Longevity begins with alchemy master

Nine-Tobacco Tower.

One of the most important external industries of the Fang family, the first family in Wuyou City.

Their main business is collecting rare treasures and secret techniques.

Occasionally, they also host some high-profile trade fairs.

In recent days, the number of customers entering and leaving Jiuyanlou has increased more than tenfold.

This made the manager in charge extremely happy.

The reasons for this change are clear to everyone.

When the hundred-year period arrives, the nine-story pagoda will open!

Many high-level martial artists who had been diligently cultivating within the tower took this opportunity to come out, either to rest, recuperate, or purchase resources to prepare for their next entry into the Nine Heavens Immortal Tower for cultivation.

These high-level martial artists who emerged also brought back some resources that were completely different from those in the Great Destruction Realm.

Some of the ordinary resources that they didn't value were handed over to Jiuyanlou for processing for convenience.

This is why a large number of ordinary customers come and go from Jiuyanlou.

Manager Fang tapped the abacus on the counter, his face beaming with undisguised joy. His daily earnings lately were equivalent to what he used to earn in a month or even several months.

Once this year is over, he can deliver a perfect report to his family and then happily retire.

"Shopkeeper, a distinguished guest has arrived, and we may need your personal attention."

A maidservant proactively informed him, interrupting Manager Fang's reverie.

He frowned slightly. "What kind of distinguished guests do I need to personally appear? If they are the newly arrived martial artists at the Perfect Realm who want to participate in the trade fair, why don't you just lead them up?"

The maid said cautiously, "This one is different."

"I'd like to see what's different about it."

As Manager Fang spoke, his expression became serious, and he tidied his clothes before leaving.

When he saw the Worry-Free Token handed over by Xiangfei, his contempt vanished.

"This is the highest-level golden token in the clan!"

Luo Chen didn't know that the Worry-Free Token also had different grades, but since the grade was higher, it was naturally better.

"I've heard that Nine Smoke Pavilion holds a regular trade fair for high-level martial artists throughout the year. May I use this token to enter?"

Shopkeeper Fang respectfully returned the golden Worry-Free Token.

"Of course you are qualified, senior. This way please!"

Luo Chen and Xiang Fei exchanged a smile and followed Manager Fang toward the trade fair venue.

Unexpectedly, the venue wasn't upstairs, but rather downstairs, becoming increasingly spacious as you walked.

Have you been here before?

As he walked, Luo Chen focused his voice into a line and asked a question.

Xiangfei sighed, "I've heard of it before, but I've never been. This level of trade fair is too high-profile; you need to spend a certain amount at the Nine Smoke Pavilion to be invited. Back then, to conserve cultivation resources, I naturally wouldn't have been so wasteful. However, it was precisely because I wasn't prepared enough that I lacked understanding of the Nine Rings of Destruction, and ultimately returned severely injured."

Luo Chen played with the golden Worry-Free Token in his hand, and felt a bit of goodwill towards the Worry-Free Realm Master he had never met.

The issuance of the Worry-Free Order was carried out by special envoys such as Fang Zhibai.

However, the establishment of the standards must have been made by the Lord of the Worry-Free Realm.

He made things much easier for martial artists with higher aptitude.

In this way, Luo Chen became even more convinced of Fang Zhibai's claim that "the Lord of the Worry-Free Realm wanted to study the Great Dao with him."

The Ruins of Guixu are too eerie, and the impending destruction of the future is utterly despairing.

In this situation, resorting to any means necessary to fight and compete is actually a huge drain on internal resources.

Only a powerful figure with a broad mind, like the Lord of Worry-Free Realm, could gather the geniuses of the seventy-two cities together to make progress and study how to leave the Ruins.

A bronze door blocked their way.

Before pushing open the door, Manager Fang turned around and bowed respectfully.

"Senior, your seat is on the upper level. Do you need to wear a mask to conceal your face?"

"no need."

"Then please!"

The door opened, and Luo Chen stepped inside.

In an instant, countless gazes were cast upon him, all landing on Luo Chen.

These gazes were filled with curious scrutiny, unfamiliar apprehension, and suspicious speculation.

All of these things seem to carry a weight of immense importance.

Luo Chen ignored it and continued upwards along the passage.

Xiangfei, who was following behind him, seemed a little uncomfortable.

"Huh? City Lord of Sanxiang, you've actually returned?"

A gasp of surprise rang out.

Xiangfei turned her head and greeted her, "Lord Zixia, it's been a long time."

This wasn't a place for reminiscing. After Xiangfei finished greeting everyone, she followed Luo Chen to the upper floor and chose one of the few available seats.

The Lady of Zixia City is a beautiful female warrior, dressed in purple, with a graceful demeanor.

His gaze followed Xiangfei's, and gradually a look of shock appeared on his face.

Or rather, she was surprised from the very beginning.

Surprisingly, decades ago, Xiangfei was forced to leave the Nine Heavens Immortal Tower because she could not endure the cultivation environment within the Nine Rings of Destruction.

This withdrawal signifies a return, but it also means she is not far from death.

