"Only when the body surpasses vajra does one reach perfection in the first realm of body cultivation."
"To advance to the second realm, vajra must transform into white jade."
"According to Wang Yuan, that means the bones and flesh throughout one's entire body must fully transform, reaching the level of golden flesh and jade bones. At that stage, refined gold serves as muscle and spiritual jade as bone; the physical body becomes pure and flawless, shedding its mortal frame entirely."
"Only then does one attain the level of the second realm of body cultivation."
Three days after the fleet had departed Dahe Market.
Luo Chen was in his quiet room.
As was his routine, after circulating the *Yimu Medicine King Scripture* twice, he began looking into other matters.
Unlike ordinary cultivators who assumed he spent his days idling in leisure, he was actually extraordinarily busy.
Every day, he practiced the *Yimu Medicine King Scripture*.
He drew fiend energy into his body to temper the foundation of his soul.
He used his divine sense to wear down Duan Qiankun's spiritual sense restriction, striving to open the storage bag as early as possible.
Only when free did he have time to browse other miscellaneous books.
Right now, he was reading through the *Wang Clan Secret Manual* Wang Yuan had given him.
It had a thoroughly cliché title, but its contents had truly broadened Luo Chen's horizons beyond immortal cultivation.
It turned out there were so many intricacies to physical tempering.
"Breaking through the first realm of body cultivation isn't actually that difficult—one can just rely on pills."
"Back then, Wang Yuan used Golden Quality Jade Liquid to constantly temper his skin and bones."
"This medicine enters neither the dantian nor the sea of Qi, so there is no need to worry about lingering pill toxins."
It was not that Luo Chen was interested in body cultivation for its own sake.
He had long thought it through: his spiritual aptitude was poor, so he had to focus entirely on the path of refining Qi.
What interested him was the incomplete cultivation method he and Wang Yuan had purchased together back then—
The *Heavenly Roc Transformation*.
Wang Yuan had looked down on this method. He had only extracted its merits to integrate them into his own path as a body cultivator.
Luo Chen, however, was keenly interested.
When he broke through to Foundation Establishment, he had refined Emperor Flowing Liquid using the blazing cloud roc. The roc essence blood contained within was far more than just a drop or two. If he used that to cultivate the *Heavenly Roc Transformation*, he would surely accomplish twice the result with half the effort!
However, that method was a third-rank body cultivation technique, exceedingly high in rank.
Relying on the system to cross ranks and reach introductory mastery would consume far too many achievement points.
Moreover, it was an incomplete version. Luo Chen knew that outside the Dao of Alchemy, his accumulation in the Dao of Body Cultivation was far too shallow to possibly complete it.
What he was doing now was laying a solid foundation. If he ever had the chance to cultivate it later, he would not be caught scrambling at the last minute.
Practicing the *Heavenly Roc Transformation* came with strict prerequisites.
One had to possess at least the physique of the second realm of body cultivation.
Luo Chen had now reached perfection in the first realm.
He was only a single step away from the second.
"Golden Quality Jade Liquid?"
"That medicine is a specialty of the Gold and Stone Pavilion in Taishan Market. Once we get there, I can buy more of it."
The Gold and Stone Pavilion!
Luo Chen was quite familiar with it.
Its pavilion master, Kang Dongyue, was a genuine Foundation Establishment True Cultivator. When Kang Dongyue came to Dahe Market to attend the opening ceremony of the Forum on Dao, Luo Chen had met him once. Later, Kang Dongyue even asked Shopkeeper Liu to pass along a message expressing interest in acting as an agent to sell Myriad Wonders Pills.
Unfortunately, Luo Chen was already an alchemist of the Mountain Breaker Gang at the time, so no partnership had been formed.
Going to Taishan Market this time, besides purchasing Golden Quality Jade Liquid, he might also sell a backlog of superior Jade Marrow Pills through them.
"Short on money!" Luo Chen sighed.
In unfamiliar territory, there would surely be plenty of places where spirit stones had to be spent. That was plain to see from how Wang Haichao had cast aside all shame just to rake in a fortune from ship tickets.
