Immortality Begins as an Alchemy Master 108

Chapter 103: 逍遥游 (Xiāoyáo Yóu) – Great Perfection

A series of sharp intakes of breath emanated from the bed.

Luo Chen felt a cool, tingling, and slightly itchy sensation within his body, finding it quite comfortable. He had just consumed a drop of the Qi-Supplementing and Meridian-Nourishing Liquid Uncle Mi Shuhua had given him, diluted in a bowl of water.

Needless to say, the effect was quite good. With the enhancement of his Spirit Eye Technique, he could vaguely detect the repair of his meridians deep within his body. The speed wasn’t fast, but it was steady.

“I wonder how many Spiritual Stones a bottle of this elixir costs?” Luo Chen mused, putting the vial away. One drop a day; more would be counterproductive.

Undeniably, the higher the cultivation level, the more auxiliary elixirs are needed for cultivation. During the Qi Refining Period, he hardly needed any elixirs; a bottle of Qi-Nourishing Pills was enough to surpass most other pills.

In contrast, Foundation Establishment cultivators, striving for Golden Elixir breakthrough, meticulously refine themselves. Even minute areas like meridians and acupoints have specialized elixirs.

“I can enjoy these now, all thanks to Uncle Mi Shuhua.”

After a sigh of gratitude, Luo Chen began planning his cultivation schedule for the next month. First, it’s best to avoid cultivating the Longevity Skill for the short term. Otherwise, each time external spiritual energy is absorbed into the body, it would cause further injury to the meridians. Other elixirs should still be usable, but in smaller quantities.

Luo Chen currently possessed Qi-Nourishing Pills, exclusively sold by the Spirit Pharmacy Pavilion, and the Jade Marrow Pills he had refined himself. The efficacy of the former had greatly diminished since his advancement to the seventh layer of Qi Refining. It seemed he had developed the rumored drug resistance.

“Carefully calculating, I haven’t consumed more than fifty bottles of Qi-Nourishing Pills, only a few hundred pills at most, and drug resistance has already appeared.”

“That legend of a thousand bottles of Qi-Nourishing Pills forging a Qi Refining Great Perfection cultivator is false.”

“Of course, this is also related to my continuous consumption. If used intermittently, perhaps the drug resistance wouldn’t appear so early?”

The Qi-Nourishing Pills were less effective than before, and the mid-grade Jade Marrow Pills only retained half their potency. However, no drug resistance had appeared for these, so he could still consume them occasionally. But Jade Marrow Pills had side effects; excessive consumption could lead to jade-like hardening of the Dantian (energy center), a point to remember.

As such, his cultivation speed would inevitably slow down this month. However, with his Longevity Skill reaching the Grandmaster level, he had the effect of automatic Qi recovery. He could focus his energy on his spells instead.

He opened his attribute panel.

[Lifespan: 27/75]

[Spirit Root: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth]

[Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Period, Seventh Layer: 1/100]

[Cultivation Technique: Longevity Skill, Grandmaster: 927/1000]

[Spells: Great Perfection Fireball Technique, Wind-Riding Art Grandmaster 670/1000, Attraction Technique Grandmaster 800/1000, Entangling Technique Grandmaster 510/1000, Spirit Eye Technique Grandmaster 521/1000, Cleansing Technique Perfect 350/500, Concealment Spirit Art Perfect 312/500, Healing Technique Proficient 115/200]

[Alchemy: Jade-Breaking Hand Entry 97/100, Pure Heart Hand 13/100]

[Martial Arts: Xiāoyáo Yóu (Free and Easy Travel) Grandmaster 901/1000, Mountain-Splitting Stone-Crushing Palm Perfect 350/500, Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers Entry 81/100]

[Skills: First-Rank Alchemist: Valley-Clearing Powder Great Perfection, Myriad Wonders Pill Grandmaster 610/1000, Jade Marrow Pill Master 240/300]

[Achievement Points: 24 points]

It had been a while since he last fully checked. This time, the attribute panel had undergone some changes. The secular martial arts, like Xiāoyáo Yóu (Free and Easy Travel), were listed separately under a new category: “Martial Arts”. This wasn’t too surprising, as these martial arts didn’t significantly enhance his combat power; they mainly provided achievement points. An additional “[Alchemy]” category had also appeared, likely related to his diligent study of the *Green Yuan Alchemy Compendium*.

