Funeral, Extinction, Heart-Testing, We Have a Long Future Ahead!

"Long time no see, Senior Miao." "Indeed, Luo Chen! Look at you, glowing with health and full of vigor. You must have been doing quite well lately!" "Haha, it's all thanks to your blessings, Senior." "Have a seat!" Inside a private booth on the third floor of Zhongding House. A smiling Miao Wen and Luo Chen sat down across from each other. Although the two had crossed paths many times, both openly and in secret, in most instances Luo Chen had known who Miao Wen was, while Miao Wen hadn't known Luo Chen from a bar of soap. Strictly speaking, this meeting was only their third formal exchange. Yet, judging by the effortless rapport they displayed, one would think they had known each other for decades. For Miao Wen, possessing such social grace was only natural after years of being polished and tempered as an Outer Sect Deacon. As for Luo Chen displaying such polished manners, in Miao Wen's eyes, it truly warranted high praise: a young man to be reckoned with. How many youths, the moment they stepped onto the path of cultivation, prattled incessantly about contending for the Great Dao and defying the heavens? Luo Chen was nothing like them. He was pragmatic, hardworking, knew when to advance and when to yield, and always kept a clear grasp of his own place. Even when Miao Wen acted warmly familiar, Luo Chen consistently maintained a measure of deference toward him. Miao Wen thoroughly enjoyed this kind of dynamic. They could discuss business without compromising his status as a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator. These days, holding an office in a great sect was truly no easy feat. Inner Sect Deacons had access to plenty of perks, but they had to play the groveling subordinate before true disciples, Dao seeds, and Core Formation Masters. At all times, they had to remember their place. Even if their cultivation was higher than that of certain inner sect true disciples, they still had to swallow their pride and make concessions. All because those true disciples and Dao seeds possessed immense potential to ascend to the Core Formation stage, becoming beings that towered far above an Inner Sect Deacon! Consequently, Inner Sect Deacons had to humble themselves, serving and accommodating such figures with utmost dedication, while hoping that a few scraps of resources leaking from between their fingers might aid their own cultivation. By comparison, Outer Sect Deacons had it somewhat better. They enjoyed considerable autonomy. Even if they were dispatched to remote, backwater areas where cultivation was somewhat hindered, the emperor was far away and heaven was high; they could lord over the locals like petty tyrants. Of course, the drawback lay precisely in that "hindered." Take Dahe Market, for instance. Its spirit vein was only Tier 1. Even with a Spirit Gathering Formation, it barely sustained cultivation. Therefore, any Outer Sect Deacon assigned to an outpost had to find every possible way to line their pockets while fulfilling their sect duties. And how was that extra grease to be gathered? Embezzling from the sect's interests was absolutely out of the question. Getting caught meant certain death. A Nascent Soul superior sect like the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, which dominated an entire region, might find itself short on many Foundation Establishment cultivators, but it would never miss one or two lowly deacons. Thus, these Outer Sect Deacons had to put their own little wits to work. In the past, Miao Wen had used his share of tricks. Tributes from various clans and households, skimming profits off side-channel resources, and occasionally playing the peacemaker or middleman to resolve disputes in exchange for a handsome gratuity. Back then, he had served as the mediator between the Great River Gang and the Mountain Breaker Gang. Yet none of those avenues were sustainable in the long run! Furthermore, Dahe Market held a crucial geographic location, originally envisioned on the scale of an immortal city housing a hundred thousand rogue cultivators. Previously, an additional Foundation Establishment true disciple—Luo Tianhong—had already been dispatched here. Though his stay was only temporary, it had already severely crimped Miao Wen's ability to skim profits. In the future, more Outer Sect Deacons would likely be assigned here, and perhaps an actual Pavilion Master would be installed above him. Hence, Miao Wen had constantly been trying to find a stable and lucrative stream of revenue. Earlier, he had found one. Mi Shuhua of the Mountain Breaker Gang! As long as Miao Wen agreed to endorse the Jade Marrow Pill and withstand the pressure from the local Spirit Herb Pavilion, allowing such an essential pill for mainstream cultivation to circulate, he could receive two thousand spirit stones each month. It wasn't an astronomical sum, but Mi Shuhua had promised