An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

After leaving the grand hall on Thousand Leaf Peak, Luo Chen subconsciously glanced back toward the peak. From that place emanated an aura that, even when suppressed to the extreme, still commanded reverence as it leaked out from time to time. That was probably the Falling Cloud Sect’s newly advanced Sage, Han Zhan himself.

Rumor had it that this person was not very old for his cultivation; he’d barely lived four hundred years. Even within the Falling Cloud Sect, he was by no means considered an elder. Cheng Yan and Linghu Jie were actually Han Zhan’s senior brothers. Of course, after Han Zhan formed his Nascent Soul, seniority was naturally redefined. Only Cheng Yan, who was nearing the end of his lifespan and who had once been both teacher and father figure to Han Zhan, still maintained the title of senior brother.

Han Zhan being stationed at the main camp was likely a precautionary measure against high-tier demonic beasts from the Defiant Howl Wolf Court carrying out strikes against the alliance’s command center.

Qu Xibai noticed Luo Chen’s gaze and smiled, but said nothing. He simply continued to lead the way ahead. Before long, the two landed on another peak. As soon as they touched down, several streams of divine consciousness probed over. Luo Chen’s expression shifted slightly.

Qu Xibai smiled and said, ”They are all experts of the sects; don’t mind it too much. They’re just curious because your Luo Tian Alliance changes its representative every three years, a lot more often than others. They want to know who’s here this time.”

Luo Chen understood and gently nodded. Those probing divine consciousnesses withdrew as soon as they made contact, retreating in a friendly manner. A few of them hesitated, lingering for a brief moment before finally pulling back.

At this, Qu Xibai stroked his beard. ”Fellow Daoist, your reputation for participating in the refinement of a Nascent Soul Pill and being able to refine third-tier Starfield Pills has already spread among our peers. Now that you are here, I expect quite a few of us will soon take the initiative to visit you.”

”Nothing but minor achievements. You give me too much credit,” Luo Chen replied modestly.

While the two conversed, they had already entered a grand hall that was crimson in color, as if it had been drenched in blood. A sinister-looking old man stood quietly inside, appearing as though he had been waiting for some time.

Upon seeing him, Qu Xibai cupped his fist. ”Senior Brother Linghu, I have brought the person to you. I will take my leave.”

Linghu Jie nodded. ”Thank you, go attend your duties.”

After Qu Xibai left, Linghu Jie finally took a serious look at Luo Chen. The latter also saluted in a polite manner as he likewise examined his interlocutor.

They had first met in Dahe Market. Well, Luo Chen knew that he had met Linghu Jie in Dahe Market, though the opposite was likely not the case. Linghu Jie was the mysterious person dressed in black robes who had lifted the market’s formation and controlled three Ghost Kings to besiege Pang Renxiong. At that time, his killing intent had soared without restraint. Now, although his killing intent had only grown heavier, the bearing he displayed was far steadier. It was clear that his cultivation had improved again over the years. He was likely only a single step away from the late stage of the Golden Core Realm.

At this, Luo Chen could only sigh in admiration. The Falling Cloud Sect truly deserved its position as an upper sect. Even as the older generation gradually dwindled due to old age, the middle generation stepped in without leaving a gap, and with some members even surpassing their predecessors, while the younger generation produced countless prodigies. As long as the Falling Cloud Sect captured the Howling Moon Mountain Range and obtained a fourth-tier spirit land, it would surely soar skyward.

By comparison, the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, which had initiated the previous Frontier War, possessed far less potential. Its battle prowess dominated for a time, but that ferocity was fleeting. In order to survive and thrive, it was not enough to know how to fight. In the Eastern Wilderness, which—in spite of its name—could be considered a fairly orderly place, being able to fight was the foundation for survival; sustainable development, however, required a very different skillset.

Luo Chen’s desire to lead the Luo Tian Sect out of the Jade Cauldron Domain also had this consideration at the root. Although alchemy could indeed generate immense profits, the Jade Cauldron Domain already had the Green Pill Valley as a major alchemy sect, and the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect was also interested in entering this field. The Medicine King Sect’s influence went without saying; it was an absolute behemoth that had laid its plans for centuries. In other words, the field was already fiercely competitive. Only newly opened domains still offered a genuine opportunity.