“Unknowingly, I’ve accumulated 24 achievement points. Perhaps I can use them to try learning a fragmented alchemy formula?”

Luo Chen thought of another alchemy formula Mi Shuhua had given him: the Profound Ghost Pill. Taking it supposedly enhanced one’s spiritual soul foundation.

But after careful consideration, Luo Chen decided to put it off for now. The main ingredients of the Profound Ghost Pill were rather peculiar. Large-scale purchases would inevitably attract attention. He’d save these achievement points for now. Until his position was secured, he needed to be more cautious.

Luo Chen’s gaze fell upon the spells and martial arts nearing upgrade. Especially the Concealment Spirit Art!

“I’ll dedicate this month to practicing these spells!”

“If they all level up, it will greatly benefit both my combat power and achievement point accumulation.”

That day, behind Slanted Moon Valley.

Not deep within the primeval forest of Xiàoyuè Mountain Range, but just on a nearby open space.

A figure flitted back and forth in the sky. Sometimes twisting and turning, sometimes leaping several meters like an arrow released from a bow. His energy seemed inexhaustible. Just as he was about to land like a falling leaf, he’d gain new strength and soar again, freely moving with the wind.

Suddenly, the figure hovered in mid-air, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Xiāoyáo Yóu (Free and Easy Travel), this secular light-body technique, had finally reached Great Perfection after half a month of diligent practice. The improvement brought by the Great Perfection Xiāoyáo Yóu was the ability to perform internal Qi circulation. In other words, even when his energy was exhausted, he could generate several streams of Qi and blood, allowing him to fly again in the sky.

If judged by the standards of secular light-body techniques, Xiāoyáo Yóu had undoubtedly reached the pinnacle of perfection. It could allow ordinary people to fly for short periods. However, with the Wind-Riding Art, this powerful ability seemed superfluous.

“It was a wasted expectation.”

Shaking his head, Luo Chen smiled indifferently.

“But if my spiritual energy is depleted, this light-body technique can have a surprising effect.”

“Plus, it gave me an achievement point.”

Thinking this way, he didn’t feel cheated.

Moreover, the Great Perfection Xiāoyáo Yóu increased the speed of his Wind-Riding Art by 30%. His flying speed had now completely surpassed that of a late Qi Refining cultivator using an artifact to fly. His short-range maneuvers were extremely versatile, truly giving him a sense of unrestrained freedom and soaring through the void. If the Wind-Riding Art also reached Great Perfection, the combination of the two would be even more powerful.

To say nothing else, Luo Chen was almost maxed out on his “running away” skill.

On his way back, he no longer used Xiāoyáo Yóu (Free and Easy Travel), but instead flew entirely using the Wind-Riding Art. Proficiency is gradually gained through such habits. In a short while, he had flown back to Slanted Moon Valley.

As soon as he landed, he was stopped by Murong Qinglian.

“Here, this was sent by the Sect Leader. See if it fits.”

Looking at the pure white, fluffy coat in his sister-in-law’s hands, Luo Chen was surprised.

“The sect distributes clothes?”

As he spoke, he put on the coat. Murong Qinglian watched from the side, her eyes revealing a hint of amazement.

What a handsome appearance!

A graceful young man, handsome and elegant. Perhaps due to his injuries, and his recent focus on spell practice and alchemy, his demeanor had lost some of its worldly nature and gained a certain serenity. Overall, he looked like both a member of the aristocracy and a disciple of a great sect.

“Didn’t you suffer internal injuries from breaking through your cultivation level? You shouldn’t catch a cold easily, so the Sect Leader had this demon fox coat sent over.”

