An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

”Hmph...”

A muffled groan broke the silence in the room. Luo Chen opened his eyes, a trace of regret flashing within them. Moments ago, he had made his third attempt to open an aperture using second-tier Earth Fire Fiend Qi, and for a third time, he had failed. He could faintly sense a thin membrane of qi blocking the aperture.

”The higher the cultivation, the purer the spirit energy, and the more the body naturally forms protective membranes over key apertures,” Luo Chen muttered. ”What was supposed to be a safeguard had now become an obstacle to my efforts. How should I overcome this?”

With a furrowed brow, he skillfully used the Spring Wind Rain Transformation to heal the damage caused by the fiend qi during the aperture opening attempt. Threads of wood-element spirit energy spread across his body, and the minor wounds healed quickly.

After all, Luo Chen’s physique was extraordinarily resilient, second only to Wang Yuan among those he knew. Even Chu Kui, another cultivator who refined both physique and qi, couldn’t quite compare. He had likely only reached Organ Refinement and hadn’t even started on the Meridian Unblocking stage. By contrast, Luo Chen had completed that stage as well, albeit with great difficulty, relying on Blood Fiend Pills and the Eternal Youth Evergreen Sutra.

His gaze shifted toward the floating rock that sealed the second-tier Earth Fire Fiend Qi, and his thoughts drifted to Li Yingzhang’s injuries. Li Yingzhang’s body still held a considerable amount of Earth Fire Fiend Qi; although it was also second-tier, it seemed much purer than the one Luo Chen was currently using.

”The Flame Alliance has a method to refine fiend qi, so even if it’s second-tier, their Earth Fire Fiend Qi is of much higher quality, which is why they can weaponize it.” He narrowed his eyes. ”So the problem lies in the quality of the fiend qi?”

As he pondered, a bold idea emerged in Luo Chen’s mind. If the quality isn’t enough... could I make up for it with quantity?

So far, Luo Chen’s method of opening his aperture was heavily based on Wang Yuan’s experience; thus, he had always been meticulous, allowing only one wisp of fiend qi into his body at a time. But Wang Yuan’s experience wasn’t necessarily suited for him.

”What if I increase the amount?” he murmured. ”Two wisps, maybe three? Could I force the aperture open?”

He paused, then frowned. ”But if I fail, the damage to my body could be severe.”

A sharp gleam flickered in his eyes. How could the creation of a secret technique come without risk? Even Wang Yuan had forged his path through hardship and blood. If so, then he would have to pay a price as well.

Taking a steady breath, Luo Chen waited until his body had fully recovered, then formed a hand seal and drew out two wisps of Earth Fire Fiend Qi from the floating rock. He inhaled deeply, and the twin streams surged into his nostrils like fiery dragons before plunging downward toward the aperture he was most confident in.

***

The next day, Luo Chen stepped out of his room, and though he was doing his best to contain it, there was obvious joy in his eyes. The method of opening apertures with Earth Fire Fiend Qi worked!

Two wisps of second-tier Earth Fire Fiend Qi hadn’t been enough either, but when he upped the intake to three wisps, he finally shattered the membrane sealing his aperture! Just last night, he had successfully opened one.

The human body contains a total of seven hundred and twenty apertures, he thought to himself as he walked slowly and calmly. Counting the thirty-six I’ve already opened while practicing Divine Breaker of Malevolence, that makes thirty-seven. That still leaves a little over six hundred unopened. Setting aside the vital apertures, which are harder to penetrate, to open all the remaining ones, I would still need... over two thousand portions of second-tier Earth Fire Fiend Qi. A portion here goes for fifty... for two thousand, I’ll need at least a hundred thousand!”

Upon reaching that conclusion, Luo Chen couldn’t help but feel shocked. For someone like him, such a sum of spirit stones was not impossible to bear, but to an average Foundation Establishment cultivator, it was an astronomical figure.

”No wonder the path of Physique Refinement has gradually been abandoned, even though it promises incredible power. It’s nothing short of a bottomless abyss.”

