An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

At Danxia Peak, the four Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Luo Tian Society gathered in the Grand Hall.

Duan Feng looked at Luo Chen with clear worry in his eyes. ”Are you sure you want to attend Li Jinhuang’s funeral alone?”

”Don’t worry. I can handle it on my own,” Luo Chen replied calmly.

Duan Feng’s concern only deepened. ”How can we not worry? The Li family has been embroiled in constant conflict lately, and all sides are testing the waters. If we all go together, we might be able to suppress the situation with our presence. But you alone...”

His tone left little doubt that he did not have much confidence in Luo Chen’s chances.

Luo Chen didn’t bother to argue. Instead, he released a wave of spirit power, the unmistakable aura of a fourth stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Everyone in the hall froze in shock, except for Wang Yuan. Both Duan Feng and Min Longyu stood rooted to the spot, their eyes wide with disbelief.

”Ah! You’ve reached the middle stage!” Duan Feng exclaimed.

Only a few years had passed, yet Luo Chen had already reached the mid-stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Back when they were all at the ninth stage of Qi Refinement, Luo Chen had been only at the third or fourth stage. Later, while they were still stuck at the ninth stage, he had already stepped into Foundation Establishment. Now, after finally reaching the first stage of Foundation Establishment themselves, they found Luo Chen had already advanced another step, leaving them trailing in his wake. Everyone knew that while the gap between the early and the middle stage of Foundation Establishment wasn’t insurmountable, it was still significant.

Back in Dahe Market, Mi Shuhua, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, had commanded thousands in the Poshan Gang single-handedly. Ordinary Foundation Establishment Initiates didn’t dare provoke him. Even the Dajiang Gang had needed to ally with the Lianyun Trade Alliance before they dared challenge him.

In the final battle, it had taken five Foundation Establishment cultivators working together to deal with him. Even then, they couldn’t bring him down. In the end, it had taken a hidden Golden Core cultivator to finish the job.

Of course, Mi Shuhua had been a countryside cultivator without extraordinary techniques. But the Li family, for instance, had relied on Li Jinhuang alone to firmly suppress the three early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Hu family of Sandalwood Hill. That alone proved that mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators were genuine powerhouses. Even in Tianlan Immortal City, where Foundation Establishment cultivators were plentiful, a mid-stage one could still reign supreme. Ordinary people would never dare provoke them.

Once the initial shock faded, Duan Feng felt a measure of reassurance. Luo Chen was always meticulous and possessed countless hidden cards, and now, his cultivation was substantially higher. Unless a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator appeared, ordinary opponents would struggle to deal with him. But these experts rarely showed themselves, preferring to remain in seclusion in hopes of reaching Perfected Mastery and breaking through to the Golden Core Realm.

Even so, Duan Feng still didn’t understand why Luo Chen refused to take them along.

Luo Chen gave a simple explanation. ”I made it known long ago that I would attend Li Jinhuang’s funeral on the seventh day of his mourning period. If anyone with ill intentions wants to target the Luo Tian Society, they will seize this chance. Leaving you all behind is to ensure there are no gaps internally.”

Duan Feng nodded in sudden understanding, then said with confidence, ”With the three of us here, the Luo Tian Society will be safe!”

Luo Chen’s gaze sharpened. ”And what if the enemy that comes is more than the three of you can handle?”

Duan Feng was stunned. He had always considered himself one of the top experts in the Qi Refinement Realm, but he had only advanced to Foundation Establishment a few years ago and had just barely solidified his cultivation. In a one-on-one fight, he might have had some confidence in fending off an enemy. But if it came to facing multiple opponents at once... that was another matter entirely.

Wang Yuan and Min Longyu, standing nearby, also wore grim expressions.

”Don’t worry. I’ve found someone to help you,” Luo Chen said.

Clap, clap!

At the sound of his hands striking together, Xing Zhonghan stepped into the hall from outside.

