Longevity begins with alchemy master

dong dong!

A crisp knock sounded on the door.

Inside the room, Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by the identity of the visitor.

He got up and opened the door, and a beautiful figure came into view.

Her skin was like solidified cream, her eyebrows like distant mountains, and her eyes were like flowing water.

Her youthful and beautiful face, because of those eyes, possessed an incongruous allure.

"Ye Ningbo, the seventh generation member of the Ye family, greets fellow Daoist!"

"Murong Yuan!"

Ye Ningbo peeked into the room and said in a serious tone, "The doorway is not a place to talk. Fellow Daoist Murong, won't you invite me in for a seat?"

Luo Chen smiled and said, "I am merely a guest. Miss Ye, you are welcome to come in if you wish. Please!"

As he gestured to make way, Ye Ningbo, dressed in a green dress, walked in briskly.

As soon as she entered, she subconsciously sniffed the air, her eyes gleaming.

"It smells so good, is it the lingering aroma of tea?"

"Miss Ye has a good sense of smell," Luo Chen praised, but did not continue the conversation. Instead, he asked, "May I ask what brings Miss Ye here?"

Ye Ningbo replied naturally, "With such distinguished guests at our door, it is only right that I, Ningbo, entertain them. Is there anything wrong with that?"

Luo Chen smiled, but didn't say anything, just stared at her.

Under normal circumstances, there would be no problem with this explanation.

But Luo Chen knew that Ye Ningbo had three other guests with her.

Leaving aside several familiar friends to come here early in the morning, Luo Chen would be the first to disbelieve that there was nothing wrong.

Under his gaze, Ye Ningbo felt a little flustered for some reason, as if the other party could see right through her.

She coughed. "Alright, fellow Daoist has keen insight, so Ningbo will not hide anything."

With a shrug, a list was revealed.

Luo Chen looked at it and saw it was the list of medicinal herbs he had given to the current head of the Ye family yesterday.

Luo Chen frowned. "Is there a problem?"

"I'm the most skilled in medicinal herbs within the clan, so it's normal that the list fell to me," Ye Ningbo explained first to avoid any misunderstandings from Luo Chen. Then, she asked with curiosity, "Although I'm not an expert in alchemy, I can tell from the combination of herbs that the entire list is mainly for refining pills related to the primordial spirit. But why are there several herbs with completely different medicinal properties? Especially this one, called Nirvana Fruit, whose nature is ethereal and completely incompatible with our already solidified primordial spirit."

Luo Chen was quite surprised by this question.

For alchemists who have been immersed in this field for many years, it is not difficult to discern the pharmacological trends and even the types of pills to be refined from a list.

However, the formula for the Mind-Stabilizing Pill itself involves a vast variety of medicinal herbs, and it takes considerable knowledge to determine whether it is a pill related to refining the primordial spirit.

But the other party even said that she didn't understand alchemy?
Instead of answering, Luo Chen asked, "Miss Ye, are you truly ignorant of alchemy?"

Ye Ningbo said helplessly, "When I was young, I wanted to explore it, but the elders in my clan advised me to focus on cultivation. By the time I had achieved some success in my cultivation, the local medicinal herb business was monopolized by the city lord's mansion, and I lacked a lot of materials to work with. So I gave up that idea. However, I have read quite a few books on alchemy."

Hearing this answer, Luo Chen was somewhat surprised.

To possess such insight and judgment after merely reading a few books on alchemy, this woman's talent in alchemy must be quite astonishing.

Luo Chen thought for a moment before offering his answer to the previous question.

"As you suspected, most of the herbs on this list are indeed for refining a high-level elixir related to the primordial spirit. However, some of them are mixed with other herbs."

Upon hearing this, Ye Ningbo smiled sincerely, a smile of joy at having made the right judgment.

"Fellow Daoist Murong is indeed cautious!"

Luo Chen waved his hand, "It's not really a matter of being cautious. Those extra medicinal herbs are indeed what I need."

"Oh?" Ye Ningbo was quite surprised this time. "What can this Nirvana Fruit be used to refine?"

Luo Chen's expression shifted slightly. "Miss Ye knows about this item?"

Ye Ningbo nodded without hesitation, “Although the Nirvana Fruit is an uncommon medicinal herb, I have indeed seen it described in an ancient book. This fruit has long since disappeared from the Xuan Realm. The last time it appeared was at the Yaochi Grand Gathering thousands of years ago, but that fruit was only eight hundred years old, which is far from meeting your requirements.”

Luo Chen's expression darkened. "Have they become extinct?"

Ye Ningbo nodded and said, "Yes, that's why I was so surprised that someone would add a herb that no longer exists to the list of medicinal herbs, and I came here specifically to ask for the truth."

