"What city in peril?"
Sima Huiniang was puzzled.
Two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators plus a cultivator of the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment watching hungrily from the side—how was that not standing beneath a besieged city?
Luo Chen smiled faintly and pointed in the direction of Tianlan.
"For the next decade, the Ice Fort will still govern the immortal city!"
At these words, shock appeared on Sima Huiniang's face.
If that was certain,
then there truly was no such thing as danger.
Especially given the implication in Luo Chen's words: he enjoyed the Ice Fort's full backing!
Under such circumstances, these late-stage great cultivators who still had to make a living in Tianlan Immortal City naturally wouldn't dare offend Luo Chen too deeply.
She had only just emerged from secluded cultivation and knew only what was on the surface through her subordinates.
She had no inkling of such inside information.
Luo Chen chuckled. "Besides, I never had any fundamental conflict of interest with them. The conditions Fei Changqiu promised were nothing more than castles in the air until they were actually in hand.
"Under those circumstances, with the Nine Transformations Flame Dragon Array as a deterrent, they naturally wouldn't tear away all face with me."
Put that way, Sima Huiniang understood completely.
No wonder the association head had been so confident.
Facing two great cultivators alone, he hadn't panicked in the slightest.
He had even slain Fei Changqiu with his own hands right before their eyes.
"You are brilliant, Association Head. I was overthinking."
Luo Chen shook his head; it was merely an information gap.
Instead, he looked at her and frowned. "You just succeeded in Foundation Establishment. Why did you rush out of Tianlan Peak instead of properly stabilizing your cultivation realm?"
Sima Huiniang said helplessly, "I was in seclusion for a mere half a month, yet so much happened in the Luotian Association. How could I settle my mind to stabilize my realm?"
When she thought about it... she had just succeeded in Foundation Establishment.
There had been no one to welcome her; the courtyard before her door was utterly desolate.
Before she even had time to find someone to share her inner joy, she heard about everything that had happened to the Luotian Association recently.
Formidable Foundation Establishment enemies one after another, intense battle after battle, mountain after mountain breached and sects annihilated.
And those countless shocking, covetous resources piled high across Danxia Peak.
How could she sit still?
She knew that at a time like this, the Luotian Association and Luo Chen needed her most.
Therefore, she had given up on stabilizing her realm first and left Tianlan Peak without the slightest hesitation.
Especially upon learning that Luo Chen had already led people to attack the Divine Craft Sect for eight whole days, she had immediately rallied a contingent and rushed straight for the Divine Craft Sect.
Fortunately, nothing had gone seriously wrong.
"Association Head, regarding our harvest this time..."
Luo Chen raised his hand, cutting her off.
"We'll take inventory once we return!"
Sima Huiniang nodded. She knew taking inventory of spoils was an exceedingly tedious and complicated affair, and Luo Chen had never been fond of such matters.
However, she still had to mention the major items.
"How should we handle the storage bags of those two Foundation Establishment True Cultivators?"
These were storage bags with spiritual sense imprints. Even if the owners had fallen, it still took a long time to break the imprints.
Moreover, it could not be done by Qi Refinement cultivators.
It required a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator who likewise possessed spiritual sense.
Typically, after a battle, among all the spoils, the storage bags of Foundation Establishment True Cultivators were dealt with first.
Luo Chen didn't hesitate; he had long made a plan in his mind.
"Min Longyu contributed the most in this battle. You can make up other rewards later, but give him the Divine Craft Sect Grand Elder's storage bag first.
"I hear that elder was also a formation master. I expect he will appreciate this reward."
Sima Huiniang nodded.
She had also heard that during this period, Min Longyu had achieved merit time and again.
Within the Luotian Association, he had already garnered the respect and admiration of countless cultivators.
"As for Fei Changqiu's storage bag, give it to me first. I'll break it open."
At this point, Luo Chen paused.
He looked at Sima Huiniang and said meaningfully, "Inside, it's said there are Foundation Establishment Pills—and more than one!"
Sima Huiniang nodded subconsciously.
But then, she sensed something amiss.
Luo Chen didn't elaborate and let her step out first.
After she left,
Luo Chen took out the Mystic Fire Sword.
This Magic Treasure wasn't exceptionally powerful.
At least, other people's evaluation of it was far below that of the Heavenly Moon Purple Gold Wheel Mi Shuhua had bought at the auction back then.
Compared to the signature Magic Treasures of other famous Foundation Establishment True Cultivators, it held no special advantage.
Yet now, Luo Chen was confident that if he fought someone of the same cultivation level, he could gain a massive advantage when wielding a Magic Treasure.
*If refining a Magic Treasure had a progress bar, I was at around forty percent at most before.*
*After passing through the Nine Transformations Flame Dragon Array, I pushed my refining progress all the way to around sixty percent in one breath!*
This progress was already extraordinarily remarkable.
