An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Beneath the smile lurked tremendous killing intent. Min Longyu trembled from head to toe.

Staring at Luo Chen, he said nervously, ”I would like to think... you wouldn’t.”

”Oh?. You seem to know me quite well?” Luo Chen looked at him with an amused expression

Min Longyu lowered his head. ”Ever since the battle at Crescent Moon Valley, I’ve been paying attention to you. Especially after you reorganized the Poshan Gang and founded the Luo Tian Society on your own. You were kind to Mi Li, and you took in the female cultivators expelled from Tianxiang Tower. Wang Yuan was just a Physical-Refining cultivator, yet you offered him Foundation Establishment-level support. Duan Feng had a grudge against the Duan family, and you challenged them on his behalf. Zhou Yuanli and Liu Qiang were hardly outstanding, yet you placed them in key positions. I know the Sima siblings personally; they’re outsiders, yet one of them held a high rank in the Luo Tian Society.”

He took a deep breath, then silence ensued once more.

After a long pause, Min Longyu slowly lifted his head. His anxiety had diminished, replaced by determination. He looked straight at Luo Chen and said, ”I, Min Longyu, admit my judgment may be flawed, but I won’t make the same mistake again and again. Someone like you, who is generous to friends, ruthless to enemies, and magnanimous toward talent, unconstrained by status or origin...”

Luo Chen’s eyebrows twitched. Okay, okay, are you done already? Where do you even see all those virtues? You’re making me sound like a god!

”... must undoubtedly be a wise and virtuous leader! Far superior to the likes of Mi Shuhua and Wang Haichao!”

Who doesn’t like hearing flattery? Luo Chen was secretly pleased, but his face remained impassive. ”Words alone are not enough.”

Min Longyu said seriously, ”At your Foundation Establishment Ceremony, you shared the insights to break through without reserve. That proves you’re no miser. And even now you’re already in the Foundation Establishment Realm, yet you still bid so aggressively at the Huo family auction for a Foundation Establishment pill. It’s obvious who that pill was meant for.”

Min Longyu paused, then said plainly, ”I won’t pretend otherwise. I’ve come to pledge allegiance to you for the sake of that Foundation Establishment pill!”

Luo Chen’s smile faded. He stared calmly at Min Longyu, who stood straight and well-dressed, and thought, Ah, now we are really talking business. Fine, let’s see what you got.

”Back at Crescent Moon Valley, you shattered the Earth Guardian Array and led others in surrounding me. At Gaoling Plains, though you aided me, it was still a betrayal of Wang Haichao in the middle of battle. From my standpoint, do you think I should accept someone like you?”

Luo Chen paused. ”In sparing you in public, I’ve shown leniency for the sake of your change of heart, and that was gracious enough of me to begin with. Don’t take me for some soft-hearted fool.”

Min Longyu had once been Luo Chen’s enemy, and worse, he was tainted with betrayal. Who would dare accept someone like that?

Min Longyu opened his mouth, but no words came. He was momentarily speechless, and his eyes were filled with uncertainty and panic.

Ding!

A jade token landed at his feet.

Luo Chen said coldly. ”Swear upon the Great Dao that you will never betray me for the rest of your life and swear also to provide formation support for the Luo Tian Society without selfish intent.”

Min Longyu picked up the jade token hesitantly, even more confused. If it were just a Great Dao Oath, he could understand. But why use a jade token as a medium?

Seeing his hesitation, Luo Chen said calmly, ”I will also swear to obtain a Foundation Establishment-grade spirit medicine for you before you reach sixty years of age. As for the pill I bought at the auction, don’t even think about it.”

Min Longyu froze and thought, So the Foundation Establishment pill was off the table to begin with. But he promises to get another one for me, and he’s even willing to swear an oath himself?

Taking a deep breath, Min Longyu hesitated no longer and swore the Great Dao Oath on the spot.

Well, that sure was decisive! Luo Chen thought as he followed suit and made his oath to procure the promised spirit medicine.

As the oaths were formed, two ghostly lights shot forth from their bodies, merging into the jade token. Then, Luo Chen formed a series of hand seals. The jade token absorbed the light, and its luster deepened.

