As Luo Chen’s expression darkened, the temperature in the great hall seemed to plummet.
An oppressive, ponderous aura rolled outward like a shifting mountain, rendering everyone dead silent.
Feeling this aura that felt almost like heavenly wrath, the crowd seemed only now to recall that the smiling, gentle man who had just been reminiscing with them was not merely Danzong, renowned throughout the Eastern Desolation for his generosity and noble bearing. He was also a harbinger of slaughter forged in countless bloody battles, once hailed as the foremost figure beneath the Soul Formation stage—the Formless Mara!
Confronted with this aura, Grand Elder Dongyang’s countenance shifted violently.
Even with his late Nascent Soul cultivation, he sensed extreme danger.
Beside him, Lian Buwei and Shi Chuanting fared even worse, their faces as pale as paper.
Lian Buwei in particular was the one who had just openly questioned Luo Chen.
Yet as an esteemed master of the Dao Sect, he possessed the innate pride of a disciple from the world’s foremost sacred land!
"Luo Chen, do you intend to silence us by murder?" Lian Buwei gritted his teeth, forcing himself to speak. "The deaths of the two of us matter little, but have you considered how you will face the wrath of the Tianyuan Dao Sect?"
Luo Chen stared at him, his voice cold as ice. "You claim I am colluding with the demon race?"
Lian Buwei rallied his spirits and said, "Indeed! Who in this world does not know that Monarch Qixia bears an irreconcilable feud with our Dao Sect? Yet here you are, seeking to sign an armistice treaty with her. If that is not collusion, what is?"
"Heh."
Luo Chen let out a cold chuckle.
"Along my rise to prominence, my sword has been bathed in the blood and bones of countless powerful demons. How could you utter such an utterly laughable accusation as colluding with the demon race? Furthermore, the one who shares a blood feud with Monarch Qixia is your Tianyuan Dao Sect, not the sects of our Eastern Desolation!"
Lian Buwei’s eyes widened. "Then how do you explain the annihilation of the Mingyuan Sect?"
Luo Chen replied calmly, "The Mingyuan Sect was the Mingyuan Sect; it has little to do with us. Could it be that someone present still wishes to avenge the Mingyuan Sect?"
As the black-robed Daoist spoke, his gaze swept across the crowd, lingering particularly on the experts of sects that had once been close to the Mingyuan Sect.
"Master Qingyun, does your Dieyun Sect wish to?"
Master Qingyun, a newly ascended Nascent Soul cultivator, instinctively shook his head. To outsiders, their Dieyun Sect was an affiliate of a sacred land, but in reality, they were treated like mere servants. Most of the top-grade spiritual wine they brewed each year had to be offered as tribute to the Mingyuan Sect, so there was hardly any grand debt of gratitude between them.
Luo Chen turned his gaze once more, settling on the hale and hearty old man. "Or perhaps it is you, Grand Elder Dongyang?"
Grand Elder Dongyang remained silent for a long moment before giving a firm shake of his head.
To the Dongyang Sect, having the Mingyuan Sect around had been fine, but not having them around was even better!
Lian Buwei glared fiercely at Grand Elder Dongyang before pressing on, "Yet one hundred and forty years ago, the demon forces led by Mount Cangwu massed their troops on the borders of the Eastern Desolation cultivation world! Though that battle was not large in scale, did not a considerable number of disciples from the various Eastern Desolation sects perish?"
Luo Chen smiled.
"You and I both know full well the true cause of that battle. Had the Tianyuan Dao Sect not entrenched itself in the Eastern Desolation and ignited the flames of war, why would Mount Cangwu have taken up arms again?"
Lian Buwei opened his mouth to retort, but Luo Chen's fleeting smile vanished, cutting him off.
"In the end, you merely wish for our Eastern Desolation sects to serve as your vanguards and human shields against Mount Cangwu!
"How many die, or how many sects and clans are destroyed, matters not a whit to you. What you care about is the strategic value of the Eastern Desolation as a buffer zone, and how the lives of people like us can buy time for the Tianyuan Dao Sect to recover its vitality.
"Why, then, should we be the ones to bear this?"
Lian Buwei’s lips quivered, his face ashen. He pointed a finger at Luo Chen, but could not utter a single word.
The cultivators in the hall fell into deep thought; Luo Chen had clearly struck at the core of Lian Buwei’s—and indeed the Tianyuan Dao Sect’s—intentions.
Fighting and dying for someone else was simply too foolish.
Once their minds settled, they naturally recalled the many benefits they would enjoy under a truce.
As for drawbacks, there were certainly some—namely, the inability to claim new territory and seize more resources. But for the present, and indeed for the next millennium, this drawback was virtually nonexistent.
