Doing Business with the Ice Fort

As the family with the longest history in Dahe Market, having endured for three hundred years, the Duan family possessed foundations far surpassing the likes of the Li family or Mi Shuhua. Aside from the founding ancestor, two more Foundation Establishment cultivators had emerged over the course of three centuries. Moreover, throughout those years, the leaders of the Duan family had never simply clung greedily to local authority. They had frequently sought to send outstanding clan disciples to the major sects, and Duan Feng's father had been one such example. Under these circumstances, when the Duan family met its downfall, the inheritance the Luotian Association acquired was pitifully meager. Later, Luo Chen unlocked Duan Qiankun's storage bag and gained another haul of resources. Yet even taking that into account, the total had not been particularly astounding. At best, it was roughly on par with what an ordinary cultivation clan possessed. Yet the Duan family had been rooted in Dahe Market! Dahe Market bordered the Million Mountains, an area brimming with immense resources. Even Mi Shuhua, a mere rogue cultivator who had been lucky enough to establish his foundation, had managed to amass an enormous fortune. There was no reason for the Duan family to be so shabby in comparison. It was not until Duan Feng studied the two spheres Luo Chen had given him that Luo Chen finally learned where the Duan family's wealth had truly gone. "This is a forging technique my Duan family learned from Tianfan City," "Using mithril as the primary component, blended with four kinds of Tier 2 materials, it forms a warding sphere." "Normally, this method isn't used lightly, because a mithril warding sphere itself is extremely costly." "However, in one circumstance, it becomes an absolute necessity!" Duan Feng spoke with ease, his gaze fixed on the two spheres the entire time. A thread of spiritual sense extended outward from him rather clumsily before settling upon one of the mithril warding spheres. Duan Feng seemed to strain slightly; this was the first time since his Foundation Establishment that he had actively projected his spiritual sense. The next moment, the swirling, silvery liquid on the mithril warding sphere rolled back like flowing water. A globule of liquid then met their eyes. Surprised, Luo Chen said, "A magic treasure embryo looks like this?" "That's because it hasn't taken form yet. It's missing several materials." As he spoke, Duan Feng had a thought, and the silvery liquid surged forward again, enveloping it entirely once more. "As expected, only treasures like magic treasure embryos are worthy of having a mithril warding sphere used on them." Duan Feng breathed a sigh of relief. "In truth, my Duan family has had a successful precedent with this method in the past." Luo Chen hesitated. "The Marsh Country Gui Chart?" Duan Feng nodded. "Indeed. That defensive magic treasure took three hundred years to complete. For one thing, the main materials were hard to find—the True Essence of Gui Water had to be gathered and added bit by bit. For another, the Duan family's artifact-forging arts were mediocre at best. Therefore, it had to be sealed inside a mithril warding sphere at all times to ensure the embryo wouldn't miscarry." *Ensure the embryo wouldn't miscarry?* *Why does that sound so bizarre?* Luo Chen muttered inwardly. He then looked upon the two warding spheres with newfound appreciation. "Then do you know what kind of magic treasures these two embryos were intended to become?" Duan Feng nodded. "Barring any surprises, the warding sphere I just opened contains the embryo of the most common kind of magic treasure—a flying sword. It is water-attribute, and is currently missing two main materials." "As for the other, I can't tell for now. But judging by how ancient it is—even older than the sword embryo—it might be something left behind by the first founding ancestor of the Duan family." Luo Chen said with anticipation, "If they can be successfully forged, that would be wonderful." He was not lacking magic treasures himself. Defensively, he had the Lanke Black Chess Piece; offensively, he had the Profound Fire Sword. But no one would complain about having too many magic treasures! Whether for Duan Feng who had just reached Foundation Establishment, or Wang Yuan who had long reached the second realm of body cultivation, or the cultivators at Qi Refinement ninth level who were nearing Foundation Establishment, they all had potential needs for magic treasures. Two magic treasures in hand would greatly bolster their combat prowess. "If you can find those two main materials, I might be able to forge this flying sword magic treasure." "Oh? Weren't you only able to forge mid-grade dharma artifacts?" Luo Chen looked at Duan Feng with half-belief. Duan Feng huffed. "Who are you looking down on? I successfully forged high-grade dharma artifacts last year!" Luo Chen chuckled. He had spent a great deal of time in closed-door cultivation last year and genuinely hadn't kept track of such "trivial matters." Still, this was a magic treasure! Knowing Luo Chen so well, Duan Feng could vaguely sense his thoughts. He straightened his expression. "It really isn't difficult, because this embryo is already near