Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 589: Old Stories of Jade Cauldron, Han Zhan Clarifies Doubts - Novel Cool

Chapter 589: Old Stories of Jade Cauldron, Han Zhan Clarifies Doubts

Chapter 589: Old Stories of Jade Cauldron, Han Zhan Clarifies Doubts

As the morning sun rose, the red tide of Red Tide Harbor gradually receded, leaving only a gentle golden glow upon the sea, creating a light yellow hue.

At the pier, the morning bustle had already begun.

Amidst the escalating war between the righteous and demonic paths, trade routes were disrupted, and shipping lanes were unstable, making it seemingly unsuitable for commerce.

However, the greater the storm, the more valuable the fish.

In the current situation, with soaring prices for various resources, a successful business deal could yield even higher profits.

Therefore, as one of the nearby transportation hubs, several merchant ships docked at Red Tide Harbor were eager to set sail for various destinations early in the morning.

Among them was a small merchant ship adorned with a blue and white emblem, leisurely docked amidst the hustle and bustle.

Despite its readiness to depart, its unhurried demeanor gave off an air of leisure.

Beneath the ship, an elderly man was meticulously conversing with a young man whose face was as yellow as wax.

"This ship is quite fast, but its long-distance capabilities are poor. It's usually only used by our Wolf Fang Mountain for short-distance transportation."

"It's about 800 li from Red Tide Harbor to Wolf Fang Mountain, roughly half a day's journey."

"I've already contacted them. Once you arrive there, an elder from my clan will get in touch with you to arrange for a ship to Whale Harbor."

"However, our Wolf Fang Mountain's merchant fleet only operates within the Sea Alliance's Whale Harbor. If you wish to go to the Ten Thousand Immortals Assembly, you'll have to find another way."

The young man, bent over at the waist, listened attentively, not missing a single detail.

From time to time, he would ask questions.

However, it was evident that the owner of the Wolf Fang Pharmacy was only at the late Qi Condensation Stage, and he had never ventured far from home in his entire life.

Much of his knowledge was second-hand, and he couldn't provide Luo Chen with more detailed answers.

After half a day of instructions, the pharmacy owner turned to the woman standing behind Luo Chen.

Her face was pale, devoid of any trace of blood, and her figure was frail, as if a gentle breeze could blow her over.

Coupled with Luo Chen's yellow complexion and stooped posture, it was quite a sight.

The owner sighed, "To be honest, given your master and servant's condition, it's not suitable for long-distance travel. Why not settle down in Red Tide Harbor and recuperate before setting off?"

Luo Chen shook his head and explained, "My maid's illness requires more than ordinary medicinal stones. Only the finest medicinal ingredients will do, and Red Tide Harbor is still a bit barren."

"That's true," the owner nodded.

He turned to look at the Wolf Fang Mountain cargo ship, "Everything's packed. You can go aboard now."

Luo Chen acknowledged with a sound and waved to Tian Xuan behind him.

"Let's go!"

Just before they were about to leave, Luo Chen paused and turned back, saying, "Wang, I think I should remind you of something."

Wang was taken aback, then smiled, "Go on."

"Currently, the Demon Tide Sect and Penglai Immortal Sect are joining forces against the Sea Alliance, appearing unstoppable. The Sea Alliance can only retreat. But the Sea Alliance has Divine Transformation powerhouses, and in the future, there may be constant reversals. Cold Light Island, as a key location in the southeast, will undoubtedly be a point of contention. However, Wolf Fang Mountain also spans the southeast. I don't know what your Immortal thinks, but maintaining neutrality will be impossible. Eventually, Wolf Fang Mountain will have to join one side. When that happens, this Red Tide Harbor will likely be affected too. You, old man, should consider your future path."

After saying this, Luo Chen boarded the ship without any hesitation.

Wang stood on the pier, his expression blank.

It wasn't until the sailors on the ship greeted him and left that he snapped out of his daze, a bitter smile on his face.

If things were to develop that way, how could he, a mere late Qi Condensation Stage cultivator, stay out of it?

