Longevity begins with alchemy master

"Du Zhenxiu."

Du Hui is conducting final inventory checks on the ship.

Actually, all these things were done before setting sail. The reason for checking them again was just his personal habit, to prevent anything from being missed.

He frowned upon hearing the clear voice behind him.

But when he turned around and saw the bottle of wine that the other person was handing him, his eyes lit up.

"This wine...this wine...hiss!"

He only took a sniff, and his long-standing stagnation in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment seemed to loosen.

Du Hui swallowed hard. Although he eagerly accepted the wine pot, he didn't put it away immediately. Clearly, he knew that the other party must have something in mind for giving such a generous gift.

"Brother Murong, we are both at the Foundation Establishment stage, there's no need for such formalities. Just call me Brother Du or Fellow Daoist. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Seeing his expression, Luo Chen chuckled inwardly.

This wine was truly the worst spirit wine he could find on his person.

However, for Foundation Establishment cultivators, it is still a rare and exquisite wine that is hard to come by. If consumed in conjunction with cultivation techniques over a long period of time, it is not a problem to increase one's cultivation level by one major realm.

Luo Chen didn't actually have any major reason for giving the gift; he was just casually inquiring about some things.

Pointing to the large number of Qi Refining cultivators on the ship, Luo Chen asked curiously, "Isn't the Yaochi Grand Gathering a giant trade fair for high-level cultivators? Why are you all so eager to attend, bringing so many low-level resources with you?"

Not only this ship, but even under Du Hui's robes, there were bulging storage bags hanging everywhere.

It is evident that he prepared an enormous batch of low-level materials for this trip.

Du Hui laughed heartily, "Brother Murong, you don't understand. Snakes have their paths, and rats have theirs. High-level cultivators naturally have their trading fairs, but low-level cultivators also have their own circles. It's a very simple principle; in such a vast Western Extremity, it's impossible for everyone to be a Nascent Soul or Deity Transformation cultivator!"

Luo Chen was speechless.

As his cultivation level rose, he did indeed begin to overlook those below the Nascent Soul stage.

While he was getting along well with his fellow disciples at the Su Ling Sect, he truly forgot that they were also living, breathing cultivators after leaving.

"Moreover, low-grade materials do not mean they are useless to high-level cultivators. Some materials, if used in the right place, can also become auxiliary materials for magic treasures, pills, talismans and formations."

Luo Chen nodded in deep agreement, then asked, "But with such a long sea route, aren't we afraid of accidents happening with our limited manpower?"

"You're overthinking it," Du Hui said with considerable pride. "The sea area between the Western Extremities and the Hun Tu has been cleared countless times. There are no audacious pirates robbing cultivators here. Even if there are some large demonic beasts, they are mostly spirit beasts raised by high-level cultivators on the two continents. In this area, the human race is the absolute overlord!"

Luo Chen blinked. "So any low-level cultivator can freely travel to the Western Continent to participate in the Jade Pool Gathering?"

Du Hui waved his hand this time, "That's not entirely true. Too many low-level cultivators flooding in at once would be a difficult problem for Yaochi to manage. But we are different. We have been specially reported and can reach the Three Dragon Ports of the Western Pole through a special waterway."

Sure enough!

Luo Chen nodded inwardly.

This was his purpose in traveling to the Western Regions under an assumed name on an ordinary merchant ship.

If I used my original identity, I might encounter some kind of questioning.

The Huntu Continent and the other three continents guard the westernmost point. He didn't believe that the Futu Sect and Yaochi had no subordinate relationship.

He had already caused some trouble in the Silver Dragon Sea. If the Floating Pagoda Sect was also being investigated in the Western Continent, it would be troublesome if his identity was exposed.

This has already been hinted at.

Luo Chen looked up and saw a menacing-looking patrol passing overhead.

Du Hui also looked up and said with interest, "That should be one of the Eight Legions of the Buddha. They don't usually patrol so diligently. Could it be because the Jade Pool Gathering is about to be held?"

Luo Chen asked, "Were the patrols this frequent during previous Yaochi Grand Gatherings?"

