One Move!

"My, what a fiery temper you have today!" Inside a quiet room aboard the flying boat, Wang Yuan sat atop a wooden crate, beaming as he looked at Luo Chen. Luo Chen glanced at the crate beneath Wang Yuan's rear and gave a cold snort. "It's not that I have a fiery temper. It's that some people have no shame." Wang Yuan shook his head. "A pity about that Heavenly Eagle flying boat, though. Even if it was on the verge of being scrapped, stripping it down for materials still would've fetched eight hundred to a thousand spirit stones." "Pleasure is worth more than gold!" "Is it really just for pleasure?" Luo Chen dropped his indignation, the corners of his mouth curling slightly. As expected, Wang Yuan, who knew him best, could always see that there was more beneath the surface. He said calmly, "At the base of Danxia Peak, the Divine Craft Sect holds commercial properties. If we successfully move in, I'll definitely confiscate those holdings. A clash with the Divine Craft Sect is only a matter of time. "For them to own property at the boatyard means they must have some connection to the management of Tianlan Immortal City. "What happened today was merely giving the Divine Craft Sect a little grief!" It was Lu Rong of the Divine Craft Sect who had broken the rules, but after Luo Chen "furiously" shattered the large vessel with a single palm strike, word of the incident was bound to spread. It would then be spun as Tianlan Immortal City's poor management of the boatyard. Tianlan Immortal City would certainly refuse to shoulder such a tarnished reputation. Consequently, Lu Rong's side would take the brunt of the blame. Even if they weren't severely punished, they would at least receive a stern warning. Relationships grew distant precisely through small, accumulating grievances like this. Wang Yuan stared blankly for a moment, then nodded in understanding. Indeed, this was the Luo Chen he knew: never rising without profit, yet always scheming several steps ahead. "How are your injuries healing?" Though the concern came out of nowhere, Wang Yuan was used to it. "Just minor superficial wounds. I bought some spirit medicine in Tianlan Immortal City, and they healed long ago." Luo Chen let out a sigh of relief. "That is for the best. There might be a clash today, and it would naturally be ideal if we don't have to spend any favors with Li Yixian and Nangong Jin. When the time comes, you might need to take action." Wang Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Go for the kill?" "Use your discretion!" Luo Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous glint flickering beneath his long eyelashes. "Today, we must establish our authority!" *** By daytime, the domain of Danxia Peak was quite lively. While it could not compare to a grand market city, the stream of travelers was still bustling. Rays of light darted in and out of the mountain and its valleys in endless succession. That bustling atmosphere was broken when an enormous flying boat came to a slow hover outside Danxia Peak. Its initial arrival drew little attention; most assumed it was merely a passerby pausing for a moment. But as the massive vessel hung suspended there for half the time it took to drink a cup of tea, it loomed like a dense, black storm cloud pressing down upon a city. Everyone soon realized something was amiss. Glares gathered from every direction. They spotted a contingent of fierce-looking Qi Refining cultivators radiating a chilling aura, dharma weapons in hand as they stepped to the edge of the vessel. Every one of them surged with aggressive spiritual energy fluctuations, giving every sign of an imminent assault on Danxia Peak. Under the gaze of the multitude, a golden light suddenly unrolled. *Swish!* It was an official lease agreement resembling an ancient scroll: *First day of the ninth month, 3415th year of the Mountain and Sea Calendar. The Luotian Association leases Danxia Peak for a term of ten years… Binglan Palace, Tianlan Immortal City.* *Leaseholder: Luo Chen* *Issuer: Shi Boying* The illusory deed rippled slowly across the horizon like waves on water, its archaic characters proclaiming a stark reality: Danxia Peak had been leased! From this day forth, it was no longer unclaimed land! The rogue cultivators of Danxia Peak were stunned and incredulous, while those who knew each other exchanged glances of dismay. A grand, calm voice rang out, reverberating in the ears of every person on the mountain. "The Luotian Association takes up residence today. "You are granted the time of one incense stick to pack your belongings and depart immediately. "After one incense stick, anyone remaining will be slain without mercy!" When the voice fell silent, all returned to stillness. But an instant later, an earth-shaking clamor erupted across Danxia Peak. "They want us to leave?" "What kind of joke is this? I've lived here for seven years—this is my home! I'm not leaving!" "This Luotian Association has clearly come with hostile intent!" "Of course they haven't come in peace! Didn't you see those fierce thugs bristling with weapons?" "I've never heard of this faction before. Where did they come from?" "Who knows? Either way, to rent the mountain for ten years in one go, the rent they paid must be beyond our wildest imagination. This is a dragon crossing the river!" "What should we do?" "What else can we do? We lived here for free for over a decade, but did you actually think it belonged to you? Pack your bucket and run!" A streak of light flew out from halfway up the mountain. Without a storage bag, the cultivator carried only a large red wooden bucket stuffed with miscellaneous belongings. Seeing this, others began to waver. Those with initiative started packing their things, while the more obstinate took on an attitude of digging their heels in. "Let them try! 