"However, this Mu Rong cultivator has an extraordinary vision and foresight, thinking so far ahead."

After a moment of reflection, the owner walked back to the town with his hands behind his back, basking in the awe-filled gazes of the mortals.

Because of these awe-filled gazes, his heavy heart felt a little lighter.

Change is coming!

Let the future bring whatever changes it may!

He didn't have many years left to live, and whether he would witness such a scene was still uncertain.

...

After boarding the ship, Luo Chen fell silent.

Han Zhan's voice echoed in his mind.

"What's wrong? That cultivator is merely a business associate, not a close friend. You usually wouldn't be so forthcoming with someone you barely know."

Luo Chen tugged at the corners of his mouth, feeling a bit lost.

"I just remembered some old stories."

"Old stories?"

"Yeah. Back when I was at the Qi Condensation Stage, I lived in a large market town. At that time, I was constantly running around for cultivation resources and got to know many shop owners. Later, because of the conflict between Falling Cloud Sect and Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, Great River Market was..."

Luo Chen suddenly became interested as he spoke.

"Speaking of which, I've never really talked to you about the Jade Cauldron Civil War these past years. You, as a leader, must have a clear understanding of the inside story. Are you willing to share it with me?"

"What do you mean, am I willing? It's clear that you're the one who's interested!"

Han Zhan sighed, "Fine, what do you want to know? Ask, and I'll tell you what I can."

Luo Chen licked his lips.

"First, did Sail City interfere in the Jade Cauldron Civil War?"

"Isn't that common knowledge? Why ask about that?"

"Come on, tell me. It'll take about half a day to get to Wolf Fang Mountain anyway, so consider it a way to pass the time."

Han Zhan sighed, "Alright, as you suspected, Sail City did interfere. In fact, they were the ones who initiated it from the very beginning."

From the very beginning?

Luo Chen was taken aback.

Back when he was at the Foundation Establishment Stage, he had made countless considerations and deductions about the Jade Cauldron Civil War.

After all, in such a grand situation, if a small figure couldn't follow the flow, they would surely face an inescapable death.

Combining the fact that the Jade Cauldron Domain was flooded with inferior artifacts and that Sail City had prepared war artifacts in advance, he had made certain speculations.

However, he never imagined that the situation was even more intricate than he had guessed.

"How so?"

"How else could it be? How do you think I advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage?"

"Wasn't it the Baby Formation Pill?"

"I obtained a ready-made Baby Formation Pill and its formula from an ancient relic, but I didn't have a suitable breakthrough location! The Eastern Wilderness's sect powers were already deeply rooted. Without the support of a major sect, it would be a thousand times more difficult for a Golden Core cultivator to advance to the Nascent Soul Stage. It was a Golden Core cultivator from Sail City who accompanied me on the expedition and reported my acquisition of the Baby Formation Pill to the Nascent Soul Immortal of Sail City.

The original intention was to snatch it back, but the True Person of Tianfan City changed his mind and instead offered me a Fourth Stage Spirit Vein to help me break through my cultivation. The condition, of course, was that after my success, I would instigate a civil war in the Jade Cauldron Domain, allowing them to benefit from the chaos."

This matter was brief in words, but the dangers at the time can be easily imagined.

The Golden Core cultivators of Tianfan City shamelessly invited their elders to intervene.

However, they did not expect that in the end, Han Zhan would turn the tide from peril to safety.

Of course, the consequence was that his backing sect, the Falling Cloud Sect, was dragged into the quagmire of war.

From this, Luo Chen roughly understood why the Falling Cloud Sect had been so aggressively pressing forward, while the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect had never dared to launch a full-scale attack.

They were actually wary of Tianfan City!

"Second question, what is your relationship with Senior Master Cangluo of Ice Fortress?"

"Uh..."

Han Zhan was caught off guard; he never expected Luo Chen to ask this.

Then, Luo Chen recounted what he had seen and heard in the Great Snow Mountain to Han Zhan.

