An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

”That’s strange...” Standing quietly outside Tao Yisheng’s cave residence, Luo Chen narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself. ”It has already been two months. Why hasn’t he come out of seclusion?”

No matter how curious he felt, he had no intention of seeking Tao Yisheng out directly. Since he had already committed to the tactic of playing hard to get, he needed to see it through. If he wavered now, he would only find himself at a disadvantage in future negotiations. For now, maintaining a calm and unhurried stance gave him the advantage.

What gave Luo Chen the confidence to stay composed was the doubled speed of his cultivation after completing the Meridian Unblocking. He had already calculated that he now stood a real chance of reaching Perfected Mastery of the Foundation Establishment Realm before the end of his lifespan.

He was just over forty years old. By the standards of the major sects, his cultivation pace already matched the top talents of his generation. With more than two hundred years of life remaining, he was confident that even without Green Pill Valley’s top-grade pills, he would eventually find other ways to accelerate his progress. So there was no need to rush.

Besides, his daily routine was already filled with many responsibilities. For instance, Blood Fiend pills and Jade Dew pills still had plenty of room for improvement. If he could completely master them, then he would free up plenty of his time.

With that in mind, Luo Chen chose to focus on the Blood Fiend pill first. The reason was simple. His remaining ingredients were few, and if he refined them without pause, they would be gone in less than half a month.

Although both he and Wang Yuan had already completed Meridian Unblocking and no longer relied on the Blood Fiend pills for that purpose, the pill still greatly supported Wang Yuan’s Physique Refinement. Luo Chen himself could also gain achievement points from refining them. Since the ingredients were precious, he could not allow them to go to waste.

During the following days, Luo Chen adjusted his routine and devoted himself to refining the Blood Fiend pills.

Half a month later, he used up the last chunk of Yin Wood and shook his head with regret. The Netherworld Yin Fiend material had been completely spent, just barely enough to push his refinement of the Blood Fiend pill to Perfected Mastery.

Even so, his efforts had not been in vain. He had gained five achievement points, further solidified his cultivation, and stockpiled more than two thousand Blood Fiend pills. Most were of top-grade quality, while a fair number were low and mid-grade ones. Among them were several, even a dozen supreme-grade Blood Fiend pills!

Luo Chen planned to keep only a few for emergencies and give the rest to Wang Yuan. After all, Wang Yuan had spent years gathering those materials and had even exhausted his savings for the cause. Now, he lived sparingly on his salary from the Luo Tian Society. Among the Foundation Establishment Initiates in the society, he was perhaps the most frugal.

With this batch of high-quality Blood Fiend pills from Luo Chen, he likely wouldn’t have to worry about resources for quite a while.

”If only I had a second-tier alchemical formula that matched my own cultivation...” Luo Chen’s joy carried a trace of regret. If he possessed such a formula, he would not need to depend on the Tao siblings. He could focus entirely on strengthening the Luo Tian Society, earning resources, and purchasing materials to refine his own pills.

A sudden thought stirred in his mind. If Ice Fortress failed to provide what I want, perhaps the Tao family will. Their ancestor is the renowned alchemist Adept Nanshan.

Muttering to himself, Luo Chen tidied the alchemy room. When everything was in order, he left Tianlan Peak. It had been a long while since he last visited the Luo Tian Society, and it was time to show himself again.

***

Outside the Succession Palace, the white jade plaza gleamed beneath the scorching sun. A lone youth stood at its center, practicing a set of martial techniques with focused determination.

Luo Chen dispelled his Cloud-Riding and descended. ”Xiaolong!”

The boy’s eyes lit up the moment he saw Luo Chen. ”Uncle Luo!”

Just as he was about to rush forward, a small pebble shot through the air and struck his back. The sharp pain made him jolt as if he’d been stabbed.

”Finish the Five Qi Divine Fist before you speak!” a cold voice rang out from within the Grand Hall.

Zeng Yilong’s eyes filled with tears as he looked at Luo Chen in grief.

”Listen to your master.” Luo Chen chuckled, shook his head, and continued toward the Grand Hall.

As he passed the youth, he reached out and ruffled the boy’s hair. ”Come find me later, I have a gift for you.”

Zeng Yilong’s expression brightened once more, and he nodded eagerly. He turned back to his practice, punching with stubborn determination. His movements were still stiff, yet his arms and legs extended with effort, and thin threads of spirit energy slowly gathered around his body.

Luo Chen observed thoughtfully. This set of punches seems to combine both Physique Refinement and Qi Refinement, but the spirit energy absorption is a bit slow. Did Wang Yuan develop this recently?

He entered the Grand Hall.

Wang Yuan glanced up at him. ”You’re here.”

”Yeah, I’m here.” Luo Chen responded, then pointed toward Zeng Yilong outside. ”What is that form?”

”Didn’t you just hear? It’s the Five Qi Divine Fist.”

Luo Chen sighed. ”You know what I mean.”

Wang Yuan placed the book aside. ”I still can’t create a second-tier technique on my own, but I have accumulated enough insights over the years to merge several first-tier methods into one.”

