Longevity begins with alchemy master

Chapter 1180 Mastering the Nine Heavens, Seven Hundred Divine Slayers
For the endless universe, the Void of Return, whose whereabouts are unknown, has no concept of time or space.

But for the beings truly living in the Ruins of Return, another century has passed.

Worry-Free City!
It's that time of year again when everyone's in a lively mood.

Top martial artists from seventy-two cities gathered here, some with their families and followers, others with their caravans.

Xiangfei had witnessed this lively scene twice before, and this was the third time.

The beauty-enhancing effects of martial arts techniques are ultimately inferior to the nourishment of immortal spiritual energy. Compared to before, she has aged considerably, and her attire is no longer glamorous and flamboyant, but rather simple and elegant.

In the courtyard of Yuelong Lane, Xiangfei sat in a chair, quietly listening to the intelligence gathered by her subordinates.

"The Nine-Layer Immortal Tower has been opened, and all the martial artists have come out, from the upper three rings to the lower three rings."

"They've all come out?"

Xiangfei was somewhat surprised.

Although every hundred years, many martial artists would take the opportunity to recuperate, collect medicinal herbs to heal their injuries, or visit friends and family to relax, there are always some martial artists who are obsessed with cultivation and continue to train within the Nine-Layered Immortal Tower.

Why is there such a big commotion this time?

The subordinate nodded, equally shocked.

"I heard that they've all come out. The news came from Fang Qingxue, another immortal ancestor of the Fang family. Moreover, I even saw City Lord Xiao Lin on the street."

"Xiao Lin!"

After Xiangfei read the name aloud, she had no choice but to believe the information.

Although that person was younger than him, they were among the same group of martial artists who entered the Nine Rings of Destruction for cultivation, so they could be considered peers.

Everyone knows that he is a complete martial arts fanatic.

Unless something significant happens, no one can drive him away; he only wants to cultivate within the Nine Rings of Destruction for the rest of his life.

He's already come out, so you can imagine what changes are happening to the Nine Rings of Destruction.

She didn't care about any changes.

What she cared about was that she still hadn't seen Luo Chen.

Could it be that he perished inside during his century of arduous cultivation?
"Have you heard any news about Senior Luo Chen's return?"

"I haven't heard of him coming out, and no one has seen him." The subordinate shook his head.

Just as Xiangfei was feeling disappointed, her subordinate suddenly brought up some news.

"Someone in the restaurant overheard the martial arts grandmasters of the fourth ring talking about something: Senior Luo Chen seems to have broken through."

The fourth ring? A breakthrough?

Could it be the realm of martial arts immortals?
Xiangfei's heart trembled.

Luo Chen has only been in the world for a hundred years, and he has only been cultivating martial arts for less than two hundred years, yet his realm has improved so much.

Even though she had witnessed Luo Chen's many incredible abilities, Xiang Fei still found it hard to believe.

Her expression kept changing before she finally said, "Continue to investigate relevant intelligence. If you have any news about Senior Luo Chen, tell me immediately."

"As ordered!"

After her subordinates left, Xiangfei sighed softly.

She's old, really old.

He broke through to the Flawless Realm at around three hundred years old, waited a hundred years before barely managing to break through the Nine Rings of Annihilation, then regretfully returned and waited another hundred years with Luo Chen, and now another hundred years have passed.

His actual lifespan is already six hundred years!
The normal lifespan limit of eight hundred years for a martial artist in the Great Destruction Realm without flaws is not far off.

If I don't see Luo Chen this time, it may become a regret forever.

Therefore, she took the initiative to come to Wuyou City, hoping to meet Luo Chen.

Even if it's only once a year, or even if it's only once in a short time.

But the world changes, and it never changes according to the will of these little people.

Will we ever meet again in this lifetime?

……

Three months later.

Another message came from his subordinates, and it was even said that the message had spread throughout the entire Immortal Remnant City.

The Nine-Layered Immortal Tower is closed!
Close early!

All the chaotic energy that had escaped disappeared, and all the older generation martial artists who came out and the new martial artists who had not yet entered were blocked outside.

