Longevity begins with alchemy master

Zhenhai City!
A formidable war city standing at the mouth of the East China Sea, built specifically to defend against coastal monsters.

It was not built on an elegant and graceful mountain, but rather cast from the coldest, heaviest black rock, combined with volcanic lava that erupts year-round on the southern continent.

The city wall resembles an ancient dragon's spine, stretching for hundreds of miles without beginning or end, carving out a foothold from the ferocious sea!
The city walls were so high that looking up felt like one's neck would break. On top of them stood rows of Heavenly Yuan Spirit Energy Cannons, their dark openings seemingly capable of destroying everything.

Below were nine enormous sluice gates, known as the Sea-Suppressing Gates. Each one was tens of feet thick, covered with rough, menacing barbs and dangerous array lights. These Sea-Suppressing Gates, layer upon layer, not only protected the city of Zhenhai, but also prevented a large number of low-level sea monsters from rushing upstream from the estuary into the inland.

After a night of drinking, Zhou Fuyou walked through the various checkpoints of Zhenhai City, watching the Zhenhai Gate rise and fall, allowing them to pass, and was filled with awe.

Seeing this, the second senior brother, Fu Bin, couldn't help but laugh and said, "Junior brother seems quite shocked?"

Having grown accustomed to the grand, elegant, and ancient styles of inland cities, Zhou Fuyou was genuinely shocked to see Zhenhai City, which resembled a colossal war beast.

He exclaimed, "Truly a magnificent city! It's completely different from the elegant style of my Tianyuan Dao Sect!"

“Then you’re mistaken, Junior Brother.” Fu Bin laughed heartily and said with great emotion, “Three thousand years ago, my Tianyuan Dao Sect was the only sacred land in the five continents to eradicate demonic beasts. Three thousand years later, my Tianyuan Dao Sect has even more ambitions to conquer four continents and unify the mountains and seas. When it comes to martial prowess and ruthlessness, who in the world can compare to my Tianyuan Dao Sect?”

He repeatedly referred to himself as "the Tianyuan Dao Sect," his words brimming with pride and reverence.

Not only Zhou Fuyou, but also the group of Foundation Establishment cultivators around him were infected.

"How magnificent is my Tianyuan!"

They were also disciples of the Daoist sect!

As another sluice gate opened, the mayfly flew out and flew low along the river.

He asked curiously, "Master Wen left in a hurry early in the morning, and Second Senior Brother, you urgently sent us to the battlefield. What happened?"

His smile vanished, and Fu Bin's expression turned serious.

"Something did happen. It's said that a great battle broke out in the sea last night. It was at an extremely high level, definitely at the Nascent Soul stage."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Fuyou and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators all paled.

"A fourth-tier demon emperor has joined the battle?"

At the peak of the Tianyuan Dao Sect, demonic beasts in the seas near Zhongzhou were almost extinct, so there was no question of any demonic calamity.

However, with the great calamity in Zhongzhou, the continent was broken into several pieces, and the demonic beasts that had been dormant for many years began to reappear one after another.

In the past few decades, it was alright; most of the monsters were low-level monsters of the first or second tier.

In recent years, however, a large number of third-tier demon kings have emerged one after another.

And now, even a fourth-tier demon emperor has joined the battle!
How could the crowd be astonished?

Fu Bin said in a deep voice, "That must be the case, otherwise Master Wen wouldn't have left in such a hurry. Zhenhai City is under his command. Although there are several other fortified cities along the coast, Zhenhai City is definitely the most important one and cannot be lost. Therefore, he must find out the specific situation."

"What about us?"

"Don't worry, the Demon Emperor level experts will naturally be dealt with by Nascent Soul cultivators. Our goal is to block off all other places except the estuary and to protect some formations from damage."

Fu Bin gave a brief explanation, which put everyone at ease.

Rumble!
Another sluice gate opened, and the elites from the Four Imperial Palaces of Tiannan Dao Palace took the opportunity to fly over.

Fu Bin glanced behind him and then said to Zhou Fuyou, "Junior Brother, I have already assigned your team. After we leave the city, you will lead the patrol of the area within eight hundred li of Liubo Mountain."

Zhou Fuyou had previously looked at a coastal map and roughly knew where Liubo Mountain was.

So, after he took the role, he asked about the specific tasks.

"Are we relying on just the twenty of us?"

The Four Imperial Palaces mobilized a total of four hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators and twenty Golden Core cultivators, each led by a Golden Core cultivator, forming twenty large teams. Each large team was further divided into five smaller teams of four people each.

That adds up to one hundred squads.

Fu Bin shook his head: "Liubo Mountain is so big, of course it can't rely on just the twenty of you. Normally, there are cultivators from various families stationed up there, and they are the real main force. As for you, you are the mobile force, going to provide support wherever there is an emergency."

Zhou Fuyou suddenly realized.

This arrangement offers much more freedom and hones the independent action abilities of the Dao Palace's geniuses, far surpassing the training effect of any rigid tasks.

"Alright, the ninth gate will open soon, which means we're completely out of Zhenhai City. From now on, while you're slaying demons and making contributions, don't forget to protect yourselves."

