An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

”Filthy beast, get back down!” Duan Qiankun showed no mercy, slashing downward with his sword.

The Explosive Ape was struck down, crashing into the ground, trapped within the Cosmos Shield, howling in impotent rage.

More radiant light surged from the twelve massive pillars, sealing off the sky and earth entirely, ensuring that the Explosive Ape could not escape.

At the same time, the immense recoil force sent Duan Qiankun hurtling backward.

In that moment, his expression shifted drastically.

”Something’s wrong!”

Before his eyes, crimson iron chains coiled toward him from all directions, sealing off any possible escape route.

A colossal palm imprint, carrying an unstoppable force, came crashing down upon him.

Duan Qiankun lifted his head, his gaze icy as he locked onto the figure above. The massive palm imprint was unavoidable, its fierce gale already blasting against his body.

Yet, he remained calm and composed, his only response a chilling killing intent.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The sound of rushing water echoed from his body.

At first, it was a mere trickle, but in an instant, it surged into a raging torrent.

A scroll unfurled from within him, resembling a grand painting.

Within the painting lay a vast ocean, an endless expanse akin to a mighty kingdom of water. The massive palm imprint struck the scroll, yet it was like a clay ox sinking into the sea—without causing the slightest ripple.

”The Zeguo Gui Diagram?”

Wang Yuan halted, his gaze fixed on the enchanted treasure.

Duan Qiankun scanned the surroundings, noting that the crimson chains had now enclosed the entire battlefield within a hundred-zhang radius. If he wasn’t mistaken, this was an exotic top-grade enchanted artifact auctioned off at the Precious Dragon Black Market.

Its name—Hengjiang Iron Chains.

It had no offensive or defensive properties. Yet, it could restrict a designated area entirely and move in tandem with its wielder. Even if he attempted to force his way out, the chains would ceaselessly obstruct him, drastically reducing his speed.

His heart sank.

Duan Qiankun’s gaze locked onto Wang Yuan, his voice as frigid as ice.

”That bastard Duan Feng really told you everything, didn’t he?”

Wang Yuan remained silent, offering no response.

Instead, he clenched his fist, pressed his thumb firmly against his own body, and exerted force.

In an instant, he struck twelve of his acupoints in rapid succession.

Ugh...

With a muffled groan, his body began to expand.

Two meters... three meters...

Five meters!

With a swing of his arm, three streaks of blood crimson qi burst forth, coiling into dragon-like forms that circled around him.

He was going all in!

Facing this towering giant, Duan Qiankun pointed his fingers like a sword, his Heluo Blade swimming around him like a fish.

”The might of an enchanted treasure is beyond your comprehension!”

Wang Yuan paid no heed to his words, striding forward in massive steps, each covering thirty zhang.

His speed had tripled compared to before.

”Come, then! Let this old man see what you’re capable of!” Duan Qiankun shouted sharply, unleashing the full power of his Heluo Blade as he slashed forward.

Boom!

With just one strike, a massive wound tore across Wang Yuan’s waist, exposing bone in a ghastly sight. Yet, he seemed utterly unfazed by the pain, merely responding with another earth-shattering punch.

Duan Qiankun dodged continuously, but in such a confined space, he was still struck by the sweeping force of the gigantic fist.

Yet, he did not panic.

The Zeguo Gui Diagram unfurled, its vast blue waves gently enveloping the incoming force of the punch.

”Is that all you’ve got...? Zhou Qing!!!”

Bang!

Duan Qiankun was struck with tremendous force, sent flying dozens of zhang before crashing into a massive crater. Just moments ago, his defensive enchanted treasure, the Zeguo Gui Diagram, had failed to exert its full power. Above, a blue radiance, akin to moonlight, descended upon the Zeguo Gui Diagram, enveloping it completely.

“It’s not Elder Zhou—it’s me, Nangong Jin.”

Nangong Jin stood atop a white cloud, holding a round mirror in his hand. The blue light that descended from the sky was emanating from the mirror itself.

Down in the deep crater below, Duan Qiankun’s voice rang out, tinged with disbelief.

