An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

High in the sky, fierce winds scattered the clouds. Three flying boats flew in triangular formation, each one cutting through the air like an arrow loosed from a bow.

Creak... creak...

The strained groan of the vessel’s aging frame rang out constantly, grating against the wind.

At the prow, Luo Chen stood with a furrowed brow, casting a troubled glance down at the flying vessel beneath his feet.

Min Longyu sensed Luo Chen’s concern and said quickly, ”I did everything I could to reinforce it

Luo Chen shook his head. ”This isn’t your fault.”

Min Longyu let out a relieved sigh.

After all, the Skyhawk Flying Boat was in terrible condition, worn, battered, and barely holding together. Back during the battle at Gaoling Plains, the Skyhawk Flying Boat had borne the brunt of the assault. It had first taken a direct hit from Tu Shan’s Heavy Recast Seal, then crashed and was immediately besieged by Dajiang Gang cultivators. Even though Duan Feng had put it away in time, many parts had already been badly damaged.

That was only the beginning. To escape Huo Quan’s pursuit, they had pushed the flying boat to its absolute limit, flying five full days and nights. That was the only reason they had managed to compress a two-month journey into less than one. This was one of the key reasons Luo Chen had persuaded Li Yixian to leave most of the mortals behind. Not only do they slow the group down, but more importantly, the Skyhawk Flying Boat simply couldn’t bear the weight any longer.

And it wasn’t just the Luo Tian Society. The flying boats of the Li and Nangong families weren’t in much better shape. Their hulls were scuffed and cracked, their surfaces dulled and dim, bearing clear signs of strain and wear. Fortunately, they were finally nearing their destination.

From the flying boat, someone called out, ”President! Once we cross this Peach Mountain, we’ll be able to see Tianlan Immortal City!”

”Peach Mountain?” Luo Chen repeated, lowering his gaze to the landscape before them.

Ahead lay a gently sloping mountain. It wasn’t particularly tall, but its beauty was undeniable. The entire slope was blanketed with peach trees, their branches fanning out in all directions. Blossoms bloomed in stunning profusion, painting the mountainside in hues of pink and white. Yet, it wasn’t even peach blossom season.

Still, the mountain was overflowing with color. Hues of crimson, blush, and rose swirled together in a sea of soft petals that danced in the wind. Amid the flowering trees, elegant pavilions and layered towers peeked through the trees. Slender figures gracefully among them, as if the entire scene had been painted into existence. Some of these figures were fair-skinned, so striking that they seemed to glow beneath the canopy of blossoms like snow scattered through spring.

Luo Chen frowned slightly and activated Spirit Eyes. He peered into the scene with clarity. What met his eyes made his chest tighten with unexpected heat.

It was an open-air display of indulgence.

Ahem...

Beside him, Min Longyu gave a dry cough and spoke in a tone both awkward and reserved. ”This mountain is under the lineage of the Grand Elder of Peach Blossom from Hundred Flowers Palace. Their trade here... is of the fleshly arts.”

Luo Chen raised a brow. ”Sounds rather similar to the Tianxiang Tower back at Dahe Market?”

Min Longyu gave a wry smile. ”Tianxiang Tower? That’s a backwater inn by comparison. Peach Mountain is famous throughout Tianlan Immortal City. On its busiest days, thousands of cultivators flock here for its... services.”

Luo Chen gave him a long look, the corners of his lips tugging into a teasing smile. ”Quite the expert, are you? Have you been here yourself?”

Min Longyu hurriedly waved both hands, looking flustered. ”No, no! Just rumors! I’ve only heard of it, never visited myself!”

Luo Chen gave a faint smile, unconcerned by the matter.

While the two conversed, the cultivators aboard the flying boats had also taken note of the mountain below. The scene was breathtaking, with slopes of blossomed peach trees, beautiful women, and a thick haze of lust that clung to the mountain like incense smoke. It was the kind of view enough to make cultivators embarrassed.

Below, some of the daring female cultivators had already noticed them and were shamelessly waving silk handkerchiefs toward the sky.

