There Won't Be a Next Time

Once out of the city, the Langqi flying boat switched into flight mode and became far less eye-catching. Navigating by his memory of the sand table map, Luo Chen carried Sima Huiniang along at full speed, soon arriving outside Danxia Peak. It was not deserted and desolate as they had imagined; on the contrary, the surrounding foot traffic was quite lively. Standing at the foot of the mountain, Luo Chen's spiritual eyes swept back and forth before he nodded. "Huiniang, go ask around and find out what the situation on Danxia Peak is like right now." He couldn't just take Shi Lan's word for what Danxia Peak was actually like. If something went wrong later, Luo Chen would be the one suffering the consequences. Sima Huiniang was not shy about it. In her early years, she had run solo trade routes out in the wild alongside her brother, so she was well-accustomed to such tasks. Gathering intelligence upon arriving in an unfamiliar territory was something she excelled at. As she made her way toward a secluded valley shrouded in shadow beneath the mountain, Luo Chen clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the towering peak before him. Tall! That was Luo Chen's first impression. Next was the distinctive flora. At the mountain's base, a small stream gurgled past, seemingly flowing out from Biyou Valley. Along both banks grew dense clusters of purplish bamboo. This was Purple Mist bamboo, transplanted years ago by the Min family from the Bamboo Sea. If grown to the second order, it was ideal for crafting pipe and flute artifacts. Sadly, after so many years, far from reaching the second order, even first-order stalks were scarce here. Growing right along the roadside, no one would leave spiritual bamboo of any rank untouched. Moving past the mountain's base led to the foothills. Expanses of fiery-red maple leaves covered the front and back of Danxia Peak like blazing clouds of fire. Higher up, halfway up the mountain, the colors abruptly shifted. The fire maples thinned out, leaving only a scattered tree or two as accents. Dominating the slopes were azure ridge trees and golden phoenix trees. The azure and gold mirrored each other, exceptionally breathtaking. As for the summit and peak, they were completely obscured, enshrouded beneath layers of white mist that concealed their true visage. Finally, what caught Luo Chen's eye were the streaks of light flying about with reckless abandon. Every single one was a rogue cultivator in the Qi Refinement stage, mostly late Qi Refinement. "They really treat this place like their own home, don't they!" Luo Chen smiled faintly. He harbored no malice toward these rogue cultivators. If their positions were reversed, he too would love to occupy a spirit vein ground without paying rent. But now, these people were encroaching upon his interests. In that case, they couldn't blame him for being ruthless. Before long, Sima Huiniang flew out from Biyou Valley and landed before Luo Chen. "President, I've gathered most of the information." "Tell me." "There are eight hundred rogue cultivators squatting on Danxia Peak, each picking a spot to live, mostly concentrated around the base and mountainside. Thanks to the first-order earth fire vein here and Danxia Peak's unique geographical advantages, Biyou Valley has evolved into a miniature market, with earth fire grottos available for rent." Luo Chen raised an eyebrow. A miniature market? Earth fire grottos? He understood the former—wherever people gathered, trade followed. But the latter... Under Luo Chen's gaze, Sima Huiniang explained excitedly, "Those earth fire grottos have already been excavated. They're rented out to rogue cultivators for concocting pills, forging artifacts, and even for cultivators with fire spiritual roots to practice their cultivation." "Rented out? Who are the proprietors?" "The Divine Craft Sect and the Geng family." Luo Chen shook his head. "As expected, Binglan Palace hasn't paid the slightest attention to this area. People are using this spiritual mountain to turn a profit, and they don't even know it. Do they have dedicated Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed here to guard it?" "No, not at all!" Sima Huiniang pursed her rosy lips, her eyes gleaming. "If we move in, those excavated earth fire grottos happen to be perfect for our Pill Hall and Artifact Hall." Luo Chen gave an acknowledging hum. That would definitely have been a massive project, and he had originally intended to ask the cultivators of Mount Ailao for help. Now that others had already set them up beforehand, it saved him a great deal of trouble. However, what concerned him most