An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Chapter 483: Triple Champion, Dan Chenzi’s Rise to Fame

”Honored retainer, you are incredible!”

”With you among our ranks, the Tao family will surely flourish!”

”Did you see Huang Hezi’s face just now? It was as if his whole world crumbled! Damn, that was so satisfying!”

”He brought it on himself. We all showed him respect for his years of service, and yet he betrayed Senior Sister Tao Wan at the last minute. Now that he has underperformed, life at the Shangguan family will not be easy for him.”

”Master Dan Chenzi, this way please!”

Once again, Luo Chen was the first to refine the Spirit Feed Pellet and the first to complete the round. As he descended from the high platform, he was greeted by an unprecedented wave of admiration and reverence.

If the first round had brought surprise, then the second round earned him fervent adoration from the Tao family. Luo Chen accepted it all with calm composure. He walked forward steadily until he stood beside Tao Wan.

”You’ve worked hard,” Tao Wan said. Her tone was noticeably gentler than before as her gaze rested on him.

Luo Chen smiled and shook his head. ”It was nothing more than a trifling effort.”

A trifling effort? Tao Wan glanced at the stage, where many alchemists were still struggling at their cauldrons. For a long moment, she said nothing. Then her voice softened further. ”Now that you’ve secured first place in two rounds, regardless of the next result, I already have a chance to move up from fourth place. For the third round, perhaps you could tone it down a little.”

Her words carried no doubt, only conviction. The alchemy Luo Chen had displayed over the past two rounds had utterly convinced her.

Yet Luo Chen blinked, momentarily unsure what she meant. Tone it down?

When his gaze swept past the Tao family and into the crowd of Green Pill Valley disciples, he understood. Some faces were filled with curiosity and admiration, but far more carried resentment and indignation.

Of course, this was Green Pill Valley, and most of the contestants were sect disciples. Among them were Dan Yangzi and Huang Hezi, both ranked among the sect’s Seven Prodigies. Even though Luo Chen officially represented the Tao family, he was not one of their own. Their sense of sect pride naturally placed them against him, and so, hostility was growing. Winning three rounds in a row would be thrilling, but it would also steal the spotlight from Green Pill Valley’s true disciples.

Luo Chen was no fool. He quickly understood the heart of the matter and realized why Tao Wan had spoken as she did. Yet there were times when one had to stand out. If he did not make his mark now, how could he ever make up for the opportunities he had lost before?

Luo Chen’s thoughts turned quickly, and he said with a cheerful smile, ”An increase in ranking is inevitable. At best, I might only push down Shangguan Yan.”

Tao Wan was taken aback. At that moment, Xuan Yunzi raised his hand on the platform, signaling that he had finished refining his Spirit Feed Pellets.

”Fellow Daoist Tao,” Luo Chen said smoothly, ”the top three are Dan Yangzi, He Yuanqing, and Shangguan Yan. Even if we forget about Shangguan Yan, the other two really are the first and second contenders. If I underperform in the final round, you will take third place overall, but is that enough? Do you really want to fight the fourth-ranked, then the second-ranked, and only at the end face a well-rested first-place contender in the True Inheritor Sword Duel?”

Faced with Luo Chen’s piercing words, Tao Wan fell silent. The True Inheritor Sword Duel loomed ahead, and the struggle for the Dao Scion position was imminent. Even a single step higher in rank could tip the balance in her favor.

Luo Chen’s words echoed in her ears like the tempting whisper of a devil.

He continued, ”Bringing in external help is part of the Dao Scion competition’s rules. It reflects one’s connections, wealth, and capability. He Yuanqing secured second place because Chu Kui of Tianlan Immortal City fought fiercely on his behalf and defeated several of your sect’s Initiates. Yet He Yuanqing showed no concern for Green Pill Valley’s pride. As for me, since I serve as the Tao family’s retainer, does that not also make me a part of Green Pill Valley?”

If his earlier words had merely weighed on her, then this final line was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

He was right. Even if word spread, the world would only say that the Tao family’s retainer, Dan Chenzi, had crushed Green Pill Valley’s alchemists. And since the Tao family itself belonged to Green Pill Valley, how could that possibly damage their reputation?

There was no need to worry about the opinions of low-tier disciples. What mattered now was going for the Dao Scion seat from the most advantageous position possible.

Having understood the truth, Tao Wan allowed a smile to spread across her face. ”I was overthinking things.”

Her gaze settled on Luo Chen, and she asked softly, ”Winning the first two rounds already proves your alchemical skills. But the third round involves second-tier pills. Are you truly that confident?”

The question carried no doubt, only a gentle reminder.

”Alchemists like the Seven Prodigies of Green Pill Valley may not be the strongest when it comes to first-tier pills. Their true expertise lies in second-tier formulas. The third trial is the most important of all.”

