An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

The stirring voice spread outward like surging waves. Under that resounding declaration, silence swept across Luo Tian Sect and beyond its borders. In the next instant, a tremendous uproar erupted. The Five Elements Divine Sect had come!

They were overlords of the Five Elements Domain! Unlike the Medicine King Sect or Skysail City, which each stood as the sole ruling power of their respective domains, the Five Elements Divine Sect did not monopolize its territory. Yet throughout the Five Elements Domain, nearly every large or small sect was connected to them by lineage or allegiance. Some were absolute vassals who followed every command. Others had founding patriarchs who once came from the sect itself.

This had been shaped by the sect’s unique internal culture. From the highest elders to the lowest disciples, all delighted in the study of divine arts and secret techniques, with new methods emerging year after year. Those whose ideals diverged, or whose lifespans were nearing their end, would often leave the sect to establish families or smaller forces elsewhere. Over time, this practice took firm root.

As a result, although the Five Elements Divine Sect did not technically rule the domain alone, its control and development of its territory surpassed even that of Skysail City and the Medicine King Sect. Overall, in the early years of the Far East Six Domains, the Medicine King Sect had been the wealthiest, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect the strongest in battle, and the Five Elements Divine Sect had the deepest heritage.

That such a great power would send an Adept to offer congratulations to Luo Tian Sect was beyond all expectations. Everyone had been caught off guard.

Setting aside the commotion beyond the mountain, the guests of the grand ceremony all rose to their feet and began to murmur in surprise. Fairy Ruthless, who had been speaking with Fei Ming, turned toward Jin Buque. Her expression shifted between shock and doubt as her thoughts churned.

Fei Ming murmured, ”In the past, Luo Chen’s name was confined to the Jade Cauldron Domain. Now that he has formed his core, he has caught the attention of the upper sects beyond the domain. Truly, a golden-scaled carp is not meant for the shallows. When it rises with the wind, it becomes a dragon.”

Fairy Ruthless felt her heart tremble at those words. She said hoarsely, ”The Frontier War accelerated his rise to fame.”

That was true. If the Frontier War had not gathered cultivators from several domains into this small region, Luo Chen’s rise would never have been so swift, no matter how great his ability or fame.

Yet Fei Ming shook his head and said, ”Even without the war, he would still have become a renowned figure across the Eastern Wilderness. It might have taken a century longer, but he would have done it.”

Fairy Ruthless could not refute him. As a rogue cultivator, he had become the foremost Foundation Establishment fighter of the Jade Cauldron Domain and the leading alchemist of his generation. Such talent, temperament, and willpower destined him for blinding brilliance.

All the more so because he was still so young. He had no sect lineage behind him and a relatively unblemished past. Any upper sect would have courted such a person. What happened today was merely the beginning; they had simply taken the chance to offer congratulations. In the future, they might present even greater terms to win him over. If that happened, how much of the Ice Fortress’s hard-earned connection with him could still remain?

I only hope what he said to me will not change. But even as she thought that, Fairy Ruthless lowered her expectations without realizing it. Even if Luo Chen broke his promise, she would neither resent him nor dare to hold it against him.

Meanwhile, in another part of the ceremony, Tao Wan stood as the center of attention, surrounded by Adepts. But when she saw the newcomers, her expression changed dramatically.

The visit from the Falling Cloud Sect had been expected. Rumors had already spread earlier from within the sect, saying that Sage Han Zhan regarded Luo Chen with great favor and appreciation. Moreover, the son of one of Luo Tian Sect’s high-ranking members had become a True Inheritor of the Falling Cloud Sect. The two sides already shared ties. For that reason, Qu Xibai’s presence and attitude were not surprising.

What was unusual was that the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect had sent an envoy. Certainly, this person was behaving in a rather domineering manner, yet it still fell within the bounds of reason. The Sword Sect had recently taken over Tianlan, and the Adept stationed there was bound to make an appearance. Whether or not they intended to build ties, they at least needed to pay respects.

More importantly, the uninvited arrival of the Five Elements Divine Sect had come as a genuine shock. Tao Wan recalled Supreme Elder Qing Danzi’s instructions. She felt a weight press upon her heart.

I only hope the Five Elements Divine Sect has come merely to offer congratulations and not to recruit him. Otherwise, Green Pill Valley’s great undertaking will become much harder to carry out.

