Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

Anxious? Anxious?

Why should Luo Chen be in a hurry?

Clearly, those outside were surrounding but not attacking, implying that they did not harbor great murderous intentions toward the people of the Crescent Valley.

This was especially apparent with regard to the elderly, weak, women, and children who were in the early and middle stages of Qi Refinement.

In the world of Immortal Cultivation, there has never been a good tradition of caring for the elderly and vulnerable.

Even old and female cultivators are usually seen as entities to be wary of.

The former are worldly-wise and heavily experienced, possessing unique skills that enable them to survive until old age, be it in combat or otherwise.

As for female cultivators, those who have advanced far in their cultivation are often more ruthless than their male counterparts of the same level.

Without such ruthlessness, it would be impossible for them to stand out from the vast sea of people.

So, the question arises: What reason could there be to spare the lives of these hundreds of old, weak, women, and children in the Crescent Valley?

The answer is simple.

These people are largely production cultivators.

They possess many production skills, such as Spirit Plant Cultivators, healers, doctors, as well as Medicine Disciples, Fire Workers, and Pill Cultivation Experts from the Pill Hall.

Such individuals pose no threat and can generate considerable value for major forces.

Leaving other forces aside, even Luo Chen would not lay a finger on this type of cultivator.

Given this, considering Luo Chen’s mastery of the Pill Refinement Technique, his importance increases several notches.

Especially with the name of Dan Chenzi, which has gained significant fame in The Great River District after extensive promotion by the Broken Mountain Gang.

Any faction leader would not harbor murderous intentions towards Luo Chen.

Either form an alliance, woo him, or even control him!

At any rate, they wouldn’t opt for the swift solution of killing him.

With this premise, Luo Chen’s identity as a Pill Refiner is like a lifesaving talisman.

What then does he have to worry about?

Among the people here, it wouldn’t be his turn to die first.

At worst, he could just run away, as he had long prepared for such an eventuality.

Although the Spirit Stones had not yet been obtained, his storage bag was filled with all the Medium Grade Jade Marrow Pills he had refined in the last twenty days.

The only thing Luo Chen needed to consider was Brother Gao Er, who owed him five Spirit Stones.

Who knew what the latter’s attitude towards him would be?

Or if he had discovered anything?

If the latter truly harbored murderous intentions, then Luo Chen would have to adapt according to the situation ahead.

Faced with Luo Chen’s silence and even his casual invitation to tea,

Sikong Shoujia was so angered that his beard bristled and his eyes bulged.

However, Granny Yuan and Murong Qinglian at his side seemed to have realized something.

Nevertheless, they kept quiet, preserving the tacit understanding between them.

At least for now, Luo Chen was still standing with them.

Just as well!

As Luo Chen calmly brewed tea on the cliff side,

The previously panicked cultivators of the Crescent Valley gradually regained their composure.

Especially those who were running the protective array – their hands, which were changing the Spirit Stones of the array, were no longer shaking.

Even if the sky fell, someone taller would hold it up.

If the hall master wasn’t afraid, what did they have to fear?

“Strange?”

“The people inside seem to be gradually calming down, not panic at all.”

Having flown a full circle around the array, Dan Xiu landed and said doubtfully.

The Ninth Level Qi Refinement Cultivator in charge of patrolling the array was called Lan Tianyun. He liked to wear blue clothes and had been following Gao Tingyuan for a long time.

He had also accompanied Gao Tingyuan to meet Luo Chen at the Qingjiang Tavern.

Audible to only Dan Xiu, he said, “Perhaps it’s because we weren’t ruthless enough earlier and they realized something!”

Dan Xiu snorted, “You people from The Great River District are just too kind. If we were to adopt the style of Xuelian District, we would kill a batch first, then capture a batch. That’s how we establish dominance.”

“That’s why, despite being established several decades earlier than The Great River District, Xuelian District has never managed to break the fifty thousand mark in the number of cultivators!”

The mocking laughter came from Fu Zhang.

Dan Xiu glared back, his temper becoming more and more volatile since losing a palm while being hunted.

Fu Zhang’s single word of provocation was enough to stir up his rage.

However, there were also those who wouldn’t just stand by and let their people stir up internal strife at such a critical juncture.

The good-natured Lan Tianyun tried to mediate, “The limited growth in Xuelian District’s population is due to their environment, it really has nothing to do with their customs.”

“Hmph!”

Fu Zhang snorted lightly, too lazy to argue with Dan Xiu.

But the truth was that ever since his family had moved from Liuguang District to The Great River District, hadn’t his own Fu Family also suffered from the hostile environment and rampant banditry of Liuguang District?

Sometimes changing locations was merely acting in the best interests of the family.

One should avoid having too many enemies. It is surely not a wise move.

It would be highly beneficial for Fu Zhang to maintain good relationships with the likes of Lan Tianyun, Gao Tingyuan, and the Great Lake Gang.

His family had originally wanted to get on good terms with the Broken Mountain Gang, but the desire began to wane as they found themselves coveting the resources controlled by the gang.

Their resources were simply too plentiful!

It was almost like a mini celestial sect.

From Spirit Beast breeding to mining, from cultivating Spirit Fields and Spirit Medicine, to hunting Demon Beasts and controlling the fur industry, they even had a foothold in the Elixir industry now.

Such a wealth of industries, it could be considered a small but complete setup.

If they could divide it with other forces,

Very good even just a small part of it, it could bring huge improvements.

Before deciding to start the war, he attended a meeting hosted by Foundation Establishment cultivators on behalf of the Fu Family.

His request, made very humbly, was for the Demon Beast fur and blood industry.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators, not interested in it, promised that this industry would be handed over to the Fu Family if they succeed.

