"Mistaken?"
Hu Changle froze.
He thought he had taken every conceivable angle into consideration.
How could there still be flaws or oversights in his reasoning?
Seeing his confusion, Hu Changxi's gaze turned deep. "There are no permanent, intimate allies in this world. As circumstances shift with the passage of time, former friends can just as easily become enemies!"
Hu Changle stared blankly. "Eldest Brother, what do you mean?"
"The relationship between the Danyuan Sect and the Li family was maintained purely by mutual interest and matching strength. Now that Li Jinhuang has passed away, only cold interest remains in that bond. And nothing stirs the human heart like interest! Right now, that bond has reached its most fragile state in history."
Hu Changxi remarked calmly, "A complete falling-out can happen overnight.
"All it takes is a gentle nudge from us!"
Hu Changle's eyes lit up. Why had he not considered that?
He had been relying on outdated preconceptions to predict the future.
He truly shouldn't have!
"Then what about the Geng family?"
"The Geng family?" Hu Changxi sneered, a chill gleaming in his eyes. "Back then, the Geng family stood shoulder to shoulder with the Li family to suppress us because our sandalwood business conflicted with theirs.
"Now, to secure Foundation Establishment for the two of you, I severed our sandalwood trade entirely. We no longer have any conflict of interest with them.
"Of course, with our past enmity, cooperation is naturally out of the question."
Hu Changle was puzzled. "If we cannot cooperate, then what point is there?"
Hu Changxi glanced at him. "We cannot cooperate, yet we can still turn an enemy into a friend. The Geng family has its own far-off worries and pressing concerns!"
Far-off worries and pressing concerns?
Hu Changle knitted his brows, pondering the meaning carefully.
The far-off worry undoubtedly referred to the Hu family. If the Hu family dropped past grudges against the Geng family, that distant threat would vanish.
What about their pressing concern?
Hu Changxi did not elaborate, issuing commands directly instead.
"Fourth Brother had points that were valid. Whether it is Azure Pill Valley's attitude, the possibility of Li Jinhuang faking his death, or the backing of the Luotian Association, we must factor them all in.
"Next, Fourth Brother, go contact the Danyuan Sect and see what they have in mind.
"Second Brother, spread the word of Li Jinhuang's death, especially among those who harbor grudges against the Li family or have competing interests with them. In addition, keep a close watch on the Li family's ancestral grounds to see whether Li Jinhuang is genuinely dead or faking it."
Hu Changnu could not help asking, "May I make a move?"
Hu Changxi nodded. "Killing a few low-tier Li family cultivators to test their reaction is fine."
A sinister grin spread across Hu Changnu's face.
"Excellent. I'll collect some interest first!"
"What about you, Eldest Brother?" Hu Changle asked curiously.
Hu Changxi's eyes flickered. "I shall personally make a trip to the Geng family to show our sincerity!"
With their minds made up, the three brothers wasted no time and prepared to set off.
Yet before they could step out the door, a visitor arrived at their gate.
"Cultivators from the Danyuan Sect?"
Hu Changle was stunned upon receiving the news.
Subconsciously, he looked toward his eldest brother.
Hu Changxi gave him a slight nod.
Indeed, everything in the world was perpetually shifting. There was no such thing as an eternal ally!
……
Along the banks of the Qinhua River, rugged mountains and towering peaks stretched endlessly.
Atop a solitary, proud summit, a man clad in a red-cloud Daoist robe stood with his hands clasped behind his back, looking out across a riverbank plain a thousand li away.
The ancestral lands of the Li family lay right there.
Houses stood row upon row, constructed along the rise of the mountain.
On the plains below, countless medicinal fields flourished, brimming with diverse fragrances.
There were also three massive fishponds cultivating three types of Tier 1 spiritual fish.
Such assets would arouse intense envy in any Foundation Establishment True Cultivator who laid eyes on them.
Even Luo Chen, having toured the grounds multiple times, felt his heart stir at this moment.
