"Greetings, Senior Li!"
"Ah, Huiniang. Are you here to see Luo Chen?"
"Yes, the president told me to come over today."
Because they had leased cave dwellings together, the three Foundation Establishment cultivators from Dahe Market lived very close to one another, almost on the exact same cliff face.
Li Yixian, who was just about to head out, happened to run into Sima Huiniang as she arrived.
After exchanging a few words, Sima Huiniang hurried into Luo Chen's cave dwelling.
Watching her capable, brisk figure disappear inside, Li Yixian could not help but feel intensely envious.
If only the Li family had someone who could manage matters inside and out in such an orderly, efficient manner.
Why else would she have to scurry off to attend to all the Li family's petty trifles before her cave dwelling had even warmed up?
Li Ao was simply too young, after all, and his cultivation realm was too low to shoulder major responsibilities.
Luo Chen, on the other hand, had it easy. With Sima Huiniang around, he rarely needed to handle things in person.
*Perhaps I should consider having Xiao Ao move into the cave dwelling so he can reach Foundation Establishment sooner.*
*That way, I could let go of these mundane chores and focus entirely on my cultivation.*
Thinking of the Luotian Association's abundance of talent only deepened Li Yixian's envy.
Even an array master like Min Longyu had joined them.
The Luotian Association's strength had undoubtedly received another massive boost.
*Not just Xiao Ao—the other clansmen need to improve their strength as well.*
*We must keep pace with the Luotian Association!*
***
While Li Yixian was envying Luo Chen, inside the cave dwelling, Sima Huiniang had produced an account ledger and was meticulously walking Luo Chen through the Luotian Association's financial situation.
"Because the battle on the Gaoling Plain was an encounter combined with a breakout, many of the cultivators who fought didn't have time to gather spoils during the combat.
"Consequently, most of the spoils were collected and turned in afterward.
"The specific criteria for rewards and penalties haven't been finalized yet, but Hall Master Murong has already recorded everyone's corresponding merits in the ledger.
"Once we straighten everything out on our end, it will be up to you, President, to decide whether to implement it."
Luo Chen nodded.
Taking the ledger from Sima Huiniang, he began reading through it intently.
This was different from both the battle with the Fu family and the battle of Mount Xiaohuan.
In this sudden clash on the Gaoling Plain, the spoils had been gathered while sweeping the battlefield after the fighting ended.
While some might have pocketed things in secret, more than ninety percent remained under his absolute control.
The first page of the ledger tallied the number of storage bags.
Seventy-five in total!
"So many?" Luo Chen asked, surprised.
Sima Huiniang shook her head. "In reality, it's actually on the low side. When the Great River Gang cultivators fled, they took a great deal with them. Others were severely damaged during the battle and could no longer be used. After the final count, only these seventy-five remained."
Seventy-five was hardly a small number!
If valued strictly at the market price of ten thousand spirit stones apiece, this alone was an astronomical fortune.
However, Sima Huiniang gave him some rather discouraging news.
"Storage bags are very cheap here in Tianlan Immortal City!"
"Oh?" Luo Chen raised an eyebrow.
Sima Huiniang explained, "Yesterday, when I took people out to look around, Xiao Liu introduced me to a Foundation Establishment senior from Wanbao Tower. He said that if we purchase more than a hundred storage bags at once, we can enjoy the sect rate of three thousand apiece."
Luo Chen drew a sharp breath.
Even knowing storage bags carried steep markups, he had never imagined they could be this cheap.
His eyes flickered as a thought dawned on him.
It seemed that ever since the war between the two Nascent Soul superior sects broke out, Wanbao Tower... no, Tianfan City!
Behind Wanbao Tower stood Tianfan City, another Nascent Soul superior sect outside the Jade Cauldron Domain.
In this war between the two Nascent Soul superior sects of the Jade Cauldron Domain, Tianfan City seemed exceptionally active!
Back during their time in Dahe Market, a massive quantity of magical artifacts crafted by Tianfan City had flowed out of the Zhenlong Black Market.
Artifacts like the voice transmission paper crane had even been mass-produced.
Now, it appeared even storage bags were being sold in bulk.
And their buyers weren't limited to the Seven Jade Cauldron Sects; they reached down to small factions like the Luotian Association.
*Indeed, war profiteering is always the most lucrative. An opportunity like this comes once in a century.*
*Tianfan City isn't stupid... Hm?*
A faint possibility struck Luo Chen.
