Post-Battle Review, Grinding Proficiency!

Three days later. Inside Huanyu Hall on Mount Xiaohuan. This was the main hall of the Duan family. Whenever major affairs, assemblies, or ancestral rites arose, the Duan clansmen would gather here. In the preceding battle, many structures on Mount Xiaohuan had suffered damage, with the Tier 2 exploding ape causing the most devastation. Yet Huanyu Hall, the most prominent structure, had remained completely intact. This was largely due to its materials—it had been constructed from various sturdy metal ores used in artifact crafting, making it exceptionally resilient. At this moment, nine ninth-layer Qi Refinement cultivators had already assembled inside Huanyu Hall. They were merely waiting for President Luo Chen to arrive before convening the post-battle review meeting. *Whoosh...* A gentle breeze swept by, and Luo Chen drifted lightly to the floor. Every gaze converged upon him. As usual, Luo Chen walked toward the seat of honor. Reaching the head of the hall, he reached out with a casual flick of his hand. A wave of spiritual energy surged forth, thoroughly cleaning the already spotless, wide settee once more. The sight left the onlookers below dumbfounded. When had the president grown so obsessed with cleanliness? Hadn't they already cleaned it? Why cast another Cleansing Art? Luo Chen ignored their curiosity, turning around and taking his seat with bold, commanding posture. "Let us begin." The first to step forward with a report was Murong Qinglian. She oversaw the Merit Hall, which handled personnel affairs. In a battle with such heavy casualties, this was the foremost priority. "Including the president, our Luotian Association dispatched sixty-two people for this campaign. "Currently, Elder Duan lies unconscious, and Hall Master Wang's whereabouts are unknown. Ten late Qi Refinement cultivators perished, seventeen mid-Qi Refinement cultivators were killed, and ten others sustained severe injuries. Minor injuries are excluded from the tally, as most of them simply require recuperation after consuming Blood Burning Pills." Hearing these numbers, Luo Chen's heart sank slightly. Adding the dead and wounded together, their casualties had exceeded half their forces. This confirmed that his decision back then had been the right one. Without him stepping in at the end to take control of the situation, the cultivators of the Luotian Association—even after defeating the Duan family—would have been besieged by the swarming rogue cultivators, suffering disastrous consequences. "As for the Duan family, apart from a few cultivators stationed at outside businesses, they were nearly wiped out. "Duan Qiankun's corpse is nowhere to be found, while Duan Rui's body hangs suspended outside. "Additionally, forty-five mortals survived, five of whom were cultivators whose cultivation was crippled by Elder Qin." After reading these details, Murong Qinglian raised her eyes to look at Luo Chen. "What we need to consider now are the compensation and aftermath arrangements, as well as how to deal with the Duan family cultivators still scattered outside." Luo Chen pondered briefly before stating plainly, "For the compensations, follow our previous standards. You may discuss the particulars with Huiniang afterward. As for the remnants of the Duan family, simply keep them locked up. There is no need to deal with them for now; wait until Duan Feng awakens, and let him decide." Murong Qinglian nodded. With precedent to rely on, that would not be difficult. As for the latter issue, there was no rush either. What the Luotian Association needed most right now was rest and recuperation; making drastic moves was indeed unwise. Furthermore, Duan Feng's feelings had to be taken into account. Now that his great vengeance had been exacted, whether he chose to eradicate every last one or show mercy was a decision he had to make for himself. "And what about Hall Master Wang?" Luo Chen tapped the armrest of his settee, speaking nonchalantly. "He is fine. He merely suffered minor injuries and requires some quiet recuperation." The Blood Fiend Spirit Seizing Formation embodied the core principles of the Heavenly Craft Spirit Seizing Formation; achieving total success was not something done overnight. Hearing that Wang Yuan was safe, everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief. Wang Yuan's combat prowess had thoroughly won over everyone through repeated battles. Especially in the battle at Mount Xiaohuan, where he stood toe-to-toe against a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, he had been nothing short of a god of war. His survival meant that the Luotian Association still had a towering pillar of