Yet remembering Li Jinhuang's various gestures before his demise, he restrained that inner greed.
A man had to have principles!
Besides, such a succulent piece of fat would not be easy to swallow.
His gaze drifted, settling across the herb fields and fishponds.
Under normal circumstances, countless cultivators and mortals would be bustling about, painstakingly tending to the clan's enterprises.
Yet with Li Jinhuang's passing, the Li family estate had recently dissolved into wailing and sorrowful dirges, draped in white mourning banners amid fluttering paper money.
Luo Chen's gaze swept continuously across the landscape.
He watched the rolling currents of the Qinhua River and scrutinized the craggy ranges on either bank.
He did not release his spiritual sense.
Doing so risked alerting his targets.
Instead, he relied on his well-honed vision to inspect every detail.
Several hours later, Luo Chen withdrew his sight.
"It seems there are quite a few people with their eyes on this fat piece of meat."
Like Danxia Peak, this region fell under the jurisdiction of Tianlan Immortal City.
Every ten years, a sum of rent had to be paid.
Yet compared to that rent, the Li family's revenue was dozens of times greater!
However, Tianlan Immortal City had an unwritten rule.
*I lease the land to you.*
*How you develop and manage it is entirely your business.*
*And whether you can defend the fruits of your labor is also entirely up to you!*
If the land had remained in a semi-abandoned state like Danxia Peak once was, other factions or rogue Foundation Establishment cultivators naturally would not look twice at it.
Yet the Li family had fully unlocked the land's potential.
If someone could seize it now, they would reap the harvest without expending the slightest effort!
"Defending this piece of the pie will likely demand considerable effort on my part."
Muttering under his breath, Luo Chen drew out a banner.
Pitch-black and radiating eerie ghostly qi, it was none other than the Soul Refining Banner!
"Come forth!"
As he uttered the incantation, an armored ghost general stepped out from the Soul Refining Banner.
Even with the scorching sun hanging overhead, it suffered no hindrance.
Once a yin soul reached the rank of ghost general, it was no longer afraid of worldly sunlight.
Upon seeing Luo Chen, it immediately sank onto one knee, utterly respectful and devoid of its former ferocity.
Looking down at Xiao Hei, Luo Chen nodded inward.
After devouring the soul of the rogue Foundation Establishment cultivator Tu Shan, Xiao Hei had slumbered for a time.
Over the years, Luo Chen had tempered the Soul Refining Banner intermittently.
By now, he had established an exceptionally tight mental connection with this banner, which had advanced into a top-grade magical tool.
Its sole primary soul, Xiao Hei, was thoroughly devoted to him.
"Stand guard here!"
"If any Foundation Establishment cultivator attacks the Li family, report to me at once."
Xiao Hei gave a low, muffled grunt of assent, lowering its kneeling posture in even deeper reverence.
Luo Chen unfurled the Soul Refining Banner and set down a concealment array within the mountains.
This peak held meager spiritual energy and lay at a great distance.
Those interested in the Li family would not venture this far.
With Xiao Hei concealed here, the chances of discovery were slim.
This measure served as surveillance,
and also provided Luo Chen with a retreat route should his upcoming endeavors end in failure.
*Before considering victory, first consider defeat.*
For the Li family's sake, Luo Chen would do his best.
Yet if matters proved truly insurmountable, he certainly would not throw his own life away.
Having set up his contingency, Luo Chen departed immediately.
Taking a wide detour, he arrived outside Danxia Peak shortly after.
Yet before entering the mountain, he halted.
A figure was pacing back and forth outside the boundary, seeming hesitant.
"Why are you here?"
Seeing who it was, Luo Chen furrowed his brows.
……
Inside the quiet Luotian Grand Hall, Xing Zonghan spoke once more.
"That is the whole story. I never expected that colluding with Yuzhen Daoist Temple would not be enough for Ying Yang—he actually managed to connect with the Divine Craft Sect as well."
Seated above, Luo Chen's expression was grave.
