Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 784: Ancient Secrets of Luo Tian, Understanding Withering and Prosperity - Novel Cool

Chapter 784: Ancient Secrets of Luo Tian, Understanding Withering and Prosperity

Chapter 784: Ancient Secrets of Luo Tian, Understanding Withering and Prosperity

The Gu insect originated from the southern borderlands.

In the cultivation world, it was enough to make one's face pale and heart tremble at the mere mention of it.

However, this was only true for wandering cultivators with limited knowledge and experience.

For someone like Luo Chen, who possessed profound cultivation and extensive knowledge, it was natural to understand that everything in the world was neither inherently good nor evil, only useful or useless.

At least, from what he knew, many Gu insects could provide extraordinary assistance to ordinary cultivators.

For example, there was a first-tier Gu insect called the Moonlight Gu.

Its rank was not high, but its effect was incredibly mystical, capable of guiding Qi and opening up meridians.

Some cultivators with spirit roots but naturally blocked meridians could refine this Gu, breaking free from their constraints and allowing them to cultivate Qi normally.

Even those with naturally unobstructed meridians did not hesitate to refine a Moonlight Gu to assist in their Qi cultivation when given the opportunity.

In the Central State, the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect had once purchased large quantities of Moonlight Gu from the southern borderlands. It was only after the southern borderlands became increasingly closed off that this practice gradually ceased.

It could be said that the widespread cultivation of Moonlight Gu among the numerous cultivators in the Central State was a significant contributing factor.

And Moonlight Gu was just one of the many extraordinary Gu insects.

The Lingxi Gu that Luo Chen and Sima Hui'niang had implanted was also one of them, and its origins were even more impressive.

According to rumors, it was a simplified version of a fifth-tier Gu insect called the Tongsheng Gongsi Gu! It was an extreme Gu insect that could bind an Essence Transformation cultivator and a Qi cultivation cultivator together, sharing life and death.

However, as time passed and the world changed, the name of the Tongsheng Gongsi Gu gradually faded into obscurity. In contrast, the Lingxi Gu's other transformation path once caused a great stir in the cultivation world of the southern borderlands.

The third-tier Demon Gu, the Moxin Gu!

Some unscrupulous individuals mass-produced the Moxin Gu and implanted them into low-level cultivators. Then, when the Gu matured, they used its mystical powers to devour the cultivators' cultivation and realms!

It was because of this incident that the Moxin Gu was thoroughly suppressed, and the Lingxi Gu also became less common as a result.

At that time, Luo Chen was about to embark on a long journey, and to prevent losing contact, he carefully inspected the Lingxi Gu to ensure it was safe before implanting it into Sima Hui'niang.

Indeed, the "heart-to-heart connection" effect of the Lingxi Gu brought many benefits.

Whether it was during Luo Chen's two years of captivity in the Baiye Cave Mansion on the Thunderpile Mountain battlefield or his three years as a prisoner at the foot of Cangwu Mountain, or even during his hundred years of wandering in the Northern Sea, the existence of the Lingxi Gu allowed Sima Hui'niang to maintain her confidence while waiting for his return.

Without that faith, the Luo Tian Sect might have already collapsed, and the few cultivators without the protection of their sect might have been absorbed by larger sects due to their exceptional talents. However, most of the mediocre cultivators would have likely faded away in the vast cultivation world.

Not everyone could be like Luo Chen, wandering as a solitary cultivator and still improving their situation.

Later, after Luo Chen's journey to the Demon Subduing Land, his physical Nirvana, and the disappearance of the Lingxi Gu and his cultivation, Luo Chen was deeply concerned about Sima Hui'niang's condition.

So, in the Wanxiang Tower of the Divine Essence City in the Northern Sea, he purchased a pile of low-level Gu insects for research.

After the Cave Heaven Grand Competition in the Central State, the Tian Shan Zhenren from the southern borderlands chatted with him, and Luo Chen took the opportunity to inquire about the Lingxi Gu.

