Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 949: The Ancient Secret Realm, Dao Zong's Mountain Visit - Novel Cool

Chapter 949: The Ancient Secret Realm, Dao Zong's Mountain Visit

Chapter 949: The Ancient Secret Realm, Dao Zong's Mountain Visit

"According to Ziyi Hou, it was you who requested to purchase my 'Toxin Body Refinement Technique'?"

Luo Chen did not hesitate and answered immediately:

"Yes, I have a particular interest in body refinement. I never pass up the opportunity to learn any related techniques. I'm just curious, what price do you set for your technique?"

Li Tian Shi waved his hand dismissively.

"The price isn't the most important thing. Before we discuss the price, you should take a look at it first."

As he spoke, he nodded at Ziyi Hou, who then produced a jade slip and handed it to Luo Chen. Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, took the jade slip, and infused his divine consciousness into it, scanning through it quickly.

The 'Toxin Body Refinement Technique' was indeed the high-level body refinement technique that the Thunder Echo Cave Lord had mentioned earlier. However, unlike the previous situation where even a glance was impossible, Luo Chen's first request had granted him the opportunity to read a brief excerpt.

This clearly demonstrated the difference in their cultivation levels and the different treatment they received.

Luo Chen felt a surge of joy.

However, as he browsed through the unrestricted portion, his mood gradually sank.

"This technique is really a bit..."

He was at a loss for words, but then he noticed Li Tian Shi's smiling eyes. A thought crossed his mind, and he clenched the jade slip.

"I'll take it!"

Li Tian Shi was taken aback, and even Ziyi Hou was shocked.

Ziyi Hou tried to dissuade him, "This body refinement technique is not an ordinary one. It requires the incorporation of a Toxin King Parasite, the refinement of a hundred toxins, and the continuous erosion of your flesh and bones, which is excruciatingly painful. However, as cultivators who have reached the nascent soul realm, we can endure such pain to some extent. The true danger lies in the fact that, given your current body refinement level, the toxins used must be highly potent. A single mistake could lead to irreparable consequences..."

"Friend Daoist, there's no need to persuade me further!" Luo Chen waved his hand. "While I have some expertise in body refinement, the deeper I delve into it, the more obstacles I encounter. I need relevant techniques to help me overcome these bottlenecks. If such a remarkable technique is available, why should I retreat just because it's difficult?"

Ziyi Hou opened his mouth to speak but finally sighed in admiration and stopped trying to dissuade him. He had read the entire 'Toxin Body Refinement Technique' and knew the immense power it could wield once perfected. The phrase "immune to all toxins, impervious to water and fire" was a significant understatement.

If not for the numerous taboos and the extreme difficulty of cultivation, he would have chosen to practice this technique long ago. Now that Luo Chen was eager to try, further persuasion would only make him seem like a villain.

Luo Chen turned his attention to the true owner of the technique. "Li Tian Shi, please name your price! Anything I possess that can be traded is available."

Li Tian Shi smiled and asked, "What do you think this technique is worth?"

Luo Chen furrowed his brow. He recalled the half of the technique he had read and hesitated. "This technique isn't particularly sophisticated; it merely involves using toxins to refine the body. The truly valuable part is the accompanying Toxin King Parasite."

"Exactly!" Li Tian Shi nodded with a smile. "This technique is my creation, and it isn't particularly profound. I created it specifically to accompany the Toxin King Parasite I refined. So, rather than saying you're buying the technique from me, it's more accurate to say you're buying the Toxin King Parasite. This parasite is one of my proudest achievements, and its value is..."

Li Tian Shi scrutinized Luo Chen, making him feel uncomfortable, before suddenly naming his price.

"Friend Daoist, if you're willing to assist me once, I will gladly gift you this parasite and the accompanying technique."

"Hmm?"

Luo Chen looked puzzled.

Given Li Tian Shi's high status in the Southern Frontier, comparable to Luo Chen's standing in Dong Huang, a call to action would attract countless strong cultivators willing to serve him.

Just like when Luo Chen had initiated a territorial war in the Dong Huang cultivation world under the Dan Sect's name, numerous forces and nascent soul cultivators had rallied to his cause.