Luo Chen pursed his lips, his expression somewhat unpleasant.

This Nirvana Fruit is the main ingredient for refining the Void-Reaping Pill!
The primordial spirit is empty in nature and unsuitable for condensation.

However, for the illusory form, it is a great tonic, which can help cultivators who refine the illusory form to accelerate the condensation of the illusory form, and even refine the illusory form into the real form, and transform the primordial spirit into the dharma form!
Luo Chen is not ready to take that step yet.

At present, he dares not rashly transform his primordial spirit into a dharma form. He can only transform the illusory form into a primordial clone and place it outside of his primordial spirit to avoid attracting the Heavenly Tribulation of Integration.

But he needs to prepare in advance and plan for the tribulation to come.

If this fruit truly cannot be found, then he will have to consider finding a substitute for the main material.

Seeing the change in Luo Chen's expression, Ye Ningbo also realized the importance of this medicinal herb to him.

The woman thought for a moment and then offered words of comfort.

"This medicinal herb is of a high grade, but it's possible that our Qi Condensation Realm is not high enough to access it. When the Ancestor returns tonight, he will likely know more information, after all, he has been refining the Void for many years, and his information is far superior to ours as Nascent Soul cultivators."

Luo Chen was surprised, "He came back tonight?"

"Yes, after all, we are honored guests, so we can't keep you waiting."

"You're joking."

Just as the two were getting along well, a faint light suddenly flashed from the woman's waist. Ye Ningbo glanced at the jade pendant and looked troubled.

Seeing this, Luo Chen said, "Is a friend looking for you? You don't need to worry about me."

Ye Ningbo nodded, "I'm sorry, but they are also my close friends of many years. They are just passing through Kuimu City, so I must treat them well."

After the explanation, she did not leave immediately, but lingered there somewhat awkwardly.

Luo Chen looked at her, puzzled.

Ye Ningbo finally seemed to have made up her mind and said something somewhat offensive.

"I wonder if I could observe Brother Murong refining pills for a moment? I am very curious about the kind of pills that can be made by combining the medicinal herbs on this list."

So that's what it was all about!
Luo Chen smiled and said, "If the medicinal herbs are collected quickly enough and don't delay the rest of the trip, then it's fine."

Ye Ningbo's face lit up with surprise.

"Then it's settled. I'll personally collect these medicinal herbs for you, and I'm sure we'll have everything ready soon!"

After saying that, the woman left the East Garden somewhat absentmindedly.

Watching her retreating figure, Luo Chen was inexplicably moved.

It has nothing to do with appearance; it's more about the person's personality.

Beneath that seemingly mature exterior lies an innocence that comes from the very core.

It looks just like a child I once caught a glimpse of.

Perhaps it was because of this feeling that he readily agreed to let the other party observe the alchemy process!
"I wonder how that child is doing. I suppose she's doing quite well under the protection of her mother and Luo Tianzong!"

With a sigh, Luo Chen closed the door.

...West Garden!

When Ye Ningbo returned to the place, the three cultivators had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing her smiling face, even the deepest resentment vanished.

Perhaps very few people can get angry at Ye Ningbo when she has a bright smile on her face!
Xun Youyou simply smiled and asked, "Didn't we agree to go to Kunqiu together early this morning? Why did it take you a while?"

Ye Ningbo first apologized to the three of them.

He then explained, "A distinguished guest has arrived at the manor, and I must go and meet him so as not to neglect them."

Guo Ziwei was very curious, "What kind of distinguished guest would you treat like this?"

Ye Ningbo thought for a moment and said, "He is a descendant of an old friend of my Ye family patriarch. His cultivation level is quite high, having reached the Nascent Soul stage. Most importantly, he is a high-level alchemist."

After a long-standing friendship, he became a Nascent Soul cultivator and a high-level alchemist.

No matter their identity, they should not be treated with disrespect.

With all three factors combined, it's no wonder Ye Ningbo visited him so early in the morning.

The small grudges between the three of them were thus dispelled.

"Let's go, let's get to Kunqiu as soon as possible and see those powerful Xuan Realm experts from all over the world!"

"I can't wait either."

"The Flying Apsaras Conference is about to be held. Let's go and find out more about it so we can prepare in advance. I heard that the Holy Maiden of Yaochi will personally make an appearance at that time."

The last sentence was said by Guo Ziwei.

While saying this, he made a point of observing Ye Ningbo's reaction.

However, to his surprise, she didn't react much, as if she had no interest in the matter at all.

Ye Ningbo really wasn't interested.

What she was thinking about was going to Kunqiu to collect all the medicinal herbs for Luo Chen as soon as possible, and then rushing back to see how he planned to refine so many herbs into pills.

