With the Alchemy Grandmaster Here, None Shall Enter Lingtian!

After a quiet lull of over half a month, the great war between humans and demons beneath Lingtian Pass commenced once more. Unlike their initial tension, unease, and trepidation, once the cultivators within the city grew truly accustomed to this rhythm, it felt almost like everyday fare. Only, this fare was rather hard to swallow. One careless slip could choke a person to death. Luo Chen remained in the relatively safe western district, tending to his own little domain. From time to time, he would learn news of the frontline fighting from his sect's members. For instance, the demon beasts had deployed even greater numbers than before. Or that Nascent Soul Zhenren and Demon Emperors had clashed outside the walls—the details were unclear, but Lingtian Pass claimed they had repelled the foe with ease. Word also had it that Commander Huang Man had personally arrived outside Lingtian Pass, and after observing for a long time, retreated in silence. That last piece of news in particular took a heavy weight off many hearts. The enemy truly could do nothing against the defenses of Lingtian Pass! So much so that even with two commanders joining forces, they dared not act rashly. Luo Chen kept an eye on all these developments, but devoted the bulk of his energy to his own cultivation. He had gradually worked out the shifts in the Thousand Heavens Myriad Transformations Sword Scripture. Just as he had surmised, with his proficiency rising by a tier, the speed at which Firmament Qi was refined into sword qi grew faster, saving a great deal of time. By his precise assessment, the time required had been cut in half! In other words, where it had once taken six months to refine a single strand, it now took only three! What this implied was clearer to Luo Chen than to anyone else. Originally, reaching the mastery realm of a Thousand Firmaments Converging would take five hundred years, but now it would take only two hundred and fifty. In fact, if his proficiency continued to advance, he could shorten the duration even further. "This sword art is practically tailored for me!" After refining his eleventh strand of sword qi, Luo Chen spoke with soaring excitement. He saw the hope of mastering this scripture within his lifetime. Moreover, with this increased efficiency, he could even offset the consumption of Crimson Firmament Sword Qi. Yet another problem presented itself before Luo Chen. Namely, the quantity of Three Firmaments Qi required! Even the cleverest cook cannot make a meal without rice; having proficiency meant little if the supply fell short! Firmament Qi was not something that could be artificially produced. One had to ascend into the high azure vault to gather it, and only a Nascent Soul Zhenren possessed the capability. As a result, there was practically no open commerce for such resources on the market; if one wanted them, bartering was the only way! "Searching for it entirely on my own would be too troublesome." "It seems I'll have to put the word out and wait for sellers to come knocking." As for how to spread the word, nothing could be simpler. Here within Lingtian Pass, interactions among Nascent Soul cultivators were frequent, with private gatherings held on a regular basis. Invitations to these gatherings were almost invariably sent to Luo Chen. The title of Alchemy Grandmaster carried significant weight; having him in attendance brought substantial face to the host. When the time came, a casual mention of his need for Three Firmaments Qi would naturally circulate throughout the circle of Nascent Soul cultivators. *** To low-ranking cultivators, a large-scale war dragged on like an eternity, each day feeling like a year. Yet to high-ranking cultivators of Luo Chen's level, time passed in the snap of a finger. Without him realizing, the end of his patrol duty drew near as he cultivated. The one arriving to relieve him was the Second Palace Mistress of Fenghua Palace. "Guarding the western district is quite the choice assignment. It's the safest area, with the fewest demon beasts." During the handover, Luo Chen chatted amiably with the Second Palace Mistress. She was visibly pleased with the post as well. "Thanks to Castellan Lingtian's consideration, this concubine wasn't assigned to the other three sides. Otherwise, it would have been quite a headache." "Haha, likely because you're familiar with this area!" Luo Chen chuckled. Once their subordinates completed the transfer, he led Zeng Yilong, Yang Pingdu, and the others down the city wall. After this, he wouldn't need to keep watch here every day. As for subsequent arrangements, under ordinary circumstances, he would have been able to return to his sect for a