”Combining Physique Refinement and Qi Refinement?” Luo Chen asked.

”Exactly.” A rare trace of pride crossed Wang Yuan’s face. ”The Five Qi Divine Fist draws from the Divine Breaker of Malevolence, the Qi-Physique Origin Method, and the Five Organs Nourishment Fist. By retaining their strengths and removing harmful elements such as fiend qi and excessive strain on the spirit, I created a method that tempers the body while drawing in spirit energy. It allows the cultivation of both body and technique, and it provides a solid foundation even in the lower realms.”

Luo Chen glanced back at the boy on the plaza. Zeng Yilong’s body was drenched in sweat, yet each punch carried a stubborn persistence. The techniques clearly preserved the advantages of the other methods while discarding their flaws. It proved especially effective for laying down a stable foundation in the early stages.

Even so, Luo Chen voiced his concern. ”Cultivation still seems a little slow.”

Wang Yuan nodded. ”Indeed. That’s the biggest flaw of this technique. But Xiao Long has dual spirit roots. Slower speed in exchange for firmer foundations will only benefit him in the long run.”

Luo Chen considered his words before speaking again. ”Could this method be taught to the other low-tier cultivators in the Luo Tian Society?”

At this, Wang Yuan frowned. He paused in thought before replying uncertainly, ”It might be possible, but only with a simplified version.”

”Oh? Why’s that?”

”As it stands, the Five Qi Divine Fist demands both innate talent and sufficient external resources. Most people just don’t meet the requirements.”

Luo Chen understood.

Zeng Yilong had grown up with every advantage. His late father, Zeng Wen, had left behind a formidable network of allies before his passing. His mother, Xiugu, still held an important position within the Luo Tian Society. With Wang Yuan as his master, he had never once lacked cultivation resources during his formative years. For others, the situation was entirely different. Most lacked such backing, and most did not possess the talent either.

”I’ll look into it later, though,” Wang Yuan said casually. ”Perhaps I can work out a simplified version.”

Researching cultivation techniques had always been his passion. That was the very reason he had agreed to take on the position of Succession Palace Leader in the first place.

He lifted his gaze toward Luo Chen with curiosity. ”You usually visit Danxia Peak to see Director Sima. Why have you come here today?”

”I brought you something.” Luo Chen kept his eyes on Zeng Yilong but handed Wang Yuan a storage pouch with deliberate ease.

Wang Yuan instinctively extended his spirit consciousness into it. The moment he sensed what was inside, his entire body stiffened. Inside were Blood Fiend pills, stacked in overwhelming numbers.

He took out a few, and his expression turned utterly shocked. ”Top-grade Blood Fiend pills... What the hell, there are even supreme-grade ones!”

He gulped hard and asked in a shaky voice, ”You made all of these?”

”Who else but me?” Luo Chen replied.

Wang Yuan shook his head at once. ”You know what I mean. I may not know much about alchemy, but you have only been refining Blood Fiend pills for a few short years. How could you already refine so many top-grade and even supreme-grade ones? That is terrifying.”

Luo Chen knew very well how unbelievable it might seem for someone to pour their full focus into refining just one kind of pill. But some truths were better left unspoken.

He gave a faint smile. ”I have only been refining for a short while, but I studied the formula for a long time. Since you had already gathered the materials, it was not difficult for me to apply it.”

He made it sound effortless, but Wang Yuan still found it hard to believe. The ability to refine so many top-grade and even supreme-grade pills in such a short time was a feat worthy of a renowned alchemy master. These were not first-tier pills. They were second-tier pills of rare quality.

Wang Yuan stared at Luo Chen, who remained calm and modest. In that moment, he realized that his friend and boss might be concealing far more than he had imagined. But he chose not to pursue the matter further. Instead, he sighed, ”With these high-quality Blood Fiend pills, my progress in the Blood River Realm might skyrocket.”

”Then congratulations,” Luo Chen said with a grin.

Wang Yuan shook his head, clutching the deceptively light yet weighty storage pouch. ”You’ve done me such a huge favor, I really don’t know how I should—”

”Okay, let’s stop right there.” Luo Chen raised a hand in mock authority and cut him off. ”Between brothers, such words are meaningless.”

Wang Yuan burst into laughter. ”I suppose I was being sentimental.”

Luo Chen answered with a nod. After delivering the goods, he saw no reason to linger. He accepted a copy of Wang Yuan’s new technique and departed from the Succession Palace.

By the time he reached Huixin Hall, a meeting was already in progress.

There weren’t many participants—just Sima Huiniang, Gu Caiyi, and Qin Liangchen.

Luo Chen stood outside, using his powerful spirit consciousness to eavesdrop on the conversation within. The discussion mainly involved how to expand business operations and how to allocate personnel from the Gold Hall and Glorious Light Palace. They also mentioned plans for the Luo Tian Society to open new shops at Tianyi Market and Luosha Market. Every detail had been carefully considered, and the atmosphere carried a strong sense of progress.

Time slipped by, and the meeting gradually drew to an end.