martial might! Of course, the man seated at the very top was another pillar of martial strength. By now, not a single person across the Luotian Association—or even among the rogue cultivators of Dahe Market—dared underestimate Luo Chen's power. "Regarding the spoils of war, the majority comes from the personal possessions of the Duan family cultivators, various artifact-crafting ores, semi-finished dharma artifacts, and a giant bear puppet on par with a Qi Refinement Great Perfection cultivator. "There is also a scripture pavilion located on the rear mountain that was preserved intact. "After taking inventory, we obtained five Tier 1 cultivation methods and three transcribed copies of Tier 2 cultivation methods, along with seventeen spell manuals, over ten travelogues and biographies, and twenty-one volumes of insights on Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, and artifact crafting." Hearing that final sentence, Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. As expected of a clan with three centuries of heritage—their collection of texts was remarkably vast. They even possessed Tier 2 cultivation methods and Foundation Establishment insights! "Assign people to guard the scripture pavilion well. In the future, integrate the Luotian Association's collection into it." Luo Chen surveyed the room and spoke in a steady voice. "For this battle, the merit standards must be raised. Aside from the Tier 2 cultivation methods and Foundation Establishment insights, everything else is to be made fully available for redemption by members of the association. "Additionally, regarding battlefield spoils, whatever anyone seized individually during the fighting belongs to them. "None of you are permitted to demand a share from your subordinates!" His final sentence carried a stern weight. The nine cultivators in the hall all voiced their assent. Next, Murong Qinglian reported several other spoils. Among them, the quantity of spirit stones left everyone astonished. Such a massive Foundation Establishment clan—and one specializing in artifact crafting, no less—had left behind a mere thirty thousand spirit stones. It was pitifully scarce, almost unimaginable! Luo Chen, however, was not surprised. He knew from Duan Feng that back when the Duan family refined the Marsh Country Gui Chart, they had expended an immense quantity of spirit stones. Later, in their bid to push Duan Rui toward Foundation Establishment, they had spent the past few years nearly draining the entire clan's coffers dry. Furthermore, to compensate for the clan's lacking strength after his passing, Duan Qiankun had frequently frequented black market auctions to purchase puppets, artifacts, and the like. A substantial portion of their spirit stones had even gone toward purchasing Jade Marrow Pills from the Luotian Association. After all, one's cultivation realm and Dao-protecting methods were the true foundation. A reserve of thirty thousand spirit stones might appear small, but it actually proved the depth of the Duan family's foundation that they could endure so much squandering. The true wealth left behind by the Duan family was Mount Xiaohuan itself! More than one person shared this realization. Soon, Sima Huiniang spoke up. "President, there is a question now: should we relocate our headquarters to Mount Xiaohuan?" At this question, everyone's attention snapped toward her. It was hardly surprising that they cared so deeply. Although the restriction on Dahe Market's spiritual vein had been removed and the outer market had become a place rich in spiritual energy, that spiritual energy was only on par with the old inner market residences. It was adequate for ordinary Qi Refinement cultivators, but for ninth-layer Qi Refinement cultivators, the benefits were fairly mediocre. Mount Xiaohuan, however, was entirely different! This place was naturally rich in spiritual energy. Beneath it ran a minor spiritual vein, and above lay an Ice-Fire Spiritual Spring—truly a blessed haven of heaven and earth. Had it been otherwise, it could never have nurtured three Foundation Establishment cultivators over the course of three centuries! If headquarters were relocated here, every one of them could enjoy such a cultivation environment. Facing Sima Huiniang's proposal and the attentive gazes of the leadership, Luo Chen pondered for a moment before delivering the decision he had long prepared. "We move!" Joy lit up everyone's faces. Then Luo Chen continued, "However, we will not relocate entirely." Looking at the crowd, Luo Chen said leisurely, "We have operated Crescent Moon Valley for a long time; we certainly cannot abandon it lightly. The rogue cultivators of Dahe Market already took