Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 726: The 500-Year Grand Competition, Guardian Cultivator Luo Chen - Novel Cool

Chapter 726: The 500-Year Grand Competition, Guardian Cultivator Luo Chen

Chapter 726: The 500-Year Grand Competition, Guardian Cultivator Luo Chen

"Fellow Daoist Luo Chen, you won't blame me for taking advantage of your gratitude, will you?"

Fu Chaosheng smiled slyly, his small eyes sparkling with shrewdness as he sized up Luo Chen.

Luo Chen smiled awkwardly, feeling somewhat taken aback.

Indeed, Han Zhan had once analyzed the situation for him, explaining that Fu Chaosheng's friendliness must have had an ulterior motive.

However, he never expected the other party to be so straightforward, climbing up the pole without any of the usual haggling that merchants were known for.

But now that the matter was at hand, Luo Chen couldn't possibly refuse.

"How could I? Don't say that, Fellow Daoist. Feel free to speak frankly about what the matter is. If it's within my capabilities, I will do my utmost to assist you!"

What a clever way to phrase it—'within my capabilities'! Fu Chaosheng cursed inwardly, knowing that the Qingyang Demon Lord he had met in haste was not the type to dedicate himself solely to cultivation.

While he might not be as insightful as them, his understanding of human nature was no less than that of these seasoned merchants.

Fu Chaosheng's expression turned solemn, and he put on a serious demeanor, "This matter is not directly related to me, but it concerns one of my granddaughters. I wish to ask you to protect her for a period of time."

Acting as a bodyguard? Luo Chen's eyebrows furrowed, "What cultivation level is your granddaughter at?"

"She is on par with you."

"This..." Luo Chen's expression became even more serious, "If she is at the same cultivation level as me and is also a disciple of a sacred land, she must have some remarkable abilities. Moreover, you, as a senior member of the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect, have countless powerful cultivators within your sect, and as an elder of the Commerce Alliance, you have extensive connections from your frequent business trips to the Northern Sea. Even a Mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator could be persuaded, so what kind of matter would require the protection of a newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator like me?"

As Luo Chen spoke, he was already having second thoughts.

Fu Chaosheng sighed and said, "Have you ever heard of the Heavenly Yuan Grand Competition?"

"The sect's grand competition?" Luo Chen nodded, "I have indeed heard of it. It is said that once every hundred years, powerful cultivators from the five major states attend to witness and celebrate the birth of the new generation of geniuses in the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect. This competition is of the highest caliber, even among the numerous internal competitions held by various sects across the realm. However, I am just an outsider..."

"Have you heard of the Mirage Dragon Cavern?"

Luo Chen was perplexed.

Fu Chaosheng seemed to have expected this, and he proceeded to explain the origin of the Mirage Dragon Cavern.

In ancient times, savage beasts roamed the Mountain and Sea Realm, and they were the true masters of this world.

At that time, humans were weak and scattered, falling prey to the beasts.

It was not until the emergence of the five sacred lands that a great ancient war spanning ten thousand years was waged. Powerful savage beasts were either slain, suppressed, or forced to retreat into the wilderness.

Through this relentless struggle, the five sacred lands carved out the most fertile and suitable lands for human cultivation in the vast Mountain and Sea Realm.

The five sacred lands, having overcome countless obstacles, were truly the heroes of that era.

This war was known as the Ancient Human-Demon War, and it was not called the Human-Beast War because, during the middle and late stages, many weak savage beasts chose to cultivate the demonic path, accelerating their cultivation and later rebranding themselves as demons.

Even now, many demonic beasts in the Mountain and Sea Realm have the option to transform at the fourth rank, either choosing the demonic path or shattering their demon cores to return to their savage beast origins.

Black King is a product of this choice, and without his demon core, he can be said to have been forced onto the path of savage beasts.

Not to mention the internal conflicts within the demonic beast and savage beast factions.

During that ancient war, the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect made the greatest sacrifices and achieved the most glorious victories. As a result, after the war, they obtained the most fertile and prosperous region—the Central State! There, they were free from the endless threats of demonic beasts in the Eastern Wilderness and Northern Sea, as well as the poisonous fog of venomous bugs in the Southern Border. The abundance of resources far surpassed the barren Western Desert.

The Mirage Dragon Cavern was one of the fruits of that ancient war.