Whether it was his personal research or the insights of Gu masters, the Lingxi Gu seemed to have no significant issues.

This was the reason why Luo Chen previously believed that resolving Sima Hui'niang's injuries would not be too troublesome.

But at this moment!

An anomaly occurred!

As Luo Chen observed, the Golden Core formed by the Lingxi Gu within Hui'niang's body seemed like a living creature, connected to her heart and even her sea of consciousness and soul!

This was why Luo Chen said, "The heart-to-heart connection of the Lingxi Gu extends to the soul."

Due to these connections, Luo Chen dared not forcefully eradicate it.

If he did, not only would her heart rupture, but her soul would also simultaneously perish.

"No wonder Gu Caiyi said that Hui'niang's body had changed. This was caused by the Lingxi Gu absorbing her essence. And the pain that even a Golden Core cultivator couldn't suppress was significantly reduced after cultivating the Bright Divine Annihilation. It's evident that her soul's endurance has been enhanced, allowing her to barely withstand the consumption of her soul."

"But how did this situation come about?"

Luo Chen wanted to ask Chu Kui if there were any other hidden dangers when he gifted this pair of Gu insects.

However, this thought was immediately dismissed.

If there were any hidden dangers, Chu Kui would have mentioned them long ago.

Moreover, whether it was from Luo Chen's own research or the insights of Tian Shan Zhenren, they all agreed that the Lingxi Gu was safe.

"Then the problem must lie with Hui'niang and... me."

Luo Chen narrowed his eyes, and a drop of blood mysteriously appeared on his fingertip.

The Lingxi Gu was refined using essence blood and fed on the vital energy that circulated daily. Apart from the refining process, it did not affect a cultivator's regular cultivation.

And Luo Chen's vital energy...

On his fingertip, the blood was crystal clear and radiated an incredibly vibrant life force.

Even without comprehending the transformation of vital energy, this drop of Luo Chen's blood was no less potent than the blood that Wang Yuan had tempered hundreds of times.

The Lingxi Gu absorbed this type of energy, gradually growing from the first tier to the third tier.

"My blood..."

"Blood Nightmare Demon Luo once said that the Yuan Tu Sword liked my blood."

"The Black King also said he liked to stay close to me because the abundant vital energy I emit made him feel comfortable."

"The Lingxi Gu soaked in my vital energy day and night, and I became so accustomed to it that I ignored it and forgot how much it had grown. When I underwent Nirvana, the Lingxi Gu shattered but carried my cultivation into Hui'niang's body, where it revived and formed a Golden Core."

"But now, the host is no longer the robust me but the frail Hui'niang."

So, it devours hearts and consumes divine souls to continue its growth!"

In the depths of his consciousness, Luo Chen understood everything.

As he muttered to himself, his fingers gently touched the lips of the sleeping woman beside him.

The drop of blood that was squeezed out instantly stained her pale thin lips.

Under the surveillance of his divine sense, within his Qi Sea, the Golden Core trembled slightly, but it was restrained by the restriction set up by Luo Chen.

Luo Chen loosened the restriction at the right moment, and then a surge of spiritual power rolled the drop of blood away.

The Golden Core deepened in color! The woman's delicate eyebrows relaxed completely!

Seeing this, Luo Chen opened his mouth slightly, and finally, he sighed softly.

"It's all due to my negligence."

...

"Zhou Yuan perished in the Howling Moon Mountain Range during the Demon Tide outbreak."

"Bai Meiling's soul disappeared while fleeing."

"Xing Zonghan forcefully cultivated the Dust Essence Technique, leading to demonic deviation. He suffered a great loss in cultivation and chose to cover the retreat of the entire sect during a withdrawal. His fate is unknown."

"Mi Li and her son Qu Jiu waited for Qu Lingjun for ten years within the sect, and in the end, they died with deep resentment."

