Growing Curiosity and Power

After leaving the ruins of Fengxian and receiving Lian Yue's specially crafted ring, Zhang Xiaofan felt a growing curiosity toward alchemy—an art that had always been somewhat foreign to him. The ring Lian Yue had gifted him was unlike any artifact he had encountered before. It was a masterpiece of magical crafting, with intricate engravings that seemed to pulse with an ancient energy. But what truly intrigued Xiaofan was the immense storage capacity of the ring. Not only did it store items, but it also contained the possibility of storing souls, even space. It was an artifact of both practicality and deep, enigmatic magic, and he could sense that it held even more potential than he understood at the moment.

As Xiaofan examined the ring, he began to realize that it was not just an artifact meant for the storage of physical objects but also a key to a deeper understanding of the alchemical arts. Lian Yue had shown him a fragment of her alchemical knowledge, but there was so much more she had left unspoken—artifacts like this one hinted at far greater powers, ones that transcended the usual forms of cultivation.

Xiaofan was no stranger to understanding the deeper meanings behind objects, especially those with magical properties. His talent for formations and magical arrays allowed him to sense the faint signatures of energy within the ring. He saw some scrolls technique to form pill or to improve its quality. The idea of manipulating space, time, and through alchemy fascinated him. But the idea that one could extend their lifespan and attain wisdom through such knowledge was a concept Xiaofan found even more alluring.

Xiaofan had always known that in the Chengtian Continent, people could live for hundreds of years, with a typical human lifespan extending to 600 years or more, depending on their cultivation. At just 24 years of age, Xiaofan was still considered young by the standards of the realm. However, this fact weighed heavily on him as he considered the vast time gaps between cultivators who were centuries old and his own relatively short existence.

Lian Yue, though eccentric, had already lived a remarkable life of almost 110 years. Her alchemical prowess was honed over decades of experimentation, trial, and error. To him, it seemed like an impossibility to accumulate such vast knowledge in only a few short decades. Yet, Xiaofan could not ignore the realization that if he could attain alchemical mastery and create the right methods to extend his life—perhaps even beyond the limits of ordinary cultivators—he could become something truly extraordinary.

Curiosity gnawed at Xiaofan's mind as he began to study the contents of Lian Yue's ring. Within it, he found vast collections of alchemical formulas, rare herbs, and even incomplete texts on how certain magical substances could be synthesized into life-extending elixirs. Each formula seemed more intricate than the last, and every step appeared like a carefully calculated art. As a cultivator skilled in formations and shadows, Xiaofan's understanding of abstract concepts allowed him to grasp the alchemical principles with surprising ease. However, he realized that to truly master alchemy, he would need to find someone who could teach him the deeper intricacies of the art—someone like Lian Yue.

For now, though, Xiaofan was content to experiment on his own. He had already demonstrated an aptitude for manipulating magical tools, such as his serpent ring, and he knew that understanding alchemy might give him even more power. He began by carefully studying the base ingredients that were essential to crafting elixirs, paying special attention to the herbs Lian Yue had stored in her ring.

While Xiaofan had become accustomed to using the serpent ring to summon a shadow of serpent form serpent form, he had grown increasingly disinterested. The shadow was powerful, yes, but it was not as flexible as he needed it to be. The form was limiting, requiring him to rely on brute strength, and it lacks strength to fight strong opponent.

However, as Xiaofan experimented with the ring, he stumbled upon an unexpected discovery. He realized that the ring could be used not only to summon his body shadow but also can summon the serpent body fully now. The serpent, bound to the ring, would materialize as an independent entity, free to act on its own accord.

This revelation excited Xiaofan. He could now summon beast, using it as a tool, a weapon, or a shield. This new approach allowed him to retaining all of his other abilities, while still wielding the devastating power of the serpent. It was a perfect blend of flexibility and strength.

With the serpent summoned, Xiaofan could now command it to attack, defend, or scout ahead—all without sacrificing his own abilities as a cultivator. The serpent was not just a tool of destruction but an extension of his own power, controlled with his will, allowing him to keep his guard and focus while using its formidable abilities.

Though Xiaofan had taken the first steps toward unlocking the power of alchemy and summoning creatures from his ring, he knew that the road ahead would be long and fraught with challenges. His curiosity about the ancient alchemical texts continued to grow, and he felt an insatiable hunger for knowledge. The more he studied, the more questions arose—questions about life extension, about immortality, and about the mysterious forces that governed the Chengtian Continent.

With Lian Yue's ring as both a guide and a tool, Xiaofan realized that alchemy held the key to not only extending his life but perhaps reshaping the very nature of his existence. The world of magical rings, elixirs, and ancient powers was a vast and complex one, and Xiaofan had only begun to scratch the surface.

Xiaofan's goal was clear. He would travel far and wide, seeking out those rare practitioners who had mastered alchemy, those who could teach him the deeper secrets of the craft. He knew that such knowledge would not come easily—alchemy was an art that required precision, patience, and vast resources. But Xiaofan was determined.

He had already overcome many obstacles on his path, from battling sect leaders to confronting terrifying beasts. Now, his journey would lead him toward a new kind of mastery: the mastery of life itself.

With his serpent ring now fully realized as a tool for both combat and cultivation, and with his mind brimming with questions about alchemical power, Zhang Xiaofan continued to walk his path. The ancient texts within Lian Yue's ring promised secrets beyond imagination, and Xiaofan was ready to claim them.

As he walked through the forests of the Chengtian Continent, the wind whispered to him—a reminder that the forces of time and power were within his reach. Whether he would ever discover the true secrets of immortality or be consumed by the forces he sought to control, only time would tell. But one thing was certain: Zhang Xiaofan would stop at nothing to achieve his ultimate goal.