Longevity begins with alchemy master

Chapter 1110 Life and Death Reopen, the Mysterious Realm Enters the Cauldron

In southern Xinjiang, the gates of life and death have reopened!
Nearly two hundred years have passed since the last time the Fierce Mountain Zombie Alliance joined forces with the Tianyuan Dao Sect to attack the Gate of Life and Death.

For two hundred years, the legend of Lord Youli's defeat of the army and his ascension to immortality has been circulating in the cultivation world of the Southern Frontier, and countless people have great awe for this only sacred place in the Southern Frontier.

It was an existence that, despite being closed off for hundreds of years, still possessed a terrifying foundation.

In fact, given that all the major holy lands in the Mountain and Sea Realm have either perished or suffered severe damage, the Gate of Life and Death, which has remained closed for so long, may be the one that has preserved its strength most completely.

Now that the holy land's gates are wide open, many cultivators are naturally paying close attention.

However, unexpectedly, after the Gate of Life and Death opened, there were no major actions taken, not even the attempt to reclaim former territories and industries.

A rumor spread like wildfire from a faction that was on good terms with the Gate of Life and Death.

It is said that the emergence of this sacred site in southern Xinjiang was to welcome a certain person.

The doors were opened, and a procession of officials came out to greet them, as a sign of respect!
What kind of being is this person?

Amidst countless speculations, inside the library of the Gate of Life and Death, the Grand Elder, Master Ziyan, respectfully stood beside a white-robed Taoist, speaking in hushed tones.

"The Calamity Gu is indeed the Robbery Gu, but people have many misunderstandings about this Gu."

"This Gu may seem to bring disaster and calamity, but in essence it tempers the host through disasters. Each time the host passes the test of disaster, the host will be greatly improved. In particular, those natural disasters contain the creation of heaven and earth, and the host can most directly and clearly comprehend the great principles of the world during the tribulation process."

"If we back down when faced with difficulties, then the Calamity Gu will become a true catastrophe!"

"In contrast, there is the Fortune Gu, which on the surface brings abundant blessings, but everything comes with a price. For example, our sect's Supreme Elder, Lord Youli, who has already ascended, caused the sinking of the Yuan Qi Ocean due to his momentary greed, almost causing the entire Southern Border cultivation world to be destroyed by the spiritual energy tide. Fortunately, the Supreme Elder is an unparalleled genius, and he used this to condense his Dharma form and ascend to heaven."

"Senior, there is no need to worry about the trace of the Calamity Gu's residual aura. Its weakness will not bring you much disaster. On the contrary, in a desperate situation, it may bring you a glimmer of hope. After all, fortune and misfortune are intertwined."

"This must be the reason why the Supreme Elder made such arrangements before his ascension!"

The white-robed Taoist stopped in his tracks, opening the book in his hand.

He looked thoughtful, muttering the phrase "misfortune may be a blessing in disguise, and a blessing may be a misfortune in disguise." Finally, with a slight smile, he closed the book titled "Tales of Strange Gu".

In this realm, as long as he doesn't encounter the top-tier Great Wilderness Soul-Lamenting Wilderness, who could bring him calamity?
Lord Youli's good intentions have all come to naught.

The white-robed Taoist handed back "Tales of Strange Gu," but to his surprise, Master Ziyan quickly declined.

"Since Senior Luo is interested in the Gu worms, this book will be given to you as a gift."

The person speaking to him face to face was Luo Chen.

He smiled slightly, "In that case, I shall accept your offer without hesitation."

Then, Luo Chen abruptly changed the subject and asked about something else.

"How much do you know about Mi Jie Mountain?"

Master Ziyan asked, "Is the place you're referring to the former headquarters of the Ferocious Mountain Zombie Alliance?"

“Exactly,” Luo Chen nodded.

After pondering for a moment, Master Ziyan slowly said, "Mount Mijie has been known in the Southern Frontier for a long time, and it is a great wonder. Once you enter, the space is layered upon layered, as if three thousand worlds have converged in one mountain. If you are not careful, it is easy to get lost. Moreover, after a cultivator's Nascent Soul escapes, it should shrink to an inch and travel a thousand miles in one leap. However, inside Mount Mijie, it is greatly suppressed and cannot escape at all. Some people speculate that this mountain is formed from a powerful spiritual treasure or the remains of ancient beasts, but most people believe that this mountain is the result of the creation of heaven and earth, a half-formed blessed land."

Luo Chen chuckled, "I am also aware of this common knowledge. Tell me something I don't know!"