After a brief introduction, Luo Chen continued, ”Once I leave, you should avoid leaving the mountain unless absolutely necessary. If any enemies try to take advantage of the situation, follow Wang Yuan’s orders. Also, Min Longyu must remain stationed at Danxia Peak!”

Everyone instinctively looked toward Min Longyu.

He smiled with confidence. ”Don’t worry. With me here, any enemy who comes will never leave!”

That was the assurance of a formation master. Duan Feng and Wang Yuan, who knew his abilities well, felt much more at ease. Xing Zhonghan, on the other hand, studied Min Longyu curiously, wondering what exactly gave him such confidence.

Boom!

Thunder rumbled overhead.

As Luo Chen stepped out of the Grand Hall, the skies opened and a downpour began. He stretched out his hand, feeling the rain that carried with it a hot, restless energy. His gaze grew distant.

It’s raining again, he thought.

He remembered faintly that during the battle of Xiaohuan Mountain, it had also rained at night. But back then, they had been the attackers. Now, the situation was reversed; they were on the defensive.

I hope everything goes smoothly.

With a soft sigh, Luo Chen looked up at the clouds rolling across the sky, then stepped forward into the wind and rain.

***

Beside the Qinhua River, the summer rain fell in torrents, splattering countless specks of dust. What had once been firm ground had already turned to mud, and the mournful wail of the suona pierced the downpour with a sharp, almost cutting edge.

The rain itself seemed like the collective tears of the Li family’s family members. After seven days of mourning, Li Jinhuang’s corpse was to be laid to rest in the family’s ancestral tomb.

By the bluestone at the riverside, a man in a crimson cloud robe stood holding an umbrella. The vivid red of his attire clashed starkly with the somber atmosphere of the funeral, yet no one from the Li family dared to rebuke him.

It wasn’t just because of the difference in cultivation. It was also because in this delicate period, the only Foundation Establishment Initiate who had come personally to pay respects to the Li family was this man.

The leader of Luo Tian Society, Luo Chen!

Standing by river, with the rising waters lapping near his feet, Luo Chen watched the funeral procession slowly move ahead.

A heavy coffin, carried by three ninth-stage Qi Refinement cultivators from the Li family and Li Jinhuang’s son-in-law, Yuan Dongsheng, emerged from the Li family’s Grand Hall. They moved with solemn steps toward the ancestral tomb.

At the head of the procession walked Li Yingzhang, a sword at his waist and a wooden memorial tablet in his hands. Rain streamed down his face, mingling with tears, yet his gaze remained steady, and his steps unshaken by the storm.

When Luo Chen’s gaze fell upon the coffin, he knew Li Jinhuang’s remains lay within. Yet he thought the old patriarch might not rest in peace for long.

The next moment, three streaks of light flew in from the horizon.

Li Yingzhang froze.

Between the approaching figures and the funeral procession stood the red figure holding an umbrella.

Would he make a move? Li Yingzhang wondered.

As if in answer, the crimson-robed man lifted his head.

”Fellow Daoists, today is the day we lay Fellow Daoist Li Jinhuang to rest,” Luo Chen called out. ”If you’ve come to pay respects, you may join us for a drink. But if you’ve come looking for trouble, you’d best turn back where you came from.”

The three streaks of light stopped. The one in front looked down coldly at the man by the bluestone.

”Luo Chen from the Luo Tian Society?”

”Indeed, that is me,” Luo Chen replied with a faint smile, his tone unhurried, showing no hint of nervousness. ”And you must be Hu Changxi of the Hu family?”

Hu Changxi’s expression darkened, though he kept his composure. ”Since you know who I am, you must also know of the deep grudge between my Hu family and the Li family. I advise you not to stand in my way.”

Luo Chen let out a mocking laugh. ”If you had such a grudge, why didn’t you settle it while Li Jinhuang was still alive?”

