Luo Chen Pushes His Luck, Making Exorbitant Demands

“Fellow Daoist is truly diligent!” A moist mountain breeze brushed past as a chilly voice drifted into his ears. Tantai Jin descended from the swirling mist, her sharp gaze fixed on Luo Chen. “Up so early reading books.” Luo Chen waved the alchemy exposition in his hand, appearing not the least bit surprised by her arrival. He remarked, “The Dao of Alchemy is vast and profound. My life has a limit, but knowledge knows no bounds—how could I not strive a little harder?” Tantai Jin’s eyes flickered. “We True Cultivators pursue the Grand Dao of Longevity and look toward an unending lifespan. How can there be any talk of life having a limit?” Luo Chen gave a hearty laugh. “May it be just as Fellow Daoist Tantai says!” “Please, have a seat!” Without ceremony, Tantai Jin promptly sat down on the wicker chair opposite Luo Chen. Setting down the alchemy exposition, Luo Chen poured her a cup of hot tea himself. Tantai Jin’s gaze immediately fell upon the *Shanghu Alchemy Exposition*. Looking at the title, a flicker of mixed emotion flashed across her eyes. She picked up the spiritual tea Luo Chen had poured and took a careful sip, offering no comment on its flavor. Instead, she went straight to the point: “I hear that you, Danchenzi, have gained quite a lot in the Dao of Alchemy lately?” *Danchenzi, not Fire Spirit Lord?* The corners of Luo Chen’s lips curved slightly. *As expected!* She was steering the conversation in that direction. Playing along with her lead, he answered modestly, “Modest gains, only modest gains!” At such feigned modesty, Tantai Jin’s mouth twitched. *Modest gains indeed!* There were quite a few minor clans and small sects skilled in alchemy within Tianlan Immortal City, but not long ago, Luo Chen’s Luotian Association had wiped out two of them in one fell swoop. On top of that, the Li clan, which leaned toward him, was also an alchemical family renowned for refining pills and cultivating medicinal herbs. With so many alchemical resources gathered together, Luo Chen, as a Tier 2 alchemist, had surely reaped immense benefits. She took a deep breath, deciding not to beat around the bush any longer. It was obvious. Having always dedicated herself to ascetic cultivation, she was no match for a self-made man like Luo Chen when it came to conversational sparring. She decided to get straight to the point. “Danchenzi, are you currently capable of refining medium-grade Jade Dew Pills?” Having asked, she fixed her stare intently on Luo Chen’s face, resolved not to miss the slightest change in his expression. Under her watchful eyes, a hint of surprise appeared on Luo Chen’s face. Yet it vanished just as quickly, as if nothing had happened. *Sly rascal. He probably won't tell the truth,* Tantai Jin thought to herself. Sure enough. “Tier 2 medium-grade pills are exceptionally difficult. Fellow Daoist Tantai, aren't you thinking too highly of me?” Luo Chen said with a bitter smile. Tantai Jin’s lips twitched. Then, with a half-smile that was not quite a smile, she looked at Luo Chen. “Danchenzi, why bother hiding it from me?” Inwardly, Luo Chen grimaced: *Big sister, with that eternal iceberg face of yours, please don't force a half-smile. It's downright awkward!* Still, he had to keep playing along with the act. “Ahem!” He cleared his throat and said, “Recently, I have indeed made some progress in the Dao of Alchemy. But concocting medium-grade pills consumes far too much energy and expense. “As you know, I am not like the true disciples of great sects who can cast everything aside and focus solely on their cultivation. “I still have to manage the Luotian Association and earn cultivation resources. I am swamped with trivial chores!” Just as he was about to continue airing his grievances, Tantai Jin suddenly said, “If I could resolve those worries and difficulties for you, could you spare more time to refine a few extra batches of medium-grade Jade Dew Pills for my Unfeeling Lineage?” Luo Chen parted his lips in slight surprise. *Resolve my worries and difficulties?* His rambling speech earlier had merely been groundwork to justify hiking the price of his pills later on. Where had her thoughts wandered off to? Still, since she had offered him a ladder to climb, there was no reason not to push his luck. “How would you resolve them?” “I hear that under your Luotian Association, talented Qi Refinement cultivators abound, yet they suffer from a lack of Foundation Establishment Pills.” “Oh?” Luo Chen’s eyes instantly lit up! *Could it be?