He had never truly calculated how much he had invested in Physique Refinement over the years, largely because little of it had been intentional. He had never set out to acquire an indestructible physique, at least not in the beginning. Much of his progress had come passively, shaped by the nature of his cultivation, countless battles, and the harsh demands of survival.

He had devoted focused effort to a few key milestones to achieve Perfected Mastery in Physique Refinement, Organ Refinement, and Meridian Unblocking. But when he paused to reflect now, he realized just how much he had poured into this path. Endless meals of demonic beast meat, a steady supply of premium spirit rice, the use of rare herbs, and a constant intake of Blood Fiend Pills. If he truly added it all up, the total was staggering.

Even this recent endeavor in Aperture Opening seemed deceptively affordable. On the surface, it looked like it ”only” required one hundred thousand spirit stones. But while that might be manageable for Luo Chen, few others could claim the same. They had to account for the physical toll of fiend qi, internal injuries, spiritual backlash, and the cumulative strain it inflicted. Most would have to buy recovery pills, pay for physicians, or pause their cultivation entirely just to recuperate. The hidden costs in these details would amount to yet another huge expense.

It was only because Luo Chen was an exceptional healer in his own right that he could bypass such burdens altogether. Otherwise... he doubted he would have come this far. Moreover, even if he completed Aperture Opening, continuing down the path of Physique Refinement would still require him to comprehend the transformations of blood qi. That was a stage that would undoubtedly demand yet another massive investment. Hence, cultivators who embarked on Physique Refinement were, in essence, gold-devouring beasts!

”But what comes after doesn’t concern me for now,” Luo Chen murmured with a quiet chuckle. ”I only need to complete the Aperture Opening and forge a body powerful enough to accelerate my cultivation.”

He dismissed the distant worries and turned his focus back to the present. After exchanging a few brief greetings with those stationed at the camp, he departed without delay.

He was going to find Tantai Jin. What he needed now was Earth Fire Fiend Qi, and in great quantity. The amount required to sustain his cultivation was staggering; even with Duan Feng’s connections and Yuan Xiaoyue’s methods, it would be difficult to gather enough in a short time. His rate of consumption was simply too high.

In the early stages, opening the less vital apertures wasn’t too difficult. Once the proper method was grasped, the process was relatively straightforward. But straightforward did not mean cheap. As for the vital apertures, whose protective membranes were incredibly resilient, those could be dealt with later.

Tantai Jin had arrived on the Golden Sand Floating Island long before him, and if anyone within this battlefield stronghold knew where to find a large and steady supply of Earth Fire Fiend Qi, it would be her.

***

”You want second-tier Earth Fire Fiend Qi... in bulk?”

Inside a side hall, Tantai Jin looked at Luo Chen with a complicated expression.

Faced with her probing gaze, Luo Chen remained calm. ”Yes. The more, the better.”

”For alchemy?”

”You needn’t worry about that, Fellow Daoist.”

Tantai Jin’s expression stiffened slightly, but she chose not to pursue the question further. She said lightly, ”I have a hundred portions on hand; I got them from a deceased Flame Alliance Initiate. But that’s all I have.”

Luo Chen frowned slightly; a hundred was far from enough. Tantai Jin naturally noticed the look of dissatisfaction on his face. She said, ”If you want more, you can attend the monthly cultivator trade meet here on Golden Sand Floating Island. Many will trade battle spoils they don’t need. Gathering the amount of second-tier Earth Fire Fiend Qi you need should be easy there.”

Once a month? Upon hearing the schedule, Luo Chen frowned inwardly. The timing couldn’t have been worse. The next trade meet coincided precisely with the Luo Tian Society’s scheduled rotation to the sixth mountain, meaning he would likely miss it.

Tantai Jin, however, seemed to anticipate his concern. ”When the time comes, I’ll have Shi Lan keep an eye out for you. Just leave her the spirit stones.”