With a flick of his wrist, Luo Chen recalled the jade token and placed it into his storage pouch.

The Soul Stabilizing Oath was now completed. A bond had formed between them; it was one that restrained the two equally and practically created a spiritual connection between them.

However, the true burden of the oath actually lay on Min Longyu. Luo Chen only needed to fulfill his side by delivering the promised spirit medicine. Once that obligation was fulfilled, his oath would be complete, and he would be free of any binding consequence.

Min Longyu seemed to realise that very fact, and he shifted uneasily. He could feel a strange, intangible pressure wrapped around him. Yet after a few breaths, the sensation began to fade.

Well, either way, what’s done is done. All I can do now is commit.

He adjusted his robes and asked awkwardly, ”Then what should I do now?”

”Go find Murong Qinglian and Duan Feng. Murong Qinglian will handle your registration, and Duan Feng will need your help with formations,” Luo Chen said with a smile. ”This Skyhawk Flying Boat may look intact, but many of its internal formations are damaged. It’s the perfect time for you to show your worth.”

Min Longyu let out a breath of relief. As long as he had something to do, that was enough. That way, he could quickly integrate into the Luo Tian Society and stop being the subject of all those strange, judgmental stares.

”Thank you, Senior. Then, I shall take my leave.”

”Go,” Luo Chen said.

The doors opened, and sunlight spilled inside.

Though he was now bound by oath, Min Longyu’s steps seemed more carefree when he walked out of the room than they had been when he walked in. He stepped firmly and looked more certain of himself than he had ever been.

Luo Chen watched his retreating figure and slowly shook his head.

Rogue cultivators sure are helpless. In so many matters, they have no choice. What use is determination if it doesn’t allow them to challenge fate?

Yet Luo Chen had offered Min Longyu a sliver of hope where his Foundation Establishment had once been out of reach.

A Foundation Establishment-grade spirit medicine?

He chuckled to himself. That wouldn’t be difficult at all. With his current cultivation, strength, and wealth, he only needed to hint at interest during an auction, and others would step aside. And if he failed to obtain one through auctions, he could always refine a batch of Imperial Nectar to fulfil his promise. That said, such a method could not be exposed unless necessary.

Luo Chen had long since seen through the workings of the cultivation world. Those Foundation Establishment pills sold at auction weren’t lifelines offered by major sects to rogue cultivators; they were the tools of control used to pacify and manipulate the lower ranks. With just this sliver of hope, rogue cultivators were less likely to rise and challenge the major sects.

Yet Luo Chen possessed the means to let others break through, a medicine that could rival or even surpass a Foundation Establishment pill. If that secret was ever exposed, it would invite consequences far graver than the stir caused by the Jade Essence pills, those so-called ”orthodox” cultivation pills.

He let out a soft sigh, and the door slowly closed.

***

”Did the President assign you any position?” asked Murong Qinglian.

”No,” Min Longyu replied calmly.

”Was there any mention of a salary?”

”No.”

”Place of origin? Current cultivation realm?”

”I am from Tianlan Immortal City, and I am currently at Perfected Mastery of the Qi-Refining Realm.”

Murong Qinglian paused, looking up at the man before her. Despite knowing this moment would come, she still found it hard to believe, Min Longyu had really joined the Luo Tian Society!

From the very beginning, he had stood on the opposite side. Whether it was during the Poshan Gang days, when he brutally killed Han Dang, or the battle at Crescent Moon Valley, where he shattered their formation.

And yet, years had passed, and the tides had shifted.

Now, the man who had once been their enemy stood before her, registering as a member of the very same organization he had once opposed. What surprised her even more was that, despite being second only to the President and the Battle Hall Leader, he had no position or salary.

It was clear that this man had joined the Luo Tian Society with a very specific goal in mind.

Still reeling from the revelation, she silently resumed her task, carefully inscribing his details into the registry:

Name: Min Longyu

Realm: Perfected Mastery Qi-Refining Realm

Age: 56

Spirit Roots: Gold, Fire, Earth – Three-Spirit-Roots Constitution

Skills: Formations

Position: Ordinary Member