Chapter 53: with translation of chapter title

Yao Yan stared, mouth agape!

What Lu Xuan said probably already surpasses the realm that a heavenly-tier alchemist can control!

Yao Yan's heart was stirred by a heaven-shaking wave!

He had never imagined such alchemy!

Beside him, Ye Chen was even more dumbfounded, eyes wide and mouth shut.

Lu Xuan's words directly surpassed the conception of a five-star pill emperor by who knows how much!

The realm is truly too high.

After a long while, Yao Yan and Ye Chen finally came back from their shock, looking at Lu Xuan as if he were a celestial being.

Yao Yan looked at Lu Xuan, his gaze gaining several layers of awe, his voice trembling, "Sect Master Lu, probably only someone of your supreme stature could possess such vision and breadth."

"Although I am a quasi-emperor, my vision is narrow, like a frog in a well! After hearing Sect Master Lu's words today, I realize that on the path of alchemy I am merely an apprentice. Or rather, a heavenly-tier alchemist has only just stepped onto the threshold of alchemy."

Lu Xuan froze for a moment.

It shouldn't be that shocking, right?

Actually, those words weren't his; they come from Jia Yi.

He quoted them.

This just scared a heavenly-tier alchemist like Yao Yan?

Thinking this, Lu Xuan slightly raised the corner of his mouth and continued, "So I've always said, open your vision. The ultimate of alchemy can use the starry sky as a furnace, the Great Dao as spiritual herbs, the long river of time as spiritual fire, to refine the heavens."

Yao Yan felt shocked again.

Using the starry sky as a furnace!

Using the Great Dao as spiritual herbs!

Using the long river of time as spiritual fire!

Refining the heavens!

This... this is too shocking!

They are merely alchemists, yet what Lu Xuan said now far exceeds the ordinary scope of alchemy.

But essentially it is still alchemy!

Ye Chen's eyes widened enormously, looking at Lu Xuan with utmost reverence.

His heart pounded thump-thump!

No wonder he's the master!

No wonder he's the man standing at the pinnacle of cultivation in Nan Huang!

Such grand words, even an ordinary emperor lacks such vision and conception!

In an instant, Lu Xuan's status in Ye Chen's mind shot straight up to the heavens.

Master truly is a divine person!

Yao Yan looked at Lu Xuan, extremely excited, and asked again, "Sect Master Lu, is this the ultimate of alchemy?"

Lu Xuan gave a light smile, "Ultimate? The path of cultivation, the way of alchemy—where is there an ultimate?"

Yao Yan said, "The strongest is the ultimate!"

Lu Xuan chuckled, then spoke slowly.

"So-called strongest is merely the end of the road."

Upon saying this.

Yao Yan and Ye Chen were instantly stunned like wooden chickens.

They kept repeating Lu Xuan's words in their mouths: "So-called strongest is merely the end of the road."

Road's end!

How could the path of cultivation have an end?

How could the path of cultivation have an end?

Such cognition far surpasses that of an emperor realm.

Yao Yan had also heard the discourses of supreme emperors, yet never had an emperor-realm titan possessed such a realm!

It simply left him in awe!

This is Sect Master Lu!

Sect Master Lu must have taken the step beyond the emperor realm!

Thinking of this.

Yao Yan, somewhat shocked, asked, "Sect Master Lu, could it be that you have already surpassed the emperor realm?"

Lu Xuan slightly startled.

???

How did Yao Yan figure that out?

He just casually said a few sentences.

And that scared Yao Yan?

But at this moment.

Since we've already put on the act, we can only keep it up.

Lu Xuan didn't answer, just gave a faint smile.

In Yao Yan's view, this undoubtedly was tacit admission.

Yao Yan's breathing became rapid, and he said with immense reverence, "Sect Master Lu, to be able to sit and discuss the Dao with you is truly my honor."

Lu Xuan smiled and said nothing.

