Immortality begin with Alchemy Grandmaster Chapter 2767 - 1023: Now, You Owe Me an Answer

At this juncture, he couldn’t help but cast a second glance at Luo Chen.

Earlier, when the other party unfurled his Primordial Spirit, it possessed a might almost comparable to Ancestor Zhan’s overwhelming of Master Li, or Li Canghai’s display of his Divine Soul Endowment.

Naturally, it was also possible that his own realm was insufficient to truly discern the capabilities of a Divine Transformation Great Power.

Nevertheless, he found himself unable to fathom the true extent of Luo Chen’s strength!

Within the opulent hall, after some initial pleasantries and shared reminiscences, the previously distant atmosphere between the two began to feel more acquainted.

Zhou Yunshen paused for a moment before finally speaking with unvarnished directness.

"Friend Luo, there’s no need for circumlocution with me. If you have something to say, please speak plainly!"

Luo Chen let out a hearty laugh, setting his teacup down.

"My request is quite straightforward, my friend. You and I both serve as Guest Elders of the Star Gate, and you should be apprised of the matter concerning the Life Soul!"

Zhou Yunshen’s understanding dawned, connecting this with the realm Luo Chen had exhibited previously, he grasped the intention behind Luo Chen’s visit.

The implication was clear: the other party intended to recover his Life Soul to formally attempt a breakthrough into the Divine Transformation Stage.

However, a profound sense of perplexity then welled up within him.

"Friend Luo, as a Guest Elder of the Star Gate, you once aided the Five Elders of Tianyuan against the Demon Phoenix Sisters at Soulbreak Cliff; you could simply submit an application to Ancestor Liancheng for the retrieval of your Life Soul! Given your current prowess, coupled with the full backing of the Daoist Sect—or even merely being permitted to cultivate undisturbed within Rotten Stalemate Mountain for several decades—the Divine Transformation Stage would naturally be within reach. Particularly now, when the Tianyuan Daoist Sect is in dire need of a Divine Transformation Great Power, Ancestor Liancheng ought not to refuse."

The world perceives the ascent to the Divine Transformation Stage as an immensely arduous feat; in reality, it presents but a single true hurdle: the condensation of the Primordial Spirit!

Numerous Great Cultivators in the late Nascent Soul stage dedicate their entire existence without ever managing to condense a Primordial Spirit.

Their sole hope lies in forcibly merging a Primordial Spirit by naturally absorbing the Spirit Mechanism enshrined within a Fifth Order Spirit Vein, subsequently harnessing the immense momentum of heaven and earth to draw in copious amounts of Yuan Qi, ultimately consolidating the Primordial Spirit.

Upon achieving this, they attain the status of so-called Divine Transformation Great Powers!

Yet, for an unparalleled prodigy such as Luo Chen, who has already condensed his Primordial Spirit in advance, reaching the Divine Transformation stage merely necessitates the completion of the final step.

This assertion is not mere hyperbole; Master Xuan Du, who also condensed his Primordial Spirit ahead of time, encountered virtually no impediments during his breakthrough, progressing as smoothly as flowing water.

Luo Chen’s path should have been identical.

However, he is crucially lacking his Life Soul, rendering his Primordial Spirit incapable of sustaining itself, transforming what should have been a procedural final step into an undertaking he dare not attempt.

Possessing experience and extensive knowledge, Zhou Yunshen offered what he considered the most logical course of action.

And yet!

Beneath Zhou Yunshen’s attentive gaze, Luo Chen solemnly shook his head.

"My circumstances are unlike those of others."

Zhou Yunshen looked on, bewildered.

Luo Chen continued with a slow cadence, "You formally joined the Star Gate, becoming an Official Guest Elder, bound by the established regulations when retrieving your Life Soul, eligible to apply when the opportune moment arrives to challenge the Divine Transformation Stage. Whereas I, due to certain unsuitable conditions, hold the status of merely an External Affairs Guest Elder."

Zhou Yunshen inquired with a trace of confusion, "If you are not an Official Guest Elder, should your Life Soul not be held separately from the custody of the Tianyuan Daoist Sect?"

A crestfallen expression settled upon Luo Chen’s face, tinged with a palpable undercurrent of resentment.

"Do you recall, Friend Zhou, when I assisted Master Fu in gaining entry to the Mirage Dragon Cave Heaven for the grand competition and its subsequent opportunities?"

Zhou Yunshen nodded, but his expression immediately shifted to one of profound shock.

"Could it be that, during our entry into the Mirage Dragon Cave Heaven, the Great Power of the Daoist Sect forcibly absconded with your Life Soul?"

Luo Chen sighed, "I previously commended your keen discernment, Friend Zhou, and today, it has proven true once more, uncovering the underlying deceit with but a single glance."

Though articulated as praise, the words struck Zhou Yunshen’s ears more like a death knell, sending a shiver down his spine.

Considering the manner in which the Tianyuan Daoist Sect had treated Luo Chen, it seemed utterly improbable that they would willingly relinquish his Life Soul, let alone offer assistance in his ascension to the Divine Transformation Stage.

It was almost certain that Luo Chen’s decision to aid the Tianyuan Daoist Sect during the conflict at Soulbreak Cliff must have stemmed from clandestine motivations.

And under such conditions, having arrived at a critical impasse, Luo Chen’s quiet return to Zhongzhou now carried undoubtedly conspicuous objectives.