period of rest. Regrettably, these were no ordinary times. Thus, like the other Nascent Soul Zhenren who had come to bolster Lingtian Pass, he had to remain within the pass on standby. To put Luo Chen's upcoming role simply: mobile reserve! The role appeared leisurely on the surface, but if an emergency arose, one had to bite the bullet and charge in, willing or not. After stepping off the wall, Fairy Jueqing and Chu Kui converged with them as well. Leading the four of them, Luo Chen strolled along the streets of Lingtian Pass's western district with rare leisure. Cultivators rushed to and fro around them in frantic haste, forming a stark contrast to their unhurried pace. Fairy Jueqing, usually quiet and impassive, suddenly let out a faint sigh. "We practitioners of cultivation may not all seek tranquility far from the bustle of the world, but we should at least feast on dawn mists and drink mountain dew, soaring through the azure clouds. How have we fallen to fighting every day like common mortals?" Yang Pingdu nodded in agreement, wearing an expression of deep resonance. At this, Chu Kui scoffed. "You talk as if cultivation is meant to be completely free of desires. Don't you know the Great Dao of immortality is packed to bursting? Everyone wants to take a few more steps forward! And how do you advance? By stepping on others' corpses! By plundering their resources, their territories, even their disciples! Only then can you walk farther than the rest!" "Uncle-Master Chu is right!" Zeng Yilong chimed in with wholehearted agreement. Listening to the banter behind him, Luo Chen smiled knowingly. It was natural for differences of opinion to exist among his subordinates. Both Jueqing and Yang Pingdu had hailed from established sects in their early years; while not pampered, their rivalries had largely played out under an orderly structure. Now that order had shattered, aloof sect cultivators were forced to take orders and live amidst blood and warfare. Even after adjusting, complaints were inevitable. In contrast, a rogue cultivator like Chu Kui, who had spent his entire life scrambling and toiling for cultivation resources, was thoroughly accustomed to such an environment. The only difference was that instead of humans competing against humans, it was now humans against demon beasts. What slightly surprised Luo Chen was Zeng Yilong's agreement with Chu Kui's viewpoint. Reflecting on it, though, he realized Wang Yuan's teachings from childhood had likely shaped the young man. What about himself? What kind of life did he desire? Holding supreme power, revered by countless millions, standing high above all like Sect Master Mo Shouzhuo of the Tianyuan Sect? Roaming across the realm, clashing with varied opponents, relishing the thrill of risking life and limb between death and survival? Or feasting on dawn mists and drinking mountain dew, tranquil and untroubled, devoid of desires amidst green peaks and white clouds? No! All he sought was immortality. Any lifestyle was merely passing scenery on his pursuit of eternal life. For this goal, he could discard every desire. Because immortality was itself the greatest desire in the world! After this moment of deep contemplation, Luo Chen's expression turned utterly placid, void of joy or sorrow. His footsteps came to a halt outside his cave dwelling. "Go and rest. If a mobilization order comes, make sure to protect yourselves." "Yes, Supreme Elder!" The four responded and dispersed down the mountain. Faint murmurs of their conversation drifted back on the breeze. "Have you noticed? Martial Uncle is growing harder and harder to read." "Heh, as if you ever saw through the Supreme Elder before." "Junior Brother Zeng isn't wrong. When the Supreme Elder first returned to the Eastern Desolation, his aura was overwhelming, practically warning strangers to keep away. Powerful as he was back then, I thought he was simply comparable to an ordinary Nascent Soul Zhenren. But over these past few years, the Supreme Elder has kept a low profile, holding back his aura until not a trace leaks out. Although he seems much more approachable now, my reverence for him only deepens. I dare not even attempt to guess what he's thinking." "Fairy Jueqing, what do you think?" "Me? I cannot see through him. In the past, I could still glean some of his thoughts, but now I cannot fathom them at all, nor do I dare try." *** Relieved of his patrol duties, Luo Chen suddenly found himself with free time. Back inside his cave dwelling, he cast aside all mundane affairs and threw himself wholeheartedly into cultivation. Growing ever closer to the mid Nascent Soul stage, and with rare access to a cave dwelling situated atop a mid-grade Tier 4 spiritual vein, he naturally had