full advantage when the Fu family fortress fell, and we must not repeat that mistake. Therefore, headquarters will move to Mount Xiaohuan, but a portion of our cultivators will remain stationed in Crescent Moon Valley." Sima Huiniang hesitated. "Could that cause resentment among the cultivators who stay behind?" "It will not!" Luo Chen waved his hand dismissively. "Not long ago, I discovered a tributary of the spiritual vein beneath Crescent Moon Valley." At these words, everyone froze in surprise. Such a wonderful thing existed? Gu Caiyi, however, wore a suspicious look. Had he truly discovered it only recently? She recalled how Luo Chen used to stay overnight in Crescent Moon Valley at every turn. "As long as we unseal that tributary, combined with the spiritual energy overflowing from the inner market, Crescent Moon Valley will already serve as a decent cultivation ground," Luo Chen expounded with ease. He went on to lay out a system of regular rotations between both sites for the late Qi Refinement cultivators. The meeting proceeded. Luo Chen split the Pill Hall once more, dividing it into the Pill Hall and the Medicine Hall. The Pill Hall in Crescent Moon Valley would be completely relocated to Mount Xiaohuan, while the vacated space would serve as the Medicine Hall, tasked in part with cultivating spiritual herbs. On Mount Xiaohuan, a slot was reserved for an Artifact Hall. Once Duan Feng woke up, recruitment for the Artifact Hall would commence. Not only that, but Luo Chen instructed Sima Huiniang to begin open recruitment among the rogue cultivators of Dahe Market. "Recruit only those in the late Qi Refinement realm! "Their backgrounds must also be relatively clean. "This measure is to compensate for the War Hall's shortage of personnel. If there are veterans of the old Mountain Breaker Gang, give them priority. "In terms of compensation, it need not be overly lavish—standard rates for ordinary late Qi Refinement cultivators in Dahe Market will suffice. "Furthermore, establish a ten-year term. An assessment will take place after ten years, evaluating merits, peer reviews, and cultivation progress. Those who pass will receive an increase in compensation. "The veteran cultivators who survived to this day will naturally stand a rank higher." Instruction after instruction was handed down with crisp clarity. These measures would not only replenish the Luotian Association's strength, but also lay out plans for the future. Most importantly, it offered all cultivators a clear path to advance. Sima Huiniang listened with great care. As director-general, her responsibility lay precisely here: she had to gather and resolve countless minor matters from below while executing every instruction Luo Chen gave down to the last detail. The meeting dragged on for a long time. It was not just Sima Huiniang and Murong Qinglian; the other core members had numerous matters to report as well. It was not until the early hours of the following morning that the Luotian Association's current and future plans were finally hammered out. After an entire night, the elderly Granny Yuan had already taken her leave early. Advanced in years, she had also suffered substantial injuries during the battle at Mount Xiaohuan. She had managed to hold on this long only because Luo Chen had entrusted the newly spun-off Medicine Hall to her care. From now on, she was no longer merely the deputy hall master of the Pill Hall, but the master of the Medicine Hall, enjoying resources far beyond what she previously received. Bathed in the spring sunrise, Luo Chen led everyone out of Huanyu Hall. This meeting was not over yet! *** He took Sima Huiniang and Murong Qinglian with him to the quarters where the wounded cultivators were staying. "President!" Seeing Luo Chen arrive alongside Director-General Sima and Hall Master Murong, a late Qi Refinement cultivator lying inside the wooden cabin struggled to sit up. "Your name is Su Xiaolin, if I remember correctly?" Su Xiaolin had not expected Luo Chen to remember his name, and he nodded repeatedly. "You worked hard in this battle." Luo Chen patted his shoulder. While the man stammered that it was nothing, Luo Chen formed hand seals and channeled spiritual energy, sending a spell washing over him. Su Xiaolin paused in bewilderment. He felt a surge of pure wood-attribute spiritual energy settle over him, stimulating his wounds to heal at a rapid pace. *Is this... the Healing Art?* *The president is treating my wounds in person?