Could this war, initiated by the Falling Cloud Sect, have been backed by Tianfan City all along?
"As for spirit stones, the amount is enormous—a staggering one hundred and thirty thousand!"
"Most are low-grade spirit stones, but the count also includes three hundred mid-grade spirit stones. In my opinion..."
Sima Huiniang's voice cut through his thoughts, snapping Luo Chen back from his frightening speculation.
What did the scheming and struggles between superior sects have to do with him?
With his mere second-layer Foundation Establishment cultivation, he couldn't possibly get involved.
The urgent priority was to take care of his own affairs!
"A hundred and thirty thousand!"
Luo Chen pressed his lips together, his eyes glittering with excitement.
This was unquestionably a vast sum, even surpassing his current personal wealth of fifty thousand spirit stones.
Well, he only had fifty thousand left because he had paid three years of rent upfront for the cave dwelling yesterday.
One had to admit, war was ridiculously profitable!
And this did not even account for the storage bags of Wang Haichao, Tu Shan, and Huo Hu, which likely contained massive stashes of spirit stones.
If those were added, the total would soar even higher.
A crazier cultivator would probably be itching to fight a few more wars like this.
Yet Luo Chen quickly suppressed that unwarranted urge.
A single clash had cost the Luotian Association more than half of its cultivators.
Even an old friend like Zeng Wen had died in it while protecting his wife and child.
Luo Chen had no desire to invite conflict lightly.
He far preferred to cultivate in peace.
"There are also over a thousand magical artifacts. More than half are intact, while many are damaged; they're all currently sitting in storage.
"In addition, there are countless medicinal pills, talismans, magic robes, materials, and various sundries.
"We seized over a hundred cultivation manuals and secret techniques, though most are redundant. After filtering them, only about thirty remain, five of which are second-order...
"In summary, that is everything.
"As for the belongings of our association's fallen cultivators, those with family members have already reclaimed them. The rest have been accounted for in the earlier ledger.
"Oh, right. There are also three sets of alchemy notes, which I brought over specially."
The sprawling report went on for quite some time.
It was only because Luo Chen had gone through this many times and grown accustomed to it; any other True Cultivator of Foundation Establishment would have found their head swimming.
Taking the three sets of alchemy notes from Sima Huiniang, Luo Chen flipped through them briefly.
Most were the reflections of first-rank alchemists, nothing particularly extraordinary.
However, he made a mental note of two first-rank pill recipes recorded within.
"We can place them in the Pill Hall to build up our heritage.
"When I have free time, I can look through them as well to discard the dross and take the essence!"
Smiling faintly, Luo Chen looked very pleased.
"Huiniang, you've done exceptionally well."
A smile appeared on Sima Huiniang's face as well.
"It's only what I ought to do!"
Luo Chen smiled and shook his head. "There is no such thing as what one 'ought to do.' The world bustles for profit, and the world scrambles for gain. Since you have performed so splendidly, it is only right that I reward you."
He spoke naturally, yet ripples stirred within Sima Huiniang's heart.
Looking at Luo Chen's warm smile, she thought to herself, *I'm not doing this merely for profit. You may not bring up the debt of saving my life, but I cannot forget it!*
Still, such thoughts were best kept to oneself; there was no need to voice them aloud.
Actions spoke louder than words.
Her quiet reaction caught Luo Chen slightly off guard; he had hoped to see a bit of excitement on her face.
Then again, this was fine too. Hiding one's emotions beneath a calm exterior showed that she had indeed matured even further.
"I've observed that among the ninth-layer Qi Refinement members in our association, you and Duan Feng are closest to the peak of Qi Refinement.
"You must not neglect your daily cultivation.
"Once you reach Qi Refinement perfection, that Foundation Establishment Pill will be yours. Furthermore, when you attempt Foundation Establishment, I will protect your path with all my strength, and I can even lend you this second-order cave dwelling for the breakthrough."
Hearing these words, the woman who had appeared so composed just moments ago could not help but show sheer excitement.
Was this a promise?
A Foundation Establishment Pill!
The full protection of a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, plus the use of a second-order cave dwelling.
What an extraordinary prospect.
Back when she was still a rogue cultivator, she had never dared dream of such wonderful fortune.
In those days, merely gathering the spirit herbs for Foundation Establishment would have felt like the crowning achievement of her life.
Who could have imagined her circumstances would change so drastically?