to make the most of it before Castellan Lingtian reclaimed the rights to it. His Fire Spirit Body granted him cultivation speed comparable to a Heavenly Spirit Root. The sturdy barriers of his Violet Mansion allowed him to disregard the danger of assimilation by heaven and earth, absorbing ambient spiritual qi without restraint. High-grade Tier 4 Hongyuan Pills each contained immense medicinal potency; refining a single one was equivalent to more than a month of full-effort cultivation for an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator. On top of that, his Tier 5 Wither-Bloom True Fire could assist him in purifying impurities from his Dharmic powers. With all these advantages, once Luo Chen stabilized his realm, he cultivated with complete and utter abandon. His cultivation realm began to surge forward at an astonishing pace. A month later. The vast spiritual qi within the cave dwelling was drawn toward Luo Chen, gathering into a swirling sea of mist. Copious amounts of spiritual qi poured into his body. Suddenly! The clouds of mist dispersed, and Luo Chen exhaled a long breath of turbid air. Glancing at his status panel, he saw: [Nascent Soul Level 3: 90/100]. "Only a single step from the mid stage. Who would disturb me at a time like this?" Frowning, Luo Chen picked up his glowing waist token in slight irritation. Injecting Dharmic power into it, Tianduzi's steady, weathered voice emerged. "The western district is under attack. We cannot allow Tier 4 Demon Emperors to damage the city's formations. Fellow Daoist Luo, pray go provide reinforcement." Luo Chen's brow knitted tighter. The western wall was considered a relatively safe sector. Had the demon beasts expanded their offensive scope all the way over here? It seemed they realized that the Eastern Desolation's human cultivators relied on Lingtian Pass as a rampart against their hordes. If they failed to sever the connection between Lingtian Pass and other factions, reinforcements would stream in endlessly. Thus, they had begun spreading their forces westward. Hesitating no further, Luo Chen rose to his feet. Just outside the cave dwelling, he spotted a voice transmission talisman spinning in a gust of wind, careening aimlessly through the dwelling's maze formation like a headless fly. With a flick of his finger, the talisman burst into flames. Instantly, the Second Palace Mistress's urgent voice came through: "Enemy assault! There is more than one Tier 4 Demon Emperor! Fellow Daoist, please come to our aid!" Luo Chen extinguished the talisman in his grip. "The situation appears rather grim." Murmuring to himself, Luo Chen soared into the sky, streaking toward the western city wall as a beam of fiery light. *** At the western side of the city. This sector had always been relatively peaceful; demon beasts appearing here had only ever come in scattered numbers. Yet now, it had turned into a chaotic battlefield where a foul, bloody stench reached the heavens and violent spiritual energy churned wildly. As far as the eye could see, countless demon beasts surged from the distance like a boundless ocean of monsters. Figures of cultivators took to the air, watching the outside with tense expressions. Eyes turned toward the city ramparts. Disciples of the Tiandu Sect were leading squads to power up formations, launching volley after volley of attacks beyond the wall. Meteors plunged from above, dark winds swept with rain of fire, and beams of light raked across the terrain... Whenever a formation ran to its limit, Tiandu Sect disciples would immediately replace spirit stones and mend gaps in the matrix. And during these lulls, the cultivators within the city had to hold the line to buy them time. Spreading her divine sense across the chaotic battlefield, the Second Palace Mistress of Fenghua Palace accurately relayed orders to the Golden Core leaders, who in turn directed the lower-realm cultivators to repel the demon assault. Her gaze darted repeatedly toward the sky ten li away from Lingtian Pass. There, dark clouds converged as demonic qi surged skyward! In the swirl of howling gales, several shadowy silhouettes flickered in and out of sight. Demon Emperors—more than one! At least four! A bitter smile touched her lips. "Since when could my western sector attract so many Demon Emperor-level existences? If the others don't arrive soon, I'll have to petition Tianduzi to activate the grand city-protecting array." The Black Tortoise Four Directions Array was immensely powerful! Yet it could not be activated lightly; every deployment incurred an enormous cost. When Castellan Lingtian had activated it earlier, it had also been out of sheer necessity. Just as she fretted in distress, three streaks of light suddenly