Especially the scene where Han Zhan had protected Cangluo.

After a long moment, Han Zhan sighed bitterly, "We do have a relationship. I've told you before that I have a deep connection with Cangluo. To be honest, I almost became her Dao partner. However, because of her outstanding talent, she was heavily cultivated by Ice Fortress and could not marry outside. As for me, I was proud of my own talent and did not want to become a son-in-law of Ice Fortress. Thus, we parted ways."

"Is that it? So, you protected her and fought the White Bone Black Snake for her?"

"The entanglements are not as simple as you think. However, the most important thing is that Cangluo once secretly borrowed the Ice Prison from her sect to help me cultivate the Soul Shattering Scripture. This favor was too great, and it was crucial to my successful Nascent Soul Formation. I couldn't let it go without repaying her, or my thoughts would never be at peace."

Ice Prison?

Luo Chen suddenly understood.

He had also cultivated in the Ice Prison of Ice Fortress.

It was indeed a great place, allowing him to subdue the Fourth Stage Withering Flame, which greatly benefited him in alchemy, spells, and even in refining his body.

He never expected that before him, Han Zhan, an outsider, had already been there.

The Soul Shattering Scripture must be one of the three major techniques of the Falling Cloud Sect.

"What happened later? I heard that Senior Sister Cangluo failed her Nascent Soul Formation, how is she now?"

"You call her Senior Sister?"

"Yes, the Luotian Sect I founded was once a vassal of Ice Fortress, and later became a guest elder of Ice Fortress. It was convenient to call her Senior Sister."

"As for her..."

Han Zhan sighed, his tone filled with sorrow.

"Her cultivation failed, and she lost her essence, energy, and spirit. I used a unique secret technique to restore her soul and used Ice Fortress's treasure coffin to stabilize her body. She survived, but she needs to sleep for a hundred years, or even longer, to awaken. As for the Nascent Soul Path? Unless she has top-tier elixirs, she has no chance in this lifetime."

Luo Chen opened his mouth but was speechless for a moment.

Cangluo was a good person.

Though he had not spent much time with her, he could feel her sincerity.

Now, hearing the truth, he felt an endless sense of regret.

Nascent Soul Formation, was it really that difficult?

Previously, in Feng Leng City, when he was at the Fourth Stage of Golden Core, he had understood the method of Nascent Soul Formation and thought that as long as he prepared everything, he would be safe.

But compared to Cangluo, who had the support of a major Golden Core sect and Han Zhan's protection, she still failed her Nascent Soul Formation.

What about his own future?

Discouragement arose naturally.

Perhaps it was due to his wounds not fully healing, or the recent escape had worn down Luo Chen's spirit, making him more sentimental.

But he quickly adjusted.

The future can be dealt with when it comes.

For now, he needed to take one step at a time!

"Third question! About the Divine Transformation Relic of Thunder Accumulation Mountain!"

"You mean the palace of the great being Baiye?"

"Yes!" Luo Chen asked with great confusion, "I heard there were many treasures left by the Divine Transformation great being, even a few True Artifacts. But why, when the relic was opened, did your two sects only send Golden Core cultivators to compete, and neither you nor the Jade Cauldron True Person went personally? Don't you find the legacy of a Divine Transformation great being tempting?"

This question had been lingering in Luo Chen's mind for a long time.

Before, either he was too busy, or he felt his relationship with Han Zhan was not close enough to ask.

But after these years of interaction, especially recently when Han Zhan discovered He Yuan and remained patient, eventually taking action to help Luo Chen, he felt their relationship had grown closer.

Thus, he asked earnestly.

Han Zhan did not seem surprised by Luo Chen's question, or perhaps he had heard similar questions many times.

He then began to explain to Luo Chen personally.

However, this explanation took quite a while.

From the cultivation of cultivators to the evolution of realms, he explained in detail.

Cultivation begins with Qi Condensation.

During the Qi Condensation stage, cultivators absorb and refine the heavenly qi, continuously purifying it. Eventually, the highly refined spirit energy transforms the dantian into a qi sea, laying the foundation for the Great Dao.

