Half a day had passed since they left the vicinity of Nanwa Snow Mountain.
Only now did the shaken cultivators of Dahe Market gradually calm down.
Aboard the Luotian Association's vessel, Wang Yuan slipped quietly into Luo Chen's cabin.
"You've truly got immense guts!"
"Tossing out so many high-grade Jade Marrow Pills in one go—that was worth tens of thousands of spirit stones."
"Tsk, tsk. You should have seen those rogue cultivators guarding the rear ships. They were utterly dumbfounded, eyes popping out of their heads."
Luo Chen's expression remained placid in the face of Wang Yuan's praise.
By now, the spiritual power he had expended was gradually recovering.
Once a cultivator reached Foundation Establishment, as long as they did not erupt with too much spiritual power in a single burst, they could recover rapidly.
This trait stemmed from the spiritual qi cloud cluster developed during the ninth level of Qi Refining.
After Foundation Establishment, the effect doubled.
Coupled with the automatic qi recovery of his *Yimu Medicine King Scripture*, his rate surpassed that of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators by several times over.
"I had to do it back then."
"The Li and Nangong families lost a vast number of tamed spirit beasts, and Wang Haichao paid out a hefty sum of spirit stones. I had to take a loss as well, or they would feel resentful."
Wang Yuan nodded.
In these matters, Luo Chen always thought things through far better than he did.
Still, he could not understand why Luo Chen had acted so overly benevolent and compassionate in that situation. With his own temperament, he couldn't care less whether those rogue cultivators lived or died.
Perhaps sensing Wang Yuan's suppressed confusion, Luo Chen said mildly, "When arriving in a foreign land, the biggest problem is being strangers in a strange place."
"Having a group of people whom I've helped, even if they aren't members of the Luotian Association, will still support us in one way or another."
"Besides, Wang Haichao..."
Pursing his lips, a glint of gloom surfaced in Luo Chen's eyes.
That man was like a snake—venomous and sinister. No one knew when he might strike and sink his fangs into them.
Earlier, pushing him forward as alliance leader was to make him the figurehead taking the brunt, handling any dangers they might encounter along the way.
And handle them he did!
Except he handled them by throwing other people's lives into the pit!
If Luo Chen had not forced his hand this time, the man likely would not have been willing to part with a single copper.
Wang Yuan shook his head. "He isn't someone to get close to. Better not have too much contact with him. His appetite is too ravenous, his ambition too vast, and he has zero regard for moral code."
"I understand."
Luo Chen gave an acknowledging hum, shifting his gaze to Wang Yuan. "After purging Duan Qiankun's remnant soul, how has your cultivation been progressing lately?"
At the mention of cultivation, Wang Yuan's interest piqued.
He shook his frame, his joints popping with a series of crisp crackles.
"My immortal cultivation realm is stuck at Qi Refining Great Perfection."
"However, over these past few days, I managed to work out a killer move—a genuine killer technique of the second realm of body cultivation!"
Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. "Can it rival the techniques of early Foundation Establishment?"
"It is an all-out strike, and it surpasses them!"
Luo Chen looked in surprise at the full-of-confidence Wang Yuan.
Then, his heart felt slightly more at ease.
"With you here, I will have much more leeway in how I handle things moving forward."
***
Whether a person was composed or not stemmed from strength.
Internal strength: cultivation realm, killer techniques, and hidden trumps.
External strength: backing, factional influence, connections, wealth, and so forth.
And through years of effort, Luo Chen had accumulated more and more of both.
Thus, he handled affairs with increasing ease and calm.
He lacked the restlessness and greenness of his youth, having grown steadily more poised and mature.
In the eyes of outsiders, Luo Chen was becoming ever more dependable and trustworthy.
After the River-Swallowing Toad incident, the Luotian Association—from top to bottom—had given him their complete allegiance.
Even most of the rogue cultivators who joined later had firmly accepted Luo Chen as their leader.
He treated mere outsiders with such benevolence and compassion; following him, their future could only be grander and brighter.
It was not just the Luotian Association.
Luo Chen noticed that on the rare occasions he went out on deck to catch some air, the glances from the rogue cultivators around him had shifted from initial awe toward a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator to carrying touches of genuine reverence.
That was simply how the cultivation world was.
Strength was supreme; whoever had the bigger fist had the final word.
