The Jade Cauldron Domain spanned a vast territory. Even if it did not stretch across tens of thousands of li like the Medicine King Domain, it still possessed the grandeur worthy of a great domain.
Such a massive expanse naturally could not be monopolized entirely by the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect.
They were merely the domain's overlord in name.
Headed by the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, six other Golden Core sects joined them to form what was collectively known as the Seven Jade Cauldron Sects.
Beneath them lay numerous sects of varying sizes.
Aside from those were the gathering hubs of rogue cultivators, primarily centered around immortal cities and markets.
The large immortal cities commanded high-grade spirit lands, possessing strength not a whit inferior to typical Golden Core sects.
The markets, however, were an eclectic bunch.
Across the entire Jade Cauldron Domain, large markets numbered over a thousand.
As for small markets, they were as numerous as carp crossing a river, utterly beyond count.
Wherever spiritual energy flourished or vital thoroughfares converged, cultivators would inevitably step forward to organize markets of all sizes.
Those that developed well gradually drew the attention of sects, leading to the gradual establishment of sect-affiliated businesses.
Among these countless markets, Dahe Market was an extremely rare exception.
It had not flourished because of any individual, but had arisen solely from its location.
Directly facing the undeveloped Million Mountains of the Eastern Desolation, it held immense strategic value.
Combined with its abundant resources, it had steadily gathered human traffic over time.
By comparison, among the several nearby markets, aside from Snow Lotus Market which shared a similar strategic value, the rest were conventional markets.
In terms of distance, they were situated far from Dahe Market.
Even the second-closest, Taishan Market, was separated by eight thousand li of wilderness.
Eight thousand li sounded tremendously far.
Yet for a Foundation Establishment cultivator flying at full speed, it was merely a journey of a day or two.
The reason people rarely crossed between the two locations under ordinary circumstances was primarily the vast wilderness lying between them.
Towering peaks such as Mount Nanwa and Mount Jiudie stood in between.
Demonic beasts abounded within, and third-tier demonic beasts even roamed those lands. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators had to tread with caution.
For Qi Refining rogue cultivators—not to mention mortals—those eight thousand li were an arduous trek indeed.
Almost all the rogue cultivators who had originally made their way to Dahe Market had either followed merchant caravans or relied on the vessels of the Great River Gang.
Those lucky enough to make the journey on foot were few and far between.
Now, encumbered with women, children, and baggage, the four factions naturally could not travel quickly.
Over the past three days, they had covered barely a third of the distance.
Furthermore, because this middle stretch bordered nothing on either side and night travel was ill-advised, their pace would only grow slower.
Yet no matter how long the distance, it steadily diminished.
Just as torrential river waters will eventually reach the distant sea, they too would arrive in time.
On the fifth day.
Luo Chen stood on the deck, welcoming the gentle breeze.
Amidst the churning waves, moist vapor brushed against his face with the wind, leaving him refreshed.
"How much further until Taishan Market?"
Beside him, Qin Liangchen smiled. "Not much longer. Once we pass this gentle stretch of the river, we'll head downstream. It will only take a day or two!"
*That fast?*
Luo Chen had thought it would take far longer.
Yet recalling how rogue cultivators from so many neighboring markets had gathered for the Dao Discussion Platform's grand opening back then, distance truly was not insurmountable for cultivators.
The reason they traveled so slowly now was ultimately due to the sheer size of the migrating convoy.
With so many people moving together, unnecessary complications were bound to arise.
"Back when you sent Xiaohu to the Falling Cloud Sect, it seemed to take you quite a long time?"
At the mention of his son, a gentle look softened Qin Liangchen's face.
He sighed with emotion. "It truly took a long time—nearly half a year!"
"You must have passed through many places along the way, then?"
"Indeed. Our first stop was Taishan Market, followed by Yuelang Market. Along the way, we did our best to avoid territories dominated by cultivation clans, making numerous detours... In the end, we stayed in Qianye Immortal City for nearly half a month before the Falling Cloud Sect opened its gates to recruit disciples."
Curious, Luo Chen asked, "Qianye City? I recall it's an immortal city, isn't it?"
"That's right! It ranks seventh among the ten great immortal cities of the Jade Cauldron Domain. Within its walls, Qi Refining cultivators gather like clouds and Foundation Establishment cultivators are as common as raindrops; even Golden Core Masters appear from time to time."
In Qin Liangchen's words, it sounded as though Qianye Immortal City was the true cultivation world.
A remote corner like Dahe Market was akin to a mortal rural township by comparison.
In a place like that, as long as one had sufficient wealth, one never had to worry about cultivation resources.
