An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Dong! Dong! Dong!

Three sonorous chimes rang out across the land, their echoes carrying for thousands of li and rising into the cloudless sky. In that instant, beams of Light-Evasion streaked from every direction as cultivators soared toward the five towering peaks of Green Pill Valley.

Spirit energy surged and shimmered like a sea of radiance, forming iridescent mist that hung in the air. The streaks of light transformed into manifestations of the five elements, painting the sky in a dazzling formation of color.

Many Foundation Establishment cultivators were dressed in formal robes, rode clouds, and arrived with elegant smiles and cheerful chatter, like honored guests arriving for a grand feast. At the heart of it all stood Luo Chen, walking quietly beside Tao Yisheng, utterly dwarfed by the sheer majesty unfolding around them.

As he looked around, he briefly lost himself in the grandeur of the moment. The spectacle truly deserved to be called a gathering of myriad immortals. Compared to this, the Foundation Establishment Ceremony at Danxia Peak seemed nothing more than child’s play.

No wonderInitiates rarely host ceremonies. What spectacle could compare to this?

Tao Wan led their group, which consisted of Tao Daonan, Qi Lingyun, and a senior brother of hers at the eighth stage of Foundation Establishment who had once fought in the previous True Inheritor duel. With Luo Chen joining them for the second round, their core lineup for the Dao Scion competition was finally complete. Luo Chen, of course, was a crucial component of the team. As for the rest of the cultivators, most were just friends and relatives who had gathered to support Tao Wan.

Off to the side, Tao Yisheng explained to Luo Chen, ”Three chimes only sound when the Dao Scion competition begins. If there are six chimes, it means our sect has produced a new Golden Core Adept. When nine chimes ring, it signals either the birth of a Nascent Soul Sage or that Green Pill Valley faces a life-and-death crisis.”

Luo Chen asked curiously, ”Is this custom unique to Green Pill Valley, or do other sects in the Eastern Wilderness follow the same custom?”

”All follow the same custom,” Tao Yisheng replied with a nod.

Luo Chen felt a yearning rise in his heart. If I get the chance, I’ll implement something like this for the Luo Tian Society, too. Well, the standard will have to be lower... The bell can ring nine times for the birth of an Adept.

Their conversation carried them over the five peaks until they finally entered the valley of alchemy. Upon seeing the valley, Luo Chen couldn’t help but be amazed. In just a short time, the entire place had transformed. Nine grand platforms stood fully constructed, no longer concealed by the spirit veil. Their imposing heights rose proudly, each topped by a tall building with a combat ring below. Together, the platforms formed a circle around a central space.

At the very center, a massive round platform towered above the rest. It had not yet been opened; it was clearly reserved for later rounds. Yet none of that drew the eye as much as what floated above.

A beautiful palace hovered overhead, surveying the entire alchemy valley from above. Within its clouded walls, silhouettes of cultivators could already be seen moving, faint outlines emerging and vanishing like spirits.

Tao Yisheng stood beside Luo Chen and explained, ”The Celestial Platform is actually a flying enchanted artifact in palace form. It is used by our sect leader to travel. Though this Dao Scion competition came somewhat unexpectedly, its scale will not be lacking. Each of the five peaks will send a Golden Core Adept to witness the battles. The Foundation Establishment cultivators you see are here as observers from other sects. Speaking of which, Brother Luo, you’ll need to head up shortly.”

”To receive the alchemical formula?”

”Yes! The Adept sent from Danyang Peak each year is always a Grand Alchemy Institute elder. Most new formulas originate there.”

After hearing this, Luo Chen took a deep breath, feeling a faint anticipation. Just as expected, not long after Tao Yisheng finished speaking, several Golden Core Adepts emerged, riding clouds from the five peaks.

Tao Yisheng introduced them to him. From Qingyun Peak came the sect leader; from Danyang Peak, an Elder of the Grand Alchemy Institute; and from Dragonhead Peak, a Golden Core Adept of considerable fame.

