An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

”That’s the Yuan Zhao Nation ahead?” Luo Chen asked in surprise.

Tao Yisheng nodded. ”Indeed. This nation has long been under the jurisdiction of the Green Pill Valley for over four hundred years. Fellow Daoist Luo, is there something troubling you?”

Luo Chen burst into laughter. ”Well, what a coincidence! My hometown happens to be in the Yuan Zhao Nation.”

Tao Yisheng gave him a skeptical look. Coming from the Yuan Zhao Nation, and yet not recognizing the way home?

Luo Chen waved it off. ”I happened to embark on the cultivation path by sheer chance and left for Dahe Market. I was young and remember little. Truth be told, I’ve forgotten the way home.”

Tao Yisheng asked, clearly unconvinced. ”Is that so?”

Luo Chen replied earnestly, ”I speak no falsehood. Baixiu Prefecture of the Yuan Zhao Nation, that is where I was born.”

There was indeed such a place as Baixiu Prefecture in the Yuan Zhao Nation. It bordered Qianshan Prefecture and was located in a remote, mountainous wilderness.

Luo Chen said with a polite smile, ”Fellow Daoist Tao, might I trouble you for a small favor? Let me return for a brief visit?”

”Well...” Tao Yisheng appeared conflicted, or rather, he wasn’t the only one. Li Yixian and Nangong Jin also looked uncertain.

Yet when Luo Chen’s calm gaze swept over them, both fell silent. Perhaps it was the pressure from a fellow Foundation Establishment cultivator, or maybe it was Luo Chen’s courteous tone; neither pressed further.

Despite his bashful nature, Tao Yisheng eventually gave in and agreed to Luo Chen’s request. He merely insisted that their three flying boats remain concealed, so as not to alarm the mortals.

Luo Chen and the others naturally had no objections. They cast Cloud-Riding to cloak the three flying boats from view. And so, they slowly entered the borders of the Yuan Zhao Nation.

Aboard the flying boat, Nangong Jin glanced at Luo Chen with suspicion. ”Why not bypass the Yuan Zhao Nation and head straight for Tianlan Immortal City?”

Li Yixian also looked puzzled. ”Even a short delay could allow Huo Quan to catch up. Fellow Daoist, is your yearning for home really this urgent?”

Faced with the two’s doubts, Luo Chen calmly replied, ”If Huo Quan truly intended to pursue us, with his power alone, he would’ve caught up three or four days ago.”

Uh...

Li Yixian wanted to argue, perhaps Huo Quan was still in seclusion. However, she found her explanation lacking. After all, Huo Quan was only advancing from the sixth to the seventh stage of Foundation Establishment, not exactly a breakthrough to a higher realm. At most, such a step should take a few days, maybe a month or two if things drag on.

Yet so much time had passed. If he were truly going to come out of seclusion... he would’ve done so by now. Despite flying day and night, pushing their vessels to the absolute limit, their speed still couldn’t match that of an average Foundation Establishment cultivator, let alone someone as seasoned and experienced as Huo Quan. The fact that he hadn’t caught up was strange, but it was no longer an immediate concern. Perhaps something had delayed him.

Luo Chen gave a brief explanation and turned to Nangong Jin. ”We’re definitely heading to Tianlan Immortal City, but we can’t go in blindly.”

Nangong Jin hesitated. ”What do you mean...?”

Luo Chen’s tone was calm. ”Tianlan Immortal City is only a day’s flight from here for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Even with our slower flying boats, stopping along the way, it would take just a few days. There’s no need to rush. Rather, it’s far more important to gather intel on the situation over there first.”

Those words earned Li Yixian’s full agreement. Indeed, charging in blindly was asking for trouble. It was just like their visit to Taishan Market. They had gone in assuming the Kang family was still the dominant force, only to discover that the Huo family had already taken control. That misstep had not only left them at a disadvantage but had also drawn the covetous attention of figures like Huo Hu.

”You’re thinking of getting intel from Tao Yisheng?” Li Yixian caught on quickly.

