Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 454: Splendor Palace's Provocation, Lanke Calms the Storm - Novel Cool

Chapter 454: Splendor Palace's Provocation, Lanke Calms the Storm

Chapter 454: Splendor Palace's Provocation, Lanke Calms the Storm

Chu Kui was preparing for Core Formation, and Luo Chen wasn't idle either.

After advancing to the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, he took a brief rest for a few days.

He drank and chatted with Wang Yuan, discussed array knowledge with Min Longyu, guided Qu Ling Jun's cultivation after Foundation Establishment, and set a date for his wedding with Mi Li.

Then, one after another, he summoned the newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Luo Tian Association to his cave mansion. He offered encouragement, bestowed treasures as congratulations for their advancement, and occasionally exchanged cultivation insights.

Finally, he spent three days with Hui Niang and Cai Yi, testing their cultivation progress.

After these three days of exchange, Luo Chen ended his short break and resumed his secluded cultivation.

...

"Tao Wan entered seclusion twelve years ago to breakthrough to the Core Formation stage. After three years, she succeeded, and Qingdan Valley celebrated with three bell tolls. She continued her seclusion to consolidate her realm, and the day of her emergence is not far off. Qingdan Valley has already started sending out invitations, inviting fellow cultivators to attend Tao Wan's Core Formation ceremony."

"Dan Yangzi has already successfully advanced to the Core Formation stage and has officially emerged from seclusion, holding his Core Formation ceremony."

"Five years ago, Dan Tai Jin achieved grand completion at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment and announced his death seclusion to strive for the Core Formation stage."

"Luoyun Sect is holding the Jiazi Grand Competition, inviting fifteen sects to witness the event. Thirteen true disciples stood out, known as the Luoyun Thirteen. Among them, except for Han Zheng, who has the lowest cultivation realm and is the youngest, the rest are all powerful ninth-level Foundation Establishment cultivators, with the potential to achieve Core Formation within fifty years."

"Yuding Sword Sect is not far behind. In ten years, they will hold the Yuhuanshan Duel, open to cultivators beyond their sect and without restrictions on cultivation level. Those who participate and win will receive generous rewards from the Sword Sect."

"A cultivator from Ailao Mountain returned from the Howling Moon Mountain Range, rumored to have drawn an incredibly detailed map of the range."

"Yun He Zhenren, the representative of Hewan Sect, entered the Jade Cauldron Domain and visited Hundred Flowers Palace first. The three Golden Core Masters of Hundred Flowers Palace—Bai Hua Xianzi, Taohua Laozu, and Shi Xiangzhu—traveled a hundred miles to welcome him."

News from the outside world flowed through Luo Chen's mind.

Familiar cultivators were either successfully advancing to the Core Formation stage or entering death seclusion to break through.

There was the Luoyun Jiazi Grand Competition and the Yuhuanshan Duel, inviting cultivators from all sides, all showcasing their strength.

The arrival of high-level Nascent Soul stage cultivators from foreign domains further heated up the already boiling situation.

Everything indicated the intense heat before the war.

Under these circumstances,

The Foundation Establishment stage was no longer sufficient.

"Dan Yangzi, Tao Wan, Dan Tai Jin, Chu Kui... They have all surpassed me. I must quicken my pace."

Luo Chen muttered to himself.

A sense of urgency lingered over him, even though he had been in secluded cultivation for years.

Perhaps he hadn't felt it as deeply before.

But with Cang Long Senior's failure to advance to the Nascent Soul stage, the Ice Fortress losing four Golden Core Masters in battle, and the younger generation, like Dan Tai Jin, entering death seclusion one after another,

It was evident that the Ice Fortress was on high alert.

And the Ice Fortress was Luo Chen's most significant backer at the moment.

With his backer seemingly on the verge of collapse, how could he possibly rest easy?

However, despite his urgency, Luo Chen's cultivation plan was orderly amidst the chaos.

He had temporarily put a hold on pill refinement.

His primary focus was on daily cultivation and researching several Core Formation secret techniques.

Since obtaining these secret techniques during the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, he had never stopped studying them.

By now, he had become quite familiar with them and was only lacking practical application.

Among them, the ones that concerned Luo Chen the most were undoubtedly the "Locking Pearl Curtain" and the "Calming the Storm" manual handwritten by Ming Wen before his death.

