Before the eyes of the gathered crowd...
Thud!
Cao Wanchun crashed violently into the cliffside with a deafening boom.
Terror twisted his features, yet his eyes burned blood-red.
"Bastard!"
"I'll kill you!"
With a furious roar, he directed his flying sword, hurtling toward Luo Chen like a loosed arrow.
Luo Chen watched coldly, his hands clasped behind his back, motionless.
The next instant, a broad, thick hand manifested at his side, clamping down tightly on the flying sword.
The blade shuddered violently, as though refusing to be restrained.
The hand's owner, clad in black coarse hemp robes, gave Luo Chen a slight nod before transforming into a crimson whirlwind that lunged straight for Cao Wanchun.
"A defeated dog dares break his word!"
"You have brought death upon yourself!"
To Cao Wanchun's horror, the crimson whirlwind slammed into him without warning.
The massive palm sliced through his layered defenses like cutting through gold and jade, seizing him by the throat.
Crack!
Not a single word was wasted.
Wang Yuan snapped Cao Wanchun's neck, dangling the limp corpse as he turned around.
"President, the scoundrel has been executed."
Under the gaze of ten thousand eyes...
A Foundation Establishment True Cultivator was dead!
Like a dead dog, his neck had been snapped, his body hauled in a single hand.
At this moment, total silence fell over the mountain. Not a sound could be heard.
Everyone watched in breathless terror.
That black-robed cultivator was frighteningly strong.
Catching a flying sword barehanded, moving like a tempest.
Slaughtering a Foundation Establishment cultivator as casually as slaughtering a chicken or a dog.
Yet, following the black-robed cultivator's gaze, everyone looked in fear at the figure standing high in the sky.
The Master of the Luotian Association—Luo Chen!
He was the truly terrifying one.
With the might of a single technique, he had severely injured three cultivators of his own realm.
What kind of monster was he?
Perhaps only the sect prodigies on the Dao Discussion Platform's Prodigy Roll—those who looked down upon their peers and remained undefeated—could compare to him!
Only now did the onlookers come to their senses.
No wonder Luo Chen had been so arrogant, treating three peers as though they were offering their heads on a platter.
He had the foundation to look down on them, the strength to hold them in contempt.
Suddenly...
A heavy fit of coughing broke the silence.
The crowd traced the sound to Bian Zhong, who was supporting his Dao companion as the two flew trembling toward Luo Chen.
Not fleeing?
Approaching instead—what was the meaning of this?
Had they not seen Luo Chen's subordinate violently kill a man just moments ago?
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Bian Zhong showed a bitter smile.
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for your mercy!"
The onlookers were stunned.
Beaten to such a state, yet still thanking him for mercy?
Only Bian Zhong spoke from the bottom of his heart.
Though that spell had been overwhelmingly powerful, Bian Zhong could sense that the other party had still held back a fraction of his strength.
More importantly, after gravely wounding the three of them, Luo Chen had not pressed his advantage. Under those circumstances, had he struck again, none of the three would have possessed the slightest strength to resist.
At least one or two would have died.
Luo Chen said indifferently, "I said one move, so one move it was."
Bian Zhong froze, looking at Luo Chen. He suddenly realized that the disdain and mockery in the man's eyes had vanished.
He bowed deeply.
"Since we have lost, my wife and I naturally have no reason to linger."
"Farewell!"
Luo Chen looked at the pair calmly. "Until we meet again."
Bian Zhong shook his head with a bitter smile, leading the severely injured Lü Xiaoyan as they flew off in one direction.
Both were wounded; wandering openly outside would only draw greedy eyes. Their best course was to seek out a friend for shelter and protection.
Watching the pair depart, Luo Chen withdrew his gaze.
"The incense stick of time is up!"
As the words fell, streaks of light instantly surged from the Langqi flying boat, descending upon Danxia Peak.
Shortly after, shrill screams rang out across the slopes.
Those were the ones who had lingered, clinging to foolish hopes of slipping by.
Only when the screams finally ceased did the Langqi flying boat slowly start forward, flying toward the wide platform halfway up Danxia Peak.
