On Danxia Peak.
Three figures walked side by side.
The one in the lead was not the host, Luo Chen, but Tantai Jin.
Standing in the center, she surveyed today's arrangements for the Luotian Association.
"Lively as it may be, certain aspects are rather crass, and a few details even overstep propriety."
Such was the evaluation of a True Disciple from a great Golden Core sect.
Luo Chen said helplessly, "After all, our foundation is shallow. When it comes to ceremonies and etiquette, many things were not handled with thorough elegance."
Tantai Jin nodded.
"It matters not. After all, your purpose was never merely a Foundation Establishment ceremony."
Luo Chen smiled faintly; both understood what went unspoken.
Beside them, Tao Yisheng had remained silent all along.
Although of noble standing representing Tao Wan of Azure Pill Valley, with Tantai Jin—who was in no way inferior to Tao Wan—taking the lead, it naturally was not his place to steal the spotlight.
He was simply somewhat bewildered by the subtle undercurrents in their exchange.
The three arrived at the plaza outside the hall.
Zuo Song, Chen Xiuli, and the others had long come out to receive them.
Looking at these people, Tantai Jin arched an eyebrow and gave Luo Chen a meaningful look. Then, from her storage bag, she produced three items.
"A modest gift, unworthy of mention."
Seeing those three items, Luo Chen's brow raised.
"These are?"
Tantai Jin gave a light laugh, and before the representatives of the many clans and sects, her clear voice rang out:
"One Foundation Establishment Pill, wishing that the Luotian Association may nurture yet more outstanding talent."
"One piece of Ice God Jade, wishing Director-General Sima Huiniang steady progress in her cultivation."
"One single-use jade slip inscribed with Ice Fort's Core Formation Secret Technique, wishing Fire Spirit Lord Luo Chen success in his future core formation, to catch a glimpse of the Great Dao of the Golden Core!"
What a congratulatory gift!
What a congratulatory gift!
Almost the instant Tantai Jin's voice fell, the entire assembly of Foundation Establishment True Cultivators erupted into an uproar.
Their gazes fell upon that jade slip, burning so hotly they seemed poised to melt the very void.
That was a Core Formation secret art!
What merit or virtue did this Luo Chen possess to be held in such high regard by Ice Fort?
To the point where they would openly produce a Core Formation secret art and gift it to him?
To say nothing of the onlookers, even Luo Chen himself felt his head buzzing, overwhelmed with shock.
He had previously opened his mouth wide like a lion, boldly asking Tantai Jin for a Core Formation secret art.
Yet back then, he had been flatly refused on the spot.
There had not been the slightest room for bargaining.
Yet now...
'Why would she be so generous?'
Luo Chen swallowed hard.
Gazing at Tantai Jin's calm profile, he could not help but say, "Fellow Daoist Tantai, this..."
"What, not to your liking?"
"No!" Luo Chen shook his head vigorously like a rattle drum. Under countless gazes that looked ready to devour him alive, his voice grew dry and hoarse. "Is this not... far too valuable?"
Tantai Jin cast him a faint, knowing glance.
When you opened your mouth to demand it before, you certainly didn't consider whether a Core Formation secret art was too valuable.
Now that I present it to you before everyone, you don't dare take it?
Seeing his cornered, awkward look, Tantai Jin said leisurely, "It is merely a single Core Formation secret art, nothing of consequence to my Ice Fort. So long as the Luotian Association forms an enduring bond and works with one heart and mind alongside my Jueqing lineage from now on, that shall suffice."
With that, without waiting for Luo Chen's reply, she swept her sleeves and strode into the grand hall.
Many Foundation Establishment True Cultivators followed after her almost by instinct.
This scene carried a distinct feeling of the guest usurping the host's place.
Luo Chen's expression shifted slightly.
Holding the jade slip that felt as if forged from glacial ice, he found it extraordinarily heavy.
He had already awakened from his shock and realized the purpose behind her display.
Usurping the host!
What a masterstroke of usurping the host!
He had wanted to borrow external strength to advance his own momentum, and she had indeed been willing to lend it. But the strength she poured in was so overwhelming that it crushed Luo Chen's own original standing.
At this moment, in the eyes of everyone present, they had surely come to see the Luotian Association as a true vassal of Ice Fort!
After all, if they were not a direct subordinate faction, who would freely hand out a precious Core Formation secret art to an outsider?