This news shocked everyone.

Does the Lord of the Worry-Free Realm not want everyone to go in and cultivate anymore?

Amidst the panic, Fang Qingxue stepped forward and offered a brief explanation.

"The Nine-Layered Immortal Tower will still open, but the time is uncertain. We hope you will all wait patiently."

This explanation, lacking a specific timeframe, left much to the imagination, but at least it was an official announcement, which at least offered some reassurance.

Xiangfei knew that she might really not see Luo Chen again this time.

Everyone else came out, but he was the only one who didn't. The Nine-Layered Immortal Tower suddenly changed again.

It is very likely that this change is related to Luo Chen.

I shouldn't have waited any longer.

Xiangfei returned to Sanxiang City with regret and dejection.

……

Xiangfei's guess was correct; the changes in the Nine-Layered Immortal Pagoda were indeed related to Luo Chen!
Three years later.

Within the Nine-Layered Immortal Tower, there is an extremely secluded location.

Lines crisscross and interweave, and arrays of magic formations stand side by side.

Upon closer inspection, one will find that there are many breaks in the array patterns, preventing them from being connected in their entirety.

This is the central core of the Nine-Layer Immortal Tower's magic array!
Two figures stood on the perimeter, one sipping lightly from a gourd, the other holding a book with dim gold pages, eyes closed and silent.

Suddenly!
The young man in white suddenly opened his eyes and cast a spell on the dim gold page in his hand.

"start!"

The next moment, the dull gold pages burst into a brilliant light.

As if sensing something, the originally lifeless array patterns suddenly began to flash with light.

Like a series of spiritual snakes, they began to flow and connect, occasionally flowing to other places when they encountered a break.

A moment later, most of the magic arrays of the Nine-Layered Immortal Tower were activated.

The carefree realm master, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, watched this scene, took a small sip of the Golden Wind Jade Dew wine in his gourd, and showed an expression of appreciation in his eyes.

"You really can do it!"

Luo Chen replied, "I have the complete array diagram of the Nine-Layer Immortal Tower, and with your guidance, it still took me a full three years to barely get the Nine-Layer Immortal Tower running normally. In terms of array formation skills, I am indeed inferior to you, Lord Realm Master!"

Lord Wuyou laughed heartily, neither denying Luo Chen's compliment, but gladly accepting it.

Three years ago, when he first met Luo Chen, he noticed Luo Chen's modified storage ring.

It looked unremarkable, but he knew that it required extremely strong forging skills and array formation expertise to transform a storage ring, which was mainly driven by a cultivator's mana and spiritual sense, into a personal storage space powered by a martial artist's blood and qi.

With this inference, it's easy to conclude that Luo Chen might have been a "genius" in the past!
Not only does he cultivate both physical and spiritual power, but his soul is also exceptionally strong.

He also possessed a wide range of skills in cultivation, including alchemy, weapon forging, and formation techniques.

Moreover, this might still be limited by the environment of Guixu, and Luo Chen has only shown the tip of the iceberg.

He was very curious about how Luo Chen, at the age of only six hundred, had mastered so much.

But it was just curiosity.

Because any cultivator who can achieve a high level of immortality has more or less had their own fortuitous encounters, just like he would not explain to others where he learned the Immortal Realm Golden Erosion Script.

However, Luo Chen's versatility suddenly gave him an idea.

That is, the Lord of Wuyou originally planned to close the Nine-Layer Immortal Tower after leaving, but because of Luo Chen's appearance, it might be worth considering handing over the task of controlling the Nine-Layer Immortal Tower to Luo Chen.

This is a very demanding task.

The owner of the Immortal Tower must simultaneously meet three conditions: a powerful divine soul and profound skill in array forging.

Fang Qingxue, who stayed behind, couldn't do it, and neither could Gu Xun. Fortunately, Luo Chen came along.

"The martial artists who can still cultivate here in the future should all be grateful to you, Luo Chen." Luo Chen breathed a sigh of relief, and his tired mind relaxed.

He looked at the thin yet heavy gold pages in his hand, on which lines of text, seemingly corroded, were inexplicably flowing.