Following the great war between humans and demons, the Eastern Desolation, which had once been rather crowded, had long since become spacious.
Even now, nearly ten cultivation domains of various sizes lay vacant, lacking any Nascent Soul upper sect to oversee them, their resources merely falling into the hands of rogue cultivators.
As for a thousand years from now?
The duration inscribed on that scroll was merely one thousand years!
A millennium later, whether there would be war or peace, a demon invasion or human territorial expansion, would be a matter for the future!
Suddenly, Tianduzi’s weathered voice rang out slowly.
"Danzong, is this treaty binding?"
When Tianduzi spoke, Luo Chen could not help feeling a sense of relief.
Back when he became the Master of Duzhen Hall, Monarch Qixia had sent emissaries bearing several generous gifts, among which was this drafted armistice treaty.
At the time, Luo Chen had not fully grasped her intent, but after traveling the Eastern Desolation once more, he understood.
Following the great war in the Central Continent, the Tianyuan Dao Sect had suffered catastrophic losses, and Monarch Qixia was likewise severely wounded.
Under such circumstances, Mount Cangwu could not afford excessive turmoil.
The first priority was to pacify the neighboring Eastern Desolation cultivation world.
Hence, this armistice treaty had come to be.
At this juncture, Luo Chen’s pursuit of a truce was largely driven by personal interest; to resist foreign threats, one must first secure the interior. If he was to contend with the Tianyuan Dao Sect, he had to resolve the rift between humans and demons. Yet there was also a measure of genuine concern for the public good: the present Eastern Desolation could no longer endure a continent-wide war.
"It is binding, of course!"
Luo Chen patiently explained, "It bears Monarch Qixia’s signature, representing the forces of Mount Cangwu. And today, Mount Cangwu is the sacred land of the demon race in the Myriad Mountains; none dare defy Monarch Qixia’s command."
Tianduzi nodded, then asked, "What about our side?"
Luo Chen frowned slightly. "Representatives from nearly all the major sects of the Eastern Desolation are gathered here. Will our joint signatures not suffice?"
Tianduzi slowly shook his head. "We can only represent ourselves. Yet the Eastern Desolation today is filled with countless opportunities. In the future, it is inevitable that cultivators from prominent sects or clan patriarchs—or even rogue cultivators—will break through to the Nascent Soul stage."
As he said this, his gaze shifted toward the rear.
Many followed his line of sight, looking at a man and a woman.
Tao Wan of Azure Pill Valley, and the rogue cultivator Bo Hanjun!
They were living examples of this very phenomenon.
"If these newly ascended experts act rashly in the future and initiate opening wars on their own accord, what then? This treaty holds no binding power over them. Danzong, do you truly wish to see a repeat of the tragedy of the Luoyun and Hehuan Sects?"
A repeat of the Luoyun and Hehuan incident?
Everyone present jolted in shock!
Luo Chen turned the thumb ring on his hand, carefully weighing Tianduzi's words.
Evidently, Tianduzi made a fair point.
Since antiquity, opening wars of various scales had never ceased; there had been successes and failures, but they had fundamentally been confined to a single sect within a single domain.
The only exception occurred during the Luoyun Sect's campaign.
When the Luoyun Sect launched its opening war, it had not only mobilized its own sect's might but also enlisted assistance from numerous other sects.
Naturally, that still fell within the rules.
However, two actions had crossed the line.
First, during the battle between Han Zhan and Ao Xiao, Nascent Soul cultivators from other sects intervened—cultivators who did not belong to the Luoyun Sect!
Second, Master Yunhe of the Hehuan Sect attempted to open up the Great Snow Mountain. This amounted to the human race opening two domains simultaneously, violating the established conventions!
Consequently, the subsequent demon counterattack was colossal in scale, and they had every justification to claim the moral high ground, for it was the humans who had breached the armistice first.
The human heart was forever greedy.
A temporary restraint could only bind the present, not govern the future.
To resolve this issue...
An answer formed vaguely in Luo Chen's mind, yet he did not voice it directly. Instead, he looked at Tianduzi.
"Since Fellow Daoist has raised this issue, you must already have a plan in mind?"
Tianduzi nodded slightly and said calmly, "We need a representative—a formidable authority like the Mingyuan Sect of old. Under normal circumstances, they would restrain newly emerged sects to prevent reckless aggression for short-term gain. And should an unforeseen crisis like a demon invasion arise again, this representative would immediately rally forces to resist, preventing a recurrence of the days when the demons swept across fifteen domains and slaughtered countless humans."
At these words, many in the hall nodded in agreement.