Not just the two of them, but the Li family and the Nangong family were likely digging into their reserves as well.
Just as Luo Chen was sighing, his brow suddenly furrowed.
***
"Ah!"
"What kind of demon beast is that?"
"These are first-rank demon beasts, silver shuttle fish! Shaped like arrows, they specialize in piercing spiritual power barriers and usually hunt in schools!"
"Quick, activate the formation!"
"Some silver shuttle fish broke through! Sima Xian, take your men and deal with them fast—don't let those things hurt anyone!"
Stepping out of the quiet room, Luo Chen's gaze fell upon Sima Huiniang, who was barking orders.
Seeing her calm and collected, he nodded inwardly.
Over the years, she had grown increasingly attuned to her role as director-general, handling matters big and small with great method and poise.
With her around, he was spared a great deal of trouble.
Luo Chen then looked toward the surrounding "enemies."
Calling them enemies felt slightly off; they were fish.
Hand-sized fish shot like arrows out of the surging river. Under the sunlight, their silvery scales gleamed brilliantly.
Whenever those sharp, jagged teeth reached a cultivator, even an activated defensive barrier could hardly withstand more than a few bites from one or two fish.
And now, they were facing far more than just one or two!
As far as the eye could see, around the Luotian Association's ship alone, over a thousand small silver fish leaped and thrashed continuously.
However, these were nothing serious.
Protected by the great formation on the ship, and with the experts of the Battle Hall relentlessly slaying them, the Luotian Association suffered almost no casualties beyond a few unlucky individuals bitten in the opening moments.
Elsewhere, however, the situation was catastrophic.
Looking into the distance and supplementing his sight with divine sense, Luo Chen saw that the dozen or so massive vessels were enveloped in dense, silvery light.
The lead ship in particular was rendered completely unable to advance. Cries of agony from cultivators were already erupting incessantly.
Yet that was not even the worst of it!
A vast crowd of rogue cultivators who could not bear to pay for ship tickets had been flying alongside the fleet or following on crude bamboo rafts.
Now, under the coordinated assault of tens of thousands of silver shuttle fish, those with lower cultivation levels had their defensive barriers pierced in an instant and were dragged down into the river waters.
A few stronger rogue cultivators took advantage of the others being swarmed to fly desperately toward the riverbanks. Once on dry land, they stared back at the scene in utter terror.
Cultivators fell like rain.
In the river, bloody blossoms churned.
Those riding self-made bamboo rafts and small boats fared even worse! They were surrounded by skies full of silver shuttle fish right away, without even a chance to fly free.
"Where did such an enormous school of silver shuttle fish come from?"
It was Nangong Jin's voice.
Luo Chen raised an eyebrow and focused his divine sense toward the central vessel.
A conversation among Foundation Establishment True Cultivators unfolded.
"To my knowledge, the Lancang River doesn't harbor such a massive school of silver shuttle fish, does it?" Nangong Jin said again.
Faced with his anxious inquiry, Wang Haichao replied in an unhurried tone, "Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't. But this time, over ten thousand cultivators are traveling together. No demon beast can resist so much fresh meat, especially meat imbued with spiritual energy."
*Since when have human cultivators been measured as meat imbued with spiritual energy?*
Luo Chen fell slightly silent.
Nangong Jin said anxiously, "My Nangong family has very few cultivators. If this goes on, we won't be able to protect the mortals. I am stepping in!"
"Fellow Daoist, you may intervene, but under no circumstances should you employ means beyond the Great Circle of Qi Refining."
"Hm?"
The puzzled sound came from Li Yixian.
Wang Haichao said coldly, "With such a massive school of silver shuttle fish, there is bound to be a second-rank silver shuttle fish king. We are right in the middle of the river. If it is provoked, it might not defeat us, but tearing these artifact ships to pieces would be child's play for it. On the other hand, if the four of us refrain from making a grand show of force, it will naturally have some reservations."
Logically speaking, that made sense.
And yet...