"Duan Feng and his wife, skilled in identifying minerals, were ordered by the Five Elements Divine Sect's Golden Plume Zhenren to participate in the support battle in the Two Instruments Grassland of the Wuji Region. They perished there, leaving no descendants."

"Xu Zhenren died on the Three Paths River Battlefield."

"The Supreme Elder of the Luo Tian Sect disappeared, and the Howling Moon Mountain Range was breached, resulting in the deaths of numerous disciples and followers. Additionally, due to Han Zhan's early seizure of too many benefits from the Luo Tian Sect in his pursuit of breaking through the Nascent Soul Realm, the Luo Tian Sect faced internal strife after the war was lost. To seize power, the sect split into three factions: the lineage of the sect leader, Han Zhan's grandson Han Zheng, and the lineage of the Great Elder Cheng Yan, who was left behind in the Heaven Drum Plain. The three factions fought, causing countless deaths and injuries. Among them, Qin Yuanjiang, who belonged to the sect leader's lineage, lost his Dao companion, Ruan Huan'er, during the internal conflict. His mother, Mu Ran Qinglian, was severely injured, and Qin Yuanjiang, feeling desolate, left with his mother to join the Luo Tian Sect."

"Mu Ran Qinglian perished within the Luo Tian Sect."

...

Leaves fluttered in the wind, and the sound of the breeze was mournful.

Luo Chen sat cross-legged on a small stone platform outside Sima Hui'niang's cave abode, reading the Luo Tian Chronicles of the Luo Tian Sect.

This material had been written since the time when the Luo Tian Sect was still known as the Luo Tian Association.

It had always been divided into three copies: one stored in the Scripture Pavilion, one carried by the current sect leader, and one held by Luo Chen.

Luo Chen's copy had stopped updating a hundred years ago.

What he was reading now was sent by Yao Mingyue.

The records on it contained little information about the outside world, and most of it documented the major changes within the Luo Tian Sect.

What Luo Chen was interested in were the names—some familiar, some strange.

Ever since he arrived at Hundred Mile Green River, his divine sense had swept through the area, detecting many familiar auras but also sensing many more that were absent.

At this moment, not staying behind in the sect implied something, and Luo Chen had already mentally prepared for it.

But when he actually saw the contents of the Luo Tian Chronicles, he still clenched his teeth, his brows furrowed, and his heart ached.

He didn't know what he was feeling.

Was it regret, sadness, or pain?

Or perhaps there was also anger? Anger at the demonic beast invasion, anger at the oppression from various forces, anger at the Five Elements Divine Sect for not treating Luo Tian disciples as humans, and anger at the internal strife within the Luo Tian Sect that led to the deaths of respected friends.

Or even anger at his own inaction!

A pressure akin to that before a thunderbolt's birth emanated from him, sometimes visible, sometimes not.

Xu Xiao'liu, who had delivered the book, was too close and couldn't bear the pressure, kneeling on the ground.

"Sigh..."

The white-haired Xu Xiao'liu heard a sigh, and then the pressure akin to heavenly might dissipated.

He cautiously raised his head.

"Xiao Liuzi, you're still as slippery as ever. They're all dead, and only you remain alive."

Xu Xiao'liu was taken aback, unsure how to respond.

Then he saw the young man self-mockingly smile and mutter, "That's right. Only slippery fellows like you and me can survive anywhere, like loaches and earthworms, enduring a hundred calamities."

Xu Xiao'liu's heart relaxed, and he said in a hoarse voice, "The Supreme Elder is nothing like Xiao Liuzi. I'm just a fleeting creature in the vast sea, while you are the bright moon in the sky, unaffected by rain or wind, never losing its brilliance."

"You, at your age, are still as good at flattering as you were back then."

Luo Chen smiled and released a surge of spiritual power.

He levitated the white-haired Xu Xiao'liu and seated him on the stone chair opposite him.