”And that one from Luojia Mountain,” Tao Yisheng added, gesturing discreetly, ”that’s my sister’s master, Adept Baisu. He is in the early stage of the Golden Core Realm. I didn’t expect him to show up. He must be here to support my sister.”

Luo Chen was surprised. Didn’t she claim to have no Golden Core backer? So she does have a lineage after all. But from what Tao Yisheng says, he wasn’t supposed to be here.

While they spoke, more brilliant light trails descended from Yuanhua Mountain. All were Golden Core Adepts, and their number clearly exceeded the five Tao Yisheng had first mentioned.

”They’re from the Seven Jade Cauldron Sects,” Tao Yisheng explained. ”But fewer came this time. Only the Falling Cloud Sect, Ailao Mountain, Hundred Flowers Palace, and the Ice Fortress sent representatives.”

Luo Chen’s mind turned sharp. So the Sword Sect and Flame Alliance didn’t send representatives? Could this mean the Seven Cauldron Sects are split into two factions led by the Falling Cloud Sect and the Sword Sect?

The Hundred Flowers Palace was usually neutral. With only three Golden Core Adepts, they were unlikely to involve themselves in anything major. The Ice Fortress, meanwhile, had secured Green Pill Valley’s management rights in Tianlan Immortal City for the next decade, yet they continued to maintain ambiguity. Even now, they refrained from intervening directly.

These thoughts churned within Luo Chen’s mind until Tao Wan’s voice rang out across the crowd. ”Claim a ring and hold it for fifteen days, and you shall become one of the Nine True Inheritors. Dan Chenzi, you may now step forward to receive the alchemical formula.”

A dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators turned their gaze toward Luo Chen in unison. There was curiosity, doubt, anticipation, and even envy.

Facing all these gazes, Luo Chen remained calm and composed. Calmly, he brushed his sleeve and summoned a white cloud beneath his feet. Without hesitation, he rose through the air, flying straight toward the Celestial Palace above.

As he ascended, his gaze swept across the skies. He was not alone; dozens of cultivators rode their own streams of spirit light, converging on the palace.

So these are my opponents in the second round, he thought.

It didn’t take long for him to reach the palace. The moment his feet touched the jade-tiled platform, two sharp gazes fixed on him without concealment. Instinctively, Luo Chen turned toward the pressure, and his eyes met a cold, familiar pair. It was Fairy Ruthless! To his surprise, she was among the spectators. Close beside her stood two female Initiates. One of them, he recognized immediately—it was Shi Lan! It seemed that, at some point, she had broken through to Foundation Establishment, and since she was standing near Fairy Ruthless, she was likely valued very highly.

Yet the other piercing gaze he felt earlier had not come from Shi Lan.

With steady composure, Luo Chen lifted his gaze to trace the source. As it turned out, it was none other than Adept Baisu, Tao Wan’s master.

”So you’re the alchemist Wanwan invited? You’d better do well in the second round.”

Her voice rang in his ears, unexpectedly playful and youthful.

Luo Chen’s expression grew solemn as he respectfully responded, ”I will certainly do my best!”

At that, Adept Baisu smiled gracefully and spoke no further.

Soon afterward, alchemists entered the Celestial Palace’s grand hall under the guidance of Green Pill Valley disciples.

There, an impatient white-bearded old man was waiting for them. ”You all know the rules, right? Once you have these formulas, you can make pills for personal use, but they must not be shared or sold for profit. I’ll give you the formulas now. Whether you can understand them well enough to refine the pills within half a month will depend on your skill.”

Two formulas were distributed, one for a first-tier pill, the other for a second-tier. Both were newly developed. Only half a month was granted to study and refine them. The difficulty was such that even many second-tier alchemists felt a ripple of unease. But having made it this far, no one was going to back down.

Soon, someone stepped forward to receive the copied alchemical formula. He walked at the front, and no one dared block his path. Everyone instinctively stepped aside.

”Who is this?” Luo Chen muttered.

”He is my eldest senior brother, Dan Yangzi!”