After giving a brief instruction, Fu Bin sped up and rushed to the front.

When the ninth gate, which resembled a mountain, opened, the geniuses of the Dao Palace scattered in all directions like shooting stars.

Zhou Fuyou glanced back at the ninth gate. Unlike the ancient and solid gates before it, this one was covered in slippery slime and fragments, reeking of blood. Clearly, this was the flesh and blood left behind by countless low-level demonic beasts that had stormed Zhenhai City.

His gaze gradually fell upon the hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators who followed him.

There were a few acquaintances, or rather, relatives, inside.

Zhou Yuwei, Zhou Yuhao, Zhou Yuqi, and her cousin Lin Qingtong.

They were all disciples who had gradually achieved Foundation Establishment over the years and had also become disciples of the Houtu Hall.

The second senior brother assigned them to his own team so that he could take care of them nearby.

The crowd stirred slightly under Zhou Fuyou's gaze.

Zhou Fuyou's lips trembled slightly as she uttered two words.

"Let's go!"

……

Liubo Mountain is located a hundred miles from the sea.

The mountains are towering and clouds gather. Whenever the sea breeze blows, large amounts of clouds and mist roll and flow, like waves.

Hence the name Liubo Mountain!

Zhou Fuyou's arrival was warmly received by the leader stationed on the mountain.

Six Golden Core cultivators came together to greet him. This demonstrates the respect they showed him and also highlights the status of the geniuses from the Tiannan Dao Palace.

The leader was a late-stage Golden Core cultivator named Ji Du, who came from a humble family.

After giving Zhou Fuyou a grand welcome, he began to introduce the specific situation of Liubo Mountain.

The area spans eight hundred li, with vast and steep terrain.

Although it is close to the sea, it is a good place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack.

There are six Golden Core cultivators and tens of thousands of low-level cultivators guarding it together.

As Zhou Fuyou listened to his introduction, she observed the details of Liubo Mountain.

He noticed that the monks here wore different clothes with different badges.

"It seems that, just like my Zhou family back then, they are cultivators sent by various families on the Tiannan Continent to carry out sea patrol missions."

Zhou Fuyou thought of his parents, who had also carried out a similar mission and tragically perished.

Suddenly!
Zhou Fuyou stopped at the foot of the mountain, where a protective array of light was enveloping the area.

"here it is?"

Master Jidu spread his hands and said, "I don't know. Zhenhai City doesn't allow us to concern ourselves with these things. They just tell us to guard Liubo Mountain."

Zhou Fuyou frowned. "Since it's our protected land, how can there be any unknown entities?"

He reached out and touched the light screen.

However, what it touched was exceptionally tough, making it difficult to advance even an inch.

Zhou Fuyou gave a soft hum, and his magical power suddenly changed, with a wisp of black energy swirling around his fingertips.

chi chi chi...

The expression on the face of the Venerable Jidu, who was standing to the side, changed slightly. As a great cultivator in the late stage of the Golden Core realm, he actually felt a sense of danger from the young man in front of him.

What is that black gas stream?
Just as Zhou Fuyou was about to break through the great formation, the light barrier suddenly cracked open, creating a hole large enough for one person to pass through, and a figure walked out. With just one glance, he glared fiercely at the two of them.

"Didn't you receive orders from Zhenhai City not to interfere with the local formation? You're just supposed to guard it!"

Jidu seemed to recognize the newcomer and quickly said, "Senior brother, I'm so sorry. Fellow Daoist Zhou is a newly arrived mobile support and doesn't know about these things yet."

Zhou Fuyou raised an eyebrow. He remembered that before leaving Zhenhai City, his second senior brother had briefly mentioned that he should guard the local formations.

Is that all?
He took a step back and withdrew his magic.

"Junior brother Zhou Fuyou greets senior brother!"

The man's eyes lit up. "Is that Zhou Fuyou from Tiannan Dao Palace?"

"Exactly!"

"So it's Junior Brother Zhou. My name is Lian Yuanshan. Let's keep in touch sometime. Ignorance is no excuse for what happened today, but just be more careful in the future."

After a brief greeting, Lian Yuanshan retreated back into the formation.

The scene became quiet for a moment, with only the array light screen that slowly emitted spiritual energy remaining.

"Let's go!" Ji Du said softly from the side, as if afraid of disturbing the people inside.

Zhou Fuyou hummed in agreement and followed behind.

After they had walked some distance away, he finally voiced his doubts.

“Master Jidu, your cultivation level is far higher than that of Senior Brother Lian Yuanshan from before, so why are you addressing him with such respect?”

Master Jidu sighed helplessly, “He is a true disciple of the Dao Sect of the Rotten Axe Mountain Range, unlike us ordinary family cultivators who are nominally members of the Tianyuan Dao Sect but have never actually been to Rotten Axe Mountain.”

Zhou Fuyou was taken aback, but quickly realized what was going on.

No wonder that person's attitude changed after confirming that he came from Tiannan Dao Palace.