The former was the advanced Core Formation secret technique of the Luoyun Sect, a supreme sect.

The latter was a simplified version of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect's secret technique. Even though its effects weren't as miraculous as the "Wisdom Sword Technique," the regret expressed by Ming Wen after regaining consciousness and the smooth transition of Pang Ren Xiong's soul into a ghost cultivator clearly demonstrated the power of this technique from the same origin.

After returning, Luo Chen often researched the "Calming the Storm" technique and finally confirmed that Ming Wen had not left any hidden dangers within it.

"There's no need to rush. I can take my time with the 'Locking Pearl Curtain' and decide how to cultivate it based on Chu Kui's Core Formation situation."

"But I can start practicing the 'Calming the Storm' right away."

What made Luo Chen so determined was that this technique was somewhat similar to the "Divine Mind Exorcising Evil."

Both techniques had the effect of tempering the cultivator's willpower!

It was willpower, not the soul spirit!

There was a fundamental difference between the two.

Having a strong soul spirit but weak willpower was like possessing a powerful weapon but being afraid to wield it.

However, if one had a weak soul spirit and weak spiritual energy but strong willpower, they could often surpass those with similar cultivation levels.

This was similar to the three essential elements of cultivation often discussed by cultivators.

Was it talent, opportunity, or temperament that came first?

This willpower was akin to temperament.

Of course, there were specific differences in the discussion, but Luo Chen wouldn't delve too deeply into them.

After his research, Luo Chen discovered that the "Calming the Storm" technique did indeed have the effect of tempering willpower.

If the "Divine Mind Exorcising Evil" technique used pain, external stimuli, and evil energy to temper willpower,

Then the "Calming the Storm" technique was clearly a step above.

To cultivate and nurture one's spirit and will, focusing on a specific object to the point where one's intangible resolve becomes as sturdy as a physical treasure.

It is rumored that advanced sword cultivators will naturally develop a sword intent upon reaching a certain cultivation realm.

There's also a saying among high-level sword cultivators that "the sword and its wielder are one; when the sword perishes, so does its master."

It is said that Jade Cauldron sword cultivators, upon advancing to the Golden Core stage, can often nurture their sword pills to the level of a treasure.

All these rumors indicate that sword cultivators practice a method to strengthen their willpower.

The Calming the Storm technique has a similar effect.

The stronger the chosen object and the closer its connection to the cultivator, the better the result! Jade Cauldron sword cultivators often choose their sword pills, which are intimately linked to their lives.

This presented a dilemma for Luo Chen.

If he were to choose an external object, he possessed numerous treasures.

However, they were of quantity rather than quality.

The Shu Fang cauldron would have been the ideal choice—a low-grade treasure and an alchemy tool intimately connected to his alchemy technique.

Luo Chen couldn't even imagine how effective it would be to cultivate Calming the Storm with it.

But!

This item was a damaged version!

It had once been the lifebound treasure of the alchemy master Shang Hu, who had been his Dao companion.

Yes, Luo Chen had found out that the damaged Shu Fang cauldron given to him by Jueqing Senior was once the lifebound treasure of Shang Hu, his Dao companion.

Therefore, the Shu Fang cauldron was not an option.

What about the Xuanhuo Sword?

This treasure significantly enhanced Luo Chen's combat power, especially when using the Weapon Manipulation Technique on it.

Moreover, as Calming the Storm originated from the Wisdom Sword Technique, it had a natural affinity with sword-type treasures.

But!

The quality of this treasure was too poor.

It was a low-grade treasure produced by the Flame Alliance, even less reliable than those from Sky Sail City.

After numerous battles, the Xuanhuo Sword had sustained multiple damages, and Duan Feng had to use his Art of Forging to repair it from time to time.

Luo Chen feared that the Xuanhuo Sword might shatter in the next battle.

He didn't want to imitate those sword cultivators with their "the sword and its wielder are one" philosophy.

Aside from these two items, Luo Chen did possess some high-quality treasures, even among low-grade ones.

The Soul-Snatching Jade Flute of Xiaosanren, the flying sword of Song Taozi, Zheng Xian's Fire Fan, the Heavenly Moon Purple Gold Wheel that was Mi Shuhua's legacy, and even the eighteen Thousand-Year Thunder Petals in his possession could all be used as the "fixed object."

