Mortal Alchemy

Chen Ping stood on the deck of the white jade flying boat, gazing at East Moon Mountain on the horizon.

A sense of感慨 (gan kai - mixed feelings with a tinge of sorrow) arose within him, it hadn't been easy.

This time, escaping death at the hands of a Golden Core cultivator and recovering his cultivation had been filled with humiliation and setbacks.

In a little while, they would arrive at Floating Light Market.

Chen Ping hadn't returned to Floating Light Market for several years, and compared to a few years ago, Floating Light Market had grown significantly.

Nan Yun's beautiful eyes looked around, "This is Floating Light Market?"

She had lived in Shattered Star Market since she was a child, and this was the first time she had come to a market area outside of Hao Yu Sea.

Floating Light Market certainly couldn't compare to the massive Shattered Star Market.

But there were many cultivators here, which made her curious.

Yue Tang: "Is this the place where Master lived and cultivated?"

Chen Ping seemed to guess what the two women were thinking: "This is a small market under my sect. I am the market master of this market. Nan Yun, Tang'er, you can walk around."

The group separated, and Chen Ping went to Meng Huang'er's dojo first.

At this moment, Meng Huang'er's temperament had undergone earth-shattering changes. After cultivating the path of music, her temperament was charming with a hint of sacredness, and her beautiful eyes contained a hint of mystery and danger.

She was currently drinking tea with an old woman with white hair.

Chen Ping released his aura slightly, which alarmed Meng Huang'er.

Meng Huang'er raised her snow-white neck and smiled, her plump and alluring body plunged into Chen Ping's arms like a swallow returning to its nest:

"Shidi (Junior Brother)~"

With warm fragrance and soft jade in his arms, Chen Ping put his arms around her waist and smiled softly: "Huang'er, there are outsiders here."

"Hmph." Meng Huang'er snorted softly: "Shidi (Junior Brother) has been gone for seven or eight years."

"And she is not an outsider."

"Shidi (Junior Brother), didn't you recognize her? She is Fellow Daoist Zuo Yinghong."

Chen Ping's expression changed drastically, and he carefully observed the old woman in front of him, a little unbelievable: "You are Fellow Daoist Zuo?"

The old woman stood up and bowed slowly, with a look of vicissitudes and a bitter smile on her face: "Fellow Daoist Chen, long time no see."

It had been seven or eight years since their last meeting, and the meeting place was also here.

Did she fail to advance to Golden Core?

A beautiful woman suddenly turned into such an old woman, and her body was filled with twilight and death. Chen Ping immediately felt唏嘘 (xi xu - a sigh of regret or pity):

"Fellow Daoist Zuo, even if you failed to advance to Golden Core, why did you become like this?"

Zuo Yinghong said in a hoarse voice:

"Fellow Daoist Chen, advancing to Golden Core is too difficult, too difficult."

"I was already past the Golden Core limit. I forcibly advanced to Golden Core. It's good enough to keep a life after failure."

Chen Ping's eyes showed a dignified look:

"Which level did Fellow Daoist fail at?"

Zuo Yinghong seemed to have only a few years to live, but she seemed frank: "The soul returns to the Golden Core."

"The spiritual power crystallizes, and the soul returns to the Golden Core, so that the Golden Core can be completely condensed."

"My soul power was not enough, and the power of the Golden Core leaked, and all failed. I didn't even see the inner demon tribulation."

"Fortunately, the Heavenly Tribulation was dispersed in time, and I barely saved my life, and I can still linger for ten years."

Her tone was low, full of despair.

Chen Ping had previously expected that Zuo Yinghong's success rate in advancing to Golden Core would be very low.

Knowing an acquaintance of decades who failed to advance to Golden Core and turned from a beauty into an old woman made Chen Ping feel uncomfortable, and his heart felt heavy.

Time flies, how many people dare to say that they can successfully advance to Golden Core?

Even Chen Ping at the moment does not have a 100% certainty to advance.

Chen Ping said: "Then what are Fellow Daoist Zuo's plans next?"

Zuo Yinghong's old and turbid eyes looked in the direction of Hao Yu Sea: "I have no plans. I will stay in Floating Light Market to end my life."