Yet another question arose: who should serve as this representative?
Everyone understood that whoever claimed that position would command a status close to what the Mingyuan Sect once held in the Eastern Desolation.
The benefits inherent to such a position were unimaginable!
While everyone wavered in restless anticipation, Tianduzi spoke once more.
"I nominate Danzong, and I nominate the Luotian Sect to serve as this representative."
Luo Chen pursed his lips. This proposal matched the answer in his heart. But he could not propose it himself; the venerable and prudent Tianduzi was the ideal candidate to do so.
Now, as Tianduzi's nomination rang out, Shouyang Hall descended into a stir.
Evidently, quite a few harbored ambitions of becoming that representative.
Amid the commotion, a clear, melodious voice rang out.
"I agree with Fellow Daoist Tianduzi’s proposal!"
Everyone looked toward the voice. It was none other than the woman they had observed earlier—Tao Wan of Azure Pill Valley!
Confronted by the collective gaze of the hall, this newly ascended Nascent Soul cultivator seemed to feel immense pressure.
Yet she spoke with graceful composure. "Everyone here acknowledges the name of Danzong! In terms of personal prestige, no one in the Eastern Desolation surpasses him today. In terms of personal strength, Brother Luo possesses invincible might that crowns the Nascent Soul realm."
The crowd remained silent. Luo Chen truly possessed towering prestige, not only among high-level cultivators but also celebrated in rumors among lower-rank disciples.
Compared to the Alchemy Saint of the past, today’s Danzong wielded even greater influence!
As for his strength, it had long been elevated to mythic proportions.
In the Eastern Desolation, he had earned the title of Demon-Slaying Master; in the Western Desert, he had carved out the name of the Formless Mara. Ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators did not even possess the courage to face him in battle.
Tao Wan spoke again, gesturing toward the exterior. "And as for the Luotian Sect, though its founding is far more recent than that of our upper sects, all of you have surely witnessed a glimpse of its strength today. Dare I ask, which of our sects can surpass the Luotian Sect?"
The crowd shuddered inward, reminded of a truth they had overlooked—or perhaps preferred not to dwell upon.
Yet the fact lay right before their eyes.
The Luotian Sect, founded most recently of all, was already the mightiest force in the Eastern Desolation, stronger even than the Dongyang Sect and White Deer Grotto!
Outside the hall, four great demon emperors stood guard!
Inside the hall, six Nascent Soul masters sat in attendance!
There were also formidable figures like Ghost Emperor Xiao Bai and Wang Yuan the Battle Demon, whose strength rivaled Nascent Soul cultivators!
Finally, Tao Wan exhaled a long breath, rose to her feet, and bowed deeply to Luo Chen.
"I believe that Luo Chen and the Luotian Sect are the most suitable entities to represent the Eastern Desolation cultivation world today!"
Others still hesitated.
Yet right after Tao Wan, another man with white brows rose to his feet.
"I am merely a rogue cultivator, obscure and unworthy of mention. Thanks to Danzong's benevolence, I was fortunate enough to form a Nascent Soul. Being present at this gathering today, I too hope for a stable environment for cultivation in the days ahead. Should Danzong become the representative of the Eastern Desolation, Bo Hanjun has no objections."
If Tianduzi spoke on behalf of the ancient sects, then Tao Wan and Bo Hanjun could be regarded as representatives of the rising forces of the Eastern Desolation.
With both sides taking such a stance, no matter what private thoughts others harbored, they could hardly voice them.
"Our Fenghua Palace approves!"
"The Nine Spirits Sect approves!"
"The White Crane Sect approves!"
"Wan Jian Pavilion approves!"
...
Those speaking up one after another were virtually all sects close to Luo Chen.
At a glance, they already accounted for the majority of the forces present.
The remaining sects, seemingly influenced by the momentum, finally gave in and voiced their consent one by one.
Even Mister Yao of Seven Caverns Mountain set aside past grudges and acknowledged the standing of Luo Chen and the Luotian Sect.
In the end, only the two strongest sects remained: White Deer Grotto and the Dongyang Sect.
Under everyone’s gaze, Master Pengxiang of White Deer Grotto chuckled heartily. "In the past, my junior brother Tieguan fought alongside Danzong in the Blade Dominance Domain; yet there was also the matter of this poor Daoist assisting the Five Elements Divine Sect against the Luotian Sect, while my junior brother Kongtongzi attained the Nascent Soul stage thanks to Danzong’s Nascent Soul Formation Pill. The entangled grudges and debts of the past are difficult to tally, but I trust Danzong’s character. Since everyone agrees, White Deer Grotto also approves."
With that, only the Dongyang Sect remained.
