundation Establishment pills were nothing more than an empty promise?

This thought flashed through Luo Chen’s mind, and even the smile on his face became visibly strained.

Tian Xingzi knew full well that his actions weren’t exactly honorable. However, some circumstances were beyond his control, even as a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Right in front of Luo Chen, he took out a silver-white five-pointed star.

Made of wood—a puppet?

Luo Chen took the five-pointed star in his hand and looked at Tian Xingzi in confusion.

”This is my token.

”I am not someone who goes back on my word. What I promised you, I will fulfill.

”Keep this token. Within a few months at the shortest, or a few years at the longest, someone will bring you the Foundation Establishment pills. When the time comes, use this token as proof.”

By the end of his explanation, Tian Xingzi appeared a bit more at ease.

Stroking his beard, he chuckled. ”At your age, young friend, I imagine you can afford to wait that long?”

Luo Chen felt helpless. Given the situation, what else could he do?

At the very least, this Foundation Establishment cultivator seemed to be keeping his word.

Even though their partnership was ending, he never outright said that the Foundation Establishment pills were out of reach.

”In that case, I’ll have to trouble you, senior,” Luo Chen said, forcing a smile.

Tian Xingzi paid no mind to Luo Chen’s attitude. He had already collected a great number of Blood-Burning pills—more than enough to answer to certain people.

As for Luo Chen, he had done everything within his means, with a clear conscience.

Before the black market shut down,

Tian Xingzi called out to Luo Chen, who was about to leave.

”March is approaching, the ice and snow will soon melt, and it is highly likely that the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect will not be returning.

”You, young friend, and your alchemist friend, should start preparing.

”If you can no longer stay here, use my token and come find me at the Puppet Tower in Tianlan Immortal City.”

Luo Chen’s eyes flickered.

The Puppet Tower—an industry under the Luoyun Sect. So Tian Xingzi wasn’t even bothering to conceal it anymore?

Gripping the five-pointed puppet, he gave a slight nod.

Upon returning to Luo Tian Society, Luo Chen faced the mountain wind, his mind utterly clear.

March was approaching, and the ice and snow would soon melt. Spring would bring life to all things.

But for Luo Tian Society, and for Luo Chen himself, the greatest trial was about to begin.

”Am I truly prepared?” Luo Chen took out the Myriad Beasts Sutra he had just acquired and fell into silent contemplation.

1. 借刀杀人 (jie dao sha ren), a Chinese idiom meaning ”to kill with a borrowed knife,” describes a tactic where one uses a third party to do their dirty work, often to maintain deniability and avoid direct conflict. ☜