An Alchemist's Path to Eternity

Chapter 476: Two Dao Titles? Whatever!

His first words, however, were blunt and left no room for uncertainty. "In short, Tao Wan is extremely strong. Generally speaking, once cultivators reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment, the gap between them isn't all that wide, at least when they're not using enchanted treasures. Everyone possesses ample spirit power reserves, and the offensive might of standard enchanted artifacts has its limit."That's why the real measure of a late-stage Initiate's strength lies in how thoroughly they've refined their enchanted treasures. The deeper the refinement, the greater the power they can draw from their treasure, and thus, the more formidable they appear."

Hearing that explanation, Luo Chen couldn't help but ask, "Isn't that a little one-sided? Shouldn't a cultivator's combat prowess also take into account things like talismans, spells, secret techniques, formations, or even puppets?"

Chu Kui shrugged. "That's why I said 'under normal circumstances.' Those things you mentioned are certainly valid, but top-grade talismans are hard to come by, spells are easy to learn but hard to master, secret techniques are rare, formations require setup in advance…"

Luo Chen raised his hand. "Alright, alright, I get your point."

Chu Kui chuckled. He'd almost forgotten, Luo Chen had made a name for himself at Qinhua River by relying precisely on his spellcraft. And when he thought about it more carefully, the Eastern Wilderness did have that famous Five Elements Divine Sect, known for using techniques over treasures. He had to admit, his point of view was too narrow.

"Okay then, let's just focus on enchanted treasures alone," Chu Kui said. "Early-stage Initiates can barely control ten, maybe twenty percent of an enchanted treasure's power. Mid-stage ones like you, if they've refined thirty or forty percent, can likely take down their peers in a surprise strike."

Luo Chen nodded in agreement. The offensive might of enchanted treasures did indeed surpass that of regular enchanted artifacts. One could even argue that they weren't meant for cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Realm at all. 

For instance, Wang Haichao had forcefully activated the Mystic Flame Sword and ended up destroying Luo Chen's supreme-grade enchanted artifact, the Blue Musk Gathering Serpent Banner. If it hadn't been for his emergency defense from the Forsaken Black Chess piece, he might have been gravely injured, despite both of them being at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

Of course, Chu Kui vastly underestimated Luo Chen. Due to his powerful divine soul and the refinement techniques he could use that employed his spirit consciousness, Luo Chen had developed an exceptional mastery over the Mystic Flame Sword. After further refining it through the Ninefold Flame Dragon Formation, he had reached a level that allowed him to control roughly sixty percent of the sword's power. In other words, he could now unleash sixty percent of the sword's full power! That was exactly how he had managed to erupt with a single strike and instantly slay Fei Changqiu of the Divine Craftsman Sect.

By Chu Kui's own standards, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator would be considered top-tier if they could refine their treasure to fifty percent. So how strong did that make Luo Chen?

Chu Kui said, lowering his voice slightly, "Tao Wan's strength lies in the fact that she's had an enchanted treasure since childhood, a Flowing Cloud Sleeve. It is a relic passed down from her ancestor. Well, as you know, many enchanted treasures go by the name of Flowing Cloud Sleeve, but Tao Wan's version is a powerful one. I heard that it was personally refined by the Grand Elder of Tianfan City, and it's worthy of being cultivated as a life-bound enchanted treasure. She has been getting familiar with that treasure since childhood, and after reaching Foundation Establishment, she has refined it continuously. Her control over it is quite a sight to behold. I'd say she's refined it to about seventy percent, maybe even eighty percent."

Chu Kui sighed in admiration, and a rare trace of genuine respect showed in his eyes. After all, even elite Initiates could only ever draw out eighty percent of a treasure's power. Anything higher was impossible due to cultivation limitations. 

"I once faced her on the Debate Platform back in the day. It was just a spar, not a duel to the death, but her enchanted treasure clearly restrained my Heaven-Equaling Staff, even though it's tough and overbearing. So she placed third, and I placed seventh, which I accept wholeheartedly."

Luo Chen said in surprise, "It's rare to hear you speak so highly of a peer. When we mentioned Tantai Jin back then, you weren't nearly this respectful." 

"Pft, what's there to respect about the women from the Ice Fortress? They're moody and unpredictable." Chu Kui curled his lip in disdain.