descended upon the battlements. Looking over, she let out an exclamation of delight: "Fellow Daoist Jinling, you're finally here!" The newcomers were none other than Jinling, Shenhuo, and Old Ghost Motian. They were representatives of two of the three great Nascent Soul superior sects temporarily taking refuge in the Fenghua Domain. The moment his feet touched the ground, True Person Jinling narrowed his eyes, gazing into the distance. Beside him, True Person Shenhuo's expression shifted slightly. "Four Demon Emperors? How did such a massive force gather here?" Old Ghost Motian glanced around, and upon failing to spot the person he sought, sneered: "Where is that brat Luo Chen? Could it be that he wet his robes before the enemy and hid?" The Second Palace Mistress had her own private grievances, but she kept them from her face and said anxiously, "Those fiends have been watching from afar for quite some time, and I fear they will soon make their move. Once fighting breaks out, I must ask you to intercept them. If necessary, I will take the field as well." Without looking back, True Person Jinling stated, "Leave that mid Tier 4 demon cultivator to me. The rest are yours to divide!" At those words, her heart settled slightly. As long as True Person Jinling took action, this battle would be far more secure. Still, why hadn't Luo Chen arrived yet? She had clearly sent the talisman! *** In the distance, the four demons fixed their gazes upon the walls of Lingtian Pass, silently watching their legions assault the city. Amid the flashing lights of the formations, they searched for flaws. "Lingtian Pass boasts towering walls and deep moats, crowded with cultivators. But what truly impedes our advance are these numerous formations, large and small." "Truly the culmination of human ingenuity—relying solely on various materials and spirit stones as energy sources to unleash might comparable to the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages." "We cannot wait any longer. Casualties among our young ones are piling up; it's time we move to shatter these formations. As long as we break them—especially the anti-flight array—our legions can storm the city in a single bound." "Remember, we must not force our way inside, lest the city-protecting grand array be activated!" After a brief exchange, the four demons struck simultaneously. Vast demonic power flooded the sky. A colossal palm print, a blazing fireball, a black gale, and even streaks of lightning came crashing down from above. Four massive attacks surged forward like a tidal wave. Whoosh! A barrier of light rose from the ramparts in response, forcibly deflecting the four onslaughts. Yet a moment later, the barrier began to dim. A Tiandu Sect disciple shouted frantically, "Zhenren, this Tier 4 defensive array's energy is temporarily depleted and needs more spirit stones! Do not let the Demon Emperors' attacks strike the walls!" Before the Second Palace Mistress could speak, three figures had already vaulted from the wall, each flying out to meet an opponent. "I must go as well!" Taking a deep breath, the Second Palace Mistress spat out a small circular fan into her hand. Just as she prepared to set out, a crimson streak of light flashed over her head. A voice echoed from within: "Fellow Daoist, you would do well to oversee this position. Leave the remaining Demon Emperor to me!" It was Luo Chen! Her tension eased slightly. Yet upon discerning the realm of the remaining Demon Emperor, her expression changed again. Jinling and the others had chosen three opponents, leaving behind one that was firmly at the level of Nascent Soul Level 3. 'If Luo Chen hadn't arrived, wasn't this monster meant for me?' She was only at Nascent Soul Level 2! Among Nascent Soul cultivators, every minor sub-realm represented an elevation in power. Likewise, each sub-realm gap signified an absolute disparity in Dharmic power. Without formidable trump cards to rely on, even a single sub-realm could crush an opponent! Why had Jinling and the others left this one to her? What were they plotting? With no time to dwell on it, her eyes followed Luo Chen closely. Rumor had it that the Alchemy Grandmaster Luo Chen had stood firm against the mid Nascent Soul Jinling during his Golden Core Grand Ceremony, and had even single-handedly faced a lightning-attribute roc during the battle to defend the pass. Could he hold this demon off? A distance of ten li was crossed in the blink of an eye for a Nascent Soul cultivator. Swoosh! The streak of light came to a sudden halt. A Daoist clad in white robes with a high crown gave a Daoist salute toward the hook-nosed Demon Emperor. "The Alchemy Grandmaster is here; Lingtian Pass is closed to you." "Fellow Daoist, after you!"