“Our climate here is mild, and winter comes later than other places, but it’ll be very cold once the mountains are sealed by heavy snow.”

“With this demon fox fur coat, you won’t have to constantly use spiritual energy to maintain your temperature.”

Listening to Murong Qinglian’s rambling, Luo Chen felt quite warm, both inside and out.

“The stitching is excellent! It’s so tight you wouldn’t notice it unless you looked closely. The material is also good. If an array could be inscribed on it, it wouldn’t be inferior to a low-grade robe.”

Luo Chen commented, giving a silent thumbs-up to the absent Mi Shuhua. The old man was thoughtful!

Murong Qinglian smiled slightly: “The sect is planning to start this business. We’ll use the scattered beast skins brought back by the combat hall during hunts to make coats. It will be a source of spiritual stones, more or less, in winter.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, because of this business, my medicine hall and beast hall are constantly arguing.”

Murong Qinglian glanced at the female cultivators in the valley and sighed, “There are many female cultivators in the medicine hall. There aren’t many medicinal herbs in winter, so we have to find something for them to earn some income!”

“This coat of yours was actually sewn by the female cultivators in our medicine hall, but the beast skin was a complete demon fox skin provided by the Sect Leader.”

Luo Chen fell silent for a moment. He had also experienced the winter in Great River City. Those days were indeed difficult. With the mountains sealed by heavy snow, hunting or gathering herbs and mining became incredibly difficult. Many casual cultivators couldn’t survive the winter, either stopping cultivation or moving to other warmer cities to make a living.

How did he survive the winter back then?

The answer was to give up! He relied on the Valley-Clearing Powder he refined, surviving day by day, cultivation was out of the question.

Thinking of those days, Luo Chen felt the warmth from the coat on his body, and said:

“Sister-in-law, go ahead and fight for it. The Pill Hall will definitely support you then. I’ll also communicate with Fellow Daoist Zeng and Brother Wang Yuan.”

“Thank you so much. You can also entrust the female cultivators in the medicine hall with cleaning this coat in the future.”

Murong Qinglian’s smile was radiant; this was the answer she wanted to hear.

After a few more words, having arranged to return to the courtyard for the birthday banquet at the end of the month, Luo Chen hurried back to the Pill Hall. At this time every day, he would return to the Pill Hall to handle the afternoon’s elixir refining work. Jade Marrow Pills were all refined in the morning, while the afternoon was mainly for refining Myriad Wonders Pills and a small amount of Valley-Clearing Powder.

He still held the formula and techniques for the Myriad Wonders Pills. But the latter, he had already taught to others. There was no need for him to monopolize things that didn’t generate much income. Instead, freeing himself from such trivial matters would give him a lot of free time.

“Mili, you’re in charge of the large alchemy room today!”

“Tangquan, you’re in charge of the small alchemy room!”

“Everyone else fully cooperate. I want to see your progress during this time!”

With an order, the young cultivators all became busy. Luo Chen stood outside, his gaze falling on another abandoned alchemy room, frowning.

“Having an empty alchemy room is such a waste.”

“Not only does it limit my proficiency increase, it also reduces elixir production, which affects my share of the profits!”

“No, I have to get Uncle Mi Shuhua to buy a new alchemy furnace!”

It had been a while since he’d “fleeced the sheep,” but after putting on his new coat, his heart was restless again. Luo Chen felt an itch in his hands.

Small courtyard, great world.

From the afternoon onwards, the usually quiet northern alleyway was lively. People came and went, constantly carrying things inside. Occasionally, residents would stop those entering and leaving to inquire, only to receive news of someone’s birthday. They didn’t know who, and the Broken Mountain Sect disciples didn’t say. But when they left, they were all carrying large bamboo tubes filled with freshly popped popcorn. This was a good thing; usually, it cost one spiritual stone a bucket in the White Stone Square. The Sect Leader was generous.

For those who came to help, one bucket per person!

When Zeng Wen, accompanied by his nephew Tangquan, finally found the courtyard after many twists and turns, it was almost dusk.