perfection and only lacks two materials." "My guess is that Duan Qiankun was continuously trying to forge it." "If we have the materials, all I need to do is smelt them in and allow it to take shape." Luo Chen also turned serious. "As far as I know, materials are only one aspect of a magic treasure taking shape. Formations are another major hurdle. Are you truly confident?" "In the past, I certainly wouldn't have been. But now..." Duan Feng grinned. "Have you forgotten that our Luotian Association has a formation master?" Luo Chen realized at once. Min Longyu! "Still, he knows nothing about forging, does he?" Duan Feng said with confidence, "Not every master blacksmith is an expert in formations. Most of the time, artifact forging is accomplished collaboratively. From nothing to something, the process of forging a magic treasure involves a division of labor. The same goes for the crucial formations." Putting it that way, Luo Chen understood completely. Back when Duan Feng forged or repaired dharma artifacts, he was always surrounded by apprentices he had trained. They either processed ores for him or regulated the heat. Even during the engraving of critical formations, people would often rotate in and out. Forging differed from alchemy. The core work of alchemy had to be performed personally by the alchemist. But forging was more like building a house; the labor could easily be divided. The difficulty and entry barrier were distinct between the two. That was why wherever Luo Chen went, he frequently saw factions skilled in artifact forging. "In that case, tell me the materials you need. If I run across them, I'll keep an eye out for you." Duan Feng naturally did not decline. He could sense that if these two magic treasure embryos were truly forged, given Luo Chen's nature, one would likely be given to him, and the other would probably belong to Wang Yuan. After all, the embryos had come from Duan Qiankun's storage bag. In terms of contributions back then, Wang Yuan was owed a hefty share of the spoils. After speaking a while longer, Luo Chen departed. Duan Feng had just reached Foundation Establishment and had plenty on his hands: stabilizing his realm and transitioning to the Foundation Establishment chapter of his cultivation technique all took time. *** Emerging from Duan Feng's immortal cave, Luo Chen headed home. After standing guard for three days, he was somewhat fatigued and needed some rest. On his way back, the corner of his eye caught a figure nearby. The person was seated in a wheelchair, gazing despondently toward Duan Feng's immortal cave. *It's him!* No one could possibly connect this man—crippled from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair day in and day out—with the spirited genius Nangong Qin who had once been famous throughout Dahe Market. Yet reality was that cruel. In the battle where the Bai family rallied the marauders of Liuguang Market to besiege the Nangong family, the fighting had been extraordinarily brutal. Nangong Jin had told Nangong Qin to flee first so that he could slaughter without restraint. But Nangong Qin hadn't been so lucky in his flight; he was besieged by over a dozen rogue marauders. Even with his father's protective measures allowing him to survive by a hair, it came at the cost of losing the use of both legs. By now, he must have learned of Duan Feng's breakthrough to Foundation Establishment. After all, the spiritual power fluctuations radiating outward during the breakthrough had drawn Nangong Jin's probe. With Luo Chen standing guard there, Nangong Jin naturally knew Duan Feng was attempting Foundation Establishment. The man who had once been defeated by his hand had now stepped onto the grand path of Foundation Establishment ahead of him. *If he hadn't been injured, he would probably be nearing Foundation Establishment too,* Luo Chen sighed inwardly, having no intention of greeting him. Returning to his immortal cave, he checked the condition of the Jade Dew Pills. After being chilled and rested, the medicinal potency had finally stabilized, fully locked inside the tiny pills. Luo Chen took one out. "The recipe says this pill is exceptionally effective for female cultivators, but it doesn't say it's useless for male cultivators." "I might as well test its effects." *** Two days later, a vigorous and refreshed Luo Chen stepped out of his immortal cave. He had tested the Jade Dew Pill. There was indeed an effect! Its medicinal efficacy was about seventy percent of a Qi Harmonizing Pill, and far inferior compared to a Soaring Dragon Pill. The main issue lay in incomplete absorption. Even after two days, he could still feel a pocket of yin-chill energy stagnating in his sea of qi, causing considerable discomfort. Dissipating this yin-chill medicinal energy entirely would require at least another day of effort. And that was merely dissipating it, not fully absorbing it. If it could be absorbed completely, its efficacy wouldn't just be seventy percent of a Qi Harmonizing Pill; it would surpass a Qi Harmonizing Pill, and perhaps even exceed a Soaring Dragon Pill! In contrast, female cultivators taking the Jade Dew Pill would have no such concerns. They could completely assimilate this yin-chill energy for their own use. "No wonder this pill is basically used