right now were other matters. "How many Foundation Establishment True Cultivators are on the mountain?" At this topic, Sima Huiniang's expression grew somewhat somber. "There are three Foundation Establishment True Cultivators in total on the mountain. One is at the first level of Foundation Establishment, named Cao Yunchun. The other two are a married couple; the husband is at the second level, and the wife just recently broke through to Foundation Establishment." "What are their reputations like? How strong are they? Do they have any prominent signature techniques? Do they have any backing factions?" Luo Chen rattled off question after question. Sima Huiniang was not flustered. She had already known Luo Chen would care most about these details, so she had spent spirit stones in Biyou Valley asking around beforehand. As she answered each question one by one, Luo Chen smiled. "Cultivators reduced to squatting on a first-order spirit vein really are just insignificant rogues. All right, let's head back!" Sima Huiniang boarded the flying boat and looked back at Danxia Peak. This would be their future home. Though three Foundation Establishment True Cultivators occupied it—a presence anyone would handle with extreme caution—she did not sense the slightest worry in Luo Chen's smile. This was the profound trust instilled in her by Luo Chen's unbroken string of victories all along their journey. With the president around, nothing was an obstacle! *** "Husband, what are you looking at?" Gan Xiaoyan looked puzzledly at Bian Zhong, who stood before a cliffside garden they had carved out, his expression quite solemn. Bian Zhong shook his head, a hint of worry surfacing on his face. "Just now, a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator at the base of the mountain unscrupulously scanned Danxia Peak from top to bottom." "What's so strange about that?" Gan Xiaoyan asked in confusion. In the past, fellow Foundation Establishment cultivators passing by would occasionally inspect Danxia Peak as well. But in the end, it was merely a first-order spirit vein ground, unworthy of their notice, so they had never worried. Bian Zhong sighed. "I'm afraid whoever came does not come with good intentions!" He had seen it clearly! The other party had not merely swept the peak with a casual glance; they had lingered at the base of the mountain for a long time. In all likelihood, they had designs on Danxia Peak as well. Gan Xiaoyan shrugged. "So what if they come with ill intent? Counting Fellow Daoist Cao Yunchun, the three of us Foundation Establishment cultivators count as a force not to be trifled with among rogue cultivators. Unless Tianlan Immortal City dispatches people, who would go to war with us over a first-order spiritual mountain that isn't even suitable for cultivation?" Bian Zhong shook his head, not wishing to argue further. Saying too much would only make him sound like an alarmist. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Have we saved enough spirit stones?" At the mention of spirit stones, Gan Xiaoyan nodded happily. "Almost. Save for one more year, and we can go lease a second-order cave dwelling on Tianlan Peak. When the time comes, you can cultivate during the day and I'll cultivate at night. Our stagnant cultivation realms will definitely rise quickly!" "Still short by a year's worth of spirit stones?" Bian Zhong's brow furrowed deeply. After a long while, he made up his mind. "A place like Danxia Peak simply isn't suitable for us Foundation Establishment cultivators to cultivate. We must move as soon as possible. Relying solely on serving as consecrated elders for cultivation families earns far too little. Next month, I'll go take on some work!" Gan Xiaoyan's expression changed. "Husband, you absolutely must not get involved in the conflict between the superior sects!" "Don't worry, I value my life dearly." Bian Zhong affectionately ruffled her soft hair. "The work I'm looking for isn't that dangerous." "That's good, then." *** Tianlan Peak, slightly above the foothills and just below the mountainside, in a quiet cave dwelling. Luo Chen sat cross-legged, his entire focus directed inward. Within his vast sea of qi, a spiritual energy vortex spun rapidly. Spirals of spiritual energy surged outward, crashing against the perimeter of his qi sea. With every impact, a layer of the blackened matter solidified along the edges was scraped away. That blackened substance was the barrier formed from ingesting too many medicinal pills. Ever since his dantian had transformed into a sea, those pill-toxin barriers had not disappeared; instead, they had integrated into his qi sea. Before