Master Ziyan looked at Luo Chen in surprise, then recalled a certain legend.

There was once a body-refining cultivator named Ba Xiu Qi Tian who joined the Fierce Mountain Zombie Alliance. This person's origins were mysterious and unpredictable, and he disappeared without a trace.

Considering the circumstances surrounding the Supreme Elder's ascension, could this Luo Chen be the tyrannical cultivator Qi Tian?
He hesitated for a moment before speaking, "The true origin of Mi Jie Mountain is actually as most people guess. It is a grotto-heaven that existed when the world was first created and the mountain and sea realm was born. According to ancient records, the world was like a chicken egg, a state of chaos. After the separation, the pure air rose and the turbid air sank, eventually forming the clear and bright universe. But in this process, there were some peculiarities. Due to the pressure of the separation of chaos, the pure and turbid did not separate, but instead overlapped together. Mi Jie Mountain is such an existence."

Luo Chen seemed to understand something, "The clear and the turbid were never separated, and chaos still existed, which is why the Mi Jie Mountain was so peculiar?"

He recalled that year he spent in Mi Jie Mountain.

Aside from cultivating the "Baidu Body Refining Technique," he spent most of his time observing the omnipresent spatial restrictions of Mi Jie Mountain, specifically the kind that were outwardly visible.

That was clearly due to a large amount of space overlapping, which caused the spatial restrictions to naturally manifest.

It was precisely through his observations that year, combined with his Crimson Eyes and Golden Pupils, that he was able to gain a certain advantage in his subsequent battles against Qing Shuang.

Listening to the Grand Elder of the Gate of Life and Death's introduction, it certainly fits that description perfectly.

"But such an existence must be extremely unstable, right?"

Master Ziyan nodded. “Senior is wise. Mi Jie Mountain is indeed unstable. That’s why it appears and disappears in the cultivation world of the Southern Frontier, and its whereabouts have been unknown for thousands of years.”

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. "Then why was it able to stabilize later?"

Master Ziyan explained, “This is related to the anomaly brought about by the cultivation of our sect’s Supreme Elder. At that time, the primordial energy ocean sank, and the spiritual energy tide was about to erupt. The enormous external pressure forced the semi-formed grotto-heaven like Mi Jie Mountain to accelerate its formation. The Supreme Elder noticed this and secretly took action, using his great supernatural powers to stabilize the position of Mi Jie Mountain in reality. Originally, he planned to subdue this mountain after emerging from seclusion and use it as the foundation of the sect. However, the Supreme Elder was too hasty in ascending to immortality and left behind this mess.”

He expressed his regret at this point.

"That was a good place, but now it's benefited a bunch of rogue cultivators."

After Lord Youli was defeated by the combined forces of the Xiong Yue Jiang Alliance and the Tian Yuan Dao Sect, the Tian Yuan Dao Sect withdrew from the Southern Frontier, and the Xiong Yue Jiang Alliance subsequently collapsed and dared not exist openly.

Naturally, Mi Jie Mountain, which served as the main base of the Xiong Yue Jiang Alliance, was left vacant.

Some independent cultivators seized the opportunity to occupy mountain peaks and turn them into cave dwellings.

Luo Chen tentatively asked, "Now that the Fierce Mountain Zombie Alliance has been disbanded, your sect still holds absolute power in the Southern Frontier. Why not take this opportunity to take over Mi Jie Mountain?"

Master Ziyan smiled bitterly, “Mount Mijie is actually not important to us. What is important is that the Gate of Life and Death has been closed off for too long, and the Southern Frontier’s respect for us has long since disappeared. Although the Fierce Mountain Alliance has been disbanded, the various forces are holding fast to their core positions and secretly colluding. Not to mention Mount Mijie, even my sect is hesitant to reclaim some of its territories and properties, for fear of provoking another war. Of course, the fact that my sect’s Nascent Soul stage experts can take over this mountain is also one of the most fundamental reasons.”

"Is that so?" Luo Chen roughly understood the current predicament of the Gate of Life and Death.

In terms of strength, the Gate of Life and Death is undoubtedly the strongest force in the Southern Frontier. Even if we consider the five continents of the Mountain and Sea Realm, its strength is considered the most well-preserved holy land.

With the example of the major forces in the Southern Frontier forming the Fierce Mountain Zombie Alliance, the Gate of Life and Death, without a Nascent Soul cultivator in charge, cannot easily act like a tyrant.

