Immortality begin with Alchemy Grandmaster Chapter 2490 - 915: Upper Nether Becomes a Ruined City, Daoist Sect Arrives at the Eastern Wasteland_2

"Now, carry me along your path!"

Luo Chen jumped onto the Xuan Turtle's back.

"Guide me back along the route I arrived by—do you recall it?"

A cry escaped the Xuan Turtle, carrying a tone of clear agreement.

Luo Chen lingered vividly in its memory, viewed as a senior among its species who had simply chosen to shift into human form.

With the senior requesting a lift now, compliance came without question.

Besides, that earlier bump had been terribly rude, demanding some form of amends to the counterpart.

The massive turtle twisted its neck, churning up vast amounts of Ming Shui, as it bore Luo Chen across to the far shore.

Right then, the turtle's shell lacked any of those grand halls and towers, displaying its raw, simplest essence.

Luo Chen experienced no unease, positioned in a cross-legged stance while letting the Xuan Turtle's Origin Force wrap around him.

A thoughtful gleam filled his gaze just now.

"During the Bikong Domain conflict, Di Tian perished and vanished, Qinghe Immortal got seized and confined within Mingyuan, and the rest of those in the talks scattered or escaped."

"I first believed Gao Chang had perished too, yet it appears otherwise at present."

"While held captive, it endured the techniques of the Mingyuan Sect Ancestor—escape seemed impossible. Plus, whispers claimed Di Tian aimed to elevate this Chang Ghost to Divinity Transformation Realm as his outer avatar. For such a tool, would the Mingyuan Ancestor stay unmoved? No doubt, it was hauled away."

"Truth be told, I suspect the one seeking to forge it as a clone was none other than Ancestor Tianyuan, renowned for mastery in clone creation."

"Yet, as Ancestor Tianyuan sacrificed to the ghosts and triggered the Jade Shattering Ban, the Chang Ghost broke free instead."

"From its dazed condition, Ancestor Tianyuan must have wiped out its Spirit Intelligence, retaining just the drive to strike at immortal cultivators."

"At this point, it resembles a clean slate. Should it get seized and shaped into a clone..."

This idea sparked a wave of desire in Luo Chen.

After that short skirmish against Heize Ancestor, he grasped the immense benefits a clone offered.

These assets aid in Cultivation practice, handle minor tasks, and prove shockingly useful in vital situations—for combat or as offerings alike.

All along this path, those with clones boasted exceptional survival skills.

Be it Han Zhan the Blood Independent Cultivator, Shi Ju, Ancestor Tianyuan, or more.

No matter if the clones took form as puppets, Blood God Children, or were crafted via Great Divine Power.

Either way, clones prove invaluable!

Still, the notion flickered briefly before Luo Chen quelled it with force.

Aside from the peril posed by the Devouring Essence Beast turned Chang Ghost—which compelled Luo Chen to deploy two key assets, the Withering and Flourishing Divine Fire and Nirvana Sacred Fire—simply locating its lair in this Endless Abyss lay beyond his easy reach.

"A being that even mighty forces desire—how could I dare claim it lightly?"

Luo Chen shook his head while perched on the Xuan Turtle's back, sipping Spirit Wine to swiftly replenish his Qi Power.

The road forward promises turmoil; staying at full strength remains essential.

…

Six months passed.

A dark-skinned youth clad in black robes positioned himself before some wreckage.

Surprise etched his features, eyes brimming with incredulity.

"Could this be Upper Nether Immortal City?"

From the debris, a form dashed forth, halting briefly as it overheard the black-robed youth's low murmur.

"The Mingyuan Sacred Land lies in ruins—why expect Upper Nether City to fare better?"

The youth in black robes eyed the newcomer, evidently a Golden Core Cultivator.

At that instant, Luo Chen's displayed mana aura stayed restrained to the Golden Core stage.

He offered cupped hands in greeting and inquired modestly, "I go by Gui Xuan, a wandering cultivator."

The middle-aged fellow dropped from above, a touch astonished, "A Golden Core Realm lone wolf?"

Yet soon, he chuckled wryly at himself.

In truth, amid the demon-beast wars of recent years, countless lofty sect sanctuaries crumbled, opening doors for resource-starved rogue cultivators to rise swiftly.