”Fellow Daoist, come down and play!” one of them called, her voice sweet and shameless.

Luo Chen couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation. He hadn’t expected to find such an unrestrained place right outside Tianlan Immortal City. Compared to this, the Tianxiang Tower of the Hehuan Sect seemed like child’s play.

Luo Chen remarked wistfully. ”If Fellow Daoist Zeng Wen were still with us, this place would be his paradise.”

But just as the words left his mouth, his body tensed. It wasn’t a third-tier demonic king, nor a passing Golden Core cultivator. It was just Xiugu carrying her son, Zeng Yilong, walking past behind him.

Luo Chen could feel a pair of eyes glancing at him, cool and faint. He had clearly said the wrong thing.

Amid the flirtatious cries of the female cultivators below, the flying boats passed over Peach Mountain. Then, Luo Chen held his breath.

There it was. A vast and majestic city loomed in the distance, crashing into Luo Chen’s vision like a siege hammer, utterly overwhelming. Its walls were a deep greenish-black, stretching endlessly across the horizon. Towering a hundred zhang high, they spanned hundreds of li. It was imposing like a divine decree carved into the land. From those walls, a suffocating pulse of spirit power radiated outward. Though faint, but undeniable. The higher one’s cultivation realm, the more one could feel its pressure. This was not the aura of a grand city but more like the slumbering presence of an ancient beast lying dormant across the earth for millennia. If it ever awoke, it would scorch the land for a thousand li, overturn rivers and seas.

Luo Chen lifted his gaze!

At the heart of the city stood a towering peak, its summit obscured beyond sight. Only its mist-shrouded waist was faintly visible, vanishing and reappearing through the clouds. A white dragon seemed to roar downward from the hidden summit!

No, that wasn’t a dragon! It was a waterfall, one a hundred zhang wide and of unfathomable height! And outside that cascading torrent, streaks of radiant light darted back and forth, cultivators in flight, each glowing with the energy flow of Foundation Establishment or even Golden Core strength. Yet before that waterfall, they seemed as small and fleeting as mayflies.

Luo Chen swallowed hard, his voice low and stunned. ”Where... does that waterfall come from?”

By his ear, a soft murmur rose. ”Falling from the heavens, striking the earth into waves. This immortal city... is called Tianlan.”

Tianlan Immortal City... Luo Chen took a deep breath, tore his gaze away from the scene, and looked back.

Behind him, every member of the Luo Tian Society had stepped out, crowding the flying boat from end to end, their gazes locked onto the vision ahead, stunned into silence.

On the second flying boat, the hunched-backed Nangong Jin attempted to straighten up, but in front of this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, he only seemed more bowed and worn. Nangong Qin, on the other hand, trembled uncontrollably in his wheelchair, overwhelmed by awe. Aboard the Li family’s flying boat, Li Yixian stood quietly, her beautiful eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Her gaze, slightly unfocused, clung to the sight before her.

This was the place cultivators truly yearned for. Not Dahe Market. That backwater outpost was nothing but a crude imitation of real civilization.

Nearby, Li Ao had completely lost his usual composure. The proud young man now darted across the deck in excitement, pointing toward the immortal city in the distance and shouting like a child. All his former arrogance had vanished without a trace.

Whoosh!

A streak of light flashed behind them. From the direction of Peach Mountain, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, clothes disheveled and hair windswept, shot into the sky.

As he passed overhead, he turned back with a mocking sneer. ”Rabble cultivators from the countryside, speechless, aren’t you?”

He made no effort to hide the scorn in his voice. Many of them heard it. For a moment, countless low-tier cultivators turned red with shame, wishing they could crawl into the ground.

Luo Chen slowly shook his head and raised his right hand. ”Lift your heads. Straighten your backs. We’re entering the city.”

Swish!

With a crisp rustle, every cultivator of the Luo Tian Society obeyed at once. As one, they raised their chins and squared their shoulders, eyes following Luo Chen’s calm and resolute figure.