"Fellow Daoist Chen shouldn't drive me away, right?"

Chen Ping's eyebrows condensed, and his tone was a little displeased:

"What are you talking about, Fellow Daoist Zuo? Fellow Daoist Zuo can stay in Floating Light Market for the rest of your life."

"We have known each other for decades. Doesn't Fellow Daoist Zuo know Chen's character?"

Meng Huang'er hugged Chen Ping's arm and giggled: "Sister Zuo, I said that Shidi (Junior Brother) would let you stay."

Zuo Yinghong bowed: "It's my fault."

"Among the many fellow daoists who knew each other, none of them succeeded in advancing to Golden Core..."

"This Golden Core path is difficult, difficult."

The bloody and cruel reality is that it takes a lot of hard work to cultivate to the peak of Foundation Establishment, but the probability of advancing to Golden Core is too low. Once you cross the Heavenly Tribulation, if you don't succeed, all your previous efforts will be wasted, and your path will be cut off instantly.

Chen Ping frowned and said: "Thank you Fellow Daoist for imparting your experience. Fellow Daoist Zuo, please rest assured and live here, don't be so pessimistic."

"We cultivators, even if our own path is cut off, it is not in vain to walk in this world if we leave our blood and inheritance to future generations."

Zuo Yinghong's smile was even more bitter:

"When I was young, I only focused on the Great Dao, and I never had a marriage or left any children. But what Fellow Daoist Chen said is true. I may find a disciple to pass on my beast-controlling skills."

Then Zuo Yinghong got up and left, knowing that Chen Ping had something to do when he just came back, and he must be looking for Meng Huang'er.

Meng Huang'er threw herself into Chen Ping's arms, her voice a little frightened: "Shidi (Junior Brother), Sister Zuo failed to advance to Golden Core and turned into this appearance. I'm a little scared."

I haven't seen Chen Ping for a few years. Although Meng Huang'er missed Chen Ping very much, seeing an acquaintance fail to advance to Golden Core and turn from a beauty into an old woman made Meng Huang'er even more afraid.

Chen Ping put his arms around her waist and gently stroked her back: "Huang'er, don't be afraid, your husband will definitely find a way to help you successfully advance to Golden Core."

"If it doesn't work once, then twice, if it doesn't work twice, then three times, don't be afraid."

He has Prolonging Dao Pills, Golden Spirit Guiding Divine Pills, and Three Lights Divine Water.

He had thought about this a long time ago, so the alchemy inheritance left by his ancestors gave Chen Ping the confidence.

Zuo Yinghong is old, she has already passed the Golden Core limit, and at most she has a fourth-tier spiritual medicine to advance to Golden Core. The probability is too low, and it is normal to fail to advance to Golden Core.

This time, the serious injury and loss of cultivation, although there were many twists and turns, also tempered Chen Ping's will and strengthened Chen Ping's heart to seek the Dao.

Meng Huang'er lay in Chen Ping's arms:

"Shidi (Junior Brother), I will work hard."

Chen Ping smiled wickedly, and hugged her horizontally: "I haven't seen you for several years, let your husband see if your skills have improved."

Meng Huang'er said shyly: "Shidi (Junior Brother)~"

"Don't worry, there is someone waiting for you."

"Waiting for me? Who."

Meng Huang'er said: "A senior sister from the Wonderful Desire Building."

"She is very beautiful. She came to visit Shidi (Junior Brother) a few years ago. I told her that Shidi (Junior Brother) was in seclusion. That senior sister stayed in the market and never left."

Chen Ping frowned slightly: "People from the Wonderful Desire Building?"

She has been waiting for him for several years, so he should meet her later.

Chen Ping changed the subject:

"Huang'er, have you contacted Senior Sister Luo Fei?"

Meng Huang'er nodded slightly: "Yes, Senior Sister Luo Fei is now in East Wasteland Immortal City."

A look of longing appeared in Chen Ping's eyes:

"Then after finishing this matter, I will go to East Wasteland Immortal City. It's almost time to prepare for the Nascent Soul Seed battle."