it would grow steadily larger. Back then, Miao Wen had known the crafty old fellow had reined in an alchemy master. He had envied him, yet could not simply seize the prize by force. For one, Outer Sect Deacons had to abide by unspoken rules; they couldn't turn the local area into complete chaos. Secondly, the Mountain Breaker Gang under Mi Shuhua possessed sufficient manpower and material resources. Even if Miao Wen seized the gang, he wouldn't have the time to run it. Thus, his envy had remained just that—envy. However, opportunity had arrived! When he received Mi Shuhua's voice transmission jade token, Miao Wen had made his decision without the slightest hesitation. Verbally, he had promised to ride out to his rescue at once. In reality, he had stayed holed up inside the Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion, refusing to step out, and in the end merely dispatched his junior brother Luo Tianhong to tidy up the aftermath. This way, Mi Shuhua died. When Miao Wen stepped forward afterward, he could partner with Luo Chen in an open, legitimate manner. Actually, it wasn't truly all that legitimate, but as long as no one brought it to higher authorities, who would care? The locals would show him face, and Elder Pang was wholly devoted to cultivation, turning a blind eye to mundane affairs. And so, he now held a truly stable and lucrative source of wealth in his hands! Looking at the young man across from him, Miao Wen revealed the gentlest smile he had ever mustered. "Luo Chen, how is that Luotian Association of yours progressing?" Luo Chen gathered his spirits. This man before him was the "investor" funding his venture. Now was the time for a progress report. "Though it hasn't reached a tenth of what the Mountain Breaker Gang once was, its foundation is already in place. In half a month at most, it will be fully operational." Miao Wen's eyes lit up! Half a month to become operational, a month to concoct pills, and another month to sell them. In other words, in no more than three months, he would begin seeing profits! If he had harbored any doubts about Luo Chen's alchemy before, those doubts had vanished entirely after seeing the nearly three thousand medium-grade Jade Marrow Pills inside that small storage bag. This youth was an absolute genius of alchemy! Had this been back when he was first dispatched as a deacon, Miao Wen would have done everything in his power to recommend Luo Chen to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. Securing talent for the sect, after all! Yet after all these years, he had long seen through the game. A so-called deacon was nothing more than an errand-runner for the sect. Rather than recommending Luo Chen upward for the sect's benefit, keeping him in Dahe Market for a private partnership was far better. This way, he could earn much more for himself. In the future, he could leave a substantial fortune for his clan. Who knew? Perhaps relying on this wealth, the Miao family might one day produce a true Core Formation Master within the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. "Splendid, splendid!" "Feel free to act boldly without worrying about miscellaneous busybodies." "With me backing you, the Luotian Association will only surpass the Mountain Breaker Gang in time!" Luo Chen offered a grateful smile. "Then I cannot thank Senior Miao enough." "Why keep calling me Senior? I'm nearly two hundred by nominal reckoning, older than you by quite a few cycles. Just call me Uncle Wen." Luo Chen breathed an inward sigh of relief. Uncle Wen was far better than Lord Miao! Taking advantage of the opening, he said, "Uncle Wen!" "Good!" Miao Wen nodded contentedly and casually inquired about the details of the Luotian Association. He wasn't worried about Luo Chen playing tricks down the road; as long as he cared to look, he could uncover them with ease. Here in Dahe Market, once Elder Pang Renxiong departed, he would be the sole local overlord! "What is the Luotian Association currently lacking? Is there anything you need my help with?" At that mention, Luo Chen wore a look of difficulty. "Actually, there is!" "Oh?" "First and foremost is security!" Luo Chen sighed and said with grave concern, "You've been to Crescent Moon Valley, Uncle Wen. It was battered into ruins, and it sits isolated outside the market town." "If any formidable rogue happens to pass by, bad intentions might easily take root." "Even without powerful foes, wandering bandits or beast tides could descend upon us at any time." "Security is truly paramount." Miao Wen scoffed with a grin. "Isn't that simple?" With that, he reached into his storage bag and pulled out a handful of formation banners, along with a small circular disc. The moment Luo Chen laid eyes on that disc, his gaze froze. A set with a formation plate! "A Tier 2 formation?" "Dream on. Even if I gave you a Tier 2 formation, you couldn't run it!" That was true enough. On