Without extending any notification to the Tianyuan Daoist Sect, he had instead sought out the declining Zhou Family.

His intention was quite evident!

Zhou Yunshen found it hard to fathom that Luo Chen would forgo advancing to the Divine Transformation Stage, leaving him with only one path—to reclaim his Life Soul through any means necessary!

And the Zhou Family was merely a tool in his grand scheme!

A chilling realization washed over Zhou Yunshen as he grasped that the Zhou Family was about to be embroiled in the conflict between Luo Chen and the Tianyuan Daoist Sect, sending a shiver down his spine.

"Esteemed Friend Luo, are you not overstepping your bounds?"

Luo Chen paid no heed, responding with a measured tone, "The matter is straightforward! The Tianyuan Daoist Sect's influence has significantly diminished, weakened by internal power struggles and beset by constant external threats. This is precisely when they would seek to fortify their ranks."

"They have drawn upon the Daoist Sect’s accumulated resources over millennia, investing heavily in cultivating a new generation of formidable experts. They have even relaxed regulations concerning Star Gate Guest Elders, enabling your seamless integration into the Tianyuan Daoist Sect."

"My direct involvement is unnecessary; a mere avatar, masquerading as a member of your Zhou Family, will suffice to infiltrate the core discipleship of the Daoist Sect."

"You need not fret about a powerhouse from the Daoist Sect detecting any anomalies within me. When the opportune moment arrives, I shall completely sever the connection between the avatar and my true self, meticulously erasing all traces. With my profound understanding of Divine Souls, unless a supreme being emerges in this world, no one will be able to perceive the avatar's true nature. Even a hurried Divine Transformation Great Power might falter in discerning its essence."

"Once my avatar achieves the eligibility for Life Soul extraction, the link in the Divine Soul connecting it to the original self will facilitate the recovery of the Life Soul that was previously taken."

"While this undertaking may not be entirely discreet, given the present circumstances, the probability of success is exceptionally high."

"Friend Zhou..."

Zhou Yunshen stood at the precipice, his body convulsing from an uncontrollable surge of Mana, and he uttered in a low, strained voice, "Cease your words!"

Luo Chen slowly lifted his head, his gaze serene yet laced with an underlying menace, fixed upon the agitated elder.

"My explanation of the plan is complete."

Zhou Yunshen gritted his teeth, his face flushing with indignation, "So, am I to consent? Am I to align myself with you? What if I refuse? What if I do not cooperate?"

"Nothing," Luo Chen replied, shaking his head, his tone unwavering and devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

Zhou Yunshen was momentarily taken aback, perplexed by Luo Chen's unwavering composure.

This matter pertained directly to his Dao of God Transformation; the plan was so intricately devised, yet if refused, he would remain utterly unperturbed and unoffended?

Luo Chen rose gracefully, moving steadily towards the grand hall's entrance.

His profound gaze seemed to encompass the vast Bailu Marsh, surveying every member of the Zhou Family.

With his back to Zhou Yunshen, Luo Chen softly intoned, "Should my old friend refuse, I shall simply seek a different clan. There would be no need for any announcement, acting in secrecy would suffice. The process might be more arduous, but it would ultimately lead to the same outcome. I am presenting my old friend with an opportunity for your Zhou Family to ascend anew, or perhaps, a chance for a peaceful withdrawal."

Zhou Yunshen erupted in furious laughter, "An opportunity to incite the wrath of the Tianyuan Daoist Sect, or a final path toward my clan's annihilation?"

Luo Chen mused, "Old friend, your end is drawing near, is it not?"

No reply came from behind him.

Luo Chen appeared unfazed, his eyes fixed on the Bailu Marsh shrouded in countless wisps of mist, speaking as if to himself, "Should you depart this world, can the Zhou Family truly preserve this Bailu Marsh? Upon your demise, with the capabilities of those three Golden Core Cultivators, could they possibly access a Fourth Order Spirit Vein to attain the Nascent Soul Realm within their lifetimes? Among this generation's clan members, is there any individual possessing extraordinary talent and exceptional temperament who could lead the clan towards restoring the former glory of the Coral Sea Zhou Family after your passing?"

Behind him, the elder slumped back into his spacious chair, his frail form appearing on the verge of collapse.

His gaze was locked onto the imposing figure at the entrance, whose silhouette seemed both menacing and divine within the slightly hazy light.

Luo Chen turned, and though he stood below the hall's steps, his perspective seemed to tower over Zhou Yunshen.

With an air of unmistakable supremacy, he declared, "If you agree, the Zhou Family will be graced by the presence of an unparalleled prodigy, bringing immense benefits to countless clansmen. Should you cooperate, the uncertainties will diminish, and the Zhou Family will find greater security. Even if matters were to go awry, my strength, capable of traversing the Five Continents and Four Seas, would be sufficient to lead the Zhou Family in a strategic retreat to the Eastern Wasteland for refuge. Rest assured, no Great Power from any Daoist Sect would dare set foot within the Eastern Wasteland!"

"Now, it is time for you to provide me with your answer."

Meeting Luo Chen's all-consuming gaze, Zhou Yunshen slowly closed his own eyes.

"I... agree."

Those three simple words drained Zhou Yunshen of all his might.

Luo Chen offered a slight smile, a smile radiating an aura of absolute control.

"Believe me, you will have no regrets about this choice."