He had not expected that upon meeting Xing Zonghan again after so long, the man would bring such news.
He asked patiently, "Are they cooperating with the entire Divine Craft Sect, or solely with Lu Rong?"
"It should just be Lu Rong alone!" Xing Zonghan replied uncertainly.
After a moment's thought, he nodded with absolute certainty.
"It must be a rogue collaboration!
"From what I know, the Divine Craft Sect intends to shift its focus outward. Sect Master Fei Changqiu feels the tool-refining competition in Tianlan Immortal City is too fierce and has no wish to remain entangled here."
Luo Chen was puzzled. "Then why are you so sure the three of them are joining forces to target my Luotian Association?"
"I do not know the exact details, but Lu Rong was indeed the one who came knocking. As for why Tianying Peak and Yuzhen Daoist Temple agreed, I have no idea."
Once he finished speaking, Luo Chen fell into deep thought.
He had friction with the Divine Craft Sect, but it was minor, far from a life-and-death struggle.
This was evident from the fact that their sect master, Fei Changqiu, had never caused trouble for them afterward.
If Fei Changqiu did not move, the Divine Craft Sect would not move.
As for Lu Rong, who had lost face before him, he stood alone with no sect support to lean on.
Yet surprisingly, he had sought out outside assistance.
A petty squabble over pride?
Or was it for that Tier 2 body-refining technique?
Or perhaps he coveted Danxia Peak's wealth?
Suddenly,
Xing Zonghan seemed to recall something and spoke up.
"Tianying Peak and Yuzhen Daoist Temple might be after Foundation Establishment Pills!"
Luo Chen froze.
"Foundation Establishment Pills?"
"Yes!"
Xing Zonghan nodded heavily, his tone thoroughly convinced.
"Both factions have large numbers of Qi Refinement cultivators, yet each possesses only a single Foundation Establishment True Cultivator. The number of Foundation Establishment Pills released at each auction is exceedingly limited.
"Meanwhile, your Luotian Association has been in Tianlan Immortal City for barely six years, yet you have produced three or four Foundation Establishment True Cultivators in rapid succession!
"I heard one failed previously, and now your director-general has begun charging toward Foundation Establishment as well.
"Yet you only ever bought a single Foundation Establishment Pill at an auction.
"From a single Foundation Establishment Pill, four or five people have attempted the breakthrough.
"Rumors have long circulated outside, whispering that your Luotian Association plundered someone's wealth or unearthed the legacy of a secret realm, amassing a great stash of Foundation Establishment Pills!
"Those burning with jealousy are far from few!"
Luo Chen's expression shifted drastically!
This shook him far more profoundly than hearing that someone wanted to target the Luotian Association.
*An ordinary man incurs no guilt, but harboring a jade ring invites destruction!*
If rumors spread that the Luotian Association possessed a stockpile of Foundation Establishment Pills, every faction below the Core Formation stage would begin to eye them hungrily.
Lu Rong and his cohort might only be the beginning.
Endless trouble could follow in their wake.
Having voiced this suspicion, Xing Zonghan belatedly grasped its implications as well.
He looked toward Luo Chen with a mix of shock and doubt.
"Fellow Daoist Luo, does the Luotian Association truly have many Foundation Establishment Pills?"
"No! Absolutely not!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Luo Chen flatly denied it.
Xing Zonghan remained half-convinced. "I am willing to believe you, but the factions outside..."
The unspoken implications sent a chill down the spine.
Luo Chen's face tightened, dark as water.
Xing Zonghan shook his head. "These matters have nothing to do with me. You showed me great kindness before, while Ying Yang of Tianying Peak shares a blood feud of clan annihilation with me. When the time comes, if they truly dare to strike, I will assist you with all my might!"
"My thanks, Fellow Daoist Xing." Luo Chen cupped his hands and said, "For the coming days, why not stay at Danxia Peak as our guest?"
Xing Zonghan naturally had no objection.
He was all alone now, and his cultivation had long stabilized.