the surface, Crescent Moon Valley had no spirit vein and could not support the enormous drain of a Tier 2 formation. Any large-scale formation at Tier 2 required at least a Tier 1 spirit vein, ideally one of a corresponding grade. Failing that, sheer volume had to make up the difference—such as a large-scale Tier 1 spirit vein! "This is a supreme-grade Tier 1 large-scale defensive formation, and the formation plate that comes with it is a supreme-grade dharma artifact." "Under ordinary activation, its power is roughly comparable to the Shutu Formation." "However, if you insert medium-grade spirit stones to drive the plate, it can briefly rival a Tier 2 defensive formation." A fine treasure indeed! Convenient and quick. Though it required medium-grade spirit stones, it at least bypassed the constraint of a spirit vein. Moreover, Luo Chen knew Crescent Moon Valley actually possessed a tiny branch of a spirit vein. "What is this formation called?" "The Lesser Five Elements Formation. If you wish to set it up, you'll need to remodel Crescent Moon Valley a bit, at least aligning it with the principles of mutual generation among the five elements." Gripping the formation plate, Miao Wen asked offhandedly, "Do you have anyone on your side who understands formations?" Luo Chen blinked. They actually did. Duan Feng understood formations to a degree; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to repair dharma artifacts. Once assured they had a formation master, Miao Wen handed the supreme-grade formation set over to Luo Chen. Next, Luo Chen brought up the matter of the Mountain Breaker Gang's residual commercial shops. To Miao Wen, these were minor matters of no consequence. A single word from him would see it handled smoothly. However, upon hearing that Mi Li, a direct descendant of Mi Shuhua, was in the Luotian Association, Miao Wen's expression flickered strangely. Luo Chen noticed, but simply assumed the deacon was reflecting on the past. He then raised a few other minor matters, such as pill furnaces and medicinal herb procurement channels. These issues were troublesome for the fledgling Luotian Association. Yet in Miao Wen's hands, they were trivial. A few casual words from him would save the association endless detours. There were many matters, but Miao Wen never displayed the slightest impatience. His years as an assigned deacon had honed his patience well. He also understood that only by sorting out these small details could the Luotian Association achieve explosive growth. Finally, Luo Chen brought up attaching a replacement limb for Qin Liangchen. "Was not even a scrap of the limb preserved?" "No, he held nothing back in that battle." "Hardly surprising. He isn't from our sword sect, so he couldn't control that lethal strike." Miao Wen pondered for a moment. Qin Liangchen was a capable talent; restoring his strength would provide security for the Luotian Association. "Grafting a real arm back on is likely out of the question." Luo Chen felt a wave of disappointment. Not even the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect could manage it? Then, he caught the underlying implication. "A prosthetic would work?" "Yes!" Miao Wen smiled faintly. "That isn't difficult, but you'll have to cover the material costs yourselves." "Oh, and one more thing: the process can be excruciatingly painful. You must ensure Qin Liangchen is mentally prepared." As long as he could get a new arm, Qin Liangchen would certainly agree. Luo Chen accepted on his behalf at once. As the meal neared its end, Miao Wen suddenly brought up another matter. "If you have time the day after tomorrow, accompany me on a trip to attend a funeral." "A funeral?" Luo Chen asked in surprise. "Whose?" "Whose do you think?" Miao Wen rose with a faint smile. In that instant, Luo Chen's expression finally shifted in unexpected surprise. Miao Wen departed, thoroughly satisfied. *** Two days later, Luo Chen brought along Mi Li and the one-armed Qin Liangchen, following Miao Wen deep into a mountain range. Jueyun Mountain! Upon stepping into the area, Luo Chen glanced at Qin Liangchen. With tacit understanding, Qin Liangchen spoke up: "The Mountain Breaker Gang set up many outposts in the Guyuan Mountain Range to facilitate hunting, gathering herbs, and mining. In addition, they established several safe outposts that appeared dangerous on the surface, but were actually exceptionally secure." "Rumors outside hold Jueyun Mountain to be perilous, harboring Tier 2 beasts such as the Bloodthirsty Wild Crocodile and the Black Marsh Giant Python." "In reality, it contains a miniature Yuanmagnetic Valley where beasts rarely set foot." "Back when Old Man Mi discovered this place, he turned it into a safe retreat. Only a few of us whom he trusted knew about it." Yuanmagnetic Valley! Hearing the name, Luo Chen finally understood why it served as a safe haven. Yuanmagnetic force was said to counter all