The retreat of the Divine Craft Sect and the Geng family decisively proclaimed that Danxia Peak had a new master.
From then on, the rogue cultivators would have to seek other spiritual grounds.
Within Danxia Peak, the cultivators of the Luotian Association also grew busy.
Leading a group, Min Longyu began surveying the entire mountain from top to bottom, preparing to lay down a grand formation and restore the former glory of the Min family's Dao of formations.
Led by Granny Yuan and her grandson, Yuan Dongsheng, the Medicine Hall bustled with activity on the mountain.
Originally, Danxia Peak boasted hundreds of plots of Rank 1 spirit fields, which were excellent for growing both medicinal herbs and spiritual rice.
Unfortunately, a century of neglect combined with the depredations of rogue cultivators had caused the number of Rank 1 spirit fields to plummet to just over a hundred plots.
Even these hundred-odd plots suffered from depleted spiritual energy and teetered on the verge of regressing in rank.
Upon surveying them, Granny Yuan was truly heartbroken.
Lately, she had been leading a cohort of Medicine Hall cultivators through those fields.
For the plots that still maintained their rank, they uprooted everything and planted various common spiritual herbs frequently used by the Luotian Association.
As for the fields whose rank had dropped back to ordinary fertile soil, Granny Yuan had not given up on them either.
First, she cast the Bing Fire Land-Clearing Art to incinerate felled Qinggang wood into ashes, which were then tilled into the soil.
Next, she requisitioned a thousand spirit stones from Sima Huiniang and made a special trip to Tianlan Immortal City, purchasing the seeds of a spiritual herb called Heavenly Silkworm Cloud Bean.
Upon her return, she sowed these seeds across the ordinary fertile plots.
"We need only rotate Heavenly Silkworm Cloud Beans for three years and supplement the soil with the Gui Water Composting Art.
"With this three-pronged approach, these fields will recover to Rank 1 quality in three years.
"It was truly such a waste of prime spirit fields in the past!
"Most rogue cultivators don't manage spirit fields for the long term. But virtually every sect opens up spirit fields on a grand scale to cultivate spiritual plants. These may seem inconspicuous, yet they are vital resources that serve as the foundation of a sect."
She was speaking to Luo Chen. Seeing his curiosity, she had patiently explained everything.
Hearing this, Luo Chen could not help marveling that the Dao of spiritual farming was so vast and profound.
*The ashes of burnt Qinggang wood can actually enrich soil fertility?*
*If the Pill Hall produces a large amount of Qinggang wood ash in the future, we could put that waste to good use.*
Luo Chen pondered internally.
His gaze settled on Granny Yuan. Hunchbacked, she wore a warm, gentle smile as she looked at Yuan Dongsheng toiling in the field.
In the past, she had been hale and hearty, but over the years, she had aged beyond recognition.
Especially during the journey from Taishan Market to Tianlan Immortal City, surviving that fierce battle had aged her even further.
Her hair was frosted white, her back hunched. Standing there, she looked like a candle guttering in the wind. Who knew how many years she had left?
Sensing Luo Chen's sympathetic gaze, Granny Yuan said slowly, "Association Leader, are you curious about my remaining lifespan?"
Luo Chen gave a soft hum of affirmation, curious how she had read his thoughts.
Granny Yuan offered a kind smile. "In recent years, you aren't the only one to wonder. That boy Dongsheng has been begging me to rest, saying he can handle all these matters.
"But how could I ever set my mind at ease?"
She turned around, looking up at Luo Chen. "To tell you the truth, I have at most a year or two left to live."
Though he had anticipated as much, Luo Chen was still taken aback. "In that case, you shouldn't exhaust yourself with this toil. Go rest and enjoy your twilight years in peace!"
Yet Granny Yuan shook her head. "No. Having lived to this age, I've had more than enough rest.
"All I want now is to pass on everything I've learned to that boy.
"He's actually learned most of it already; what he lacks is experience. Aside from the Rank 2 Bing Fire Land-Clearing Art and Grass Mowing Geng Gold Art, he has mastered all the spells a spiritual farmer needs.
"...
"Association Leader, could you grant an old woman a favor?"
Through her rambling chatter, praising and scolding Yuan Dongsheng in the same breath, lay a deep, ardent hope. Suddenly, she turned to make a plea to Luo Chen.
Luo Chen's expression grew solemn. "Speak freely. So long as it's within my power, I will spare no effort!"
