Longevity begins with alchemy master

Eastern Wilderness, a million mountains!
Countless demons have multiplied and thrived within it, gradually forming a tripartite balance of power over thousands of years.

The Tiger, Wolf, and Feather tribes stand proudly above the mountains.

As Di Tian advanced to the Ancient Demon realm, Qi Xia revealed unparalleled divine powers, and the once-comparable wolf clan gradually declined, even submitting to the Ancient Demon Di Tian for a time.

But there is no eternal and unchanging royal power in the world.

With the fall of Emperor Tian and the ascension of Qixia, the once powerful Tiger Demon Clan and Feather Clan declined.

Even though the Duzhen Palace Master, who is known as the number one person below the Nascent Soul stage, still resides in Cangwu Mountain, he is a great cultivator of the human race and is naturally opposed to the demon race.

Therefore, with no leader in sight, the powerful demon clans of the Eastern Wilderness are all gravitating towards the wolf clan.

This day.

On Mount Tianlang!
A sinister aura filled the air, and a pack of wolves howled.

Streaks of light flew in from all directions and landed in the Heavenly Wolf Altar.

Han Shanque arrived a little late. He didn't get along well with the wolf clan, but this time the situation was truly special.

Before even entering the Sirius Altar, one could hear a fierce argument coming from inside.

"That's the Lord of the Crossing Truth Palace, a figure on par with the Lord of the Day Sky Palace, and he's even been recognized by the Primordial Sovereign!"

"So what? Luo Chen is still a human. Do you want him to lord it over us forever?"

"Yes, he is human, but he is a peak human being who personally killed a Dao Sect master!"

"Hehe, you should all be on the Eastern Continent during that battle, right? Did you witness him slay a god?"

"This……"

"Don't forget, Palace Master Qing Shuang also intervened in that battle. No matter how strong Luo Chen is, he is still just a Nascent Soul cultivator. How could he possibly kill a Nascent Soul expert? I admit, he might have played a role, but it's more likely he was just an assistant. The true god-slayer was Qing Shuang. Old man with white eyebrows, don't rush to refute me. Calm down and think about it. It's extremely difficult to kill even a Nascent Soul demon cultivator like myself, let alone a Nascent Soul expert with their life-saving methods. Only Palace Master Qing Shuang, who has mastered the true meaning of the laws of space, can completely eliminate an existence of the same level. Luo Chen, he can't do it!"

As Han Shan Que stepped into the main hall, he saw the white-browed immortal ape arguing with a fierce-looking middle-aged man.

The Nascent Soul demon cultivators beside them remained silent and did not participate, but each of them had a thoughtful look on their faces.

The mountain-shaking gatekeeper recognized the middle-aged man.

Ao Jun!

The second strongest member of the wolf clan, second only to Tianlang Aokuang, has advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage in recent years, making him a rare Great Demon Emperor.

Han Shanque said in a muffled voice, "We are all fellow cultivators, why argue so fiercely?"

Ao Jun snorted coldly, "I cannot stand anyone boosting the morale of others while diminishing their own prestige."

The white-browed immortal ape sighed, "It is not that I am cowardly, but the Lord of the Crossing Truth Palace truly possesses unparalleled abilities. Regardless of whether he personally killed a Nascent Soul expert, his past achievements cannot be faked. The title of the number one person below the Nascent Soul level is by no means undeserved."

Ao Jun disagreed, "His title was only obtained by fighting Qing Shuang and then bullying the bald monk from Ximo. If we really calculate it that way, then my ancestor can also be called the number one, but my ancestor never cared about such empty titles."

The crowd looked at each other, but could not refute it.

This is because Tianlang Aokuang did indeed fight Qing Shuang back then, and even though Qing Shuang had grasped the true meaning of the spatial laws, she was still at a disadvantage in the battle.

Some even speculate that if it weren't for the fear of Qixia Yuanjun, Ao Kuang might have killed her back then.

The white-browed immortal ape pursed its lips and looked towards the Mountain-Shaking Palace.

“Fellow Daoist, we were both in the Crossing Truth Hall back then. Tell me about Luo Chen’s abilities.”

Han Shanque subconsciously wanted to deny Luo Chen's strength, but as the words reached his lips, the scene from back then involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

He single-handedly suppressed all the demons!

These abilities can be...

"Enough!" Ao Jun shouted, glaring at the white-browed immortal ape. "Old man with white eyebrows, if you don't want to participate in this important matter, you can leave. Why are you here inciting everyone?"

The white-browed immortal ape was displeased by such an angry shout.

He was invited to discuss important matters, but he was contradicted at every turn in just a few words. Even a clay figure has some temper.

But he ultimately did not respond with angry words.

It was only because three figures stepped into the Heavenly Wolf Altar from the back hall.

One was shrouded in a black robe, with a graceful figure vaguely visible.

One of them had a ferocious expression, as if he wanted to devour someone; he was Bi Zheng, the great demon emperor who went about his business alone.

In front of the two men stood the owner of this place.

The Lord of the Wolf Clan—Ao Kuang!
"Ancestor!"

"Lord Aojiao!"