”The Qingning Treasure Mirror... he was actually willing to lend it to you?”

Nangong Jin chuckled casually. “Merchants are driven by profit. If I pay a hefty price, why wouldn’t he part with it?” As he spoke, his spirit sense discreetly scanned his surroundings. “You should be more concerned about yourself.”

Hmph!

A cold snort echoed as Duan Qiankun soared out of the crater. The Zeguo Gui Diagram still surrounded him, encasing him in its protective glow.

However, it was now in a weakened state, its once-pristine radiance tainted with a mixture of blue and green hues.

“Even the Qingning Treasure Mirror can only seal half of a low-grade enchanted treasure’s power—and only for a limited time.

”Otherwise, when Mi Shuhua was besieged, Zhou Qing wouldn’t have failed.”

As he spoke, Duan Qiankun flicked his fingers, igniting several talismans in midair without the aid of wind.

The burst of chaotic spirit energy forced Wang Yuan, who had just closed in, to retreat. However, Duan Qiankun paid him little heed. Even with its power halved, the Zeguo Gui Diagram was not so easily overcome.

He lifted his gaze toward Nangong Jin, his expression cold and severe. “Why?”

Nangong Jin understood his question immediately. His burning gaze fixed upon the ancient scroll. “No particular reason, I simply need a protective enchanted treasure.”

“Just for that?” Duan Qiankun asked.

As Duan Qiankun spoke, he raised his sword in defense, deflecting yet another strike from Wang Yuan.

”Yes, just for that,” Nangong Jin affirmed, nodding. ”I’m in my prime—I don’t want my cultivation path cut short. A protective enchanted treasure is what I desire most.”

Duan Qiankun fell silent.

At that moment, Wang Yuan launched another assault. His surging vitality manifested as three crimson dragons, which burrowed into the Zeguo Gui Diagram.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Wang Yuan’s explosive blood qi detonated within, causing the Zeguo Gui Diagram to tremble violently. Duan Qiankun’s eyelids twitched as his flying sword streaked through the air like a comet, aimed straight at Wang Yuan’s chest.

Yet, it was sent flying by a powerful punch.

He hesitated no longer. ”If I give you this treasure, will you turn against them?”

For a brief moment, Wang Yuan froze.

However, in the skies above, Nangong Jin held the Qingning Treasure Mirror and shook his head without hesitation. “It’d be better if you just died.”

Duan Qiankun pressed his lips together. He knew this was nothing more than a desperate attempt at bargaining.

Since they had already made their move, it was clear they had reached an agreement with the Luo Tian Society. There was no way they would switch sides at this stage. His offer had been nothing more than a fleeting hope—one that was now completely shattered.

If that was the case...

”You meddlesome wretch—die!”

Duan Qiankun locked eyes with Wang Yuan, his refined spirit energy surging wildly without restraint. No longer holding back, he unleashed his full power. The Heluo Blade accelerated at an incredible speed, its radiance reaching an unparalleled brilliance.

Wang Yuan let out a ferocious grin, his expression devilish as he erupted with an overwhelming torrent of raw power. Every move he made was raw yet natural, unrefined yet devastating.

In just a few breaths, they had already exchanged several rounds of blows.

In the sky above, their figures clashed and intertwined—one large, one small, locked in a deadly dance. Spirit power and vitality collided again and again, unleashing waves of destructive force.

The battlefield within a hundred-zhang radius was left in ruins, torn apart by the sheer intensity of their battle. No cultivators dared to approach anymore—they all withdrew, keeping their distance.

Boom!

After another violent clash, two figures were sent flying in opposite directions.

Wang Yuan crashed to the ground, his body covered in blood, with several of his White Jade bones already fractured.

Duan Qiankun fared slightly better, but blood seeped from the corner of his mouth as he panted heavily.

He was, after all, old.

Recklessly pushing his spirit power to the limit was taking a heavy toll on his already fragile meridians. His aging body simply could not endure such strain. Worse still, he could feel it—every time their blades met, the small crimson serpents slithering from Wang Yuan’s body latched onto him, siphoning away his life essence.

