Chapter 256: Chapter 208: Return to Great Chu!
The moonlight felt like a cleansing bath.
Chen Jichuan stealthily slipped out of the cave residence, hiding within the lunar brilliance, moving secretly without leaving a trace.
Outside the cave residence.
Many eyes were focused on this residence, monitoring Chen Jichuan’s movements, yet they remained completely unaware that their target had slipped away right under their noses.
"Alchemists and artifact refiners are highly sought after; everyone wants to build connections with them. But for those harboring ill intent, a wealthy alchemist or artifact refiner is nothing short of a fat sheep ready for slaughter."
"One big hit and they’re instantly rich."
As Chen Jichuan left the cave residence, sensing the aura of those keeping watch over it, he chuckled coldly in his heart.
Merely three years.
He had made quite a name for himself at the Fire Dragon Cave Market. Establishing a significant reputation, he had continuously acquired spiritual medicines and objects suited for Qi Refining cultivators from the first layer to the third layer, not only revealing his wealth but also letting others speculate about his cultivation level.
With his astonishing wealth and being merely in the early stage of Qi Refining, it was only natural to attract covetous intentions.
But Chen Jichuan had spent the past three years at the Fire Dragon Cave Market, never stepping out, giving these people no chance to act.
Thus, they could only wait in ambush.
For those harboring malicious intent, who were all Qi Refining cultivators, a few years meant little. Capturing Chen Jichuan would be worth ten to a hundred years of arduous effort.
Their schemes and calculations were loud and clear.
Unfortunately.
Chen Jichuan had mastered the ’Taiyin Primordial Magnetic Stealth Technique’ to perfection—not daring to claim he could evade detection by Enlightenment Realm cultivators, but certainly beyond the ability of Qi Refining cultivators to perceive or discover.
Without a sound, he exited the market.
"No need for senseless killing."
"I’ll spare their lives for now."
Murderous intent flickered in Chen Jichuan’s heart.
If this were the Dao Fruit World, he’d have deliberately leaked a hint of aura, lured those scoundrels in, and slaughtered them all.
But in reality, it wasn’t worth the trouble.
Moreover, judging from their ramshackle appearances, it seemed doubtful they carried anything of value. Once a fight broke out, there was also a chance unforeseen complications might arise.
So he chose kindness and quietly departed.
...
Traveling swiftly.
Chen Jichuan headed straight for Seven Emotions Marsh.
Six days ago, when he had obtained One Origin Heavy Water from Luo Ming, he should have set off immediately. However, due to needing to refine Immortal Ascension Pills for the Divine Banner Sect, there had been a delay of several days.
It wasn’t until the day before yesterday, after refining three furnaces of Immortal Ascension Pills, that Chen Jichuan was escorted back to the market by experts of the Divine Banner Sect.
One more day passed.
Tonight beneath the moonlight, Chen Jichuan finally set off officially.
"Delayed six days."
"But the harvest was remarkable."
Walking along the path, Chen Jichuan’s face broke into a smile.
For refining three furnaces of Immortal Ascension Pills for the Divine Banner Sect, he produced thirty-six pills in total, all of high grade. The upper echelons of the Divine Banner Sect were ecstatic, gifting three pills to Chen Jichuan as payment.
Such generosity was no small matter.
But from what he learned from Luo Ming, even if Mo Longyuan—the Divine Banner Sect’s only second-order alchemist—were to refine the pills himself, the results would barely match this level.
In other words.
Purely in the realm of Immortal Ascension Pills, or in the refinement of first-order pills, Chen Jichuan already stood on par with Master Mo himself, with second-order alchemists.
The Divine Banner Sect inviting Chen Jichuan to refine pills and offering such compensation was entirely proper.
"Though Mo Longyuan is a second-order alchemist, his cultivation has long reached the Enlightenment Period."
"Even if he’s dedicated himself to alchemy for a lifetime, now more than nine hundred years old, he’s only spent around eight or nine hundred years on it."
"As for me, in the Dao Fruit World, starting from the Jade Spring Realm, I’ve dedicated over eight hundred years to alchemy, not much less than him."
Thinking this, Chen Jichuan’s smile widened.
Based on this comparison.
His talent in alchemy was indeed impressive, at least on par with Master Mo.
Of course.
This calculation was purely based on time and didn’t factor in the frequency or number of refinements over the years.
If frequency were considered, even with the full support of the Divine Banner Sect, Mo Longyuan couldn’t possibly have spent every moment since the start of his cultivation refining pills non-stop.