It meant that as long as Luo Chen had sufficient spiritual power, he could draw upon sixty percent of this sword's might.
One had to know that even a late-stage Foundation Establishment great cultivator could at most unleash seventy to eighty percent of a Magic Treasure's might.
And that was still restricted by the abundance of their own spiritual power.
Moreover, Luo Chen's control over this sword was far more agile and varied.
Unlike other Foundation Establishment True Cultivators who wielded Magic Treasures in straight, rigid trajectories, relying purely on raw force and speed to threaten their foes,
he could use his familiar control to make minute adjustments.
In combat, this was far more practical!
Killing Fei Changqiu, who was also at the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment, in a single exchange was the best proof right before his eyes.
*Refining a Magic Treasure with the aid of a grand array is truly exhilarating!*
*If only I could continue using the Nine Transformations Flame Dragon Array...*
Imagining such a wonderful prospect, Luo Chen couldn't help but chuckle.
Where would such good fortune come from?
To sustain the array, this single battle had consumed nearly all the medium-grade spirit stones he had accumulated over many years,
not to mention Min Longyu's formation tools.
The total expenditure was definitely well over a hundred thousand spirit stones!
No matter how much of a spendthrift he was, he couldn't afford to take such shortcuts regularly.
Sixty percent of its power was already more than enough for his current needs.
Even this had saved him decades of painstaking refining effort.
Stroking the warm blade, Luo Chen's gaze seemed to drift into the distance.
Battles, chaos, fame, establishing authority.
For now, it was enough!
Next would be digesting all the spoils from this period.
If they could thoroughly digest everything, then whether it was his personal strength or the overall might of the Luotian Association, it would climb an enormous step!
Under the previous circumstances, this digestion process might have been fraught with difficulty.
They would have had to digest their gains while remaining constantly on guard against unknown foes.
Yet now, having confirmed that the Ice Fort would continue to govern Tianlan Immortal City,
it undoubtedly provided him and the Luotian Association with the most comfortable environment!
...
Aboard the flying boat.
While taking inventory of the spoils, Sima Huiniang sought people out to gain a detailed understanding of recent events.
It was not simply a matter of knowing how events had unfolded.
She also had to consider whether the clans and sects wiped out by the Luotian Association had friendly ties with other forces, or preexisting bitter rivalries with others.
The impact of this battle was far-reaching.
Subsequent handling could no longer be as sweeping and unrestrained as during wartime.
It had to be like cooking small fish—oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar had to be measured just right, neither overdone nor lacking.
How should the Luotian Association engage with those formerly friendly factions going forward?
Should they remain hostile, or turn foes into friends and bring them over to their side?
And could the Luotian Association use this opportunity to turn those factions with preexisting bad relations with the Danyuan Sect and Tianying Peak into allies?
Even if they couldn't become allies, with that layer of connection, they could still engage in commercial dealings.
As she familiarized herself with the situation,
Luo Chen's words would occasionally surface in Sima Huiniang's mind.
*"Inside, it's said there are Foundation Establishment Pills—and more than one?"*
*"It's said?"*
*"Yet the association head hasn't even opened the storage bag!"*
She frowned slightly and paused what she was doing.
Given that the Divine Craft Sect had been rooted in Tianlan for a century, having one or two Foundation Establishment Pills in reserve was normal.
But there definitely wouldn't be many!
Why did the association head say there were many?
Did he mean...
*Creating an illusion for the outside world!*
Suddenly, Sima Huiniang faintly grasped the meaning behind Luo Chen's words.
*Give the outside world the illusion that the Luotian Association reaped numerous Foundation Establishment spirit herbs and pills from this battle!*
*That way, if the Luotian Association continues to produce Foundation Establishment True Cultivators in the future, it will seem completely natural.*
This speculation aligned perfectly with Luo Chen's consistent style of doing things.
Whatever he did, he would lay the groundwork beforehand.
Whether it was launching an attack on the Fu family by spreading rumors in advance,
or rallying Nangong Jin before the Battle of Mount Xiaohuan to win over the Great River Gang, the Li family, and others with shared interests.
Then the question arose.
Now that the groundwork was laid, would the Luotian Association truly produce many Foundation Establishment True Cultivators in the near future?
To help Qi Refinement cultivators break through to Foundation Establishment—especially rogue cultivators whose innate talent wasn't particularly good—abundant Foundation Establishment spirit medicines were an absolute prerequisite.
Having just succeeded in Foundation Establishment herself, Sima Huiniang understood this deeply.
Without Luo Chen's full support, how could her Foundation Establishment this time have gone so smoothly?
Yet where could one easily obtain Foundation Establishment spiritual medicines like Foundation Establishment Pills?
The immortal city's grand auctions were held once every ten years. Although many Foundation Establishment Pills were released each time, one had to share the spoils with all the major powers.
