Chapter 108.1: No One Below the Thousand Cauldrons Stage Can Restrain Dao Shi'er! (I)

"Zhanhai City actually has such a powerful martial artist? He must've been keeping a low profile and has just revealed his true strength."

As they looked at Dao Shi'er, a sense of retreat began to take root among some of the martial artists. They could tell that Dao Shi'er possessed two terrifying Intents and that he had mastered a secret technique capable of freezing even Hundred Cauldrons experts in an instant.

On top of that, his raw strength was equally alarming, reaching several hundred cauldrons of force and approaching the level of a thousand cauldrons.

How could they possibly fight a martial artist like him who had no obvious weakness? Unless a Thousand Cauldrons expert appeared, Dao Shi'er was unmatched among everyone present.

Realizing Lu Changsheng's strength, the hearts of many martial artists sank. They began to weigh the gains against the losses, carefully considering whether it was worth continuing. Three Hundred Cauldrons experts, none inferior to anyone present, had fallen.

Was it really worth risking their lives for a piece of Alum Core Ore?

"Chief, what do we do?" Chu Qingshan asked in a low voice.

"Withdraw," the Chief of the Four Seas Gang replied without hesitation, his tone firm.

A strange glint flashed through Chu Qingshan's eyes. Moments later, the Four Seas Gang quietly withdrew from the scene.

"The Four Seas Gang has retreated?"

The members of the Three Flood Dragon Gang and the Blood-Oath Gang were briefly taken aback. As long-time rivals of the Four Seas Gang, however, they quickly understood the meaning behind the withdrawal.

"If no Thousand Cauldrons expert steps in, no one here can restrain Dao Shi'er. We will withdraw as well."

Soon after, both the Three Flood Dragon Gang and the Blood-Oath Gang also left.

A Thousand Cauldrons expert stood at the peak of the Divine Strength Realm. Each such figure was a true pillar of their faction and could not be dispatched lightly. Moreover, there was another unspoken concern. Even if a Thousand Cauldrons expert were to intervene, could they truly stop Dao Shi'er?

When the three major gangs retreated, it became clear to everyone that the situation had already concluded. The Alum Core Ore now belonged to Dao Shi'er.

This was the way of the jianghu—everything was determined by strength. Lu Changsheng did not need to slaughter everyone.

From beginning to end, only three people had died, but those three deaths made the martial artists and forces of the jianghu realize that they could not compete with Dao Shi'er.

The lively streets were emptied in the blink of an eye, and even the prying gazes hidden in the shadows vanished without a trace.

"They retreated pretty quickly," Lu Changsheng murmured. Then, he looked at the Shangyuan Daoist Court ahead.

The last time he had tried to enter the Shangyuan Daoist Court, he was turned away. He had not been able to meet Immortal Master Shangyuan, nor obtain any answers. Now, however, there was nothing left to bar his path. Perhaps the doubts weighing on his heart would finally be resolved.

Lu Changsheng strode forward without hesitation. This time, he encountered no obstacles at all. In fact, Daoist attendants were waiting for him outside the gates of the Shangyuan Daoist Court.

"The Immortal Master is waiting inside. Please come in," the Daoist attendant said, bowing slightly.

They had witnessed the fierce battle outside. They knew very well that the Dao Shi'er standing before them was a ruthless figure.

They belonged to the Shangyuan Daoist Court, but they had no wish to offend someone like him. Hence, they were exceedingly respectful.

Lu Changsheng said nothing. He simply followed behind the Daoist attendant.

Soon, the two arrived before a pavilion.

The Daoist attendant stopped outside and softly said, "The Immortal Master is inside. Please enter on your own."

Lu Changsheng nodded. He stepped forward, pushed open the pavilion door, and walked inside.

The pavilion was brightly lit. The space within was wide and uncluttered; its furnishings were simple and natural, giving an immediate sense of calm.

At the center of the pavilion sat an elderly Daoist, cross-legged in meditation. His complexion was ruddy, and his presence was both steady and vigorous, showing no traces of decline.

Lu Changsheng knew at once that he was Immortal Master Shangyuan. He walked forward step by step.

Immortal Master Shangyuan opened his eyes and pointed calmly at a meditation cushion in front of him. "Sit."

Lu Changsheng sat down at once.

Immortal Master Shangyuan looked at him and spoke slowly. "You have obtained the Alum Core Ore. What do you wish to gain from this old Daoist?"

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath. "I want to learn alchemy."

The thought had first taken root when he learned of the Blood Replacement Pill. Later, after discovering that advancing from the Hundred Cauldrons Stage to the Thousand Cauldrons Stage also required pills, his resolve to learn alchemy strengthened.