five elements under heaven! Any place where yuanmagnetic force gathered in large amounts was poorly suited for cultivation and habitation. While Jueyun Mountain teemed with powerful beasts, the existence of a Yuanmagnetic Valley would truly make it the safest refuge. Almost all beasts were bound to yin, yang, and the five elements. Instinctive repulsion drove them away from the valley. Flying in the lead, Miao Wen naturally overheard Qin Liangchen's words. He chuckled softly. "Indeed. Had Brother Mi not used this place to escape beasts and enemies during the struggle over the Core Formation ruins, I doubt I would have ever discovered his hidden retreat." "A pity that after inspecting it personally, I found only a thin layer of yuanmagnetic ore, of little practical use." "Otherwise, a single yuanmagnetic deposit would have been enough to earn my return to the sect as an elder." Yuanmagnetic ore was immensely valuable, being at least a Tier 3 material. Yet it was also virtually worthless if it lacked scale, serving no practical purpose and carrying no real value. Trace yuanmagnetic force naturally existed in many environments. However, aside from large-scale mines, few ever bothered to harvest such scattered scraps. Conversing as they went, the four traveled deeper into Jueyun Mountain. The roars of beasts echoed continuously. Occasionally, a sweeping wave of a formidable aura made the three Qi Refinement cultivators pale. Even Miao Wen set his smile aside, his expression turning solemn. This safe haven wasn't entirely safe, after all! The journey to reach it was rife with danger. Huddled behind Luo Chen, Mi Li's pale little face could not hide her trepidation and anticipation. Survivors of the Mi family were still alive! A short while later, the four halted in the air above a lush, wooded gorge. Miao Wen needed only a glance before a smile appeared on his face. Luo Chen peered down simultaneously. At first glance, nothing seemed amiss, but once he activated his Spiritual Eye Technique, he caught a subtle flaw. Those trees were entirely lifeless! They were preserved deadwood crafted through special means. And concealed within the dead timber was a formation veiling the valley's true appearance. This Mi Shuhua had certainly possessed clever methods. "Let us descend!" "Little Mi Li should offer a stick of incense to her grandfather." With that, he dispelled the cloud, and the four descended swiftly. As they passed through the forest of deadwood, a ripple like water seemed to wash over their bodies. The next moment, sounds of weeping drifted into their ears. "Who goes there?!" A sharp shout rang out. Chaos and commotion immediately followed. Miao Wen swept his wide sleeve and cupped his hands. "An old acquaintance comes uninvited, merely to offer a stick of incense to an old friend!" *** An old acquaintance! "Deacon Miao!" A voice of shock came from the cultivator with the highest cultivation in the valley. Sikong Yuanhong! Luo Chen was stunned to see this man still alive. He had later heard that the Li family cultivators within the Xuanyi Society had been the primary force wiping out the Mi clan. That ambush had shed so much blood it nearly dyed the entire Yinma Shoal red. As the leader of that retreat, Sikong Yuanhong should never have survived! Filled with shock and uncertainty, Sikong Yuanhong pushed through the crowd and stepped deferentially before Miao Wen. "This junior pays respects to Deacon Miao." Miao Wen twitched the corner of his mouth, offering no reply as his gaze swept over the others. Not many—only twenty to thirty people in total. Most were at the early to mid stages of Qi Refinement, and a few were mortals. Vaguely, they all looked to this married-in son-in-law, Sikong Yuanhong, as their leader. "You've certainly had it rough." Miao Wen tucked both hands into his sleeves, stepping past the bowing Sikong Yuanhong. Moving forward, he spoke as he walked: "To gather this remaining remnant of the Mi clan shows you have a loyal heart. I trust that Brother Mi, knowing this in the netherworld, would feel deeply comforted!" Suddenly, his footsteps halted. Miao Wen's eyes settled below a freshly carved stone stele. Sikong Yuanhong moved to speak, but in the next instant, his eyes widened in horror. Instinctively reaching out, he shouted, "Stop!" Yet Miao Wen paid him no heed. "An old acquaintance has arrived. Why does my old friend not come out to meet me?" Miao Wen gave a soft bark and pushed a palm forward. A crushing pressure of spiritual power swept all the Mi clansmen aside. Not only that, the primary force blew the stone monument away and unearthed the coffin resting beneath the grave. "Grandfather!" Standing behind Luo Chen, Mi Li cried out in heartbreak at the sight. Luo Chen's brow furrowed slightly, and he quietly took a step back. Why did Miao Wen's words make it sound as though Mi Shuhua wasn't dead? *Thud!