An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

The path of alchemy was not only about talent. More than anything, it demanded endless repetition and practice.

What was the so-called Dao of Alchemy? From practice came skill; from skill came precision; from precision came wonder; only then could one approach the Dao.

Alchemy embodied both innate talent and tireless refinement. A person with talent but no diligence held nothing more than an empty title, useful to no one. And if a person had no talent and relied solely on effort? Then one would only stray further down the wrong path with every step taken.

That truth wasn’t unique to alchemy. It held across the many arts of cultivation, a principle as vast and universal as the world itself.

No alchemist ever reached the higher tiers on talent alone. Countless hours of practice were non-negotiable. Yet a person’s strength could only go so far. That was why, in the early stages, those with the means would nurture a team of support cultivators who understood their preferences and rhythms, whose sole purpose was to support the act of refining pills. Without such support, even the basic groundwork and the tedious cleanup afterward were enough to grind a budding alchemist into the dirt.

Luo Chen had once walked that lonely path himself, back when he was nothing more than a rogue cultivator clinging to the bottom rung of the ladder. He had purchased his own herbs, processed every stalk, cleaned each tool, and haggled over every bottle of pills he sold. The sheer number of tasks he had to juggle had left him constantly breathless. To say he toiled day and night was hardly an exaggeration.

Hence, those who managed to reach the second tier or higher were rarely alone. They were either cultivated at great cost by sects or families, or they founded independent rogue cultivator forces tailored to their own needs, like Luo Chen himself. And whichever was the case, teams of support cultivators who tended to every detail of alchemy were absolutely indispensable. That was why Tao Wan and Chu Huai were genuinely shocked when Luo Chen declared that he needed no support at all.

Faced with their astonishment, Luo Chen offered no explanation. Instead, he turned his full attention to familiarizing himself with the functions of the Glazed Child Cauldron.

Its energy flow shifted constantly; under ordinary circumstances, it would only be considered a top-grade enchanted artifact. Yet the moment Luo Chen infused it with his spirit power, two hidden formations stirred to life. In that instant, its quality surged to the level of a supreme-grade enchanted artifact.

According to Chu Huai’s explanation, if the mother cauldron was present to resonate with it, even this child cauldron could rise to the level of a low-grade enchanted treasure. The revelation left Luo Chen inwardly shaken. The craftsmanship was profoundly extraordinary.

While Luo Chen studied the cauldron, Tao Wan casually began discussing the famed top-grade enchanted treasures of the Jade Cauldron Domain.

”In the cultivation world today, enchanted artifacts and treasures are everywhere across the Jade Cauldron Domain, yet their quality varies wildly.” She waved a hand as if to dismiss the vast majority of them. ”If we speak only of those truly worthy of renown, there are only a handful. The Green Pill Valley’s Azure Sky Glazed Cauldron is one. Others include the Flame Alliance’s Red Blaze Fan, Ice Fortress’s Moonlight Mirror, and Ailao Mountain’s Heaven-Measuring Ruler. Each of these top-grade enchanted treasures possesses extraordinary might!”

She smiled knowingly. ”Some are strong enough to determine the rise or fall of an entire sect. Some wield destructive force that can flatten mountains. There’s even a rumor that beyond the top-grade sword orbs used by Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, they still have a divine cauldron hidden within their mountain, one that anchors their entire sect’s destiny.”

Luo Chen listened with interest, his mind drifting as he recalled the towering structure he had once seen at Dahe Market. It was the Demon Locking Pagoda, the treasure of the Valley of Ghosts and Divinities. That item too, was a top-grade enchanted treasure. Now that it had fallen into the hands of the Falling Cloud Sect, paired with their newly advanced Nascent Soul Grand Elder, the combination was undoubtedly fearsome.

While they chatted idly, Luo Chen refined a few herbs using the Glazed Child Cauldron and had grasped a basic understanding of its overall functions. The cauldron had no unusual tricks or gimmicks, only the purest formations designed to aid in alchemy. That was probably why all thirty-six child cauldrons could work in unison with the mother cauldron. Its design was focused and uncompromising, discarding every unnecessary function for the sole purpose of refining pills. That simplicity made it easy even for a second-tier alchemist like Luo Chen to master.

”No issues, right?” Tao Wan asked from the side.

Luo Chen nodded.

With that confirmed, Chu Huai stepped forward and led them toward the Outer Affairs Palace of Pill Valley to handle their registration. The Dao Scion competitions of Green Pill Valley had been held for centuries, and their procedures were incredibly refined. Unless disrupted by extraordinary circumstances, every step followed strict and established rules.

The rules for participation were clear. In the first round, each True Inheritor could invite no more than three assistants to help defend the platform. The second round, devoted to alchemy, was divided into three stages.

As they walked, Chu Huai explained each stage in detail, ”The first stage tests foundational skills. Everyone receives the same ingredients and is ranked on how quickly and cleanly they prepare them. The second stage tests the refinement of first-tier pills, while the third focuses on second-tier pills.