It was not like Dahe Market, where one could hold spiritual stones yet still fail to purchase what was needed.
Moreover, possessing high-grade spirit veins naturally drew immense crowds of rogue cultivators to settle down.
As time passed, various factions and organizations emerged.
Surrounding a super-sized immortal city, cultivation clans of various sizes could be counted by the dozens, or even hundreds.
"Truth be told, an environment like that would be far more suited for our Luotian Association to expand," Qin Liangchen mused, before shaking his head.
"Unfortunately, Qianye Immortal City is too far from us. On top of that, it lies extremely close to the Falling Cloud Sect, which is currently an active war zone."
Luo Chen grew thoughtful.
With implicit intent, he asked, "What about Tianlan Immortal City?"
Qin Liangchen froze for a moment, answering reflexively, "That one is closer. If detours aren't an issue, heading past Liuguang Market would take only a month or two."
"How is the situation there?"
Looking at Luo Chen, a thought popped into Qin Liangchen's mind.
*He doesn't intend to relocate the Luotian Association across tens of thousands of li all the way to Tianlan Immortal City, does he?*
Verbally, he still answered Luo Chen's curiosity based on his own knowledge.
"Tianlan Immortal City is different from Qianye Immortal City. The latter was primarily established by the Falling Cloud Sect and three other sects. But Tianlan Immortal City was jointly funded by the Seven Jade Cauldron Sects, and its geographical location does not sit in the interior where sect domains crisscross. Right now..."
Qin Liangchen was one of the few members of the Luotian Association who had traveled far in recent years.
His horizons and knowledge reached far beyond those of the other local cultivators.
From his accounts, Luo Chen gained a broad understanding of the Jade Cauldron Domain's landscape.
The seven great sects each controlled a super immortal city that nominally belonged to them.
In addition, they had jointly funded three super immortal cities in relatively critical locations.
Only then did the framework of the ten great immortal cities of the Jade Cauldron Domain take shape.
The Lianyun Merchant Alliance, with which Luo Chen was very familiar, actually had its headquarters in Tianlan Immortal City.
The nearby sects included Mount Ailao, the Ice Fort, and the Hundred Blossoms Palace.
In name, the Jade Cauldron Domain belonged to the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect.
In reality, it operated under a ruling structure of one major power alongside six lesser ones.
For instance, Snow Lotus Market fell under the Ice Fort's jurisdiction, while Taishan Market was governed by the Flame Alliance.
Dahe Market was different; it was more like an enclave, controlled from afar by the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect.
Through immortal cities and markets, the sects exerted as much control as possible to digest the resources within their respective territories.
Not only that, but in areas devoid of spiritual energy, they opened vast swaths of land, allowing large numbers of mortals to multiply and thrive.
Mortal kingdoms, markets, cultivation clans, immortal cities, great Golden Core sects, and Nascent Soul superior sects.
Layer upon layer, they ultimately formed the bustling Jade Cauldron Domain of today.
While the two were conversing, Luo Chen's expression abruptly shifted.
Qin Liangchen was bewildered by the sudden change, but then an enormous commotion erupted from up ahead.
"It's sinking! It's sinking!"
"We're going down!"
"Heavens, what kind of monster is that!"
*Splash! Crash! Wave upon wave!* The thunderous roar of churning waters rose into the sky.
"Go regroup with the others!"
Tossing those words to Qin Liangchen, Luo Chen vaulted into the air.
A white cloud coalesced beneath his feet, carrying him upward.
Soon, he saw what had unfolded ahead.
A massive vortex, spanning a hundred zhang across, was "slowly" swirling in the wide Lancang River.
Though it seemed to spin slowly, it had formed and expanded in a mere breath.
When Luo Chen looked over, he saw that the lead artifact ship was already more than half submerged.
The activated defensive array had not held for even a single breath before disintegrating into nothingness.
Over a thousand cultivators took to the air from the vessel in terror.
Yet for some reason, no matter how hard they flew, none could break free from the pull of that colossal vortex.
A few who were fortunate enough to fly toward the riverbank were skewered by terrifying water arrows.
It seemed that departure was strictly forbidden.
"A third-tier demonic beast!"
Luo Chen's face paled, his gaze snapping toward Wang Haichao, who had already emerged from his cabin.
"Gang Leader Wang, what is the meaning of this?"
Not only him, but Li Yixian and Nangong Jin also flew forth in unison, their faces deathly pale.
Facing the three tense cultivators, Wang Haichao wore a solemn expression, yet seemed largely unperturbed.
He transmitted his voice: "Do not panic. This beast is gentle by nature. Once it has eaten its fill, it will not stir up trouble."