"The Mirage Dragon, a top-tier savage beast, could swallow clouds and spit mist, creating illusions of the sun, moon, and stars, and forming its own small world within."

"Even after its death, its cultivation remained, lingering in the Central State, causing endless calamities."

"Our sect's powerful cultivators could have eliminated it, but under the leadership of the first generation's patriarch, they collectively decided to transform the Mirage Dragon's corpse into a secret realm, thus creating the Mirage Dragon Cavern."

Fu Chaosheng took a breath and continued, "After the transformation, the secret realm generates its own opportunities for cultivation. By harnessing the power of the Mirage Dragon, Nascent Soul cultivators can merge with heaven and earth, gaining insights into the true meaning of laws."

Luo Chen's face showed surprise, "Nascent Soul cultivators merging with heaven and earth, don't they fear being assimilated by the world?"

"Weren't you just doing the same?" Fu Chaosheng retorted.

Luo Chen explained, "It was a stroke of luck that allowed me to resonate with the true fire within my body, using its connection with the heavens to indirectly touch upon the truth of the world."

Fu Chaosheng smiled slightly, "Isn't that a coincidence? The power of the Mirage Dragon has a similar effect to your Primordial True Fire. Moreover, the Mirage Dragon is proficient in illusions, capable of creating almost perfect deceptions. It allows cultivators to comprehend the true meaning of laws within, and because the Mirage Dragon has its own small world, it naturally separates the cultivators from the outside world, minimizing the risk of their divine souls being assimilated."

Luo Chen opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.

After absorbing the Darkfire Elder's Darkfire, his True Fire underwent a cycle of life and death, and by chance, he entered a state of enlightenment.

However, he never expected that this method had already been "standardized" within the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect.

One might even say that the Mirage Dragon Cavern was not limited to a single person, implying that it had been expanded.

Seeing Luo Chen’s shock, Fu Chaosheng shook his head and continued:

"Such an opportunity, even within the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect, is considered the supreme fortune, a dream of countless people."

"But not everyone is qualified to enjoy it."

"Because the power of the Mirage Dragon is limited. After each use, it takes several hundred years to recover just a little bit."

"Therefore, our Dao Sect has fixed the time to once every five hundred years. This period also coincides with the major events of our sect. Therefore, every five hundred years, the internal disciple competition is the most intense and the one with the most generous rewards."

What kind of reward could be considered the most generous?

Magic treasures, alchemy pills, or spirit medicines?

No!

Compared to these, the ability to fuse with the heavens and comprehend the great Dao is undoubtedly the most sought-after reward for cultivators.

Ordinarily, the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect’s competition is divided into three realms: Primordial Infant, Golden Core, and Foundation Establishment, with each realm having its own competition.

But in the grand competition every five hundred years, almost all participants are early-stage Primordial Infant cultivators!

As for why only early-stage Primordial Infant cultivators and not Golden Core cultivators or even mid- or late-stage Primordial Infant cultivators?

Fu Chaosheng also explained this point briefly.

Using that opportunity for Golden Core cultivators is too wasteful, and the Mirage Dragon Cavern also generates illusions, which Golden Core cultivators find extremely difficult to resist.

Mid-stage cultivators, due to their long-term cultivation, have a thicker Purple Mansion Barrier, unlike early-stage Primordial Infant cultivators who still have a certain degree of resonance with the heavens.

As for Yuanhou Great Cultivators?

The Yuanhou Great Cultivators of the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect have, to varying degrees, participated in the competition once after advancing to the Primordial Infant realm.

Even if they haven’t encountered the five-hundred-year competition, at that age, it’s not appropriate to compete for opportunities with the younger generation.

"After the Ancient War, over the past three thousand years, our sect has held six five-hundred-year competitions. The rules and details have gradually been refined. Now, it is clearly stated that only those who have advanced to the Primordial Infant realm within the past hundred years, or below, can enter the Mirage Dragon Cavern."

"Inside, it is extremely dangerous, especially when fusing with the heavens and comprehending the Dao, as there are external illusions and opponents to disrupt. Therefore, all participants can bring one guardian cultivator who meets the rule restrictions."

"Luo Chen, you are the most suitable guardian cultivator I have chosen for my granddaughter!"

His words slowly revealed the entire story clearly.