Why would he need help from a "stranger" like Luo Chen?

Moreover, with Li Tian Shi himself being a late-stage nascent soul cultivator, his own strength was already formidable. Why would he need assistance from someone like Luo Chen?

Perhaps this "free gift" was the greatest cost of all!

Luo Chen said coldly, "Please be straightforward. What kind of task requires my help?"

Li Tian Shi didn't beat around the bush and spoke candidly about the matter.

Since embarking on the path of a parasite cultivator, his dream had been to refine a divine parasite that surpassed the ordinary!

A fifth-stage divine parasite!

However, it was well-known that in the history of the Southern Frontier, only three fifth-stage divine parasites had ever existed, and no fourth type had ever been discovered. Even those three fifth-stage divine parasites had become incomplete over time.

The Life-Linked Parasite had been destroyed, evolving into various lower-stage parasites like Lingxi, Demon Heart, and Qi Eater. The Calamity Parasite had disappeared, rumored to have attached itself to a supreme cultivator and left the Southern Frontier. Only the Blessing Parasite remained in the Life and Death Sect.

After meticulous research and gathering numerous clues, Li Tian Shi had discovered an ancient secret realm that might contain the original recipe for the Life-Linked Parasite!

However, this secret realm was extremely dangerous, even for nascent soul cultivators, who would tread on thin ice within it.

To ensure success, Li Tian Shi planned to organize a team to explore it. He had to ensure that the team was well-rounded and had no weaknesses.

He had already recruited experts in various fields, but he was lacking in the body refinement department.

He had initially pinned his hopes on Ziyi Hou, but...

Ziyi Hou smiled. "While I consider my body refinement skills to be quite good, Li Tian Shi still had some doubts. That's why he offered the 'Toxin Body Refinement Technique' to try and draw out some hidden body refinement experts in the Southern Frontier cultivation world."

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow and said, "So, I'm the big fish you’ve been trying to reel in?"

Ziyi Hou glanced at Liti Shifu, who did not avoid the question.

"Someone who can suppress the demonic Buddha Ning Yuzhuo with a body refinement technique and defeat two Yuan Ying True People of the Shadow Reflection Sect, one dead and one injured. Such skill is unmatched among contemporary Body Refiners in the Southern Frontier."

"Your sources are truly impressive, Master Liti!"

Luo Chen offered a somewhat sarcastic compliment before falling silent.

Whenever it came to exploring secret realms, he always kept his distance.

If it weren’t for the purpose of forming his nascent soul, he wouldn’t even have ventured into the Demonfall Land.

Now, with the other party inviting him to explore an ancient secret realm, he couldn’t afford to be anything but cautious.

Liti Shifu and Ziyi Hou exchanged a glance, slightly surprised.

This Qi Tian, known for his bold and daring actions, was now acting rather cautiously.

"It makes sense. If he weren’t cautious, how could he have come this far?"

Liti Shifu thought to himself, then tried to entice him with a proposition.

"The cultivation of the Toxin Body Refinement Technique not only requires the Toxin King Parasite as the core but also various powerful toxins as materials."

"Though you have Thunder Pass as your backing, most of the cultivators there are insignificant and can hardly gather the necessary toxic resources for you."

"If you are willing to help, I can mobilize the resources of the Stiff Mountain Alliance to acquire the required toxins for you, even some rare and unique venomous insects."

This was not an empty promise.

In just a brief glance, Luo Chen had seen the various toxins listed in the jade slip, ranging from low to high ranks, from first-stage to fourth-stage, with thousands of varieties.

While the prices might not be exorbitant, it would be difficult for him to collect them all on his own.

Luo Chen asked quietly, "Master Liti, can you really mobilize the resources of the Stiff Mountain Alliance?"

Liti Shifu smiled slightly. "Friend Qi, don’t underestimate my influence in the Stiff Mountain Alliance!"

"Since that's the case..." Luo Chen made up his mind and boldly proposed, "I would also like to join the Stiff Mountain Alliance. I hope you can introduce me."

"That’s a minor matter."

"Additionally, I would like to use the Stiff Mountain Alliance’s intelligence network to find a reclusive expert who has been missing from the Southern Frontier for many years."