*Thump!*
Without the slightest hesitation, Sima Huiniang dropped to one knee, her long hair spilling forward across her chest.
"Huiniang thanks the president!"
Luo Chen smiled faintly. It seemed her composure hadn't quite reached perfection after all!
Then again, under such conditions, no Qi Refinement cultivator could possibly remain calm.
"All right, get up.
"Next, come with me to Binglan Palace."
With that, he rose and walked toward the exit.
Sima Huiniang followed behind him without hesitation.
Gazing at Luo Chen's back, her emotions churned.
*Meeting him might truly be the greatest fortune of my entire life!*
Leaving the cave dwelling, Luo Chen activated the array formation to conceal it.
Without his permission, no one else could force their way inside—unless the lease expired and rent went unpaid, in which case the rotating Ice Fort cultivators of Tianlan Immortal City would break down the door.
Forming a hand seal, he condensed a white cloud beneath his feet.
Luo Chen beckoned to her. "Come up!"
Sima Huiniang stepped onto it with great care. The surface beneath her feet was soft and offered no resistance, leaving her swaying unsteadily.
The white cloud drifted, gliding leisurely down the mountainside.
A colossal waterfall crashed from the sky to the earth below, producing a thunderous roar.
Yet Luo Chen's voice transmission reached her ears with absolute clarity:
"The Cloud-Riding Art condenses spiritual energy into a cloud, a technique derived from the cloud of spiritual power within the body at the ninth layer of Qi Refinement.
"When stepping onto it, do not resist.
"Attach your spiritual power to your feet to interface with the cloud, and it will feel as solid and steady as walking on dry land."
Sima Huiniang followed his instructions.
Before long, the weightless instability vanished, and she stood upon the cloud in steady balance.
Only then did she find the leisure to look back.
The silver dragon cascading from the heavens was magnificent beyond words.
The numerous cave dwellings nestled amidst the mist looked like an abode of immortals.
"No need to envy them," Luo Chen said.
"Once you reach Foundation Establishment, I will increase your compensation. Renting a cave dwelling of your own here will be trivial."
Sima Huiniang pressed her lips together and gave a gentle nod.
From the corner of her eye, she looked at Luo Chen's profile—sword-sharp brows, starry eyes, and a sharp, spirited gaze.
He had lost the grim solemnity he carried upon leaving Dahe Market, replaced by an easy, unrestrained poise.
As if sensing someone watching him, Luo Chen turned his head.
Sima Huiniang parted her lips awkwardly and asked offhandedly, "President, why are we going to Binglan Palace?"
"Why?"
The corner of Luo Chen's mouth curled slightly. "To lease a piece of land."
***
"Senior Luo Chen, you're here!"
Before they even entered Binglan Palace, a sweet voice rang out from a distance.
A young girl named Shi Lan came jogging over, her high ponytail swinging behind her.
Reaching Luo Chen's side, she blinked her wide, lively eyes and stared fixedly at him, as though terrified he might slip away.
Her eager behavior naturally did not escape Sima Huiniang's notice.
It seemed this girl had known Luo Chen's intentions all along?
"This is Sima Huiniang, the director-general of our Luotian Association," Luo Chen introduced briefly, gesturing to his side.
Shi Lan glanced at Sima Huiniang in surprise.
"'Directing and deciding matters in general' makes a director-general, but why not call her a sect master? After all, a sect master oversees an entire sect's gates."
Luo Chen shook his head. "Our Luotian Association is just a small, humble outfit. How could we call ourselves a sect?"
"Senior, you jest! You achieved Foundation Establishment at such a young age, so the Golden Core stage is practically just around the corner. When that time comes, choosing a mountain to establish a sect will be as easy as turning over your hand!"
*This little girl certainly knows how to flatter!*
After pouring on the compliments, Shi Lan warmly introduced herself to Sima Huiniang: "Director-General Sima, I am Shi Lan, a disciple of the Ice Fort. If the Luotian Association ever needs anything in the future, just come find me!"
"Then I won't stand on ceremony and will surely trouble you often."
"Haha, no trouble at all!"
Chatting along the way, the three entered Binglan Palace.
At this moment, other Foundation Establishment True Cultivators were also arriving to lease cave dwellings or storefronts.
Shi Lan paid them no heed whatsoever, leaving other female disciples to attend to them.
She remained devotedly at Luo Chen's side, terrified that someone else might cut in.