He wanted to learn alchemy for himself, and with his Perception of over one thousand points, he was confident that he would master it.

Lu Changsheng understood one simple truth—it was better to learn how to fish than to be given a single fish. He had no intention of trading the Alum Core Ore for just one pill that granted an increase of a hundred cauldrons of strength. It was far more beneficial to master alchemy itself.

"Alchemy?" Immortal Master Shangyuan was momentarily taken aback. Soon after, a faint smile appeared on his face. The truth was, Dao Shi'er was not the first to make such a request. Many had asked the same thing before.

"You cannot learn it," Immortal Master Shangyuan said calmly as he raised his hand.

Buzz...

The next instant, a white flame appeared in his palm. The flame shifted continuously, changing from white, cyan, red, to finally gold.

Lu Changsheng couldn't help but ask, "What is that?"

"Spirit Flame," Immortal Master Shangyuan replied. "Only an Immortal Master can draw it out by activating spiritual power. Many pills can only be refined with the Spirit Flame, including the pills that martial artists require.

"If you wish to practice alchemy, you must first become an Immortal Master.

"But not many have the natural talent to become an Immortal Master. Across the entire Da Yu Dynasty, there are only a handful who possess it."

Lu Changsheng's heart trembled slightly. As expected, Immortal Masters were, in truth, immortal cultivators.

"I still want to try," Lu Changsheng said firmly.

Immortal Master Shangyuan waved his hand, and a strange stone appeared between them. "Place your hand on the stone. Remember, do not resist it with your blood qi."

Lu Changsheng did as instructed. The moment his hand touched the stone, a cool and peculiar sensation flowed into him. Then nothing happened. The stone remained completely still.

Time passed in silence.

At last, Immortal Master Shangyuan let out a soft sigh. "As you can see, the spirit-testing stone showed no response. You have no natural spiritual talent. You cannot refine even a trace of spiritual power inside you, which means you cannot become an Immortal Master."

Then, he placed his own hand on the stone. At once, a faint cyan glow appeared.

Seeing that, Lu Changsheng accepted the result. He truly lacked innate spiritual talent, but he did not mind it. Throughout the entire Da Yu Dynasty, this was the norm rather than the exception.

"Now, sir, do you want pills or something else? State your request," Immortal Master Shangyuan said as he looked at Lu Changsheng.

Countless thoughts flashed through Lu Changsheng's mind. In truth, he still had many questions, but Immortal Master Shangyuan clearly had no patience to answer them one by one.

Fortunately, Lu Changsheng already understood which question mattered most.

The rest could wait.

"I need pills," Lu Changsheng said. "Pills that can raise my strength by a hundred cauldrons."

Immortal Master Shangyuan nodded. "Very well. I will give you a list of the key materials required for it, and you will gather them on your own. Once the materials are complete, I will refine the pill in front of you.

Then, he calmly added, "For martial artists, only the first pill of a given type has any effect. Keep that in mind. The pill I will refine for you this time is called the Divine Strength Grand Pill."

Lu Changsheng nodded and took out the Alum Core Ore before handing it over to Immortal Master Shangyuan.

Soon after, Immortal Master Shangyuan produced a list of materials needed for the refinement. Lu Changsheng recognized most of the names. Each one was extremely valuable, and gathering them would be difficult and time-consuming, but none were unattainable.

After that, Immortal Master Shangyuan closed his eyes, signaling that the meeting was over.

"Immortal Master, Dao Shi'er will take his leave now," Lu Changsheng said.

He rose and walked out of the pavilion.

The Daoist attendant was still waiting outside. Upon seeing Lu Changsheng emerge, he bowed respectfully, and then he led him away, escorting him out of the Shangyuan Daoist Court.

Lu Changsheng paused and glanced back at the Daoist Court.

Immortal Master Shangyuan remained seated inside, unmoving. He did not need to fight, contend, or scheme. He did not even need to exert himself, yet the Alum Core Ore had fallen into his hands.

All he needed to do was expend a small amount of spiritual power to refine pills. Even the ingredients had to be gathered by the martial artists themselves.

This was the advantage of being an immortal cultivator—a person with spiritual talent bestowed by the heavens.

Lu Changsheng looked at the Shangyuan Daoist Court for a long moment. The Immortal Dao was indeed enviable, but since he could not walk that path, he would stake everything on the Dao of martial arts.

The Dao of martial arts has countless years of history. As long as I reach the peak of this Dao, I will not be inferior to immortal cultivators. As my Perception continues to rise, I'm sure I will reach the peak one day.

With that thought, Lu Changsheng turned away and disappeared into the night.