At that moment, Ye Chen spread his right hand, and a jade slip slowly appeared. "Master, I have already inscribed all your words onto it. I feel it contains the profound 'Dao' and 'Li'. If I comprehend it, even a Heavenly Tier Alchemist is nothing!"

Lu Xuan's face twitched.

Ah this...

Really?

He actually inscribed his words directly onto the jade slip using spirit patterns!

Is this meant to be treated as a scripture?

Ye Chen gripped the jade slip tightly. "Master, after your guidance just now, I assure you I will definitely take first place at the Alchemy Exchange Conference!"

Lu Xuan smiled. "I believe you."

Soon, Yao Yan and Ye Chen hurried away.

They went to comprehend Lu Xuan's words.

Too profound!

Too shocking!

Even Yao Yan, as strong as a Quasi-Emperor, was utterly astonished!

What more Ye Chen?

They now prostrate themselves in worship of Lu Xuan!

Lu Xuan watched Ye Chen's retreating back, then glanced at the stone table. "Ah, did this kid run off just to avoid washing dishes?"

However, the time left for Ye Chen is short.

Lu Xuan also didn't call Ye Chen back.

He himself went to the thatched hut to wash dishes and scrub pots.

Today this act wasn't in vain.

At least it let Ye Chen gain some insight.

As long as the task is completed, that's enough.

Soon after.

Lu Xuan tidied up, returned to his cave dwelling, and continued lying down.

Within the Grand Dao Sect, it became extraordinarily noisy, voices rising in a din, and spirit vessels continually shattered the void above.

But all this seemed unrelated to Xuan Qing Feng.

No one paid attention to Xuan Qing Feng.

Lu Xuan didn't mind.

This is better.

Lying down himself is more comfortable.

He recalled why he was so tired on Blue Star.

Besides screwing bolts in the factory and toiling like an ox and horse, there was another reason.

It was useless socializing being too much.

Appearing as clinking glasses and lively conversation, in truth he wore a mask; beneath it lay a weary body and soul.

As for Xuan Qing Feng now, he only interacts with his two disciples; the sect leader and others can be ignored.

After all these years, hasn't he been living quite comfortably?

People.

One must keep things simple to become happy.

Thinking thus, Lu Xuan picked up a storybook and leisurely began to read.

So comfortable.

On the other side.

In Ye Chen's cave dwelling.

Yao Yan took the jade slip from Ye Chen's hand, infused his divine sense, and repeatedly recited Lu Xuan's words.

"For heaven and earth are the furnace, creation the workman; yin and yang the charcoal, all things the copper."

"The ultimate of alchemy can take the starry sky as the furnace, the Grand Dao as the spiritual herb, the river of time as the spiritual flame, to refine the myriad heavens."

"Ultimate? The path of cultivation, the way of alchemy—where is there an ultimate?"

"So-called supreme strength is merely the end of the road."

Each time Yao Yan recited, Ye Chen felt excited alongside him.

These words are too profound!

Master is too divine!

Ye Chen excitedly said, "Old Yao, I have already grasped the difference you mentioned between Earth Tier Alchemists and King Tier Alchemists. The so-called spirituality, the imagination of alchemy—I have touched it."

Yao Yan nodded. "There are still a few days until the Alchemy Exchange Conference; I think you can truly shine this time!"

"With Peak Master Lu's guidance, you first surpass other geniuses in conception, even other Heavenly Tier Alchemists!"

Ye Chen said, "I used to think the Five-Star Pill Emperor was terrifying, but now I think my master is the strongest!"

Yao Yan couldn't help but agree; he had already prostrated himself before Lu Xuan. "Peak Master Lu is utterly unfathomable! I doubt your master really knows alchemy!"

Lu Xuan was somewhat shocked. "So you say my master not only has cultivated to the peak, but his alchemy is also of supreme attainment!"

Yao Yan sighed. "I never expected the Grand Dao Sect to have such a heaven-defying powerhouse."