The four of them immediately set off together, and the vast Ye Mansion seemed to quiet down again after they left.

Until evening.

……

It was evening.

In the East Garden, the aroma of tea permeates the air, creating an atmosphere of ethereal beauty.

A figure came from outside the courtyard, and wherever he passed, the servants hidden in the shadows all bowed respectfully.

Finally, the aged figure arrived at the front courtyard of the East Garden.

A man in blue was sitting at a tea table, casually pouring out a stream of clear, spring-like tea from a teapot.

The fragrant aroma seemed to transport the old man back thousands of years.

"Even after three thousand years, I still remember the immortal tea vividly!"

"Fellow Daoist Ye, please!"

Ye Zhengchun sat down opposite Luo Chen, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip.

"That's the taste."

He then put down his teacup and asked in a complicated tone, "Min Tang, are you alright?"

Luo Chen took out the token.

Ye Zhengchun took it and instantly received the divine message contained within.

Ye Zhengchun fell silent for a moment.

After a long pause, he sighed bitterly, "My good friend who once traveled the Western Extremities with me, visited the Jade Pool together, explored secret realms, and fought enemies side by side, is now not only the head of a sect but also a Grand Venerable of the Integration Realm. Compared to him, I have truly wasted my life. I wonder if my decision to stay on the Western Extremities was right or wrong?"

These simple words reveal the vast differences in life's circumstances.

This also shows the deep friendship between the two back then, which they still cherish even after thousands of years.

Luo Chen laughed and said, "Why belittle yourself, fellow Daoist? The reputation of the number one family in Kui Mu City is the result of thousands of years of hard work."

Ye Zhengchun shook his head. "This is just a choice made after realizing that I can no longer reach the peak. If I could have made further progress on the Great Dao, why would I have needed to branch out and leave behind a bloodline? I'm sure you've also noticed that besides me, the vast Ye family only has three Nascent Soul cultivators. They are all show and no substance, and I'm the only one supporting them."

Luo Chen did indeed discover it.

The third Nascent Soul cultivator was the same middle-aged man who had returned with him earlier.

As they spoke, Ye Zhengchun returned the token to Luo Chen.

He then squinted at Luo Chen and said, "Fellow Daoist Murong, judging from your magical aura, you shouldn't be a legitimate member of the Lingmiao Palace, right?"

Luo Chen did not hide anything, "I am a guest elder and have only been here for a short time."

Ye Zhengchun carefully examined Luo Chen. "He became a guest elder not long after joining, and Min Tang values ​​him so much, recommending him with a token. This is something that a mere Nascent Soul cultivator could not accomplish."

The next moment, the man in blue opposite him released a wisp of divine thought.

Ye Zhengchun wanted to test it out, since he had sensed Luo Chen's divine sense when he first entered the manor.

But the other party immediately withdrew the offer, leaving no time to verify it.

Now is the time.

As their thoughts collided, a sudden gust of wind and clouds swept through, only to vanish in an instant.

A glint flashed in Ye Zhengchun's eyes, and he blurted out, "Late stage of Void Refinement?"

But then, his brows furrowed involuntarily.

"No, your level doesn't seem to have reached mine yet."

Ye Zhengchun's realm was a genuine late-stage Refinement Realm cultivator, and anyone who could contend with his divine sense should also be at that level.

However, Luo Chen's magical power was indeed only at the early stage of the Void Refinement realm.

If it were just a matter of characterizing it that way, that would be fine.

There are always some people with naturally strong spiritual foundations who, after cultivation, develop spiritual senses and mental abilities far exceeding those of their peers.

But what really caught Ye Zhengchun's attention was that the faint Daoist aura surrounding Luo Chen had almost reached the peak of the Void Refinement stage.

That's a performance only a peak Void Refinement cultivator who is on the verge of breaking through to the Integration Stage can exhibit.

too weird!

How can three completely different states of being manifest in one person?
Little did he know that all of this was due to the extra primordial clone that Luo Chen had condensed.

Luo Chen didn't explain, but went straight to the point and asked, "I suppose you've seen that list of medicinal herbs. What are your thoughts on the Nirvana Fruit?"

Ye Zhengchun replied, "This item is extremely rare, perhaps even extinct."

"So, you could even say that they haven't truly disappeared?" Luo Chen's eyes lit up.

As expected, people at different levels possess different levels of knowledge and information.

Ye Zhengchun hesitated and said, "This item is not sold on the market. I only heard about this medicinal herb by chance at a recent gathering with friends. It is said that it may appear at a private trade fair. If you want to buy this item, I can recommend a few people to you."

Luo Chen slammed his hand on the tea table. "Excellent!" (End of Chapter)