* The coffin lid was flung wide. No body lay inside—only a pile of ornate garments. Miao Wen took one look, then turned around. "A cenotaph?" Sikong Yuanhong's face flushed with shame and indignation. "We did not recover the patriarch's remains, so we could only erect an empty tomb." "Is that so..." Miao Wen frowned slightly and smacked his lips. Then, he looked toward the twenty-odd Mi clansmen. Shaking his head, he said, "In that case, keeping you around serves no purpose." The next instant, a streak of sword light shot from his mouth. In a flash, it sliced through the air. *Squelch! Squelch! Squelch!* By the time the sword light condensed back into a golden pellet and returned to his hand, the Mi clansmen clad in mourning attire collapsed to the ground, thudding one after another. Every single one was dead. Even Sikong Yuanhong had perished beneath the sword pellet. The Sikong bloodline was wiped out. A Foundation Establishment cultivator striking without warning—and a sword cultivator at that! Who could possibly react? This abrupt slaughter caught Luo Chen, Mi Li, and Qin Liangchen completely off guard. Why?! "Curious?" Miao Wen swallowed the sword pellet and ambled over. "I knew the movements of this surviving branch long ago. I kept them alive only to lure out Mi Shuhua." Luo Chen could not help asking, "Isn't he already dead?" "He is indeed dead, yet his corpse was never found. Even his dharma treasures vanished without a trace." "Could they have been divided among those who besieged him?" Miao Wen nodded. "That is possible. Which is why there is no longer any need to keep these Mi family members alive." What kind of logic was that?! Luo Chen was baffled. Yet Miao Wen had already walked up to them, his gaze burning as he looked at Mi Li behind Luo Chen. "She should die as well." "No!" A sharp roar came from Qin Liangchen. Yet when Miao Wen glanced his way, Qin Liangchen realized what he had just done. Cold sweat soaked his back, and he stepped back involuntarily. However, Miao Wen did not fly into a rage. Instead, he turned his smiling gaze toward Luo Chen. "Luo Chen, what do you think?" Luo Chen opened his mouth, his mind racing at frantic speed. Keeping Mi Li was indeed of little practical use. Her cultivation was merely Qi Refinement Layer 4, and after all this time, she had only mastered the technique for concocting Fasting Powder. As the sole surviving bloodline of the Mountain Breaker Gang, her appeal in rallying the old veterans had grown weaker and weaker over the past half-month. Those who returned were hardly loyal, and most came for him anyway. Killing her was sensible to eliminate future trouble! Yet Mi Li was a fragile woman who had never committed any wrong. She harmed no one and bore no grudges. She had worked in the Pill Hall all along, serving as his subordinate, both in the past and for the future. By reason, he ought to protect her. Killing her served no purpose, and keeping her posed no threat, especially now that the last branch of the Mi clan was gone. Yet if he insisted on saving her, would he anger Miao Wen, a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator? Thought after thought flashed through Luo Chen's mind. Qin Liangchen stared tensely at him, fearing he might say "kill" just as much as he feared he might say "don't kill." If she died, the Mi clan would truly be extinct. Luo Chen harbored complicated feelings toward Mi Shuhua, and so did Qin Liangchen. In the end, the old man had shown them kindness! Yet if he chose to protect her, he feared Luo Chen would offend Miao Wen in the process. Just now, Miao Wen had butchered the entire Mi family while smiling, an act of sheer madness. If Luo Chen defied him, the consequences were unimaginable! While Luo Chen was trapped in agonizing deliberation and Qin Liangchen was torn in conflict... Mi Li. The light in her eyes had long gone dead. She had come here only to find no trace of her mother, an empty coffin where her grandfather should have lain, and all her surviving kin butchered before her eyes. Now, a Foundation Establishment cultivator wanted her dead. What could she do? Nothing but await death. It was only making things hard for Hall Master Luo, forcing him to choose. A sorrowful desolation settled onto her pale, aloof face. After a long silence, Luo Chen finally spoke, his voice dry and hoarse. "Uncle Wen, the way I see it..." "Enough. You are a clever man; let the matter end here!" Miao Wen patted his shoulder, giving him a deeply satisfied look. Luo Chen parted his lips, utterly at a loss as to what this meant. *** Inside Crescent Moon Valley. More accurately, the headquarters of the Luotian Association. Stone fortresses and houses were springing up one after another. Luo Chen shut the door and turned around to see Qin Liangchen with a conflicted expression. "Has she taken the Oblivion Pill given by Deacon Miao?" "She took it willingly. From now on, she will forget the memories of this recent period