The words came from Xuan Yunzi, who then turned to Luo Chen with a faint smile. ”Fellow Daoist, it’s been a while.”

With polite composure, Luo Chen returned the greeting. ”I hope you’ve been well.”

In silence, Xuan Yunzi shook his head while his eyes followed Dan Yangzi. The Golden Core elder of the Grand Alchemy Institute remained detached toward everyone else, yet his expression softened when he saw Dan Yangzi. He even patted Dan Yangzi’s shoulder in a show of encouragement.

With quiet regret, Xuan Yunzi sighed. ”What a pity. If Senior Brother Dan Yangzi hadn’t made a mistake, he wouldn’t need to go through all this. Still, it is precisely because of this that we now have a chance to make a name for ourselves.”

Hearing these words, Luo Chen, like many others, examined Dan Yangzi carefully.

From posture to stride, from features to the confidence radiating from him, everything spoke of talent and assurance. Even under the weight of dozens of scrutinizing gazes, his pace didn’t slow. Without hesitation, he walked out of the hall.

From the murmurs, someone remarked, ”He’s going to prepare for the first round.”

”He will likely face a hard fight this time,” Xuan Yunzi added with a soft sigh.

At that moment, Luo Chen looked away, though a subtle pressure stirred within his chest. Among cultivators, it was often said that Dan Yangzi of this generation in Green Pill Valley was unmatched in both alchemy and swordsmanship. He was truly unrivaled. His mastery of alchemy placed him at the top of the Seven Prodigies of Green Pill Valley. If Luo Chen wanted to help Tao Wan secure a good rank, this man was undoubtedly his greatest rival. Despite this, Xuan Yunzi’s expression showed little sign of worry.

”You don’t seem too concerned about your senior brother,” Luo Chen asked cautiously. ”Could it be that your alchemy skills surpass his?”

Xuan Yunzi chuckled and shook his head. ”Of course not. His alchemy skills are renowned across the entire valley. He may be young, but he already holds a seat in the Grand Alchemy Institute. I wouldn’t dare compare.”

He paused and then added with a sly grin, ”But alchemy depends heavily on one’s condition. Senior Brother must first survive the opening round before reaching the second, and no one will assist him. Most importantly, he won’t be allowed to use his true fire. With that limitation, the rest of us might actually stand a chance!”

Luo Chen agreed with most of what he’d said, yet one phrase echoed in his mind—true fire.

At once, he recalled what Tao Wan had told him before their departure. Dan Yangzi was indeed formidable but not invincible. After reaching Foundation Establishment, he had absorbed a Sourceless Flame into his body, which had caused his alchemy skills to advance rapidly. It could be said that most of his alchemical prowess stemmed from this Sourceless Flame known as the Violet Skyfire. Without it, his threat diminished greatly.

Sourceless Flame... true fire...

Luo Chen silently repeated those terms in his mind, feeling quite a bit of anticipation. There were many strange and wondrous forces in the cultivation world. The most well-known among them were the Rootless Water, Sourceless Flame, Immaculate Wind, and Soundless Thunder. To obtain even one was to gain a treasure that enhanced cultivation, combat, and mastery over the Hundred Ways of Immortal Ascension.

For an alchemist in particular, possessing a kind of Rootless Water or Sourceless Flame was like adding wings to a tiger! A while back, after reading through plenty of specialized literature, Luo Chen had reached an understanding of the four stages of flame development: controlling, fusing, absorbing, and transforming. If he could also absorb a Sourceless Flame into his body and forge a true fire, his alchemy might undergo a qualitative leap!

The thought lingered, and he remembered something he’d long since buried in memory. While browsing the Luo Tian Society’s library, he had once come across a fire-element spell called the Azure Yang Seal. Within it was a method for cultivating and creating something known as the Azure Yang Devil Flame. Though the practice carried many taboos, its value to an alchemist could not be overstated.

As he was lost in thought, Xuan Yunzi beside him suddenly spoke up. ”It’s our turn!”

”Alright!” Luo Chen gathered his focus and walked forward to receive the alchemical formula.