***

Countless people in the square harbored their own thoughts. The Foundation Establishment forces on friendly terms with the Luo Tian Sect had already grown dazzled by the steady arrival of one Golden Core powerhouse after another. And when the Falling Cloud Sect and the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect arrived, shock rippled through their hearts.

Now the Five Elements Divine Sect had come as well! They had gone numb. Only Fu Jiusheng wore an expression that made it seem as if everything was just natural.

This is the influence a famed master alchemist ought to command, he thought.

Had Luo Chen still been an Initiate, he would have been considered a great talent but little more. His cultivation would have limited the tier of pills he could refine, and his lifespan would have been short considering the scope of an upper sect’s workings. None would have invested heavily in him.

However, an alchemist at the Golden Core Realm stood on a completely different ground! With a lifespan of four or five centuries, it would not be anything shocking to produce third-tier pills at one point, and such pills were always sought for even by upper sects. If his alchemy talent proved exceptional, he might even cross realms to refine fourth-tier pills, things that Sages themselves coveted! Who would ignore such a person?

It could be said that as long as Luo Chen did not actively court disaster, his future was all but set. He would find favor on every side and command a vast network. Low-tier cultivators would seek to please him, Adepts of major sects would run errands for him, and upper sects would treat him with respect. Across the Eastern Wilderness, he was now able to walk as he pleased.

Thank goodness.... Thank goodness I did what I did.

When no one was paying attention, Fu Jiusheng wiped away a few beads of cold sweat. It was fortunate that he had already worked hard to mend his relationship with Luo Chen. Otherwise, if Luo Chen showed even a hint of displeasure toward him, people would line up to make trouble for him just to curry favor with Luo Chen. The thought alone made him shiver.

***

Under countless gazes, Luo Chen adjusted his robes and stepped forward.

”Fellow Daoist Hong, I offer my respects. Fellow Daoist Jin, it is my greatest honor that you traveled so far to offer congratulations.”

The two greetings came one after the other. Surprisingly, the first went to Adept Hong Ling, even though she had just put up a fierce and unfriendly display.

This left people stunned, and even Hong Ling herself looked slightly surprised. Her brow furrowed. To her dismay, although resentment simmered in her chest, this was not the moment to flare up. Slapping a smiling face was in extremely poor taste, and, besides, this was Luo Chen’s ceremony. She could only grunt an acknowledgement.

When he saw her let the matter drop and hold back her anger, Qu Xibai found himself admiring Luo Chen even more.

Smart kid, very smart!

His alchemy was superb, and his combat prowess formidable. Most would have taken him for a reclusive cultivator devoted solely to training. He had not expected Luo Chen’s social conduct to prove just as remarkable. He had not responded to Hong Ling’s earlier hostility with coldness but had instead given her full courtesy. An unknowing onlooker might have thought it spineless, but in truth, it was the wisest approach. After all, Hong Ling represented the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, the ruling power of the domain. If Luo Chen and his sect wished to keep thriving, the one force they could not afford to offend was the Sword Sect.

Jin Buque had also been taken aback at first, but when he noticed Hong Ling’s change in demeanor, understanding dawned at once. He shot Luo Chen an approving look and produced his congratulatory gift.

Following Luo Chen’s words, he said with a pleasant smile, ”It was hardly a long journey. Besides, you’re a prodigy who formed his core in just a hundred years, I hear. Your future is practically limitless. How could I not come personally to make your acquaintance?”

Luo Chen was at a loss for words. You’re an Adept of an upper sect, there’s no need to lower yourself so much, even if you think well of me. What happened to that pride sect cultivators are supposed to have?

Luo Chen forced a faint smile and accepted the gift. ”So this is the Five Elements Divine Pill?”

”Yes. Although it is a third-tier pill, its potency reaches close to the fourth tier. More importantly, it is not bound by spirit roots or physique. Any cultivator with one of the five elemental roots can use it. I have heard that you possess all five, so this pill was practically tailor made for you,” Jin Buque replied.

The words left Luo Chen momentarily stunned. The description alone made him unconsciously tighten his grip on the brocade box.

Pills without elemental restrictions were exceedingly rare. In fact, most pills he himself refined carried limitations. Jade Dew Pills were meant for female cultivators, Dustfall Pills suited only those with strong blood and qi, while the third-tier Nether Origin Pill required immense spirit power and could only be used at a breakthrough. If the Five Elements Divine Pill was truly as Jin Buque described, then it truly deserved to be called a divine pill. Among all third-tier medicines, it would surely stand out as absolutely exceptional.