Unexpectedly, upon emerging from seclusion, I was able to see her return to Worry-Free City.

What shocked the City Lord of Zixia the most was the place where the two sat.

Above her, at the highest point of the rotunda!

There, only two types of people can sit.

One type is those who enter the upper three rings of cultivation.

One type is those who are favored by the Lord of Worry-Free Realm and are expected to enter the Upper Three Rings of cultivation in the future!
That might not be intuitive enough.

To give a simple example, there are only four people who are currently able to cultivate in the upper three rings.

Apart from the Lord of Wuyou Realm, the remaining three were all martial arts immortals who had broken through to the fifth realm.

In other words, the young man that Xiangfei followed was favored by the Lord of Wuyou Realm and had the opportunity to step into the realm of human immortals in the future.
In fact, this shock was not only evident on the face of the City Lord of Zixia.

Any martial artist who saw Luo Chen sitting in the upper seat could not hide their shock and began to whisper among themselves.

"Who is that person?"

"So young, yet possessing such a high level of skill, could he be a prodigy from the Fang family?"

"It doesn't seem like it. Didn't you see Xiangfei, the City Lord of Sanxiang, accompanying him?"

Unfortunately, many people don't know Luo Chen, and can't even recall any connection to him.

These people have been cultivating in the Nine Rings of Destruction for a hundred years, and they have only just emerged now. How could they know what has happened in the outside world, or which rising stars have emerged?

but!

A newly invited martial artist who had just achieved the highest level of skill looked at Xiang Fei's respectful demeanor with a mixture of disbelief and skepticism, and vaguely realized Luo Chen's identity.

He explained it to his elders.

Then, these messages spread without anyone noticing.

"The mastermind behind Yixian City killed five city lords, including Xilong and Mofeng, when he was in the Furnace Realm, and enslaved the city lord of Sanxiang City for decades."

"Over the decades, Yixian City has engaged in trade with foreign countries with extremely forceful means, swallowing up a large amount of resources to support his cultivation."

"Now, this person has cultivated to the state of perfection."

"His name is Luo Chen!"

When the news spread and was confirmed, everyone's occasional glances at Luo Chen changed.

No wonder I heard that the number of martial artists qualified to enter the Nine Heavens Immortal Tower this year is almost one-fifth less than in previous years!

If Luo Chen occupied the resources of more than a dozen cities, affecting the normal cultivation of younger generations, then it would make sense.

Luo Chen's impressive battle record was enough to convince everyone that he was qualified to sit there. He could fight opponents of higher levels even at the Furnace Realm, and in a one-against-six situation no less!

Such an extraordinary individual would naturally be highly regarded by the Lord of the Worry-Free Realm.

Although Luo Chen couldn't hear the following discussion, he could glean some information from observing their expressions.

It's nothing more than a discussion about one's own past!
Since he didn't conceal his face, he must have been prepared long ago.

Moreover, there are advantages to doing so.

When you actually enter the Nine Heavens Immortal Tower, you can save yourself some unnecessary trouble if you want to seize good cultivation stones from the Nine Rings of Destruction.

Suddenly!
A commotion broke out in the arena.

Luo Chen looked in the direction of the sound and saw an old man in a blue robe walk in from the bronze door.

Then came a chorus of people standing up and greeting each other.

"Senior Gu, it's been a long time."

"Hello, Senior Gu!"

"Senior Gu, you still have as much charm as ever!"

Luo Chen stared intently at the man, and could vaguely see some residual chaotic energy on his body.

"Who is he?"

Xiangfei hesitated before saying, "It should be Senior Gu Xun, one of the three great martial arts immortals. He is also the most special of the three seniors. He doesn't always cultivate in the upper three rings. He occasionally enters the lower six rings, so many people know him."

"Is this so..."

Luo Chen muttered to himself, then somewhat impolitely released his aura and took the initiative to sense it.

He wanted to know what it meant to be a martial arts immortal!
The moment their energies met, Luo Chen shuddered.

At that moment, he seemed to see a black hole, swallowing all perception from the inside out.

That black hole was constantly expanding; just by standing there, it gave the impression that it was about to burst the entire venue.

Is this the martial arts immortal who is rejected by heaven and earth and therefore needs to break through the void to escape?

Luo Chen guarded his mind and forcibly withdrew his perception of Qi.

"what?"

Gu Xun seemed to sense something and looked up.

When he saw where Luo Chen was, he couldn't help but smile.

Ignoring the gazes of others around him, he went to the seat next to Luo Chen.

"My name is Gu Xun. May I ask your name, my friend?"

Fellow?

It's been a long time since anyone has used that title to him.

With a glimmer of hope, Luo Chen bowed and said, "Luo Chen greets fellow Daoist!"

Gu Xun smiled, seemingly understanding the hope in Luo Chen's tone, "Unfortunately, I am not a cultivator, so I have to disappoint you, Fellow Daoist Luo."

Luo Chen was indeed disappointed.

