An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Two days later, Luo Chen stepped out of his cave residence with renewed spirits.

He had tested the Jade Dew pill, and it did have an effect! The medicinal power was about seventy percent of a Qi-Consolidation pill, much weaker than the Ascending Dragon pill. However, the main issue lay in the lack of proper absorption. Even after two full days, he could still sense a lingering chill in his sea of qi. It was uncomfortable, and it would take at least another day to fully dissipate this cold energy.

It would be a dissipation instead of an absorption. Had he been able to absorb it fully, the Jade Dew pill’s effects would have gone beyond those of the Qi-Consolidation pill, perhaps even surpassing the Ascending Dragon pill!

In contrast, female cultivators didn’t have this concern when taking the Jade Dew pill. They could fully convert the frigid energy into their strength.

No wonder this pill is considered exclusive to female cultivators, especially those who specialize in water or ice attributes. The additional benefits must be immense! With this knowledge, I now have even more confidence in my plans!

Just as Luo Chen was weighing his thoughts, Duan Feng stepped out of his cave residence as well. The two exchanged a glance, then silently flew off from Tianlan Peak, heading toward the Luo Tian Society.

***

Duan Feng had reached the Foundation Establishment!

The rumor had been circulating within the Luo Tian Society for days, but when President Luo Chen appeared at Danxia Peak with Duan Feng at his side, speculation gave way to certainty.

In an instant, the entire Luo Tian Society was in an uproar, not just because a new Foundation Establishment cultivator had joined their ranks, but because of what it revealed about Luo Chen himself.

For years, whispers had spread that President Luo Chen was broad-minded and tolerant, but until now, those words had been rumors. After all, years had passed, the Luo Tian Society still had only one Foundation Establishment Initiate. Who could say whether Luo Chen was any different from figures like Mi Shuhua or Wang Haichao?

But now, with Duan Feng’s breakthrough, all doubts, gossip, and uncertainty were crushed! President Luo Chen truly did not mind his subordinates achieving Foundation Establishment!

When Duan Feng later held his internal Foundation Establishment Ceremony and openly shared his insights with the ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivators, admiration for Luo Chen only deepened. Everyone knew that before the breakthrough, Luo Chen had personally recreated the most dangerous parts of the process for Duan Feng to practice against. And during the breakthrough itself, he had stood guard, shielding him from interference.

With all these acts, combined with his usual conduct, who wouldn’t sincerely respect him?

And with that, a spark of hope spread through the Luo Tian Society. If Duan Feng could succeed, then why not them?

The Foundation Establishment Ceremony itself was kept strictly internal. Only ninth stage Qi-Refining cultivators within the society were invited. Not because the Luo Tian Society was being stingy. But because the setting had changed.

This was no longer Dahe Market, where one could rule a region just by reaching the Foundation Establishment. In Tianlan Immortal City, Foundation Establishment cultivators held some status, but nothing truly noteworthy. The city teemed with such individuals, many of them disciples from powerful sects, constantly passing through. Making a grand display over a mere breakthrough would win no admiration, only scorn. Thus, the ceremony was kept lowly limited to the Luo Tian Society’s internal leadership.

During the ceremony, every senior cultivator in the Luo Tian Society offered their congratulations to Duan Feng. Most of them are genuinely heartfelt. With another Foundation Establishment cultivator among them, their collective strength had risen. For the rest of the society, this meant stronger protection and a smoother path ahead. Even if it wasn’t exactly rising tides lift all boats, it was still a mutually beneficial situation.

Of course, a few, though they offered sincere congratulations, couldn’t help but feel envious. After all, Duan Feng had been known more for his combat prowess than for any remarkable cultivation progress.

Many within the Luo Tian Society still held higher cultivation than he once had. People like Sima Huiniang, Murong Qinglian, Bian Zhen, and even Min Longyu, who had reached Perfected Mastery in Qi-Refining, were all more ahead of him in terms of cultivation. Yet unexpectedly, Duan Feng had taken the lead, stepping onto the Great Dao ahead of them.

As for what others thought, Luo Chen neither cared nor speculated. To him, Duan Feng’s breakthrough brought only benefits, never drawbacks.

With a Foundation Establishment Initiate now permanently stationed within the Luo Tian Society, countless matters could be entrusted to him, saving Luo Chen precious time.

Time!

Such a simple word, yet it marked the fundamental distinction between Foundation Establishment and Qi-Refining cultivators.

Qi-Refining cultivators spent their days in restless toil, measuring life in days, months, at most a handful of years. But for Foundation Establishment cultivators, the meaning of time changed entirely.

Luo Chen had come to feel this difference deeply throughout his journey. Whether it was Shopkeeper Liu from the Spirit Herb Pavilion or Tian Xingzi of the Precious Dragon Black Market, whenever they spoke of time, they always used phrases like ”soon” or ”not long at all.”

At first, he thought they meant a few days. Only later did he realize that their ”soon” often meant several months or even years. It was then that he understood how high-tier cultivators perceived time completely differently from those in the low-tier.