Shi Lan, huh? Luo Chen gave a slight nod. He trusted her well enough. Though she had a bit of a fondness for money, she knew her limits and handled affairs with tact. With the right incentive, she would undoubtedly see things done properly.

With the arrangement settled, Luo Chen handed over five thousand spirit stones in exchange for her supply of Earth Fire Fiend Qi. He had no intention of lingering any longer. The women of the Ice Fortress were notoriously strange, and their personalities only grew more eccentric with higher cultivation. Whether it was Fairy Ruthless or Adept Moonshade, he had to tread carefully with all of them. Even though Tantai Jin was relatively better, it was still best to keep his distance.

Just as he was about to leave, Tantai Jin suddenly called out, ”Wait!”

He paused, slightly surprised, and turned back. ”Is there something else?”

Tantai Jin looked at him with a complex expression. ”I heard that Daoist Aunt Moonshade tried to win you over with extravagant rewards. She even promised you Icesoul as a Dao companion... and you still turned her down?”

Luo Chen nodded. ”She said something about her disciple... Who is Icesoul?”

”Fairy Icesoul,” she replied.

Uh...

For a brief moment, Luo Chen froze. Tantai Jin, watching his dazed reaction, couldn’t help but let out a rare, soft laugh. ”Looks like you don’t even realize what you just turned down!”

”She’s... this generation’s Dao Scion?” Luo Chen asked hesitantly.

”Correct,” Tantai Jin chuckled. ”She’s Daoist Aunt Moonshade’s personal disciple and a leading candidate for the next sect leader. You can already see her as the future Golden Core Adept. If she married you, you would have officially become part of the Ice Fortress.”

Luo Chen had no words. He did recall that Adept Moonshade had mentioned arranging a Dao companion bond between him and her disciple. He certainly hadn’t imagined that the offer involved someone with such a prestigious background.

The Dao Scion of a major sect... promised so casually? Luo Chen shook his head and returned to his usual calm. ”I suspect it wouldn’t be her marrying me, but rather me being married into the Ice Fortress.”

Tantai Jin blinked and blurted, ”Do people in the cultivation world still care about that sort of thing?”

Luo Chen couldn’t help but laugh softly. This woman clearly didn’t understand what it meant for a man to become a ”live-in son-in-law.”

With that bit of information, though, all the pieces began to fall into place. He finally understood Adept Moonshade’s true intention. She was trying to find support for her disciple! With Luo Chen’s alchemist abilities behind her, Icesoul’s path to becoming sect leader would have been almost guaranteed. And as the master of the future sect leader, Moonshade herself would naturally gain greater influence and power.

This was just like how Tao Wan had once fought alone. But midway through, her master, Adept Baisu, stepped in and even lent her the Cold Marrow Ice Essence that could temporarily suppress the Violet Skyfire. That said it all.

When personal affection aligned with mutual interest, cooperation flowed effortlessly. Still, Luo Chen couldn’t help but wonder whether that so-called Fairy Icesoul even knew she had nearly been promised to a stranger.

Tantai Jin collected herself and shared a piece of good news. ”In half a month, the encampment will rotate out and the Qu family will take your place. As for the Luo Tian Society... I’ll be the one making the arrangements.”

Luo Chen’s expression shifted slightly, and he said, ”Thank you, Fellow Daoist Tantai!”

Tantai Jin gave a soft acknowledgement and made no effort to keep Luo Chen any longer. As she watched his figure recede into the distance, a soft sigh escaped her lips, tinged with unspoken regret. If only I had met him earlier...

Had their paths crossed sooner, she could have used Jade Dew Pills to advance her cultivation and perhaps wouldn’t have lost the Dao Scion competition to Fairy Icesoul. She had only fallen short by a single step.

***

Luo Chen stepped out of the side hall and walked along the sturdy stone-paved road. The cool air brushed against him as he made his way through the sect grounds. He finally felt a breath of relief in his heart.