Xu Xiao'liu placed his hands on his knees, sitting upright. The man across from him was still as young as before, and his attitude was as gentle as a spring breeze.

It was as if nothing had changed, yet everything had changed.

However, it had been many years since anyone called him Xiao Liuzi, and it felt especially intimate.

"Xiao Liuzi, tell me about the current situation in the sect!"

"Mm."

Perhaps it was Luo Chen's calm attitude that made Xu Xiao'liu relax, as he began to narrate the current situation of the Luo Tian Sect.

"Our sect now has three hundred disciples and followers, with over two hundred Qi Cultivators and ordinary people, about thirty Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and an exceptionally high number of Golden Core Cultivators, totaling nine Golden Core Cultivators!"

"The nine Golden Core Cultivators are the old sect leader Sima Wenjie, Elder Fu Jiusheng, Elder Chu Kui, Elder Gu Caiyi, Elder Min Longyu, Elder Li Yingzhang, Elder Yang Pingdu, and Elder Qin Yuanjiang."

Although Wang Yuan and Sha Longzi possessed Golden Core-level combat power, they were not Golden Core Cultivators in the strict sense.

They were Body Refinement Cultivators!

But! Luo Chen was curious, "Isn't that only eight?"

Xu Xiao'liu hesitated and said, "If you count Sima Wenjie, then it's nine."

Luo Chen acknowledged and gestured for him to continue.

In his heart, Luo Chen couldn't help but marvel at how right he had been to intentionally leave behind the Dust Essence Technique and have Battle Demon Wang Yuan study and simplify it.

Without that all-encompassing Dust Essence Technique, how could the small Luo Tian Sect have produced so many Golden Core Cultivators?

Among the nine, there was no need to mention Sima Hui'niang.

Fu Jiusheng and Chu Kui had already formed their Golden Cores, while Gu Caiyi had successfully broken through using the Dark Essence Pill that Luo Chen had left behind. Li Yingzhang, on the other hand, had finally achieved success after a long period of preparation.

Qin Yuanjiang had successfully formed his Golden Core, inheriting the legacy of the Luo Yun Sect, while Min Longyu had received assistance from Qu Lingjun and relied on his array skills to narrowly achieve the same.

The only stranger among them was Yang Pingdu! He was the son of Yang Wenchang, the former leader of the Wanxiang Sect, who had been harmed by the Fifth Wonder during the war.

To keep a hold on the Fifth Wonder, Luo Chen had forcefully kept the members of the Wanxiang Sect.

Later, the Wanxiang Sect's senior disciple, Zong Jiuliu, died on the battlefield of Heaven Drum Plain.

Yang Pingdu then became the new leader of the Wanxiang Sect.

After the Demon Tide erupted, to preserve his sect, Yang Pingdu led his disciples to fully join the Luo Tian Sect and worked tirelessly in the subsequent battles.

To reward him and to unite the sect, Sima Hui'niang, after successfully forming her Golden Core, bestowed upon Yang Pingdu the Dark Essence Pill that she had saved.

He succeeded!

Because of this, Sima Wenjie rebelled and sought help from others. With the assistance of a Nascent Soul Zhenren, he formed his Golden Core and then, together with outsiders, attempted to seize control of the Luo Tian Sect.

It was a messy affair, and Luo Chen couldn't quite understand it. Xu Xiao'liu's voice droned on beside him.

"Among the younger generation, Qin Yuanjiang and Zeng Yilong are the most outstanding, but the others are not far behind."

"Mei Ruoqi, Yuan Yijun, Qu Jiu, and others are gradually making their mark. Although Su'e is gone, her disciple Suwen has inherited her medical skills. After Qu Lingjun left, Qi Yi took up the mantle of the Luo Tian Sect's alchemy, and it is thanks to the various Foundation Establishment Spirit Herbs he refined that our sect has seen a continuous emergence of Foundation Establishment Cultivators..."

When Luo Chen heard the name Qi Yi, he couldn't help but show a thoughtful expression.