Min Longyu, who had been drifting in a haze of old memories since their return, snapped out of it. His gaze settled deeply on Luo Chen. In that instant, he seemed to feel a surge of boundless pride erupting in his chest!

The Skyhawk Flying Boat, which had been hovering in place, began to move again. The two flying boats behind were a bit slower to react, but they quickly caught up. They soared past mountains both tall and low, passing the curious gazes of various cultivators along the way.

Finally, the three flying boats came to a stop before a massive moat that was broad and still. It reflects the looming walls of the city beyond.

***

Suddenly, a voice rang out sharp and commanding. ”Disembark the flying boat and disperse your spirit energy. No flying is permitted within Tianlan Immortal City.”

”You visiting cultivators, read the posted rules first! Acting rashly might cost you more than just your pride. Don’t blame Old Xu if you end up losing your lives!”

Before the moat that circled the immortal city, a massive drawbridge hung low across the wide, still river. An old man in a snow-white robe stood near the entrance, though he didn’t seem to target anyone in particular; his voice carried far and wide, drawing every ear.

The cultivators entering and exiting Tianlan Immortal City paused to glance up at the three flying boats still suspended in the air. Whispers started spreading among them.

”So filthy. How long have they been traveling without washing up?”

”Tsk, tsk. That one in the front looks like it might fall apart any moment!”

”Obviously hasn’t been maintained in years. Junk like that shouldn’t even be flying.”

”Who are these people?”

”No idea. Probably some bumpkins fleeing from a remote backwater,” came the casual reply.

Luo Chen heard every word. His sharp senses captured every sneer and whisper as clearly as if they’d been said in his ear. He didn’t say a word, but the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed his irritation.

He waved his hand gently, and the Skyhawk Flying Boat began its slow descent. However, before it could reach the ground, that same elderly voice, firm and full of breath, bellowed again. ”Where do you think you’re landing, huh? Where?!”

In an instant, all three flying boats came to an awkward halt midair. Those in charge of maintaining the flight formation, like Duan Feng, turned visibly red with embarrassment, unsure whether to descend or retreat.

Below them stretched an enormous plaza, wide and empty enough to accommodate several more flying vessels. Was it really such a problem to land here for just a brief moment?

Yet before frustration could take hold, Luo Chen’s calm voice rang out through the voice transmission. ”Calm down. We’re newcomers here. We should follow local customs.”

Duan Feng and the others nodded reluctantly.

The old man barked again.”Park in the wrong place and you’ll be fined! Liuzi! Get over here and show them the proper dock!”

As soon as Old Xu’s words landed, a skinny young man who’d been waiting nearby shot into the air like a spring-loaded monkey and zipped in front of the flying boat.

Luo Chen glanced down to where the youth had just been standing. Several other cultivators in that area were visibly disappointed, muttering curses as they dispersed.

There’s competition for docking jobs? Luo Chen thought, bemused.

The young man, with a grin almost too wide for his face, gave an exaggerated bow toward the bow of the vessel. ”Junior Xu Xiaoliu, at your service! Most people call me Liuzi, or Skinny Monkey. Whatever title pleases Senior, I’ll respond to it!”

Another Xu? Luo Chen noted with faint amusement and asked, ”Liuzi, where should we dock the flying boats?”

”Right this way!” Liuzi grinned, hopping onto a floating Lotus Cloud Incense Disc. He soared ahead with exaggerated courtesy, clearly eager to please. Every few breaths, he would turn back with a flattering smile, tossing compliments and small talk toward Luo Chen like flower petals in the wind.

Aboard the flying boat, Sima Huiniang had quietly stepped behind Luo Chen. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Liuzi’s figure leading the way ahead.

”Ninth stage Qi-Refining?” she murmured, noting the young man’s cultivation realm.

Beside her, Min Longyu let out a soft chuckle. ”Director, are you wondering why someone at the ninth stage of Qi-Refining is doing something as lowly as greeting new arrivals?”