That very meaning lay unspoken within Qu Xibai’s earlier words. Once a couple hundred years had passed, it was entirely possible that the Luo Tian Sect would launch its own Frontier War in a similarly grand display!

The two examined each other for a long while. Suddenly, Linghu Jie nodded and said, ”Follow the guidance of your identity token, and you can settle into a cave residence. From now on, let us work together to overcome the demon clans.”

That simple welcome made Luo Chen raise an eyebrow. He had thought the man would have some profound insight, yet after holding it in for so long, this was all he said? Even so, Luo Chen still asked in earnest, ”May I ask about the tasks assigned to our sect?”

”As I’m sure you know, the tasks of the Sword Enforcer Hall involve patrol, emergency response, and law enforcement. The routine patrol task was completed before Fellow Daoist Cen departed, and there is still over a month before the next one. Unless an urgent task appears, you may do as you wish.”

That was very good. Since Linghu Jie did not seem to want to elaborate, Luo Chen naturally did not press him with further questions. A month or so was more than enough for him to familiarize himself with the place and adapt to life on the front lines.

After Luo Chen left, Linghu Jie pondered for a moment, then sent a voice transmission to summon someone.

As soon as the man entered the hall, he saluted Linghu Jie. ”Greetings, Daoist Uncle Linghu.”

It was Han Zheng. He was the grandson of Han Zhan, yet his master was Cheng Yan. For that reason, even when facing Linghu Jie, whose age exceeded that of his own grandfather, he still addressed him as Daoist Uncle.

Upon seeing him, a rare trace of warmth appeared on Linghu Jie’s usually grim face. ”I called you here to ask what you know about the Supreme Elder of the Luo Tian Sect.”

Han Zheng was taken aback. ”Dan Chenzi is here?”

He composed himself quickly and immediately explained, ”He is very strong. Even back when he was an Initiate, his battle prowess already stood far above his peers. Even though I have now reached the ninth stage of Foundation Establishment Realm and I can command a third-tier puppet, if I were to face him as he was back then, the odds would likely be no better than three to seven. And I mean three for me, and seven for him. More importantly, he has formed his core more than ten years ago. His strength and abilities are surely even more extraordinary. I cannot accurately gauge him.”

Linghu Jie did not obtain a definitive answer, yet he did not grow angry. Instead, he instructed Han Zheng to go to his master and retrieve information related to Luo Chen.

Han Zheng seemed already very familiar with such situations. Having been taught by his grandfather since childhood, there were many matters that he perceived more deeply than most.

As per the name, the Nine Sects’ Sword Enforcer Hall was a force composed of experts of the nine upper sects. Yet in reality, there were also many experts from the major sects. In particular, there were some sects that planned to establish themselves in the Defiant Howl Mountain Range and take root there in the future. Such sects served as strength in the present, yet once the Falling Cloud Sect reached the limits of its own expansion, they would very likely become obstacles instead.

No upper sect was willing to see another Nascent Soul force emerge within its own territory. This was especially true given the prior examples of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect and the Falling Cloud Sect. Thus, measures had already started being taken during the Frontier War itself. For example, deliberately weakening the potential strength of certain sects.

As for how to weaken them? That was very simple, especially for the Falling Cloud Sect. It amounted to nothing more than adjusting the difficulty of assigned missions. The Luo Tian Alliance served as a clear example. Jiang Yu had fallen, while Cen Qiusheng returned unscathed. Who could say whether there was anything suspicious about that? But the fact of the matter was that Jiang Yu’s strength actually surpassed Cen Qiusheng’s by a margin.

Now that Linghu Jie wanted to gain a deeper understanding of Luo Chen’s strength, it was likely so he could apply the right ”remedy” later and make suitable arrangements.

Han Zheng hurriedly left the peak and obtained information about Luo Chen from his master, Cheng Yan. As he was about to return, he hesitated slightly. Luo Chen had once saved his life. If possible, he still wanted to offer some measure of assistance. However, although he was a Sage’s grandson, at this juncture, his words carried little weight. He also could not speak rashly and undermine his grandfather’s authority.

After a moment of deliberation, a thought emerged in his mind. Perhaps I can ask Daoist Aunt Mu to make a trip.

With that in mind, he went to see the sect leader. ”Daoist Uncle, is Junior Brother Qin here?”