An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

The scorching sun fell, bringing destruction to all. In an instant, boundless energy erupted, engulfing everything in its path.

A mystical scroll unfurled, radiating dazzling light in a desperate attempt to summon the vast blue Zeguo [1]. Yet, under the suppression of the azure glow and a streak of crimson, it ultimately failed to contain the overwhelming explosion.

Boom!

A deafening explosion rang out. The ground quaked, and a massive mushroom-shaped fire cloud rose into the sky. In its wake, waves of scorching fire rippled outward in ever-expanding circles, consuming everything within reach. Ashes, nothing but ashes were left behind.

The entire night sky was illuminated. The relentless cold rain that had been falling moments before evaporated upon contact with the raging flames, vanishing into mist. The deep snow, accumulated over the course of a long winter, melted away soundlessly, leaving no trace behind.

The extreme heat spread in all directions, searing everything in its path. Those rogue cultivators who had wandered too close let out agonized screams as their bodies were scorched. Even top-grade enchanted robes, which should have withstood immense heat, were rendered useless against this inferno.

Within mere breaths, the battlefield at the foot of Xiao Huan Mountain had become a sea of fire.

Gulp.

Somewhere beyond the mountain, an unknown cultivator swallowed hard, the weight of what he had just witnessed sinking in.

Then, a deafening uproar followed. “What kind of spell was that? How could it be so terrifying?”

“Was that Solar Flare? Even if it was Solar Flare, it shouldn’t be this powerful!”

“Could it be an improved spell from the Five Elements Divine Sect?”

“Who was that person beneath the blazing sun just now?”

“The distance was too far, I couldn’t see clearly.”

Voices of shock and fear filled the air.

This was an attack beyond the imagination of rogue cultivators. Even among them, some had witnessed Foundation Establishment cultivators in battle before. But Foundation Establishment cultivators typically relied on enchanted artifacts for combat, emphasizing precise, concentrated strikes with their spirit power.

Occasionally, there were powerful attacks, like Duan Qiankun’s Ocean-Severing Triple Waves, but even those were within reason. But this...

This was something else entirely. The spell Luo Chen had just cast upon Xiao Huan Mountain covered a range of several hundred meters. Its sheer explosive force was beyond comprehension, leaving only devastation in its wake.

In the sky, Nangong Qin braced against the rolling firestorm, pushing through the searing air as he flew toward his father. Only after reaching the white cloud did he feel some relief, the unbearable heat finally easing.

He swallowed hard, his eyes filled with horror. ”Luo Chen... did he do this?”

Even Nangong Jin felt his throat dry up. Forcing himself to maintain composure, he replied in a measured tone, ”The power of spells has always been known for their immense destructive force. They far surpass ordinary enchanted artifacts.”

”But... this is too terrifying!” Nangong Qin still couldn’t accept what he had just witnessed.

Luo Chen, like him, had just revealed a cultivation realm at the ninth stage of Qi-Refining. He asked himself—how could he ever hope to achieve such power?

Turning his gaze toward his father, he hesitated before asking, ”Spells are so powerful. So why do we cultivators forsake them and rely solely on external enchanted artifacts?”

Is he shaken?

Nangong Jin placed a firm hand on his son’s shoulder. “How can you be sure that enchanted artifacts and enchanted treasures are inferior to spells? A powerful treasure can amplify a cultivator’s spirit power, unleashing attacks several times stronger than their own.

”Besides, the weaknesses of spells are well known.

”Do not become so enamored with the might of spells that it hinders your cultivation.”

Nangong Qin opened his mouth as if to argue but, in the end, could only let out a long sigh.

Indeed, the drawbacks of spells were simply too numerous.

They took time to form, their casting speed was slow, and they consumed an excessive amount of a cultivator’s refined spirit power. Most importantly, if one became overly obsessed with studying spells, it would severely hinder their cultivation progress.

In the heat of battle, if someone wasted time casting a spell, their opponent would only need to strike once with a sword to disrupt their rhythm. At best, they would suffer a backlash from their own spell; at worst, they would expose an opening and be easily cut down.

One reason after another surfaced as Nangong Qin tried to convince himself.

“Besides, Luo Chen’s spell wasn’t something that could be cast easily.”

To stabilize his son’s state of mind, Nangong Jin carefully explained, “This battle was launched with Luo Tian Society’s full might, they had to succeed in a single strike.

“You’ve seen it yourself, every Luo Tian Society cultivator is fighting desperately. Especially Wang Yuan, who has been locked in a life-or-death battle with Duan Qiankun.

“In this situation, Luo Chen has been absent the entire time. You should be able to guess what he was doing.”

At that moment, Nangong Qin felt a sudden enlightenment. Luo Chen had been hiding all this time, naturally, to prepare this spell.

That alone proved that Solar Flare wasn’t something that could be cast on a whim. If Luo Chen had attempted to use it right in front of them, he wouldn’t have even escaped a single sword strike.

“So, he hid himself... because he feared Duan Qiankun would behead him in an instant?”