Sima Huiniang gave a small nod, doubt etched across her face. The image simply didn’t sit right. Truth be told, she found the entire scene difficult to reconcile. Back in Dahe Market or even Taishan Market, a ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivator was already a force to be reckoned with. In a sect, such a person would begin as a steward. Within a cultivation family, they’d most likely serve as an elder. Even if they were a rogue cultivator, their strength would earn them respect anywhere they went.

However, here in Tianlan Immortal City, this Liuzi, a ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivator, was bowing and scraping like a street servant, eager to please. It was a stark, almost absurd contradiction. In fact, Sima Huiniang wasn’t the only one who felt it; many of the Luo Tian Society cultivators wore similarly troubled expressions.

Min Longyu said softly, with a meaningful pause. ”Because this... is Tianlan Immortal City. The famed immortal city where cultivators crowd the streets like clouds, and Qi-Refining cultivators fall like rain. Foundation Establishment is common here. Golden Core Adepts walk about as if it’s nothing. In this place, ninth-stage Qi-Refining means nothing.”

Sima Huiniang listened, then slowly shook her head. Even after hearing it, she still found it difficult to accept.

Min Longyu went on, his tone even. ”Immortal cities like Tianlan often sit at the crossroads of major regions. They’re vital hubs, linking sects, families, and trade routes. Violence may still occur, but most of the time, it’s about business. Resources. Influence. In a city like this, Qi-Refining cultivators don’t even make it into the outer circle of that world.”

He looked around meaningfully. ”Without background or backing, rogue cultivators can barely scrape by. Even the smallest errand, the pettiest task, people will fight over it. The competition here is fiercer than in any small market. Fiercer even than faction strife within a sect. If someone knows they lack the talent, they’re better off leaving Tianlan for the wilderness, to gamble for a chance encounter. That’s what I did.”

Min Longyu’s voice was calm, unhurried, but carried a clear weight. There was no attempt to conceal his meaning, no trace of shame in what he said. It wasn’t just for Sima Huiniang; it was a message to every Luo Tian Society cultivator present.

Luo Chen gave him a sidelong glance, the corners of his lips curling upward.

Was this his way of showing loyalty? Using these words to warn those in the team whose resolve wasn’t firm. He even used himself as an example! Even someone as proficient in formations as him called himself ”untalented.”

One could imagine the impact on the mid stage or eighth stage Qi-Refining cultivators in the Luo Tian Society. They were definitely shaken, and no doubt resolved to cling tighter to Luo Chen’s leadership.

Still, that’s a bit dramatic, brother! Luo Chen quietly gave Min Longyu a thumbs-up.

Up ahead, Xu Xiaoliu turned back with a grin, ”Fellow Daoist, you seem familiar with Tianlan Immortal City!”

Min Longyu straightened his collar and solemnly replied, ”I am Min Longyu of the Min family from Danxia Peak.”

Xu Xiaoliu glanced at him in surprise. ”You’re from the Min family? The formation family that was so prominent a century ago?”

”Yes!” replied Min Longyu.

Xu Xiaoliu continued, ”Tsk, tsk. Didn’t think any of you Min family’s cultivators were still around. What a pity... your Danxia Peak has now become a haven for rogue cultivators and heretics. No longer the glorious mountain it once was, bathed in rays of red and shrouded in auspicious purple qi. You’ve returned. Planning to restore the family name?”

As he spoke, Xu Xiaoliu glanced over at Luo Chen, eyes flicking with a trace of curiosity. A Foundation Establishment Initiate and carries himself well too.

Hearing those words, the confidence in Min Longyu’s tone from earlier waned noticeably. ”Just surviving is already a blessing. Let alone restoring the family. Besides...” He gave a dry chuckle. ”In Tianlan Immortal City, a hundred years is enough to see countless cultivation families rise and fall. The decline of my Danxia Peak Min family is hardly unique.”

Xu Xiaoliu nodded. ”That’s true! Take the Fu family of Mirror Lake. Ten years ago, they vanished completely, but at least the new patriarch had the sense to flee with the whole family before things got ugly. Unlike your Min family.”

Luo Chen’s brows twitched. Mirror Lake Fu family? Could it be the same Fu family that the Luo Tian Society wiped out? It was common knowledge that the Fu family hailed from the Tianlan Immortal City.