Golden Core Realm no longer feels so distant.

He returned the gesture with cupped hands, stating, "Shen Qiuhua of the Jianchuan Shen Family."

Luo Chen displayed confusion yet appeared to recollect a detail, probing cautiously, "Perhaps the Jianchuan Shen Family near Divine Yuan City in East Sun Domain?"

Shen Qiuhua voiced amazement, "Who would have thought our modest Shen Family caught your notice?"

Luo Chen dismissed it with a wave, "Hardly minor, the Shen Family. Your leader, Shen Qiubai, dazzled in the human-demon clash at Lingtian Pass, seen as Nascent Soul material with endless Dao prospects. Should Clan Leader Shen advance realms, your kin might claim a domain and found a Sect someday."

This stuck in his mind from the old Shouyang Discourse hosted by East Sun Sect's Shouyang Mountain Man.

Most attendees weren't Nascent Soul True Masters but rather Golden Core powerhouses from afar.

The Shouyang Mountain Man frequently auctioned hard-to-move goods to Golden Core bidders, easing Nascent Soul True Masters' involvement issues while drawing crowds.

Shen Qiubai's name had reached Luo Chen's ears there.

He ranked among the era's top Golden Core talents.

"Shen Qiubai's my big brother!"

Speaking of the leader stirred pride in Shen Qiuhua.

Next, he gestured toward the wreckage astern, "First visit here for Gui Friend?"

Luo Chen affirmed with a nod, "Rumors of shifts in Mingyuan Sacred Land drew me to assess things. Never imagined the famed Upper Nether Immortal City reduced to rubble. What force wields such devastating city-leveling strength? Word had it multiple Nascent Soul True Masters patrolled it constantly."

On this topic, Shen Qiuhua sighed deeply.

"What force? Merely the Eastern Wasteland's final ancient demon struck."

"Final ancient demon of the Eastern Wasteland?" Luo Chen feigned bewilderment.

Shen Qiuhua knit his brows; how could this ally miss such widespread knowledge?

Reflecting on the man's declared "rogue cultivator" role, though, spotty intel made sense.

He clarified, "Known as Qi Xia Emperor, its real shape is the Divine Bird Phoenix!"

Luo Chen feigned shock outwardly, though insight dawned within.

Her, then!

To think she escaped Nether Abyss only to unleash fury upon Upper Nether Immortal City.

Countless low-tier cultivators must have endured this cruel misfortune.

Curiosity prompted his query, "I noticed Friend emerging from within earlier—what business brought you?"

Shen Qiuhua gave a bitter laugh, "Merely picking through remnants, hardly noteworthy."

Luo Chen guffawed, "I've scavenged plenty myself in the past; no shame in it, Friend."

Shen Qiuhua chuckled easily; to him, that's just how rogue cultivators operated.

Indeed, swarms of low-rank independents prowled Upper Nether Ruined City's depths, risking all for hidden treasures.

Mayhap one snags a mighty one's leftover, boosting Dao progress or shattering realm barriers.

"Brother Shen, got more on this Qi Xia Emperor?" Luo Chen betrayed keen interest.

Shen Qiuhua opened to reply, yet glancing skyward, his face clouded with hesitation.

Luo Chen, noting it, backed off, "If it's sensitive, drop it."

Shen Qiuhua pondered briefly, then eyed Luo Chen appraisingly.

"Gui Xuan Friend, care to visit our Shen Family as a guest? We could chat late into the night over lamps."

Luo Chen paused in surprise, "Jianchuan? That's a few days' travel from here, I'd wager?"

Assuming his recall held, Jianchuan Shen Family sat by Divine Yuan City, once Tianyuan Business Alliance's East Sun Domain stronghold.

Not too distant from this spot, yet hardly adjacent.

Traveling at Golden Core pace...

Here, Shen Qiuhua's expression darkened, "The Shen Family left Jianchuan ages ago."

"Eh?"

"That place, along with all of East Sun Domain, fell to Tianyuan Daoist Sect control. All of us—even East Sun Domain's rulers, the East Sun Sect—got expelled. We're stray hounds now."

True to Shen Qiuhua's anticipation, shock painted Luo Chen's face.

It rang genuine, without a trace of restraint.