After Foundation Establishment, the spirit sense develops, and the body undergoes changes, allowing it to withstand more heavenly qi.

During this process, the spirit energy in the body transitions from a gaseous state to a liquid state, and finally to a solid state at the Golden Core stage, a progressive process.

However, the most important aspect is not the spirit energy or spell power.

It is the divine soul!

From Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment, and then to Golden Core, as cultivators continuously absorb external qi, their divine soul is constantly trained and grows.

Until the Nascent Soul stage, the Three Flowers Gather at the Apex, and the Five Qi Home to the Center, the illusory divine soul condenses into a substantial Nascent Soul!

The qi sea also transforms into the Purple Mansion, becoming the abode of the Nascent Soul.

After reaching the Nascent Soul stage, the cultivation of cultivators changes significantly.

Condensing spell power remains the eternal theme, but beyond that, the birth of the Nascent Soul domain allows cultivators to control the external qi that resonates with their own.

From then on, Nascent Soul cultivators truly possess some of the legendary abilities of moving mountains and filling seas, chasing stars, and following the moon.

"You have witnessed many high-level battles, so you must understand what this means, right!"

"Controlling the great trends of heaven and earth?"

"Exactly, controlling external qi for one's own use, thus ensuring an endless supply of spell power." Here, Han Zhan paused, "But this is just the surface. What are the great trends of heaven and earth? Are they merely the scattered and floating qi?"

"Law?" Luo Chen hesitated.

"Indeed, you are a talented cultivator, and those spells come naturally to you. I'm sure that in the future, your progress in Law cultivation will be rapid."

Han Zhan praised, then explained earnestly, "The most crucial cultivation for Nascent Soul Stage cultivators is to continuously manipulate the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and in the process, they will comprehend the Law Force that suits them best. Once they grasp it, they will be on the verge of ascending to the Divine Transformation Stage!"

Luo Chen was puzzled, "But I've never seen a Nascent Soul cultivator who can master the Law Force during the Nascent Soul Stage... except for one person."

As he spoke, an image of a tall and cold figure appeared in Luo Chen's mind.

Standing tall and invincible on Cangwu Mountain!

Han Zhan knew who he was talking about, but he temporarily brushed past the topic.

"You're right, ninety-nine percent of Nascent Soul cultivators indeed cannot comprehend the Law Force. Usually, only after advancing to the Divine Transformation Stage, when the Divine Perception transforms into Divine Thought, and with the combined effect of the Domain, can they naturally comprehend the Law that suits them."

"But, this cultivation process cannot be skipped!"

"The reason why I and the Jade Cauldron True Person do not enter the Divine Transformation Relic is that such places, where Divine Transformation powerhouses have fallen, contain too much of the Law Force they comprehended during their lifetime. Once we enter, we will inevitably be influenced by it, which will affect our path, and there will be no hope of ascending to the Divine Transformation Stage in the future!"

Luo Chen's mind felt a bit overwhelmed as he listened, and he frowned tightly, summarizing uncertainly, "Nascent Soul cultivators cannot enter the Divine Transformation Relic?"

"Yes and no. The prerequisite is that there are no powerhouses who have fallen within the Divine Transformation Relic. We can still enter ordinary Divine Transformation Relics."

Luo Chen asked further, "Can we really not enter at all?"

"Yes! Unless you can ensure that you won't be influenced. There are exceptions." Han Zhan seemed to recall someone.

Seeing Luo Chen's curiosity, he added, "If the path cultivated by the Nascent Soul Immortal is the same as the fallen Divine Transformation cultivator, then you can enter. Perhaps you can even receive their legacy and comprehend the Law Force during the Nascent Soul Stage."

Luo Chen suddenly understood, and he also firmly remembered these common knowledge of higher realms in his mind.

To avoid accidentally stepping into some powerful relic and going astray in the future.

As Luo Chen silently memorized, his thoughts wandered, and he had a new question on this matter.