Wang Haichao had sent men to their deaths; the dead cursed him to high heaven, but the survivors dared not utter a single disrespectful word, keeping their resentment strictly to their thoughts.
Luo Chen, on the other hand, displayed a completely different bearing.
Naturally, the low-tier rogue cultivators treated him differently.
He could tell how much of that respectful gaze was heartfelt and how much was mere awe of power.
*This is fine as well. Even if not for myself, it forms some good karma for the people under my command.*
*Perhaps at some point, it might yield unexpected benefits.*
Concluding his stroll on the deck, Luo Chen clasped his hands behind his back and leisurely returned to his cabin to continue cultivating.
Calculating the time, they would arrive at Taishan Market by tomorrow noon at the latest.
He could calculate it, and he could also see it from the restlessness rippling through the low-tier cultivators.
***
The next day, morning.
Not a cloud lingered in the sky, and the air was clear and refreshing.
The massive fleet slowed, gradually docking in a vast inlet known as Huiwang Bay.
"We're here! We're here!"
"We've finally arrived at Taishan Market."
"This has truly been the longest journey of my life!"
Boisterous clamor drifted in from outside.
Hurried footsteps came echoing from the deck stairs.
"Master, we've reached Taishan Market."
It was Qu Lingjun.
*Creak!*
The door swung open, and Luo Chen, clad in a fresh, moon-white robe, stepped out.
Standing on the elevated three-story deck, Luo Chen looked ahead.
Three mountains surrounded it, and the grand market resembled a sprawling city.
The Lancang River surged past, teeming with countless cultivators.
Yet, after taking just one look, Luo Chen's brows furrowed slightly.
"Master, what's wrong?" Qu Lingjun asked in confusion, noticing Luo Chen's seemingly dissatisfied expression.
"Nothing." Luo Chen's gaze flickered, and he instructed mildly, "Let Huiniang know that the brothers of the association may go into Taishan Market for a look, but they must travel in groups and avoid clashing with the locals as much as possible."
"Understood, I'll go inform the director-general right away."
Even as Qu Lingjun nodded, Luo Chen had already floated away.
***
Aboard the Dragon Whale vessel.
Luo Chen descended just as Li Yixian arrived.
The two exchanged nods of acknowledgment before entering the grand hall together.
Nangong Jin had arrived early, while Wang Haichao sat elevated at the seat of honor.
The four took their seats and cut straight to the chase.
"When will they arrive?"
Wang Haichao said in a deep voice, "Soon! Wait patiently!"
Patiently?
How could they possibly remain patient!
They had already dispatched cultivators under their command to gather information about Taishan Market.
Affected by the war between the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect and the Luoyun Sect, the cultivators of the local Jade Cauldron Sword Pavilion had long since vacated the premises, leaving the building empty.
Without the overwhelming presence of the domain's regional overlord, the vast Taishan Market was suddenly left leaderless.
Even though properties belonging to six great superior sects remained stationed here, they were foreign domain powers after all and held no sway.
Consequently, the voice of authority in the local market was presently concentrated in the three native clans:
The Huo clan of Mount Chichan, the Kang clan of Mount Taishan, and the Yu family of Mount Yihua.
Among these three, the Huo clan was backed by the Flame Alliance and possessed an ancestor at the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment, thus wielding the greatest influence.
Whether the four major factions of Dahe Market could take root here depended entirely on their reception.
Without their consent, a clash would likely prove unavoidable.
Li Yixian said with concern, "Too many of us have come over. The rogue cultivators are fine—they gather and scatter like duckweed and will never amount to a threat anywhere they go. But our four major factions will inevitably encroach upon the local families' livelihood."
"I'm afraid it won't go so smoothly!"
Having come ashore, Nangong Jin had shed some of his restlessness.
He gave a soft snort. "It would naturally be best if we can negotiate terms peacefully. If not, our fists will have to do the talking."
Was he looking to emulate the past events of Dahe Market?
Since when had Nangong Jin grown so bold?
Luo Chen cast a glance at him, his lips curling faintly.
Nangong Jin was looking straight at Wang Haichao.
"Am I right, Alliance Leader?"
He was pushing Wang Haichao to serve as the vanguard!
Wang Haichao gave Nangong Jin a deep, measuring look without saying a word.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly chilled.