Of course, Luo Chen knew that. If it hadn’t been for the pressure of livelihood and the need to earn spirit stones to fund his cultivation, he wouldn’t have spent so much time on repetitive, low-grade first-tier pill refinement. As an ambitious alchemist, he had always longed to focus on second-tier and eventually third-tier or even fourth-tier pill research. Compared to him, the Green Pill Valley disciples, who had never faced such pressure, had surely begun working on these higher levels far earlier.

Even so, this posed no true obstacle for Luo Chen. With a faint smile, he replied, ”Then let us see their expertise.”

***

Luo Chen’s consecutive victories placed immense pressure on every remaining competitor. The most shaken among them were Huang Hezi and Shangguan Yan, who had only managed to secure third place overall.

”I had to call upon my uncle and even hire the Twin Fiends of the Netherworld from outside, all just to secure third place. And now, you keep losing. Huang Hezi, do you not want those life-extending spirit fruits anymore?”

Faced with such a sharp rebuke, Huang Hezi’s aged face twitched uncontrollably. He clenched his teeth and growled, ”I will not lose the third round.”

Shangguan Yan sneered. ”Were you not the one who claimed you could place top three in all three rounds? Yet here you are with nothing more than a fifth place in the second round. Why should I trust you now?”

Huang Hezi said with indignation, ”The third round will be different.”

”How can you be so sure?”

”The third round is about refining second-tier pills. Rogue cultivators like Dan Chenzi have limited access to second-tier alchemical formulas. There is no way he can surpass us, disciples of Green Pill Valley. I am confident I will outperform him.”

”Don’t let me down!” Shangguan Yan said coldly, her eyes filled with contempt.

She looked at Huang Hezi as though he were already a dead man. The advantage she had fought so hard to secure was crumbling piece by piece because of his repeated failures. With the second round drawing to a close, she no longer dared to predict where her overall ranking would land.

By contrast, on the He family’s side, Xuan Yunzi also faced criticism, though not nearly as harsh.

”The eldest senior brother’s foundation is too deep, and the first round didn’t drain him as much as we expected. But the real surprise is Luo Chen. I honestly didn’t expect him to possess such refined alchemy techniques.”

He Yuanqing looked disappointed and glanced at Xuan Yunzi, uncertain what to say. He wanted to scold him for falling short, yet it was obvious that Xuan Yunzi had already done his utmost. He had secured third place in both rounds, which was a relatively strong performance. Even the elder from the Grand Alchemy Institute had shown a measure of appreciation for him.

What truly worried him was the possibility that Dan Chenzi might win a third time. In that case, Tao Wan might not just take third place, but even soar past him in the standings.

Amid the silence, Xuan Yunzi suddenly spoke. ”Brother Yuanqing, in truth, your tactics weakened the eldest senior brother more than expected. Based on his skill alone, he should not be trailing so far behind Luo Chen. The second round offered barely any rest, and refining second-tier pills is far more demanding. In this next round, I believe I have a strong chance of placing even higher.”

He Yuanqing paused, visibly surprised. He studied Xuan Yunzi before asking, ”Are you truly that confident?”

”I’m very confident in refining the Dustfall pill!” Xuan Yunzi said with conviction.

Since he spoke with such certainty, He Yuanqing refrained from dampening his resolve. Instead, he said firmly, ”If you place higher, I will make sure you earn a place at the Grand Alchemy Institute.”

A hint of joy appeared on Xuan Yunzi’s face as he bowed respectfully.

***

There was only a brief pause between matches in the second round, and no extended rest was given. The three contests ran almost back-to-back, leaving the lower-ranked participants with no time to breathe. Even someone like Luo Chen, consistently ranked at the top, had managed no more than an extra hour or two of rest.

With two rounds already concluded, the third was about to begin. As Luo Chen stood once more on the platform, his eyes swept over the crowd of competitors. Many were massaging their foreheads, the weight of exhaustion etched clearly across their faces.

Refining a new pill was never a matter of merely tossing ingredients into a cauldron. It required analyzing unfamiliar ingredients, solving complex medicinal puzzles, mastering unfamiliar flame rhythms, and then executing it all with flawless precision. That alone was enough to place massive pressure on any alchemist.

Even in his earlier days, Luo Chen had been careful to limit how many pills he refined each day. Too much, and even the most seasoned alchemist would falter. In a competition like this, with so little rest, spiritual exhaustion became a serious test.

The one suffering the most right now is not us, Luo Chen thought, his eyes narrowing. It is Dan Yangzi.

Across the platform, Dan Yangzi stood tall and upright. Yet even from a distance, Luo Chen could see the dimness of the violet patterns between his brows. The sharpness that once radiated from him now seemed muted. From the arena duels of the first stage to the consecutive matches of the second, Dan Yangzi’s spirit power, divine soul, and stamina had all been heavily drained.

This next round is even harder. I wonder if he can still hold out.

As Luo Chen’s gaze shifted, he noticed Huang Hezi not far away. Surprisingly, the man was not glaring at him with resentment this time. Instead, his eyes were closed as he quietly gathered his spirit.