The Divine Banner Sect couldn’t afford such extravagance.
And Mo Longyuan himself wouldn’t completely fixate on alchemy at the expense of all other cultivation endeavors.
Chen Jichuan was different.
With access to the Jade Spring World, the Qinling World, and the Great Hui World—though all were only first-order worlds—the abundance of materials for refining first-order pills was unparalleled.
Furthermore.
In the Jade Spring World, he was first a righteous beacon as ’Immortal Chen with the Heart of the Ancient Path,’ then a revered Demon Dao overlord as ’Qizhenzi, ruthless and cunning,’ holding significant influence and access to abundant materials.
The Qinling World and Great Hui World followed similar patterns.
Scouring entire realms for spiritual medicines, he could lavishly expend them.
Constant refinement.
Relentless exploration.
Over these eight hundred years, the number of pills Chen Jichuan refined was truly staggering, far beyond anything Mo Longyuan could ever match.
...
Lost in thought.
His pace remained swift.
Having reached the Qi Refining Third Layer, although Chen Jichuan had yet to break through certain restraints to fly higher off the ground into the upper air currents and leverage atmospheric flow for rapid travel, his speed with the ’Taiyin Primordial Magnetic Stealth Technique’ was hardly lacking.
It even surpassed that of ordinary Qi Refining Fourth Layer and Fifth Layer cultivators.
He could traverse twelve hundred miles in an hour, which was merely his standard pace. If forced to flee or pursue, his speed could climb even higher.
Even at this rate.
His current speed clocked in at about three hundred kilometers per hour.
Traveling through the night.
Resting and cultivating by day.
Four hours per night translated to forty-eight hundred miles of progress.
After roughly two weeks.
He reached Seven Emotions Marsh.
Two more days were spent upgrading the transmission formation. With a flash of light, Chen Jichuan departed the Panlong Mountain region, returning to Great Chu.
...
Great Chu.
Shi’an County.
Deep within the Hidden Peach Valley Secret Realm, in the Director’s Residence of the Drug Department.
Few idlers visited.
In the courtyard.
A small mouse and a young fox were chasing and playfully tumbling about, creating a scene of chaos.
Inside the room.
Chen Shaohu stood in front of a pill furnace about one and a half times a person’s height, alternating between patting the furnace with his palm and adjusting the heat.
What might have seemed like a frantic struggle in less skillful hands instead appeared smooth and unhurried under Chen Shaohu’s practiced control. Coupled with his elegant azure robe and jet-black hair, he radiated a faint immortal aura.
Three years had passed in the blink of an eye.
The once impulsive youth had matured into a composed young man. As the head of the Drug Department under the Martial Alliance, and the alliance’s chief alchemist, his status was noble and important. Over the years, he’d fostered a calm and confident demeanor, far removed from the reckless lad he’d been back then.
A batch of pills was completed; their fragrance drifted for miles.
From outside the residence, Zhang Yuan—an overseer of the Drug Department—strode quickly into the courtyard and respectfully announced, "Sir, this year’s ’Political Conference’ is about to begin. The three alliance hierarchs have sent several envoys, requesting you to arrive at Wu City promptly for a meeting."
Zhang Yuan glanced toward the alchemy room, his heart filled with admiration.
The Drug Department, once no more than a minor office under the Ministry of Industry within the Martial Alliance’s Six Ministries, had been elevated in status thanks to Mr. Chen. It now rivaled the Six Ministries themselves.
As its chief.
Chen Shaohu’s mastery of alchemy had placed him above fellow Elders and even the heads of the Six Ministries.
At each year’s ’Political Conference,’ participants included the leaders of the Six Ministries and various department heads.
However, ahead of this gathering.
The three alliance hierarchs and six vice alliance hierarchs would hold a preliminary meeting to set the conference tone and prevent getting off track.
Since the previous year, Chen Shaohu—Director of the Drug Department—had also attended these high-level preparatory meetings.
His position of prominence and the recognition of the Martial Alliance’s leadership were evident.
"Creak!"
Zhang Yuan stood silently, waiting, when the alchemy room’s door suddenly creaked open. Chen Shaohu strode out and addressed Zhang Yuan, "Inform the three alliance hierarchs that I am preoccupied with alchemy and unable to attend this year’s ’Political Conference.’"
In prior years, Chen Shaohu had attended the conference as Director of the Drug Department.
The previous year, he had even participated in the preliminary meeting.