Even though he was stronger, the longer the battle dragged on, the more Wang Yuan’s power surged, while his own strength steadily waned. If this continued, even if he managed to kill Wang Yuan, he would suffer irreparable damage to his vitality.

His lifespan was already running out, sustained only by medicinal pills. If he kept fighting like this...

Perhaps he would claim victory today, only to perish tomorrow.

I can’t afford to delay any longer.

Killing him and wiping out these invaders is the top priority.

Moreover, the other Foundation Establishment cultivators of Dahe Market had likely received word and were rushing over. How to deter their greed was another pressing concern.

I must also find a way to curb their greed.

Countless thoughts and concerns surged through his mind.

Duan Qiankun took a deep breath and stretched out his hand. For the first time, he gripped the Heluo Blade in his palm. The tip angled downward, its blade emanating a flickering ghostly light, sharp and ominous.

On the ground, Wang Yuan’s gaze sharpened.

A fusion of weapon and technique!

So this was the technique Duan Feng had mentioned?

His heart trembled slightly, but the raging battle intent within him refused to let him retreat. His massive hands, each the size of a millstone, suddenly displayed an unexpected dexterity. In an instant, he struck five points across his own body.

”Five Qi Convergence!”

Heart qi! Liver qi! Spleen qi! Lung qi! Kidney qi!

An immense, boundless surge of blood qi roared within him, altering his state once more. His body, once massive, began to shrink, yet his aura only grew stronger—rising to an unprecedented peak.

Duan Qiankun saw this transformation and hesitated no longer. ”Go!”

The Heluo Blade slithered through the night like a swimming fish, vanishing into the darkness.

The next moment, it abruptly materialized before Wang Yuan’s throat.

”So this is the Wave Breaking Strike?” Murmuring to himself, Wang Yuan raised two fingers and gently pinched.

It seemed slow, yet it was incomparably swift.

Ding!

The sword tip was firmly pinched between his fingers.

The once agile, swimming fish-like sword was now frozen in place. The blade and hilt trembled violently, but no matter how much it struggled, it could not advance an inch.

This sight caused Nangong Jin’s pupils to contract from a distance.

Is this the extent of human power? How can it be this terrifying?

However, just as Wang Yuan was slowly forcing the sword tip away...

A massive tidal wave surged forth.

Boom!

One wave crashed down, followed by another. In the blink of an eye, three colossal waves crashed down upon him.

Wang Yuan was completely overwhelmed, his body smashed straight into the depths of Xiao Huan Mountain.

”Junior, you are still too inexperienced.”

Suspended in midair, Duan Qiankun panted heavily, exhaustion washing over him. In his hand, a mystical artifact shaped like a rattle drum shimmered as its spirit light gradually receded.

Gazing at his fallen opponent, he then lifted his head and looked toward Nangong Jin.

”Fellow Daoist, why don’t you come down and have a chat?”

This old bastard... he actually had another supreme-grade enchanted artifact.The Duan family truly lived up to their reputation as a family of artifact forgers!

Nangong Jin slowly shook his head and, to Duan Qiankun’s astonishment, silently retreated.

Hmm? He isn’t seizing the opportunity to strike but is instead retreating? Duan Qiankun frowned in confusion, but then his heart pounded violently.

A sense of extreme danger suddenly surged into his mind. His spirit consciousness spread out, sweeping across a ten li in radius.

Suddenly, he whipped his head around and looked toward the sky.

In his clouded old eyes, he saw a blazing sun slowly rising.

The cold, rainy night was still shrouded in darkness yet beneath that burning sun, it was as if daylight had descended upon the world. Flaming red brilliance filled the heavens, an infernal sun suspended high above.

In the midst of the distorted air, a figure hovered—robes billowing, eyes cold as ice.

Both hands were raised above his head. An overwhelming aura of pure yang and absolute devastation surged madly, its power boundless and unchecked.

In an instant, the vast waves of spirit energy became the sole focus of all existence.

Suddenly, he flipped his hands, and the scorching sun plummeted toward the earth.

”Dan Chenzi!!!”

A shrill, despairing scream rang out. Yet everything was drowned within that vast and terrifying explosion.