Foundation Establishment Pills circulating on the black market were fiercely coveted;
whenever one appeared, it would immediately be snapped up at an exorbitant price.
Could it be the large market towns beneath the immortal city?
The Luotian Association's reach hadn't extended that far yet!
*Unless the association head has a unique channel to procure large quantities of Foundation Establishment spirit medicine?*
Inexplicably, Sima Huiniang arrived at this sole explanation.
"Director-General, we're almost at Danxia Peak!"
Xu Xiaoliu's voice sounded by her ear.
Sima Huiniang snapped back from her reverie.
Looking at Danxia Peak right before her eyes, brimming with vibrant vitality, Sima Huiniang took a deep breath.
*I understand what the association head means. It is enough for me to spread the word.*
*As for the other details, they aren't for me to pry into!*
Having understood her role, Sima Huiniang no longer dwelled on it.
With a wave of her sleeve, she commanded:
"Prepare to land!"
...
On Danxia Peak.
Cultivators bustled back and forth in ceaseless activity.
Though busy, joyful and cheerful smiles filled every face.
The Luotian Association had won another victory!
Although this battle had taken longer than the previous instances where the association's elders breached mountains and destroyed sects, no one doubted the association head's ability.
Because this time, they had assaulted a nearly intact small sect.
The enemy was helmed by a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, guarded by a Tier 2 defensive formation, and had even summoned powerful reinforcements: two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators plus a sixth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivator!
Even under such circumstances, the association head had gnawed through this tough bone by sheer force.
How could such a grand feat not thrill them to their cores?
After this battle, whenever the Luotian Association's cultivators stepped outside, they could hold their chests high and backs straight.
They could boldly declare to anyone: "Our Luotian Association doesn't just know how to earn spirit stones; we never back down from a fight!"
Amidst the bustling crowd of cultivators, a figure walked against the flow.
Wherever he passed, people bowed to him from time to time, greeting him respectfully:
"Greetings, Hall Master Sima!"
"Hard work, Hall Master."
Sima Xian suppressed the anxiety in his heart and nodded to each one in turn.
Finally, he arrived inside Huixin Hall.
Upon entering, he saw at least five upper-echelon members of the association queuing to report their work to Sima Huiniang.
Among them was even Duan Feng, a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Sima Xian curbed his emotions and waited at the back.
Finally, after two hours, when the others had dispersed,
he stepped forward anxiously.
"Hall Master Sima, is something the matter?"
Normally, Sima Huiniang did not address Sima Xian or Sima Wenjie by their familial relations;
she always addressed them by their official titles.
Looking at her busy state, Sima Xian said with deep worry, "Second Sister, you've just reached Foundation Establishment. Instead of properly stabilizing your realm, why are you already working yourself ragged?"
Hearing his concern, Sima Huiniang brushed back a stray strand of hair.
She said, "Big Brother, is it just for such a minor matter?"
"How is this a minor matter?!" Sima Xian said sharply. "This is a major matter concerning your Dao path!"
"Dao path?"
Unexpectedly, upon hearing those two words, Sima Huiniang chuckled.
"Big Brother, you truly think too highly of me. Did you really believe I could aim for higher realms?
"Core Formation? Nascent Soul? With my aptitude?"
Faced with this barrage of questions,
Sima Xian was left speechless.
Sima Huiniang paused her work and straightened up from behind the desk.
Having just reached Foundation Establishment, her unstable spiritual energy fluctuations pulsed outward in waves.
Faced with a higher cultivation realm, Sima Xian subconsciously recoiled a step under the pressure.
Sima Huiniang smiled apologetically.
She stepped down from the dais and paced slowly toward the entrance of Huixin Hall.
"Sometimes, we need to be clear-headed.
"That I was able to reach Foundation Establishment is already thanks to the association head's immense grace.
"Under these circumstances, how could I push my luck and crave for more?"
Sima Xian followed closely behind her.
He couldn't help saying:
"But—"
"There aren't so many 'buts'!"
Sima Huiniang was dressed in wide yet well-tailored Daoist robes, her hair coiled high. Under years of managing the Luotian Association, her originally elegant and lovely features had acquired a touch of authority.
Now, having reached Foundation Establishment, her demeanor was even more unique, faintly carrying an air of noble dignity.
"Sometimes, we must have self-awareness.
"Wang Yuan aspires toward the Great Dao, so he can cast aside power and profit to cultivate single-mindedly.
"Min Longyu desires nothing beyond the art of formations.
"What about me?"
Sima Huiniang stopped at the great entrance of Huixin Hall, gazing down upon the scenery below the mountain. Then, her eyes slowly drifted upward, landing on Luotian Hall, which stood slightly higher than her own Huixin Hall.
"My aptitude is mediocre. I might never advance to the late stage of Foundation Establishment in my lifetime.