“Yes, now you understand.” Nangong Jin gave his son an encouraging pat on the shoulder. “You don’t need to covet the power of spells. Just cultivate diligently, and once you reach Foundation Establishment, you’ll be able to master...” He suddenly stopped speaking, his expression shifting.

His words of encouragement halted, and his face darkened.

He gazed into the distant night sky.

Far away, three streaks of light cut through the darkness, piercing across the heavens at astonishing speed.

At that moment, Nangong Qin let out a low gasp. “He’s coming out!”

***

A figure emerged, strolling leisurely from within the sea of fire.

Luo Chen stepped forward, his cloud-patterned boots barely disturbing the fiery ground, his flowing white robe lending him an air of ethereal composure. Tall and slender, he carried himself with a quiet confidence. His long hair was gathered in a simple daoist hairpin, lips pressed into a faint smirk that hovered between a smile and a sneer.

A straight, elegant nose and deep, unfathomable eyes gave him an aura of mystery. His gaze, sharp as a blade, seemed to pierce through the nine depths of the underworld.

With his hands clasped behind his back, he stepped forward amidst the cascading flames, walking out into the night.

Suddenly, he halted.

His gaze shifted toward the scattered rogue cultivators from Dahe Market, who had followed the battle from a distance, now lingering just beyond the mountain.

Then, as his lips parted, his voice as crisp as plucked jade strings rang clear and unwavering through the night.

“From this day forward, the Duan family of Dahe Market ceases to exist. Xiao Huan Mountain now belongs to the Luo Tian Society.

“Gentlemen, you may leave now. I, Luo, won’t be seeing you off.”

Many in Dahe Market had heard of Dan Chenzi and knew that his real name was Luo Chen. However, very few had ever seen his face.

During his initial rise in fame, Luo Chen had been fully dedicated to alchemy. Even after becoming the leader of Luo Tian Society, his interactions were mainly with Foundation Establishment cultivators, staying out of the public eye.

Even during the battle against the Fu family, most people’s attention had been on the abundant treasures left behind, rather than on Luo Chen’s appearance.

Thus, when he first spoke, many did not immediately recognize him but the moment he referred to himself as “Luo”, everyone understood.

At that instant, each and every cultivator present etched his face into their memory.

Such a dazzling display of power, an earth-shattering strike. This man, Luo Chen, was someone who deserved to be remembered.

However, expecting everyone to simply walk away was far too naive.

“The Duan family is gone, so Xiao Huan Mountain is now ownerless. What right does Luo Tian Society have to claim it?

“Fellow Daoists, within Xiao Huan Mountain lies the Duan family’s accumulation of wealth spanning centuries, along with an Ice-Fire Spirit Spring.

“Why not take it together?

The speaker was a ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivator, Fang Chengshan, a well-known rogue cultivator from Dahe Market and the leader of a small faction called Panshan Fort. Ironically, his faction had taken up residence in the old Fu family stronghold, making them indirect beneficiaries of Luo Chen’s destruction of the Fu family.

Now, as Fang Chengshan stepped forward, several late stage Qi-Refining cultivators from Panshan Fort followed suit, their intentions clear.

Watching this group of eager opportunists, Luo Chen’s lips curled into a smirk. “Are you sure?”

For some reason, Fang Chengshan felt a faint sense of unease but with such an opportunity right in front of him, how could he back down?

Luo Chen was also at the ninth stage of Qi-Refining, yet he had dared to lead Luo Tian Society in the destruction of the Duan family. How could he, Fang Chengshan, be intimidated by mere words?

With a cold laugh, Fang Chengshan stepped forward.

“Everyone, don’t be afraid!” he called out. “Dan Chenzi may be strong, but after unleashing such a powerful attack, his spirit power must be completely drained. He’s nothing more than an empty shell now.

“He’s just putting on a bluff—”

Before he could finish his sentence a golden light flashed!

Instinctively, Fang Chengshan activated his top-grade enchanted robe, summoning a protective barrier around himself but the defense lasted only for a brief moment. The golden light, thin as a thread, sliced through the barrier effortlessly. In an instant, a severed head, once full of arrogance, followed the golden light and landed in Luo Chen’s hand.

Holding the head in one hand, sword orbs whirled around him with a chilling hum. Luo Chen’s gaze was icy as he curved his fingers and flicked them forward.

Schlkk!

The sword orbs transformed into golden threads, drawing an impossibly long line outside Xiao Huan Mountain.

”Anyone who crosses this line

”Will! Be! Slaughtered!”

As Luo Chen’s voice echoed, the severed head in his hand was tossed beyond the line, landing with a dull thud. Its lifeless, wide-open eyes glared at those who had been eager to make a move, a silent warning etched in death.

1. 蔚蓝泽国 (wei lan ze guo), the phrase evokes imagery of an expansive, water-rich land under a deep blue sky, often used poetically or in fantasy settings to describe a serene yet powerful aquatic domain. ☜