*Eaten its fill?*
What kind of absurd explanation was that?
Luo Chen's expression turned grim as he stared at the ship being steadily swallowed up.
The Qi Refining rogue cultivators still struggling within the vortex screamed for help at the top of their lungs.
"Save me!"
"Someone, please save me!"
"There's a Demon King! It's going to eat us!"
"Gang Leader Wang, I paid for my ticket! Step forward and save me!"
"Wang Haichao, leaving us to die will send you to hell!"
Aboard the Dragon Whale artifact ship, Wang Haichao looked upon the scene with cold detachment.
Faced with those raging curses, he turned a deaf ear, as if he heard nothing at all.
"I need an explanation!" Luo Chen said chillingly, his tone sounding as if it rose from the Netherworld.
Had their ships been stationed at the front of the fleet, would it not have been the cultivators of the Luotian Association feeding the beast right now?
Amidst such pervasive, overwhelming demonic aura, even he would have found it difficult to break free!
Beside him, Li Yixian and Nangong Jin also fixed frosty glares on Wang Haichao.
Wang Haichao turned around, forcing a thin smile. "Now that we have formed an alliance, how could I possibly harm you?"
"I merely had a suspicion regarding the River-Swallowing Toad's presence; I was not at all certain, which is why I did not explain it to you beforehand."
*A suspicion?*
What sort of suspicion would cause Wang Haichao to place fleeing rogue cultivators on all three lead ships of the fleet?
Luo Chen suppressed the fury surging within his heart.
Anger now would solve nothing.
"The River-Swallowing Toad?" Nangong Jin asked suddenly.
Wang Haichao nodded. "Indeed, the third-tier demonic beast, the River-Swallowing Toad. This beast cultivates by swallowing rivers, lakes, and seas to absorb the essence of the sun and moon. Its temperament is considered exceptionally mild."
"Why would it appear here?"
"That traces back to when Pang Renxiong visited Dahe Market for the second time."
"Hm?"
Wang Haichao explained, "Do you recall? During that visit, he acted with utter recklessness wherever he went. He even caused Mount Nanwa to collapse. This River-Swallowing Toad had always hibernated on Mount Nanwa. With Mount Nanwa ruined, the toad lost its habitat and has been wandering the Lancang River ever since."
"This time, with so many of us traveling together, there was a high likelihood of drawing its attention."
Li Yixian remained dissatisfied. "You could have informed us beforehand. It would not have been impossible for us to take a detour. Why commit such a heinous act, sending so many rogue cultivators to feed the River-Swallowing Toad?"
"A detour?" Wang Haichao sneered.
Mocked by him, Li Yixian's expression stiffened with embarrassment.
Nangong Jin stepped in to ease the tension. "A detour would be even more dangerous. The jiuzhang deer over at Mount Jiudie commands an entire herd; it is a genuine third-tier beast king."
The jiuzhang deer was nothing like the gentle fuzhu deer.
They moved in tight herds, and ordinary carnivorous beasts dared not approach them lightly.
The mental transmissions between the three seemed lengthy, yet barely a few breaths had passed.
After swallowing a whole ship of rogue cultivators, the massive vortex began to shrink.
The frantic curses gradually fell silent.
Only the trailing ships remained, gripped by paralyzing terror.
Luo Chen watched with a heavy heart.
His sharp gaze seemed to pierce through the murky river waters, catching sight of the gigantic River-Swallowing Toad resting at the bottom.
The vortex...
"Wait, it isn't full yet!"
Almost the instant Luo Chen's words left his mouth, the shrinking vortex expanded rapidly once more, sweeping toward the nearest large ship.
A colossal demonic aura washed over the deck, pinning the Qi Refining rogue cultivators aboard so firmly they could not move an inch.
Seeing the ship dragged step by step toward the vortex, Luo Chen did not hesitate. His boundless spiritual power surged forth, casting the Traction Art to latch onto the vessel.
This sight stunned everyone present.
Li Yixian hesitated briefly before also casting the Traction Art, barely managing to hold the stern.
Yet how could the strength of two Foundation Establishment cultivators hold back the might of a Demon King?
"Wang Haichao, Nangong Jin! If you don't strike now, when will you?" Luo Chen shouted thunderously, his voice echoing in everyone's ears.
Nangong Jin reflexively lent his aid.
With his assistance, the ship's descent slowed.
Wang Haichao, however, frowned deeply as he looked at Luo Chen. "To think that you, Danchenzi, are actually a philanthropist!"
Luo Chen met his gaze without flinching. "Who knows how many more people it needs to eat to be full? Without these rogue cultivators, the journey ahead will only be more perilous."