Hu Changxi’s face froze. He could not very well admit that, back when Li Jinhuang was still alive, the three Hu brothers together had been unable to match him. Drawing a deep breath, he shifted his gaze to the hills on both sides of the river. In the shadows of the mountains, countless cultivators flickered in and out of sight, many of them Foundation Establishment Initiates like himself.

Perfect. That was exactly the scene he had hoped for.

Hu Changxi looked back at Luo Chen. ”Let’s not dwell on the past. But today, I am determined to destroy the Li family.”

A mocking smile tugged at Luo Chen’s lips. ”So it’s not revenge you’re after,” he said coldly. ”You’re here to seize the Li family’s assets. Robbing the bereaved... how disgraceful.”

”Disgraceful? Hahahaha!” Hu Changxi suddenly burst out laughing, his voice echoing between the riverbanks and the hills.

Abruptly, his laughter cut off.

”You speak of disgrace! Aren’t you just pretending to pay respects so you can take all the Li family’s assets for yourself?” he demanded.

Luo Chen tilted his umbrella slightly, letting the rain patter onto his sleeve. ”At the very least, with me here, there will be no bloodshed in the Li family today,” he said.

Though his tone was calm, the resolve in his voice was unshakable.

Hu Changxi’s expression darkened as he extended his spirit consciousness. He swept the surroundings and found no trace of any other Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Luo Tian Society.

Could it be that Luo Chen learned something in advance? Hu Changxi thought.

Before he could speak, his fourth brother, Hu Changle, sneered. ”Spouting all this talk of righteousness and morality. Aren’t you just hiding your filthy intentions? Someone like you dares to talk about virtue?”

”Big Brother, Fourth Brother, what’s the point of wasting words with him?” Hu Changnu said eagerly, pointing toward the funeral procession behind Luo Chen. ”He’s only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. He can’t stop the three of us! All we need is a single charge, and today will be the death anniversary of the entire Li family!”

Hu Changxi shook his head.

There was one thing Luo Chen had gotten exactly right. They spoke of revenge, but their true aim was the Li family’s long-established foundation. Sandalwood Hill had long since declined, unable to sustain the three brothers’ cultivation any longer. Only by seizing the Li family’s foundation could they talk about the future, and they were not the only ones eyeing the Li family now.

Whoever struck first would become the easiest target, but that first strike also meant taking the initiative. Under the guise of revenge, they could legitimately claim the Li family’s holdings. But once they took them, they would have to face threats from every side. That meant the three brothers could not afford to lose significant battle strength now. They had to keep their forces intact for the conflicts that would surely follow.

Luo Chen appeared to be only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, yet he had once defeated three peers with a single move. Unless absolutely necessary, Hu Changxi had no desire to clash with him directly.

Suppressing his impulse, Hu Changxi called out loudly, ”President Luo Chen!”

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. ”What else do you want?”

Hu Changxi spoke slowly, ”You’re standing up for the Li family only because the Luo Tian Society is connected to them by marriage. But to sacrifice the Luo Tian Society for the Li family... Do you really think it’s worth it?”

Sacrifice the Luo Tian Society? Luo Chen’s expression gradually darkened. ”What do you mean by that?”

Hu Changxi said, ”Nothing in particular, it’s just that I’ve heard some fellow cultivators are quite envious of the Luo Tian Society’s growth. While you’re stuck here, you’d better be careful your home base doesn’t get raided.”

Luo Chen frowned. ”Jealousy is everywhere. Even I envy Nascent Soul sects.”

”No, no, no!” Hu Changxi pressed. ”Times have changed. The Ice Fortress is about to withdraw, and you’re not at home. If someone heads to Danxia Peak and robs you blind, you’ll regret it!”

”Enough riddles,” Luo Chen replied coldly. ”Seems like you know something. Speak plainly, if it’s serious enough, I might just turn around and head back right now.”