* "Rest and recover well. The Luotian Association will never abandon any comrade who fights for it. The Pill Hall will deliver the appropriate healing pills shortly; all you need to do is rest quietly. Once your injuries heal, I will entrust you with important duties!" By the time Su Xiaolin returned to his senses, Luo Chen had already turned and stepped out of the cabin. His eyes welled with moisture. As a rogue cultivator for so many years, he had never felt so valued and cared for. He opened his mouth and shouted toward the outside: "Su Xiaolin will never disappoint the president's nurturing!" The tall figure paused for a moment, then waved a hand backward without turning around. Leaving that cabin, Luo Chen set off without pause for the next wounded cultivator's room. The two women following closely behind exchanged glances. Was Luo Chen winning people's hearts? Clearly, yes! They did not ask questions; they simply followed behind him, noting down every word Luo Chen said to each patient. Who was to be entrusted with heavy responsibilities later. Who was to be granted special healing pills. Who was injured too severely and would need to be transferred to a different hall in the future. All of these were priorities. As Luo Chen cast the Healing Art time and again, the expressions in the two women's eyes gradually shifted. Even if this was winning people's hearts, being able to go to such lengths demonstrated genuine sincerity. One had to remember that Luo Chen was a great expert who had blasted a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator to death. Being able to set aside formalities and humble himself before his subordinates showed true condescension of ego. If they possessed such strength, could they bring themselves to do this? They could not! Hardly any high-ranking cultivator could. There were even those who, upon reaching Foundation Establishment, would show open displeasure if an old friend failed to address them as "Senior" right away. Where could one find someone like Luo Chen, so thoroughly approachable? And so it continued until noon, when an exhausted Luo Chen finally brought his round of visits to an end. "President, are you alright?" Sima Huiniang asked with concern. Casting the Healing Art so many times took a heavy toll. Luo Chen had unleashed an immensely powerful spell not long ago, and he likely had not fully recovered from it yet. Luo Chen waved his hand. "It is nothing. I can still hold out." He truly could hold out. The Healing Art did not consume much spiritual energy, and the Great Perfection stage of the Eternal Spring Art naturally carried a breath-recovering effect. As long as he did not burst forth with massive spiritual power in a short span of time, he could steadily recover a portion of it. On the contrary, he was feeling quite delighted. *The Healing Art has reached the Grandmaster level!* Without lingering worries, and without the need to refine pills, grinding proficiency on a single spell was simply that fast. What improvements did the Grandmaster-level Healing Art bring? The next day, after resting for a night, Luo Chen arrived at a secluded cave on Mount Xiaohuan. "A cave abode?" "President!" A familiar figure stepped out from within—it was Feng Xia. However, her usual calm and gentle expression was gone, replaced by a touch of haggard weariness. Luo Chen gave her a nod, walking inside while asking, "How is Duan Feng's condition?" Feng Xia sighed. "Granny Yuan treated him, but the injuries are very grave." "What sort of injuries are the most severe?" "Nineteen external wounds, internal injuries affecting the viscera, and his meridians were ravaged by an extremely violent spiritual power that continues to disrupt his spiritual circulation..." Luo Chen's eyes flickered. Why did these words sound so familiar? Ah, right! He remembered now. Back on the Dao-Discussion Platform, Duan Feng had suffered wounds just as severe. As for that violent spiritual energy, it must have come from the dual water-and-fire spiritual energy cultivated by Duan Rui. Cultivating both elements hindered breakthroughs, but its destructive power in combat was immense. Duan Qiankun had placed high hopes on him precisely because he believed that once Duan Rui reached Foundation Establishment, mastering water and fire would allow him to dominate the Foundation Establishment realm. "The main problem is that his soul has been damaged. Duan Rui used some unknown method that injured his soul, which is why he remains in an unconscious state," Feng Xia said with deep worry. "Granny Yuan had no solution either. She said that if this goes on and Duan Feng fails to wake up, there is a strong possibility he will never awaken again." "Soul damage?" Luo Chen frowned, stopping before a stone bed. Lying atop it was the unconscious Duan Feng. He was dressed in light clothing, and his face was wiped clean; it was obvious that Feng Xia