But the ’Political Conference’ discussions primarily revolved around mundane topics like the Martial Alliance’s development, domestic affairs, and diplomacy, which he found irritating. His time was already stretched thin between cultivating herbs, refining pills, and practicing his technique; he had no desire to waste it on the alliance’s trivial matters.
"The sooner I perfect my cultivation to Innate Peak, the sooner I can reunite with Fourth Brother."
"Eventually, I will leave Great Chu as well."
"The Martial Alliance will ultimately be abandoned."
Chen Shaohu understood this clearly, which made him even less inclined to squander his time on such endeavors.
If he had time to attend meetings, he’d rather use it instructing his disciples.
"The ’Political Conference’ sets the Martial Alliance’s trajectory and plans for the coming year; wouldn’t your absence be ill-advised?"
Zhang Yuan was dumbfounded to hear this.
Unaware of Chen Shaohu’s thoughts, he knew only the importance of the ’Political Conference’ to the Martial Alliance’s strategic direction. Chen Shaohu’s reluctance to attend surprised him.
"No matter."
"Alchemy takes precedence."
Chen Shaohu waved dismissively, signaling Zhang Yuan to leave.
Not daring to protest further, Zhang Yuan departed to relay the message to the alliance hierarchs’ messengers.
Meanwhile, Chen Shaohu shut the door and focused entirely on his alchemy and cultivation.
...
Name: Chen Shaohu
Age: 22
Level: 8
Cultivation: Innate Second Layer
Innate Ability: Fire Control (Level 8)
Techniques: "Sword Map" (refined level, Eighth Layer), "Primordial Skill" (refined level, Eighth Layer)
Spells: Splashed Ink and Striped Cloth Sword Technique, Small Cloud Rain Technique, Levitation Skill, Wind Control Skill
...
Night descended.
Chen Jichuan silently entered the Hidden Peach Valley Secret Realm, arriving at the Drug Department Director’s residence. He pushed open the door and immediately spotted Chen Shaohu sitting cross-legged in the center, meditating.
"Hmm?"
Startled by the sound of the door opening, Chen Shaohu’s body tensed instantly.
Swish!
With a single thought and a hand gesture, suddenly, forty-nine paper figurines flew from his sleeve, landing on the ground and transforming into blade-wielding armored soldiers, each possessing innate battle power.
Below the ground.
Thud, thud, thud!
Four black-clad figures burst forth, guarding the four corners. Their overwhelming aura exceeded even the paper-armored soldiers—each was at Innate Peak.
Forty-nine with innate battle power.
Four at Innate Peak.
Such a force, in Great Chu where Qi Refining cultivators are few, equaled a top-tier and unmatched lineup.
The combined strength of all Martial Alliance experts would still fall short.
Chen Jichuan entrusted Chen Shaohu to Great Chu precisely because he left behind this contingent of paper soldiers and refined corpses.
Even more than the four refined corpses.
All ten refined corpses created beforehand were left for Chen Shaohu, with command techniques imparted so he could wield them for self-defense.
With a quick scan.
Chen Jichuan sensed the remaining six refined corpses hidden underground, now moving, forming a defensive encirclement around him.
"Good lad."
"At least you’re cautious."
With a sweep of his sleeve, Chen Jichuan returned the forty-nine paper soldiers to their original forms, sending them flying back into Chen Shaohu’s arms. He also concealed the four refined corpses above ground and the six beneath it until they disappeared from sight.
Only then did he stride confidently into Chen Shaohu’s cultivation room.
"Fourth Brother?!"
The startled Chen Shaohu had reflexively cast the paper soldiers and called forth the refined corpses for protection before even identifying the figure outside his door.
When Chen Jichuan dispersed the soldiers and spoke, Chen Shaohu finally saw him clearly.
Instantly, a grin broke across his face.
"Fourth Brother is back!"
Chen Shaohu dashed excitedly to the door, his eyes fixed on his unchanged Fourth Brother. Smiling ear to ear, he couldn’t contain his joy.
With three years apart.
This was unprecedented.
From his youth to adulthood, Chen Shaohu had always been the shadow following his Fourth Brother. During their time in the Black Prison, the siblings had relied solely on each other. Even after the Martial Alliance was established and he joined the Drug Department, he still frequently saw his Fourth Brother.
But since Chen Jichuan departed for Panlong Mountain, it had been a full three years since Chen Shaohu last laid eyes on him.
Now, reunited.
His heart overflowed with uncontainable joy.
...