Whether there were still some things left unsaid, it was not discussed, but Luo Chen indeed now had a preliminary understanding of the five-hundred-year competition.

Under the other’s gaze, he asked his first question.

"Why me?"

"Why not you?" Fu Chaosheng countered, then rallied his spirit and said, "In recent years, I have widely cultivated relationships and found several suitable guardian cultivators, but compared to you, they are all lacking."

Then, he listed Luo Chen’s achievements in detail.

The Cold Light Island battle, where he fought with fewer numbers and against higher ranks, and then left calmly.

In the Ten Thousand Immortals Assembly, he traversed the defenses of the three seas, slaying countless powerful demonic beasts, establishing the formidable reputation of the Azure Sunfiend.

In the Demon Slaying Land, he killed Flying Cloud Master in reverse!

"And all of these were accomplished while you were at the Golden Core stage. Even if there are no successors, you can be considered unparalleled."

Luo Chen’s lips twitched, "Fellow Daoist, you have paid quite a lot of attention to me!"

"Ha ha!"

Fu Chaosheng laughed, "Don’t be angry. Our Heavenly Yuan Commerce Alliance has influence throughout the Northern Sea, so we have some advantages in intelligence."

The next moment, he changed the subject abruptly.

"At the Golden Core stage, you were so powerful. Now, having achieved the Primordial Infant stage, you will only be even more formidable!"

"Nine days ago, you used your pure Primordial Infant domain to overpower the third-layer Heaven Splitter Stream Lord, which is enough to prove everything."

"My granddaughter’s guardian cultivator can only be you!"

Luo Chen was silent.

Indeed, any one of the things he had done could be considered a legend.

Ordinary Golden Core cultivators could boast about one such feat for a lifetime, but he had accomplished many.

Some of them were even unknown to Fu Chaosheng.

After a long silence, Luo Chen asked his second question.

"Is the five-hundred-year competition dangerous?"

"If I say no, I would be too insincere. But it absolutely will not lead to death. After all, even within our sect, Primordial Infant cultivators are important talents, and we would not lightly damage them during internal competitions."

"Sure?"

"Definitely!"

Luo Chen fell silent again, lowering his head to think.

Fu Chaosheng did not disturb him. Such matters required careful consideration.

He had been kind to Luo Chen, but that was when he was a Golden Core cultivator.

Now that they were of the same realm, those favors were merely small acts of kindness.

If the other party did not recognize them, he could do nothing about it.

He couldn’t really repay a drop of kindness with a flood! Their relationship wasn’t that close.

After a long time, Luo Chen finally looked up.

"Considering for too long, I have kept you waiting. But this matter is indeed a difficult decision for me. After all, if I decide to become your granddaughter’s guardian cultivator, I will have to face the other top talents of the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect. A single misstep might lead to enmity."

Fu Chaosheng’s expression changed slightly, "My family, though not among the great families, is a prestigious clan with thousands of years of heritage. Those grudges, I believe..."

"If it’s truly like that, why not choose a guardian cultivator from within the family?"

"Luo Chen asked in return.

Fu Chaosheng's face turned stiff. That was a rather hurtful statement.

If the Fu family were truly that powerful, they wouldn't lack suitable experts within the clan.

The position of Elder in the Heavenly Yuan Commerce Alliance is highly revered in the eyes of outsiders.

But if you were to convert it to a small sect or faction, it's essentially just a steward handling mundane affairs outside.

What kind of person or family would be assigned such a position?

Obviously, Luo Chen wasn't a fool.

This time, it was Fu Chaosheng's turn to fall silent.

Under Luo Chen's prolonged gaze, Fu Chaosheng could only manage a bitter smile.

'I'm afraid I've embarrassed myself. My Fu family is indeed facing a generational gap. Before my granddaughter, there was only me, a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, barely maintaining our status as a prestigious family. Now that my granddaughter has advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage, I have higher aspirations. I want her to break through to the Divine Transformation Stage and elevate the Fu family to the rank of a Great Family. For this, I'm willing to risk everything.'

As he spoke, his spirit lifted.

'It seems you really need this thing?'

The Crystal Vase appeared in his hand.

Luo Chen took it, the same Soul Essence that the Darkfire Elder had previously handed over.

'If you agree to help, I can give you two more bottles.'

Luo Chen's eyebrows rose, 'Are they also the essence of a million souls?'