"Senior, this way please! Let us head to the second floor!"
Luo Chen naturally did not refuse and followed her up to the second floor.
There, a massive sand table came into view.
In the center of the sand table stood Tianlan Immortal City itself, occupying the largest expanse!
Surrounding it, like stars scattered across the sky, were various mountains, valleys, and rivers.
Many locations were marked with red dots, complete with corresponding names.
With just a glance, Luo Chen spotted familiar names like Tianyi Market, Peach Mountain, and the Divine Craft Sect.
Apart from those, a small number of white points of light emitted a faint glow across the map.
The gazes of all three immediately fell upon those white dots.
Unclaimed territory!
Or rather, nominally, these places belonged to Tianlan Immortal City.
It was just that currently, no faction occupied them.
Shi Lan picked up a long jade ruler, her high ponytail swaying behind her.
"Earlier, I heard Senior Luo Chen say you wished to lease a place with a first-order spirit vein.
"After returning, I went through the records specially and picked out seven locations best suited for the Luotian Association to settle.
"First is Mirror Lake! It was originally the territory of a talisman-crafting clan, but unfortunately, their Foundation Establishment ancestor passed away, leaving no worthy successor. Ten years ago, they ceased their lease, and it has remained vacant ever since."
The Mirror Lake Fu family.
A nearly imperceptible smile touched the corner of Sima Huiniang's lips.
"This place has a natural first-order spirit vein in the form of a spiritual spring. Strictly speaking, it is also a first-order branch extending from the third-order spiritual ground of Tianlan Peak.
"It is more than sufficient to support the daily cultivation of over a hundred Qi Refinement cultivators."
Curious, Sima Huiniang asked, "What is the rental price?"
Shi Lan held up a finger. "Ten thousand spirit stones a year, with a minimum ten-year lease!"
"So expensive!"
Sima Huiniang was taken aback.
This price was nearly on par with a second-order cave dwelling on Tianlan Peak.
"There's good reason for the price, Sister Director-General."
Shi Lan gave a sweet smile and pointed her jade ruler at the white dot on the sand table.
Instantly, an image of a lake spanning dozens of mu materialized above the sand table.
"Mirror Lake produces twenty-seven varieties of spiritual fish, as well as multiple types of aquatic spirit plants.
"Back then, the reason the Fu family became renowned across Tianlan for their talismans was that they used paper woven from three types of water plants as talisman parchment, which amplified spells. Their effects were several notches stronger than ordinary talismans."
A flash of realization struck Sima Huiniang.
She finally understood why the Fu family had migrated all that distance without settling in any marketplace along the way, heading straight for Dahe Market.
Thanks to the Lancang River, Dahe Market also abounded in aquatic spirit plants.
Once they incorporated beast hides into their talisman-crafting, their future would have been even brighter.
Regrettably, before they could realize their grand ambitions, the Luotian Association had snuffed them out in the cradle.
Shi Lan looked confident; Mirror Lake was a choice location she had picked out deliberately.
Its previous owners had not been gone long.
The structures and facilities inside could be used immediately after a light cleaning.
If she successfully closed this deal, she would earn a handsome sum of spirit stones!
Unfortunately...
"Show us another," Luo Chen said, shaking his head in dissatisfaction with Mirror Lake.
Shi Lan scratched her head and pointed her jade ruler elsewhere.
"The Bamboo Sea! It spans a vast area and even borders Azure Pill Valley. Within it grow seven types of spiritual bamboo, and it produces abundant bamboo rice, far superior to ordinary spiritual rice in both taste and spiritual energy. However, cultivation and harvesting are time-consuming and require a large workforce. If used as a foundation..."
"Next!"
"Mount Wutong, a spiritual mountain widely rumored to have been blessed by the aura of a phoenix. Inside the mountain rests a first-order earth fire vein. Its only drawback is that the mountain is somewhat small..."
"Keep it under consideration."
"Yuening Bay, adjacent to Luosha Market. It sits right on a major transit route, making it ideal for commerce. However, it is prone to harassment from bandit cultivators, which is why it hasn't been leased out for a long time. The rent is eight thousand spirit stones a year..."
One vivid projection after another appeared above the sand table in turn.
Suddenly, Luo Chen pointed toward an orb of grayish-white light.
"Introduce this place."
The jade ruler tapped against the grayish-white orb, and a towering mountain peak shimmering with seven-colored iridescent light instantly came into view.
Chapter 227