Back in Tianlan Immortal City, he would never have dared to badmouth an Ice Fortress cultivator behind their back. But here, far from their reach, he could speak freely. Still, he quickly returned to the point.

"Anyway, if we're only looking at the current generation in Green Pill Valley, not the older cultivators, then Tao Wan ranks near the top. Only Dan Yangzi can overpower her. He Yuanqing and Fu Li are about equal to her, at best."

Such high praise left Luo Chen thoughtful. He asked with curiosity, "What about Shangguan Yan?"

"Huh? That arrogant fool can't even make it into the top three of her own city's Elite Prodigy Rankings. What right does she have to compare with Tao Wan?"

Luo Chen thought. He recalled their brief interaction at the Outer Affairs Palace. She had clearly tried to poach his allegiance, hoping to undermine Tao Wan. That alone hinted at her lack of confidence.

worked, gathered resources, and exchanged cultivation insights. 

Their guest was entirely different. Ever since his arrival, he hadn't stepped out once, unless it was really necessary. He resembled a true ascetic cultivator! That, perhaps, explained how a rogue cultivator like him had managed not only to reach Foundation Establishment but also to acquire such formidable alchemy skills. 

The impression wasn't wrong. Luo Chen indeed mostly lived the life of a hermit, though he was not the kind that forsook human relationships… of any kind. The reason he remained quiet in Green Pill Valley without mingling around was very simple: The Tao family was already the upper limit of the connections he could reach for now. Any attempt to network further would be futile; the moment he entered the valley under Tao Wan's banner, his identity card had been firmly stamped with the Tao family's mark.

Under such conditions, what new connections could he possibly build? Nods of acquaintance? Fair-weather friends?

Nothing could be less recommended. Frequent outings would only raise Tao Wan's suspicions. After all, she had just suffered betrayal from Huang Hezi. Luo Chen's divine soul was strong enough to catch the thoughts of nearby cultivators as long as they weren't too far above his level, and with that advantage, he had no need to court attention. Quietly researching alchemy and cultivating was likely what Tao Wan most hoped to see from him, and he was happy to provide.

Back in his cultivation chamber, Luo Chen took out the Revival pill and examined it meticulously. Now and then, he applied alchemy techniques to separate microscopic amounts of powder and assess their medicinal properties. What an ordinary Initiate found nearly impossible posed little difficulty for a master of alchemy at his level.

After his analysis, Luo Chen was satisfied and put away the Revival pill. Liao Lang had exaggerated, but he hadn't lied… entirely. Though it wasn't true that most of its potency remained, there was indeed thirty percent of medicinal strength left. And indeed, it would not be effective on a Golden Core Adept, but for an Initiate, it was more than sufficient. And wasn't that exactly what he was right now?

With a light chuckle, Luo Chen calmed his thoughts and entered meditation.

Though Xiao Nanshan was a second-tier spirit land, its spirit energy concentration was rather average. Tao Wan had already given him the best cultivation space available, yet its spirit energy density was merely on par with a mid-grade cave residence at Tianlan Peak. As a result, his cultivation speed had been reduced by nearly half. Still, this was only temporary. The True Inheritor duels and the Dao Scion competition were fast approaching; this delay would last no more than a month or two. 

By the time a full month had passed at the Tao family estate, he had not skipped a single day of cultivation. His strength had grown steadily, albeit only by small increments.

The night passed without incident, and when dawn broke, Luo Chen rose from meditation and checked his system panel.

A month of effort had only advanced his realm by a single point. At this rate, reaching the sixth stage would demand nearly a decade. 

Luo Chen thought to himself.

Once the foundation was established, a proper spirit land became the topmost asset of a cultivator. Luo Chen was already starting to miss the dense spirit energy of a premium cave residence. 

He got up, preparing to enjoy the breakfast arranged by the Tao family. However, the moment he left his room, his gaze landed on a woman crouched by the pond, gently playing with the black lotus leaves.

Since she was squatting, her curves were accentuated, with her waist and hips prominently displayed. Soft silk clung to her jade-like back, and her cascade of hair shimmered darkly under the morning sun. Stray strands dipped toward the water's surface. In the clear reflection was a face tinged with anticipation and uncertainty.

As if sensing his gaze, Tao Wan lifted her head and looked toward the radiant Luo Chen standing by the window. She rose gracefully, tucking behind her ear the strands of hair hanging by her cheek. 

"Fellow Daoist, the Dao Scion competition is about to begin!"