”Palace Leader Qin, your Foundation Establishment breakthrough is scheduled for next month. Make sure to hand over the affairs of the Glorious Light Palace properly,” Sima Huiniang instructed.

Qin Liangchen looked both excited and tense, though his expression remained composed. ”Don’t worry. I won’t allow any matters of the society to be delayed.”

The sound of footsteps echoed as two figures exited the hall after the meeting was dismissed. The moment he stepped outside, Qin Liangchen was startled to see Luo Chen leaning casually against the wall of the Huixin Hall. It seemed that he had been waiting there for some time.

”President, when did you arrive?”

”I got here when you were discussing the first batch of Amber Silkworm silk,” Luo Chen said with a quiet laugh.

Qin Liangchen made a sound of realization. It had indeed been a while.

Luo Chen reached into his sleeve and produced a jade vial. ”This is for you. It is a top-grade revitalization liquid. Use it when you break through to Foundation Establishment. Its life-preserving effect is several times greater than the low-grade version.”

He placed the vial in Qin Liangchen’s hand and patted his arm. ”Do not let your injury weigh on your heart when the time comes. At the very least, your life will be safe.”

Qin Liangchen flushed. The words struck at the worry that had haunted him for weeks. As he held the jade vial, he finally allowed himself to breathe in relief. The gift carried far more than medicine. It was trust, and it was reassurance.

”Thank you,” he said with deep emotion.

Luo Chen smiled and accepted his gratitude without further comment.

Then his gaze shifted to Gu Caiyi, who had remained silent beside them throughout. She had been watching him all this time. But the moment their eyes met, she turned her head away.

A faint ache welled up in her chest, a quiet, sour pang she could not name. Why am I avoiding this?

She forced herself to turn back and meet Luo Chen’s eyes.

Luo Chen’s voice carried calm approval. ”Not bad. Your spirit power has grown much stronger. In another year or two, you should reach Perfected Mastery of the Qi Refinement Realm, and Foundation Establishment will be within reach.”

The same old remarks. Gu Caiyi bit her lip and suddenly asked something that startled Qin Liangchen, “Don’t you have anything else you want to say to me?”

Luo Chen froze, then suddenly understood. Under her hopeful gaze, he took out a jade bottle and placed it in her hand. ”Just like before, one pill a month. Use the method I taught you and absorb the medicinal power slowly.”

With that said, he nodded to both of them and walked into Huixin Hall. The light outside gave way to the dim interior, and his figure was soon swallowed by the shadows. In that fleeting moment, Gu Caiyi felt as though something inside her had been swallowed as well.

She lowered her gaze to the jade bottle in her hand. Her face had turned pale, and her fingers clenched tightly around the smooth surface.

Qin Liangchen, though rough in manner, was not a fool. As an outsider, he saw her feelings more clearly than those involved. The look on her face told him everything.

He shook his head and spoke as he turned to leave. ”Sometimes, people need to be braver. When I attempt my Foundation Establishment breakthrough, I cannot allow hesitation or fear. Only then will I truly live up to my brother’s goodwill.”

Gu Caiyi’s heart trembled. She looked up, but Qin Liangchen had already walked far away.

Her gaze lingered on the silent Huixin Hall before falling once more to the jade bottle in her hand. Right... When did I become so timid? I was the one who met him first. We shared the same siheyuan. So why did someone else step ahead of me? I was not like this before. When did I begin to feel inferior to him?

Her thoughts surged like a restless tide, and every step she took felt unbearably heavy.

***

Inside Huixin Hall, Sima Huiniang regarded Luo Chen with a look that was half smile and half smirk.

”You gave her a Jade Dew pill?” she asked.

Luo Chen sat down beside her without the slightest trace of propriety. He pressed against her, nudging her full figure aside as though it had always been his place.

”What, are you jealous?” he asked.

Sima Huiniang let out a soft laugh. ”Hardly. I have neither the time nor the courage to be jealous of our president.”

Luo Chen curled his lip. ”Yes, I gave her a Jade Dew pill, but it was only a low-grade one. With her cultivation, she can’t handle anything stronger. Even that single pill will take her a long time to absorb.”

Sima Huiniang sighed helplessly. She understood the bond between Luo Chen and Gu Caiyi all too well. Back in Crescent Moon Valley, when she had first been appointed director of the Luo Tian Society, she had often seen Gu Caiyi cracking melon seeds for Luo Chen while they discussed cultivation techniques. Those intimate scenes had already revealed that their relationship was far from shallow.

”You don’t need to explain yourself to me,” she said quietly. ”I don’t care about that.”

”Then what do you care about?” Luo Chen turned her face toward him and asked, ”Your brother failed his breakthrough and now stands on the brink of death. Why did you not tell me?”

Sima Huiniang’s expression dimmed at once. When she saw the concern in Luo Chen’s eyes, she lowered her gaze and murmured, ”Everyone has their own fate. You have already given us so much. How could I trouble you with this as well?”

Luo Chen snorted. ”I know you have always tried to avoid suspicion. But Sima Xian is not only your brother. He is the Battle Palace Leader of the Luo Tian Society. Now come on, take me to see him.”