"With the strength of the four of us, we cannot possibly..."
"Then we feed it until it is full!" Luo Chen declared decisively.
Wang Haichao froze. *Feed it how?*
"Didn't the Li and Nangong families bring along a large number of tamed demonic beasts? Does the flesh and blood of those beasts not amount to far more than the meager meat on us human cultivators?"
"Hold on..."
Li Yixian and Nangong Jin also showed hesitant expressions. Those beasts were family assets, after all.
Luo Chen took a deep breath, fixing an unyielding stare upon Wang Haichao.
"You collected so many boarding fees from them; you have an obligation to do your utmost to keep them alive."
"Take out a sum of spiritual stones to purchase the beasts from both families."
"Do not attempt to haggle. Wang Haichao, take a look at those people!"
The ruthless Wang Haichao instinctively looked toward the cultivators of the Great River Gang.
Every one of them was pale-faced, huddled behind the stern.
Not only that, but several were actively trying to flee, utterly devoid of any will to unite against the Demon King.
Moreover, the gazes many directed at him were filled with the dread one reserved for venomous serpents and scorpions.
A shiver ran through him.
The lives of rogue cultivators were indeed cheap!
Yet if too many died, the shared sorrow would inevitably cause his own subordinates in the Great River Gang to lose faith in him.
The momentum he had painstakingly gathered by assuming the role of alliance leader would vanish in the blink of an eye.
Even if he safely reached their destination, he would end up a solitary leader without followers.
This time, he had no room to refuse.
Soon, with the consent of Li Yixian and Nangong Jin, numerous cultivators from both families began retrieving large quantities of tamed demonic beast carcasses and live beasts from cabins and spirit beast pouches.
Wielding their spiritual power, they cast the meat straight into the massive vortex.
One, two... ten, a hundred... The count quickly exceeded a thousand tamed demonic beasts.
This was already the absolute limit of what the two families had brought along.
Only then did the vortex begin to shrink slowly.
Seizing the opportunity, Luo Chen thrust both hands forward, his dense spiritual power pouring out. Using the Traction Art at the Great Circle stage, he dragged back the rogue cultivator vessel at the edge by sheer force.
*Haa... Haa...*
Luo Chen drew two deep breaths, completely indifferent to the gazes the rogue cultivators directed at him.
Treading on a gentle breeze, he quickly returned to the forefront.
"Danchenzi, you've cost me a fortune this time!" Wang Haichao said gloomily.
Luo Chen sneered. "You were perfectly free not to part with those spiritual stones back then."
"Uh..."
Li Yixian drew close, lingering fear etched across her face. Over a thousand tamed demonic beasts possessed an amount of flesh and blood far exceeding that of human cultivators.
Even so, it had barely managed to satisfy the River-Swallowing Toad's appetite.
Had they not listened to Luo Chen, let alone that single ship, another two ships of cultivators would likely have been sacrificed.
Going by sequence, the next vessels in line would likely have been Wang Haichao's Dragon Whale ship and the Li family's vessels.
Given Wang Haichao's nature, he undoubtedly possessed means to steer his artifact ship into a brief escape.
Had that happened, wouldn't her Li family have been the ones left to bear the brunt?
"Is it full?" Li Yixian swallowed hard, watching the vortex shrink to the size of a washbasin, with bloody bubbles continually surfacing.
Wang Haichao hesitated. "It should be full, right?"
"If it isn't, I'll help it become full!"
With a flick of Luo Chen's sleeve, hundreds of jade vials suddenly materialized.
Under the guidance of his spiritual power, a rain of Jade Marrow Pills plunged into the vortex.
Noticing one particular pink jade vial among them, Luo Chen felt a stir in his heart. He shattered it, letting its contents spill into the river as well.
Seeing this, Nangong Jin's eyes went wide.
"Upper-grade Jade Marrow Pills!"
"Luo Chen, have you lost your mind?"
The other two Foundation Establishment cultivators were also dumbfounded.
In just that brief moment, he had tossed away tens of thousands of spiritual stones!
Yet the effect was immediate and remarkable.
Soon, amid the churning of several massive air bubbles, the vortex vanished entirely.
Beneath the surface, an enormous shadow slowly sank back down into the depths.
Only then did the suffocating pressure blanketing heaven and earth completely disperse.
"Move!"
With a broad sweep of his sleeve, Luo Chen soared like a bird returning to its nest, landing back aboard the Luotian Association's vessel.
Wang Haichao hesitated no longer and immediately barked out orders.
The fleet surged into motion, hurtling down the rushing waters to flee the area as fast as they could.
Chapter 203