On the way, he passed an elderly man, and that man shot Luo Chen a fierce glare. It was Huang Hezi. Luo Chen’s expression didn’t change at all, as if he hadn’t noticed that resentful look. He walked up calmly to the Grand Alchemy Institute’s elder.

”You’re not from Green Pill Valley’s alchemy division?” the elder muttered.

”Greetings, Elder,” Luo Chen replied with calm courtesy.

”Let me see your contract.” The elder examined it briefly and grunted in approval. ”Alright, no issues. Take the alchemical formulas. The Grand Alchemy Institute will also provide the necessary ingredients. You may experiment freely during this period.”

”Thank you, Elder.” Luo Chen accepted the two alchemical formulas.

By the time he stepped out of the Celestial Palace, the platforms below were already alive with battles.

”Fellow Daoist, let’s part here,” Xuan Yunzi said with a smile. ”I’ll see you in the second round.”

”See you,” Luo Chen replied.

With that, Xuan Yunzi headed straight out of the Celestial Palace. Luo Chen glanced back at the high and mighty Golden Core Adepts above, then descended without any hesitation.

***

”Senior Brother Chen, good luck!”

”Senior Brother Yun’s sword control is truly elegant and unmatched!”

”Junior Brother Zhou is younger than me, yet his cultivation progress is so fast. His opponent probably won’t last twenty moves.”

Shouts of encouragement, idle chatter, and boisterous banter echoed in every direction, weaving into the fabric of the atmosphere.

As Luo Chen descended from the sky on his cloud, the sight before him left him momentarily stunned. Each of the nine platforms already had someone standing atop it, and challengers stepped forth one after another.

They were all Initiates, and even though they were merely engaging in one-on-one duels and not full-scale battles, with so many of them gathered in one place, the sharpness of their auras pressed heavily on the crowd. The killing intent was so palpable that it made skin prickle.

A Golden Core Adept stood atop the central empty platform, sharp-eyed and surveying all directions. He was an elder from Dragonhead Peak, tasked with managing the battles and keeping their intensity within bounds. Injury was permitted, but death was not.

To think he can referee nine battlefields single-handedly... Golden Core cultivators are far more powerful than I imagined back in the Qi Refinement Realm. Luo Chen marvelled inwardly.

From a high platform, Tao Yisheng waved at him. As it appeared, Tao Wan had already secured one of the nine platforms.

Oh, that was fast.

Luo Chen flew over and landed on the platform; the cultivators of the Tao family all turned their eyes on him. Their gazes now carried no doubt—only hope and anticipation.

”Did you get the formulas?” asked Tao Wan.

”Yes.” Luo Chen nodded and looked around. ”The Grand Alchemy Institute Elder said ingredients have been prepared for me. Where are they?”

Tao Wan pointed behind them. Each platform had a dueling stage in front and a tall building in the back. They tapped into subterranean fire veins, allowing pills to be refined at any time.

Luo Chen had no intention of wasting time. The schedule was far too tight. Only fifteen days were granted to study two new formulas; never in his life had he been under such pressure. With a nod to Tao Wan, he turned to head for the rear buildings.

Just as he turned, a clear voice rang out beyond the arena. ”Senior Sister Tao Wan, I challenge you for the title of True Inheritor. Will you accept?”

Luo Chen turned to look. A young man rose from beneath the arena. Behind him stood three late-stage Initiates, all ready for battle.

Seeing this, Luo Chen let out a sigh. Since when did late-stage Initiates become so common? The more I see of these great sects, the smaller and frailer the Luo Tian Society feels by comparison. And with all the effort I put into it.... No, forget it. What does that have to do with me? I should just focus on securing the slice I can actually chew.

He didn’t stay to watch the battle. Instead, he walked away.

Tao Wan glanced at his departing figure, then turned back. ”Junior Brother Qi!”

At her command, Qi Lingyun stepped forward with a calm smile. He flew from the crowd and landed lightly on the dueling stage.

”I am Qi Lingyun, here for the first match! Who will face me?”