Luo Chen nodded. ”Exactly. This area isn’t far from Tianlan Immortal City. He was likely dispatched by Green Pill Valley to carry out Foundation Establishment duties. In that case, he’d definitely need cultivation resources, and the nearest major source would be Tianlan Immortal City. He probably visits often.”

Nangong Jin frowned. ”Will he even tell us?”

Luo Chen chuckled. ”With someone who can’t even bring himself to refuse a favor, I doubt prying out a few details will be all that difficult.”

***

After half a day of flight, their flying boat finally descended onto the restricted grounds of the Yuan Zhao royal palace. The Stellar Ascension Pavilion!

Tao Yisheng explained as they landed. ”This is the temporary cultivation residence for disciples of the Green Pill Valley. The royal family of the Yuan Zhao Nation typically does not dare to intrude.”

As the flying boat landed, gazes from nearby tall buildings turned their way. Most of them were cultivators in the Qi-Refining Realm.

Luo Chen and the others surveyed the surroundings and couldn’t help but feel a trace of awe. Though they were proud cultivators, their dwellings had always been modest. Unlike this mundane royal palace, with its soaring eaves, golden splendor, arching bridges, flowing streams, and blooming flowers in riotous colors. Even though this was just a residence arranged for disciples of the Green Pill Valley and styled to reflect the serenity of the Dao, it still radiated wealth and grandeur.

Tao Yisheng continued, ”Yuan Zhao Nation is the only mortal vassal state under Green Pill Valley’s domain, so there are always Qi-Refining cultivators stationed here. Those early stage Qi-Refining cultivators over there are promising recruits. We’ve taught them the basics of spirit intake and plan to bring them back to Green Pill Valley. You guys are welcome to stay for a while...”

After finishing his brief introduction, Tao Yisheng was about to excuse himself.

Luo Chen said with a faint smile, ”Fellow Daoist Tao, I’m guessing you’ve only recently stepped into Foundation Establishment, haven’t you?”

Tao Yisheng looked at him in surprise. ”You have a keen eye. That’s right! I’ve only been at Foundation Establishment for ten years. Once my realm stabilized, I was assigned here for station duty.”

Luo Chen smiled broadly. ”In that case, why don’t the four of us sit down and discuss the Dao? Share a few cultivation insights?”

Tao Yisheng’s eyes lit up with excitement. ”Gladly, gladly!”

Though Tao Yisheng was a disciple of a major sect, it was clear at a glance that Nangong Jin and Li Yixian had been in the Foundation Establishment Realm for many years. They carried themselves with the ease and confidence of seasoned cultivators. Even Luo Chen exuded a composed, commanding presence, an energy of cultivation and mastery that set him apart. If he could exchange insights with them, he would surely benefit immensely.

Seeing how easily it worked, Nangong Jin and Li Yixian exchanged glances. That easy?

***

A cultivation insights exchange session unfolded within the Stellar Ascension Pavilion for an entire day.

When it finally came to an end, Tao Yisheng departed with visible satisfaction, clearly pleased with the discussion. The three who remained were equally pleased.

Of course, such a session couldn’t solely focus on cultivation techniques. Throughout it, the three took turns asking Tao Yisheng about all manner of trivial matters. These seemingly trivial inquiries gave them a fairly comprehensive picture of the local situation and even the circumstances surrounding Tianlan Immortal City. On the surface, the situation appeared stable. The war between the two Nascent Soul major sects had begun with probing strikes before erupting into all-out conflict for six full years.

By all reasoning, that amount of time should’ve been enough for the two factions to beat each other to a pulp and settle the score. And yet, for reasons unknown, the situation suddenly took a sharp turn a year ago.

The fierce clash turned into a grinding war of attrition. During this prolonged struggle, the two powerful Nascent Soul sects withdrew their main forces and shifted their focus outward, seeking to rally allies from across the Jade Cauldron Domain. The Ai Lao Mountain was the first to pledge allegiance to cast its lot with the Luoyun Sect, soon followed by the Green Pill Valley.

Meanwhile, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect was far from idle. Their long-standing ally, the Flame Alliance, launched a furious assault on the Green Pill Valley that sparked intense localized battle. They didn’t stop there. The Sword Sect also began courting the Ice Fortress, nestled in the frozen north, as well as the Hundred Flowers Palace, which had thus far remained neutral.