'Hunting geese all one's life, only to be pecked in the eye by a goose.'
'I truly underestimated the elites of these great sects!'
While his expression flickered between light and shade, Tao Yisheng beside him also presented his gifts.
"Brother Luo, I arrived in haste. A humble gift, hardly worthy of mention."
Luo Chen subconsciously received the gifts.
Several bottles of pills, several herbs.
All were fine goods of immense benefit to female Foundation Establishment cultivators.
None were meant for Luo Chen individually.
After all, in name, this celebration belonged to Sima Huiniang.
"Fellow Daoist Tao, you are too kind."
Luo Chen accompanied Tao Yisheng toward the hall.
Tao Yisheng remarked with admiration, "Among the Seven Jade Cauldron Sects, Ice Fort has the fewest vassals. I never imagined the Luotian Association would be held in such high regard by Ice Fort! It seems my judgment back then was indeed correct: you are by no means a creature destined to remain confined to a shallow pond, Brother Luo. Even in this Tianlan Immortal City where cultivators gather like clouds, you have carved out a domain of your own!"
"You praise me far too much, Fellow Daoist."
Luo Chen replied, the words tasting like wax in his mouth.
Unaware of his inner thoughts, Tao Yisheng merely sensed that Luo Chen seemed somewhat distracted, and so pared down their conversation.
Entering the grand hall.
Under the arrangement of the maidservants, the Foundation Establishment cultivators had already taken their seats.
The seating arrangement had clearly been meticulously planned.
At the very head of the hall sat two elevated seats: Luo Chen had already taken one, while the other remained vacant—its intended occupant obvious at a glance.
On the same elevated platform sat Tantai Jin and Tao Yisheng opposite each other, representing the great Golden Core sects.
Below this, the hall was divided into two flanks, with rows of tables set out where the Foundation Establishment True Cultivators sat cross-legged. Spiritual fruits, delicacies, fine wine, and tea had already been served one after another.
The more formidable the backing of a faction, the further forward its representative sat.
For instance, Zuo Song and Luo Feng sat in prominent front positions.
Not only did they boast powerful factions behind them, but they also possessed late Foundation Establishment cultivations.
Behind them were Chen Xiuli, Zhou Qing, Qiao Xiyue, and the like.
As for the other Foundation Establishment cultivators, they were seated progressively toward the back.
The Foundation Establishment True Cultivators of the Luotian Association sat angled downward from the main dais.
From this layout alone, one could see that the Luotian Association had a sharp and accurate appraisal of their guests' relative importance.
The only detail that took people by surprise was that among the tables of Foundation Establishment True Cultivators, a cultivator at the Qi Refinement Great Perfection had been included.
However, once people learned his identity, no one voiced any dissatisfaction.
That was Li Yingzhang, patriarch of the Li family of Qinhua.
In the past, the Li family of Qinhua had been a powerful clan overseen by a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Though they had declined now, they were still a staunch ally of the Luotian Association.
Moreover, the Luotian Association had placed him at the very end of the row, so the Foundation Establishment True Cultivators did not feel slighted.
On the contrary, seeing the importance the Luotian Association placed on the Li family only caused the crowd to respect Luo Chen a few degrees more.
When an old friend passed away, treating his family's younger generation with such regard was rare indeed.
Aside from these Foundation Establishment True Cultivators, the rest of the Qi Refinement cultivators—whether from the Luotian Association or juniors brought by the various Foundation Establishment guests—were seated farther back and toward the outer edges of the hall.
Arranged thus, looking down from above, everything was orderly and beyond reproach.
"The auspicious hour has arrived, Fire Spirit Lord. Will you not invite out your director-general?"
The speaker was Zuo Song.
Even with worries weighing on his mind, Luo Chen naturally would not neglect his manners on such an occasion.
He smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist jokes. This is merely a gathering to sit and discuss the Dao; what auspicious hour is there to speak of? Huiniang shall arrive at once!"
Before his voice had finished echoing, the tinkling of jade pendants and hair ornaments drifted in from outside the hall.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
A tall, graceful woman approached with slow, elegant steps.
Draped in a snow-white gown, she wore an exquisite, noble phoenix crown adorned with lotus tassels and dangling hairpins that swayed with every step, casting shimmering brilliance as she walked.
Her skin was translucent and fair as snow, her features refined yet grand and poised.