This was no hollow platitude; it came straight from his heart.
Though Granny Yuan was not his close friend, she had silently supported him ever since the founding of the Luotian Association.
From the earliest days of the Pill Hall to the Medicine Hall.
Even now, upon arriving at Danxia Peak, she burned her remaining embers to rehabilitate all of Danxia Peak's spirit fields.
If the fields could truly be restored to their former glory of a century ago in three years, then if nothing else, those hundreds of spirit fields alone would form an enduring foundation for the Luotian Association!
She had truly given her all.
Granny Yuan smiled and shook her head. "There is no need for the Association Leader to spare no effort. It is actually very simple."
She pointed at Yuan Dongsheng toiling in the field. "Though he rarely speaks of it, that boy has always harbored the resolve to seek the Great Dao.
"Yet he isn't young anymore, and his aptitude is truly lacking.
"Therefore, if he still hasn't achieved Foundation Establishment by age sixty, I ask that the Association Leader arrange a marriage for him.
"The incense of the Yuan family lineage must not be extinguished!"
Luo Chen opened his mouth slightly, stunned. He had never imagined that such a solemn plea would turn out to be so simple.
Meeting those earnest eyes, Luo Chen drew a deep breath and gave a firm nod. "Rest assured. I will remember this without fail!"
"That's good, that's good. This old woman thanks the Association Leader."
Seeing that she was about to bow, Luo Chen hurriedly supported the elderly woman's hands. He could not accept such reverence—regardless of realm or rank.
...
The Luotian Association's busy members were not limited to Min Longyu and Granny Yuan. The Pill Hall, Artifact Hall, Gold Hall, and Battle Hall each had their own tasks.
Under Sima Xian's lead, the Battle Hall broke ground across Danxia Peak, engaging in large-scale construction. They tore down old structures and filled in the haphazardly excavated cave abodes along the cliffsides. Then, directed by Murong Qinglian, they began erecting new buildings.
The overall complex was concentrated primarily on Danxia Peak's sun-facing slope, rising tier upon tier in orderly rows. Though its full grandeur was not yet visible, Luo Chen had reviewed the architectural plans. Once completed, the Luotian Association would take on a distinct atmosphere—no longer a small-scale rogue band, but an organized sect-like order.
The Pill Hall's assignment was straightforward. Intending to train Qu Lingjun, Luo Chen tasked him with leading the Pill Hall cultivators to take over the earthfire caverns at the base of Danxia Peak.
Previously, the planning by the Divine Craft Sect and Geng family had been far too slapdash, thrown together purely for quick spirit stones. What Luo Chen needed were brand-new earthfire alchemy chambers that could provide maximum support for his own pill refining and that of the Luotian Association. Qu Lingjun's trial lay precisely here.
To that end, Luo Chen assigned juniors such as Tang Quan and Mi Li to Qu Lingjun's command, granting him full authority to deploy them. If short-handed, Qu Lingjun could also petition Sima Huiniang for more people.
The Artifact Hall and Gold Hall had only one collective objective: to overhaul Biyou Valley!
Well before moving into Danxia Peak, Luo Chen and Sima Huiniang had inspected the place. At that time, they had seen it clearly: Biyou Valley had already developed the embryonic form of a small market, with substantial foot traffic. If they could reorganize Biyou Valley properly, the Luotian Association might open a new stream of revenue.
Not only that, Luo Chen also handed over all of his remaining high-grade Jade Marrow Pills to Gu Caiyi.
"Selling pills is secondary!" Luo Chen looked at the increasingly striking and beautiful woman, speaking with utmost gravity. "Your task is to gauge the market conditions for Jade Marrow Pills in Tianlan Immortal City!
"By market conditions, I don't just mean price and popularity, but competitors as well."
Gu Caiyi asked curiously, "Competitors? The Spirit Herb Pavilion's Qi-Nourishing Pills?"
Luo Chen shook his head. "More than just that!"
Gu Caiyi paused, but intelligent as she was, she soon grasped his meaning.
Unlike Dahe Market, where only the Spirit Herb Pavilion sold pills, far too many factions were involved in the medicinal pill trade in Tianlan Immortal City! On the grand scale, there were the Spirit Herb Pavilion and Azure Pill Valley. On a smaller scale, numerous cultivation clans existed. In between, plenty of gangs and factions dealt in proprietary pills. Even a minor sect like the Divine Craft Sect, which focused on repairing magical artifacts, claimed to have proprietary spiritual medicines. Furthermore, cultivators in Tianlan Immortal City were so numerous that rogue alchemists might well be hiding among the masses. Added together, factions dealing in Qi Refining cultivation pills numbered no fewer than a handful.