* Meeting his anticipation, Tantai Jin did not keep him in suspense. “I currently have two Foundation Establishment Pills on hand. I can part with one for you, Fellow Daoist.” “So generous?” Luo Chen blurted out. Tantai Jin’s expression remained indifferent. “It is merely a Foundation Establishment Pill. To those of us already in the Foundation Establishment stage, it is of little use.” Hearing this, Luo Chen understood at once. Indeed! After reaching Foundation Establishment, the once priceless Foundation Establishment Pill was no longer so crucial to a Foundation Establishment cultivator personally. Only leaders of small factions like him, who had subordinates to care for, would fret over such things. Whereas for the Foundation Establishment True Cultivators of great sects, channels to obtain them were surely plentiful. This had been obvious back when Tianxingzi had boasted of securing three of them for him. While he was still pleasantly surprised, Tantai Jin tossed out another offer that made Luo Chen’s heart stir. “I hear that the Luotian Association has never managed to find an outstanding beast tamer, leaving the position of hall master of the Spirit Beast Hall vacant for many days? “I know a Foundation Establishment loose cultivator who has meditated quietly in Tianlan for many years. He is quite adept in the art of beast taming.” Seeing Luo Chen’s delighted look, Tantai Jin continued, “His background, origins, character, and disposition are impeccable. As long as you can afford his monthly salary of four thousand spirit stones, he is willing to serve the Luotian Association for ten years!” Four thousand a month! *So expensive!* Luo Chen frowned. This far exceeded the standard salary of three thousand spirit stones for an ordinary Foundation Establishment consecrated elder. It seemed like a difference of only a thousand, but over the course of a year, that was an extra ten-odd thousand spirit stones. More importantly, the man would only serve for ten years? He could not help asking, “Is he truly skilled at beast taming?” Having asked, he added, “I don't mean merely controlling spirit beasts, but breeding and rearing them.” Tantai Jin nodded. “Since I am recommending him to you, I have naturally inquired into such matters. You can rest assured.” Luo Chen felt a bit hesitant. The Luotian Association’s current financial situation was fairly good thanks to inheriting the spoils of several vanquished forces. However, supporting the expenses of another Foundation Establishment True Cultivator would indeed stretch things somewhat tight. Yet from a long-term perspective, if they could get spirit beast breeding off the ground, the profits would definitely be considerable. Back in the day, the Nangong clan, the Li clan, and the Mountain Breaker Gang had primarily engaged in the trade of demon beasts and domesticated spirit beasts. Luo Chen had seen all their profits with his own eyes. If the Luotian Association could develop this avenue as well, they would have another pillar to lean on in the future. Only, in that case, one had to take a long-term view. Ten years... wasn't very long at all! A thought stirred in Luo Chen’s mind. Pursing his lips, he asked, “I wonder if that fellow Daoist would be willing to mentor the juniors?” Tantai Jin looked at Luo Chen in surprise, grasping his intent. However, she could not make decisions on that front. “As for the specifics, you can discuss them with him when the time comes. Knowing his personality, he will likely agree.” *It seems he's easy to get along with!* Luo Chen felt a touch invigorated. Easy to talk to—that was great! If he could train a few beast tamers for the Luotian Association within those ten years, nothing could be better! That way, a monthly salary of four thousand spirit stones wouldn't seem so exorbitant; it would be worth every single stone! Even if he resigned after ten years, the Luotian Association's spirit beast business would not suddenly grind to a halt. After settling these two matters, the atmosphere between them noticeably eased. Tantai Jin remarked, “With this, Fellow Daoist should have ample free time. Would you have the energy to concoct medium-grade Jade Dew Pills for my Unfeeling Lineage?” In her mind, Luo Chen ought not to decline any further. And indeed, he replied just as she expected: “If the matters of the Foundation Establishment Pill and the Spirit Beast Hall can be resolved, I can indeed save a great deal of time. “However...” Though the woman acted very composed, Luo Chen had already seen through to the urgency beneath her poise. Since that was the case, he was going to make an exorbitant demand! Under Tantai Jin’s furrowed brow, Luo Chen slowly said, “I was born a mere loose cultivator—without a sect, without a legacy, and with no hope for the road ahead. “Cultivating in the Foundation Establishment stage is something I can still manage by crossing the river by feeling