unless she breaks through to Foundation Establishment one day." "Sigh, Mi Li truly is a pitiful woman!" Qin Liangchen sighed. Looking at Luo Chen's calm profile, he could not help asking, "Back then, what were you really going to..." Halfway through, he gave a self-deprecating laugh. "My mistake. Your answer meant nothing before a Foundation Establishment cultivator anyway. Why should I probe for the bottom of it?" Luo Chen said nothing, merely staring blankly into the distance at a flower being buried by gravel casually dumped by a cultivator. In a melancholy tone, Qin Liangchen said, "Deacon Miao slaughtering so many Mi clansmen before our eyes was meant to eliminate trouble for the Luotian Association, but it was also killing the chicken to warn the monkey—a warning for us not to harbor wayward ideas." "I thought we could lean on his towering presence to work in peace and focus on cultivation." "Now it seems we are merely bargaining with a tiger!" Seeing Luo Chen still lost in thought, he could only pat his shoulder with a sigh. "Don't dwell on it too much. At least you have far more freedom now than before!" Luo Chen gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment and walked along the bluestone path toward the deepest part of Crescent Moon Valley. Behind him, Qin Liangchen sighed and stood watch outside the building. Old Man Mi had left behind only this single descendant. No matter what grievances had existed in the past, the dead were gone; why embroil the family? When all was said and done, the old man had once shown them favor. *** "Association Leader!" "Leader!" Respectful greetings echoed around him. Luo Chen paid them no mind, ascending step by step to the highest peak of Crescent Moon Valley. He had climbed up here before when it was nothing more than a barren summit. Now, standing at the top and looking down, he found the scenery entirely transformed. After obtaining the Lesser Five Elements Formation from Miao Wen, the plan to reshape Crescent Moon Valley inside and out had been revised. Under Duan Feng's direction, vast swathes of trees had been transplanted. Rocky terrain and mineral veins were rerouted, rising and falling in patterns to form a metal-and-earth harmony. Other cultivators had diverted the mountain spring in Crescent Moon Valley, creating several small pools both inside and outside. Coupled with the terrain sitting in the south and facing north, occupying the Li Palace position, and supplemented by the daily activities of cultivators, the fire element naturally took shape. Thus, Crescent Moon Valley had achieved the semblance of mutual generation among the five elements. Such a transformation could not be accomplished overnight. What stood now was merely a preliminary framework, requiring continuous refinement in the future. Still, the Luotian Association finally had a place to stand. Yet, looking upon this scene, Luo Chen felt none of the joy he should have felt. That faint, satisfied smile Miao Wen had shown him kept replaying in his mind. *Spared the clan to draw the snake from its hole?* *Eliminated future trouble to warn me?* *All of these were natural objectives of that trip to Jueyun Mountain's Yuanmagnetic Valley—nothing more than killing several birds with one stone.* *Even without those demonstrations, I would never defy him.* *Then why did he make an issue out of Mi Li at the end?* *Did he suspect I might play tricks within the Luotian Association later, and acted to intimidate me in advance?* Squatting on the ground, Luo Chen grabbed small pebbles and flicked them outward from time to time, punching small holes into the mountain summit. *Why was he satisfied?* *I didn't make any decision at all!* *Why?* Just as Luo Chen found himself completely baffled, that specific sentence suddenly echoed in his head: *"You are a clever man!"* *A clever man!* Luo Chen's entire body froze. After a long while, a trace of bitterness spread to the corners of his mouth. "Right... What satisfied him was precisely that I am a clever man." Faced with the choice of whether to spare Mi Shuhua's bloodline, Qin Liangchen had first stepped forward on instinct. With that as a baseline, the moment Luo Chen fell into contemplation and hesitation, Miao Wen's objective had already been achieved. At that moment, whether Luo Chen had outright refused to kill Mi Li or ruthlessly crushed the delicate flower, both would have been outcomes Miao Wen least desired to see. Because either choice would have presented Luo Chen as a gentleman acting on raw emotion, or a pure scoundrel driven solely by profit. Neither was what Miao Wen wanted. The former was prone to mistakes, driven by emotion, and incapable of great achievements. The latter was prone to betrayal; the moment someone offered better benefits than Miao Wen, he would turn his coat without hesitation. What Miao Wen wanted was a partner who weighed pros and cons, avoided rash impulses, yet retained independent thought. Such a person was easy to manage and would not drag him down! That question—"Luo Chen, what do you think?"