Nangong Jin felt a bit awkward, but he didn't take it to heart.
He saw the situation clearly enough: Luo Chen and Li Yixian harbored similar intentions. It was just that their factions possessed deeper foundations, so they would not speak out carelessly. To plan for his own family, he had to take on these thankless tasks.
As the four waited in silence, the commotion outside gradually subsided.
Suddenly!
All four snapped their heads up as a paper crane flew into the room.
A voice transmission paper crane?
Wang Haichao beckoned with his hand, catching the crane.
As the transmission reached his ears, his expression steadily darkened.
Only after a long while did he look up.
"We might have to wait for a while."
"Hm?"
"Why is that?"
"Leaving us out in the cold?"
Facing their inquiries, Wang Haichao said sullenly, "The old ancestor of Mount Chichan's Huo clan is currently in seclusion. Only after he emerges will the various factions of Taishan Market decide whether to accept us."
At these words, the expressions of Luo Chen and the other two shifted.
Was this true or false?
An excuse?
Or did they have other calculations?
After a round of discussion that yielded no answers, Luo Chen and the others had no choice but to disperse.
Once they had departed, Wang Haichao retrieved the voice transmission paper crane once more, stroking it carefully.
An uncertain, shifting expression settled over his face.
***
After arriving at Taishan Market, most of the rogue cultivators who followed from Dahe Market disembarked.
The majority would remain here, likely living in the surrounding area barring unforeseen circumstances.
A small fraction might drift to other markets.
There were also those holding out hope that the great sect would return to Dahe Market to clean up the aftermath, allowing them to return to their former homes.
Cultivators of the four major factions spent the daylight hours exploring before returning to their vessels one after another as night fell.
Late at night.
A figure, his presence completely muted, quietly slipped out of his cabin.
Gliding across the water's surface, he leapt toward the Li family's ship.
Just as Luo Chen was about to slip aboard, he raised an eyebrow.
Turning toward a spot that had brushed past him, he murmured softly, "Fellow Daoist Li?"
In the darkness of the night, a pair of bright eyes peered back at him.
"Eh? Fellow Daoist Luo?"
What a coincidence!
The direction she had been heading was plainly toward the Luotian Association's vessel.
Her intentions were self-evident.
Looking at the phantom-like figure shimmering like a withered tree trunk, Luo Chen praised, "What an exquisite concealing movement technique!"
Li Yixian looked at him with equal astonishment.
"Fellow Daoist's concealment spell is not a whit inferior!"
After all, Luo Chen had been the first to spot her just now.
"Shall we change locations?" Luo Chen suggested.
"Very well, lead the way, Fellow Daoist!"
Without standing on ceremony, Luo Chen flew toward a dense forest outside Taishan Market.
Following the faint sliver of aura Luo Chen intentionally left behind, Li Yixian followed close behind.
*Rumors had it that Luo Chen is extraordinarily skilled in spells. Seeing it today, they certainly didn't lie.*
*I have cultivated the Huaiyin Art for many years and consider myself unrivaled at concealing my aura and masking my form.*
*Yet to think I would still be half a step behind him.*
Soon, the two reached their destination.
Touching down, Luo Chen glanced around to ensure no prying eyes were watching.
He cast a Sound Isolation Art, enveloping them both.
Just as he was about to speak, they looked at each other and smiled.
"What do you think?" Li Yixian asked with a smile.
Luo Chen did not beat around the bush, stating bluntly, "Wang Haichao is holding something back."
"Indeed. Four Foundation Establishment cultivators arriving together—there is no reason for Taishan Market to leave us out in the cold like this," Li Yixian agreed with a nod.
They were hardly small fry.
Four Foundation Establishment True Cultivators, plus the four major factions accompanying them.
Added together, their numbers reached several thousand.
Perhaps it amounted to nothing in the eyes of a great sect, but how could a mere market afford to put on such airs?
Li Yixian said softly, "He might be concealing some inside information, intending to exploit the time gap."
"That is my view as well. After all, Wang Haichao runs a water transport business and travels between several major markets year-round. Our relocation should have been communicated to them long ago."
"Do you know any Foundation Establishment True Cultivators here?"
Faced with Li Yixian's inquiry, a person's face surfaced in Luo Chen's mind.
He nodded.