the stones. “Yet regarding Core Formation, I have no clue whatsoever. “I hear that your noble sect possesses three secret techniques for attempting Core Formation. I wonder if I might be permitted to peruse one?” As soon as the words left his mouth, the previously eased atmosphere tautened once again. “You are pushing your luck!” Tantai Jin narrowed her eyes, a dangerous glint leaking from beneath her long eyelashes. Luo Chen’s heart jumped, yet he held his ground: “If Fellow Daoist were in my shoes, I imagine you would do the same!” Tantai Jin stared hard at him. After a long pause, she shook her head firmly. “Choose something else!” Luo Chen parted his lips, ultimately slumping in defeat. When it came to Core Formation secret arts, these great sects truly would not relent easily. Rallying his spirits, he threw out casually, “Then if your side could procure enough medium-grade or high-grade cultivation pills for me—so that aside from refining pills, I need not worry about my cultivation along the Grand Dao—I would surely have much more enthusiasm to pour into it. “Oh, a reliable channel works too. I do possess a modest fortune!” Hearing this request, Tantai Jin’s narrowed eyes slowly relaxed. She shook her head. “Within the Ice Fort, high-grade pills are extremely limited in quantity. The share allotted to my Unfeeling Lineage is fewer still. It would be difficult for me to...” As she spoke, a thought suddenly crossed her mind. “If you merely want a channel, I can introduce you to someone.” Luo Chen, who had harbored no expectations at all and had merely asked offhandedly, felt his eyes light up at once! ... In the end, Luo Chen still agreed to spare no effort in refining medium-grade Jade Dew Pills for the Unfeeling Lineage! It wasn't that his willpower was weak. It was simply that the other party had offered far too much! Each of the conditions seemed trifling to Tantai Jin, yet to him, every single one was a precious resource that resolved a pressing emergency. The Foundation Establishment Pill would turn the cover story he had put up into a reality! If anyone asked in the future how the Luotian Association managed to produce so many Foundation Establishment True Cultivators, he could simply wave the banner of the Ice Fort. With that, all suspicion would vanish. The beast tamer would allow the Spirit Beast Hall—one of the Nine Halls of Luotian—to function properly. Given time, the spirit beast business would surely become a major source of revenue for the Luotian Association. And high-grade cultivation pills were what Luo Chen lacked most urgently. However, regarding this last condition, Tantai Jin had spoken bluntly. She was only offering him an opportunity; whether he could obtain enough high-grade pills depended entirely on what he could offer to move Tao Wan! Indeed! The channel Tantai Jin intended to introduce to Luo Chen was none other than Tao Wan, whom Luo Chen already knew. She was a Foundation Establishment true disciple of Azure Pill Valley and possessed connections to Golden Core Masters. Having grown up surrounded by pills, she had never lacked them in her life. If one were to ask which Foundation Establishment True Cultivator within Luo Chen's reach was most likely to provide large quantities of high-grade pills, it would only be that woman, Tao Wan. It was just that the woman was quite arrogant. She would likely be hard to win over. At present, Luo Chen also seemed hard-pressed to produce anything that would pique her interest. Jade Dew Pills? Busy inside the alchemy chamber, Luo Chen shook his head with regret. If permitted, the Jade Dew Pill would certainly move Tao Wan, given she was a female cultivator. Yet long ago, he had promised the Ice Fort that he would never sell this pill to outsiders for a hundred years. *It seems I will have to have Su Xiaolin gather more intelligence on Azure Pill Valley's Tao Wan—her preferences as well as information on the Tao clan.* *That way, I can tailor the right approach when the time comes.* Luo Chen was anxious about this matter, yet he could not afford to rush it recklessly. Because the Azure Pill Valley cultivators had already departed the immortal city once the governance of Tianlan for the next decade was decided. Tantai Jin had merely promised to contact her as soon as possible and arrange a meeting between the two. *If only her younger brother, Tao Yisheng, were still in Tianlan. I could easily have probed whatever I wanted out of that loose-lipped brother of hers.* Sighing, Luo Chen reined in his wandering thoughts and shifted all his focus onto the medicinal ingredients before him. Human placenta! Underworld Yin Fiend! Cultivator essence blood! The three primary ingredients of the Blood Fiend Pill!