Longevity begins with alchemy master

Above Egret Lake.

A giant bird spread its wings and circled continuously in the void.

Its eyes shone brightly as it surveyed the territory that once belonged to it, its gaze possessing a human-like quality.

After seeing the billowing black air currents that had made it somewhat uneasy disappear, the giant egret flapped its wings and landed in the deepest part of the Egret Marsh.

Pushing aside the heavy miasma and passing through the fine curtain of water, we entered a cave.

Inside, a large, colorful python was coiled up and sleeping soundly.

The colorful python has a huge body, but it does not appear bulky. Instead, it is incredibly slender, giving it a captivating charm.

If a knowledgeable cultivator were here, they would surely recognize the origin of this colorful python at a glance.

It is indeed the Nine Netherworld Demon Python!

When the White Egret Demon King entered, the Nine Netherworld Python seemed to sense something and opened its clear eyes.

Their eyes met, and the White Egret Demon King respectfully lowered his head.

The Nine Netherworld Python trembled and eventually transformed into a beautiful young woman.

After scanning the memories of the White Egret Demon King, a strange light shone in the young woman's eyes.

"At the tender age of twenty, he has already reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. Such talent is truly astonishing!"

"If it were a method of quick mastery in the demonic path, that would be one thing, but he possesses abundant magical power and a solid foundation, showing no signs of weakness. With only the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, he easily killed a Golden Core stage cultivator. Even my master couldn't have done that back then."

"It can only be said that this clone was indeed cultivated with great care by the master!"

After a moment of reflection, the woman hesitated for a moment.

She hesitated whether to inform her master about Zhou Fuyou's rapid progress, especially given Zhou Fuyou's astonishing foundation.

But after thinking about it for a moment, she finally gave up the idea.

The master should be very familiar with Zhou Fuyou's realm.

As for other aspects, the owner probably wouldn't care.

"And that sound transmission jade pendant only has two chances left, we can't waste them on such a trivial matter."

As she murmured to herself, the woman looked at the White Egret Demon King, who was bowing his head.

"The Zhou family has already begun its expansion into Bailuze, and you and your clan can no longer live in peace. Make plans soon. Will you choose to die on this homeland, or will you take my advice and go to the Eastern Wilderness to join the Luo Tian Shang Sect?"

"I can't guarantee anything else, but as for your premature transformation, it's a trivial matter to my master."

The White Egret Demon King seemed to have already made up his mind, and immediately prostrated himself on the ground, uttering melodious sounds.

"This little demon will obey his master!"

The woman smiled brightly. “You’ve made the right decision. Don’t be fooled by the Zhou family’s indifference towards you all these years; they just haven’t had the time to deal with you. Putting everything else aside, if the Zhou family patriarch were willing, you wouldn’t be able to resist him. In the next couple of days, take my seal and lead your clansmen to the Eastern Wilderness. Someone will come to meet you.”

The White Egret Demon King nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with anticipation.

According to the woman in front of him, the sect called Luo Tian Zong has a magical pill that can allow demonic beasts to transform into human form ahead of time at the third rank.

If it's true, then I have a chance to reach the fourth-tier Demon Emperor realm!
Such temptation was so great that even if it meant leaving her home and being used by others, she was willing to take the risk!
……

The indigenous people who had lived in Bailuze for hundreds of years began to migrate quietly, unnoticed by anyone.

This should have been a major event that alarmed the Zhou family.

But the sudden death of Sixth Elder Zhou Haiye attracted everyone's attention!

The plan to exterminate the monsters and develop Bailuze was also forced to be interrupted.

Of course, once they come to their senses, they can easily take over the empty Bailuze, which is also a fortunate thing.

However, at present, everyone's biggest concern is still Zhou Haiye's sudden death.

The answer given by the head of the family was hardly convincing!

At the time, several Foundation Establishment cultivators were circling outside, but they did not sense any demonic aura from the Demon King. No one was willing to believe that Zhou Haiye had died at the hands of a demon beast.

Moreover, even if a dignified Golden Core cultivator is no match for a Demon King, he would not perish so easily.

