An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Chapter 570: The Luo Tian Society’s Fall Approaches, Taking the Third-Tier Dragon Transformation Pill (II)

That very day, Luo Chen disguised himself, surreptitiously descended the mountain, and made his way directly toward Green Pill Valley’s Alchemy Palace.

After he revealed his Foundation Establishment cultivation and requested a large quantity of first-tier meridian protection pills, the cultivators of the Alchemy Palace immediately welcomed him into a private chamber.

Once inside, he took out the Tao family’s retainer token, infused it with a trace of spirit power, and closed his eyes to rest.

A short while later, the door opened with a soft creak. Tao Wan stepped gracefully into the room. Their eyes met, and both smiled knowingly.

”As expected. I knew you weren’t the type to die in a remote corner,” she said with quiet certainty.

It had been some time since they last saw each other. Tao Wan’s bearing had grown even more dazzling than before. Her attire was elegant and imposing, and she now carried the natural dignity of a sect’s Dao Scion and the bearing of someone destined to be the sect leader. In terms of cultivation, she had advanced rapidly and seemed not far from achieving Perfected Mastery of Foundation Establishment.

Luo Chen rose to his feet and cupped his fists in greeting. ”All these years, you never cut off my supply of Ascending Dragon pills. I truly thank you.”

Tao Wan smiled and gestured for him to sit.

When they were both seated, she said slowly, ”You came here because of Tianlan Immortal City’s rotation, didn’t you?”

”Yes and no,” Luo Chen replied.

Tao Wan pressed her lips together, but her expression was calm. ”Then the ’no’ part must be because of that Flame Alliance’s Adept?”

Luo Chen smiled faintly. ”You are as perceptive as ever. I could never hope to keep such things from you.”

She shook her head and sighed.”I do not know much of the details. I am only here to observe and provide support. The true outcome will depend on the negotiations between Ailao Mountain’s Adept and the Flame Alliance’s Adept.”

Luo Chen frowned. ”None of the upper sects sent anyone?”

”I couldn’t say for sure,” Tao Wan replied, her expression puzzled as well. ”Even we cultivators from the Golden Core major sects couldn’t make sense of the upper sects’ recent behavior. They’re clearly cooperating on the Divine Transformation pocket world, yet they refuse to formally end the war. It feels as though the slightest disagreement could ignite war again. Even the enormous profits to be gained from managing the city do not seem to concern them, and they leave us to negotiate among ourselves.”

In truth, the confusion did not belong to Tao Wan alone. Luo Chen, too, found it increasingly hard to discern the intentions of the two upper sects. If their earlier maneuvers had been meant to weaken the five major sects in order to make room for the rise of the Falling Cloud Sect, then there was no reason for them to stop halfway.

Could it be that opening the Divine Transformation pocket world had disrupted their original plans? Luo Chen pondered silently.

He noticed the doubt lingering in Tao Wan’s eyes. He hesitated for a moment, then decided to share the suspicion he had carried for years.

”You think the Jade Cauldron Sect’s civil war was meant to drain the strength of the Golden Core major sects like ours?” Tao Wan grew thoughtful. After a pause, she shook her head slowly. ”Some of the elders in my sect have wondered the same, but when we saw even the two upper sects suffer heavy losses, it no longer seemed reasonable.”

Who would stage a play like this only to throw themselves into the fray as well?

Luo Chen reminded her, ”What if it was for the Pill Valley of your sect? That plot of land with great potential, which might one day advance into a fourth-tier spirit land?”

”This—” Tao Wan’s expression shifted slightly. She truly had not considered it in that light. Or rather, not even the higher-ups of Green Pill Valley had thought of it. It wasn’t because they lacked wisdom, but because being in the midst of the situation blinded them.

After all, that land was still only a second-tier spirit land for the time being. If someone claimed that a Nascent Soul Sage[1] would covet a mere second-tier spirit land; no one would believe it. Yet, when pieced together by Luo Chen’s deductions, the possibility could no longer be dismissed!

”Fellow Daoist, thank you for telling me,” Tao Wan said sincerely. ”I will report this matter to our sect leader and the supreme elders as soon as possible.”

Luo Chen waved his hand dismissively. ”There’s no need. Perhaps I am only worrying too much.”

”This concerns the survival of my sect. Even if it is needless worry, we must still prepare before the danger arrives.” She bowed again, her voice steady. ”Thank you for reminding me, Brother Luo.”

Luo Chen shook his head. After all, he was nominally an official retainer of the Tao family of Green Pill Valley. Over the years, he had enjoyed many benefits from their pills, especially the meridian protection pills unique to the sect, which had contributed greatly to nurturing Initiates within the Luo Tian Society. He understood the principle of repaying kindness with kindness.

But this was not the true reason he had come today. He proceeded to explain the difficulties faced by the Luo Tian Society and the possibility of an impending war.