'Slain without mercy'—how arrogant! My cousin is a deacon at the Dao Discussion Platform; would he dare kill me?" "Should we wait and see?" "My advice: pack your things first, wait outside the mountain, and watch how things unfold." "You mean…?" "Exactly. There are still three Foundation Establishment seniors residing on the peak. Driven out like dogs, wouldn't they be furious?" "Right! Three great Foundation Establishment seniors! What makes this Luotian Association think it can throw its weight around?" *Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh…* Streaks of colorful light flew out of Danxia Peak. Yet none of these people went far; instead, they lingered within the Purple Mist bamboo grove at the foot of the mountain, looking up at the sky. They were waiting! From Biyou Valley, more than a hundred cultivators emerged. At their head were ninth-layer Qi Refining cultivators from the Divine Craft Sect and the Geng family. They attempted to step forward and negotiate, but under Sima Xian's icy glare, they shrank back. "Go report to the family head!" "Quickly inform the sect master! Our properties on Danxia Peak must not be lost!" Streaks of light sped away. Sima Xian merely watched them coldly. He had already received his orders: today there would be no negotiations, only an iron fist! The Luotian Association needed to show strength! To survive peacefully in this territory, showing weakness would never do. Now, as they moved in, it was the perfect time to make an example of someone. "I hope these people don't run into my hands." Sima Xian licked his lips, his tiger-like gaze sweeping across the hundreds upon thousands of rogue Qi Refining cultivators below. Men like him, brimming with killing intent and watching like hungry predators, were by no means rare within the Luotian Association. More than ninety percent of the members who had survived the journey to Tianlan Immortal City were veterans forged in fire and blood. Their cultivation realms might not be universally as high as the local cultivators of Tianlan Immortal City, but when it came to murderous ferocity, they yielded to no one. Dahe Market had been a place where men fought demonic beasts for their food. The cultivators of the Luotian Association were not something low-level rogue cultivators of Tianlan Immortal City could ever compare to. The time of an incense stick slowly slipped away. The Luotian Association's posture—motionless until ready, but poised to strike with thunderous force—was truly terrifying. Finally, someone could bear it no longer. Three white clouds drifted down from the mountain peak. There was no easy leisure in their descent, only hesitation and uncertainty. "Bian Zhong, together with my Dao companion, comes to pay respects to Fellow Daoist Luo." "Cao Wanchun is here. I invite Fellow Daoist Luo to come out and speak!" The two voices rang out unreservedly, echoing far and wide. From the enormous Langqi flying boat, a figure stepped forth at an unhurried pace. He wore a white, silver-trimmed robe cinched at the waist by a green jade belt. His jet-black hair was neatly bound behind him with a Daoist hairpin. His skin was pale as jade, his dark eyebrows sharp like swords, and his obsidian eyes were as profound as an ancient, bottomless abyss. Standing tall and straight as a javelin, he held a silver-white folding fan, a faint smile resting on his lips. His arresting gaze swept coolly over them. "Luo is here. What guidance do the three of you have?" *Only one Foundation Establishment True Cultivator?* Bian Zhong exchanged a glance with Cao Wanchun on his left, his heart settling. Bian Zhong smiled and said, "We would not dare offer guidance, but merely wish to discuss an accommodation with you, Fellow Daoist." "Oh?" Luo Chen's gaze fell upon him. It was an unremarkable look, yet for some reason, it exerted immense pressure on Bian Zhong. His cheek twitched, and he said earnestly, "Could you grant us some leeway for one year? After one year, my wife and I will depart of our own accord." The corners of Luo Chen's mouth curved slightly into a half-smile that carried both disdain and scorn. He shifted his gaze to the other man. "Fellow Daoist Cao Wanchun, and you?" Cao Wanchun sneered, eyeing him contemptuously. Just a second-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet he dared put on such airs. In an odd, mocking tone, he asked, "If a person lived peacefully in a place for many years and was suddenly driven out out of nowhere, what do you think he would say?" Luo Chen nodded in understanding. "In other words, you have no wish to leave right now!" For reasons he could not explain, Bian Zhong felt his heart tighten. The next instant, Luo Chen's expression darkened. "How can another sleep beside one's bed? I shouldn't need to teach you that principle, should I!" "Then what do you intend to do!" Cao Wanchun glared furiously. "Fellow Daoist, there is still room to talk," Bian Zhong said, squeezing the hand of his Dao companion, Lü Xiaoyan, and speaking placatingly to Luo Chen. Luo Chen shook his head. "I have no desire to make a huge fuss either, but my words have already been spoken. There is only a tea's breadth of time left before the incense stick burns out. "How about this! "One move!" Holding up a single slender finger, Luo Chen looked at the three of them with indifference. "If you can withstand one move from me, I will allow you to remain on Danxia Peak and continue your cultivation." Bian Zhong asked in astonishment, "One move against each of us?" Luo Chen smiled