Du Hui hesitated for a moment, "Brother Murong, you've stumped me."

Luo Chen was taken aback, then realized that Du Hui was, in the end, just a Foundation Establishment cultivator who had lived for a hundred or two hundred years.

But the Yaochi Gathering is held only once every three hundred years, so how could he know about the past events?

Du Hui thought for a moment and said, "But according to the records, it shouldn't be that strict! After all, that's the Jade Pool Source Court. Who would dare to cause trouble during this period?"

Luo Chen secretly confirmed that the recent heightened security was indeed aimed at him.

It's just unknown how precious the Silver Dragon Sturgeon, which was affected by the Demon Void Child, is that it would cause the Floating Pagoda Sect to make such a big fuss.

Or perhaps, it's merely to salvage lost face?
While Luo Chen was pondering, Du Hui perhaps felt that it was a bit unfair to talk about such well-known things after receiving such a big gift from Luo Chen for nothing, so he took the initiative to change the subject.

Especially topics that men are interested in!
"Brother Murong, besides wanting to witness this grand event that happens once every three hundred years, do you have any other purpose in going to the Western Extremities?"

Luo Chen asked nonchalantly, "What other purpose could it be?"

Du Hui's eyes gleamed as he said, "Of course it's the Fairy of Yaochi!"

Luo Chen was taken aback.

Du Hui rubbed his hands together and said in a somewhat lewd tone, "Brother, don't you know that the fairies of Yaochi are all incredibly beautiful and talented? These women are not the kind of people who are celibate. If a handsome man catches their eye, he can not only become their lover but also join the Yaochi Source Court. Presumably, becoming an immortal or ancestor in the future is not a problem!"

Luo Chen was stunned. Wasn't that marrying into the family?

Seeing Luo Chen's stunned expression, Du Hui patted his chest and said, "I'm not joking. This kind of thing has happened before. Although your cultivation level isn't high, your appearance and demeanor are indeed unique, with a touch of otherworldly elegance. Those fairies of Yaochi love your type the most. If you're lucky enough to have exceptional luck, you might even catch the eye of one of the holy maidens of Yaochi."

The words "Holy Maiden of Yaochi" seemed to resonate in Luo Chen's ears, instantly reminding him of something.

Luo Chen asked in a low voice, "But who exactly is the Holy Maiden of Yaochi?"

"Brother, are you really interested?" Du Hui laughed, but it wasn't a mockery; it was just the pleasant feeling of gossiping between them.

He recounted the situation of the Holy Maiden of Yaochi to Luo Chen in detail.

It turns out that the so-called Yaochi Saintess was not just a single person, but a group.

Every thousand years, Yaochi conducts an internal selection process, choosing the most outstanding Yaochi fairy, granting her the status of a saintess, and providing her with abundant resources to cultivate and attain the Great Perfection of Tao.

Ten thousand years later, regardless of whether she succeeds or not, her status as a saintess will be automatically revoked.

Over the years, the exact number of holy maidens who have achieved the Mahayana stage is unknown to ordinary people, but Yaochi has always maintained a number of around ten holy maidens.

Such entities have never engaged in marriage alliances with outsiders.

Even if there were extraordinary men she took a liking to, she would recruit them into her ranks and make them guest ministers of Yaochi.

"For example, the current Holy Maiden Shi Feiyuan is said to possess a special physique and has already reached the peak of the Void Refinement stage, only one step away from the Integration stage! If she happens to take a liking to you, you will become her cultivation partner in the future Integration Grandmaster stage!"

Luo Chen wasn't interested in this person, but he was somewhat interested in another one.

He tentatively asked, "Does Fellow Daoist Du know if any of the past Holy Maidens of Yaochi have the surname Shang?"

"The Holy Maiden surnamed Shang?" Du Hui was taken aback, then suddenly realized, "So you're curious about that legendary powerhouse, the Holy Maiden Shang!"

Luo Chen's expression shifted; there really was such a person!

"Is her name 'Merchant Woman'?"

Du Hui shrugged. "I don't know her exact name, but whether it's recorded in books or passed down by people, that's what she's called."

Where does the legend lie?

"That's a story that people love to tell."

