Immortality begin with Alchemy Grandmaster Chapter 2580 - 949: Ancient Secret Realm, Daoist Sect Pays Respect to the Mountain (3)

Deep into the night.

Inside the Fourth Order Cave Mansion provided by the Evil Mountain Zombie Alliance, Luo Chen tallied the resources he'd bartered for earlier that day.

"Gold-Eroding Vine, Rotting Immortal Miasma, Ghost Dew..."

Bottles and jars lined up in front of him, each sealed with forbidding restrictions that looked daunting.

Every one held deadly poisons!

Take the Rotting Immortal Miasma, pulled from the Mist Wilderness—it's a fatal haze; even a tiny release spells doom for any cultivator shy of the Golden Core Realm.

Or consider Ghost Dew, said to be distilled from the Earth Vein's core in the Spirit Qi-abundant Land of Purity. A single droplet can freeze a Golden Core Cultivator's Qi Power, leaving them helpless like livestock awaiting the knife.

Such treasures are exceedingly scarce, and despite their modest ranks, they rarely show up in markets.

Without the hefty stock of herbs Luo Chen gathered from the Elixir Saint’s Blessed Land and the Five Elements Divine Sect, securing them would have been nearly impossible.

Yet Luo Chen held off on starting the "Hundred Poison Body Refining Technique" right away.

This Body Refinement method builds from simple to advanced, step by step.

He was missing several essential poisons needed as practice materials.

It's quite the twist. At his current level and in his network, collecting those fundamental items turns out to be surprisingly tough.

"Looks like I'll have to count on Master Li Tian for help."

Once he'd inventoried them, Luo Chen organized and stowed the goods by their levels and potency.

Stirrings came from beyond the Cave Mansion.

With a mere mental command, Luo Chen activated the Cave Mansion Array.

Master Ming Lei stepped inside.

After scanning the space, he commented enviously, "Everyone else has to pass the Songyang Alliance Leader’s evaluation to enter the Evil Mountain Zombie Alliance. But Brother Qi, you skipped all that and got settled into this fine Cave Mansion directly."

"Is it really that great?" Luo Chen inquired offhandedly.

"Way superior to my Wind and Thunder Gorge," Master Ming Lei answered.

Luo Chen responded coolly, "In the South Border's present cultivation scene, doesn't a nicer Cave Mansion just invite more risks for folks like us?"

Master Ming Lei paused, realizing the truth in that.

He dismissed it with a gesture and cut to the chase.

"Soon, I'll be heading out from Mi Realm Mountain."

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow, "Tomorrow wraps up the exchange meeting. Master Li Tian dropped hints about big shots showing up. You won't stick around for that?"

"No matter how big they are, how's it my business?" Master Ming Lei shot back, then lowered his voice, "Safer to slip away now and dodge any hassle from Ning Yuzhuo."

Luo Chen nodded in understanding.

"Safe travels then, Friend!"

A faint smile crossed Master Ming Lei's face; the visit had paid off.

He'd connected with plenty of South Border heavyweights and swapped for loads of handy resources.

Back home, he intended to rally Wind and Thunder Gorge and build his influence, aiming to rule as a regional power someday.

As he departed, he gave Luo Chen a warning.

"Watch out for Burial Elder!"

"Eh?" Luo Chen looked puzzled.

Master Ming Lei sent a mental message, "That guy's sneaky and brutal—could well be the Demon Heart Gu Emperor you're after. If you haven't crossed paths, fine; but if you do, tread with utmost care."

Luo Chen's mouth tightened a bit, as recollections of Burial Elder flooded his mind.

The fellow came from Burial Valley, where he styled himself as the Valley Master.

Unlike typical sects, Burial Valley boasted scant disciples.

Should he truly be the Demon Heart Gu Emperor, it would fit the tales circulating about him.

"That's all the intel I dug up; some of it might be off. Brother Qi, use your judgment, don't swallow it whole. I've spilled everything—time to go!"

With that, Master Ming Lei didn't hang around and smoothly exited Mi Realm Mountain.

Under the cover of darkness, Luo Chen eyed the fading silhouette, his mind fixated on Burial Elder's identity.

"Is he the target I've been hunting?"

The following day.

Atop Mi Realm Mountain Hall, Luo Chen encountered Burial Elder.

Four mighty Cultivators presided from on high, vigilance etched on their faces.

As Luo Chen arrived, True Master Songyang cast him a neutral glance, showing no warmth or disdain.

Master Li Tian offered a grin and a subtle nod.

Burial Elder himself looked utterly commonplace, revealing nothing out of the ordinary.

Meeting Luo Chen's stare, he simply gazed back, unresponsive.

Luo Chen took a seat next to Purple Robe Marquis, lost in contemplation.

Master Ming Lei had tied the Demon Heart Gu Emperor to Burial Elder—so why hadn't Purple Robe Marquis or Master Li Tian suggested as much?

What was today's gathering meant to host?

The prominent guest Master Li Tian had alluded to before?

At that instant!

A powerful presence barreled in from the doorway.

"Tianyuan Daoist Sect Zhan Bingtao, come to pay respects to the mountain!"