Under these circumstances, was the Jade Marrow Pill truly suitable for sale? Was it suitable to become the primary industry of the Luotian Association?
All of this remained unknown!
*No wonder he entrusted so many high-grade Jade Marrow Pills to me. At previous prices, that batch is worth at least fifty to sixty thousand spirit stones.*
With these thoughts flashing through her mind, Gu Caiyi promptly said, "I'll handle this as quickly as possible and deliver a comprehensive survey report to you."
Luo Chen looked at her and gave a gentle nod. "I trust your work."
Gu Caiyi smiled and prepared to take her leave. The revitalization of Biyou Valley was in full swing, and many rogue cultivators who had previously fled were negotiating with the Luotian Association, hoping to return to resume their small businesses. As the head of the Gold Hall, she oversaw external relations and could hardly tear herself away.
Before she left, Luo Chen called out to her. "Have Duan Feng come here!"
"Understood."
...
Along the mountain trail, two figures walked one after the other. As they climbed higher, the mountain winds grew fiercer, and the swirling mist around them thickened.
Duan Feng followed Luo Chen in puzzlement, wondering why he had been summoned. If it concerned the Artifact Hall, Luo Chen could have simply spoken up. Why remain completely silent? Was he putting on airs? But Luo Chen was never that sort of person with his own people!
In the past, he might have been able to guess a fraction of Luo Chen's thoughts. But now, the longer Luo Chen remained in Foundation Establishment, the deeper his thoughts grew. If he didn't introduce a topic first, those beneath him had no hope of guessing what he was thinking. Unable to make sense of it, Duan Feng could only follow Luo Chen up the mountain, step by step.
Along the way, his clear vantage allowed him to spot several cave abodes hollowed out by previous occupants. The concentration of spiritual energy in them was quite high, far surpassing his private abode on Mount Xiaohuan. Duan Feng made mental notes of them, intending to ask Sima Huiniang for permission to move into one later. He was only two or three years of painstaking effort away from the perfection of Qi Refining. With the aid of these energy-rich abodes, he might shave off a bit of time.
Suddenly, Luo Chen stopped ahead. He did not look back, so Duan Feng could not see the hesitation on his face. In the end, Luo Chen made up his mind. Amid Duan Feng's confusion, Luo Chen flicked his wrist, and a cloth pouch appeared in his palm. He held it out to Duan Feng.
"These are yours."
Duan Feng was startled. Curiously, he opened the pouch.
"Yang Restoring Water, Glazed Paste, Spirit Calming Incense..."
All of them were spiritual medicines required when breaking through to Foundation Establishment. Reading off the names of these resources, astonishment surfaced on Duan Feng's face. "You prepared these for me?"
"Keep looking!"
"Right, right." Overjoyed, though Duan Feng didn't understand Luo Chen's intention, he was delighted nonetheless. To have someone prepare the materials for Foundation Establishment in advance—anyone would be thrilled.
"Eh? What pill is this?"
"Rank 1 Spirit Purifying Pills. They help cultivators rapidly purify the spiritual energy in their bodies, shortening the time needed to go from the ninth level of Qi Refining to perfection."
Luo Chen turned sideways, his back to the clouds drifting beyond the mountain, his gaze settling on Duan Feng.
"With the help of this batch of Rank 1 Spirit Purifying Pills, it might take you less than a year to step into the perfection of Qi Refining."
"Hiss!" Duan Feng drew a sharp breath. Clutching the pouch, he felt it suddenly grow heavy.
Wasn't this gift a bit too immense? Was there anyone else in the Luotian Association who received such favor from Luo Chen? Or was he the only one?
"Isn't this a bit too..."
"Keep looking!"
Suppressing the excitement in his chest, Duan Feng's gaze fell upon a small tuber. "What's this?"
Just as his hand closed around the tuber, Luo Chen's voice drifted over softly.
"An eight-hundred-year Root of Heaven and Earth. It increases the chance of Foundation Establishment by twenty percent, and even if the breakthrough fails, it prevents severe bodily trauma. Its value is no less than an ordinary Foundation Establishment Pill."
"So valu—eh?"
Duan Feng turned the tongue-shaped tuber over. Intending to inspect it closely, his eyes were arrested by a small slip of paper.