Tiannan Dao Palace is also part of Tianyuan Dao Sect, and the disciples of the four halls of the palace are naturally disciples of the Dao Sect as well. Moreover, a genius like myself will most likely be able to enter the Dao Sect's ancestral home, Lankeshan Mountain, and become a true disciple of the Dao Sect!
That "Junior Brother Zhou" was sincere and heartfelt, without a trace of falsehood!

Master Jidu changed the subject, "Besides, didn't you see his family crest?"

Zhou Fuyou recalled the badge he had glimpsed earlier; it was just a few wavy lines, but when strung together, it inexplicably possessed a certain Daoist charm.

This family crest...

Zhou Fuyou immediately realized what was going on.

Once upon a time, there were thousands of families, large and small, on the Central Continent, each with its own unique family crest.

No one would deliberately memorize all of these family crests.

Only twelve clan emblems were recorded in the annals, and everyone would memorize them.

Because those twelve clan emblems represent the twelve giant families that have always dominated the Tianyuan Dao Sect.

Twelve Great Chambers!

The clan emblem with the connecting lines mentioned earlier is one of them.

Zhou Fuyou blurted out, "Lian Yuanshan, the Lian family!"

Master Jidu spread his hands: "Yes, it is the Lian family, one of the twelve great families, and also the ancestral home of our current Dao Sect Ancestor Liancheng!"

No wonder Master Jidu was so respectful and humble when facing someone whose level of understanding was far inferior to his own.

Zhou Fuyou turned around and looked at the place where the formation had been.

With unwavering determination, the divine sense penetrated deep into Liubo Mountain from top to bottom.

Within the earth's veins, array patterns, like ravines, are laid out.

The entire Liubo Mountain is situated within it, and even the array patterns seem to be expanding outwards.

A thoughtful look appeared in Zhou Fuyou's eyes: "What we need to protect is probably not Liubo Mountain, but these secretly set up formations!"

……

On the vast sea, the dark clouds gradually dispersed.

A majestic figure, wielding a blue trident, stood on the sea, watching the dissipating dark clouds, and roared angrily as if venting his frustration.

The surrounding sea was agitated and suddenly exploded, like a boiling tsunami.

He glanced angrily to his left and right, then gave up and returned to his underwater palace.

At this moment, the clam maiden's song continues, and the mermaid dances joyfully.

Inside the grand hall, the black dragon continued to enjoy its Dry Blue Ice Wine, admiring the beautiful songs and dances.

"Sebo, how's it going? Did you catch that guy who was spying on you?"

Sebo sheathed his trident and snorted coldly, "All for naught."

The black dragon raised its head, its whiskers swaying, clearly quite surprised.

"You belong to the Sea Patrol Yaksha clan, living on the sea with inexhaustible magical power. Even you personally took action and couldn't capture the enemy. Is that guy really that powerful?"

Sebo's face was filled with anger. "That guy is also skilled at water manipulation, and he's a demon, incredibly slippery."

Black Dragon was taken aback, "Demons and ghosts?"

“Yes!” Sebo nodded. “Her true form was a giant python, but after I broke it, I discovered that it was formed from pure ghost energy. In reality, she was a fourth-order ghost emperor. I didn’t realize it at first, and she managed to dodge my strongest attack by relying on the special ability of her ghost body to gather and disperse invisibly.”

A giant python?

Ghost Emperor?

A hint of confusion flashed in the black dragon's eyes.

"Most importantly, that old guy from Zhenhai City has come out, forcing me to stop chasing that demon."

Immediately, Sebo slammed his hand on the table.

"We can't wait any longer. Now that old guy in Zhenhai City knows we're here, his defenses will definitely be even tighter. We have to make our move now!"

"Alright!" the black dragon said nonchalantly. "Since my master sent me here to have me do some work, just give the order!"

Sebo took a deep breath. "Zhenhai City appears to be heavily defended, but in reality, it only has one Nascent Soul cultivator. We, on the other hand, have three Demon Emperors, plus you. Taking it shouldn't be a problem. Originally, I wanted to wait for a few more helpers so we could directly attack the inland areas, but now we have no choice but to launch the attack ahead of schedule. Later, I will contact the other two fellow Daoists to launch a pincer attack on Zhenhai City from three directions. You will sneak in from the direction of Liubo Mountain and, with the body of a wild beast, break through the nine-layered gate. This way, my clansmen can freely charge into Zhenhai City!"

Finally, he looked at the black dragon.

"is that OK?"

The black dragon opened its blood-red maw and said, "Don't worry, it's nothing!"

……

The dark clouds in the sky gathered and dispersed, dispersed and gathered again.

Amidst the thunder and lightning, a beam of light descended upon a small island.

The ghostly light materialized, revealing Xiaobai's graceful body.

She exhaled a breath of stale air, her face showing lingering fear.

"A mid-stage fourth-tier demon emperor, and the most troublesome sea patrol yaksha, almost fell for it."

While feeling relieved, Xiaobai recalled the information she had gathered earlier, and her face showed hesitation.

But a moment later, she showed a determined look.

"Absolutely right, that drunkard is Black King!"

Upon realizing this, Xiaobai immediately took out a jade pendant and sent a detailed telepathic message into it.

The first sentence is:
"Master, the Black King has appeared!" (End of Chapter)