Everywhere it passed, the gathered cultivators parted, not daring to offer the slightest resistance.
From Biyou Valley, an even larger crowd of cultivators walked out trembling with dread.
Two Qi Refinement cultivators stood outside the valley, gazing up at the towering peak.
"This man is too strong!"
"His subordinate isn't weak either. I'm afraid our two families sending a single Foundation Establishment cultivator each won't be enough."
"Let's report the situation first!"
"Right, I'll notify the clan at once."
Without hesitation, the two departed in person to alert their respective backers.
...
Thud!
A dull sound echoed.
The massive flying boat slowly settled onto the vast platform halfway up the mountain.
Min Longyu stepped forward, his eyes reddening as he took in the familiar yet altered scenery.
The unworthy descendant of the Min family, Min Longyu, had returned.
And in such a fashion!
A figure appeared before him, and Min Longyu hastily bowed low.
"President!"
"No need for formalities."
Luo Chen waved his hand. Holding the white jade folding fan Qin Liangchen had once gifted him, he said leisurely, "How does it feel to be home?"
Min Longyu opened his mouth, choked with emotion to the point of speechlessness.
After a long while, he finally choked out, "Longyu never imagined he would return like this. I thank the President for his great kindness—I will never forget it, even in death!"
"No need to speak of dying," Luo Chen said, looking up toward the mist-shrouded summit. "Though you didn't return under the Min family's banner, the Luotian Association can be considered your new home. In that case, take good care of Danxia Peak from now on."
"I have a task for you."
Min Longyu cupped his hands heavily. "Please give your orders, President!"
"Lead a team to scout every part of Danxia Peak. Within a month, I want to see a brand-new mountain defense formation! If you lack spirit stones or materials, go to Sima Huiniang. If you lack manpower, seek out Murong Qinglian. They will support you fully."
"A month won't be necessary!"
Min Longyu declared with confidence, "I have known Danxia Peak's terrain by heart since childhood, and I've studied the Min family's original grand formation thousands of times. As long as there are enough materials, give me half a month, and I can set up a functional foundation."
The Min family's formation?
Luo Chen glanced at him, nodding with satisfaction.
"Then go!"
Having received his assignment, Min Longyu departed in high spirits. Judging by his swift pace, he was unwilling to delay for even a moment.
Luo Chen also looked forward to the grand formation he would set up.
From Shi Lan, he had learned just how remarkable the Min family's former formation had been!
Besieged by enemies several times their number, it had held out for an entire year.
Had the Min family's provisions and foundation not run completely dry in the end, it could have held out even longer.
Min Longyu's current attainments in formation arts were largely owed to his study of that second-order grand formation since childhood.
"Though second-order, it rivals a third-order formation."
"With such a formation guarding us, so long as no Golden Core emerges, the Luotian Association will be impregnable!"
Luo Chen murmured to himself, then turned to ascend the mountain.
...
Within the mountain.
Li Yixian and Nangong Jin strolled along.
Beneath their feet lay a stone path, while all around them towered tall pines and cypresses, serene and verdant.
Green bar oaks and golden phoenix trees were nestled among them, adorning the mountain landscape into an earthly paradise.
Down below, vast swathes of fire maples spread out like clouds.
"Sigh..."
"Why do you sigh, Fellow Daoist Li?"
Li Yixian stopped, gazing at the spiritual-energy-filled mountain caverns.
"I sigh because Luo Chen hails from Dahe Market just like us. Arriving in an unfamiliar place, one ought to tread on thin ice. Yet he acts with bold, sweeping strides, effortlessly securing a spiritual land for the Luotian Association to cultivate in."
"Luo Chen is indeed extraordinary," Nangong Jin said.
Li Yixian shook her head. "It isn't just a matter of being extraordinary. Do you know how much the annual rent for this Danxia Peak is?"
Nangong Jin looked at her curiously.
During this time, he had been recuperating in his cave dwelling and hadn't paid much attention to such matters.
