The Eastern Desolation!
The year 3667 of the Mountain Sea Calendar!
Though monster beasts still caused disturbances across various lands from time to time, the Eastern Desolation's cultivation world had finally settled into peace.
The monster calamity that had raged for two hundred years seemed to be fading into the past, yet the sight of nine out of ten homes abandoned and desolation stretching as far as the eye could see still served as a grim reminder to the Eastern Desolation cultivators: the demon race lurking in the Million Mountains could burst forth at any moment.
Naturally, such grave concerns were for the great figures to contemplate.
For low-ranking cultivators, this current era was undoubtedly the best of times!
The great sects that had once stood high and mighty were ruined or destroyed; even those that survived retained less than half of their peak control.
More than half of the vast Thirty-Six Domains had been emptied out. Battlefield ruins and the remnants of fallen cultivators scattered everywhere held opportunities to attain immortality and achieve the Dao.
Thus, while the major sects licked their wounds and recovered their strength, minor powers staked claim to mountain peaks and rose up with startling speed.
Even the once-weakest rogue cultivators seized this opportunity, clawing their way upward with all their might.
In the past, a rogue cultivator successfully establishing their foundation was an extraordinary tale worthy of praise.
Yet over these two hundred years, Golden Core rogue cultivators had emerged time and again.
There were even rumors that a few formidable Golden Core rogue cultivators had already reached the threshold of Nascent Soul formation, needing only that final step.
And this year, the opportunity to take that final step had arrived!
Within a misty swamp in Yanhuaguyu.
Treasure light flickered, magic power surged, and figures clashed within the mist.
A fierce battle was underway.
A long while later, a section of the swamp exploded, sending severed limbs raining down. A man whose skin was pale as frost stepped out from within.
Draped upon him were fully seven storage pouches!
Every single one was stained with blood—the spoils left behind by cultivators from several Golden Core clans who had attempted to ambush and kill him.
In the end, all of it had fallen into his hands.
With a beckoning wave of his hand, a six-winged centipede crawled out from the mire and, looking listless, burrowed into his sleeve.
Having done all this, the man breathed a sigh of relief.
He glanced around, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes, but ultimately shook his head and suppressed his killing intent.
His aura vanished swiftly, and he sped away into the distance.
Not long after he departed, the sound of rushing wind broke through the air.
Soon, several Golden Core cultivators adorned with clan crests appeared in the swamp.
Looking at the gruesome swamp battlefield, every face turned ashen.
"Bo Hanjun escaped!"
"Seven Golden Core masters encircled him, including a pinnacle late Golden Core expert like Old Ghost Li—how could they fail?"
"He truly lives up to his reputation as the rogue cultivator Bo Hanjun, master of multiple disciplines! The traces on the battlefield show that he had clearly pre-set formations, planted numerous talismans, and ambushed with that six-winged centipede suspected of possessing Demon Sovereign bloodline. That was the only way he could stand alone against seven Golden Cores!"
"Forget it. We cannot seize the upper sect inheritance from him. Moreover, this man is notorious for settling scores meticulously. He is likely to come seeking revenge; we should each return home!"
After some discussion, the group reached a consensus and prepared to depart.
After all, Bo Hanjun's reputation of "repaying every drop of kindness or slight with a gushing spring" was far too renowned.
If he seized an opportunity to visit their clans for vengeance, it would be a disaster.
Yet just as they were about to leave, an old man lingering nearby looked more and more grim.
Those beside him assumed he was grieving the death of his clan's elder and spoke words of comfort.
However, he disclosed a shocking piece of news:
"The Shouyang invitation was on my clan's elder, but now it has vanished into thin air—it was taken by Bo Hanjun!"
Everyone froze at first, then quickly realized what he meant.
"A Shouyang invitation?"
"Could it be the invitation to the auction assembly at Shouyang Mountain in Lingtian Pass?"
"That is the premier auction in the Eastern Desolation following the war between humans and demons! Hosted by Perfected Taiyue of the Mount Tai Sect, rumor has it that only Nascent Soul upper sects and exceptionally powerful Golden Core clans are qualified to receive an invitation."
"Counting the guest elders you hired, your Zhang Clan has only three Golden Core cultivators. How could you possibly be qualified to receive an invitation?"
Facing their doubts, Supreme Elder Zhang clenched his fists. "My Zhang Clan has ties with an executive elder of the Mount Tai Sect, which is how we obtained an invitation. We originally planned to seize this chance to collect cultivation resources at the Shouyang auction assembly."