Had Ying Yang not holed up at home for so long and traveled only in the company of that slut from Yuzhen Daoist Temple, he would have sought his vengeance long ago.
Now, the other party coveted the Luotian Association's Foundation Establishment Pills precisely because they wanted the Ying family to produce another Foundation Establishment cultivator to handle him.
Perfect!
This was also his finest opportunity for revenge!
……
……
High upon Tianlan Peak!
This place sat opposite the silver waterfall. Free from the roaring crash of water, it was exceptionally serene.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Luo Chen stood outside a cave abode draped in ice and snow. He had waited for a long time, but the owner of the abode showed no sign of responding.
Sighing helplessly, Luo Chen could only turn back.
Inside his own cave abode, Luo Chen reviewed the turmoil brewing in recent days, his mind settling into clarity.
Those who envied Danxia Peak's wealth and coveted the Luotian Association's Foundation Establishment Pills had not simply sprung forth all at once.
This had likely been fermenting for a long time!
It was only that they had restrained themselves until now, keeping their ambitions hidden.
Only recently had they begun to stir.
The catalyst was undoubtedly this transitional period—the rotation of sects and the impending handover of the immortal city.
Any changing of the guard inevitably brought temporary chaos.
In such turmoil, those at the bottom were helpless; whether the city rose or fell, they were the ones who suffered.
Those in the middle tiers craved it, seeking to exploit the chaos for profit.
As for the ruling powers, so long as it remained within controllable bounds, they welcomed it gladly.
After the chaos, numerous power vacuums would emerge.
When that time came, the new masters of the immortal city could plunder wealth on a grand scale and install factions aligned with their interests.
Over the past several centuries, almost every minor faction struggling for survival in Tianlan Immortal City had tied itself to the major sects in some fashion.
This was the reason why.
Luo Chen foresaw that if this matter was not squashed, the subsequent troubles would be endless!
Where would his Luotian Association find so many Foundation Establishment Pills?
Even if he said so, no one would believe him!
After all, in just a few short years, new Foundation Establishment cultivators had sprung up from his ranks one after another.
*This matter still hinges on Ice Fort's stance!*
*If Ice Fort merely drops a hint, no one will dare lay a hand on the Luotian Association.*
*I refuse to believe they are willing to give up the Jade Dew Pill and watch the Luotian Association decline.*
Luo Chen took a deep breath, resolving to visit Cave Abode Yi-1 once more tomorrow.
Seeking Shi Boying would achieve nothing in this matter.
As for Fairy Jueqing, he had no direct line of approach.
Yet Tantai Jin, who resided in Cave Abode Yi-1, possessed both the formidable might of late Foundation Establishment and the post of captain of the immortal city law enforcement squad.
She personally represented Ice Fort's interests within the city.
If she spoke a single word, these worries and predicaments would vanish completely!
Early the next morning.
Luo Chen arrived outside the snow-shrouded cave abode once again.
He waited the entire morning, yet received no reply.
He was certain she was inside and had not entered closed-door seclusion recently.
She could not possibly be in seclusion!
With both sects currently transferring their interests in the immortal city, she could not afford to withdraw.
Her intentional evasion filled Luo Chen with unease.
After waiting through the morning to no avail, Luo Chen departed in frustration.
On the third day, again in the morning.
Snow fluttered through the air.
Inside the cave abode, two female cultivators watched a water mirror before them, which displayed Luo Chen's gloomy countenance.
"Junior Sister Tantai, do you truly refuse to see Luo Chen?" Shi Boying asked.
Tantai Jin replied indifferently, "Why should I see him?"
Shi Boying could not help saying, "I heard he has run into a great deal of trouble lately. Quite a few Foundation Establishment True Cultivators have designs on him. We are partners with him, and we even allowed him to fly Ice Fort's banner. Shouldn't we lend him a hand?"
"Vassals flying our Ice Fort banner are countless. Am I supposed to step in whenever each of them runs into trouble?" Tantai Jin countered.