Sima Huiniang glanced over in surprise.

Min Longyu shrugged, his small hands lifted in helpless admission.

Sima Huiniang couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. So it was them...The Fu family failed to survive in Tianlan, fled to Dahe Market, and still met their end.

She didn’t know whether to call it fate or just bad luck.

After that little turn of events, Min Longyu’s spirits lifted quite a bit and said seriously, ”President, Director, you two shouldn’t underestimate Fellow Daoist Xu. This little job of his? There’s serious money in it! Not just anyone gets the privilege.”

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ”Oh?”

And then—

”Welcome to Tianlan Docking Grounds!”

Xu Xiaoliu turned with a flourish and bowed deeply toward Luo Chen, his posture full of practiced courtesy.

Luo Chen looked down from the edge of the flying boat.

Below stretched a massive flat docking yard, where more than a hundred flying boats were parked in orderly rows. They gleamed under the sunlight like scales on a giant beast’s back.

Some were small and compact, barely big enough for one or two passengers. Others were grand and majestic, stretching over fifty zhang long, exuding the overwhelming pressure of supreme-grade enchanted artifacts. Compared to them, the Luo Tian Society’s Skyhawk Flying Boat, at just thirty zhang in length, was merely a standard top-grade vessel. In this place, it was merely average.

Xu Xiaoliu called out with cheerful authority, guiding them toward a designated section. ”Right this way! Let’s get you all settled over here!”

Even before their flying boats had fully descended, he cupped his hands around his mouth and bellowed across the docking grounds.

”Hey! We’ve got customers! Move, move, let’s go!”

In truth, he didn’t even need to yell. Down below, several figures had already popped their heads out, dressed in coarse linen, gazing upward with eager eyes. They rushed forward.

Luo Chen suddenly frowned and raised his hand, halting the swarm that was about to close in around them. ”Hold it! What do you people want?”

Xu Xiaoliu blinked and replied cheerfully, ”Senior, your flying boat’s filthy. Don’t you want it cleaned?” Look here, this part’s about to fall off. You don’t want that fixed? The Divine Craftsman Sect has exclusive techniques for repairing flying boats. We guarantee it’ll come out better than before!”

Luo Chen stood stunned at what he was hearing. Boat cleaning? Boat repair? Since when did the cultivation world start offering this kind of service?

Luo Chen couldn’t help but ask, ”Is it free?”

”Surely you’re joking, Fellow Daoist!”

This time, it wasn’t Xu Xiaoliu who answered. Instead, a burly man seated beneath a shaded awning exhaled a puff of smoke and casually tapped the ash from his pipe. Dressed in a simple short tunic, he wore a broad grin as he looked over at Luo Chen.

Luo Chen turned to him calmly, his expression serene. Foundation Establishment Initiate!

There was no need for alarm. He had already sensed the man’s presence while they were still descending. In fact, this man wasn’t the only Foundation Establishment Initiate nearby. The area around the city gate was crawling with them.

”What’s your name?” Luo Chen asked flatly, his voice steady.

The man grinned and gave a casual nod. ”Lu Rong.”

Lu Rong rose to his feet, lifting the dull gray pipe to his lips for a long, deliberate drag. As he exhaled, a dense cloud of white smoke poured out, but it didn’t scatter into the air or drift toward the others nearby. Instead, the smoke swirled gently around him, forming a slow, spiraling current. Then, as if alive, it sank back into his body, vanishing through his skin and disappearing into every pore.

Luo Chen paused at the sight, visibly taken aback.

Such an eco-friendly way to smoke... absolutely no secondhand smoke...Is this some kind of secret technique?

Lu Rong walked over, stretched lazily, and said with a yawn, ”Fellow Daoist, your joke’s a little too bold. Repairing flying boats is hard work, time-consuming, and material-heavy. How could it possibly be free?”

Luo Chen’s lips twitched into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. ”Then I’d say the joke’s on you as well.”

”Oh?” Lu Rong eyed Luo Chen with interest, waiting for what came next.