Her clear, lustrous eyes remained calm and unruffled even beneath the scrutiny of numerous powerful cultivators, as deep and steady as a cold, fathomless pool.
Behind her, a boy and girl attendant followed closely, each bearing a fly-whisk and a precious sword.
As she drew near, everyone's eyes lit up in admiration.
What an extraordinary female Foundation Establishment cultivator!
In the past, they had long heard that the director-general of the Luotian Association, though only in the Qi Refinement realm, possessed remarkable capabilities.
A lone woman who managed the massive Luotian Association without a flaw.
From top to bottom, all revered and obeyed her!
Looking at her now, after reaching Foundation Establishment, her demeanor was transcendent, far removed from the mundane world.
One truly wondered where Fire Spirit Lord Luo Chen had recruited such an exceptional woman to serve at his disposal.
"Forgive me for keeping everyone waiting. Sima Huiniang greets all fellow Daoists!"
Sima Huiniang offered an elegant bow.
Then, under Luo Chen's gaze, she took a light leap and landed upon the main seat like a drifting willow catkin, devoid of the slightest trace of exertion.
"Not bad. A very solid foundation, and her spiritual power is quite pure!"
This seemingly ordinary remark came from the mouth of Tantai Jin, Ice Fort's True Disciple.
In the ears of others, that was high praise indeed!
Instantly, the Foundation Establishment True Cultivators in the hall voiced their compliments to Sima Huiniang one after another.
Sima Huiniang smiled faintly and looked toward Luo Chen.
"Begin," Luo Chen said placidly.
Taking a deep breath, Sima Huiniang displayed no stage fright whatsoever, plunging straight into recounting her insights on Foundation Establishment.
In an instant, all the Qi Refinement cultivators in the hall perked up their ears, listening with rapt attention.
So focused were they, terrified of missing even half a sentence!
...
The insights of a newly established Foundation Establishment cultivator were undoubtedly invaluable knowledge to Qi Refinement cultivators.
Many rogue cultivators might never encounter such an opportunity in their entire lives.
Only disciples of these clans and sects had the privilege of being brought along by their seniors to listen.
The Qi Refinement cultivators of the Luotian Association were blessed; in a short span of a dozen years, they had heard such lectures four or five times.
Should clever individuals among them make proper use of these insights when attempting their own breakthroughs, their chances of Foundation Establishment would increase considerably.
It was likely for this very reason that when a faction rose from humble beginnings, internal elites would often surge forth like a bubbling spring, one after another.
Even if their origin was merely some remote, impoverished backwater.
Even if their personal talents were not exceptionally outstanding.
Under the guidance of an excellent leader, through repeated victories and harvests, they would continuously enrich themselves and grow stronger.
Without realizing it, this created an illusion in others: why did a certain place produce so many geniuses?
In reality, it was not that the feng shui of that place was exceptional.
Rather, at the right moment, the right heroic figure had emerged, thus forging an extraordinary collective.
Luo Chen was precisely such a leader.
The rogue cultivators of Dahe Market gathered closely around him; while providing him with aid, they too reaped immense rewards.
Of course!
This knowledge meant little to the Foundation Establishment cultivators present.
For a grand ceremony, what mattered was not what happened in the middle.
What mattered was who came at the beginning!
And what was taken away at the departure!
Therefore, while Sima Huiniang lectured, most Foundation Establishment True Cultivators were somewhat absentminded, with only the Qi Refinement cultivators hanging on every word.
Strictly speaking, this was only the second time the Luotian Association had hosted such an external ceremony since Luo Chen's own Foundation Establishment Grand Ceremony.
When Duan Feng, Wang Yuan, and the others broke through previously, they had celebrated internally.
This time, however, there was none of the offensive behavior seen during Luo Chen's ceremony, where someone made a move to test Sima Huiniang's capabilities.
Whether out of respect for Luo Chen's reputation as the Fire Spirit Lord or deference to the two True Disciples of the Golden Core sects, the ceremony proceeded smoothly and methodically.
Until it finally reached its conclusion!
By this time, the sky was tinged with amber.
Rosy evening clouds bathed Danxia Peak in magnificent splendor.
With the ceremony concluded, several Foundation Establishment True Cultivators took their disciples and took their leave, including Tantai Jin and Tao Yisheng, the two disciples of the great sects.