purging this pill toxin, Luo Chen dared not take medicinal pills to accelerate his cultivation. That was why he had so much time lately to handle the Luotian Association's trivial affairs. Yet deep down, he always felt a sense of urgency! "Two thousand years! If I cannot cultivate with the aid of pills, given my aptitude and spiritual energy requirements, it would take two thousand years to reach the Great Circle of Foundation Establishment and attain the False Core stage. My practice of the Clear Source Wondrous Elixir Method must continue without interruption." "Ugh!" With a muffled grunt, Luo Chen opened his eyes, drenched in sweat. He brushed a finger lightly against his skin, and a thin film of dark sweat appeared on his fingertip. This meant that once again, a minute trace of pill toxin had been expelled. Rising to his feet, he entered the living quarters and washed himself thoroughly with clean water. Only after changing into fresh inner robes did he feel refreshed and clear-headed. With a thought, his attribute panel appeared before his eyes. His gaze fell instantly on his cultivation realm. Having remained stagnant for a long time since leaving Dahe Market, his cultivation realm had finally shown a slight shift after nine days of cultivating on Tianlan Peak. 【Realm: Foundation Establishment Level Two 2/100】 This was not solely the result of those nine days; it also encompassed the persistent accumulation from his efforts throughout the journey. Yet the greatest credit still belonged to these nine days! Even a low-grade second-order spirit vein cave dwelling was far superior to an environment without any spirit vein at all. Still, it was far too slow. Cultivating at this pace, two thousand years was truly no joke. With a sigh, Luo Chen glanced at his proficiency in the Yimu Medicine King Scripture. It had increased slightly, but it remained at the Perfection rank. Even the Great Circle of the Eternal Spring Art had only barely managed to push the Yimu Medicine King Scripture to the Perfection rank. Beyond that, its foundation had been completely exhausted. A cultivation manual was also a vital factor influencing the absorption of spiritual energy! Still, there was no rush regarding this matter. Running it day after day, the Yimu Medicine King Scripture would reach the Great Circle eventually. Recalling the numerous changes brought about when the Eternal Spring Art had reached the Great Circle, Luo Chen looked forward with great anticipation to the transformations that would occur once his primary manual ascended to the Master rank and even the Great Circle rank. Finally, Luo Chen's attention settled on the entry in the alchemy techniques section. Yes, alchemy techniques! His toxin-resolving technique was neither a cultivation manual nor a spell, but a specialized alchemy technique! 【Clear Source Wondrous Elixir Method: Beginner 78/100】 Seeing this proficiency, a smile finally appeared on Luo Chen's lips. "It seems it isn't so difficult after all!" According to the jade slip's description, gaining initial mastery of the Clear Source Wondrous Elixir Method took several months, while reaching Minor Accomplishment required three to five years to meet the standard for completely eradicating pill toxins. To attain Major Accomplishment took over a decade of arduous effort. Yet he had achieved initial mastery in just a few days. Now, he was only a few months away from Minor Accomplishment—the Skilled or Proficient tier. "Minor Accomplishment is enough to suppress the formation of new pill toxins. When that time comes, I can resume using medicinal pills to cultivate. That is indeed great news!" After his initial delight at this good news, Luo Chen remained calm. All of this had been earned through his own hard work! Aside from running the Yimu Medicine King Scripture and refining the Lanke black stone and Profound Fire Sword each day, virtually all of his energy had been devoted to cultivating the Clear Source Wondrous Elixir Method. Otherwise, how could his proficiency have increased so quickly? Once he reached Minor Accomplishment, he could suppress the formation of new pill toxins. Once fully mastered, he could completely resolve all residual pill toxins. And if he could attain Major Accomplishment, the wondrous benefits would be even greater! In particular, the ability to extract essence directly from pill toxins made Luo Chen salivate with desire. What did that mean? It meant that for the exact same pill, he could digest and absorb it far better than anyone else, maximizing its efficacy! Taking a deep breath, Luo Chen retrieved a black chess piece and a small sword from his storage bag. The