—had been nothing less than an examination of his conscience. With layers of groundwork laid, Miao Wen had departed in full satisfaction. A complicated expression appeared on Luo Chen's face. After figuring it all out, a hollow sense of loss settled over him. "So... that is the kind of person I am!" Having his heart put to the test, only to arrive at this realization, left him feeling somewhat ashamed. Or rather, it was difficult for anyone to face their true self. People invariably rationalized their actions, beautifying themselves by reflex. Luo Chen had always done the same. He had always believed himself to be someone who would draw a blade for a friend, who would not bully the weak, and who was relatively kind within the bounds of his power. Yet under the blazing sun, all filth had nowhere to hide. He, Luo Chen, was neither a true gentleman nor a pure villain. He was merely a thoroughly ordinary "clever man" among the common masses. Under the crushing pressure of Foundation Establishment might, he would bully a weakling like Mi Li. If Miao Wen had vented his anger on Qin Liangchen, Luo Chen would have been powerless, likely standing by to watch him die. So-called kindness was merely the pity of the strong! Before Miao Wen, he was not the strong, and so he was not kind. "And yet!" At some point, Luo Chen's body began to tremble. His teeth clenched tightly, and blue veins bulged on his forehead. "None of this was my true intent!" "Why should another force me to make a choice?!" "And why should anyone put my conscience to the test?!" "Gentleman, villain, clever man—at the root of it all, it is nothing more than the strong preying on the weak!" "If I were strong enough, being a gentleman or a villain would be a matter of a single thought, and good deeds or wicked acts would follow my whim!" Suddenly, Luo Chen ceased trembling and relaxed his blood-stained lips. He offered a self-mocking smile. What fault was his? Weakness was the original sin! If he were also at the Foundation Establishment stage, how could Miao Wen ever have presumed to subject him to such a soul-probing question without consequence? He leaped into the air, drifting down like a duckweed feather. "Making me see my true self is a favor." "Leaving me so thoroughly humiliated is an enmity." "Uncle Wen... we have a long future ahead of us!" *** "Luo Chen, what do you think?" Inside the newly built main hall of the Gold Hall, Gu Caiyi stood with ten women, smiling at Luo Chen. Looking at the row of graceful beauties lined up before him, Luo Chen almost blurted out, "Bring the next batch." He rubbed his chin, then slowly shook his head. "Not quite there yet. Too meek and humble." "Humble?" Gu Caiyi was bewildered. She glanced back at her sisters, then suddenly realized what he meant. Most of these female cultivators were former friends of hers. Some were rogue cultivators from Dahe Market, while others were women who had left the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion. Two of them, Qi Refinement Layer 7 cultivators bearing sickly complexions, were even more pitiful. They had not originally been at Layer 7, but at Layer 9, on par with Gu Caiyi. However, after the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion changed hands, their fates had turned grim. A Foundation Establishment cultivator surnamed Hua had taken an interest in them, harvesting their vitality through dual cultivation until their foundations were destabilized and their cultivation plummeted. They had fallen straight from Layer 9 to Layer 7. Had their sisters not secretly rescued them, they would likely be dead already. Having come mostly from the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion, although their appearances and figures were top-tier, they were accustomed to serving others. A sense of servility was second nature to them. Luo Chen did not point it out bluntly, but said calmly, "What we need is hospitality that makes guests feel bathed in a gentle spring breeze. Beyond memorizing sales pitches, your demeanor must be poised and natural." "Treat all customers equally. You must not act overly subservient before superiors, nor look down on low-stage rogue cultivators." "Remember: only when they are satisfied can we earn spirit stones." "The balance is actually quite easy to strike." "You've all visited the Spirit Herb Pavilion, right?" Seeing them all nod, Luo Chen continued, "As long as you act a little warmer and more welcoming than the maidservants at the Spirit Herb Pavilion, that will suffice." Put that way, everyone understood. Many of the shop hands employed by great sect establishments were also locals. Yet once hired, they inexplicably developed a sense of superiority. Facing those with light purses or simple attire, they often treated them with cold