A woman nearby sneered, "I fear it was hardly just for ordinary cultivation resources, was it?"
"Madam Liu, what do you mean by that?"
"From what I know, a large quantity of resources for forming a Nascent Soul will appear at this auction. Moreover, it is said that Nascent Soul Formation Pills—unrestricted by foundation thresholds or cultivation methods—will be available. Fellow Daoist Zhang, your target was likely a Nascent Soul Formation Pill!"
Supreme Elder Zhang took a deep breath. "Yes, you are right!"
His eyes flickered as he swept his gaze across the others. "Bo Hanjun's strength far exceeds our imagination. Chasing him down alone would be impossible for this old man. You are all leaders of your own domains. If you continue hunting him with me and help snatch back the invitation, we can pool our funds to attend the Shouyang auction together. Should we be fortunate enough to obtain a Nascent Soul Formation Pill, then no matter which of us achieves the realm of a Nascent Soul Perfected Cultivator, we can unite, establish an upper sect power, dominate a domain, and provide for our seven clans to cultivate together."
Faced with this proposal, the crowd began to stir with temptation.
Meanwhile, deep within the swamp, a frost-pale man sat cross-legged, staring down at one of the storage pouches.
"Is the invitation in here?"
***
The Jiuling Domain.
A woman in splendid robes, her jade pendants chiming as she walked, hurried up Jiuyuan Peak holding an invitation.
The master of the peak had already sensed her arrival, and the mountain-protecting array parted slowly to make way.
Shortly after, the woman arrived inside the immortal's cave.
Sovereign Jiuling opened his eyes. "Junior Sister Changxi, why the rush?"
Changxi handed over what she carried.
"An invitation?" Sovereign Jiuling glanced at it and muttered, "And sent by that fellow Deng Taiyue, no less."
Changxi nodded and explained, "Perfected Taiyue is hosting an auction assembly at Lingtian Pass, prepared over several years. This auction involves all surviving Nascent Soul upper sects in our Eastern Desolation, as well as over a hundred powerful Golden Core factions."
Hearing this, Sovereign Jiuling raised an eyebrow.
"Quite the grand scale. What gives him the confidence to hold an auction of this magnitude?"
"Senior Brother will understand once you look at the invitation!"
Sovereign Jiuling opened the invitation and skimmed down the page.
Though the various resources listed at the beginning were rare and precious, they were nothing special to him. But when his gaze reached the very end, Sovereign Jiuling froze.
"Ten Nascent Soul Formation Pills!"
"Where did he get so many Nascent Soul Formation Pills? And why would he be willing to sell them to others? What is the purpose of holding this auction centered around them?"
Among the flurry of questions, the answer sprang forth in Sovereign Jiuling's mind.
"Alchemy Grandmaster Luo Chen!"
Changxi was taken aback. "Senior Brother means that this auction hosted by Perfected Taiyue is actually being orchestrated behind the scenes by Perfected Luo?"
Sovereign Jiuling nodded. "It must be so. As far as I know, the only person left in the Eastern Desolation who can concoct Nascent Soul Formation Pills is Luo Chen; he once refined such pills for the Divine Talisman Sect years ago. Furthermore, Luo Chen and Deng Taiyue share a close friendship, and the latter spent years running about gathering medicinal ingredients for him. In the entirety of the Eastern Desolation, only Luo Chen possesses the boldness to produce ten Nascent Soul Formation Pills all at once."
Changxi asked curiously, "Then what is Perfected Luo's objective?"
"Indeed, what is his objective?" Sovereign Jiuling narrowed his eyes slightly.
After a while, he put away the invitation.
"I shall make the trip! Both to purchase a Nascent Soul Formation Pill for our sect and to give Luo Chen face."
In this era, none of the major Nascent Soul upper sects were "wealthy."
This "wealth" did not refer to spirit stones or resources, but to top-tier combat strength: Nascent Soul Perfected Cultivators.
Over the two-hundred-year war between humans and demons, far too many Nascent Soul Perfected Cultivators had fallen.
Even though sects had used their own secret arts to rapidly cultivate a few in the years following the war, it was still a drop in the bucket.
Moreover, the Nascent Soul Formation Pills Luo Chen concocted were orthodox pills designed for breaking through realms, requiring no consideration of a sect's specific cultivation techniques.
If they could produce one more Nascent Soul Perfected Cultivator for their sect, it would be an enormous boon.
***
Meanwhile, inside the Mount Tai Sect.
Looking at the disciple who had arrived to report, Deng Taiyue asked, "Seven years have passed. Have all the invitations been delivered?"