"They should be thanking you," Luo Chen said sincerely, with a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Such a precious celestial treasure, yet you, Lord of the Worry-Free Realm, didn't take it with you. Instead, you left it behind to maintain the cultivation environment of the Nine Rings of Destruction, providing a place for everyone to cultivate. I, Luo Chen, was merely managing it on your behalf; how could I possibly claim credit?"

The Lord of Worry-Free Realm shook his head. "If I could really take it away, why would I leave it behind? You don't think I'm the kind of morally upright person who wouldn't take a treasure, do you?"

Luo Chen was speechless.

The Lord of Worry-Free Realm smiled and said directly, "Having mastered the Golden Erosion Array Diagram, you should have noticed it too."

Luo Chen nodded slightly.

He did notice it.

In fact, the Nine-Layer Immortal Pagoda, this immortal artifact, is almost completely destroyed!
Its internal formations were severely damaged, and its power was reduced to less than one-tenth. Only its basic function of guiding energy was still functioning.

Even if you take it away, it's just an inanimate object.

Instead, those that remain have an endless supply of chaotic energy to replenish them, making them barely usable.

"In any case, Luo and all the martial artists outside should thank you."

The Lord of Worry-Free Realm laughed heartily and shook the wine gourd in his hand.

"No need to thank me, no need to thank me. In three years, I've drunk almost all of the Golden Wind and Jade Dew Wine that you took with you when you ascended to immortality. I guess I haven't lost out."

"The Lord of the Realm is quite fond of wine. Luo Chen has some surplus here; please take it all!"

"That's enough, you've had enough. You can stay here by yourself. If you still can't leave Guixu in the end, perhaps this wine will be your last comfort to your hometown."

In the Ruins of Guixu, resources are plentiful, but they are varied and unsystematic.

Especially among medicinal herbs and flowers, it is extremely rare to find any that have been around for many years.

Spiritual wine, which is readily available in the outside world, is a precious item here that one cannot obtain even a single sip.

The Thousand Mountains Evening Snow that Fang Wuyou brought in back then has long been finished. The Thousand Mountains Evening Snow brewed by the younger generation of the clan to please him has never quite captured its true flavor.

Even the Amber Radiance that Mu Bugui always carried with him was reduced to just a small pot.

If Luo Chen were to be trapped in the Void in the end, facing the great destruction at the turn of the era, a sip of Golden Dew might allow him to die relatively peacefully.

The Lord of Worry-Free Realm sighed deeply, picked up his wine jug, and turned to leave.

Luo Chen stood inside the array's central core, not going out with them, but bowing deeply to see them off from afar.

We are both fellow sufferers in this world!
The final outcome, and whether a way out can be found, depends on each person's fate.

……

When Luo Chen restarted the array's central core, the Nine-Layer Immortal Tower opened once again.

The radiant light fell from the top of the tower like a ribbon.

The chaotic energy swept across the land like a storm, eventually settling into calm.

Amidst the storm, Lord Wuyou departed gracefully, with Mu Bugui following behind.

Then Fang Qingxue and Gu Xun entered the Nine Heavens Immortal Tower again and ascended to the third ring.

As the external energy fluctuations gradually stabilized, most of the older generation of martial artists returned, while a small number remained outside.

If the Lord of the Worry-Free Realm had been in charge of the seventy-two cities of the Great Destruction Realm, these stranded martial artists would have been punished.

But Luo Chen ignored it and couldn't be bothered to manage it.

We only have three to five hundred years left, let them be!

Once the newly promoted martial artists had adapted to absorbing chaotic energy into their bodies and entered the Nine Rings of Annihilation one by one, Luo Chen activated the Golden Erosion Array Diagram and shut down the Ninefold Immortal Tower.

Another century of arduous cultivation has officially begun.

The third ring, on a small island.

Fragrant grasses surround it, and fallen petals flutter down.

A small river flows from south to north.

Luo Chen landed on the island and flew over it at a leisurely pace, his gaze sweeping over the scenery, his expression somewhat wistful.