"In that case, why should I spend so much time on cultivation?
"Thanks to the association head's favor, I succeeded in Foundation Establishment and gained an extra two hundred years of lifespan. That in itself is an overwhelming blessing.
"Then, these extra two hundred years should be devoted to more meaningful things."
Sima Xian could not understand.
Didn't our generation of cultivators seek the Great Dao?
Even if one knew the odds were against them, couldn't they still strive for it?
Furthermore!
"Is what you call 'meaningful things' these tedious trivial chores?"
Sima Huiniang glanced at him. "Though chores are tedious, are they without meaning? If I hadn't devoted my energy to them, do you think I could have reached Foundation Establishment so quickly?"
Sima Xian was once again left speechless by his younger sister's rebuttal.
Indeed!
If Sima Huiniang hadn't demonstrated exceptional talent and managed the Luotian Association in such fine order for Luo Chen,
how could she, as a latecomer, have received Foundation Establishment resources ahead of others?
One had to know that Gu Caiyi and Qin Liangchen, who were far closer friends to Luo Chen, had not yet received Foundation Establishment Pills.
"My value, my worth to the association head, lies in these tedious chores!
"He is someone who aspires toward the Great Dao with an unshakeable will.
"These worldly affairs would only tether his cultivation.
"It is my duty and my responsibility to handle these matters properly for him."
Duty?
Responsibility?
Sima Xian fell thoughtful. She was probably referring to that life-saving grace from years ago!
Even though Luo Chen had never brought it up, Sima Huiniang's unwavering loyalty over the years undoubtedly stemmed in part from a desire to repay that debt.
As fellow upper management of the Luotian Association, Duan Feng's cultivation progress had actually been behind Sima Huiniang's back then.
Yet Duan Feng had been able to set aside ample time to cultivate.
Meanwhile, Sima Huiniang had poured all her heart into the Luotian Association, which caused her to reach the Great Perfection of Qi Refinement later than him, and even delayed her Foundation Establishment by several years.
Yet she had never once complained!
"Besides, Big Brother, you are worrying needlessly over whether my realm is stabilized."
Sima Huiniang could also understand Sima Xian's concern for her.
She offered a rare gentle smile reserved for family.
"Whether my realm is stabilized has little bearing on the overall situation.
"If a battle breaks out, is it really going to fall on me, the director-general of the Luotian Association, to charge onto the battlefield?"
Sima Xian opened his mouth, but once again found himself at a loss for words.
If a battle truly broke out, he would take to the field before Sima Huiniang ever did.
In fact, before an insurmountable foe, anyone in the Luotian Association might fall in battle first, but Sima Huiniang would certainly be among the very last.
While he stood tongue-tied, Sima Huiniang suddenly spoke:
"To tell you the truth!
"I never intended to enter secluded cultivation for half a year to stabilize my realm.
"Right now, the Luotian Association is in the most critical period in its history!
"Unless you stand in my position, you have no idea how important this period is.
"So many resources, so many businesses—any single one of them has the potential to make a clan flourish. If the Luotian Association can digest all these gains, our strength will inevitably ascend by a massive bound!
"Given enough time, I am confident I can develop the Luotian Association into the paramount power in Tianlan Immortal City beneath the Core Formation sects!
"Even looking across the entire Jade Cauldron Domain, we will be second to none among Foundation Establishment forces!"
As she spoke, a hint of feverish excitement crept onto her face.
Within her dark eyes, a flame known as "ambition" blazed with fierce intensity!
Sima Xian's mouth fell open.
He had never seen such an expression on his little sister's face!
It was a sensation typically seen only in male rulers—a boundless ambition for one's life work.
The little sister who once traveled north and south alongside them, meticulously calculating every penny, had suddenly undergone such a monumental transformation.
It truly caught him off guard.
He shuddered.
Was it really sudden?
No!
He had simply chosen to ignore it all along.
Ever since his little sister became the director-general of the Luotian Association, she had been undergoing subtle, silent changes.
Now, only because of his urgency to have her stabilize her realm had he abruptly realized it.
"All right, Big Brother, don't worry about me anymore."
Sima Huiniang's expression returned to calm, completely unruffled.
"Stabilizing a mere realm is something I can gradually perfect through slow, steady effort whenever I find spare moments to cultivate.
"I still have many matters to attend to, so I won't entertain you any longer."
Before entering the hall, Sima Huiniang seemed to recall something suddenly.
Turning around, her face grew stern.
"Hall Master Sima, submit the roster of cultivators from your Battle Hall who earned merit or committed offenses in this battle as soon as possible.
"Afterward, I will verify it with Hall Master Murong and distribute the appropriate rewards and punishments."
Sima Xian's expression stiffened.
Well then!
It seemed nothing had changed after all; everything was exactly as before.
The moment official business was mentioned, even family was treated strictly by the book.
Chapter 297