exclusively by female cultivators, especially those specializing in water- and ice-attribute arts. The extra benefit is substantial!" "With this, my confidence in my subsequent plans is even greater!" While he was calculating inwardly, Duan Feng had also emerged from his immortal cave. The two exchanged glances, then tacitly flew away from Tianlan Peak, heading straight for the Luotian Association. *** "Duan Feng reached Foundation Establishment!" This rumor had circulated throughout the Luotian Association several days ago. When President Luo Chen and Duan Feng arrived side by side at Danxia Peak, rumor became fact. Instantly, the entire Luotian Association, high and low, erupted into excitement. The reason for their excitement was not merely that the association gained another Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, but also Luo Chen's magnanimity! Though President Luo Chen had long been rumored to be generous and remarkably broad-minded, that had merely been rumors. As years passed, the Luotian Association had not seen a second Foundation Establishment True Cultivator arise. Who could know if he wasn't just another Mi Shuhua or Wang Haichao? But with Duan Feng's breakthrough, all rumors, speculations, and anxieties crumbled on their own! President Luo Chen truly did not mind his subordinates reaching Foundation Establishment! Especially after Duan Feng held an internal Foundation Establishment Grand Ceremony to share his breakthrough insights with the cultivators at Qi Refinement ninth level, everyone was all the more shaken by Luo Chen's deeds. Before the breakthrough, Luo Chen had simulated the most perilous stages of Foundation Establishment for Duan Feng. During the breakthrough, he personally stood guard to protect his path. All of this, combined with Luo Chen's usual conduct and words, how could anyone fail to respect him from the bottom of their hearts? And because of this, everyone saw hope! If Duan Feng could do it, why couldn't they? This Foundation Establishment Grand Ceremony was strictly internal. And what was more, only Luotian Association cultivators who had attained Qi Refinement ninth level were invited. It was not that the Luotian Association was stingy, but that the venue was different now. It was no longer Dahe Market, where a Foundation Establishment cultivator could reign supreme as a local hegemon. In Tianlan Immortal City, Foundation Establishment True Cultivators held a certain standing, but were hardly of overriding importance. After all, countless Foundation Establishment True Cultivators came and went here, including many high-ranking disciples from prominent sects. If someone held a lavish, sprawling celebration merely for successfully establishing their foundation, far from boosting their renown, it would only invite ridicule. Thus, the ceremony was confined strictly to the internal upper echelons. During the ceremony, the senior members of the Luotian Association all offered congratulations to Duan Feng, mostly from the bottom of their hearts. After all, with another Foundation Establishment cultivator bolstering the association's strength, sheltered beneath that canopy, their own future breakthroughs would only be relatively easier. Even if it wasn't quite a case of one man attaining the Dao and his dogs and poultry ascending to heaven, it was undeniably a mutually beneficial arrangement. A small minority, alongside their sincere congratulations, could not help harboring feelings of envy and jealousy. After all, Duan Feng had previously possessed great combat strength, but his cultivation realm had not been particularly prominent. Plenty of people had stood at higher realms than him—such as Sima Huiniang, Murong Qinglian, Bian Zhen, and even Min Longyu, who was at Qi Refinement Great Perfection. Who could have anticipated that he would beat them to the punch, stepping ahead on the grand Dao? As for the myriad thoughts of his subordinates, Luo Chen didn't care, nor could he be bothered to guess at them. In his view, Duan Feng reaching Foundation Establishment held only benefits and no drawbacks for him. With Duan Feng holding the fort at the Luotian Association at all times, Luo Chen could free up more time for his own cultivation. Time! A mere word, yet the true dividing line between Foundation Establishment and Qi Refinement cultivators. Qi Refinement cultivators scurried about day in and day out, busying themselves with petty concerns. Their concept of time was typically measured in days and months, or at most a fleeting couple of years. Yet in the eyes of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the passage of time had subtly compressed. Luo Chen had felt this deeply along his journey. In the past, whether Shopkeeper Liu of Spirit Herb Pavilion or Tianxingzi of the Zhenlong Black Market, whenever they discussed matters concerning time, they always used adjectives like "soon" or "before long." At first, he thought it might mean a few days. Only later did he realize that "soon" easily meant months, or even years. Back then, he had recognized that higher-level cultivators held an entirely different perception of time from lower-level cultivators. After establishing his own foundation, this realization deepened further. A single closed-door seclusion could last