piece was the Lanke black stone, and the sword was the Profound Fire Sword. These two were trump cards capable of serving as ultimate safeguards. They had to be thoroughly refined so that they could be commanded as easily as his own limbs. Luo Chen closed his eyes. The abundant spiritual energy within him flowed forth steadily, accompanied by his projected spiritual sense, beginning to envelop one of the treasures. Only in this manner could he leave behind sufficient spiritual energy imprints upon it. Not only that, but Luo Chen had also applied a clever touch. Drawing on Duan Qiankun's insights, he used his spiritual sense to construct tiny restrictions, tightening the connection between the magic treasure and himself. He did not know how others refined their treasures, but he felt his current method was excellent. It had already yielded exceptional results during his refinement of the Heavy Turnover Seal. Under normal circumstances, refining a top-grade magical artifact without relying on blood sacrifice took at least several months. Yet on his way to Tianlan City, he had completely finished refining the Heavy Turnover Seal. This clearly proved that combining spiritual energy imprints with spiritual sense restrictions was remarkably effective. Time slipped by slowly as he alternated between refining the two items. By the time Luo Chen ceased his refinement, dawn had already broken outside. Luo Chen stowed away the two treasures and deactivated the cave dwelling's sound-isolation array, illusion array, and defensive array. Indeed, every cave dwelling on Tianlan Peak was constructed with a triple array setup: sound isolation, illusion, and defense. As the arrays were unraveled one by one, the rumbling roar of the cascading waterfall outside flooded into his ears. With a thought, Luo Chen released two voice transmission talismans, sending them toward two nearby cave dwellings. Inside his cave dwelling, Nangong Jin opened his eyes. Sensing the voice transmission talisman fluttering aimlessly outside the array, his thoughts stirred. A moment later, the talisman fluttered inside like a butterfly. He tapped it with a strand of spiritual energy, and the talisman slowly burned, carrying Luo Chen's voice: "Fellow Daoist, it is time to depart!" Simultaneously, the exact same scene played out in Li Yixian's cave dwelling. "Fellow Daoist, it is time to depart!" Li Yixian's eyes quivered slightly as she rose to her feet. Her slender, graceful figure stretched out, breathtakingly lovely. Wiping her hand across her face, she resumed her unremarkable, plain appearance. "Very well! Along the way, I have received much care from Luo Chen. Today, I shall lend him a hand!" *** "Safe travels, everyone! If you need a place to stay when entering the city in the future, do come to our Tongfu Inn!" In an alleyway in the northern district of the city, the innkeeper beamed as he saw off a large group of people. In the courtyard, cultivators from the Nangong and Li families watched the departing members of the Luotian Association. "Have they found a base already?" "I heard the Luotian Association's director-general spent a fortune to lease an entire mountain!" "How big a sum?" "Over a hundred thousand spirit stones!" "Hiss! That terrifying?" "Well, what did you expect? The Luotian Association has deep pockets. Who knows where our Li family will end up in the future." "Indeed, staying in an inn indefinitely isn't a long-term solution either." "I really wish I could go along to see their new home." "I don't know why they wouldn't let us tag along. Staying cooped up in this inn every day is boring me to death." "Stop complaining. Have your injuries healed yet?" Amid the chatter, over a hundred Luotian Association cultivators, led by Sima Huiniang, exited Tianlan Immortal City. As they crossed the moat's drawbridge, Sima Huiniang greeted Xu Jingnian warmly. Xu Jingnian waved with a laugh and shouted across the way, "Liuzi, don't you dare slack off! Be a proper guide for these fellow daoists!" Liuzi nodded repeatedly, following along with the main group as they flew toward the boatyard. According to today's arrangements, they were to head to the boatyard first and board a flying boat to Danxia Peak. It was quite a distance from Tianlan Immortal City; flying individually made them vulnerable to accidents, whereas traveling together by flying boat would take only half an hour. However, when Sima Huiniang and the others arrived at the boatyard, what greeted them was a tense, hostile standoff. The three Foundation Establishment cultivators headed by Luo Chen stood near Lu Rong of the Divine Craft Sect, fierce arguments breaking