However, after thorough research, Luo Chen ultimately abandoned these options.

"These items are either incompatible with me or haven't been properly consecrated, lacking a close connection, so they aren't the best choices."

"The best choice..."

As Luo Chen muttered, he pointed at his forehead.

A black light slowly emerged.

When the light dissipated, a simple black chess piece appeared.

"Actually, I already had the answer."

Looking at the black chess piece, Luo Chen's hesitation gradually faded.

Lanke Black Chess—one of the three supreme treasures of Gui Shen Valley (damaged version).

Although damaged, it wasn't entirely so.

It was missing only the white chess pieces used for physical defense.

Without the white pieces, the black pieces were demoted to low-grade treasures.

However, this treasure had once been of medium grade and had never been fully consecrated by the elders of Gui Shen Valley.

As far as he knew, the Lanke Black and White Chess and the Gui Shen Askheart Mirror were passed down by the Supreme Elder and the Elder of Skill Transmission of Gui Shen Valley.

"Not to mention its infinite potential, I've been nurturing and consecrating it day and night since my Foundation Establishment, forging an incredibly close bond."

"Moreover, by keeping this treasure hidden and avoiding external conflicts, the risk of damage is greatly reduced."

"Using this as the fixed object to cultivate Calming the Storm is the best choice!"

With his decision made, Luo Chen completely severed any lingering hesitation.

With a thought, the black chess piece floated into the air and hovered above his head.

Luo Chen stared intently at it and gradually closed his eyes.

At the same time, he began to form intricate hand seals, channeling spiritual energy and spirit perception from his body towards the Lanke Black Chess.

Enveloping, swirling, and inscribing spirit patterns.

In this cultivation, Luo Chen gained a sudden insight.

Perhaps the simplified Calming the Storm technique in Ming Wen wasn't truly simplified.

With his abilities and knowledge, how could he simplify the secret technique created by the Sword Sect elders?

Instead, he had added to it!

In Calming the Storm, he had incorporated treasure consecration techniques, infused some Buddhist meditation principles, but the core remained the Art of Core Formation.

Spiritual energy and spirit perception, with the help of the fixed object, intertwined and merged.

Wasn't this just another form of Locking Pearl Curtain?

The spirit beads formed by Locking Pearl Curtain were too dangerous and easily imbalanced, so Ming Wen cleverly chose an intermediary, allowing spiritual energy and spirit perception to buffer and negotiate.

What about the original Wisdom Sword Technique?

Using the sword pill, which sword cultivators consecrate day and night, as the fixed object, allowing the cultivator's spirit perception and spiritual energy to intertwine within, imbuing each sword silk with their essence.

Wouldn't that also mean forming another "Golden Core"? Thus, when sword cultivators successfully form their core, their sword pills often advance as well.

Similarly, if the Sword Pill is destroyed, the Sword Cultivator themselves would suffer a severe injury and might even face the same fate.

With this, the logic made sense.

The Sword Pill was essentially the Sword Cultivator's second Golden Core!

After years of extensive reading and an innate talent for cultivation, Luo Chen unknowingly accumulated profound knowledge.

When he first cultivated the Calming the Storm, he saw through the surface and grasped its essence.

He even traced back to the original Jade Cauldron Secret Technique and glimpsed a corner of the truth.

He vaguely felt that there were many areas for improvement in the Calming the Storm.

Even if he didn't trace back to the original Wisdom Sword Technique, he could still forge a new path and take a different route.

However.

At this critical juncture, Luo Chen wouldn't create unnecessary complications.

Drawing on his foundation in cultivating the Divine Mind Exorcising Evil, he easily picked up the Calming the Storm.

In a daze, he felt as if he had become a black chess piece, weathered by the passage of time, gradually decaying.

But in the midst of this weathering, his will stood like a black reef, unmoving in the river of time, as solid as a mountain!

He was cautious, as if standing on the edge of a precipice.

Trembling, as if walking on thin ice.

The path to immortality was not just about crossing the precipice or treading on thin ice.

A thousand years of Lanke, only the heart remains unchanged.

...

Three years later.

Heavenwave Immortal City.