Luo Chen paused slightly, stopping by the window, his gaze sweeping over the view outside the library.

Within the gates of the Life and Death Sect, which have been recuperating and thriving for hundreds of years, life is flourishing, with numerous disciples, and it is already showing signs of rising to prominence.

Standing behind, Master Ziyan seemed to have thought of something. He tentatively asked, "Senior, are you perhaps interested in Mount Mi Jie?"

Luo Chen made no attempt to conceal his intentions, stating frankly, "I am currently refining a powerful treasure, which is heavy but lacks agility. Mi Jie Mountain is a self-contained universe with countless spaces and numerous spatial restrictions, making it a living, breathing grotto-heaven in itself. If I could refine this mountain into it, I could make up for its shortcomings. However, the Southern Frontier is ultimately your territory, and because of Lord You Li, I do not wish to take it without asking."

Upon hearing this, Master Ziyan felt a great sense of relief.

He breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Senior, please don't mind. As I just said, Mi Jie Mountain is not very important to us now. If you want to take it, just take it yourself."

Luo Chen gripped the windowsill and said in a deep voice, "Since that's the case, then I'll accept without hesitation. However..."

At this point, he turned around and looked intently at Master Ziyan.

"Your esteemed family has been incredibly accommodating to me today, granting me whatever I desire. I am not one to accept favors without giving them away, so I will do you a small favor!"

Master Ziyan's eyes lit up. Could it be...?

"As you think, you may use my name for a while. But how to clean up the mess in the future depends on your clan's methods."

"That's enough. Ziyan thanks you, Senior!"

……

Southern Xinjiang has undergone a dramatic transformation!

Or rather, the sky over southern Xinjiang has never really changed; it has always been shrouded in the gates of life and death.

However, this time, without the presence of the Netherworld God, the Southern Frontier has gained another powerful backer.

A powerful figure from the Eastern Wilderness has come from across the continent, declaring that he will assist the Gate of Life and Death in reclaiming its lost territory, and anyone who dares to disobey will be killed without mercy!

Following this announcement, those stubborn, unyielding forces, both large and small, that banded together for mutual support crumbled one after another.

The Gate of Life and Death unleashed its full force, displaying its strength—which had been recuperating for hundreds of years—to the world.

The lost territories, industries, and even vassals were all recovered one by one.

Thus, the sacred land gradually regained its former glory. The only unexpected development was the current state of Mi Jie Mountain, a sacred site for independent cultivators in southern Xinjiang!
The cultivators of the Life and Death Sect surrounded the area but did not attack; they merely ordered the rogue cultivators inside to withdraw.

This gentle approach led many to harbor inappropriate thoughts, assuming that the Gate of Life and Death was wary and dared not provoke public anger.

Therefore, many high-level cultivators within the sect were reluctant to leave and tried to bargain with the Gate of Life and Death.

The leader among them was a powerful figure in the demonic path.

His name is Ning Yuzhuo, but he is known to the world as the Demon Buddha!

This person cultivated both demonic and Buddhist practices, and became famous in the Southern Frontier two hundred years ago, performing exceptionally well during the attack on the Gate of Life and Death.

Now at the fifth level of the Nascent Soul realm, his formidable strength allows him to protect himself even against a Grandmaster of the Nascent Soul stage.

Such formidable strength is the source of his confidence.

He will not leave Mi Jie Mountain unless the Gate of Life and Death agrees to his conditions.

If you've got the guts, then come in and fight!
Everyone knows that Mount Mijie contains countless spatial restrictions, and cultivators dare not fight freely inside it.

Ning Yuzhuo was confident that even if a powerful cultivator came in, he was sure he could make them suffer a crushing defeat!

But this confidence didn't last long.

This day.

On Mount Mi Jie, the weather suddenly changed, and the spiritual energy was thrown into chaos.

The entire space trembled, as if something was trying to force its way in.

Tens of thousands of cultivators emerged from their caves, looking up at the sky in astonishment.

Ning Yuzhuo was also among them, looking up at the sky with a solemn expression.

Two streaks of light flew slowly from the surrounding area and landed anxiously in front of him.

"Brother Ning, has the Gate of Life and Death made its move?"

"It should be." Ning Yuzhuo's expression was uncertain.

Another Nascent Soul cultivator asked in bewilderment, "How dare they? This Mi Jie Mountain exists amidst spatial turbulence, its vital energy extremely unstable. There is only one external passage; if they don't enter through that passage, how else could they possibly enter this realm?"