had poured immense care into tending to him these past few days. Activating his Spirit Eye Art, Luo Chen stared at the man. With Duan Feng utterly defenceless, Luo Chen could clearly see his battered, broken body. These injuries could be healed through pills, but because Duan Feng was unconscious, he could not actively refine the medicinal power, drastically blunting their efficacy. "President..." "No rush. Let me try." Luo Chen remained unhurried, slowly extending a hand. A vibrant azure light blossomed in his palm. As he pressed his palm against Duan Feng's abdomen, the azure light seeped gently into his flesh. Grandmaster-level Healing Art! Under Luo Chen's continuous infusion of spiritual energy, Duan Feng's external wounds began to recover swiftly. The torn, mangled flesh knitted together continuously. Where scabs had formed, they sloughed away to reveal tender, pale skin. Seeing this, Feng Xia's lips parted slightly in astonishment. *This is the Healing Art?* No, it was more than that. As Luo Chen increased his output, the injuries inside Duan Feng's body began to heal as well. His battered organs had been thoroughly withered, but wherever the azure light brushed past, it acted like a spring rain, gradually coaxing forth vibrant vitality. After a long while, Luo Chen lifted his palm. *Phoo!* He exhaled a breath of turbid air and nodded in satisfaction. The effect of the Grandmaster-level Healing Art was truly extraordinary. An ordinary Healing Art could only mend surface injuries, showing mediocre results on internal damage. When Luo Chen killed Fu Zhang back then, his lungs had been damaged; relying on the Healing Art had taken over half a month to mend them. If that happened now, he was confident he could restore them within a single day. However, it ended there. "Damage to the soul is not so easily repaired." A trace of hesitation crept onto Luo Chen's face. If he had the legendary Soul Nourishing Pill, treating such an injury would be effortless. But a Soul Nourishing Pill was a Tier 3 pill! Where could he possibly purchase one? Even if the entire Luotian Association pooled its wealth, it would be virtually impossible to find on the market. "Perhaps there is another way." With a flick of his wrist, a snow-white pill appeared between Luo Chen's fingers. "What is this?" Feng Xia asked curiously. Luo Chen looked at her solemnly. "This pill has no healing properties, but it carries the effect of fortifying the soul. Duan Feng's soul is damaged; neither I nor the entire Luotian Association can heal it. But even if we cannot heal his soul, we can nourish and strengthen it." Feng Xia gasped. "Isn't that the same as administering potent tonic medicine to a critically ill patient?" Luo Chen nodded. The pill in his hand was none other than the Nether-Passage Pill he had labored tirelessly to concoct, which had the effect of fortifying the soul. The effects were particularly pronounced upon the first consumption. However, this pill also induced dreams. If one fell too deeply into the illusion and failed to awaken for a long time, it would not only fail to strengthen the soul, but could even result in the total loss of one's sanity. Every time Luo Chen took it himself, he was extraordinarily cautious, and he always used the God-Deterring Technique to hone and temper his spirit afterward to prevent his soul from growing bloated and unstable. In his current state, Duan Feng was actually ill-suited to consume a Nether-Passage Pill. Yet, as the saying went, one might as well treat a dead horse as a living horse. And as another saying went, a severe illness required severe medicine. "When damage cannot be healed, strengthening oneself can be considered a different approach. Right now, you are the person closest to him in this world. Whether to give it to him rests entirely in your hands. Sister Xia, I apologize for dumping such a difficult choice onto your shoulders." As he spoke, the Nether-Passage Pill settled into Feng Xia's palm. Cradling the pill with delicate care, Feng Xia's lips trembled slightly. After a long moment, she let out a bitter laugh. "Knowing Little Duan's character, he would definitely choose to take it. "So be it. Let his own fate decide!" This time, Feng Xia did not hesitate. Even more decisive than Luo Chen, she pushed the Nether-Passage Pill straight into Duan Feng's mouth. Seeing this, Luo Chen took a deep breath, and azure light welled up in his palm once more. "Brother, the rest is up to you!" The azure radiance entered Duan Feng's body, catalyzing the pill to unleash its medicinal power. Visibly to the naked eye, Duan Feng's eyeballs shifted beneath his closed eyelids. The Nether-Passage into dreams had begun!