The central street was bustling with people, ten or even a hundred times livelier than before! The saying about Qi Condensation Cultivators gathering like clouds, Foundation Establishment Cultivators raining down, and Golden Core Cultivators appearing had now become a reality.

From the thirty-six domains, countless cultivators flocked to the Jade Cauldron Domain.

Even if only a small portion of them came to Heavenwave Immortal City, the number was still astonishing.

The buses in the immortal city ran day and night.

Various shops were open for business, and cultivators conducted their trade with joy and laughter.

Especially the Debate Platform of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, with the Jade Emperor Sword Debate approaching, the platform became even more lively!

The rules of the Jade Emperor Sword Debate stated that anyone, from any sect or cultivation level, could participate.

But in reality, there were restrictions.

One had to rank in the top ten on the Debate Platform in one of the Jade Cauldron Domain's ten immortal cities, corresponding to their cultivation level.

Only those who achieved this ranking would be invited to the Jade Emperor Sword Debate.

As a result, the martial spirit in the ten immortal cities of the Jade Cauldron Domain grew stronger.

Debate? Debate Dao! Even Loose Cultivators who didn't want to participate in the Jade Emperor Sword Debate were willing to give it a try on the Debate Platform to gauge their strength against others.

The audience for the competition was packed every day.

Under these circumstances, the shops in Heavenwave Immortal City were making a fortune.

The Luo Tian Association also profited significantly during this process.

Not to mention other businesses, the shop they owned on the central street alone was raking in profits daily.

In reality, the Luo Tian Association's strength wasn't sufficient to own a shop on the central street.

But with the Lianyun Merchant Alliance's decline and the disappearance of the Lianyun Elder for many years, they had no choice.

Luo Chen knew that Helian Yun had died at his hands.

When the Lianyun Merchant Alliance couldn't pay the rent, the Luo Tian Association was the first to take over the Lianyun Tower.

Now!

The Lianyun Tower had been renamed to the Danxia Pavilion.

The business they operated was similar to the Lianyun Merchant Alliance, except for two additional main businesses.

One was the pill business, and the other was snacks.

The pill business became more stable and relaxed after Qu Ling Jun advanced to the Foundation Establishment Stage, and he even cultivated second-tier pills.

Additionally, because he was Luo Chen's direct disciple, many low-level cultivators in Heavenwave flattered him by giving him the Dao name "Lingjunzi."

This Dao name seemed perfunctory, merely adding the honorific "zi" to his name.

But it also implied a connection with Luo Chen, as his Dao name "Fire Spirit Lord" and Qu Ling Jun's "Lingjunzi" shared a nominal association.

Thus, with Danchenzi and Lingjunzi, two second-tier pill cultivators, the Danxia Pavilion became a place where countless low-level cultivators flocked.

After all, the Luo Tian Association sold pills at lower prices.

The snack business was a tradition of the Luo Tian Association.

Cultivators practiced Bigu (Austere Fasting or Abstinent Cultivation), but only after reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Even Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators didn't eat just anything. If the snacks tasted good and contained spiritual energy, they wouldn't mind spending a few spirit stones to try them.

And so.

Amidst the high-end shops on the central street, the Danxia Pavilion, which primarily catered to low-level cultivators, became the busiest and most vibrant shop.

Even Gu Caiyi, the Hall Master of the Gold Hall of the Luo Tian Association, spent most of her time at the Danxia Pavilion.

At this moment.

She was welcoming a Golden Core Master along with Yuan Xiao Yue, who had already reached Foundation Establishment.

The visitor was said to be a senior from the Splendor Palace.

After entering the Danxia Pavilion, she kept wandering around.

Especially on the floor that sold pills, she lingered.

After a while, the senior suddenly asked, "Do you sell Jade Dew Pills?"

Gu Caiyi's expression turned solemn, and she cautiously replied, "Senior Fengyue, I don't know where you heard this information, but our Danxia Pavilion does not sell Jade Dew Pills."

"Fairy Windmoon's lips curved up slightly, "Isn't it common knowledge that Master Danchenzi is skilled in refining Jade Dew Pills?"

Jade Dew Pills!

A specialty of the Windflower Domain!

Within the Windflower Palace, there were several master-level figures who excelled in refining these pills.