"What about the relics of even higher realms? For example, beyond the Divine Transformation Stage, can you Nascent Soul Immortals enter?"

This time, Han Zhan was stumped.

After pondering for a while, he could only helplessly say, "After all, the Mountain and Sea Realm is just a lower realm. The fact that Divine Transformation cultivators can reside here and occasionally take action is already a sign that the spiritual energy here is extremely abundant. Higher realms' existence may not fit in this realm. Yes, a small temple cannot accommodate a large Buddha."

"So, how would I know if I can enter or not?"

"However, for existences stronger than the Divine Transformation Stage, their comprehension of the Law Force must have reached an extremely profound level, perhaps even becoming the master of a Law. Such beings should pose no hindrance to us."

"Just like how the Divine Transformation Relic has no influence on you Golden Core cultivators, we won't be able to sense the more powerful forces until we reach that level, and naturally, we won't be influenced and led astray."

This time, Luo Chen was left bewildered.

He couldn't quite understand what was said.

The cultivation path of existences stronger than the Divine Transformation Stage was beyond anyone's knowledge.

At least, neither Luo Chen nor Han Zhan could fathom it.

"Enough, let's end this discussion here. If you keep asking, old man here might feel embarrassed," Han Zhan joked, but there was no hint of annoyance in his tone.

In truth, although he often referred to himself as 'old man,' he was indeed one of the younger Nascent Soul cultivators.

Therefore, when it came to Luo Chen, there wasn't much of a generation gap.

Luo Chen smiled and asked his final question.

However, this question caused Han Zhan to fall silent for a long time.

"How strong is the Demon Monarch Queen Frost?"

After a long while, Han Zhan replied bitterly, "We Nascent Soul cultivators can't even compare. If they don't ascend to the Divine Transformation Stage, they are unmatched under heaven!"

Facing this answer, Luo Chen's heart couldn't calm down for a long time.

He knew that Queen Frost was very strong, but he didn't expect such high praise from a cultivator of the same stage.

Recalling the battle at Cangwu Mountain.

Three late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators were injured and forced to retreat by her, and even a Divine Transformation cultivator personally took action. It perfectly matched Han Zhan's evaluation.

After a while, Luo Chen sighed, "There are always higher mountains beyond the mountain, and there are always greater people beyond the person. Our cultivation journey is like climbing a mountain, and there's always another mountain higher than the one you're on!"

Han Zhan hummed in agreement.

Then, silence fell.

It seemed that the exchange had come to a complete end.

As dusk approached, Han Zhan suddenly spoke again.

"You're asking these questions, not just to pass the time, right?"

Luo Chen calmly said, "The affairs of the world, both past and present, are often similar. The Jade Cauldron Civil War and the battle between the two factions in Great River Market are essentially the same—they are all struggles for benefits. Now, the Northern Sea is in turmoil, but the essence of the conflict is not much different from the Jade Cauldron Civil War."

"Through your firsthand account, I can see the whole picture and make a more accurate prediction of the war's trend. In the future, I can act accordingly, seeking good and avoiding evil."

Han Zhan understood, and it was just as he had thought.

Luo Chen rarely did things without a purpose.

As for what Luo Chen planned to do after understanding these matters, the answer had already been given by the other party.

This realm was not peaceful. With no attachments, it was better to leave.

In the end, Han Zhan reminded, "Luo Chen, sometimes, don't use your experience to recklessly speculate on the plots of higher realms. Even if the disputes are over benefits, the nature of the benefits may be different, and so will the means of contention."

"Be careful, cleverness thwarted by its own craftiness!"

Luo Chen furrowed his brows.

Although he didn't quite understand these words, they were sincere reminders from the heart, so he kept them in mind.

Just then,

The swaying of the ship stopped.

Luo Chen stepped out of the cabin and onto the deck.

Before him, a sharp, wolf-tooth-like mountain came into view.

Lanying, named after the wolf's tooth.

"The first stop has been reached, let's hope everything goes smoothly from now on!"

(End of Chapter)

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