What others see as not valuable, it’s best for the Fu Family.

As long as they control the Demon Beast’s fur and blood, then the Fu Family can complete the symbol making process independently and will no longer be subject to others.

“Are we really just going to let them sit there and watch the show?”

Discontented, Dan Xiu continued to glare at the people inside viciously.

His urge to kill surpassed anyone else’s!

Or rather, it wasn’t so much a desire to kill, but a craving for resources.

Having been in hiding recently, he had depleted a significant portion of the wealth he accumulated.

The only way to recover what he lost was to storm Crescent Valley and loot what he could.

Helplessly, Lan Tianyun said, “The locations of the cultivators inside have already been marked by the higher-ups. Please don’t cause trouble!”

“How annoying. Had I known, I would have killed that old man earlier without leaving any room for compromise.”

Lan Tianyun was about to say something else, but he was interrupted by a hand gesture.

“Brother Gao Er!” Lan Tianyun greeted respectfully.

Gao Tingyuan nodded slightly and stepped forward to the large formation.

His gaze roved around, eventually settling on the distant cliff.

He vaguely saw people brewing and sipping tea leisurely.

“They are indeed too comfortable.”

“Unfortunately, this comfort is about to end.”

Gao Tingyuan retreated one mile and waved his hand.

“Let’s give them a little shock!”

As soon as his words fell, more than sixty Middle Stage Qi Refinement Cultivators flew forward.

The late-stage cultivator in charge of guarding the formation within Crescent Valley changed his expression significantly upon witnessing this.

“What are they going to do?”

“Are they about to launch an all-out attack?”

“Everyone prepare, get ready to replace the Array Spirit Stones at any time and backup cultivators, prepare for battle!”

Under Zhou Yuanli’s command, everyone started moving methodically.

Watching this from a distance, Luo Chen nodded slightly.

Zhou Yuanli indeed was a talent.

Whether it be maintaining security during normal times or performance under chaos, he was exemplary.

It’s just a shame that he’s not one of mine!

Just as Luo Chen was sighing, his pupils contracted slightly.

Outside the valley, dozens of cultivators simultaneously began chanting and gesturing, causing the fluctuations of Spirit Power to spread instantly.

The next moment!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Fireball Technique, Water Arrow Technique, Gold Lance Technique, Thrust Technique, Wood Thorn Technique, Vine Technique … a series of low order spells assaulted them like waves.

The huge impact caused the First Order Guarding Earth Array to shake.

A series of earthy yellow halos started to flicker.

“Could it be broken like this?”

While Luo Chen’s facial expression didn’t change, he was somewhat anxious inside.

Ultimately, the earth-yellow light shield became stable.

“As expected, it serves as the primary defense of a small clan and is also a First Order Guarding Earth Array that, combined with the terrain of the mountains, is as unyielding as the soup of a tortoise!”

Luo Chen exclaimed appreciatively.

In front of the grand formation, Zhou Yuanli quickly arranged for someone to replace the Spirit Stones.

Just a single attack consumed over a hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones.

Operating normally is one thing, becoming defensive due to an attack is something else.

If it continues like this, the Spirit Stone reserves of the two entrances won’t last much longer!

On the outside of the grand formation.

Lan Tianyun looked at Gao Tingyuan with confusion.

“Brother Gao Er, why launch an attack so suddenly. Didn’t Gang Master Wang say to besiege them without attacking, and prioritize capturing them alive as much as possible?”

Gao Tingyuan replied calmly, “Even if we besiege without attacking, there must be a point of depletion. Otherwise, it will take more effort to capture these cultivators.”

This explanation was indeed reasonable.

Under Gao Tingyuan’s command, those Middle Stage Qi Refinement Cultivators bombarded the large formation four or five times again.

Then, they stopped to swallow elixir and meditate to restore their Spirit power.

Gao Tingyuan turned back, “Besides, if we don’t attack proactively, how can we attract reinforcements?”

He took out a jade jue, and from it echoed a voice filled with haughty outrage.

“The Mi Family cultivator has come out, I will lead others to kill him at Water Horse Beach!”

Lan Tianyun was momentarily stunned, “Is it Li Ao?”

Gao Tingyuan nodded, then took out another Sound Transmission Jade Jue. A calm voice echoed from it.

“I have led others to wait in the Green Hemp Forest, waiting for Qin Liangchen’s arrival!”

Lan Tianyun was taken aback, “Has Nangong Qin also taken action?”

After he put away the two jade jues, Gao Tingyuan clasped his hands behind his back.

“Yes, they have all taken action. We can’t just be bystanders.”

“We have to show some effort!”

“Otherwise when it comes time to divide the resources of the Broken Mountain

Gang, people will say we don’t deserve any.”

Gao Tingyuan smirked slightly.

After about two hours, he waved his hand again.

“Continue the attack, this time go all out, use the most powerful spells you have!”

Standing behind Gao Tingyuan, Lan Tianyun had already been convinced.

But upon seeing that hint of ruthlessness in Brother Gao Er’s eyes, his gaze became complicated.

Brother Gao Er still can’t let go of our younger brother’s death!

This wasn’t just about showing effort, he clearly wanted to deplete the Spirit Stone reserves within Crescent Valley as much as possible.

Once the Spirit Stones were exhausted, the people inside wouldn’t be able to resist them at all.

At that time, Brother Gao Er needed only to wave his arm once, and under the influence of the situation, the life or death of someone inside would be hard to control.

“But like this, Brother Gao Er, aren’t you afraid of offending the Foundation Establishment True Cultivators?”