And among them, Fairy Windmoon was one of the best.

Although she didn't primarily cultivate the Way of Pills, she could consistently refine high-quality Jade Dew Pills.

Gu Caiyi's forehead glistened with sweat as she spoke softly, "Our President can refine Jade Dew Pills, but currently, they are only supplied to the Ice Fortress, so they won't be sold externally."

Fairy Windmoon raised her eyebrows.

She was already aware of this information.

However!

Her delicate nose sniffed, and a smile that seemed to be a smile but not quite appeared on her face.

"Young one, you say it's only supplied to the Ice Fortress, but why do I smell the fragrance of long-term consumption of Jade Dew Pills on you?"

Gu Caiyi was taken aback.

It was true that she and Sima Hui Niang had been taking Jade Dew Pills for a long time, mostly of the high-quality and premium grades.

But the fragrance of the pills?

The Jade Dew Pills were tasteless and cooling, yet beneath their rouge and body scent, there was still a discernible aroma?

Luo Chen had never mentioned this before! But it was this moment of surprise that confirmed Windmoon's suspicions.

"It seems you have indeed taken Jade Dew Pills. Do you have any on you? Give me two!"

Gu Caiyi's face changed, realizing she had been tricked.

Luo Chen was always meticulous in his actions, rarely leaving loose ends.

If the Jade Dew Pills had an external fragrance, he would have certainly mentioned it.

Now, due to her own carelessness, she had been exposed, and it seemed trouble was brewing.

As her expression changed, Fairy Windmoon chuckled inwardly. Although she had deceived with her words, she had already confirmed her suspicions.

As the two women rumored to have a deep connection with Luo Chen, Sima Hui Niang and Gu Caiyi had long been under the scrutiny of countless others.

Especially Gu Caiyi, who frequently traveled outside! Despite her ordinary aptitude, her cultivation progress was astonishingly rapid.

At such a young age, she had already reached the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, a speed comparable to that of true disciples from major sects.

Without the assistance of Danchenzi's Jade Dew Pills, such progress would have been impossible.

As Gu Caiyi's expression shifted, she clenched her teeth and said, "Senior, this matter is beyond my authority. I must seek instructions from our President. You..."

Hearing her words, Fairy Windmoon's smile gradually faded.

"Quite the composure and persistence."

"You dare to refuse my offer? Do you think I have no means to deal with you within the Immortal City?"

As she spoke, a faint spiritual pressure emerged.

Gu Caiyi's beautiful face paled.

Just then, a refined middle-aged man entered from outside the building.

"Little Gu, have you restocked the hundred-fried silkworm pupae for our wine?"

As the voice sounded, the spiritual pressure emanating from Fairy Windmoon suddenly vanished, transforming into a warm and majestic aura.

Fairy Windmoon's face changed slightly as she stared intently at the refined middle-aged man ascending the stairs from below.

"Righteous Qi of Hao Ran? I thought the Hao Ran Sect was already gone?"

The refined man smiled slightly, "I am Hao Ranzi, a remnant of the Hao Ran Sect. If we consider the past, I was also once a part of the Windflower Domain. Fairy Windmoon, I recall you were the champion of that year's Qi Condensation Competition in the Windflower Palace."

Fairy Windmoon was filled with surprise and suspicion. She hadn't expected him to know so much about her.

But she had no knowledge of Hao Ranzi.

Just as she was about to probe his background, he suddenly looked up, his clear eyes seemingly piercing through the wooden floorboards and formation restrictions, gazing upwards.

Fairy Windmoon was taken aback but quickly understood.

"Someone is attempting Core Formation!"

Hao Ranzi looked towards the direction of Heavenly Wave Peak and nodded.

"The convergence of dragon and tiger energies, with spirit energy pouring down. This is a sign of successful pill formation!"

Fairy Windmoon frowned. With the Colony War approaching, the Jade Cauldron Domain, which had accumulated resources for many years and endured a decades-long civil war, was now witnessing the emergence of powerful young cultivators.

She had witnessed a similar scene not long ago.

Suddenly, Hao Ranzi turned to her and smiled.

"As far as I know, the cultivator attempting Core Formation in that cave abode is from the Luo Tian Association. Fairy Windmoon, how about we pay them a visit later?"

(End of Chapter)

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