"Fellow Daoist Ao, you've arrived."

Greetings rang out one after another, each face showing respect, demonstrating Ao Kuang's esteemed status among the demon race.

A kind smile appeared on the old man's dignified face.

He waved his hand, "No need for such formalities."

Then, Ao Kuang looked at Ao Jun.

"Fellow Daoist Bai Mei is merely worried that we are acting rashly and like eggs hitting rocks. Why get so angry?"

Ao Jun frowned, "But..."

Ao Kuang smiled and sat down above.

The man in black robes and Bi Zheng stood to his left and right.

“In fact, Fellow Daoist Bai Mei is not wrong. Luo Chen’s abilities have long been renowned throughout the mountains and seas. Moreover, his reputation is by no means an empty name that human cultivators boast to each other, but is earned through his many battles. Putting aside everything else, you must all have heard of the title ‘True Demon Slayer’!”

The demons' expressions changed slightly.

They were all demon cultivators, and the title of demon slayer was the most ironic title for them.

Ao Kuang was not embarrassed and continued, "As for the title of the number one person below the Nascent Soul stage, I have no intention of competing with him. Even if we were to face each other, the odds of victory would probably be between 30 and 70."

"I'm third, he's seventh!"

The demons were taken aback, seemingly not expecting that the arrogant patriarch would so frankly admit his disadvantages.

Han Shanque said in a muffled voice, "If that's the case, how dare you provoke the Lord of the Crossing Truth Palace?"

Ao Kuang glanced at him, then calmly pointed to the black-robed man beside him.

"Fellow Daoist, you speak!"

The person stepped forward, lifted their hood, and revealed a face of unparalleled purity, like that of a fairy in the cold moon. One glance was enough to inspire a sense of awe and reverence.

The woman gave a graceful bow, her voice uttering alluring tones.

"I am Yue Sanren, formerly a close confidante of Qixia Yuanjun, and now I am temporarily in charge of Tongxuan Palace."

Faced with this alluring voice, even the powerful demons felt a stirring of longing in their hearts.

They even desperately wanted to tear open the black robe and see the voluptuous body beneath it.

Ao Kuang frowned and snorted coldly.

A cold snort, as loud as thunder.

The group of demon cultivators suddenly realized what was happening, shocked by the woman's seductive voice, before they came to their senses.

"From Cangwu Mountain?"

"She's also a human cultivator!" "Why is she here? Could it be..."

"Everyone!" Yue Sanren called out, interrupting the crowd's negative thoughts. She then said seriously, "The past is the past, and the present is the present. Luo Chen is currently in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul realm. This is his weakest moment, and also our best opportunity."

Ao Kuang took over the conversation and said in a deep voice, "That's right. According to the intelligence gathered by my clansmen, Cangwu Mountain has activated its protective formation, and entry and exit are strictly prohibited. All of this is a sign that Luo Chen is preparing to become a Nascent Soul cultivator. Under these circumstances, I am confident that I can fight him. At that time, you only need to take action to restrain one or two of the other people who are loyal to Luo Chen."

The crowd exchanged glances, both shocked by Luo Chen's rapid breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage and impressed by what they considered an unprecedented opportunity.

When a cultivator breaks through a cultivation realm, it is often the time when they are at their weakest.

Regardless of the level of attainment, the most taboo thing is to be disturbed by outsiders.

If interrupted, at best one will be seriously injured and their cultivation will regress; at worst, one will die on the spot and never recover!
Some questioned, "He is the strongest among humans, so why is he not striving to reach the Nascent Soul stage in the Eastern Wilderness cultivation world, but instead choosing to stay in Cangwu Mountain?"

Ao Kuang calmly replied, "Two hundred years ago, Qixia Yuanjun stormed into the Netherworld Abyss and annihilated the Mingyuan Sect. Yanfu Mountain fell and has not reappeared since. It was the only fifth-order spiritual vein in the Eastern Wilderness cultivation world, and Nascent Soul cultivators cannot break through to the Divine Transformation realm without a fifth-order spiritual vein. Therefore, Luo Chen had to rely on the advantageous terrain of Cangwu Mountain to reach a higher realm. And this Cangwu Mountain was originally our territory!"

Each word and sentence is both an explanation and a provocation.

"Luo Chen is currently far from his sect, without any powerful protectors, and is at the moment of breaking through his cultivation level, which is when he is at his weakest."

"I know that many of you here are on the list of demon cultivators of the Crossing Truth Hall, so it's normal for you to have concerns. Therefore, you don't need to face Luo Chen; I will take care of him personally."

With such a guarantee, the people in the hall were clearly already somewhat tempted.

But not enough!

Ao Kuang took a deep breath. "My actions against Luo Chen this time are motivated by public concern. I don't want to see a powerful human being oppress our demon race, especially one who was once known for slaying demons. Personally, he and I have some minor grudges, and I've been stuck at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage for a long time, desperately needing the spiritual veins of Cangwu Mountain. Therefore, regardless of whether you are willing to help or not, I will definitely lead my troops to Cangwu Mountain in this battle!"

These words were spoken with heartfelt sincerity.