After listening, Tao Wan furrowed her brows. ”I’m sorry. I may be powerless in this matter.”

”Oh?” Luo Chen’s brows lifted slightly in response.

She noticed Luo Chen’s displeasure and gave a bitter smile. ”The Luo Tian Society is a vassal of the Ice Fortress. If you want to appeal to someone, that should be the Ice Fortress.”

She wasn’t wrong. As a vassal of Ice Fortress, they should naturally turn to Ice Fortress when trouble arose. There was no reason for Green Pill Valley to intervene. Yet the situation in the Tianlan Immortal City was far from simple.

Fairy Ruthless had already returned to the Ice Fortress, leaving power firmly in the hands of the sect leader’s faction. But Luo Chen did not share good relations with Moonshade, and consequently, he wasn’t in good relations with the sect leader’s faction. She would never willingly step forward to support them. The only way would be for Luo Chen to betray the Ruthless Lineage and humble himself before Moonshade, but would he do that? Worse still, it was even possible that the current predicament faced by the Luo Tian Society had been given Moonshade’s tacit approval.

Luo Chen could neither betray Fairy Ruthless nor bow his head to beg. For the time being, he had no way to solve this issue.

Seeing the heaviness in his expression, Tao Wan gave a gentle smile and offered comfort.

”The Golden Core Adept of the Flame Alliance has yet to arrive. There’s still some time.”

Luo Chen shook his head. ”Leaving things for later will not solve anything. The crisis will still happen, just not right now.”

Tao Wan’s smile faded as she spoke solemnly, ”I cannot interfere in the Luo Tian Society, but you are a retainer of my Tao family. If anything goes wrong, I will personally ensure your safety. Please be at ease on this point, Brother Luo.”

Does the Dao Scion of Green Pill Valley promise that?

Luo Chen’s expression changed. He rose to his feet and gave her a formal bow. ”With this promise, my trip here has not been in vain.”

Once Luo Chen had departed, Tao Wan immediately drew out a jade token to send a message. Before long, two Golden Core Adepts appeared on the second floor of the shop. When she shared her suspicion that Han Zhan of the Falling Cloud Sect might covet Green Pill Valley’s spirit land, both of their expressions darkened at once.

One of the Golden Core Adepts said, ”Senior Brother Long, I’ll trouble you to watch over the city with Dao Scion Tao. I must return to the sect at once and inform Senior Brother Qing Danzi!”

”Very well. Go quickly and return swiftly. Whether this proves true or not, it is always best to prepare early,” Adept Long replied solemnly.

With just a few words, the matter was settled.

After his junior departed, Adept Long looked at Tao Wan and sighed. ”We are blind to what is right before us. We forgot that Green Pill Valley harbors precious land, bound to attract covetous eyes. It took an outsider to remind us. Had this erupted without warning, the ruin of our ancestral foundation would have been our sin.”

Tao Wan reassured him. ”It isn’t your fault, Martial Uncle. In the past, the Jade Cauldron Domain had only the Sword Sect’s Nascent Soul Sage, who already possessed a fourth-tier spirit land. They would never spare a glance at our valley’s second-tier spirit land. Now that another sect has produced a sage, you simply haven’t had the time to adjust your perspective.”

”That is why I said we were blinded,” Adept Long sighed again. ”Who would have thought that Dan Chenzi, aside from his remarkable mastery of alchemy, would also possess such sharp insight? We truly owe him a favor.”

Tao Wan’s lips curved in a faint smile. ”Owing him a favor is no trouble. After all, he does share some ties with Green Pill Valley. Besides, we may have a chance to repay that debt.”

”Oh?” Martial Uncle Long’s curiosity piqued.

”When the time comes, I may have to trouble you to act personally.”

”Who might the enemy be?”

”The Golden Core Adepts of the Flame Alliance.”

Adept Long frowned. ”That could be troublesome. The cultivators of the Flame Alliance are notoriously aggressive. If I am alone, I fear I may not be able to shield too many.”

”Just do your best, Martial Uncle. As long as you can protect Luo Chen, the debt will be repaid,” Tao Wan said with firm resolve.

Adept Long thought it over and gave a slight nod.

***

In preparing for the crises that Luo Tian Society might face in the future, Luo Chen’s arrangements extended far beyond Tao Wan’s side.

In the Huixin Hall on Danxia Peak, Sima Huiniang looked at Xu Xiaoliu and gave a slight nod.

”Good. After four months, your cultivation has now stabilized,” she said.

Xu Xiaoliu revealed a genuine smile. He had long dreamed of reaching Foundation Establishment and had even considered relying on the Ice Fortress to achieve it. He had never imagined he would succeed within the Luo Tian Society, and in such a short time.

It had been little more than ten years since he joined. Now, having reached Foundation Establishment, he finally had the confidence to stand proudly before Shi Lan.