“Sect Leader must have earned a lot of spiritual stones, why does he live in such a remote place?”

Tangquan curiously looked around; if he wasn’t familiar, he wouldn’t be able to find his way.

Zeng Wen slapped him, “You are spoiled; Little Luo Daoist was a casual cultivator before. Having such a place to live is already very good.”

Then he stared at Tangquan, “Did you bring the gift I told you to?”

Tangquan said aggrievedly, “I brought it, the incense burner is still good, but didn’t Sect Leader say he didn’t need gifts?”

“Hey, you little rascal is so clueless!” Zeng Wen said, exasperated. “I didn’t ask you to bring expensive gifts, just a small thing to show your heart, to get closer. You’ll still be under his tutelage in the future. Perhaps he’ll give you some pointers on alchemy.”

While they were talking, a girl carrying a large wine gourd curiously watched them. Zeng Wen’s eyes lit up, what a pretty girl! But the girl politely bowed to him, “Uncle Zeng Wen, right? My father often mentioned you.”

Father? Past tense?

Looking at the familiar oval face of the girl, Zeng Wen couldn’t help but ask, “Your father is…?”

“My father was Yuan Wuxiang, he used to cultivate in the Broken Mountain Sect, and his title was Leaping Stream Tiger.”

Zeng Wen put away his lecherous gaze, coughed, and became stern.

“It’s Xiaoyue, I did have a decent relationship with your father. But if he often mentioned me, I’m afraid he was cursing me behind my back!”

Yuan Xiaoyue chuckled; the large gourd didn’t hide her laughter. The large gourd was conspicuous. Zeng Wen curiously asked, “What’s this?”

“My grandfather asked me to give it to Brother Luo Chen as a birthday gift, fifty-year-old Yellow Pear Wine. My father loved this vintage the most, saying that in that year of heavy snow, the Yellow Pears were full of water, and the wine brewed was more mellow than other vintages.”

“Luo Chen that kid is fortunate.”

Zeng Wen enviously looked at the large gourd, then turned and slapped Tangquan again.

“See, that little girl knows to bring a gift, do I have to teach you everything!”

Tangquan whined, but others also had grandfathers to teach them! Of course, Zeng Wen, the uncle, had no parental airs, but he did have some grandfatherly airs.

As the three chatted, they stepped into the courtyard. As soon as they entered, a warm and lively atmosphere enveloped them. A large table was set up in the courtyard, filled with delicious food. There were three copper pots set up in front of the table. Below the small copper pots were charcoal braziers; the warmth in the courtyard largely came from these.

Before Zeng Wen could find any acquaintances, Tangquan ran over.

“Old Qu, how did you get here? Is this your grandson?”

Qu Hancheng laughed, “Sect Leader learned that my injury had healed, so he asked me to come for a meal.”

Then he pulled out a half-grown child from behind.

“Lingjun, meet your Uncle Tangquan.”

The half-grown child, with bright eyes, looked curiously at Tangquan and softly called, “Uncle Tangquan!”

Tangquan was amused, “Children shouldn’t be so shy. Come, uncle will take you to play!”

Seeing Tangquan holding his little grandson and making him cry, Qu Hancheng smiled. He was incapable, and his son had no spirit root. But his son and daughter-in-law worked hard and had three children. Finally, Qu Lingjun had a spirit root. Although it was a four-spirit root that the great sects wouldn’t accept, he still had the foundation for cultivation. Now that he could let him get to know these Qi Refining cultivators, his future path would be smoother.

It was all thanks to Sect Leader Luo Chen for giving him this opportunity.

Looking at the female cultivators whispering in the yard, Zeng Wen who was showing off in front of Murong Qinglian and then beaten up by Qin Liangchen, and the young male cultivators sitting on the doorstep with cold expressions, these were all late Qi Refining cultivators!

Unknowingly, Luo Chen Sect Leader’s personal circle had such strength. He himself couldn’t be idle; he had to help more. Today, he wasn’t here to eat for free!