Looks like he’s finally pulled himself together, Luo Chen thought with a faint smirk.

He chuckled and dismissed the matter from his mind. As he observed others, they too observed him. His calm smile unsettled many, sending a chill through their hearts. Everyone understood that Dan Chenzi clearly intended to win the third round as well.

The wait did not last long.

Soon, a vast quantity of ingredients was distributed to each participant, neatly sorted by category. Luo Chen examined what had been placed before him: Red Scorpion Cinnabar, Hundred-Spirit Grass, Seven-Colored Stones, Fire Spirit Fruits... These were fairly common ingredients, some even found in the mortal world, and together they could be refined into the second-tier Dustfall pill. The ingredients were ordinary, and their pharmacological roots suggested that this pill was not especially difficult to refine.

An aged voice of the Grand Alchemy Institute elder echoed across the platform. ”The rules are the same as before. Each participant receives ten sets of ingredients. Whoever completes the pill first will be ranked accordingly. If all ten sets are used up without success, the attempt will be deemed a failure. Now, begin!”

At that command, all nine alchemists on the competition platform sprang into action. The Foundation Establishment cultivators assigned to assist them grew tense, busy sorting and preparing the materials.

Luo Chen’s previously relaxed expression grew serious. No matter how simple it seemed, this was still a second-tier pill. He had to go all out! Without further delay, he began sorting and processing the ingredients accordingly. His flawless mastery of fundamental alchemy techniques once again drew countless eyes to him.

Everyone wanted to know: would he succeed a third time? Could he once more outshine the younger generation of Green Pill Valley alchemists and firmly cement his reputation?

If he succeeded here, then the name Dan Chenzi would surely resound throughout the entire Jade Cauldron Domain. Even as a rogue cultivator, he would attract endless invitations from every direction, and even Golden Core Adepts would be obliged to treat him with respect.

Under their eyes, Luo Chen maintained a steady pace. He spent an hour finishing the processing of all semi-refined materials before officially beginning the refinement of the Dustfall Pill.

He spread Red Scorpion Cinnabar evenly across the bottom of the cauldron as the base, then added the Seven-Colored Stones. This approach resembled the method used for Jade Essence pills, placing the formula within the mineral pill category. To this, he supplemented Hundred-Spirit Grass and Fire Spirit Fruit, both of which brimmed with spirit energy.

Ever since Luo Chen had unlocked the alchemical formula, he had practiced refining it several times with full effort. Though he had failed during practice, he had memorized each step of the process by heart. By his estimation, it would take six or seven attempts during the competition to succeed, with the system placing his chances at roughly one in ten.

Yet as the refinement progressed, he realized each step was proceeding flawlessly. For the first time, it seemed entirely possible that this very batch would succeed.

Success on the first try? That would be outrageous. With so many people watching...

Luo Chen hesitated for a moment, but when he felt the piercing gaze of the Grand Alchemy Institute elder swept over him. Any attempt to fake a failure would never escape the divine consciousness of a Golden Core Adept. Worse still, it might arouse suspicion. If that was the case...

Well, if this is how things are, then I’ll refine this in one go! And after today, everyone everywhere will know my name!

With all hesitation discarded, Luo Chen pressed forward boldly. He muttered a series of spirit incantations, urging the medicinal powers in the cauldron to merge. The surging earth fire responded to his control, flaring and subsiding in flawless rhythm, delivering precisely the heat required.

Time flowed steadily until the critical moment arrived.

If not now, then when! Luo Chen laughed heartily and tossed in the final ingredient. The medicinal liquid within the cauldron fused at incredible speed, forming into round pills under the kneading pressure of his spirit power. With a flick of his hand, the snow-white Dustfall pills shot toward the stunned elder of the Grand Alchemy Institute.

”Elder, please inspect them!” said Luo Chen.

The elder caught the pills in one smooth motion, his expression filled with shock. He succeeded in just one attempt? What kind of terrifying alchemy techniques is he practicing? Even if he tested it nonstop, day and night, over the past half-month, such a result is almost impossible!

The elder swallowed hard. ”Low-grade Dustfall pill. Time taken, three hours. Qualified! You...”

Luo Chen offered a modest smile. ”To be honest, a lot of luck was involved. I failed many times in practice. I didn’t expect to get it right just now; it was a moment of divine inspiration.”

Luck? The elder felt that might indeed be the case. After all, even a third-tier alchemist couldn’t guarantee a one-hundred percent success rate.

Yet as he studied Luo Chen’s calm and unruffled demeanor, it was clear the young man behaved as though everything had unfolded exactly as intended.

Could this truly be luck? This youth is demonstrating terrifying alchemical ability in every regard. How can a talent like this be allowed to remain hidden, like a pearl lost in the sea?

After a moment of thought, the elder finally spoke up.

”Dan Chenzi, would you be willing to join our Grand Alchemy Institute?”