'Don't underestimate me. In the Northern Sea Immortal World, countless killings have taken place over the years, and who knows how many demonic cultivators have secretly refined Soul Essences. With my position as an Elder in the Commerce Alliance, collecting a few bottles of essence from a million souls is not difficult.'

Luo Chen was somewhat tempted.

'Not only that, if you agree, I can recommend you as a Guest Scholar in our sect. Even if you offend other geniuses in the Mirage Dragon Cavern, with this identity, they wouldn't dare to openly target you.'

A Guest Scholar in a sect!

Luo Chen took a deep breath, his mind already made up.

But at this moment, since the other party was seeking his help, and he wasn't the one asking for favors, he had to negotiate the best deal.

'To be honest, I'm grateful for your kindness, and I do have the intention to help. But I've just advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage, and there are countless threads to untangle on the path of cultivation, making it difficult to sleep. If you could help me with some trivial matters, saving me time, I could focus on cultivation, improve my abilities, and give my all at the Five Hundred Years Competition!'

Trivial matters?

Fu Chaosheng smiled slightly, 'Feel free to speak.'

Luo Chen smiled and proceeded to list the so-called trivial matters.

Fu Chaosheng's head started to hurt, but he realized that these weren't really big deals. With his authority in the Commerce Alliance, handling these matters wouldn't be difficult.

Moreover, Luo Chen wasn't just taking; he was willing to offer compensation, merely asking for help.

Rather than calling the third matter a condition, it was more like a normal business transaction.

In a secret room in Mo Lan Ting, Old Ghost Nan Qi rushed in.

'Lietai, you didn't fulfill the promise you made to me earlier. This time, you must help me!'

As soon as he entered, he went straight to the heart of the matter.

The Heaven Splitter Stream Lord frowned, 'It's not that I didn't do it, but the Darkfire Elder didn't give me the chance.'

'I don't care. Your Order Wind Toad helped me a lot, and you should repay the favor!'

The Heaven Splitter Stream Lord took a deep breath, 'Fine, tell me what it is.'

'It's simple. You and I will find an opportunity to deal with that Wilderness Loose Cultivator! All his possessions will be yours, except for the bottle of essence from a million souls, which will be mine!'

Old Ghost Nan Qi's face turned grim, 'A mere loose cultivator, newly advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage, possesses such strength and wealth. His background must be extraordinary, and I'm sure you're tempted. Moreover, at the Return Origin Palace Plaza, you didn't establish your prestige but were instead used as a stepping stone. I'm sure you hold no grudge in your heart?'

The Heaven Splitter Stream Lord didn't refute.

After some consideration, he slowly nodded.

'When will we act?'

'At the end of the Ceasefire Conference!' Old Ghost Nan Qi exuded confidence, 'By then, everyone will return to their own sects, and no one will meddle in our business. Together, we can easily handle that loose cultivator and the Langya True Person.'

'That's a good time.' The Heaven Splitter Stream Lord smiled, 'I heard that kid gave Dark Fire Healing and greatly damaged his own vitality. He'll probably have to stay in Mo Lan Ting for a while. This gives us enough time to plan the details.'

Old Ghost Nan Qi also smiled, as if everything was within their grasp.

However, they didn't know that at this moment, Luo Chen's figure had already left Mo Lan Ting.

In the depths of the vast sea, a candle flame slowly rose from the dark and putrid Meat Wall.

'Is this the Black King's stomach pouch?'

Looking at the terrifying acidic liquid secreted from the Meat Wall, even Luo Chen's powerful physical body broke out in goosebumps.

If he didn't defend himself, this acid might even corrode and digest his physical body!

'Where are we going now, True Person?' asked Sang Jing He curiously.

Luo Chen smiled slightly, 'First, let's go to Cold Light Island as planned, and then head to Divine Essence City to wait for True Person Fu.'

After saying this, he took out a chair and lay down comfortably.

A thin leather book appeared in his hand, and he quickly became engrossed in it.

Sang Jing He wasn't interested in Cold Light Island, but he was very familiar with Divine Essence City, as it was very close to the Ten Thousand Immortals Assembly!

It was also close to his Tusan Island!

For a moment, he felt a sense of homesickness.

In the deep sea, a black dragon surged forward, avoiding the Spirit Vein Islands and swiftly approaching Cold Light Island.

(End of Chapter)

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