Du Hui smiled and recounted a rumor from long ago.

"It was about two thousand years ago, around this time, when the Yaochi Grand Gathering was held. The scene was just as grand as it is now, with ten thousand immortals coming to pay homage. But for some reason, the demon cave that was suppressed in the Western Continent suddenly loosened, and an incarnation of a demon ancestor broke free from it. At that time, most of the Yaochi Heavenly Venerables were in seclusion, and no one noticed. It was Shang Nu who personally took action, using her mid-stage Integration Realm cultivation to personally kill an incarnation of a ancestor, and thus became famous."

"This person is not only extremely strong, but also has exceptional talent in cultivation. Two thousand years have passed, and the merchant girl has reached the peak of the Integration stage. She is said to be the most promising saintess to break through to the Mahayana stage in the past ten thousand years of Yaochi."

"Her status in Yaochi is extremely high. Even outside Yaochi, some Mahayana Celestial Venerables treat her with respect, presumably regarding her as a future fellow cultivator."

Hearing this legend, Luo Chen's expression changed.

Du Hui assumed that Luo Chen was simply admiring the deeds of those great figures. Little did he know that Luo Chen had linked this past event to a worthless promise he held in his memory.

A thousand years ago, when he explored the Land of Fallen Demons, he passed through the Pill Realm's inheritance.

When he finally accepted the alchemy inheritance from the Demon Lord of Refining Heaven, the spirit of the Refining Heaven Cauldron gave him two conditions: he had to agree to them before he could refine the Refining Heaven Cauldron and receive the Demon Lord's complete alchemy inheritance.

The two conditions are to take care of the Demon Lord Lian Tian's clansmen in the Xuan Realm, and to refine a pill for the merchant girl once.

However, due to the interference of the Nirvana Sacred Flame, he ultimately failed to obtain the Heaven Refining Cauldron, and he did not fully receive the so-called Demon Lord's Pill Dao inheritance.

Naturally, those two promises are no longer valid.

Over the years, Luo Chen had never taken such things to heart.

Even though he knew that the people of the Heavenly Demon Lord were very likely the remnant demon lineage of the Netherworld Continent, he did not make any further contact with them.

It wasn't that he was heartless, but rather that he didn't want to expose his true identity.

After I achieve success in my cultivation in the future, I might lend a helping hand, but that will be a very distant thing.

As for the matter of the courtesan, that was long forgotten.

That's why, when I heard the name "Yaochi" repeatedly, I didn't associate it with that faction.

It wasn't until Du Hui mentioned the "Holy Maiden of Yaochi" that I realized the connection.

More than two thousand years ago, wasn't that before the Demon Lord of Refining Heaven and the Primordial Lady of Qixia fell into the Mountain and Sea Realm together?

Did the Demon Lord of Refining Heaven also participate in the Jade Pool Gathering at that time?

It was also at that time that he personally gifted a magical treasure he had crafted to the merchant girl.
And is the strangely broken demon cave, and the sudden appearance of the Holy Ancestor's incarnation, related to the Refining Heaven Demon Lord?
In an instant, a host of questions flooded my mind.

Du Hui noticed that Luo Chen was distracted, so he took the initiative to end the conversation.

"This journey is long and arduous. Based on past experience, it should take at least ten years. Once we reach the Western Continent, I will personally inform you, Brother Murong."

"Thank you very much."

There's no need for thanks between us!

Du Hui shook the wine gourd in his hand, looking very friendly.

Luo Chen smiled slightly, cupped his hands in farewell, and returned to his cabin.

After some thought, I finally put aside my distracting thoughts.

This trip is to seek medicine, and I will not have any interaction with that Yaochi merchant girl or any other holy maiden. Thinking about it too much is pointless.

This last leg of the journey shouldn't be wasted.

"The construction of the wood-elemental illusory form is far more complex than that of the water-elemental illusory form. This is not only due to the difference in the understanding of the laws, but also because my wood-elemental laws are quite unique."

Of the Five Elements Laws, Luo Chen had only grasped the most basic source power of the other four systems.

Even though the fire element law once touched upon the true meaning of Nirvana, he did not choose to comprehend it at that time.