Now, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator himself, that understanding struck even deeper.

A single secluded cultivation session could take a year or three. If his cultivation continued to rise, a single seclusion might stretch to five years... or even ten.

To the one cultivating, that time would pass in a blur. But for his friends and loved ones, it could mean a long and lonely stretch of life. When he emerged, those he cared about might have already perished from old age, fading quietly into death. The faction he led might weather storms, rise and fall, all without him.

Foundation Establishment Initiate... Foundation Establishment Initiate! Only after Foundation Establishment does one become a true cultivator!

Luo Chen didn’t want to emerge from a long seclusion someday only to find his friends and the Luo Tian Society had become relics of the past.

Wang Yuan may have possessed the battle prowess of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but strictly speaking, he was not a true Foundation Establishment cultivator by cultivation. He could defend the society in day-to-day affairs, but matters requiring true Foundation Establishment status were harder to manage.

Now, with Duan Feng’s advancement, that awkward gap was finally resolved.

***

The internal Foundation Establishment Ceremony came to an end.

In front of Luo Chen, Duan Feng suddenly spoke up. ”I want to marry Feng Xia!”

Luo Chen turned his gaze to the woman standing awkwardly at Duan Feng’s side and smiled faintly. ”That’s wonderful news. No need to report it so formally.”

Seeing that Luo Chen had no objection, Feng Xia let out a quiet breath of relief. She didn’t know why, but ever since Luo Chen had stepped into Foundation Establishment, his presence had grown increasingly imposing. At first, she thought it was merely the natural suppression of a higher cultivation.

But after the incident with Qu Lingjun and Mi Li, unease had taken root in her heart. What if she and Duan Feng ever faced Luo Chen’s disapproval?

Duan Feng chuckled. ”I’m just informing you, don’t make it sound like a report. But you’d better prepare a good gift for us!”

”You little rascal, so that’s what you were after.” Luo Chen laughed and cursed lightly, then asked in passing when they planned to hold the wedding.

Duan Feng already had an answer ready. ”Once I’ve fully stabilized my cultivation, I’ll hold the ceremony and make Sister Xia my official Dao companion!”

”No problem. When the time comes, I’ll have the Luo Tian Society throw you a grand celebration. The atmosphere will be perfect!” Luo Chen laughed heartily, then turned to Feng Xia with a warm smile. ”Sister Xia, congratulations!”

Feng Xia opened her mouth, but her eyes brimmed with tears before she could speak. In a hoarse voice, she managed only two words. ”Thank you.”

Simple words, yet her emotions were deeply tangled. It was hard to tell whether she was thanking Luo Chen for blessing her marriage with Duan Feng, or for all the support he had given Duan Feng.

Luo Chen simply laughed it off, casually accepting her gratitude.

Feng Xia was a fine woman. Her cultivation was nothing to scoff at; she had been among those who reached the ninth stage of Qi-Refining in the Luo Tian Society last year. Luo Chen wasn’t sure if she had the potential to reach Foundation Establishment, but she was undoubtedly worthy of Duan Feng!

In fact, it might be more accurate to say that Duan Feng owed her this. After all, everyone had witnessed Feng Xia’s dedication and sacrifices for Duan Feng along the way.

After a few more words of casual chatter, Luo Chen left the two of them their space. Many others still wanted to speak with Duan Feng.

As for himself, he made his way toward one of the outlying halls. Someone was already waiting there.

”Liuzi, settling in well here at the Luo Tian Society?” Luo Chen asked.

Since joining, Xu Xiaoliu had shed much of the brashness of a street rogue, gaining a measure of calm and maturity. In Luo Chen’s presence, he had grown especially respectful. ”Reporting to you, president, life here is great. Far better than when I was drifting as a rogue cultivator.”

Luo Chen shook his head. ”It’s only because you used to hate being tied down. With your uncle’s connections, what Foundation Establishment faction wouldn’t have been glad to recruit you?”

Xu Xiaoliu gave a wry smile, his expression tinged with subtle emotions. He had once been young and naive, thinking that a rogue cultivator’s life, free of ties, free of burdens, was the ideal form of freedom. But some things in life leave one with no real choice. That complicated expression hinted at a story with its fair share of twists and regret.

Luo Chen, however, had no interest in prying.

With a flick of his wrist, a jade bottle emitting a faint chill appeared in his palm. A gentle push of spirit power sent it floating toward Xu Xiaoliu.

”Your uncle, Xu Jingnian, has some ties with Elder Shi Boying of Binglan Palace, doesn’t he?”

Xu Xiaoliu blinked in surprise, staring at the cold jade bottle before quickly nodding. ”There’s some connection, yes. What would you like me to do, president?”

Luo Chen said, ” Simple, ask your uncle to deliver this bottle of Jade Dew pills to Elder Shi. Tell him someone wishes to do business with the Ice Fortress.”

”Jade Dew pills!” Xu Xiaoliu’s eyes went wide in shock.