The steady and prudent disciple nodded respectfully. "All have been delivered, even to the most distant Nine Spirits Sect and Dongyang Sect."
Hearing this reply, Deng Taiyue visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
Luo Chen had entrusted him with two tasks: one was to help collect Nine Firmaments Qi, and the other was to sell Nascent Soul Formation Pills.
In his view, both tasks could be handled simultaneously through a super auction.
The disciple below could not resist asking, "Master, with so many Nascent Soul Formation Pills, why sell them? At present, our Mount Tai Sect has only you and Elder Gong as Nascent Soul Perfected Cultivators. Why not keep them for our own use?"
Deng Taiyue offered no explanation, merely waving his hand.
The disciple withdrew, full of confusion, leaving Deng Taiyue alone in the cave abode.
He let out a quiet sigh; he had already guessed most of Luo Chen's intentions.
Once sold, this batch of Nascent Soul Formation Pills would certainly be given to the most talented disciples of each sect.
Those disciples had largely survived the two-hundred-year war between humans and demons, making them the elite of elites.
Their chances of breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm were already exceptionally high, and with Luo Chen's Nascent Soul Formation Pills to assist them, success was practically guaranteed.
In this manner, the weakened Eastern Desolation cultivation world would receive a massive boost in strength.
Furthermore, no one was a fool; they would inevitably deduce that this batch of pills came from Luo Chen.
"Selflessly selling precious Nascent Soul Formation Pills to everyone, broadly bestowing benevolence, and promoting the renown of the Alchemy Grandmaster... he has prepared thoroughly for that war that could break out at any moment!"
One could imagine that when the time came, Luo Chen needed only raise his arm, and people would respond to his call.
Yet Deng Taiyue remained pessimistic.
After all, their opponent was the former overlord of the Mountain Sea Realm, the Tianyuan Dao Sect, backed by a Soul Formation almighty!
Under such a threat, those truly willing to follow him would likely be few and far between.
Just as Deng Taiyue sighed in contemplation, the disciple who had just taken his leave suddenly returned.
Looking displeased, Deng Taiyue glanced at him.
"Is there something else?"
Shock was written across the disciple's face. "Master, news has arrived from the Western Desert, related to your good friend Perfected Luo Chen."
"Oh?"
Deng Taiyue's curiosity was piqued.
"Speak."
***
While turmoil swept the outside world, peace and serenity reigned within the blessed land.
Ever since Luo Chen's primordial spirit projected outward and dominated Mount Dan, the Luotian Sect had passed another three tranquil years free of wind and rain.
Over these three years, under Li Yingzhang's diligent governance, the sect had seen a steady emergence of talent.
The number of Golden Core cultivators alone had broken past twenty.
Not only that, under his direction, an external foothold had been established in the outside world:
The Shangyou Ruined City!
Back then, Haoranzi had not returned, choosing instead to remain in the Shangyou Ruined City.
He felt that the ordeal at Mount Cangwu had severely depleted his vitality and damaged his foundation. Combined with his advanced age, he had no further hope of reaching Soul Formation in this lifetime, so he wished to pass down his heritage.
After conferring with him, Li Yingzhang suggested he follow Lingfengzi's example and establish a separate Haoran branch within the Luotian Sect.
However, before doing so, he needed to cooperate with the Luotian Sect on several matters.
They took control of Shangyou City, which possessed a Fourth Rank spiritual vein, and used Haoranzi's prestige as a Nascent Soul Perfected Cultivator to establish a Nascent Soul faction to recruit disciples with spiritual roots from the outside world.
After rigorous vetting, these recruits were secretly transported into the Alchemy Saint Blessed Land.
In this way, the Luotian Sect's shortage of disciples was temporarily resolved.
In truth, over these past several decades, the sect's population was no longer small; after reproducing and multiplying, they numbered over a thousand.
Moreover, the vast majority were elites.
Twenty Golden Cores, over a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators, and hundreds in Qi Refinement.
What was more, seven Nascent Soul Perfected Cultivators held sway over the sect!
Such strength was enough to rival the most powerful Nascent Soul upper sects in any period of the Eastern Desolation's history.
Of course, Li Yingzhang did not merely manage the sect; he also devoted part of his energy to instructing his only initiated disciple, Luo Lingxi.
Under his tutelage, Luo Lingxi rebuilt his qi refinement and laid down his foundation anew.
In just three short years, he had already cultivated to the middle stage of Qi Refinement.
This progress surpassed the vast majority of people, showing that Li Yingzhang had not failed the trust Luo Chen had placed in him.