"Earlier, to settle the Li clan members, I made inquiries all over Binglan Palace. Because of that, I learned about many spiritual lands around Tianlan City."
"Those lands easily run several thousand spirit stones a year—frighteningly expensive."
Li Yixian paused, looking down at the bluestone beneath her feet.
"Danxia Peak is among the finest of them. Just the rent alone is fifteen thousand lower-grade spirit stones a year."
"That expensive?"
"Yes, and the lease starts at ten years!"
Nangong Jin drew a sharp breath.
He shook his head repeatedly. "Remarkable, truly remarkable. Luo Chen certainly operates on a grand scale!"
"A grand scale indeed. Did you not see that he even bought a new large flying boat? Its grade..."
Her voice trailed off.
Li Yixian smiled wryly. "I truly don't know where my Li family should go from here."
Nangong Jin consoled, "Don't worry too much. Everything will turn out for the best."
Would it?
Li Yixian did not know the answer.
All she knew was that ever since leaving Dahe Market, she constantly felt out of her depth, as if everything had slipped beyond her control.
Just as the two were conversing...
A voice transmission reached their ears.
At the same time, a gruff, sharp shout rang out from outside the mountain.
"Fei Changqiu of the Divine Craft Sect has come to pay respects to the mountain!"
Li Yixian and Nangong Jin exchanged a glance, their expressions shifting slightly.
They now understood why Luo Chen hadn't asked them to intervene earlier.
Now was the time for them to pull their weight.
...
"Geng Lie and Geng Shuzhen of the Geng family have come to pay respects to the mountain!"
Outside Danxia Peak, a large crowd of cultivators gathered once more.
Unlike before, the Luotian Association was now the defending party.
Luo Chen stepped out before the crowd, his gaze cold as he surveyed the newcomers.
Three Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Divine Craft Sect.
Two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Geng family.
All were at the early Foundation Establishment stage, but combined, they formed a formidable force.
Yet Luo Chen merely sneered.
"What do you want?"
Fei Changqiu furrowed his brows as he looked at him.
Facing five Foundation Establishment cultivators alone, yet remaining so composed?
Considering he had a subordinate with combat power comparable to Foundation Establishment... he still shouldn't possess such confidence!
Steadying his mind, Fei Changqiu was just about to speak when an angry voice rang out from behind him.
"What do we want?"
"Brat, Danxia Peak isn't a place you can lay your hands on! If you know what's good for you, take your old, weak, and crippled lot and get lost!"
Fei Changqiu looked at Lu Rong in confusion, not understanding why the man was so enraged.
Luo Chen glanced at Lu Rong and sneered. "Have you finished sweeping the floors yet? Your mouth is filthy."
"You!"
"Enough!"
Fei Changqiu cut Lu Rong off and said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Luo Chen, is it? Danxia Peak is indeed not a place you should lightly meddle with. It contains properties belonging to my Divine Craft Sect and the Geng family. Forcing your way in and seizing it is rather dishonorable."
"Dishonorable?"
Luo Chen sneered. "Why didn't you say that to the cultivators of Binglan Palace? I leased this place with genuine gold and silver."
"Moreover, you have been freeloading here for years; I doubt you paid a single spirit stone in back rent to Tianlan Immortal City!"
"If I were to report this..."
Fei Changqiu's expression shifted, and he immediately snapped, "You dare!"
"Why wouldn't I dare!"
Fei Changqiu narrowed his eyes, a perilous glint flashing within as he glared at Luo Chen.
Behind him, Lu Rong and the other Foundation Establishment cultivator were already gathering their power.
"Do you know that for leased spiritual lands outside the city, security is entirely your own responsibility? Even Tianlan Immortal City's law enforcement squad won't intervene!"
"Threatening me?"
Luo Chen grinned, revealing a row of gleaming white teeth.
He raised his hand slightly.
The next instant...
Two surging spiritual energy fluctuations belonging to the Foundation Establishment stage rose from Danxia Peak.
A black-robed figure walked forward with unflinching resolve, coming to stand behind Luo Chen.
Fei Changqiu's expression changed drastically.