”But here is the catch,” he said with a grin, ”both pill formulas are newly created by our sect’s third-tier alchemists within the past century. You won’t find them anywhere in the outside world. Before the contest begins, external retainers like yourself must sign a binding contract, promising that these recipes will never be leaked or used for trade without the sect’s permission.”

Hearing this, Luo Chen paused in surprise. Newly invented formulas? And they were developed by Green Pill Valley’s third-tier alchemists within the last century?

Noticing Luo Chen’s reaction, Chu Huai smiled and explained, ”This is a rule established by our sect’s founding Grand Elder. Only newly developed alchemical formulas may be used in the Dao Scion competitions. Even if there is no new second-tier formula, the first-tier one must still be newly invented.”

Tao Wan gave a small nod. ”Exactly. The Grand Elder doesn’t want Green Pill Valley to grow complacent. He wants us juniors to inherit the past while creating the future, always pushing forward in the Dao of Alchemy.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Chen couldn’t help but feel deeply moved. The founding Grand Elder of Green Pill Valley had truly been farsighted. He had heard far too many tales of Golden Core sects that, for one reason or another, had vanished one by one in the long river of history. Yet Green Pill Valley had endured countless storms and only grown more prosperous. Surely the guiding principles left behind by that Grand Elder played no small part.

Before long, the registration and contract procedures were completed.

To Chu Huai’s surprise, the name Luo Chen signed was Dan Chenzi. An alchemist with a Dao title?Looks like Senior Sister Tao went out and brought back someone formidable.

He kept his thoughts to himself as he escorted them out. Along the way, he carefully outlined the rules and schedule for the contest.

”The second round will be held after the first concludes, so we still have a full month,” Chu Huai explained. ”Before the first round begins, our sect elders will distribute the alchemical formulas to all participating alchemists in advance. That way, you’ll have time to prepare.”

He held up three fingers. ”Out of the three stages, winning even one is enough to pass. But securing two victories greatly improves your placement in the Grand True Inheritor ranking. And if you manage to place in the top three across all three events combined, Senior Sister Tao Wan’s Grand True Inheritor standing will almost certainly reach the top three overall.”

He explained everything in great detail, and it was quite complex. On the side, Tao Wan’s expression grew solemn, her beautiful eyes glanced at Luo Chen from time to time.

What reassured her was that Luo Chen showed no sign of anxiety or fear. Instead, his demeanor remained calm and composed, as if the alchemy tournament a month away was no cause for concern at all[1].

Just as the three of them reached the doorway, a mocking voice suddenly rang out. ”Well, well, look who is it—Tao Wan!”

At that voice, Tao Wan’s brief calm vanished. Her expression hardened, elegant brows arching sharply as she glared without a shred of courtesy.

”Shangguan Yan!”

Luo Chen’s gaze flickered as he looked toward the source of the voice. There were two men and a woman, with the white-robed woman leading the group. She bore that same familiar arrogance Luo Chen had once seen on Tao Wan when they first met. But beneath that pride lay an overbearing sense of entitlement, as though the entire world rightfully belonged to her.

Her cultivation was nothing to scoff at either—the ninth stage of Foundation Establishment. Her spirit power blazed freely, without restraint.

According to what Tao Yisheng had said before arriving at Green Pill Valley, Shangguan Yan was one of Tao Wan’s greatest threats in the fight for the Dao Scion. Now that he saw her, it was clear that at the very least, her cultivation was on par with Tao Wan’s.

Perhaps she noticed his stare, or perhaps she had known of him all along. Either way, Shangguan Yan cast a mocking glance at him, her lips curling faintly. ”This one? He’s the rogue cultivator you went all the way to Tianlan Immortal City to fetch, after failing to keep Huang Hezi?”

In that sentence, she mocked Tao Wan for losing a key supporter, belittled Luo Chen’s rogue cultivator origins, and painted him as a mere substitute for the departed Huang Hezi.

Tao Wan’s expression turned cold. She said coldly, ”Shangguan Yan, your tongue cuts deep. I only wonder if your sword will cut as well when we stand on the dueling stage.”

Shangguan Yan let out a dry chuckle. ”Without Huang Hezi, relying on a rogue cultivator like him, what rank do you think you’ll reach? I bet you won’t even make it far enough to face me!”

Tao Wan snorted and shifted her gaze to the elderly man standing just behind Shangguan Yan, the one who had studiously avoided her eyes from the start.

”A man who breaks his word has no right to call himself one of Green Pill Valley’s Seven Prodigies,” she said icily. ”Do you think you deserve to be compared to Dan Chenzi?”

With that, she turned away without sparing another glance and walked off with Luo Chen at her side.

Many disciples who had gathered at the entrance of the Outer Affairs Palace to watch the commotion instinctively turned their gazes toward the elderly man. Huang Hezi’s face went from pale to livid, his beard trembling with suppressed rage. When in his long life had he ever endured such humiliation?

Shangguan Yan’s smile faltered. Tao Wan had not wasted her words on her, but had driven the blade straight at Huang Hezi. The strike landed perfectly. If Huang Hezi was shaken by the exchange, if he let pride affect his performance during the competition, it would certainly impact her True Inheritor ranking later on.