contemptuously. "Why make it so troublesome? The three of you may receive my move together. If you withstand it unscathed, it will count as your victory." Bian Zhong felt a surge of delight, while Lü Xiaoyan let out a burst of laughter. What kind of arrogant fool was this, daring to think so highly of himself? Cao Wanchun scoffed, "Fine! It's a deal. I'd like to see what brilliant move you have to offer, Fellow Daoist!" Luo Chen cast them a dismissive glance. He stepped forward! Without summoning a cloud or steering any dharma artifact, he simply rode the wind, floating serenely in midair. *** Inside the Langqi flying boat stood a spacious miniature palace situated at the very center of the vessel. At that moment, within Langqi Hall, three figures gazed at a large water mirror before them. Li Yixian said worriedly, "Isn't Luo Chen being too careless? Facing three Foundation Establishment True Cultivators all on his own, and even restricting himself to a single move. If he fails to achieve anything, the Luotian Association will become a laughingstock today." Nangong Jin's brow was tightly knit; he could not fathom where Luo Chen's confidence came from. He acknowledged that Luo Chen's strength was exceedingly formidable, and after reaching Foundation Establishment, his depth had become even more unfathomable—back then, he had even slain two Foundation Establishment cultivators, Wang Haichao and Tu Shan, single-handedly. But this was not a fight to the death. "In truth, there was no need for any one-move agreement at all," Nangong Jin said slowly. "All it would take is for the three of us…" Glancing at Wang Yuan, who sat silently with his eyes closed, he amended his words: "All it would take is for the four of us to appear together and exert our collective pressure, and we could seize Danxia Peak without lifting a finger." Li Yixian nodded; that was indeed the case. She could not comprehend why Luo Chen insisted on doing this. Did he wish to display his might before the crowd? Or had he become swollen with pride and overconfident? Wang Yuan opened his eyes and glanced at them faintly. "When Luo Chen acts, he has his reasons." The two of them were taken aback. Though curious as to why Wang Yuan trusted Luo Chen so implicitly, they said nothing more. Along their journey, Luo Chen had indeed proven to be far more thorough and calculating than they had imagined. Perhaps they were merely worrying over nothing? In the quiet room, the three of them watched the outside world through the Water Mirror Art Nangong Jin maintained. The next instant, Nangong Jin's expression changed. "Is it that move?" *** Looking down at the trio, Luo Chen folded his silver fan. His ten slender fingers fluttered like butterflies through flowers. A torrential wave of spiritual energy surged outward, climbing rapidly from a low hum to an overwhelming tempest that soared into the highest heavens. At that moment, Cao Wanchun, Bian Zhong, and Lü Xiaoyan all paled in unison. Luo Chen looked at them indifferently, then focused his attention on his hands. To an onlooker, the complex series of hand seals flowed from his fingers as seamlessly as floating clouds and flowing water. Torrents of vast spiritual energy converged continuously, and in mere moments, a blazing sun rose slowly from his palms. Supporting it with both hands, the crimson sun burst into radiant brilliance, rivaling the great sun high above in the heavens. More and more spiritual energy was involuntarily drawn into it, and the miniature sun expanded continuously. A peerless, sweeping aura rolled across the world in every direction. In this instant, two suns hung in the sky! Back when he had not yet reached Foundation Establishment, this single move of Luo Chen's had been enough to threaten a seasoned Foundation Establishment cultivator like Duan Qiankun. Now that he was already at the second layer of Foundation Establishment, the spiritual energy in his body was dozens, even hundreds of times greater than before! His comprehension of the Blazing Sun Art had reached an even higher realm. What was more, he was casting it at leisure, with ample time to gather his spiritual energy. Under such circumstances, its power was beyond measure! "How convenient. I'll use you three to test my hand!" Luo Chen grinned ferociously and slammed his hands downward. The great sun plummeted, and heaven and earth lost their luster. Bian Zhong had long discarded any trace of contempt. He retrieved his defensive dharma artifact and drove it to its absolute limit. Lü Xiaoyan did the same, casting defensive spell after defensive spell outside her artifact. Cao Wanchun was terrified; he unfurled a green wooden shield, pushing it to its utmost to wrap around his entire body. The collision occurred in a single instant! *Boom!* A deafening roar erupted. Boundless waves of flame surged outward, the searing heat warping the very void until space rippled and twisted. Amidst that peerless explosion, three figures flew backward through the air. Blood sprayed from their mouths like a torrential downpour, while scorching flames clung to their bodies, relentlessly burning their flesh. The might of Luo Chen's single strike was terrifying beyond belief. In the blink of an eye, all three were thoroughly defeated! A look of disdain surfaced in Luo Chen's eyes. Clasping his hands behind his back, he looked down upon all the cultivators who had rushed to the base of Danxia Peak. Wherever his gaze fell, not a single person dared meet his eyes. Everyone now knew that a truly formidable powerhouse had arrived in Tianlan Immortal City. With the might of a single move, he had instantly crushed three cultivators of the same realm.