out between them. Luo Chen's face was dark. He glanced around before fixing his gaze on the small pavilion in the center. "Is this how Tianlan Immortal City manages its affairs?" Lu Rong sneered. "To catch a thief, you need the stolen goods. You can't just slander me with empty words." Behind Luo Chen, Duan Feng and Min Longyu were flushed with anger. "You definitely tampered with it! Otherwise, our flying boat wouldn't fail to even start up!" Lu Rong scoffed. "A piece of junk flying boat—is it even worth my tampering?" Duan Feng wanted to say more, but Luo Chen held him back. "It is indeed a piece of junk flying boat, but that doesn't mean you didn't tamper with it." He cast a deep glance toward that small pavilion. No response came from within! In that case... Luo Chen walked up to the Heavenly Eagle flying boat. Earlier, he had brought Duan Feng and Min Longyu here intending to start up the boat in advance to ferry the Luotian Association cultivators away, only to find that it would not start at all. Lu Rong had even stepped forward with a smile, offering to help them with an emergency repair for just one spirit stone. The mockery in his words had been thinly veiled. He was determined to make this deal, all to salvage his own face! "Face?" "Hmph!" Luo Chen gave a cold snort. Raising his right hand flat, boundless spiritual energy surged beneath the surface. Lu Rong's expression shifted slightly at his side. "What are you doing? Looking to trade blows?" Luo Chen ignored him, glanced once more at the pavilion, and then abruptly slammed a palm down onto the Heavenly Eagle flying boat. Mountain-Cleaving Stele-Shattering Palm! A thick beam of spiritual energy erupted forth, piercing straight through the Heavenly Eagle flying boat from bow to stern. *Crack, crunch...* Under everyone's stunned gaze, the Heavenly Eagle flying boat shattered inch by inch, nearly disintegrating into powder. Curiously, that powder did not scatter in the air, showcasing Luo Chen's meticulous control over his spiritual energy. This sight left everyone dumbfounded. Luo Chen dusted off his hands, turned around, and stared coldly at Lu Rong. "You wanted to do business with me? Fine! Sweep the ground!" With that, he tossed out a spirit stone, which landed on the ground right in front of Lu Rong. Lu Rong's face flushed hot, turning white, red, and then green with humiliation. Ultimately, he stared at Luo Chen with trembling fury. "Good! Good! Good!" Three successive shouts of "good" failed to capture the sheer rage in his heart. "Hmph!" Luo Chen could not be bothered to look at him again. He directly released the Langqi flying boat. As spiritual energy was poured into it, the vessel expanded rapidly, swelling to fifty zhang in the blink of an eye! A flying boat of such enormous size was exceedingly rare even in this boatyard. A top-grade large-scale flying boat! "Board the boat!" Luo Chen flew straight up. Nangong Jin and Li Yixian exchanged startled glances and quickly boarded as well. Duan Feng and Min Longyu had already scrambled inside excitedly, eager to familiarize themselves with the controls. Once all the cultivators of the Luotian Association had boarded, Luo Chen gave the command, and with a thunderous rumble, the Langqi flying boat streaked away like a beam of light. Back in the boatyard, Lu Rong's face was flushed crimson under the watching eyes of the cultivators from the neighboring two shops. "Damn it! An upstart from out of town—who does he think he's showing off for!" he cursed under his breath, turning around to head back into his shop. However, an indifferent voice drifted down from the pavilion. "Sweep the ground!" Lu Rong froze. He parted his lips, attempting to offer some excuse. Yet that calm, detached voice ultimately forced him to bow his head. "You were the one who insisted on doing business with him. Earlier, I stayed silent to give you enough face. Now, the other party has paid the fee, and what they bought was your face. If you are unwilling, then starting tomorrow, the Divine Craft Sect can pack up and leave this boatyard." Lu Rong shut his eyes and spun around abruptly. Picking up a broom, he began sweeping the ground with furious strokes. The cultivators from the two neighboring shops couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Fellow Daoist Lu, whoever conducts business like this?" "In my opinion, you might as well leave early and hand this business over to us!" "Indeed, indeed. Our two shops can easily absorb your share." Lu Rong glared at them, wanting to snap back, but a warning voice rang out from above, forcing him to lower his head once more: "There won't be a next time."