one or three years. If his cultivation realm continued to climb, perhaps a single seclusion would take five or ten years... To the person in seclusion, that span was merely a blink. But to friends and family, it might encompass a long journey through life. Upon emerging, people around him might have quietly passed away as their lifespan reached its limit. And the faction under his command could easily suffer numerous storms over such lengthy stretches. "Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, True Cultivator indeed!" "Only after establishing one's foundation does one become a true cultivator!" Luo Chen did not want to enter prolonged seclusion in the future only to emerge and find his friends and the Luotian Association reduced to withered memories of yesteryear. Although Wang Yuan possessed the combat strength of Foundation Establishment, he was, in the end, not a conventional Foundation Establishment cultivator. Holding down the fort to guard against danger was fine, but when it came to diplomatic dealings at the Foundation Establishment level, it was genuinely awkward for him to step forward. Now that Duan Feng had reached Foundation Establishment, that awkward dilemma was resolved. *** Once the internal Foundation Establishment Grand Ceremony concluded, Duan Feng brought up a matter in front of Luo Chen. "I want to take Feng Xia as my wife!" Luo Chen looked at the uneasy woman standing beside Duan Feng and smiled slightly. "That is a good thing. There's no need to report it to me so formally." Seeing that Luo Chen harbored no objection, Feng Xia couldn't help breathing a sigh of relief. For some reason, ever since Luo Chen established his foundation, his imposing aura and authority had grown increasingly formidable. Originally she hadn't paid it much mind, chalking it up to the suppression brought by cultivation realms. But after that incident involving Qu Lingjun and Mi Li, she had grown somewhat apprehensive. If Luo Chen were to intervene between her and Duan Feng, what would she do? Duan Feng smiled. "I'm just giving you a heads-up; how did it turn into a formal report? Just remember to send a wedding gift when the time comes!" "You rascal, so that was your angle all along!" Luo Chen chuckled scoldingly and casually asked about the date of the wedding. Duan Feng seemed to have planned it already. "Once my realm is completely stabilized, I'll hold the wedding and formally become Dao companions with Sister Xia!" "No problem. When the time comes, I'll have the Luotian Association throw a grand affair for you, and ensure the atmosphere is just right!" Luo Chen laughed heartily, then smiled at Feng Xia. "Sister Xia, congratulations!" Feng Xia parted her lips, tears already brimming in her eyes. In a husky voice, she said, "Thank you." A mere two words, yet charged with deeply tangled emotions. It was hard to tell whether she was thanking Luo Chen for blessing her union with Duan Feng, or thanking him for aiding Duan Feng along the way. Luo Chen chuckled and accepted the gratitude. Feng Xia was a good woman, and her cultivation realm was not low either—she was one of several people in the Luotian Association who had advanced to the ninth level of Qi Refinement the previous year. Whether she had any hope of Foundation Establishment, Luo Chen couldn't say. But she was more than worthy of Duan Feng! Or rather, this was something Duan Feng owed her. After all, everyone had witnessed everything Feng Xia had done for Duan Feng throughout their journey. After chatting a bit longer, Luo Chen left the floor to Duan Feng; many other friends were waiting to converse with him. Meanwhile, Luo Chen walked into a side hall. Someone was already waiting there. "Xiao Liu, are you getting used to staying in our Luotian Association?" Having joined the Luotian Association, Xu Xiaoliu had lost his previous roguish restlessness from wandering the streets, gaining a touch of maturity and poise. Facing Luo Chen, he showed ever-greater respect. "Replying to President, everything is wonderful. It's so much better than my days as a rogue cultivator." Luo Chen shook his head. "That was only because you didn't want to be tied down before. Otherwise, relying on your connection with your eldest uncle, which Foundation Establishment faction wouldn't have been willing to recruit you?" Xu Xiaoliu gave a wry smile, his expression turning somewhat complicated. In the past, he had been young and inexperienced, thinking that being a solitary rogue cultivator meant carefree freedom without ties. But certain realities truly left one helpless. That complicated expression hinted at some tangled backstory, but Luo Chen had no interest in prying. With a flick of his wrist, a jade bottle emitting cold air appeared in his palm. Supported by his spiritual power, it floated slowly before Xu Xiaoliu. "Your eldest uncle, Xu Jingnian, seems to have a good relationship with Elder Shi Boying of Binglan Palace?" Xu Xiaoliu looked at the jade bottle before him in surprise. He nodded. "They do share some history. President, what would you like me to do?" "Very simple. Ask your eldest uncle to deliver this bottle of Jade Dew Pills to Elder Shi. Tell him that someone wants to do business with the Ice Fort!" *Jade Dew Pills!* Xu Xiaoliu's eyes widened instantly.