Qi Yi was an alchemist he had personally recruited in the past, and he was the disciple of an enemy!

He remembered that at the time, he had recruited Qi Yi together with his senior or junior brother.

There was no doubt about Qi Yi's talent for alchemy.

But refining various Foundation Establishment Spirit Herbs? Could it be the Imperial Flow Paste?

But he had only passed on this alchemical method to Qu Lingjun.

Could it be that Qu Lingjun secretly taught it to Qi Yi before he left? If so, it would make sense.

During the war between humans and demons, there was no shortage of demonic beast corpses, which could be used to refine large quantities of Imperial Flow Paste, ensuring a continuous supply for the Luo Tian Sect's Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

If this was the case, then his only disciple had indeed proven his loyalty to the sect, considering all aspects.

"There's no need to mention Yao Zongzhu. After succeeding as the sect leader, although he's not as formidable as the previous leader, he has managed to maintain the Luo Tian Sect's foundation with stability and dedication."

"My daughter with Shi Lan is now learning by Yao Zongzhu's side."

At the end, Xu Xiao'liu mentioned his daughter, a thoughtful gesture.

Luo Chen glanced at him, and although the other party seemed a bit embarrassed, he remained calm.

Luo Chen didn't mind and instead asked curiously, "Shi Lan? Could she be the girl from the Ice Fortress?"

"Yes, that's right! During the chaos in the Jade Cauldron Realm, the Ice Fortress also encountered a mishap. I saved Shi Lan's life, and later, we became Dao companions."

When talking about this, Xu Xiao'liu was quite proud, as if being with that woman was the proudest moment of his life.

But soon after, his tone became somber.

"Unfortunately, after Shi Lan gave birth to our daughter, she left without a word to search for her Ice Fortress companions."

"What happened to the Ice Fortress?"

"That's a long story. The Supreme Elder of the Ice Fortress failed to break through the Nascent Soul Realm, and many powerful cultivators within the sect perished..."

Luo Chen half-heartedly listened to Xu Xiao'liu's reminiscing, but he didn't take it to heart.

Even the affairs of the Luo Tian Sect were enough for him to consider.

The old acquaintances and past events in the Jade Cauldron Realm were not urgent matters; he could just understand a thing or two.

Xu Xiao'liu might have noticed Luo Chen's distraction and gradually stopped talking.

"Among the seven sects of the Jade Cauldron Realm, apart from our Luo Tian Sect, they have long since scattered and perished. If not for the timely return of the Supreme Elder, the name of Luo Tian might have faded into oblivion."

Luo Chen comforted him and then calmly asked a new question.

"How long is your lifespan now?"

Xu Xiao'liu was taken aback and subconsciously stroked his beard, saying, "My lifespan is 247 years, and my time is almost up."

Then, he habitually started flattering Luo Chen.

"I've come to terms with life and death. Shi Lan and I were kindred spirits, and my bloodline will remain in this world. Even before I die, I was able to witness your return, and I would be content to die in the next moment."

"You can't die now; I still have a task for you."

Luo Chen smiled slightly, and before the other party could ask, he spoke a few words.

After hearing this, Xu Xiao'liu's eyes lit up.

Clapping his hands excitedly, he said, "I accept this task, and I won't let you down!"

After Xu Xiao'liu left, Luo Chen closed the Luo Tian Chronicles.

Standing on the small stone platform, gazing at the Hundred Mile Green River's landscape, his mind was still on the affairs of the Luo Tian Sect.

Deep in thought, he muttered, "Generation after generation, some grow old, some pass away, and those who remain either continue climbing to new heights or flourish."

"Just like that small tree, enduring winter and welcoming summer, shedding its branches and leaves, retaining its trunk, and eventually becoming a towering giant."

"The way of life and death is not so simple!"

The wind ceased, and leaves fell, rustling in the breeze, as if the mountains and rivers were responding to his thoughts.

(End of Chapter)

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