When all of this was put together, it certainly looked chaotic.

Yet for Tianlan Immortal City, it was oddly stable. After all, the great immortal city had been jointly established by seven sects. Even if hostilities arose between them, they maintained an unspoken understanding not to let the conflict touch the immortal city.

”In that case, heading to Tianlan Immortal City might actually be the best move,” Nangong Jin said thoughtfully.

Li Yixian nodded, casting a look of admiration at Luo Chen. ”Luo Chen, you were quite far-sighted. You picked the right destination from the start.”

Luo Chen remained silent. He wasn’t nearly as optimistic as the other two. This so-called stability felt more like the calm before the storm. If the Ice Fortress and the Hundred Flowers Palace were drawn into the fray, then Tianlan Immortal City would likely be dragged in as well.

Besides, beneath the surface of that stability, weren’t there already undercurrents churning? If they rushed in recklessly...

Luo Chen shook his head and said firmly, ”Let’s rest for two days, then depart for Tianlan Immortal City at once.”

In the Jade Cauldron Domain, nearly all high-tier spirit lands were already claimed. Even a modest second-tier spirit vein like the one in Taishan Market had been divided between two prominent families. Only in great immortal cities teeming with rogue cultivators could one find high-tier spirit veins available for lease. Only there could Luo Chen resume his cultivation.

However...

Nangong Jin grumbled with frustration.”Two whole days? Isn’t that a bit long?”

At this moment, no one was more eager to reach Tianlan Immortal City than he was. Unlike Luo Chen and Li Yixian, he was still carrying injuries. What he needed was a place rich with spirit energy. A spirit vein site was his only hope for recovery.

Luo Chen replied, ”I need to put on a proper front and make a trip home.”

That was only natural. Claiming Yuan Zhao Nation as his hometown but not paying a visit would have only stirred suspicion.

Luo Chen’s gaze shifted to Li Yixian and said, ”Second, there are simply too many mortals from the Li family. It hampers our mobility. If anything were to happen in Tianlan Immortal City, they’d become a burden.”

Li Yixian opened her mouth to respond, but did not argue.

Luo Chen continued, ”My suggestion is, during these two days, you speak with Tao Yisheng and see if it’s possible to settle some of the mortals here in Yuan Zhao Nation. Fellow Daoist Li, there’s no need to overthink this. We’re not far from Tianlan Immortal City. Once things are stable, you can always come back to relocate them later.”

Li Yixian hesitated. Her eyes turned to Nangong Jin, who gave an approving nod. Clearly, the mortals had indeed become a burden to the group.

Li Yixian clenched her teeth and said, ”Very well. I’ll do as you suggest, Fellow Daoist Luo.”

***

Early the next morning, a streak of light shot out from the royal palace of Yuan Zhao Nation, heading southeast.

Home? Standing atop the drifting white clouds, Luo Chen shook his head.

Luo Chen had no true home to return to! The original owner of this body might not have been an orphan, but he had no relatives to speak of. He had no intention of tormenting himself by searching for people connected by blood. His true destination was the desolate mountain outside Baixiu Prefecture, the place where the original owner’s body had once encountered a fateful opportunity.

Back then, it had seemed ordinary enough. A Medicine King Sect outer disciple dying alone in the wilderness of the Jade Cauldron Domain? No one had thought much of it. But now... the more Luo Chen thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed.

Besides, Tao Yisheng had mentioned something last night. Even the Green Pill Valley disciples stationed here weren’t completely safe. Two decades ago, they’d been ambushed by rogue cultivators

Twenty years ago... Luo Chen contemplated that timeframe with a trace of amusement.

Suddenly, Luo Chen came to a halt and stopped on the slopes of a tall, rugged mountain. He swept the surroundings with his Spirit Eyes and released his spirit consciousness, and guided by scattered fragments of memory, he soon found the place he was looking for.

With a leap, Luo Chen landed halfway up the mountainside. He pushed aside a curtain of thick, overgrown vines and stepped into a secluded cave entrance.