Yet Li Yingzhang could also see the discontent in Luo Lingxi's eyes.
Thus, in moments of leisure, he would offer guidance from time to time.
"Are you feeling impatient?"
In the Luotian Grand Hall, Li Yingzhang questioned his disciple.
Having his thoughts read, Luo Lingxi felt no embarrassment. He answered seriously, "I am already forty-two years old, only eighteen years away from the optimal age of sixty for Foundation Establishment. How could I not be anxious?"
Li Yingzhang countered, "Do you know how many years the Supreme Elder took to establish his foundation back then?"
"Father?" Luo Lingxi hesitated. "Father dedicated himself to the Dao at sixteen and established his foundation at thirty-two. It must have taken him sixteen years."
Li Yingzhang stroked his beard and smiled. "Indeed. The Supreme Elder's natural talent was inferior to yours, and his cultivation resources were even more meager. If he could establish his foundation in sixteen years, and you still have eighteen years, why the hurry?"
"But..." Luo Lingxi wanted to say, 'That was Father!' Yet the reluctance in his heart kept the words from his lips.
Li Yingzhang's expression grew stern. "Haste makes waste. To establish your foundation, laying solid groundwork is paramount. That is why the Supreme Elder entrusted you to me. Back then, to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, I spent over nine full years rising and falling at the Great Circle of Qi Refinement alone. That shows how vital a foundation is.
"As for your father, though his rapid progress is rare in this world, the solidity of his foundation is equally peerless. At the very least, I have never seen anyone whose magic power exceeded his at the same realm.
"If you merely wish to quickly establish your foundation, form a core, or even attain the Nascent Soul realm, it is not difficult. After all, you are the Supreme Elder's only child and have the full backing of the Luotian Sect. With vast resources tilted toward you and an endless supply of pills, everything is within reach.
"Yet a realm achieved like that is ultimately hollow showmanship, unable to withstand a single blow.
"Is that what you want?"
This time, Luo Lingxi had no words to reply.
He wanted to chase after his father, to surpass his father, but chasing after mere cultivation realms was utterly meaningless.
His father's accomplishments seemed miraculous to anyone.
Combat prowess invincible among his peers, miraculous alchemy skills, mastery across a hundred arts—everything rested upon an unyielding, indomitable will.
Even if he rushed to establish his foundation and form a core, what of it?
He would still be nothing more than an ordinary cultivator among the common multitudes.
A long moment passed.
Luo Lingxi bowed respectfully to Li Yingzhang.
"Lingxi thanks Master for the sharp wake-up call. Henceforth, I will tread as if on thin ice and treat the cultivation of every single realm with utmost dedication."
A gratified smile appeared on Li Yingzhang's face.
This was surely the sight the Supreme Elder most wished to see!
Luo Lingxi was different from ordinary cultivators. Harboring the Demonic Heart Gu within him, even though Luo Chen had sealed it, it remained a lurking hazard.
Therefore, Luo Lingxi needed to temper his temperament, thoroughly polish his foundation, and avoid chasing quick shortcuts.
Otherwise, once his realm rose higher, he might inevitably harbor thoughts of unsealing it to advance via demonic paths.
When it came to polishing one's temperament, only a few in the entire Luotian Sect were suited to teach Luo Lingxi:
Luo Chen, Wang Yuan, and Li Yingzhang himself, who had cultivated Ninefold Returning Origin and repeatedly come close to Foundation Establishment nine times only to refine his spiritual power each time.
That was why the Supreme Elder had entrusted his son to him.
"Blindly cultivating without pause is inadvisable. Tomorrow, after your morning practice, accompany me on an inspection of the sect."
"This disciple obeys!"
Li Yingzhang nodded, gesturing that Luo Lingxi could take his leave.
Yet right at that moment, shock gripped his face, and he dashed straight out of the Luotian Grand Hall.
Luo Lingxi was stunned, but soon detected an extraordinary disturbance and hastily followed.
Upon reaching the outside of the hall, both looked up at the sky.
A vast tornado swept down from the void, connecting the heavens and the earth in a breathtaking spectacle.
Within that tornado, Ming Water surged, golden flames burned, and an aura of extreme destructive power loomed faintly. Beneath the force of this tornado, the entire Alchemy Saint Blessed Land trembled, appearing on the verge of collapse.
Such a terrifying scene inspired dread in all who beheld it.
Tracing the direction where the tornado descended, Li Yingzhang subconsciously blurted out, "It's at Mount Dan!"
Luo Lingxi's heart seized. "Father!"
Chapter 1012