"That’s doable. Just tell me the name, and with the complex internal structure of the Stiff Mountain Alliance, we can certainly find some leads for you."

"Heart Demon Insect Emperor!"

The moment these four words were spoken, Luo Chen fixed his gaze on the two men in front of him.

Liti Shifu’s face darkened with anger, while Ziyi Hou’s expression turned to one of disgust.

Luo Chen probed, "Do you two have any knowledge of the Heart Demon Insect Emperor?"

Ziyi Hou snorted. "A lazy parasite who reaps where he has not sown."

Liti Shifu’s anger subsided, leaving only a sigh.

"A good Heart Demon Parasite has been reduced to a tool for stealing cultivation, a real waste. Since you are determined to find this person, I don’t mind asking around for you. But you should be prepared, this person is extremely elusive and hasn’t been seen for years. It may very well end in nothing."

"I agree." Luo Chen didn’t push, as his time in the Southern Frontier’s cultivation world was still short, and he wasn’t in a rush.

Liti Shifu nodded. "Then what about what I mentioned?"

Luo Chen smiled. "I agree. Just let me know when it’s time, and I’ll be ready to depart."

"No rush, no rush. Before the Stiff Mountain Alliance attacks the Life and Death Sect, we have plenty of time to prepare." Liti Shifu let out a sigh of relief, then waved his hand, casting several spells. The restrictions on the jade slip in Luo Chen’s hand were instantly lifted, allowing him to read the entire text. "The corresponding Toxin King Parasite will be sent to you as soon as possible, and some basic toxins will be provided free of charge."

Luo Chen was somewhat surprised.

"You’re giving the reward before the job is done?"

Liti Shifu laughed heartily, full of confidence.

"In the Southern Frontier, no one can take advantage of me for free. What’s the harm in giving you the reward first?"

Luo Chen’s mind raced, and he bowed. "Thank you very much!"

This reminded him of when he had replaced Lin Feng in the Zilian Pill for Zitian Sect.

He hadn’t been afraid that Lin Feng would run off with the pill.

In the end, hadn’t Lin Feng joined the Zitian Sect?

"Ziyi Hou, I have some trivial matters to attend to. Please entertain Friend Qi for me."

"Go ahead, Master Liti. I can take care of Friend Qi."

After Liti Shifu hurriedly left, Ziyi Hou winked at Luo Chen, looking eager.

Luo Chen sighed. "There’s no rush for the sparring. I want to observe the exchange meeting for the next ten days."

"Haha, that’s fine." Ziyi Hou laughed heartily and led Luo Chen back to the hall.

...

This exchange meeting, involving most of the Yuan Ying True People in the Southern Frontier, was marked by considerable unrest from start to finish.

The lectures by the experts were merely formalities.

Apart from Liti Shifu’s initial genuine insights, the rest were mostly repetitive.

This was understandable, as none of them were close friends, and they were reluctant to share their valuable cultivation secrets for free.

The main focus of the exchange meeting was twofold.

Resource exchange and joining the Stiff Mountain Alliance!

Especially the latter. Over the next few days, ten more nascent soul cultivators joined the Stiff Mountain Alliance.

Only Luo Jiao’s left envoy Bei Puti, Thunder Echo Cave Lord, and a few others remained hesitant and did not take a stance.

It was a late night.

Luo Chen was in his fourth-stage cave abode, assigned to him by the Stiff Mountain Alliance, sorting through the resources he had traded for during the day.

"Gold-Eroding Vine, Immortal-Corrupting Miasma, Shadow Dew..."

Bottles and jars filled with sealed and restricted items lined the table, their contents inspiring awe and fear.

All of them were highly toxic!

For example, the Immortal-Corrupting Miasma, a lethal poison extracted from the Misty Wilderness. Even a slight diffusion could instantly kill cultivators below the Core Formation stage.

Then there was the Shadow Dew, rumored to be refined from the deep earth’s most polluted and dense areas. A single drop could cause a Golden Core Disciple’s mana to stagnate, rendering them helpless, like livestock on a chopping block.

These were rare items, and despite their relatively low ranks, they were seldom seen on the market.