Having witnessed the fall of many cultivators in Worry-Free City, and having personally experienced the fall of Chi Mo, and unable to meet with the Lord of Worry-Free City in the short term, he urgently wanted to find a fellow cultivator.

Especially former cultivators who have reached a high level of martial arts.

But Gu Xun is not.

However, Luo Chen quickly put away his disappointment.

For cultivators transitioning to martial arts, the initial stages are relatively easy, often guaranteeing them the Blood River Realm. However, reaching higher realms is far from easy.
After all, these are two completely opposite paths!

Luo Chen and Gu Xun did not talk much because the trade fair had begun.

The person who hosted this trade fair was also an old acquaintance of his, Fang Zhibai!
To be honest, Fang Zhibai was somewhat surprised to see Luo Chen and Gu Xun sitting next to each other.

He came to preside over this trade fair for two reasons: first, to represent the Fang family and to set the stage for his own entry into the Nine Heavens Immortal Tower.

With such a blatant public appearance, everyone will recognize him, or at least be familiar with his face.

At that time, he will be spared a lot of trouble in the Nine Rings of Destruction.

It was rather unusual that Luo Chen would take such initiative and not bother to conceal his face while sitting in that high position.

Isn't he afraid of being envied by others?
Not everyone will respect or be wary of someone with outstanding potential and talent.

On the contrary, the Great Destruction Realm is full of martial arts fanatics and madmen. After learning of Luo Chen's potential and possible future, some might even deliberately cause him trouble, using this as a way to prove their own path!

"That's it!"

Fang Zhibai muttered something to himself, then said loudly:

"Everyone is almost here. I hereby declare the trade fair officially open. I, Xia Zhibai, will represent the Fang family to start the discussion!"

"This is a Blood Dragon Ginseng, containing abundant blood and qi, which can help martial artists in the Furnace Realm break through to the Leakless Realm. Most importantly, the ginseng qi in the Blood Dragon Ginseng is quite mild. After a little transformation, it can slowly nourish damaged meridians, which has a miraculous effect on martial artists in the Leakless Realm."

"Starting price: 30,000 gold coins."

As he spoke, he took out a blood-red ginseng that looked like a coiled dragon.

The appearance of this item immediately drew a series of rapid breaths.

Breaking through to the Flawless Realm is of little use to the powerful individuals present. Moreover, once they decide to enter the Nine Heavens Immortal Tower, they often become distant from their bloodline descendants, so they naturally don't need to consider the improvement of the younger generation.

But its ability to nourish the meridians is something many people envy.

The training environment of the Nine Rings of Destruction is too harsh, and most of the martial artists who train there suffer from hidden injuries.

Especially the meridians through which Qi and blood circulate!
Even though 30,000 gold coins was a high price, it still attracted a continuous stream of bids after Fang Zhibai finished speaking.

In the end, the Blood Dragon Ginseng was purchased by the City Lord of Zixia for 120,000 gold coins.

It's four times the starting price!
This is definitely a premium!

Luo Chen observed this, seemingly lost in thought.

Over the years, he has never handled any financial matters, leaving everything to Jinglan and Xiangfei.

However, I also have a basic understanding of the monetary system and purchasing power of the Great Cataclysm.

The highest-grade currency is a special and rare gold mineral, often found hidden deep within the earth's veins in the form of round beads.

The resources that can be purchased with a thousand gold beads are enough for a Blood River Realm martial artist to cultivate normally to the Furnace Realm.

Ten thousand gold beads is a huge sum of money; even martial artists at the Furnace Realm rarely have such abundant cash on them.

The starting bid of 30,000 pieces is very high.

However, it's nothing to a martial artist at the Unblemished Realm.

Fang Zhibai's statement about "throwing a brick to attract jade" was indeed true.

But a fourfold premium is still a bit exaggerated.

What Luo Chen truly saw in this transaction was the scarcity and desire among martial artists for medicinal materials to repair their meridians.

In that case, his next task would be much simpler.

However, Luo Chen was not in a hurry and looked at the next few transactions.

Although the trade fair began with Fang Zhibai auctioning off the Blood Dragon Ginseng, the subsequent events were indeed conducted in the form of transactions.

The resources that martial artists hoard for themselves do not require ordinary gold and silver; they require resources of equal quality.

Especially those martial artists who have just come out of the Nine Heavens Immortal Tower, the things they occasionally take out are all kinds of strange and unusual, and sometimes even they themselves cannot explain their effects.

Luo Chen observed this and gradually came to understand.

"Fellow Daoist Luo, are you just going to watch and not make a move?"

Gu Xun, who was standing nearby, suddenly asked.

Luo Chen chuckled softly, "Let's do it now!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he flicked his hand, and a pill the size of a longan floated out.

Above the pill, several golden cloud patterns swirled, giving it an extraordinary appearance.

However, there was no trace of its aura leaking out, indicating that the medicinal power had been condensed to its extreme.

"One Grade 4 High-Quality Meridian Repairing Pill can completely repair the damaged meridians of a Wulou Realm martial artist."

As soon as the clear voice finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment.

Immediately, a deafening roar shook the ground! (End of Chapter)