Given his reputation for arrogance in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, the demons were willing to believe that he was speaking from the bottom of his heart.

How could the spiritual veins of the demon race be stolen by a mere human cultivator?

Moreover, if he really succeeds, in the name of the Lord of the Crossing True Palace, will he suppress the demon race of the Eastern Wilderness for thousands of years?

"Whether you are willing to help or not, I hope you fellow Daoists will give an answer today. If any are unwilling, they may leave after making a vow not to reveal today's secrets, and I will not pursue the matter in the future."

Ao Kuang uttered his last words, then closed his eyes and began to rest.

Inside the Sirius Altar, chaos erupted.

There were those who agreed with the arrogant words and did not want Luo Chen to remain above the demon race, as well as the demon cultivators of the Duzhen Palace who were worried that if their plans failed, they would be purged by Luo Chen.

Amidst the chaos, the black-robed female cultivator, Yue Sanren, suddenly spoke.

"In the battle on the Eastern Continent, you all risked your lives for Luo Chen. I wonder if there will be any rewards afterward?"

The demons were speechless.

In that battle, they were merely following orders.

He was both intimidated by Luo Chen and faced with the terrifying pressure from Qixia Yuanjun, the master of Cangwu Mountain at the time, so he had no choice but to get involved.

There was no reward afterward, of course.

Yue Sanren smiled and said, "You may not know this, but all the powerful human warriors from the Eastern Wilderness who participated in the battle received an Enlightenment Pill afterward!"

The demons were bewildered.

What is the elixir of enlightenment?
When Yue Sanren didn't see the desired effect, he felt frustrated and cursed inwardly as a bunch of bumpkins.

He then explained in detail the effects of the so-called "Tihu Dan" (醍醐丹).

Upon learning of the miraculous effects of the Ambrosia Pill, everyone's eyes lit up.

"Could he really refine such a miraculous elixir?"

"He's a master alchemist!"

"Why are they only given to humans and not to us? Is this such a case of favoritism?"

"He is, after all, a human cultivator, so how could he treat everyone equally? I can't understand why the Qixia Yuanjun insisted on giving him the position of Duzhen Palace Master."

"Kill him and seize the Elixir of Enlightenment!"

"It's not that easy. Even if Lord Ao Kuang killed Luo Chen, such a powerful figure could destroy the storage magic treasure with just a thought before he fell, leaving us empty-handed."

"No, no, no, don't forget, he founded a large sect. How could such pills and even the formulas not be kept within the sect?"

"Then kill him, then lead our army to conquer the Eastern Wilderness, seize the Ambrosia, and prove our ancient demonic path!"

……

Amidst the surging emotions of the crowd, Ao Kuang and Yue Sanren exchanged a knowing smile.

With the people's hearts united, great things can be accomplished.

After the meeting.

At the summit of Tianlang Mountain, Ao Kuang personally saw Yue Sanren off.

No, or rather, it is a clone of Yue Sanren.

Her true self remains at the Tongxuan Hall on Cangwu Mountain, never venturing beyond the inner gate.

As they parted, the two were still planning their future grand undertaking.

"It can't be too early, nor too late! We must strike decisively at the last moment. Otherwise, Luo Chen at his peak is someone neither you nor I can match!"

Are you praising him too much?

"This is not admiration, but fear. If you knew that more than two hundred years ago, he was just a Golden Core cultivator, an ant who could only run for his life at my hands, you would not despise him so much."

"I certainly won't underestimate him, after all, he was once on par with Qing Shuang. I'm just wondering, is your elaborate scheme to deal with him, even going so far as to collude with us powerful demons, simply because you had a grudge against him in the past?"

"Hehe, it's not convenient to go into details. Anyway, afterwards, Cangwu Mountain will be yours, and I'll return to Beihai. The Ambrosia Pill will also be yours; I don't need that thing. But his natal magic weapon, whether it's damaged or not, must be given to me!"

"A natal magic weapon?"

"Farewell. When the time is right, I will inform you."

Ao Kuang watched Yue Sanren leave, his eyes narrowing slightly as he gazed at her graceful figure.

……

A day in the mountains is like a thousand years in the world.

When a cultivator secludes himself for arduous cultivation, time always passes faster than one can imagine.

This is especially true for high-level cultivators.

Often, a single deep retreat can last a lifetime for an ordinary person.

Luo Chen wouldn't be in such a situation, after all, his accumulation during the Nascent Soul stage was already quite substantial.

Not to mention the day and night practice of honing his magical power to consolidate his realm, just comprehending the true meaning of the three laws has made his foundation reach an unprecedented level of strength.

Fifty years!
Fifty years have passed since Luo Chen came to Cangwu Mountain to go into seclusion.

For fifty years, the great formation that enveloped Cangwu Mountain was never removed, isolating it from the outside world and blocking all prying eyes.

until……

boom!
Amidst a deafening roar, a vast expanse of crimson spiritual energy erupted, sweeping across the area spanning thousands of miles around Cangwu Mountain like a tidal wave.

The Nascent Soul demon cultivators guarding the mountain opened their eyes and looked up at the sky with surprise.

The day has finally arrived! (End of Chapter)