He spoke respectfully, ”Everything I have today is thanks to the Luo Tian Society! In the future, I will give my all, even unto death, to repay such great kindness.”

Sima Huiniang waved her hand dismissively. ”No need to go that far. However, there is a task that only you can carry out.”

Seeing his curiosity, Sima Huiniang pulled out a letter. ”You are to represent the Luo Tian Society and make a trip to the Ice Fortress. Request an audience with Adept Ruthless and deliver this letter into her hands personally.”

Xu Xiaoliu accepted the letter with surprise. What matter could be so important that he was sent such a distance? But then, realization dawned on him. It had to be related to the troubles the Luo Tian Society was currently facing.

He carefully tucked the letter into his storage pouch and said with solemn resolve, ”I will see this task through without fail!”

Sima Huiniang gave a firm nod and then drew out a flying sword. ”This is for you.”

An enchanted treasure flying sword! Xu Xiaoliu’s eyes lit up as he accepted the gift.

After Xu Xiaoliu departed, Sima Huiniang rubbed her temples and then tapped the table. A graceful figure appeared behind her.

Sima Huiniang called out, ”Mingyue, make the arrangements. I want to meet with Luo Feng and Chen Xiuli. Also, dispatch the trade caravan immediately. Send them to Taishan Market, Snow Lotus Market, and Feiyun Market. Have them carry my letters and pay visits to the Foundation Establishment factions we had business connections with in those places.”

***

After meeting with Tao Wan, Luo Chen once again entered seclusion.

The large batch of high-grade Ascending Dragon pills she had sent relieved his most pressing need. In addition, Sima Huiniang had instructed the Luo Tian Society to purchase as many high-grade cultivation pills from the black market as they could find. Not only second-tier pills, even third-tier ones had to be acquired if they appeared. At this point, the cost didn’t matter.

Three months later, inside Cave Residence Bing Seventeen, Luo Chen closed his status panel and carefully retrieved a pill from his storage pouch. The pill was a light azure, marked by seven cloud patterns.

The grade of any pill was judged most directly by the number of cloud patterns it bore. One to three marked a first-tier pill, four to six a second-tier pill, and anything beyond seven became a third-tier pill. The sect emblem of Green Pill Valley had nine cloud patterns, signifying their ability to refine top-grade third-tier pills. It was a testament to their alchemy mastery.

The pill in Luo Chen’s hand was one of theirs as well—a Dragon Transformation pill. A spirit medicine used in the Dragon-Phoenix Tribulation Core Formation art, paired with the Ice Phoenix Pellet, to attempt the Golden Core Realm. This particular pill had come from the Ruthless Lineage.

Yet Luo Chen did not intend to use this pill to reach Golden Core. Instead, he was preparing to use it, wasteful though it was, to break through to the seventh stage. If word of such extravagance spread, it would leave cultivators everywhere dumbstruck. A treasure of this rarity, consumed merely for progress within Foundation Establishment, was nothing short of reckless waste.

Even with my physique, taking a third-tier pill comes with some risk. But if I succeed, the rewards will be immense. Perhaps I can even skip the long years needed to reach the ninth stage. And since Perfected Mastery Initiates can use this pill to attempt Core Formation, why should I not be able to use it? In terms of physique and meridian strength, I am confident I am no weaker than they are.

Luo Chen opened his mouth and drew in a deep breath. At once, a dragon-shaped stream of spirit energy surged into his body. His sleeves billowed, his muscles swelled, and his frame took on the size of a giant.

Once prepared, Luo Chen carefully swallowed the Dragon Transformation pill. The moment it entered his body, a torrent of spirit energy burst out with unimaginable force. His body trembled violently as crackling sounds roared through his bones and meridians.

He let out a muffled groan, forcing down his instinctive fear as he desperately circulated his spirit power again and again in accordance with Eternal Youth Evergreen Sutra

The medicinal power within the third-tier pill was overwhelming. Especially since this was not an ordinary third-tier cultivation pill, but a spirit medicine for breaking into the Golden Core Realm. At this moment, Luo Chen could only rely on his formidable willpower and his demonic beast-like physique to endure and slowly absorb its medicinal power.

Within his sea of qi, something stirred. Upon reaching the Sixth Heaven[2], spirit energy surged as countless drops of condensed, pure spirit liquid churned like raging waves. A tiny vortex spun clockwise in their midst.

As the vast tide of spirit energy poured in, the vortex whirled with frantic speed. It not only drew in the foreign spirit energy but also pulled along Luo Chen’s own refined spirit power, growing larger with every rotation.

1. The raws use the term 真修, which is what we’ve rendered as Initiate. Since this term only appears three to four times throughout the novel, we have chosen to change it and keep consistency with the established system of Initiate, Adept, and Sage. ☜

2. In Daoist cosmology, the heavens are described as stratified, usually with nine layers or thirty-three layers. In this case, it refers to Luo Chen’s sixth-stage cultivation. ☜