If not for the large batch of medicinal herbs Luo Chen had collected from Dan Sheng Paradise and the Five Elements Divine Sect, he would have found it difficult to trade for them.

However, Luo Chen did not immediately begin practicing the Toxin Body Refinement Technique.

This technique required a gradual, step-by-step approach, starting from the basics and progressing to the more advanced stages.

He still lacked some of the most basic toxins needed as practice materials.

Ironically, at his current level, the circles he moved in were too high-end, making it difficult to quickly gather these foundational resources.

"Looks like I’ll have to rely on Liti Shifu for this."

After sorting through everything, Luo Chen organized the items by rank and toxicity, storing them accordingly.

Outside the cave abode, there was a rustle of movement.

Luo Chen’s mind stirred, and he lifted the cave abode’s barrier.

Thunder Echo Cave Lord walked in.

He glanced around, whistling in admiration. "Others have to pass through Songyang Zhenren’s assessment to enter the Stiff Mountain Alliance. Your treatment is different, not only being admitted directly but also given such a fine cave abode."

"Is it really that good?" Luo Chen asked casually.

"At least better than my Thunder Pass", Thunder Echo Cave Lord replied.

Luo Chen, not particularly concerned, said, "In the current Southern Frontier cultivation environment, isn’t a better cave abode more harmful to us?"

Thunder Echo Cave Lord was taken aback, realizing the truth in Luo Chen’s words.

He waved his hand and got to the point.

"I’m leaving Miji Mountain soon."

Luo Chen, curious, asked, "Tomorrow is the last day of the exchange. From what Liti Shifu hinted, an important figure will appear. Aren’t you going to check it out?"

"How important could it be to me?" Thunder Echo Cave Lord retorted, then whispered, "Leaving early is better to avoid trouble with Ning Yuzhuo."

Luo Chen understood.

"Then I wish you a smooth journey, Daoist friend!"

Thunder Echo Cave Lord smiled, content with his trip.

He had not only met more top-tier cultivators in the Southern Frontier but also exchanged many useful resources.

Upon returning, he could reorganize Thunder Pass and establish his own power base, becoming a significant figure in the region.

Before leaving, he had a warning for Luo Chen.

"Beware of Zangsheng Lao Ren!"

"Hmm?" Luo Chen looked puzzled.

Thunder Echo Cave Lord whispered, "This person is elusive and ruthless. There’s a high chance he’s the Heart Demon Insect Emperor you’re looking for. If you must interact with him, be extremely cautious."

Luo Chen’s lips tightened, and information about Zangsheng Lao Ren flooded his mind.

The man claimed to be the Valley Lord of Gravebirth Valley, but unlike typical sects, Gravebirth Valley had few disciples.

If he were indeed the Heart Demon Insect Emperor, his behavior would align with the legends.

"I’ve shared all I know. Some of it might be wrong, so you should judge for yourself. Don’t just take my word for it. I’ve said my piece, farewell!"

With that, Thunder Echo Cave Lord left Miji Mountain without hesitation.

In the night, Luo Chen watched as Thunder Echo Cave Lord’s figure disappeared into the darkness, pondering the name Zangsheng Lao Ren.

"Could he be the one I’m looking for?"

The next day.

Luo Chen was in the grand hall atop Miji Mountain, where he finally saw Zangsheng Lao Ren, who had been keeping a low profile.

Four great cultivators sat at the head of the hall, ready for action.

As Luo Chen entered, Songyang Zhenren glanced at him, his expression neutral.

Liti Shifu smiled, conveying everything without words.

Zangsheng Lao Ren, an ordinary-looking man with no distinguishing features, met Luo Chen’s gaze with a brief look but offered no reaction.

Luo Chen took a seat next to Ziyi Hou, his mind racing.

If even Thunder Echo Cave Lord could associate the Heart Demon Insect Emperor with Zangsheng Lao Ren, why didn’t Ziyi Hou and Liti Shifu mention this to him?

Moreover, the grand setup today—was it to welcome someone important?

The important figure Liti Shifu had hinted at?

At that moment!

A powerful and overwhelming aura burst through the main doors.

"Warrior Zhan Bingtao of the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect, here to pay respects!" (End of Chapter)

Chapter end

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