In the house, Luo Chen, who was simmering the soup base, helplessly watched the gifts being brought in again.

“I’ve said, just come empty-handed, today is mainly to get together and have a good meal.”

Zeng Wen, rubbing a bump on his head, stuffed a book into Luo Chen’s arms.

“Take it or leave it. I’m afraid this thing will corrupt Tangquan, otherwise I wouldn’t give it to you.”

Luo Chen was startled. Seeing a corner of the book, his mouth twitched.

“What do you think I am? I’m not…”

“Okay, okay, I know you’re not that kind of person, I won’t give you anything next time.”

Zeng Wen waved his hand and went out, clearly not believing Luo Chen’s words. In his opinion, Little Luo Daoist was his kindred spirit!

Luo Chen silently put the children’s book into his storage bag. This kind of thing needed to be carefully examined late at night!

Speaking of which, although he had greeted everyone, the guests today had brought small gifts. They weren’t particularly expensive, but they all showed thoughtfulness. Yuan Xiaoyue’s fifty-year-old Yellow Pear Wine, Tangquan’s incense burner, Bai Meiling’s potted flower, Feng Xia’s bag of seeds, Duan Feng’s secret for maintaining artifacts.

Brother Wang Yuan had also come earlier, bringing Luo Chen a bottle of Golden Quality Jade Liquid, a specialty elixir from Mount Tai City. It was said that long-term application was very good for body refining.

Brother Qin and his wife also gave him a folding fan. Though it was only a low-grade artifact, its appearance was excellent!

Luo Chen complained about receiving a fan as winter approached, but learning from his sister-in-law that it was personally selected by Brother Qin, he couldn’t say anything. During his days at the Trial Palace, he had casually mentioned a few things, such as sword-flying and the immortal style of a white robe and folding fan. But Brother Qin had remembered it all along.

Only Gu Caiyi, at Luo Chen’s request, didn’t give him any gifts. After all, they were so familiar; gifts would feel strange.

Keeping these small gifts in mind, Luo Chen’s movements of simmering the soup base became even more forceful. This was his first formal birthday celebration since his transmigration, proving that he had finally settled down in this strange world. He had to make sure everyone ate and drank their fill!

Several moonstones were placed around the courtyard, illuminated by the bright moonlight, making the courtyard as bright as day. Steaming hot pots, several delicious small dishes, and several cold dishes. Besides these, Luo Chen’s fried magic beans and popcorn were also placed in various corners.

There were twelve people in total, filling a large table.

The wine was poured, and everyone drank a full cup. Under the guidance of Luo Chen and Zeng Wen, the atmosphere immediately heated up. Everyone chatted about all kinds of strange things inside and outside Great River City. Even Wang Yuan, who was always taciturn, told an interesting story from Mount Tai City.

It was about a young man from a local immortal cultivation family who entered a Golden Elixir sect in Jade Tripod Domain. He accidentally strayed into a secret area of the sect and saw the sect leader’s daughter bathing. He thought he would rise to prominence, and his family even prepared the betrothal gifts. But the sect leader’s daughter refused and even asked the elders to destroy the family. It was originally a tragic story of a family’s ruin, but because it had some erotic elements, and was told by Wang Yuan, it inexplicably brought a bit of humor.

In the middle of the drinking, Zeng Wen felt it wasn’t lively enough, so he took the lead in playing a drinking game. No one flinched; even Duan Feng, who was usually cold, showed off a bit. Luo Chen, however, got stuck.

“I don’t know how to do this!”

“Wasn’t it supposed to be immortal cultivation after transmigration, why do I have to do this?”

Helpless, he drank a large gulp. Seeing his embarrassment, Gu Caiyi took over, saying she wanted to perform a dance for everyone. Everyone cheered!

Gu Caiyi didn’t hesitate, winked at Luo Chen, and then, her sleeves fluttering, she flew into the air above the courtyard. The stunning dance that had once amazed the crowd on the debate platform reappeared.

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