After all, the family head, Zhou Junxiao, was out overseeing things and could intervene at any time.

Therefore, all the Foundation Establishment cultivators, along with the Fourth Elder Zhou Xiaocheng who was in seclusion and the Third Elder Zhou Shuzhen who was out on business, rushed to the council hall, hoping to get a true answer from the patriarch.

However, Zhou Junxiao did not make a direct appearance.

After saying "Wait here," he hurriedly went to the Coral Palace where his ancestor lived.

After most of the day had passed, Zhou Junxiao finally emerged from the hall, looking dazed.

"Is he a traitor?"

Just as his clansmen were unwilling to believe his evasive answers, he was also unwilling to believe Zhou Fuyou's explanation.

However, with the ancestor showing favoritism, he couldn't press Zhou Fuyou, the future son of the family, for answers.

Therefore, as soon as he left the Coral Palace, he went straight to Zhou Haiye's residence and began his inspection.

Not only that, they also resorted to violence to forcibly open the storage bag left on Zhou Haiye's body.

Ultimately, upon seeing some letters and a large amount of unique cultivation resources that did not belong to the Zhou family but came from the Yin family, he had no choice but to accept the truth of what Zhou Fuyou had said.

"Zhou Haiye is a traitor, and Zhou Fuyou killing him is to clean house!"

"But the ancestor isn't dead yet, so why can't he wait any longer?"

……

Inside the deep, dark Coral Palace, a weathered voice slowly echoed.

"The big tree hasn't even fallen yet, and the monkeys below are already trying to find their own backers. A dignified Nascent Soul family's cohesion is not even as good as some major sects."

Inside the hall, Zhou Fuyou stood there calmly, her red coral and white robes spotless.

He said, "Ancestor, there is no need to be sad. Some people are simply blinded. Since my Zhou family has survived the demons of the North Sea and the great calamity of the Central Plains, what are these storms?"

Above, Zhou Yunshen shook his head: "But it is a fact that my lifespan is not long, at most ten years."

Zhou Fuyou, who had remained calm even when killing Zhou Haiye, was now utterly shocked.

"ten years?"

Zhou Yunshen said, "Yes, at most ten years. If it weren't for a friend who extended my life back then, I'm afraid I wouldn't even have ten years left."

Zhou Fuyou opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Zhou Yun Shen, however, remained remarkably calm. He smiled and said, "If I were to leave, the Zhou family would be without a Nascent Soul cultivator to oversee things. Mayfly, what do you think we should do then?"

Without hesitation, Zhou Fuyou said, "Isn't the Grand Elder currently in seclusion trying to break through to the Nascent Soul stage? Once he succeeds, he will surely be able to protect the Zhou family for another five hundred years!"

“He can’t do it.” Zhou Yunshen seemed to have seen through everything. He sighed and said, “Cang’er’s aptitude is one of the worst among the second-generation clansmen. Those with better aptitude either died in the endless attacks of the monsters in the Coral Sea or died in the Great Calamity of Zhongzhou. He only got there by relying on the clan’s resources. The Nascent Soul stage seems to be just the last step for him, but I’m afraid he can’t cross it even if he tries his best.”

Zhou Fuyou never imagined that her ancestor, who usually seemed to control everything, could be so pessimistic.

He thought for a moment, then a resolute look appeared on his face: "Ancestor, there is no need to worry. There are several Golden Core cultivators within the clan, which can ensure the clan's safety for the time being. Furthermore, a group of young talents have joined the Tiannan Dao Palace outside the clan, and given time, they will surely become the backbone of the clan. In particular, there is me!"

Zhou Yunshen's cloudy gaze fell on the young man, and he remained silent for a long time.

Facing that gaze, Zhou Fuyou felt a sense of familiarity.

Over the years, he would occasionally come to the Coral Palace to ask the ancestor for some advanced knowledge on cultivation, especially the cultivation of the "Qi Sea Floating Heaven" technique.

The ancestor spoke to him with almost everything she knew.

He also gifted him the legendary magic weapon, the Yin-Slaying Ruler, which he had used to make him famous in his earlier years.