Ning Yuzhuo said in a low voice, "No matter how turbulent the primordial energy is, what if someone can control the primordial energy of heaven and earth?"

The two men were taken aback.

Ning Yuzhuo said with a sigh, "It must have been that powerful figure from the Eastern Wilderness who personally took action."

"This……"

"What should I do?"

The three Nascent Soul cultivators looked at each other, unsure of how to respond.

At this moment.

A crack appeared in the azure sky.

It was cleaved open by a sword!
Immediately, two large hands grabbed the edge of the crack and pulled it to both sides.

lol...

The extremely piercing sound reached the ears of all the cultivators in the mountain.

Those with low cultivation levels were instantly knocked unconscious.

Even someone as highly skilled as the Demon Buddha Ning Yuzhuo was still unsettled.

Immediately, they saw a hand reach in through the crack.

With his palm flat and facing upwards, a streak of gray light flew out.

The gray light was initially very small, but it grew as it faced the wind, and in an instant it transformed into a gigantic mass of hundreds of feet.

Three legs, two ears, and a round belly.

It was a large, gray cauldron!
The giant cauldron hovered in the air, emitting a hazy light, and strands of primordial magnetic divine light hung down like beaded curtains, enveloping the entire Mi Jie Mountain.

"If you don't want to die, don't resist, get into my sleeve!"

A resounding voice, like the booming of a bell, rang out and penetrated everyone's ears, even those who were unconscious.

Ning Yuzhuo sighed, "Such a treasure land is ultimately not something that we can possess!"

He gave up resisting, and the large sleeve continued to exert its suction force, drawing him inside.

The suction force was so strong that even his full magical power could not resist it.

Before being taken in, Ning Yuzhu couldn't help but sigh, "Such extraordinary methods could have been used to just take everyone away directly. There was no need for polite words. This Nascent Soul cultivator is quite good-natured."

The moment it entered the sleeve, I felt as if the sky had darkened and my thoughts had slowed down.

In a daze, Ning Yuzhuo felt as if the world had turned upside down and suddenly woke up.

Pfft!
Pfft!
Pfft!
Tens of thousands of independent cultivators fell into Nine Mist City like dumplings being dropped into a pot.

In their daze, everyone looked up at the sky.

A Taoist priest in white robes slowly withdrew his right hand, revealing a small cauldron emitting a strange light in his palm.

The small cauldron seemed to exist in this world, yet it also seemed as if it might break through the air and fly away at any moment.

Seeing this, everyone knew that Mi Jie Mountain had fallen into the hands of a powerful figure in the Eastern Wilderness!

"Who exactly is this senior?"

"Such a miraculous method of moving mountains through the void is truly unbelievable!"

"Judging from his appearance and his gentle and tolerant attitude towards us rogue cultivators, could he be the legendary Eastern Wilderness Pill Sect?"

Discussions echoed throughout the Nine Mist Immortal City.

Ning Yuzhuo was among them, but for some reason, when he looked up at the figure of the white-robed Taoist, he felt a sense of familiarity.

Have I seen this person before?

……

"Congratulations, senior, on acquiring this treasure mountain and enhancing the power of your magical artifact!"

On a mountain peak, Master Ziyan offered his sincere congratulations.

Luo Chen shook his head and smiled, "It's not enough. Just like my cauldron has three legs, to achieve the stability of a three-legged cauldron, we need to add another top-level spiritual mountain that is comparable to the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain and the Mi Jie Mountain."

Master Ziyan was taken aback.

Yuanci Divine Mountain is the gateway to the Yuanmo Sect of the North Sea Holy Land, while Mijie Mountain was formed at the beginning of the creation of heaven and earth. There are few things in the world that can be compared with these two.
As far as he knew, there might be only a handful left in the world.

Such as the perilous and unpredictable Broken Soul Cliff, the sacred Cangwu Mountain of the Feather Clan, the Hanging Blade Peak where the powerful demon Beili Great Sage resided, or Yanfu Mountain, which once hung high in the nine heavens but ultimately fell into the abyss.

I wonder which famous mountain Luo Chen has set his sights on this time?
However, with Luo Chen's strength, most of them should be within his grasp!
Following Luo Chen's gaze toward the north, Master Ziyan's heart stirred.

"Could it be Hanging Blade Peak?"

"No!"

"He went to Beihai first, there's no reason for him to turn back, especially in this direction..."

Master Ziyan's expression hardened slightly; he had already guessed what was going on.

(End of this chapter)