That gamble he’d taken earlier had finally paid off. Under Adept Moonshade’s subtle coercion, even Fairy Ruthless had begun to show a trace of goodwill toward the Luo Tian Society. If they were dispatched to the sixth mountain and assigned an isolated encampment, disaster might have repeated itself. But if they stayed under someone like Tantai Jin, the direct lineage of a major sect, then even if the sky fell, there would be someone tall enough to hold it up. This way, the Luo Tian Society could minimize its casualties.

I just wonder... When I return from the battlefield, how will Fairy Ruthless treat me? Luo Chen let out a soft chuckle. He already knew the answer in his heart.

By the time he returned to the Luo Tian Society encampment, he spotted Qin Liangchen hurrying in from the other side of the camp.

”Old Qin, where are you running off to?” Luo Chen called.

Now that his status within the Luo Tian Society had reached unprecedented heights, even casual greetings with old friends required a bit of tact. Addressing them too formally would sound distant, yet overly familiar terms like ”Big Brother” or ”Sister-in-law” could easily spark rumors among the younger cultivators. Thus, ”Old Qin” struck the perfect balance. It was familiar yet respectful.

Seeing Qin Liangchen’s beaming expression, Luo Chen asked with a smile, ”What’s gotten you so happy? Where’ve you been?”

Qin Liangchen grinned. ”I went over to the Falling Cloud Sect’s encampment!”

”Oh?” Luo Chen asked, surprised. ”Did you see your son?”

”Nope!”

”Uh... then why are you so happy?” Luo Chen asked, confused.

Qin Liangchen burst out laughing. ”I’m happy because I didn’t see him. If he’d been deployed to this battlefield, I’d be worried sick!”

Luo Chen suddenly understood. Just moments ago, he hadn’t quite grasped the anxiety of a parent.

”President, I found out that my boy Xiaohu is doing great!” Qin Liangchen said proudly, his face glowing with excitement. ”He’s already reached Perfected Mastery in the Qi Refinement Realm and even received a Foundation Establishment Pill from the sect! He’s preparing to break through any day now! The moment he steps into Foundation Establishment, the Qin family will have two Initiates!”

”Very impressive!” Luo Chen said sincerely, giving him a thumbs-up.

He was genuinely surprised by the news. By his estimate, Qin Liangchen’s son was only in his early thirties, yet he was already preparing for the Foundation Establishment Realm! There was no doubt that he was a true genius, with his dual spirit roots, and now, he had the full support of his sect!

Within the Luo Tian Society, the only one around Qin Xiaohu’s age was Luo Chen’s disciple, Qu Lingjun. He was a few years younger, and he had received no shortage of resources. Moreover, during Luo Chen’s days at Tianlan Peak, he would often summon his disciple for personal guidance. Yet even now, the youth had only reached the eighth stage of Qi Refinement.

Clearly, the problem wasn’t a lack of resources. If anything, Qu Lingjun enjoyed even more support than Qin Xiaohu. The true difference lay in talent. One possessed dual spirit roots; the other, a nearly worthless four-spirit-root constitution. The gap between them was as vast as that between man and beast.

Still, Qu Lingjun was neither impatient nor discouraged. At thirty years of age and already at the eighth stage of Qi Refinement, he had a good shot at reaching Perfected Mastery of Qi Refinement before sixty. This was something neither he nor his late grandfather Qu Hancheng would’ve dared dream of before. If he kept cultivating, the day of Foundation Establishment would eventually come! By then, even if Luo Chen had to beat that foundation into him, the man would be made into a proper Initiate!

”By the way, I heard from Duan Feng that we’re heading back to Tianlan Immortal City in half a month?” Qin Liangchen asked curiously.

Luo Chen nodded. ”Yes. By then, Li Yingzhang should be mostly healed. He’ll lead our people back.”

Qin Liangchen looked quite pleased. But just when he was about to say something, he suddenly paused. ”Li Yingzhang will lead us back? Meaning... you’re not coming back with us?”