Once a vassal of the Mingyuan Sect, they had later been the first to surrender to the Tianyuan Dao Sect, even relinquishing their mountain gate for Dao Sect experts to occupy. Now, under Lian Buwei’s venomous glare, Grand Elder Dongyang wore a bitter smile.
He did not voice his approval, nor did he object, appearing to acquiesce in silence.
The crowd did not press him for a statement, turning their attention back to Luo Chen.
A soft sigh echoed through the hall.
Luo Chen rose and cupped his hands in a bow toward the assembly.
"Since everyone regards me so highly, I shall not decline. Seeing as I was the one who brought back the armistice treaty, both I and the Luotian Sect will assume the responsibility of representing the human race of the Eastern Desolation without hesitation!
"In the days to come, the Luotian Sect will restrain newly emerged sects and mediate relations with the demon race, but we will not interfere in the specific internal affairs of any sect. Should matters arise concerning the collective interests of the Eastern Desolation cultivation world, the Luotian Sect will take the lead, living up to the trust you have placed in us today!
"Everyone, if you please!"
With those words, Luo Chen swept his hand casually.
Across the long-hovering armistice treaty, five large characters materialized: Luotian Sect: Luo Chen!
The others hesitated no longer. They unleashed their magic power in succession, engraving the names of their respective sects and themselves upon the document.
With this, the armistice treaty gained true binding force.
The Eastern Desolation cultivation world was poised to welcome at least a thousand years of peace.
Luo Chen cast a sealing art onto the scroll, then discussed several details—such as proclaiming the treaty to the world, and ensuring that any newly emerged Nascent Soul powers in the future would add their signatures to it.
Once he put the scroll away, the previously boisterous Shouyang Hall fell silent once more.
Gaze after gaze turned toward him, filled with eager anticipation.
Luo Chen kept them in suspense no longer.
With a flick of his palm, a gleaming golden pill appeared before everyone’s eyes.
"It’s the Empowerment Pill!" Mister Yao of Seven Caverns Mountain blurted out in delight. "You truly refined it!"
Luo Chen smiled faintly. "Indeed. This is the ancient divine pill, the Empowerment Pill, reputed as a pseudo-fifth-rank divine pill. It can aid a cultivator in entering a state of sudden enlightenment, communing with heaven and earth, and grasping the true meaning of laws."
Gulp!
The audible sound of someone swallowing saliva echoed clearly in the hall.
"Truly?" Tianduzi blurted out.
Earlier, when nominating Luo Chen as the Eastern Desolation's representative, he had appeared entirely calm and steady, but now even he lost his composure.
Behind him, Sovereign Jiuling, Master Pengxiang, and even Grand Elder Dongyang stared fixedly at the pill.
Luo Chen did not bother to prove the effects of the Empowerment Pill himself. Instead, he declared in a clear voice, "I have completed the formula for the Empowerment Pill, and its refinement poses no difficulty. As long as you do me one favor, no matter who it is, I can refine an Empowerment Pill on your behalf!"
Everyone lost their composure.
Whether it was the elderly Tianduzi or newly ascended Nascent Soul cultivators like Bo Hanjun and Tao Wan, their breathing quickened.
As for the veteran Nascent Soul cultivators, they wished they could possess an Empowerment Pill right that very second.
They did not even care what Luo Chen’s favor entailed.
Major or minor, anything would do!
After all, this was of paramount importance to the Grand Dao of Soul Formation!
Tianduzi let out a long breath, staring intently at Luo Chen with bright eyes. "Danzong, speak plainly. What matter requires our assistance?"
Luo Chen smiled faintly. "You only need to take action on my behalf once."
Master Pengxiang asked in surprise, "Just once?"
Luo Chen nodded. "Yes, just once. Life or death notwithstanding, once the deed is done, I will present each of you with an Empowerment Pill, along with my insights on ingesting it."
Sovereign Jiuling asked solemnly, "Who is the enemy?"
Luo Chen’s gaze shifted, settling upon the two figures at the rear of the hall.
"The Tianyuan Dao Sect!"
Everyone froze in disbelief.
Boom! Boom!
Out of the silence, thunder seemed to erupt!
Without a moment’s hesitation, Lian Buwei and Shi Chuanting erupted with magic power, hurtling toward the hall's exit!
Luo Chen watched them, appearing completely unconcerned.
And in the very next instant!
A colossal, dark-yellow hand surged in from outside the hall with overwhelming force, pressing down upon them.
Boom!
With a single strike, the two Dao Sect masters were smashed back inside.
A figure strode proudly into the great hall.
It was none other than Master Taiyue!
Chapter 1068