Seeing this, Li Yixian spoke directly: "I have been on good terms with the clan leader of Mount Yihua's Yu family for many years. I can visit her tomorrow to glean some information in advance."
"Good, let us proceed that way!"
Luo Chen agreed to the proposal.
With that settled, he turned to leave, but Li Yixian called out to stop him.
"Is there something else?"
Looking at Luo Chen, Li Yixian bit her lip lightly. "Does our agreement to advance and retreat together still stand?"
Luo Chen paused, then gave an easy smile.
"Naturally, it still stands!"
***
The following day.
Along the wide thoroughfare, a tall, slender figure strolled under the glaring sun.
Taking in the architectural layout around him, curiosity colored his face.
"It truly is completely different from the inner and outer cities of Dahe Market."
Rather than a proper market, Taishan Market was more like a bazaar that had formed on the plains nestled between three great mountains.
Over time, it had evolved into this market.
The layout of the surrounding buildings clearly had not undergone professional planning like Dahe Market had.
They sprawled haphazardly, dotted here and there.
Some buildings were towering and grand, obviously the properties of wealthy, powerful sects.
Others possessed nothing more than a lone signpost, looking exceedingly crude.
These were undoubtedly the modest properties of petty clans.
Before long, Luo Chen's footsteps brought him before a tall building steeped in antique charm.
A plaque reading "Gold and Stone Pavilion" hung above.
Stepping inside, he was met with dazzling golden splendor.
*Strictly speaking, the Kang clan is an affiliated family of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. Kang Dongyue told me that himself back then.*
*Now that the two Nascent Soul superior sects are clashing, who knows if they'll be dragged into it?*
With these thoughts drifting through his mind, Luo Chen walked further inside.
A comely maidservant came forward to greet him.
Although Luo Chen concealed his Foundation Establishment aura, he wore a high-grade dharma robe and carried an air of effortless composure. It was obvious at a glance that he was no ordinary rogue cultivator.
Consequently, the maidservant showed great enthusiasm.
"What would Senior like to purchase?"
"Our Gold and Stone Pavilion's specialties, Golden Quality Jade Liquid and Stone Essence Pills, are both fine pills of great benefit to cultivation. If Senior is journeying far abroad, you might also prepare some Menghuang Powder to ward off venomous pests and beasts. In addition, items like cinnabar, mica..."
Luo Chen had originally intended to cut straight to the chase, but after hearing her introduction, he felt somewhat tempted.
The Kang clan of Mount Taishan truly lived up to its reputation as an affiliate of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect.
After operating for so many years, they offered an impressive variety of low-tier pills.
Their diversity even surpassed that of the Luotian Association.
Yet on closer thought, it was only natural.
Many of those pills were not particularly difficult to concoct, and some of the items that sounded remarkably effective had comparable competitors on the open market.
Even so, Luo Chen spent a few hundred spirit stones purchasing a batch of low-tier pills not meant for cultivation.
He needed Golden Quality Jade Liquid, but he did not buy it.
Instead, to the maidservant's astonishment, he brought out a Myriad Wonders Pill.
"I wonder, do you purchase pills here?"
"Peak-grade!"
The maidservant gasped in surprise, then immediately clamped her hand over her mouth.
She glanced left and right, only to find that none of the surrounding customers had noticed her outburst.
*Eh?*
Belatedly, she realized that Luo Chen had already cast a Sound Isolation Art in advance.
Swallowing hard, the maidservant nodded repeatedly.
"We do purchase pills, but they must be appraised by an elder of our Gold and Stone Pavilion first."
Luo Chen's eyes flickered. "Could Senior Kang Dongyue appraise it personally? I have far more than just this single pill in hand!"
As he spoke, he pressed that peak-grade Myriad Wonders Pill straight into her hand.
The maidservant hesitated for a moment.
Yet upon hearing Luo Chen's words, "far more than just this single pill," her resolve hardened at once.
A large quantity of peak-grade pills?
If she could secure such a massive deal for the Gold and Stone Pavilion, she would certainly earn praise from above, and the rewards would be substantial.
Gritting her teeth, she said, "Senior, please wait upstairs for a moment."
Luo Chen smiled faintly and strode upstairs.
The stepping stone had been presented.
Now, it only remained to see whether Kang Dongyue would be moved!
Chapter 204