This island was once Mu Bugui's cultivation stone!
Unlike Fang Qingxue, who used martial arts divine intent to influence the outside world, the flowers, plants and trees on the island were actually planted by Mu Bugui himself and were real objects!

The scenery was unfamiliar, but the atmosphere felt somewhat familiar to Luo Chen, like the immortal scenes he had seen when he was cultivating in the Mountain and Sea Realm.

This shows how much Mu Bugui missed his hometown!

Finally, Luo Chen stopped in front of a thatched hut.

The roof of the hut was covered with grass, and the four walls were made of a mixture of bamboo and mud, simple and unadorned.

Enter the thatched hut.

The bookshelves were completely empty, but the desk was piled high with books.

Mu Bugui had already taken away his belongings.

These books were copies that Fang Qingxue brought back from her clan during her trip home, intended for Luo Chen to deduce the cultivation techniques for the fifth stage of body refinement.

This was something Luo Chen requested, and with the consent of the Lord of Wuyou Realm, he had Fang Qingxue do it.

Luo Chen kept this kindness in his heart.

If one day he finds a way out, he will definitely bring along the Lord of Wuyou Realm, or perhaps Fang Qingxue.

As his fingers caressed the books that exuded the fresh scent of ink, Luo Chen felt a sense of peace.

Although he took over the Nine Heavens Immortal Tower in place of the Lord of Worry-Free Realm, he did not cultivate in the second ring like the Lord of Worry-Free Realm.

There was no outburst of curiosity to go to the first ring to see the shattered gate.

His cultivation level wasn't high enough, which wasn't the main problem. The pressure from the cultivation environment wasn't that critical either, because of the Hunyuan Cauldron. He was just in a period where he needed a relatively quiet environment.

The third ring is enough!
Once he has mastered the cultivation, he will naturally advance to the second level, and may even face the Gate of Destruction of the first level!

And right now...

Luo Chen's hand left the books, but did not go to the only cold jade bed left by Mu Bugui.

After leaving the thatched hut, we arrived at a cliff face near the edge of the cultivation stone.

Outside, there was a surging chaotic energy; inside, there was a peaceful environment reminiscent of Mu Bugui's hometown.

Luo Chen sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, his mind highly focused.

The Hunyuan Cauldron inside the body is no longer rotating.

As he broke through his realm, the Qi and Blood Furnace became even more solidified, almost like a physical entity.

Meanwhile, streams of blood-refined divine energy flowed through his limbs and bones, exuding a vibrant energy.

But none of that matters now.

Inside the Heavenly Court Cave, a martial arts deity sat quietly in meditation.

After sitting quietly for a long time, Luo Chen slowly threw a punch outwards.

Inside the Heavenly Court Cave, the martial arts deity, condensed from Blood Refining Divine Qi, also threw a punch.

The combined power doubles!
boom!
A terrifying fist shadow slammed into the chaotic sea, splashing up ripples.

At the same time, an attribute on the attribute panel was flashing violently, as if it were about to take shape.

Luo Chen opened his eyes and silently stared at his fist.

This move is a martial arts supernatural power that he created after two hundred years of studying martial arts, pondering deeply, exchanging ideas with others, challenging many martial arts grandmasters, and finally achieving his own.

Although it is only in its initial form now, it has indeed been created.

This was just a martial arts deity within an acupoint cooperating with him to deliver a punch.

If, as his cultivation level increases, he condenses martial spirits within all 720 acupoints, then a single punch will be equivalent to over 700 Luo Chens simultaneously unleashing their full power.

Such a deadly move is invincible to any martial artist of the same level!
Even martial artists who are one or two major realms higher than Luo Chen might not be able to withstand it.

Luo Chen was really looking forward to the power of this move after it reached its peak.

Looking at the summoned attribute panel screen, and the rapidly flashing phantom of the attributes, Luo Chen suddenly said:
"Let's call it 'Seven Hundred Gods Slayer'!"

As he finished muttering to himself, the light screen in front of him immediately stopped trembling.

Above that, there is an additional entry.

Martial Arts Divine Power: Seven Hundred Divine Slayers

(End of this chapter)