As he noticed Luo Chen’s obvious interest, Jin Buque’s smile deepened.

Luo Chen composed himself and invited everyone to take their seats. He rose lightly and took the main seat, and Sima Huiniang and Gu Caiyi sat behind him on either side. One was dignified and composed, the other radiant and graceful, yet neither drew attention away from him. Together, they became the perfect complement to his presence.

As he sat, the ceremony formally began. The cultivators who had been scattered about followed the Initiates of Luo Tian Sect and took their seats in order.

Luo Chen gazed down from above at the white jade square filled with guests. He felt a quiet pride rise in his chest, regardless of the motives each person might have carried.

Years of bitter struggle had finally borne fruit. Three upper sects, three major sects, and patriarchs from first-rate powers and great cultivation families had all come to offer their congratulations. This success, this prestige, was not due to the influence of another sect. It was something he had earned through his own hands.

Few in this age could claim the same, he thought.

As he prepared to begin his opening speech, two brilliant streaks of light split the sky outside the mountain.

”Eh? Is that Elder Ye?”

Those with sharp eyes and broad experience recognized one of the lights almost instantly. All eyes turned to Luo Chen in curiosity.

Luo Chen was taken aback as well. More guests?

In the next moment, a hearty voice rang out. ”I am Ye Xiang of the Divine Talisman Sect. I just happened to pass by your honorable estate, so I have come to beg for a cup of wine. Fellow Daoist, you would not mind, would you?”

Luo Chen rose at once, suppressing his doubts. ”How would I mind? On the contrary, I am honored. Someone please arrange an upper seat for Fellow Daoist Ye!”

A moment later, the lights drew in. One of them dimmed and revealed an elder accompanied by three Initiates—one man and two women. Yet the elder at the lead was not the one that caught Luo Chen’s attention. His gaze fell instead upon the two women.

At his side, Gu Caiyi gasped softly. ”It’s Sister Xiuxiu!”

Luo Chen recognized the gentle-looking woman at once. She was none other than his old neighbor from the Dahe Market courtyard, Fu Xiuxiu. Not only that, the lively girl beside her gave Luo Chen a playful wink. Her mischievous expression stirred a strong sense of familiarity. Clearly, she knew him as well. Yet for the moment, he could not recall who she was.

Suddenly, Luo Chen recalled Old Man Chen, who had a granddaughter named Shuyi. She had returned to the Divine Talisman Domain years ago with the sect’s caravan. If she had successfully reached Foundation Establishment, her appearance would indeed have matured into this familiar outline.

Could she really be little Shuyi? he wondered.

However, this was no time for reminiscing. He turned his gaze toward a third woman, who was not part of Ye Xiang’s group but had come separately. ”Fellow Daoist Fengyue, it has been a long time.”

The newcomer was none other than Fairy Fengyue, mistress of the Pill Cauldron Pavilion of Windflower Palace. She nodded slightly. ”Forgive our intrusion today. I have brought a humble gift to congratulate you on your Core Formation.”

After presenting her gift, she took an upper seat arranged by the Luo Tian Sect members. Throughout the exchange, silence filled the surroundings. No one had expected that, after the three upper sects, two more upper sect dignitaries would arrive.

The scale of this ceremony had long exceeded the imagination of ordinary cultivators. Even a major sect leader like Tao Wan felt uneasy. When she held her own Core Formation Ceremony, only three upper sects had come to congratulate her. A spectacle of this magnitude was something reserved for the Dao Scions of the upper sects. No, even Dao Scions of the upper sects could scarcely achieve such a feat. Their influence came only from the prestige of their sects, while Luo Chen had drawn so many powerful figures through his own strength alone. Once news of this spread, his fame and standing across the surrounding domains would blaze with unimaginable light.

Luo Chen naturally sensed the strange tension in the air. He had not expected guests from the Five Elements Divine Sect, the Divine Talisman Sect, and Windflower Palace. It had truly caught him off guard.

Even so, he had been through too many life-or-death moments for something like this to shake him. Most importantly, on his great day, he could not show timidity. Years of practicing Divine Breaker of Malevolence and Stilling Wind and Waves had honed his composure to a fine edge.

In the next moment, a bright smile appeared on his face. ”Your presence here at Danxia Peak today brings true honor to my humble halls. With this wine, I offer the sincerity of my heart.”

As he raised his cup, the guests below all lifted theirs and drank them down in one sip!