But it's rare to see him give himself that look.

The gaze is full of affection, tenderness, and comfort, like that of an elder looking at a younger generation, yet it also contains an indescribable sadness.

When was the last time I saw that look in your eyes?
Zhou Fuyou recalled the first time she met her ancestor. Yes, that was the first time!
There was also a sense of indifference in that instance.

The indifference and coldness have now dissipated, leaving Zhou Fuyou even more puzzled.

A faint sigh reached my ears.

“It would be nice if it were true.”

Zhou Fuyou asked, puzzled, "Ancestor, what did you say?"

"Hoo..." The old man exhaled a breath of stale air and forced a smile.

"It's nothing. I just heard you mention Tiannan Dao Palace, and that reminded me it's time for you to go there."

Zhou Fuyou was caught off guard.

"But……"

"The Zhou family's traditions are too narrow. The longer you stay in the clan, the more you waste your talent. Tiannan Dao Palace is a branch of Tianyuan Dao Sect, the strongest holy land in the Mountain and Sea Realm. Its inheritance and cultivation resources far surpass those of my small Zhou family. I'm sure they are eager to see you. Perfect timing. I've been restless for a while, so I'll personally send you to Tiannan Dao Palace this time!"

Zhou Fuyou clenched her fists. "Fuyou doesn't want to leave yet!"

Zhou Yunshen seemed to have seen through him and smiled, "Don't worry about your sister. Since I gave her the Spirit Root Pill back then, I naturally won't mistreat her. After you leave, the clan will treat her as a core member. I will have the Third Elder, Zhou Shuzhen, personally teach her, and provide her with double the resources. She will definitely succeed in establishing her foundation. Are you relieved now?"

Zhou Fuyou was still worried, or rather, the reason he insisted on staying in the clan was to protect his younger sister.

Faced with this stubbornness, Zhou Yunshen patiently tried to persuade him.

“She’s no longer a child; she’s an adult and capable of cultivation. You can’t protect her forever.”

"No, I can!"

“But if you delay going to Tiannan Dao Palace, they will definitely blame the Zhou family, and it might even implicate your sister. Do you want that to happen?”

"This……"

"Go to the Dao Palace and cultivate diligently. Once you have a firm foothold, you can bring her there to receive better guidance. If you achieve a high level of cultivation and become a prominent figure in the Tiannan Dao Palace or even the entire Dao Sect, wouldn't you be able to better protect your sister?"

This time, Zhou Fuyou wavered.

Zhou Yunshen did not continue to persuade him; he believed that this intelligent child would be able to understand.

Although Bailu Marsh is vast, it is no more than three thousand miles long.

And the entire cultivation world is far more than three thousand miles long.
"Go back and think it over carefully. This may be the last time I travel far from home."

……

In the azure sky, a deathly silence enveloped everything.

Suddenly!

A deep, muffled roar resounded, carrying an indomitable and powerful will, crushing the void with overwhelming force.

"Roar!"

A colossal shadow broke free from all constraints and stood proudly in the boundless starry sky.

It was covered in blue scales, its body mottled, with nine huge sword marks running through it, as if they were marks left by time.

Its enormous head had no prominent features, yet it seemed capable of piercing the heavens.

Such a terrifying, thousand-foot-tall body was supported by only one thick thigh.

This single, heavy pillar not only supports a terrifying body but also suppresses the starry sky beneath its feet, the boundless azure expanse.

The moment it appeared, a fierce wind suddenly arose, and powerful vengeful spirits and ghosts rushed towards it from all directions.

Inside, there are interconnected mother and child, phantoms upon phantoms, the roar of a blood demon, and three-legged crows spewing out layers of ghostly fire.

If these vengeful spirits and malevolent ghosts were placed in the world of cultivation, they would all be capable of wreaking havoc and causing chaos.

However, in its presence, they are like horseflies and mosquitoes, completely disregarded.

Its star-like eyes were fixed on the black-robed Taoist in the distance, whose robes were fluttering in the wind, and its eyes were filled with boundless anger.