Shi Boying was rendered speechless.
Tantai Jin snorted coldly. "Besides, those troubles are not aimed at Luo Chen himself."
"Uh..."
"What those people covet is Danxia Peak, what they care about is the Luotian Association, and what they lust after is that nonexistent stockpile of Foundation Establishment Pills. None of that has anything to do with our shared Jade Dew Pill business."
Shi Boying was struck by sudden realization.
What Luotian Association, what Danxia Peak foundation—none of it truly mattered to the Jade Dew Pill enterprise.
So long as Luo Chen remained alive, he alone could refine the Jade Dew Pills, and this business would never collapse.
Nor would he dare break it off!
For backing this arrangement was the command of a Core Formation Master—Fairy Jueqing herself!
Unless Luo Chen no longer wished to live.
"I am very busy lately. The envoy sent by Azure Pill Valley has been conferring with Master daily over major affairs. I have no time to bother with such trivialities.
"If Luo Chen persists in pestering me, dismiss him on my behalf!"
Tantai Jin sounded faintly impatient.
Shi Boying murmured her agreement.
Though she was the senior sister, she held that title only by virtue of joining the sect earlier.
In daily affairs, she functioned more as a subordinate.
Yet before leaving, she seemed to recall something and could not resist adding another remark.
"Luo Chen does not seem like the type to abandon the foundation he built with his own hands. If things truly spiral into chaos, his life may well be in jeopardy."
Tantai Jin's sword-like brows twitched slightly, her gaze turning cold as she fixed her eyes on Shi Boying.
"Have you taken benefits from him?"
Shi Boying flushed crimson, stammering for words.
The atmosphere within the abode turned profoundly awkward.
Meanwhile, outside the abode.
Ice and snow whipped against his face, but Luo Chen's tumultuous thoughts had cleared into crisp lucidity.
He had vaguely come to understand.
Ice Fort valued him as an individual, prized his consummate alchemy skills.
Yet the Luotian Association attached to him was never in Ice Fort's sight.
A few hundred Qi Refinement cultivators and a handful of Foundation Establishment True Cultivators were nothing more than clay chickens and pottery dogs to a colossus like Ice Fort!
The Luotian Association relied on him, and he relied on Ice Fort.
Yet a vassal's vassal was no vassal of the lord!
The Luotian Association owed loyalty only to him, not to Ice Fort. Even he himself harbored little affection for Ice Fort.
Conversely, Ice Fort had no intention of extending a hand to rescue the Luotian Association from its perils.
Having grasped this truth, Luo Chen lost all desire to see Tantai Jin.
Gazing at the cave abode shrouded in ice and snow, Luo Chen felt neither anger nor resentment.
"Some things can only be relied upon by oneself."
After murmuring to himself, Luo Chen turned and walked away.
This familiar sight did not surprise the two women inside the abode.
The only surprise was that over the following days, Luo Chen never appeared again.
This left Shi Boying, who had prepared a stomach full of excuses, feeling as though she had thrown a punch into empty cotton.
Having just finished speaking with Tao Wan of Azure Pill Valley, Tantai Jin returned to the abode.
"Has he given up?"
"I do not know, but I heard he is going to attend the funeral of the Qinhua River's Li family patriarch tomorrow."
"Heh. Showing his face in such turbulent times—he truly has no fear of death!"
"Junior Sister, are we really not going to help him?"
Tantai Jin felt a twinge of irritation. She was genuinely curious how much benefit this senior sister of hers had accepted from Luo Chen over the years.
Shi Boying replied candidly, "I merely think he is quite a decent person. We still have to work together in the future, so there is no need to make the relationship so strained."
"You meddle too much!"
With those stern words, the atmosphere in the abode grew heavy once more.
Shi Boying lowered her head, choosing not to argue with her formidable junior sister.
Tantai Jin looked at her, a sudden thought crossing her mind.
"I have my own plans regarding this matter. You need say no more."
Chapter 279