Looking around at the countless rogue cultivators plunging like rain into the Lancang River, even Foundation Establishment True Cultivators with hearts of iron could hardly bear the sight.
Li Yixian asked in a dry voice, "Are we not saving those rogue cultivators?"
"Why save them?" Wang Haichao immediately countered. Before Li Yixian could answer, he sneered, "These rogue cultivators are meant to feed the fish. Furthermore, there are far too many of them, carelessly radiating spiritual power fluctuations out in the open. Sooner or later, they would lure a third-rank demon beast here. When that happens, Fellow Daoist Li, will you withstand the beast king's might?"
Li Yixian fell silent.
Luo Chen's brow twitched. Wang Haichao was truly ruthless.
Claiming that the four of them withholding their hands was to deter the second-rank silver shuttle fish king was merely an excuse. His primary goal was simply to shed these burdens!
"I trust none of you are the type to play the great philanthropist," Wang Haichao's voice gradually faded.
Li Yixian gave a bitter smile and said no more.
Luo Chen blinked and withdrew his divine sense.
He certainly was no philanthropist either.
Those rogue cultivators had trailed along without paying for tickets, so they naturally had to bear the associated risks. To ensure safety for the journey ahead, reducing the hazards brought by rogue cultivators' spiritual power fluctuations was indeed necessary.
Luo Chen had neither the duty nor the power to shelter those rogue cultivators. Protecting everyone aboard his own ship was enough.
With the three Foundation Establishment cultivators keeping their hands still, and Nangong Jin doing nothing more than protecting his own vessel, the massacre by the silver shuttle fish dragged on for a long time.
That entire stretch of the river was dyed thoroughly crimson.
On both banks, surviving rogue cultivators looked on in dread, overwhelmed with lingering fear.
Only when the fleet struggled out of that stretch did the slaughter finally draw to a close.
Luo Chen looked back at the bloodstained river, silent.
Myriads of fish leaping, bones and corpses churning. Amid the frothing waves, a heavy stroke of blood had been painted across their journey.
*If I hadn't reached Foundation Establishment and had instead fled into deep mountains and great marshes while still in the Qi Refining stage, would I have ended up like this?*
Examining his conscience, Luo Chen had no confidence at all. All the means at his disposal during the Qi Refining stage seemed utterly laughable in hindsight.
The Lancang River was still considered relatively safe, with cultivators traveling along it year-round.
The Howling Moon Mountain Range, by contrast, was truly desolate. In outer areas like Mount Changyin, second-rank demon wolves were everywhere. If he had harbored notions of traversing the mountain range on foot back then, his death would likely have been far more gruesome than that of these rogue cultivators.
While Luo Chen was reflecting, his heart suddenly stirred.
Turning his head, he saw the female cultivator Li Yixian standing on the ship ahead, braving the bloody wind and watching him quietly.
Facing Luo Chen's gaze, she gave a nod of acknowledgment.
Luo Chen dipped his chin slightly in response.
Without a word spoken, a single exchange of looks forged a silent understanding between them.
Wang Haichao could not be trusted!
If he could sacrifice these rogue cultivators today, he might well abandon his allies tomorrow.
The so-called four-party alliance was nothing more than empty talk; they had never sworn a Great Dao Oath!
Compared to the weakened Nangong family, the Luotian Association and the fully preserved Li family undoubtedly possessed the prerequisites for advancing and retreating together.
Li Yixian believed Luo Chen would grant her this favor.
***
Inside the cabin.
Li Ao respectfully welcomed Li Yixian inside.
"Aunt, what did Senior Danchenzi say?"
Li Yixian cast a Sound Isolation Art, enveloping the cabin.
She said softly, "He said nothing, but he understood my meaning."
Li Ao said anxiously, "Understanding is one thing, but whether he is willing to advance and retreat with our Li family is another. Aunt, you..."
"Xiao Ao, this won't do."
"Uh..."
Li Yixian looked at him with gentle pity. "You are far too impetuous. How can you lead the Li family to prosperity like this?"