"Roar!"

The violent sound, carrying unparalleled power, struck straight at the souls of all living beings.

However, when she was in front of the Taoist in black, it was like a gentle breeze, merely stirring a strand of hair at her temples.

Luo Chen stood on the Hunyuan Cauldron, holding the Soul Refining Banner, his expression solemn.

"Kui Niu, stop struggling! This banner is your true home!"

In response, the Kui bull roared even more fiercely.

Luo Chen was not surprised.

After twenty years, expending a great deal of magical power, and refining it day and night with the Nirvana Sacred Fire and the Hunyuan Cauldron, we have finally arrived at this day.

The Kui Niu, which is now so arrogant and seems capable of swallowing the sun and moon, is merely experiencing a final burst of energy before its death, a last struggle born of unwillingness.

Without a physical body, the only thing the Kui Niu can rely on is its spiritual attack.

However, Luo Chen's spiritual foundation far surpassed that of this Kui Niu Ghost God. Especially with the blessing of the "Prison Suppression" soul technique, the Kui Niu Ghost God couldn't even break through his defenses.

Be angry!

Struggle!
Finally, surrender to me!
Luo Chen multitasked, waving the great banner, causing the heavens and earth to tremble, and unfolding the great cauldron, as if the stars were also being suppressed.

In this constant suppression and tug-of-war, the desperate Kui Niu demon could only be pulled into the Soul Refining Banner little by little amidst its unwilling roars.

The main soul has returned to its rightful place!

The remaining ghosts also howled as they entered the Soul Refining Banner.

Just as Luo Chen was feeling triumphant for completely subduing a fifth-order ghost god, he heard a barely audible cracking sound.

Click!
Luo Chen lowered his head, his gaze falling on the flag in his hand.

On the banner, millions of ghostly figures appeared, and the Kui Niu roared.

However, visible cracks appeared on the flagpole.

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow and instantly understood why this was the case.

"This Soul Refining Banner ultimately couldn't withstand a fifth-tier ghost god!"

This Soul Refining Banner was originally obtained from a Golden Core cultivator in the North Sea; at the time, it was just an ordinary Myriad Soul Banner.

Later, through Luo Chen and Xiao Bai's continuous refinement, it gradually grew into the 100,000 Fiend Soul Banner and the 1 million Killing Soul Banner.

Although Luo Chen would often add some materials during the process to strengthen the Soul Refining Banner.

However, it was still too much for it to withstand a fifth-order ghost god.

Fortunately, Luo Chen had considerable knowledge of weapon crafting and quickly came up with a solution.

With a flick of his wrist, another row of banners stood before him.

Its white color and peaceful appearance make it a perfect symbol for nurturing the soul.

Made by Xueyan Molu of the Yuanmo Sect, it is definitely of genuine artifact quality.

If it is melted into the Soul Refining Banner, the strength of the Soul Refining Banner can be further enhanced.

However, it is still not enough to contain the power of the Kui Niu.

Luo Chen continued moving, and streams of light emerged from his storage ring. Upon closer inspection, they were clearly made of many extremely precious materials, such as gold, stone, jade, and wood, which were rarely seen even in the cultivation world.

With a flick of his wrist, he threw the two soul banners and all the materials into the Hunyuan Cauldron.

It spewed blue flames and began the smelting process.

The Taoist priest sat cross-legged in the void, his true fire blazing as he continuously refined the treasure.

This azure sky, due to the brief but intense battle that had just taken place, seemed to have disturbed the heavens and earth.

A meteorite floating in space was attracted and flew this way.

The Taoist glanced at it, his eyes flashing with golden light, and then he made a grabbing motion with his large hand from a distance.

A giant hand appeared in the void, suddenly grabbed the meteorite, and then threw it into the gray cauldron.

Time passes little by little.

About half a year later, the Taoist stopped and stopped.

A large, dark, deep-black banner drifted down in front of him.

There was still a long crack on it, but the Taoist priest's eyes showed a look of satisfaction.

"This should be enough to support the condensation of the Kui Niu Divine Body once!" (End of Chapter)