A flash of triumph lit Hu Changxi’s eyes. ”From what I’ve heard, Lu Rong of the Divine Craftsman Sect, Ying Yang from the Sky Eagle Peak, and Miao Yu of the Jade True Temple are planning to raid the Luo Tian Society today. President Luo, you—”

”Ah, so they really are doing that” Luo Chen cut him off. He let out a mocking laugh. ”Nothing but mongrels. Who do they think they are to try and rob my Luo Tian Society?”

The taunt struck deep, and Hu Changxi’s face darkened further. His eyes grew so cold they seemed ready to drip with frost. ”So you’re really going to stand against us?”

”No.” Luo Chen’s voice turned solemn. ”It’s you who’ve chosen to stand against me.”

The rain pounded harder, the river below surging with restless force.

In that moment, the air itself seemed to freeze.

***

Meanwhile, at Danxia Peak, only a few hours after Luo Chen’s departure, Wang Yuan stood at the mountain’s summit, hands clasped behind his back as he gazed into the distance.

Rain fell steadily from the sky, but every drop that neared him evaporated before it could touch his robes, burned away by the surging blood qi radiating from his body.

Suddenly, three figures approached rapidly from beyond the mountain, one riding a flying enchanted artifact, another an eagle, and the third hurtling forward in a blaze of light. Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators typically conserved spirit power by using Cloud-Riding, but these three were advancing like arrows loosed from a bow, their killing intent too blatant to ignore.

”So Luo Chen was right,” Wang Yuan murmured. He raised a hand, and a massive curved bow materialized in his grasp.

The Sunset Bow, a top-grade mystical enchanted artifact.

Though only top-grade, it excelled at condensing a cultivator’s spirit power into a single, devastating long-range strike. Wang Yuan had thought of acquiring such a weapon back when he was still in Qi Refinement, cultivating at Danxia Peak. He had tasked Xu Xiaoliu to search every black market in the area. In the end, he had spent four thousand spirit stones to acquire this mystical enchanted artifact. Today would mark its first use, and he intended for its baptism to stir some serious waves.

Wang Yuan focused and his blood qi surged upward, power transforming within his body as his spirit power merged seamlessly in accordance with theQi-Physique Origin Method.

In his mind, he recalled Xing Zhonghan’s warning:

”The Ying family has occupied Sky Eagle Peak, breeding eagles to sell as transportation for cultivators. Their Sky-Soaring Eagles aren’t strong, but they’re incredibly fast. Especially the Sky-Rending Eagle owned by the family head, Ying Yang, it is only first-tier, but its speed rivals that of a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. To kill him, you must first take down the eagle!”

Wang Yuan’s eyes narrowed as he drew back the bowstring. Between his fingers, a crimson arrow of pure force slowly took form.

”I hate enemies that are faster than me the most,” he growled. ”So... die first.”

His mind focused, thought flowing as smoothly as water. He exhaled and spoke a single word: ”Swift!”

Before the word had fully left his lips, the crimson arrow tore from the bow, ripping through the air toward the outskirts of the mountain.

Whoosh!

The arrow flew with impossible speed, as if space itself folded ahead of it, shattering the sound barrier with a resounding boom. A trail of blood-red light flared across the sky, like the tail of a massive meteor.

The three approaching Foundation Establishment cultivators turned pale at once. The arrow had come too quickly, its power clearly gathered over time. There was no chance to coordinate; each could only attempt to dodge.

Their spirit consciousness gave them enough warning to evade, but the eagle was only first-tier. How could it hope to react in time?

Schick!

The bloody streak slashed through the air, and the eagle dropped from the sky in an instant.

”No!” Ying Yang’s furious roar split the air. His eyes turned blood-red as he glared up toward the peak of Danxia Peak. ”I’ll kill you for this!”

Wang Yuan merely looked at him calmly, not even opening his mouth.

At that moment, another voice rang out, ”I feel that you won’t be alive to do that.”

In the next instant, Xing Zhonghan burst forth from the mountain, layer upon layer of spirit light erupting from his body as he charged straight toward Ying Yang.