Li Ao failed to grasp her meaning. He felt that everything he thought and considered was for the sake of the family. Did that count as impetuous?
Seeing his self-righteous demeanor, Li Yixian sighed.
Though he was no longer young, Li Ao's temperament simply could not settle down. Among the younger generation, to say nothing of Luo Chen—who now stood on equal footing with her—Li Ao could hardly compare even to Nangong Qin.
The latter had seen glory and suffered disgrace over the years; having weathered many setbacks, he had gradually developed the poise of a family patriarch.
She had seen it clearly just now. Nangong Jin had sounded frantic, but in truth, the Nangong family's ship had not fallen into chaos at all. Under the command of his son Nangong Qin, they had handled the silver shuttle fish in an orderly fashion.
By contrast, the Li family, with all its strength, had suffered considerable casualties under Li Ao's lead. He had grown so heated in the slaughter that he nearly charged off the vessel to chase the fish. Had she not called him back in time, the Li family would likely have lost several more cultivators.
She wondered how Nangong Jin had taught Nangong Qin.
Shaking her head, Li Yixian said softly, "Luo Chen is not a cold-hearted person by nature. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gathered such a cohort of experts at his side."
"Between him and me, there is neither past enmity nor present grievance, making for a solid foundation of cooperation."
"When he broke through to Foundation Establishment, I handed him the *Yimu Medicine King Scripture* he coveted most and personally clarified several misconceptions in cultivating it."
"Given that, even if he doesn't repay the favor tenfold, standing united with us is at least within reach."
"Xiao Ao, in dealing with the world, you cannot measure everything purely by profit; you must consider the people involved."
"Do you understand?"
Li Ao seemed to realize something, yet he still frowned. "But Luo Chen allying with us in secret is also to preserve the Luotian Association's interests, isn't it?"
Li Yixian was taken aback, momentarily at a loss for how to refute him.
She could only wave her gauzy sleeve.
"Go on. Soothe the clansmen; there is still a long road ahead."
"Yes."
After Li Ao left, a wry smile crept onto Li Yixian's face.
An unmarried woman who knew only cultivation, what did she know about raising and teaching children? All these years, she had merely followed conventions, offering Li Ao a few pointers here and there. Yet somehow, she had nurtured an arrogant, self-important temperament in him.
*Big Sister, I truly don't know how to teach this son of yours!*
*Raising him to the Foundation Establishment stage is the last thing I can do for him.*
***
Aboard the Luotian Association's ship.
Huiniang, who was discussing how to treat the wounded with Murong Qinglian and Granny Yuan, suddenly reacted.
"Excuse me, the president is calling for me."
Murong Qinglian glanced at the upper cabin and nodded. "Go ahead. I'll take care of things here."
Granny Yuan gave a cough and said unsteadily, "Leave those injured to me."
Huiniang expressed her thanks, gathered up the hem of her skirt, and hurried up to the upper cabin.
Unlike the crowded, messy lower quarters, Luo Chen's cabin was spacious and well-lit. Fragrant sandalwood smoke drifted lazily in the air.
"President, what do you need of me?"
On a soft couch, Luo Chen opened his eyes to look at the refined, capable female cultivator dressed in a black gauze dress. Under his gaze, Huiniang showed neither servility nor arrogance, waiting patiently for his orders.
"Nothing major. For the remainder of the journey, just tell Duan Feng to steer the ship a bit closer to the Li family's vessel."
Huiniang raised an eyebrow. "Is there cooperation between our two sides?"
*Clever! She gets it immediately!*
Luo Chen gave a faint smile. "There's an implicit understanding, though neither side has spoken of it openly."
Huiniang nodded, indicating she understood and would carry out the instruction.
However, she immediately asked curiously, "Why not cooperate with the Nangong family, who have closer ties to us?"
"Nangong Jin..." Luo Chen murmured the name softly.
After a moment, he said slowly, "That man values self-interest far too much. Without a Great Dao Oath, he cannot be trusted!"
Huiniang was taken aback, then nodded firmly. "Indeed!"