indifference. They might not resort to outright curses or insults, but neglect and dismissal were common. Being friendlier than them would not be difficult at all. "Our pill quality cannot match theirs yet, so our service must be impeccable." "Beyond that, the Luotian Association will provide other forms of support." "For example, a VIP tier system. The Luotian Association shops will launch three tiers: Bronze VIP, Stellar Silver VIP, and Gilded Gold VIP." "Each tier corresponds to cumulative purchases of one hundred spirit stones, one thousand spirit stones, and ten thousand spirit stones." "You must memorize the perks associated with each tier and actively promote them." Luo Chen imparted his concepts bit by bit. The female cultivators of the Gold Hall committed every word to memory. They were not foolish; these concepts were not beyond them, requiring only a little guidance. As for the new systems the Luotian Association was introducing, they found them utterly fascinating. Who knew selling pills involved so much strategy? Bronze VIPs would receive a complimentary cup of carefully brewed fuzhu milk tea with every store visit. Stellar Silver VIPs would have a dedicated attendant accompany them, offering milk tea and snacks, along with a ten percent discount on all pill purchases. Gilded Gold VIPs enjoyed even greater perks: not only a twenty percent discount, but also doorstep delivery and holiday greetings. "Still, would anyone really spend over ten thousand spirit stones on Jade Marrow Pills?" Gu Caiyi was puzzled. Luo Chen smiled faintly. "Of course they will. That tier isn't meant for rogue cultivators; it's aimed at major factions." "But don't major factions usually purchase superior Qi-Nourishing Pills from the Spirit Herb Pavilion?" Suddenly, Gu Caiyi understood. Luo Chen intended to snatch customers right out from under the Spirit Herb Pavilion! Qi-Nourishing Pills were effective, but expensive! In those major factions, the people spending spirit stones were high-stage figures who would never consume Qi-Nourishing Pills or Jade Marrow Pills themselves; they bought them for their subordinates. As long as the pills had some effect, quantity could make up for quality. And once the volume scaled up, they could enjoy the Gilded Gold VIP discount. By comparison, buying pills from the Luotian Association would be far more cost-effective. Once she worked through this logic, Gu Caiyi was thoroughly awed. Luo Chen was remarkably gifted in business as well! Naturally, Luo Chen would never tell her that he had seen such tactics countless times in his past life. Borrowing a few and applying them here was child's play. Of course, there was no shortage of clever people among cultivators. It wasn't that the Spirit Herb Pavilion didn't know these little tricks; they simply looked down on using them! The reason was simple: pills were a seller's market. There was no need to bend over backward for customers or pray that they bought more. For the Luotian Association, however, it was essential. As a fledgling faction, their sales channels had yet to open, and their customer base had not stabilized. These methods would effectively bind major clients. Smaller clients would also develop goodwill. If the Luotian Association launched other products in the future, customers wouldn't mind trying and purchasing them. Luo Chen went on to explain a few more points, and before leaving, handed Gu Caiyi a small booklet. It detailed his insights into selling pills, such as capitalizing on a cultivator's hesitation, encouraging bulk purchases, and bundling complementary items. When Luo Chen left the Gold Hall, the group of women was already practicing their etiquette and sales scripts under Gu Caiyi's lead. Just outside the Gold Hall, Luo Chen ran into Qin Liangchen and his wife. "Are you both ready?" Murong Qinglian took a deep breath. "Everything is prepared. Liangchen rested at home for several days, and his condition has recovered to its peak. The spirit stones won't be an issue either." Luo Chen glanced at Qin Liangchen, who nodded in confirmation. "In that case, let's go!" Without hesitation, the three cast their Wind Riding Techniques and took flight toward the outside. As they were about to exit the valley, Qin Liangchen suddenly uttered a soft exclamation. Luo Chen followed his gaze. Perched on a branch of a transplanted parasol tree was a young woman in a white dress, swinging her fair, slender legs. Her delicate, oval face bore an abnormal, sickly pallor. A pair of eyes gazed blankly at the bustling construction below. "Mi Li seemed to have suffered some shock two days ago; she said she forgot a great deal of things." Murong Qinglian sighed. "Perhaps the slaughter of the entire Mi clan was simply too much for her to bear!" Luo Chen and Qin Liangchen exchanged a look, remaining tacitly silent. What had transpired in Jueyun Mountain was something neither of them would ever speak of.