Written boldly upon it were two words: *Duan Feng*.
And that familiar handwriting detonated in his mind like a bolt of lightning.
"Duan! Qian! Kun!"
Spitting out each word one by one, disbelief swept across his face.
Luo Chen placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "I've unlocked Duan Qiankun's storage pouch and found these items inside. They were kept together, clearly prepared with great care for someone. And that someone was you."
Plain, understated words, yet they stirred a tempest in Duan Feng's heart.
*How is that possible!*
*That old dog snatched my Foundation Establishment Pill, killed my mother, and drove me from having anywhere to stand in the Duan family. How could he possibly have prepared every resource I needed from the ninth level of Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment? That's impossible!*
*No! It might actually be possible!*
*Long ago, he kept sending people to urge me to return to the Duan family. Was it Duan Rui's failure that drove him to despair, pinning his hopes on me instead?*
*If so, it would make sense.*
*But if that's true, what does that make me?*
*I brought people to kill him and wiped out the Duan family. Doesn't that make me a vile ingrate, no better than a beast?*
*No, I wasn't wrong.*
*I did it for vengeance, for my mother, and for myself.*
*Yet...*
"Duan Feng!!!"
A stern roar reverberated like a great bronze bell in Duan Feng's ears, his mind, and his heart.
Duan Feng shuddered violently, jolted awake from his daze.
Seeing this, Luo Chen could not help letting out a breath of relief.
What he had feared most was that Duan Feng would be unable to accept that his mortal enemy had become his benefactor.
Wouldn't that imply everything he had done in the past was wrong?
Under such a severe shock, cultivators were exceptionally prone to qi deviation.
To use the specific cultivation term: an inner demon!
Just like Luo Chen back in his lower realms, when an inner demon tribulation had struck without warning.
Back then, he had survived by luck.
He did not know how Duan Feng would fare.
That was why he had deliberately brought him to a secluded place so that, at the critical moment, he could awaken him with the Soul Deterrence Art.
Judging by the look of it, no lasting harm had been done.
"Luo Chen, I..."
Instead of addressing him as Association Leader as usual, he subconsciously called Luo Chen by his name.
This showed the sheer turmoil in Duan Feng's heart.
He looked at Luo Chen, his body trembling, his eyes clouded with confusion.
Agony, regret, resolve, obsession—a vortex of emotions collided within him, warping his expression into a painful grimace.
Luo Chen took a deep breath, his hand squeezing Duan Feng's shoulder firmly.
"I hesitated before about whether to give you these resources.
"I knew it would deliver a heavy shock to you.
"Yet after turning it over in my mind, I still decided to give it to you. In terms of sentiment and kinship, Duan Qiankun left this for you. In terms of interest and merit, this was spoils of war won by the three of us—you, Wang Yuan, and me. A share belongs to you by right.
"As for how you view it, I cannot offer much advice. But as for Duan Qiankun, I will only say this: what you did back then was in no way wrong!
"Do not doubt yourself. On the road of cultivation, one may take a wrong step, or efforts may yield the opposite of what was desired. But never regret the choices you once made, and never doubt who you are today because of the past.
"These resources were yours to begin with. You owe no guilt to anyone!
"Did you hear me clearly?"
His trembling frame gradually settled.
Holding the cloth pouch, Duan Feng felt that it no longer weighed down on him like a mountain.
Even so, turbulent emotions still churned in his mind.
After a long pause, he gave a wry smile. "I need some time to be alone."
"Go ahead. As for the Artifact Hall, I'll have Su Xiaolin and Bian Zhen look after it in your place."
Duan Feng turned and walked down the mountain with dazed, unsteady steps.
He paused for a brief moment and, without looking back, said softly,
"Thank you."
With that, his figure vanished into the swirling mist.
Luo Chen let out a sigh. *Why are you being polite with me?*
Still, with this matter resolved, a heavy boulder had been lifted from his heart.
Given Duan Feng's temperament, so long as he didn't trap himself in a dead end right at the start, he would come around in time.
Those resources were indeed of immense value and could not simply be discarded.
Turning around, he made his way toward the mountain summit.
*Right now, the Luotian Association has a hundred tasks awaiting attention, but Huiniang is holding down the fort at the center, so there is no need for me to oversee every detail.*
*My time has freed up.*
*Next, I should push the Clear Source Wondrous Elixir Method to minor mastery as soon as possible!*
Chapter 232