The two Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Geng family also blanched.
Hadn't the reports said there was only one Foundation Establishment cultivator?
How had it suddenly become three!
Furthermore, the black-robed cultivator's predatory gaze carried an immense sense of threat.
Lu Rong's expression shifted, and he sent a voice transmission: *"Sect Master, those two Foundation Establishment cultivators probably came to Tianlan Immortal City together with Luo Chen."*
Fei Changqiu frowned. Did that mean they stood united?
He took a deep breath and looked at Luo Chen.
"Must it really come to this?"
"You're welcome to test us. My Luotian Association doesn't look for trouble, but we never fear it!"
Fei Changqiu hesitated.
According to the reports, Luo Chen had fought three Foundation Establishment True Cultivators single-handedly earlier.
Although his cultivation was slightly higher than Luo Chen's, he knew he couldn't pull off such a feat.
If a battle truly broke out...
It wouldn't be worth it!
"Very well. Take care of yourself!"
Fei Changqiu shook his head and turned to leave.
Lu Rong was deeply unwilling, but with Fei Changqiu leading the Divine Craft Sect, he did not dare overstep his bounds. Casting a venomous glare at Luo Chen, he followed.
Now, only the two Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Geng family remained.
Luo Chen shifted his gaze onto them.
"Fellow Daoists, would you care to come up the mountain as guests?"
Geng Lie gave Luo Chen a long look, said nothing, and turned away.
A conflict that had seemed on the verge of erupting was dissolved in a matter of words.
This sight left the observing rogue cultivators thoroughly unsatisfied.
Where was the promised Foundation Establishment clash!
They had been waiting to scavenge the spoils.
Watching the figures vanish into the distance, Wang Yuan let out a long breath.
Turning his head, he saw that Luo Chen remained completely calm, as though everything had gone according to plan from start to finish.
"Ever since coming to Tianlan Immortal City, Foundation Establishment True Cultivators seem dirt cheap. Everywhere you look, there's a whole bunch of them," Wang Yuan remarked with a sigh.
Luo Chen swept his sharp gaze across the surrounding hundred li. Wherever his eyes fell, numerous rogue cultivators felt needles at their backs and hastily fled.
He said indifferently, "After all, this isn't a small place like Dahe Market. It's understandable that there are more Foundation Establishment cultivators."
"Still, aren't you afraid of offending these people?" Wang Yuan asked curiously.
"Are you afraid?" Luo Chen countered.
Wang Yuan shook his head. "I'm not afraid, but pointless conflict is meaningless."
Pausing, a sense of urgency welled up in his chest. "Luo Chen, what about Huo Hu..."
Swish!
Luo Chen spun around abruptly, fixing his gaze on Wang Yuan.
"We can't touch him yet!"
He knew what Wang Yuan was thinking.
Wang Yuan had been stuck at the Qi Refinement Great Perfection for years.
Attempting Foundation Establishment through conventional means was impossible for him.
Only by using the Blood Fiend Spirit Seizing Formation to devour someone who had just broken through to Foundation Establishment did he have a chance.
Huo Hu fit that condition perfectly.
However, it was not yet time!
The threat of Huo Quan still loomed like a thorn in their backs.
Huo Hu was their only leverage against him.
Wang Yuan frowned. He understood Luo Chen's reasoning, but having such a prime prize dangling before his eyes day in and day out was agonizing. Even with his resolute will, the temptation of breaking through and extending his lifespan was almost too much to bear.
"Haven't you been refining the Blood Fiend Spirit Seizing Formation all along?"
"Now that the association has a formation expert like Min Longyu, why not ask him for guidance?"
Wang Yuan froze, and then his eyes brightened, a brilliant light flashing within.
Of course!
His own formation knowledge was far too crude. If he could learn something from Min Longyu, his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment might become much smoother when the time came.
Luo Chen said leisurely, "You can give Min Longyu the original Heavenly Craft Spirit Seizing Formation that your Blood Fiend Spirit Seizing Formation was derived from. If he can master it, the Luotian Association's strength might increase dramatically!"
Chapter 231