She was not like the low-level cultivators below who knew nothing. Whenever major affairs involving the Foundation Establishment realm were concerned, Luo Chen made a conscious effort to keep her informed.
Nangong Jin had always placed immense weight on self-interest. Back then, fearing Miao Wen's wrath, he had refused to cooperate with Luo Chen; later, upon learning Luo Chen possessed considerable capability, he agreed immediately. For the sake of a magic treasure, he had dared to abandon his former ally and take the field against Duan Qiankun himself. And when Luo Chen was in secluded cultivation and the Luotian Association could not supply Jade Marrow Pills, Nangong Jin had nearly dropped all pretense of cordiality and marched up the mountain to disrupt Luo Chen's breakthrough.
In short, cooperating with such a man required enough entangled interests to keep him bound. Otherwise, he was far too fickle.
On the other hand, the Li family...
"Li Yixian's mind is relatively simple; she seeks only to preserve the Li family and protect herself. As long as one does not cross her bottom line, she makes for a worthy friend."
Listening to Luo Chen's words, Huiniang fell into thought.
She recalled how during the Foundation Establishment ceremony, Li Yixian had deliberately shared insights on breakthrough cultivation—a clear favor beyond their formal cooperation. That woman was indeed generous.
*The president truly treats people according to who they are!*
With that thought crossing her mind, Huiniang harbored no further doubts.
"I understand. I will pass the word down, restricted only to the Seven Hall Chiefs."
"Good. You may go!"
Huiniang curtsied and briskly left the cabin.
Looking at her retreating back, Luo Chen felt very pleased.
That last remark—"restricted only to the Seven Hall Chiefs"—had not been instructed by him. Yet Huiniang had grasped the necessity instantly.
Over the years, this woman had matured tremendously, developing the bearing of a general. She had shed the narrow perspective of an independent drifter and acquired the vision to see things from the vantage point of the entire organization.
*If her realm were higher, she could assist me in far more ways.*
*Judging from her spiritual power fluctuations, she isn't far from the Great Circle of Qi Refining.*
*Perhaps I can make some early preparations for her.*
Toward Huiniang, Luo Chen's attitude was very clear.
Unlike early friends like Murong Qinglian, Gu Caiyi, and Duan Feng, he clearly defined Huiniang as a "subordinate." It involved neither friendship nor romance, nor subjective sentiment. What he valued was her competence.
So long as she continued striving to create value for him, Luo Chen was more than willing to reward her generously.
Foundation Establishment!
That was undoubtedly what she craved most.
And for the current Luo Chen, helping someone with aptitude reach Foundation Establishment was not particularly difficult. Or rather, for most Foundation Establishment cultivators, helping an apt subordinate break through was not hard.
Mi Shuhua had managed to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill back then. Wang Haichao and the others were the same. Duan Qiankun had gone even further, preparing two Foundation Establishment Pills for Duan Rui along with an eight-hundred-year Root of Heaven and Earth.
The reason they had failed to nurture any Foundation Establishment cultivators came down to various other factors: Mi Shuhua and Wang Haichao suffered from hypocrisy and pettiness, respectively.
Duan Qiankun's case was rather tragic: it wasn't that he was incapable, but that Duan Rui was useless.
"I hope she won't disappoint me when the time comes!"
With an emotional sigh, Luo Chen turned his attention back to himself.
Without a poison-clearing method, daily cultivation was paramount.
Thanks to the dramatic growth of his soul after Foundation Establishment, along with his physique reaching perfection in the first realm not long ago, the frequency with which he could practice the *Yimu Medicine King Scripture* each day had risen substantially.
Each session took an hour, and he could manage a full five sessions in a single day.
However, efficiency remained somewhat low, even with the aid of the Minor Spirit Gathering Formation.
Aboard a ship, there was no spiritual vein.
"Once we settle down, I must find a place with a spiritual vein. A first-rank vein won't do; with my poor aptitude, it has to be a second-rank vein."
"Otherwise, it really will take a thousand or two thousand years to cultivate."
Chapter 202