”You don’t need to listen to that bitch,” Shangguan Yan said quickly. ”She never trusted you in the first place. There was no betrayal here.”

Huang Hezi’s expression eased slightly.

”Besides,” she continued, ”she says I’m sharp-tongued, but wasn’t that speech meant only to shake your Dao heart? You are one of Green Pill Valley’s Seven Prodigies. Everyone knows it. And that Dan Chenzi? He isn’t even fifty yet. Even if he started refining pills at birth, how could he ever compare to you?”

Huang Hezi couldn’t help but nod, a look of pride blooming on his face. When it came to alchemy, he did have the right to speak.

Shangguan Yan, seeing his mood lift, finally let out a quiet breath of relief.

The old bastard was truly a troublesome one. No wonder Tao Wan had failed to keep him by her side. She knew she would have to tread carefully with her words; if he felt even slightly offended and chose to hold back during the competition, the consequences would be disastrous. To prevent such a risk, she resolved to have him sign a binding contract as soon as possible.

Shangguan Yan immediately hurried into the Outer Affairs Palace with Huang Hezi in tow.

Only after they left did the surrounding cultivators slowly disperse. Whispers of discussion could still be faintly heard from behind the scenes.

”Senior Sister Shangguan really is just like Senior Sister Tao Wan said, her sharp tongue is no less lethal than a sword.”

”It only took her a few words to calm Senior Brother Huang Hezi. Everyone knows how temperamental he is.”

”Who knows what kind of sect leader she’ll become if she seizes the Dao Scion and successfully forms a core?”

”I still prefer Senior Sister Tao Wan. She may be proud, but she’s not like... that.”

”Hehe, they don’t stand a chance. Senior Brother Dan Yangzi is participating in the Dao Scion competition. In all of Green Pill Valley, who can match him?”

”You’re right. I support Senior Brother!”

***

They soared over Yuanhua Mountain and left the boundaries of Green Pill Valley behind. Two figures glided leisurely atop drifting clouds.

”Thanks for earlier,” Luo Chen said.

”Thank me?” Tao Wan replied, her tone indifferent. ”For speaking up? I only did it for myself.”

Luo Chen chuckled softly and said nothing more.

As they neared the outskirts of Small Southern Mountain, he suddenly asked, ”Does your Tao family have any more Rainbow Chrysanthemum pills?”

Tao Wan looked puzzled. ”Of course we do. That’s one of Small Southern Mountain’s main industries. Didn’t Yisheng already give you three freshly refined ones?”

”No,” Luo Chen clarified, ”I mean mid-grade or top-grade ones. If there’s even a supreme-grade Rainbow Chrysanthemum pill, that would be ideal.”

A faint crease formed between Tao Wan’s brows as she considered. ”Since the passing of the Grand Elder, our family has lacked truly gifted alchemists. We have never managed to refine any top-grade Rainbow Chrysanthemum pills.”

Luo Chen couldn’t help but show a trace of disappointment; he had previously consumed those three Rainbow Chrysanthemum pills, and the medicinal potency had been a bit underwhelming. It was like the relationship between Jade Essence pills and qi-nourishing pills—both were first-tier cultivation pills, but the Jade Essence pill’s medicinal potency was far inferior to the qi-nourishing pill. Only a top-grade Jade Essence pill could barely match a low-grade qi-nourishing pill.

After taking those Rainbow Chrysanthemum pills, Luo Chen estimated their medicinal effect was roughly half that of Green Pill Valley’s Ascending Dragon pills. He now genuinely wanted to know how potent the top-grade versions of the pill were. Only with that information could he decide whether or not to return and dedicate himself fully to refining this pill after the Green Pill Valley’s Dao Scion competition.

Tao Wan noticed the trace of regret on Luo Chen’s face and said, ”When I return, I’ll search the Tao family vault and see if the Grand Elder left behind any top-grade pills. If there are any, I’ll bring them to you!”

Luo Chen’s eyes lit up. ”Fellow Daoist, I’ll be counting on you!”

***

After returning from the Pill Valley, Luo Chen remained secluded within the Tao family’s Mohe Garden. He did not step outside even once. Beyond his daily cultivation, nearly all of his time was devoted to studying the alchemical formula for the Rainbow Chrysanthemum pill. He analyzed the corresponding medicinal ingredients thoroughly.

”The main ingredients are actually three types of chrysanthemum, and all are specialties of Small Southern Mountain. If I want to refine this pill in large quantities in the future, I’ll have to procure it from the Tao family. In time, that will bind our relationship more and more tightly.”

Could this have been Tao Wan’s intention all along? Luo Chen wondered. He set the formula aside and rubbed his forehead.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed outside the courtyard.

Moments later, Tao Yisheng appeared, rushing in with two boxes clutched in his hands. His eyes lit up when he spotted Luo Chen reading in the courtyard.

”Brother Luo, your top-grade Rainbow Chrysanthemum pills are here!”

At those words, Luo Chen’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

1. The raws state two months, but a few lines later Chu Huai mentions that only one month remains. I have adjusted it to one month for consistency. ☜