Suddenly, Yao Yan wondered, who is stronger—Lu Xuan or that Great Emperor of the Forbidden Zone, whose body is covered in strangeness and ill omen?

It was merely a moment's hesitation.

Yao Yan then concluded, certainly Peak Master Lu is stronger!

Beside him, Ye Chen eagerly brought out the Heaven-Swallowing Brazier, preparing to concoct an Earth-rank medicinal pill.

Knowledge gained from speech feels shallow; one must practice it to truly know.

Begin alchemy!

……

Supreme Profound Sect.

Cloud Yang Peak.

Boom!

A terrifying surge spread outward, shattering all seals and restrictions; amidst the endless radiant divine light, Nangong Baixue, dressed in an elegant gown, slowly walked out of the cave abode.

Her face bore a proud, satisfied smile.

At that moment, the figure of the Cloud Yang Pill Saint drifted down.

He looked at Nangong Baixue with great satisfaction, a smile spreading across his face: "Not bad, not bad. After three months of secluded cultivation, you can now concoct Profound Rank Ninth Grade pills! Your talent for alchemy is the finest among all my disciples!"

Nangong Baixue bowed respectfully to the Cloud Yang Pill Saint, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Master."

The Cloud Yang Pill Saint chuckled, saying, "I look forward to your performance at this alchemy exchange conference."

Nangong Baixue said, "Master, I will give it my all and will never let you down!"

The Cloud Yang Pill Saint nodded, gazing into the distant void, a hopeful smile on his face: "Another hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye. This time, we Heaven-rank Pill Masters will gather together to discuss the Dao once more—I wonder what insights our fellow cultivators have gained."

This is one of the two main events of the alchemy exchange conference.

Heaven-rank Pill Masters, exchanging views on the Dao!

This is a clash of alchemical philosophies.

Those who listen and gain any insight will benefit greatly.

Nangong Baixue curiously asked, "Master, will all Heaven-rank Pill Masters discuss the Dao?"

The Cloud Yang Pill Saint shook his head, saying, "Each major power will send a few pill masters to give lectures, expounding their own 'Dao' and 'Li' of alchemy."

Nangong Baixue smiled and said, "Master, you are the strongest Heaven-rank Pill Master."

The Cloud Yang Pill Saint's lips twitched slightly, but he said nothing.

Although he knew it himself, he still lagged behind the Heaven-rank Pill Masters of the Medicine Clan and the Pill Fragrance Sect.

Yet Nangong Baixue's flattery was quite pleasing to him!

Nangong Baixue asked, "Master, when will we set out for the Grand Dao Sect?"

The Cloud Yang Pill Saint gave a faint smile, sensing the hidden meaning in Nangong Baixue's words.

She wanted to meet Qin Xiao in person.

Upon thinking of this,

The Cloud Yang Pill Saint said, "You may rest for one day. After that, return to Cloud Yang Peak, and we will depart for the Grand Dao Sect."

Nangong Baixue smiled and said, "Thank you, Master!"

Soon.

Nangong Baixue rose into the air, a divine rainbow appearing beneath her feet as she flew toward the Supreme Peak where Qin Xiao resided.

Clad in an elegant gown, she arrived at the Spirit Peak where Qin Xiao stayed.

Qin Xiao had long been awaiting news of Nangong Baixue, and had waited for quite a while.

These past three months, he had been restless.

Without Nangong Baixue, he could only release himself through traditional means.

When Nangong Baixue descended, Qin Xiao grabbed her in a fierce embrace and kissed her passionately.

For some reason, Nangong Baixue's mind conjured the image of Ye Chen.

She shook her head lightly, trying to forget Ye Chen's annoying appearance.

Qin Xiao waved his hand, directly casting a seal formation outside the cave abode, and radiant spiritual patterns surged forth.

In the span of a breath.

Qin Xiao carried Nangong Baixue to the purple wutong wood bed deep within the cave abode.

……