Yet more chose to stay behind, waiting with anticipation for Sima Huiniang.
After seeing off Tantai Jin, Sima Huiniang and Luo Chen stood side by side by the rainbow bridge.
She looked back toward the many Foundation Establishment True Cultivators remaining in the hall, her earlier excitement now settled into calm.
"President, shall I go?"
"Go," Luo Chen waved his hand grandly. "Negotiate freely. Secure as much as you can."
Sima Huiniang smiled faintly and reentered the hall.
After she departed, Luo Chen watched the fading streak of Tantai Jin's escaping light and let out an involuntary sigh.
In his mind, the scene from before the ceremony began replayed itself repeatedly.
Along his journey so far, though the path had been perilous and arduous, every move he made yielded gains.
To outsiders, his rise seemed smooth and unhindered.
He had grown accustomed to leveraging small stakes for great rewards, maneuvering between various powerhouses, and borrowing external strength to achieve his goals.
Yet this time, he had miscalculated.
How could the strength of a great Golden Core sect be so easy to borrow?
A mere speck shaken loose from under their fingernails was a weight heavier than he could bear.
Today, Tantai Jin's actions had thoroughly branded the Luotian Association as part of Ice Fort's Jueqing lineage.
In the future, should he encounter greater difficulties, he likely would no longer be able to play both sides with such ease.
"Sometimes, borrowed strength is ultimately not one's own!"
"Once it overwhelms your own foundation, the immense sense of helplessness leaves one almost unable to breathe."
While he was lost in reflection, a streak of escaping light shot across the horizon like lightning.
By now, the rainbow bridge had been retracted.
Yet Luo Chen personally went forward to welcome the guest.
The light vanished, revealing Chu Kui's figure.
"Apologies! I came out of seclusion a bit late and missed your Luotian Association's Foundation Establishment celebration."
Luo Chen shook his head. "It's good that you came; it's not late. At the very least, a cup of humble wine has been saved for you."
Chu Kui chuckled.
At Luo Chen's personal invitation, he set foot onto Danxia Peak for the first time.
As they walked and chatted, Chu Kui looked over the people and sights of Danxia Peak.
Every now and then, he sighed in admiration at Luo Chen's deft management.
To this, Luo Chen took no credit, attributing it all to Sima Huiniang's hard work.
The unspoken message was clear: when you present your gift later, Chu Kui, you'd better not be stingy.
Chu Kui felt helpless, but upon learning of the many prominent figures who had visited the Luotian Association today, he felt not the slightest regret in his heart.
The stronger the Luotian Association became, the more formidable the enemies they might attract in the future.
As long as it didn't involve Golden Core cultivators, there would be ample room for him, Chu Kui, to ply his trade.
Previously, a single cup of Taibai wine had brought him a fee of one hundred thousand spirit stones for an intervention.
A little bleeding this time might well lead to five hundred thousand or a million next time.
"Speaking of which, how come I haven't heard you mention anyone from the Zheng family of Gunlong Ridge? Did they not send anyone?"
At the mention of the Zheng family of Gunlong Ridge, Luo Chen sneered coldly.
In the past, they had merely maintained a tacit cooperation while remaining outwardly antagonistic.
This time, the Luotian Association had reaped immense gains, particularly in the Dao of alchemy.
Their future medicinal pill business was bound to expand further.
Under these circumstances, why would the threatened Zheng family take the initiative to show goodwill?
The invitation he had sent via messenger had received no reply.
Nor had anyone shown up today.
Evidently, the Zheng family had made their stance clear.
Moreover, while many people had come this time, it was not as many as Luo Chen had envisioned.
Several factions he had invited had not shown their faces either.
Faced with Chu Kui's question, after his cold sneer, Luo Chen remarked faintly:
"Those who should have come, came."
"As for those who shouldn't have... I shall pay them a personal visit in the future."
The chilling malice in his words was enough to make one shudder.
Chu Kui's eyes, however, lit up.
"If you need help, just call on me! Chu Kui, the Timely Rain of Tianlan, never drops the ball!"
Luo Chen rolled his eyes.
"Come on, let's head in for a drink. While we're at it, I'll introduce you to a few Foundation Establishment True Cultivators of my Luotian Association so you can get to know them. Lest you fail to recognize them in the future, take up someone else's contract, and end up attacking our own people."
Chapter 313