But the wood element is quite different.

He first comprehended the true meaning of decay and prosperity through the advancement of the Divine Fire of Decay and Prosperity, and then comprehended the origin of wood within the Demon Cave of the Mysterious Realm.

Even though the two laws and their true meanings coexist and originate from the same source, constructing a complete illusory form is much more difficult than with other systems.

Luo Chen even speculated that only a Mahayana Celestial Venerable who had cultivated a lineage of primordial power to perfection would attempt to comprehend the true meaning of the second law of the same origin.

I've been a bit ahead of my time.

However, this problem is not unsolvable.

"If I set aside the true meaning of decay and prosperity and only condense the illusory form of the origin, it might be much easier."

Luo Chen's eyes gleamed, his heart filled with eager anticipation.

If he succeeds, he might have a chance to break through to the mid-stage of the Void Refinement realm.

Ten years is a long time; let's try to separate!

……

at the same time.

On the distant continent of Western Antarctica.

Inside a magnificent, noble, and grand palace.

A charming yet authoritative questioning voice rang out.

"Recently, some people have reported that cultivators coming from the Huntu Sea are complaining, saying that they have been subjected to very strict checks. What's going on, Granny Qian?"

"Reporting to the Holy Maiden, this should be related to the actions of the Floating Pagoda Sect on the Huntu Continent."

"Oh?"

"It is said that a Void Refinement cultivator from an unknown place destroyed a sea area that they had been cultivating for many years, causing the Floating Pagoda Sect to lose face. That's why the Floating Pagoda Sect set up checkpoints everywhere to investigate this person."

"If a mere Refinement Void True Monarch can cause the Floating Pagoda Sect to lose face, are the Eight Legions of the Floating Pagoda merely empty names?"

“This old woman doesn’t know, but that sea area is indeed very important. It’s a place specifically for raising silver dragon sturgeon. As a result, even the Yaochi Grand Gathering that you, Holy Maiden, are preparing to organize has been delayed.”

"I see! In that case, have us cooperate with the Floating Pagoda Sect to find that person as quickly as possible. We don't need to pay attention to the complaints of the visiting cultivators. After all, this is my first time organizing the Jade Pool Grand Gathering, and I can't afford any mistakes. Those restless fellows, no matter what realm they are, must be dealt with!"

"As ordered!"

"By the way, in the past, when the grand event was held, in addition to the regular trade fair, we Holy Maidens would often hold our own exchange meeting. But I wonder what the theme should be?"

"Well... that depends on the person. It depends on what you prefer, Saintess, so that's the theme. If you don't understand anything, you can ask the seniors."

Above the palace, a pretty young girl sat on a chair, stroking her chin with a thoughtful expression.

Personal preference?

She has been able to cultivate all the way to this point entirely through single-minded dedication; she really doesn't have any particular preferences.

At most, they might delve deeper into the art of magic than others.

Can this really be used as a theme?

As for asking seniors?

The only predecessors who could become the Holy Maiden of Yaochi were the previous Holy Maidens.

Although everyone seems to be on equal footing, there is actually a potential competitive relationship between them. Who would be willing to share all their knowledge?
"Huh, it's not like there's no one here."

The girl's eyes lit up as she remembered someone.

"Grandma Qian, I wonder if Senior Sister Shang has emerged from seclusion yet?"

Granny Qian shook her head. "That master is still guarding the Demon Cave. I'm afraid she won't emerge from seclusion until she has achieved Mahayana cultivation. You'd better not disturb her."

Upon hearing this, the girl's expression dimmed slightly.

Of all the saintesses in history, she was the one with the best relationship with her.

Originally, she had a bright future, but for some reason, she was sent to guard the Demon Cave. As a result, over the years, her own power has shrunk to the extreme, far inferior to that of the other Holy Maidens.

"Fine, I'll think about this myself!"

Just before leaving, the girl casually asked a question.

"What is the name of that True Monarch of Refining Emptiness who caused the Floating Pagoda Sect to lose face?"

"Luo Chen, I heard that's his name."

"Luo Chen?" (End of Chapter)