There, a small earthen mound immediately caught his eye.

As Luo Chen gazed at it, a memory stirred. He could almost see his seventeen-year-old self burying the corpse of the old cultivator here, hands trembling with youth and grief.

”My apologies,” he murmured.

With a flick of his wrist, the mound was lifted. When he looked closer, his eyes narrowed. The space beneath was completely empty. Not a trace of bones remained.

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. ”Interesting... very interesting.”

He smiled faintly, then restored the mound to its original form and turned to leave without another word.

***

Back at Stellar Ascension Pavilion, three flying boats began to glow with spirit light and slowly lifted into the air. Tao Yisheng beamed as he personally saw the three of them off. ”Fellow Daoist Nangong, thank you for your honest advice. You’ve saved me quite a detour!”

Nangong Jin coughed lightly and shook his head. ”Not at all. Your words cleared up my doubts with just a few sentences. Once I recover, I’ll likely break through to the third stage of Foundation Establishment.”

Tao Yisheng said with a laugh. ”You flatter me. I merely passed on the wisdom of those before me.”

Li Yixian cast a lingering, reluctant gaze at the three mortals standing before her. Each of them was strong and physically robust, fine specimens by any measure. With just a bit of training in mundane martial arts, any one of them could have easily earned the title of a top-tier expert.

But Li Yixian forced herself to look away. Steeling her heart, she turned toward Tao Yisheng and offered him a graceful, respectful bow. ”Fellow Daoist Tao, I’ll be counting on you to look after these members of my family.”

Returning the gesture, Tao Yisheng said, ”Of course! Think nothing of it! They’re skilled in rearing dragon-horses, so the Yuan Zhao royal family is sure to welcome them.”

With that said, Tao Yisheng stepped up to Luo Chen and said, ”Your alchemy skills are outstanding among your peers, Fellow Daoist. Even compared to the elders of my sect, you lack nothing. I only regret that we cannot discuss alchemy matters day and night, side by side.”

Luo Chen offered a faint smile. Now that they were more acquainted, Tao Yisheng turned out to be quite warmhearted, and he was getting more and more fluent with flattery.

Luo Chen offered a modest smile and said, ”It’s nothing but a minor trick, hardly worth mentioning compared to the great Golden Core sects where true alchemy masters are born in abundance.”

”Ah! You’re too modest!” Tao Yisheng’s eyes gleamed as he spoke to Luo Chen with far more enthusiasm than he had shown to the other two. ”In a few years, my post here will end. When that time comes, I’ll definitely seek you out in the Tianlan Immortal City.

Luo Chen offered a faint, polite smile. ”I’ll prepare the finest lodging and welcome you with the best wine!

Tao Yisheng clasped his hands and said earnestly, ”The road ahead is long. Safe travels to you all!”

”Until we meet again!”

”Until we meet again!”

”Until we meet again!”

Tao Yisheng stood atop the Stellar Ascension Pavilion, watching as the three flying boats disappeared into the horizon, swallowed by the drifting white clouds.

Behind him, a disciple of the Green Pill Valley stepped up beside him. ”Daoist Uncle, why were you so polite to those three Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators?”

Tao Yisheng shook his head. ”Rogue cultivators? They’re far from ordinary.”

The disciple blinked in confusion. ”Weren’t rogue cultivator factions and Foundation Establishment families all the same in the eyes of a Golden Core sect?”

Tao Yisheng scoffed and said energetically, ”You don’t get it! Our Green Pill Valley is now entangled in a war between major sects. One misstep could mean death and dissolution. Making ties with those three is about securing potential allies. Besides, my elder sister is contesting for the position of Dao Scion. Dan Chenzi and the others might just be able to assist her.”

At the mention of Tao Yisheng’s elder sister, the disciple suddenly understood and exclaimed, ”With you and your sister so united in purpose, Daoist Uncle, the Tao family will surely restore its former glory in Green Pill Valley!”

Tao Yisheng smiled, pleased with himself. ”Everything I have today is due to her care. Of course, I’ll do what I can to repay her support!”